Note 92 — JOURNAL OF ELIZABETH LADY HOLLAND (continued 2)

The treaty of El Arish was concluded in January. By it the French troops were to be allowed to return to France, without any stipulation as to their non-employment in the future. This was directly contrary to the instructions of the British Government, which only reached Sir Sidney Smith after the conclusion of the peace. The Ministers, however, on hearing that his word was pledged, assented to the Articles, but meanwhile the French victory at Heliopolis over the Turks made them disinclined to accept terms, and the fighting was renewed.