moment think that I am capable of doing anything but endeavouring to exalt the glory of their Sicilian Majesties; and believe me, my dear Sir, with the sincerest esteem and affection, your obliged, BRONTE NELSON. TO CAPTAIN BALL, CHIEF OF THE MALTESE. [Letter-Book.] My dear Ball, Palermo, November 19th, 1799. The Chevalier Italinsky will be with you in a few days— probably before the arrival of the Russian troops. He is the second Minister from the Emperor of Russia to this Court, or Corresponding Minister, through whom everything relative to the Fleet and Army passes. He has a proclamation to publish at a proper time. You knew him, I believe, at Naples. He is an old acquaintance of Sir William's, and a worthy, good, and able Minister; and you will ever, I am confident, experience his friendship and just way of thinking. The troops going against Malta, will, of course, be maintained at the expense of their respective Sovereigns; but the Maltese, till the restoration of the Order (at least) by the three Powers of Russia, England, and Naples. I shall give the Chevalier Italinsky a letter to you when he goes, and he will explain to you our conferences with General Acton. Ever, my dear Ball, your affectionate, BRONTE NELSON. TO SIR JAMES ST. CLAIR ERSKINE, BART. [Letter-Book.] My dear Sir James, Palermo, 20th November, 1799. The movement of the Russians towards Malta only acts as an additional reason for the troops from Minorca going straight to Malta, instead of coming to Palermo, that the business may be soon settled; and does not take away from ine my argument respecting the two Regiments. Ever, my dear Sir James, your obliged, BRONTE NELSON. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK. My dear Lord, [Letter-Book.] Palermo, November 22nd, 1799. By your last letter from Trieste, I take for granted you are with the Austrian army, under the command of the Baron Melas. We are anxious to hear of the success of our friend Suwarrow. Although I never had the pleasure of seeing him, yet, as an individual of Europe, I love, honour, and respect him. Others may love the great hero-Nelson loves the man, for I hear that he despises wealth, if it stands in the road to fame. The corps of Russians is just about sailing for Malta, and I hope that our Generals at Minorca will give a part of that garrison to assist in the capture of Malta. Our Squadron have had a blockade by sea and land, for more than a year past; but we have never had a force to commence a regular siege. But I now hope to see an end put to our truly hard service. The Royal Family do not return to Naples till after the capture of Ancona, which I am looking for every day, when both Sir William Hamilton and myself, think they will go to Naples as soon as possible. At home the Admiralty think, and naturally, that the Russian Squadron, eleven Sail of the Line, besides Frigates and Corvettes, would look out on the Coast of Genoa; but in truth their Ships have not the ability of keeping on that Coast in the winter season, and I regret that at present I have not Ships enough for that service. I beg you will assure Baron Melas, that whenever he approaches the Coast, I will endeavour, at the expense of cramping other services, to have a small Squadron at the Coast of Genoa, to support his communication with the sea. I rest confident of your kindness in expressing [my sentiments], and to do everything that is possible for the finishing the war, and I beg that your Lordship will believe me truly your obliged humble servant, BRONTE NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. [Letter-Book.] My dear Marquis, Palermo, November 24th, 1799. Your Officer who brought your letter yesterday nooň, did not wait my arrival from Court, and I did not know where to send to him. This moment he gives me hopes that you will wait my answer before you leave Malta, which has relieved my anxious mind from the deepest affliction, which your letter of the 19th had plunged me into. The moment I can get Ships, you shall be relieved; but, for all our sakes, do not draw, in this critical moment, one man from the Island. Do not, my dear Marquis, let any man draw your excellent judgment from doing what is for the good of our respective Sovereigns, and their Allies. They are not your true friends, or faithful servants of their Sovereigns; therefore, again, and ten times again, I direct you, I entreat you, not to abandon Malta. Stay till the Russians, or English troops, arrive; it cannot be many days. You have, my friend, gained more honour by obeying my order against that of your Prince, and for which His Royal Highness will thank you, than ever can be done by obedience, if it is to injure the good Cause. You are a seaman, and we never wish to find shelter, when the public service requires our being exposed; and as we risk our lives, so we willingly risk our commissions, to serve the public. Ever your faithful friend, BRONTE NELSON. TO CAPTAIN BALL, CHIEF OF THE ISLAND OF MALTA. