public property found in the place, my wish is that it should be valued; and as to the Ships of War, they are to remain for the disposal of the three Allied Courts of London, Petersburg, and the Two Sicilies. BRONTE NELSON. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY, [Original, in the Admiralty.] Palermo, November 26th, 1799. Sir, It was with extreme concern that I read your letter of October 11th, being perfectly conscious that want of communicating where and when it is necessary, cannot be laid to my charge. I find on looking at my Letter-book that I did write to Admiral Duckworth to correspond with you on such points as might be necessary, and which it was impossible I could detail. I also find that by a Neapolitan courier which left Palermo, the same day, that I wrote, not only to you, but to Lord Spencer. I own I do not feel that if Cutters and Couriers go off the same day, that it is necessary to write by a Convoy. I know the absolute necessity of the Board's being exactly acquainted with everything which passes, and they, I beg, will give me credit for attention to my duty. As a Junior Flag Officer, of course without those about me, as Secretaries, Interpreters, &c., I have been thrown into a more extensive correspondence than ever, perhaps, fell to the lot of any Admiral, and into a political situation I own out of my sphere. It is a fact which it would not become me to boast of, but on the present occasion, that I have never but three times put my feet on the ground, since December, 1798, and, except to the Court, that till after eight o'clock at night I never relax from business. I have had hitherto, the Board knows, no one emolumentno one advantage of a Commander-in-Chief. I have the honour to be, &c., BRONTE NELSON. • Vide vol. iii. p. 453, and p. 11, ante. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM WYNDHAM. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Palermo, 26th November, 1799. I have to request that your Excellency will have the goodness to forward the two letters sent herewith. Yesterday, an order came from General Fox for the garrison of Messina to proceed to Malta, and as the Russians are destined for the same object, I hope we shall very soon be in possession of it. But, from the slowness of the movements, I have great fears that the French may have made a sortie, and that our batteries will, at least, be destroyed, if nothing worse happens. His Sicilian Majesty, I am sorry to say, [will not,] at this moment, return to Naples; but as Ancona is, we hear, taken, we hope it will expedite his Majesty's departure. I have nothing from Egypt for some months. Believe me, with great respect, &c., BRONTE NELSON. TO HIS HIGHNESS THE BEY OF TUNIS, [Letter-Book.] Sir, Palermo, November 26th, 1799. I cannot permit an English Cutter to go even into the Bay of Tunis, without expressing to your Highness my most sincere respect, which, on all occasions, I shall feel happy in showing, not only as an obedience to the great King, my Master, but also from my own inclination. It would have given me much pleasure, could I have interfered in the capture of a Vessel, belonging to one of your Subjects, taken by a Portuguese corvette; but as peace had not then taken place between your Highness and the Court of Portugal, it was impossible for me to be of any use. Your Highness well knows that not one Portuguese ship has been cruizing on your Coast. This is such a mark of my attention, as no time can efface from your Highness's head. The number of Vessels taken, having certificates from me, and the English Commander off Malta, that they were actually employed in carrying provisions for those who were fighting against the common Enemy, I own, hurt me. To a mere trader, I never have, nor ever will give a certificate; but as people cannot fight without food, I did hope that those Vessels would have been considered as the Vessels of true friends. But at Algiers, I find other sentiments prevail. If your Highness has any Vessels taken by your Cruisers of this description, I trust that you will order their restoration, and, in particular, the poor people carried into slavery. This will be considered as a great act of friendship and esteem shown by your Highness to your most faithful and attached, BRONTE NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN ACTON, BART. [Letter-Book.] My dear Sir, Palermo, November 26th, 1799. As I hear your Corvette goes off for Malta this evening, would it not be a good opportunity to send, as your Excellency told us you have, some of the money belonging to the Order, for the use of the poor Maltese? The Inhabitants and Troops under arms, are by this time, again in want, and I hope that the Ministers of the Allied Powers will immediately fix some mode of keeping distress from the Island till the Order is restored. I have talked much with Sir Thomas Troubridge and Captain Louis on what they think would satisfy the Captains, Officers, and Men, for their renouncing all claim to the French property, and all salvages; and they are clearly of opinion, that to the Navy no sum less than £60,000 could be offered; and that, from our own Sovereign, three times as much would be paid; for that the stores and cannon, even at Cività Vecchia, would, if sold by his Sicilian Majesty, exceed three times this amount. The antiques found packed up at Cività Vecchia, and in the Custom-House at Rome, and which would have been in France but for the blockade by the English, are undoubtedly objects for a large salvage. This sum will only give the Captains employed on this service £3000 each, and Commodore Troubridge can receive no more prizemoney than the Commander of the smallest Vessel of War. The Perseus came from Corfu last night. I find the 3500 Russians are arrived at Constantinople. I hope the Russians from Holland will come by sea into Italy, and make head against any attack of the French, next spring. Ever, my dear Sir, your Excellency's most obliged, BRONTE NELSON. TO REAR-ADMIRAL DUCKWORTH. My dear Admiral, [Letter-Book.] Palermo, 27th November, 1799. Many thanks for your letter of November 12th, and I approve very much of your calling at Algiers. I do not consider what are called my passports as anything more than a certificate that the Vessel carrying, was employed in fetching provisions for people fighting against the common Enemy. I am aware that the first moment any insult is offered to the British flag [the best plan] is to get as large a force as possible off Algiers and seize all his Cruizers; but if, in such a contest, any English vessel is taken, I know what will be said against me, and how little support I shall experience. But, my dear Admiral, when the object of the actor is only to serve faithfully, I feel superior to the smiles or frowns of any Board. Apropos, I have received a severe set-down from the Admiralty, for not having wrote by the Charon, attached to a Convoy, although I wrote both by a Cutter and Courier the same day. But I see clearly that they wish to show I am unfit for this command. I will readily. acknowledge it, and therefore they need have no scruples about sending out a Commander-in-Chief. Troubridge did not anchor. The Foudroyant weighed, and joined, and they both proceeded for Messina, as expeditiously as possible, in order to take on board the garrison of Messina. I hope they may arrive at Malta in time, but I have my strong fears that the garrison may have made a sortie, and destroyed our batteries. The Russians are slow, but by this time, I hope, are before Malta. They were to sail from Naples the 20th. The Perseus, who is just come in from Corfu, and is in want of everything, goes straight to Gibraltar, to refit, and with orders to come up again immediately, and the Russians and Turks, with the Neapolitans excluded from the Capitulation, which has given great offence. I believe Austria will make her peace with France, and that Russia and Prussia will be at war with the Emperor of Germany. Sir William and Lady Hamilton desire their kindest regards. I am nearly blind, but things go so contrary to my mind out of our profession, that truly I care not how soon I am off the stage. Your Surgeon's mate is appointed to the Mahon, and all your other wishes are, as far as I am able, complied with; and I assure you that I shall always be glad of occasions of proving to you with what regard and esteem I am your obliged, BRONTE NELSON. Pray don't let the Admiralty want for letters of every occurrence. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Palermo, November 28th, 1799. I wrote to you by the post (now open) yesterday, but as the Perseus is going direct to Gibraltar to refit, I write a line just to say that General Fox's permission for the Garrison of Messina going to Malta was brought me by Commodore Sir Thomas Troubridge, the day before yesterday. I directed, in the moment, the Foudroyant to weigh, and both are gone to Messina for the troops. I earnestly hope they will arrive in time at Malta to hold our present advantageous positions, but I have my fears; nothing but the prudence, judgment, and bravery of my friend Captain Ball could have kept us on the Island for many months past. The Russians, I hope, sailed from Naples on the 20th, their Lordships may be assured of our cordial co-operation with |