TO COMMODORE SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. [Letter-Book.] Palermo, 16th December, 1799. My dear Troubridge, When the Minotaur arrives, if you think you can spare me the Northumberland, I want to send Captain Martin to act with the Austrians, on the Coast of Genoa; for they complain bitterly of the Russian Ships, and that all their Convoys of provisions and ammunition have been prevented passing on the Coast, which has delayed the fall of Genoa. The Penelope arrived here yesterday, but as it is not improbable that the Enemy's fleet may again make us a visit, I have determined on sending her to the westward, that we may not be surprised. I am totally ignorant of what Duckworth has left, and except the Line of Battle Ships, of what he has taken. I would recommend a good look-out, but not to be unnecessarily alarmed. We must in our situation trust to the look-out of Lord Bridport's fleet. The two Transports which I have been obliged to fit out, you had better keep for your service. The Cutter sailed yesterday morning for Minorca, and as the wind is easterly, she may make a good passage. Our news from France is, that the Directory and Councils are abolished, that Buonaparte, Sièyes, and Roger Ducos have called themselves Consuls, are removed to St. Cloud, and hold out that peace for the Republic is their only object; and peace it must bring us; for either it is a plan to restore the King, or such a firm Government will be fixed, as will force us to make peace. Your patent for the Baronetage, Lord Spencer writes me, was in the Office in September, and he wonders has not appeared in the Gazette.' The business of Holland has, I dare say, kept it back, as they wish to do something for Mitchell' and the soldiers. I send you the answer of Prince Cuto about the artilleryIf the Russians do not bring them, perhaps you may send the Lion for them. I am blind-therefore both Graham men. 2 The dignity was not notified in the London Gazette until the 30th of November 1799. 3 Vice Admiral Andrew Mitchell, who received the Order of the Bath, in January following. and Ball must forgive me not writing them. May speedy success attend you is the sincere wish of your affectionate friend, BRONTE NELSON. Remember us to Italinsky. General Acton's answer does not say a word about Syracuse or Augusta, but I will try and get the order. Harriman wishes to go to you—therefore I send him, and we must try and get him something as Interpreter, or if the place is taken, he might be useful in making inventories. The 28th Regiment is said to be gone [sic] where they will die. Flora is reported to be to gone with them. TO CAPTAIN HENRY BLACKWOOD, H. M. SHIP PENELOPE. The Atty Transport, Palermo, 16th December, 1799. Whereas I have received information that the Combined fleets of the Enemy are destined for the Mediterranean, and as I think such an event very probable, if they elude the vigilance of our Channel fleet, you are hereby required and directed to proceed down the Mediterranean, without calling at any place on your route, and on your arrival at Gibraltar, you will, in confidence, communicate this order, and the circumstances you know respecting this information, to his Excellency the Governor, to Commissioner Inglefield, and the Officer commanding his Majesty's Ships there. Which having done, you will proceed immediately through the Gut, and station the Penelope in what you think the most eligible position for falling in with the Fleet of the Enemy, between Cape Spartel and Cape St. Vincent, keeping a very good look-out. And in case of your seeing them, or having intelligence that you can depend on, of their actual approach off Cape St. Vincent, you will directly return through the Gut, and make the same known to the Governor and Senior Officer of his Majesty's Ships at Gibraltar, by sending your Boat on shore, proceeding in the Ship you command up the Mediterranean, giving information to any of his Majesty's Ships you may fall in with, of the Enemy's approach, that they may make it known to the Com manding Officer at Mahon, proceeding yourself to Malta, to give them information also, and to put them on their guard. But in case you do not fall in with any of his Majesty's Ships in your passage up the Mediterranean, you will, in that case, call at Mahon, and communicate the intelligence you have received, and proceed to Malta. Not meeting with the Enemy's fleet, or gaining such intelligence as may cause you to leave your station between Cape Spartel and Cape St. Vincent, you will continue to cruize there, for the space of six weeks, when you will return to Gibraltar, putting yourself under the command of the Senior Officer at that place, and following his orders for your further proceedings. BRONTE NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. My Lord, [Letter-Book.] Palermo, 18th December, 1799. your I cannot allow you to pass from