[Henry Lytton-Bulwer, diplomat; Ottoman Empire; Corfu; Greece] Incomplete Autograph Letter (missing signature page) from [Henry Lytton Bulwer?] to [H.R.H. The Duke of Cambridge, C-in-C], about military/naval situation in the Greek Islands (Corfu).

Incomplete (missing signature page at least), leaving 4pp., 4to, remnants of tipping on to something, minor stains around address, small hole causing minor loss, text clear, as follows: Sir, | beg your Royal Highness to accept my best thanks for the able, succinct & lucid memorandum which I have just had the honor to recieve [sic] & a copy of which I propose to forward the Mr. Gladstone at whose request I sought to obtain from the most competent & valuable authorities, the information towards which your Royal Highness has so largely contributed, There are one or two points upon which I would however respectfully ask an additional opinion - Your Highness observes that 'the Harbour at Corfu is [magnificently?] capable of containg the largest fleets that could be concentrated there -'. | I believe it has the advantage of two distinct entrances, one North, one South, which would render a Naval blockade difficulty; yet, on the other hand, I have been informed that it has no basins or docks for men of war & is rather a roadstead than a harbour - well sheltered against the weather, but much exposed to cannonading & bombardment even from the sea, being only partially covered by the small island of Vido. | With respect to the standing Defences Your Royal Highness appears to concur in the opinion I have elsewhere recieved [sic] that they are in an imperfect state more or less - supposing the garrison were not very strong, a besieging force might penetrate especially from San Salvador thro' the town, & establish itself between Fort Neuf & the Citadel by which the communication between them would be cut off & the 3 posts (Fort Neuf, the Citadel & Vido) isolatedf from one another would then be easily reduced - To make the alterations Your Royal Highness suggests involving the Demolition of the old Venetian works - & probably perhaps necessitating the occupation of Fort Abraham San Salvador, & the Raimond Bastion by strong [works?], with one or two intervening & supplementary posts of minor importance would I fear be attanded with considerable cost - It has been roughly [estimated?] to me at about 250,000£ & certailnly I knew not where such a sum is to come from - | May I ask if such a sum at all agrees with the estimate your Royal Highness would be inclined [end of text, rest missing]. Note: A. The Duke of Cambridge has written Answered December 23rd/58 above Bulwer's address (page one); B. Knebworth was the Lytton Bulwer Family Seat; C. In 1858, [Bulwer] succeeded Lord Stratford de Redcliffe as Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire which indicates regional knowledge; D. At first sight the handwriting is not that of Henry Bulwer Lytton, but apart from the letter originating in his family seat, and his expertise on the region, it seems to me that he is aware that his normal hand is a scrawl and has studiedly tried to write clearly for his Royal Master, often lapsing into his scrawl. See Images of pages one and four.