five o'clock
Lieutenant Lambton had obtained an interview with the military governor , on behalf of the government , and told him that we were not at war with Egypt , and had simply destroyed the forts because they threatened the fleet ; that we had no conditions to impose upon the government , but were ready to discuss any proposal ; and that the troops would be allowed to evacuate the forts , with the honour of war . It was most unfortunate that the fleet had not brought with them two or three thousand troops . Had they done so they could have landed at once , and saved a great portion of the town from destruction ; but as he had no soldiers , the admiral could not land a portion of the sailors , as the large Egyptian force in the town , which was still protected by a number of land batteries , might fall upon them . At five o'clock the Helicon was sent in to say that white flags would not be noticed , unless hoisted by authority ; and if they were again shown , the British admiral would consider them the signs of a general surrender . It was a long time before the Helicon returned , with news that no communication had been received from the enemy , that the barracks and arsenals seemed to be deserted and , as far as could be seen , the whole town was evacuated . As evening wore on , fresh fires broke out in all parts of the town , and a steam pinnace was sent ashore to ascertain , if possible , the state of affairs . Mr. Ross , a contractor for the supply of meat to the fleet , volunteered to accompany it .