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball, Bart.] My dear Ball, Palermo, November 24th, 1799. I love, honour, and respect you, and no persons ever have, nor could they, if they were so disposed, lessen you in my esteem, both as a public Officer and a private man: therefore never let such a thought come into your head, which was never more wanted to be clear from embroils than at this moment. I trust the Marquis will stay till the Russians arrive, or that he is relieved by Troubridge, who I expect every moment; and, from the delay, I think the Troops may come with him. The Foudroyant is in momentary readiness to go to Messina to fetch Colonel Graham. But, my dear friend, your holding your post so long as you have, is matter of the greatest credit to you. But, alas, I am neither able to do justice to my friends by telling a good story, like Sir Sidney Smith, nor are we so near home as Holland. If you are forced to even quit the Island, it cannot lessen your exertion or abilities, and do not let such an event, should it unfortunately happen, depress your spirits for a moment; and believe me, as ever, your obliged and affectionate friend, BRONTE NELSON, TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL GRAHAM. [Letter-Book. Lord Nelson's Flag was shifted on the 25th of November to the Atty Transport, as the Foudroyant sailed on that day with the Culloden for Malta.] Palermo, November 25th, 1799. My dear Sir, Commodore Sir Thomas Troubridge is the Officer destined by me to co-operate with you for the reduction of Malta. One more able and active could not be selected from our service; and as the Commodore is in full possession of my sentiments on every point, there can no doubt arise on any subject, which he cannot immediately clear up. Ball has been, by his Sicilian Majesty, the legitimate Sovereign of the Island, placed at the head of the Maltese, in both a civil, and, as I understand, military capacity. His conciliating manners will overcome all difficulty with the inhabitants. They adore him; therefore, I think in any Capitulation he should sign. I will not state the necessity of a most cordial co-operation with the Russian General. It is the desire of our Government to gratify the Emperor in every wish about the Order of Malta. The Chevalier Italinsky, the Minister at War for the Navy and Army in Italy, is just going to Malta, to concert measures with the Allied forces for the government of the Order, whenever La Valetta shall fall to our exertions. He is a very amiable good man, and a perfect man of business. The inhabitants of Malta may, till the Order has got back its wealth, want some little help in corn. It has been agreed on, in that case, by the Ministers of Russia, Naples, and England, that the expense should be defrayed by the three Courts. Wishing you, from my soul, a speedy termination of this tedious business, and assuring you of my firm and cordial support, in every respect, I have only to beg that you will believe me, with the truest regard, &c. BRONTE NELSON. TO COMMODORE SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART., CAPTAIN OF H. M. SHIP CULLODEN. Foudroyant, Palermo, 25th November, 1799. You are hereby required and directed to take under your command the Ships named in the margin,' whose Captains have my instructions to follow your orders, and proceed to Messina, and embark on board the said Ships, or any British Transports that may be there, such part of the garrison of that place, as Brigadier-General Graham may think proper, with such stores, guns, ammunition, baggage, provisions, &c. as he may wish to have embarked, and proceed with them to the Island of Malta; and having landed them there, you will take upon you the command of the blockade of La Valetta, whenever the Marquis de Niza quits the Island, and co-operate with Captain Ball, who is appointed by his Sicilian Majesty, Chief of the Maltese people, as well as with BrigadierGeneral Graham, or the Officer commanding the British troops. And on the arrival of the Russian Ships and troops, which may be daily expected, you will also most cordially cooperate with their Admiral and General, and preserve the good understanding which at present so happily exists between us, rendering them any service or assistance in your power. And in the event of the surrender of La Valetta, the colours of the Order of Malta are to be hoisted, and the Government restored according to the plan sent to me, a copy of which is here enclosed for your guidance. And with respect to the I Northumberland, Foudroyant. |