Mon. June 4:

Mr. Tilden tells me that he heard a French gentleman say that he was yesterday looking out at his window + saw a Turk come up to a greek smiling + presented his pistol as if in sport. The greek probably supposing no harm was intended smiled in return. The Turk however fired and the greek fell dead on the spot. The assassinations yesterday were numerous. Some say 20, some say 50 or 60 –
An express arrived last night from Constantinople for Dr. Werry. I have this morning been conversing with the (ganisary?) who brought it. He is a native of _____ in Switzerland, says he was on board a vessel when quite young which was taken by the Turks, and he then became a Turk. He went to England with Dr. Morier and was there some months. He speaks English tolerably well. – I enquired the news from Constantinople + he told me the following things. The Grand Signore is collecting troops + there is talk of war with Russia. Orders are given to the troops who go against the Morea to put to death all men between 16 + 60, + to sell all the women and children as slaves. The avowed design is to exterminate the race. - - During the disturbances at Constantinople a drunken Turk one day killed 9 Christians, the Grand (Visier?) heard of it + cut his head off. - - - A Turk demanded some money of a greek who owed him. The greek had not the money by him but promised to pay in 3 days. The Turk immediately stabbed him….This being the day of the monthly concert I devote it to fasting + prayer. I found it pleasant to turns my attention from the dangers and the assassinations which surround me + give myself up to prayer + meditations concerning the great cause of Zion.