In the summer of 1862, The Independent of Naples published a remarkable proclamation titled “Address of the Albanian-Greek Junta of Durazzo.” Issued on July 15 of that year, the document declared that Albania stood “on the eve of an insurrection”, an uprising that would either secure national rights or bring about the “complete destruction of Albania.”

Cited from the artlce:

“The Independent of Naples contains the address of the Greek-Albanian Junta of July 15th of this year, in which Albania is declared on the eve of an insurrection. The conclusion reads: On the eve of our insurrection, which will either result in the realization of our rights or the complete destruction of Albania, we submit this memorandum to public opinion so that it may sanction its legitimacy.

Written and free peoples of France, England, Greece, Spain, Italy, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Montenegro, and Romania, our cause is yours. Like Prometheus to the rock, you are bound to the Eastern Question. We therefore send you our exiled brothers to urge you and invite you to participate in the liberation of the vanguard of the peoples. If you liberate us, we will also liberate you.

George Skanderbeg, the son of the great Skanderbeg, will stand at the head and lead us with the valiant sword of the first defender of Christendom. Through this appeal, we ask for your cooperation. No people has ever behaved like this before.

The Albanian sacrificed on the altar of the Gospel. For centuries his blood has flowed. That of Skanderbeg has not been forgotten for a single day. Help us and the cause of victorious Albania will complete Christ’s work. Durazzo.

July 15, 1862. The Greek-Albanian Junta.”

Source

Allgemeine Zeitung München, 1862, 10 – 12.