Mr.Wolcott visited Beirut during the contest, and found the Egyptian forces evacuating the town, and the British troops taking possession.

He met the American consul there surveying the ruins of his house, which had been battered by the great guns and plundered by the pasha's soldiers; but the magazine beneath it, which contained most of the property of Messrs.

Beadle and Keyes, had not been opened.
Making his way through the ruins of the city to the mission houses, he saw the American flags still floating over them, and the guards on the ground.

Soldiers had encamped in his garden, but had abstained from pillage.

A few bombs had burst in the yard, and several cannon balls had penetrated the walls.