No. 240.
Mr. Read
to Mr. Evarts.
Athens, April 12, 1878. (Received May 1.)
Sir: Referring to my No. 377, I have the honor to state that Mr. Eutychides, an American citizen at Volo, in acknowledging the reception of my dispatch, in which I informed him that the United States ship Marion was ordered by Admiral Le Roy to Volo, writes to me under date of the 6th of April, as follows:
Your excellency is aware that Macrinitza wholly, and other villages near it partly, were plundered last week, and more people, including men, women, and children, were massacred than was at first thought, Mr. Ogle, correspondent of the London Times, being among them. On Sunday last, seeing the soldiers, even, plunder the refugees in the streets of Volo, while they were striving to run to a place of safety, I was alarmed for the safety of the town and took the liberty of sending to your excellency a telegraphic dispatch soliciting your help.
I have now the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your answer to the effect that the “American war vessel Marion had been ordered from Smyrna to Volo,” for which I am much obliged and beg to offer my sincere thanks, in which, I am sure, all the Christian population of Volo unite.
Since receiving this letter I have heard that the Marion has reached Volo, and that she has been engaged in the humane work of transporting women and children to a place of safety on the neighboring coast.
I have, &c.,