under my command without assuring you of my sincere and cordial thanks for constant and ready obedience to every order and wish I have directed to your Lordship for the Public service; and allow me to say, that it is impossible for any Officer to have executed them with [more] alertness and judgment than yourself. I have, in particular, to express to your Lordship my approbation of your judgment in continuing to obey my orders for the Public service in remaining at Malta till I could get Ships to relieve you, instead of an immediate obedience to your orders from the Court of Portugal, which, had you obeyed, the French would, most probably, [have] been in possession of the whole Island, and the Allies might not have been able to even effect a landing. Your orders, which it would be no longer proper to disobey, forces me with regret to part from you. I have, therefore, again to thank you for all your kindness towards me, and to assure [you] with what respect and esteem I feel myself your most obliged, humble servant, BRONTE NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Palermo, 18th December, 1799. I beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that I no longer consider you, or the Ships of your Squadron, under my command: I therefore again beg you will accept of my sincere thanks for your prompt obedience and execution of all my orders for the public service, and [wishes] that you may meet with a just reward for your meritorious conduct on your return to Lisbon. I am, with the greatest respect and esteem, &c., BRONTE NELSON. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL SPENCER, K.G. My dear Lord, [Letter-Book.] Palermo, December 18th, 1799. I cannot get the Russian Admiral to come from Naplestherefore, our troops are at a stand still at Malta, and seem preparing to resist an attack from the French, [rather] than to make one. I think the Emperor of Russia will not be pleased with his Admiral, but nothing shall be wanting on my part to finish this business, consistent with the other services entrusted to me. The Phaeton arrived yesterday from Constantinople; and Lord Elgin presses me, if it can be done, to send a larger Squadron into the Levant Seas. But your Lordship knows that is not possible, and, indeed, except to gratify the Turks is there any service for a large Squadron, Malta having kept everything not wanted for other particular services. If I could have any Cruisers, as was my plan, off Cape Bon, in Africa, and between Corsica and Toulon, Mr. Buonaparte could not probably have got to France; but if it bring on a confusion at Paris, I hope it will be for the best. As the Board have called Admiral Duckworth to watch Ferrol, and I have no Ships of the Line, (Foudroyant excepted,) except the Northumberland, which is fit to go out of the Mediterranean, I have detached the Phaeton and Pene VOL. IV. lope to cruize between Cape Spartel and St. Vincent, in case the Enemy's fleet should be coming this road, and elude the vigilance of Lord Bridport, that I may have timely notice of their approach; and this station will also be favourable for intercepting any outward-bound Ships from Cadiz. The Grand Signior has sent me, with a very elegant letter, a drawing of the Battle of the Nile, together with a drawing of myself-a curious present, but highly flattering to me, as it marks I am not in the least forgotten. I am almost blind-therefore, my dear Lord, excuse my writing more at this moment, and only believe me ever your obliged, BRONTE NELSON. TO HIS HIGHNESS THE DEY OF ALGIERS. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Palermo, 18th December, 1799. His Imperial Majesty Sultan Selim, having sent an Officer with dispatches for your Highness, I have directed an English frigate to carry him to Algiers; and I take this early opportunity of acquainting you that the Portuguese Squadron are no longer under my command since yesterday. It having ever been my study to prove his Britannic Majesty, my gracious Master, your Highness's best friend, you will receive this extraordinary mark of my duty as an incontestible proof of it. Your Highness must be sensible how steadily my attention must have been employed to keep such a Squadron from your Coast. In return for this kindness, the Ships of your Highness have taken Vessels having my recommendation, in consequence of which, they have many of them gone to your Ships, where they were captured and carried into slavery; and these Vessels having certificates were not carrying merchandize, (for to such I never gave certificates,) but provisions, for those who were fighting against the common Enemy. You might as well have taken their arms as their bread. I look forward, from your Highness's character for humanity, for the immediate release of poor people, who, in consequence of my paper, put themselves in your power, [and] for the restitution of the Vessels. I only look for |