Hi,
Could this legend have actually been part some bigger looting?
French (1798-1800)
The Maltese islanders initially favored Napoleon's takeover of the island in 1798, because the Knights had resisted many reforms favored by the Enlightenment. Napoleon ended the Inquisition, the use of judicial torture, and privilege based on birth. But the French quickly fell out of favor with the Maltese because they stripped the churches of relics, paintings, gold, and silver. Napoleon shipped the riches of Malta to finance his campaigns in Egypt, but they were lost when the ship sank. Furthermore, the French refused to pay the Knights' debts and pensions to the islanders. This increased interest rates, created new taxes, altered leases, and caused the loss of jobs. The Maltese became angry with the new regime's religious insensitivity and economic exploitation.
The Maltese rebelled in Mdina on 2 September 1798. Napoleon had left only a small garrison in Malta when he continued on to Egypt, so the rebellion quickly spread throughout the countryside. The French troops retreated behind the walls of Valletta, where the Maltese held them under siege. The arrival of a British fleet to blockade the island completed the defeat of the French in 1800.
Suggested Reading:
Boffa, Charles J. The Saga of the French Occupation: Malta, 1798-1800. Malta: Progress Press, 1998.
Testa, Carmel. The French in Malta, 1798-1800. Valletta, Malta: Midsea Books, 1997.
from;
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during the Napoleanic Wars
Posted on: September 15, 2012, 07:47:09 PM
and another wee addition;
Letter from Captain C. J. Riddell, 35th Regiment of Foot, in Malta, to his brother, George Riddell of Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland, describing the surrender of the French under General Vaubois at Valetta, and the raising of the first British flag (the King's Colour of the 35th Regiment of Foot) RSR/MSS/1/40 6 September 1800
These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office
1 Folio
Contents:
Photocopy and transcript
Posted on: September 15, 2012, 08:07:33 PM
last add on
It appears the vessel that sank in the above post was "orient" and was blown up at the battle of Aboukir. The other vessel carrying plunder was "sensible" which was caught by the British. Buonaparte left General Vaubois behind with 4000 french troops who suffered from famine and were half pay eventually no pay.
Within the blockade of 2 years 2 days , they were in Valetta and the towns of Burmola , La Sangle and Le Bourge.
from The Saturday Magazine , vol 17
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