Napoleon devised an expedition to seize Egypt from a weakened Ottoman empire and also threaten Britain’s hold on India – the key was Malta.

Reports from spies led Napoleon to reason that the knights would not put up a great resistance in the event of an attack. A force of over 30,000 Frenchmen arrived off of Malta on 9 June.

The majority of the roughly 300 knights were elderly, which resulted in a poor defense of the island. Also, the local militias were poorly trained and terrified at the prospect of engaging the French. Napoleon wasted little time once his fleet arrived off of the island. Two brigades commanded by future marshals Marmont and Lannes under General Charles Henri Vaubois landed near Valetta.

Vaubois’ column quickly dispersed the Regiment of Malta, who retreated towards Valetta. A third column captured Gozo after he promised to do the locals no harm.

The arrival of the French caused widespread panic in the streets of Valetta. Several knights were killed by a mob after rumours had spread of the island’s surrender. As all of this chaos raged within the walls of the city, the Grand Master remained indecisively in his palace. Finally, the knights came to terms on 11 June, surrendering the island to the French.

Vaubois was uncertain if his position on the island was tenable because of the lack of necessities. A British fleet also loomed after Nelson’s annihilation of the French frigates in the battle of the Nile. Shortly afterward, Naples stopped all trade with Malta, seriously limiting the possibilities of receiving provisions. The Maltese were beginning to pose a threat to French control of the island.

The local population voiced their anger on several matters, including some religious reforms brought by the French. The attempted seizure of a convent in the town of Notabile by the French led to an uprising. The French garrison in Notabile attempted to hold off the mob but was soon overrun and slaughtered.

Vaubois answered by reinforcing the garrisons of several important cities on the island but the Maltese insurrection had begun.

Emmanuel Vitale emerged as the leader of the movement. Vitale established a junta by agreeing to share power with a member of the current administration named Francesco Saverio Caruana.

The leaders of the insurrection appealed to the King of Naples for aid, as the irregular Maltese forces could not expect to defeat the French troops on the island. However, King Ferdinand was hesitant to send aid. Despite the absence of foreign support, the Maltese continued to harass the French, whose supplies dwindled daily.

Neither the Maltese nor the French could inflict serious damage on the other for several months. Meanwhile, several members of the Second Coalition including Britain, Naples, and Russia began to consider who would control Malta once the French were expelled.

In late 1799, Brigadier General Thomas Graham was dispatched to Malta as commander of the forces besieging Valetta. However, the allied forces in the Mediterranean were in a state of disarray. While the allies quarreled over Malta, the French under Vaubois remained pinned in their defenses with limited supplies and little hope of escape as enemy frigates blockaded the island. Unfortunately for Vaubois, the disorganisation of the forces would not deter his enemies from succeeding in the capture of Malta.



Source http://www.napoleon -series.org/military/battles/1798/c_Malta.html, author Dale Pappas



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Professor finds evidence of Portugal’s role in the uprising

A grandstand view of Malta’s countryside from the upper hall of Il-Veduta restaurant, Rabat, saw the culmination of a series of activities by the Malta University History Society on 16 April.

The well-attended event, chaired by Malta University History Society President Mark A. Portelli, started by a presentation of prizes to the winners of a heritage site photographic competition, which attracted nearly 70 entries. The first three placed competitors – Kevin Gatt with the photo entitled ‘Remnants of an Opera House’ placing first, Giulia Bugeja with a photo entitled ‘Reflections of Time’ winning second place, and third prize went to Saviour Sam Agius with the photo called ‘Tal-Abbati Old Cemetery’. All exhibitors were awarded certificates for participation and it was noted that some of these quality photographs were newsworthy as they focused on sometimes derelict historic sites throughout the Maltese Islands which deserved urgent attention.

The 30th anniversary edition of the society’s Maltese History journal Storja, edited since 1978 by Henry Frendo, was then launched. One of its articles, by Professor Frendo, unearths substantial new first-hand evidence concerning the Maltese insurrection of 2 September, 1798, based on detailed eyewitness accounts of the installations, plans and fighting which had been recorded at the time, in Portuguese manuscript, by engineer Antonio G. Pereira, who on Admiral de Niza’s instructions had come ashore to help the rebels plan strategy and operations against the occupying French garrison. This revealing document only came to light after the official unveiling last September of an Upper Barrakka plaque to commemorate Portugal’s role in the Maltese insurrection.

Storja lists all the society’s committee members and all the Maltese History journal’s authors from 1978 to 2008. As usual, it also includes an update on unpublished history-related dissertations, and a select list of Melitensia books.

In addition to its journal, the MUHS also launched a published text of this year’s Andrew Vella Memorial Lecture delivered by Professor Henry Frendo. Both publications are available from the MUHS. To order contact MUHS on info@muhs.org.mt or by mail to MUHS, Old Humanities Building – History Department, Room 247, tal-Qroqq Msida.