Hi Susan

Thanks very much. This interplay between the government's civilian employees and the Army is a very interesting subject. Especially when it comes to Pompeii, art, the treasures of Benevento cathedral, etc. I don't think anyone comes out of it very well, especially if you view it from the Italian perspective. After all, what were the Neapolitans to make of this squabbling over the spoils?

I think you coul dput all the above into an article for the series, there is little enough available on how the French government tried to exert control over her victorious armies.

I see from Mechin's account that he was originally intended for Malta rather than Naples?