receive you as a deliverer; and the Pope would owe his restoration to the Papal Chair to an heretic. This is the first great object, as it would not only be the complete deliverance of Italy, but restore peace and tranquillity to the torn-to-pieces Kingdom of Naples. For such an occasion, a part of the garrison of Messina might be taken. The next great object is the reduction of Malta, and in any other moment than the present, it would be a most important one. Vaubois only wanted a pretence to give up. His only hope is, that in the next month he may escape with the Ships. To return to the first object, I can take upon me to say, that our King would be much gratified that Britain not Austria should re-instate the Pope. You are at perfect liberty to say this from me; for the world sees the ambition of Austria, and her eagle wants to extend her wings from the Adriatic to the Mediterranean. I will not say more, but that I will support you to the utmost of my abilities. We are not officially informed, but have every reason to believe, that a revolution is on the point of breaking out in France for the restoration of Louis XVIII. The accounts are also arrived of the Archduke Charles's complete defeat of Massena, who, having lost his arm, is dead." Lucerne, and all Switzerland is now free. The Cutter goes on direct for Gibraltar, to get us news of the Fleet: the anxiety respecting them half kills me. But ever believe me, my dear Sir James, yours, &c., TO CAPTAIN DARBY. NELSON. [Letter-Book.] Palermo, September 13th, 1799. My dear Darby, I am sure Duckworth could not have left any one who will take better care of Minorca than yourself, if you have the means; but it was not quite my intention to have stripped Minorca so bare of Ships. Duckworth has directed you to stop Northumberland, and to use her actively. This, Martin will like. Respecting Fri The Archduke Charles defeated Massena, near Klotten, on the 5th of June; but the account of that battle must have reached Lord Nelson before the middle of September: the report of Massena's wound and death was untrue. gates and smaller Vessels, I am totally ignorant of what Lord Keith has left me. If the Seahorse cannot be refitted without draining us of all our stores, send her to Admiral Duckworth who has my directions, if Gibraltar does not afford the means of refitting her, to send her to England. I wish you would send me the state of the French frigates, whether they are appropriated for any particular service in Mahon, or whether they are fitting for a voyage to England? for being left completely in the dark, I am obliged to feel my way. I trust Sir James will make application to you for assistance to bring troops to the Continent, where, at this moment, they would render the greatest service. All our news from the Continent is good. Archduke Charles has completely defeated and killed Massena: a revolution in favour of Louis XVIII. has probably, by this time, taken place. Ignorant as I am of the Ships left with you, I can only say, take care of Minorca ; and if, in any way, I can do you a pleasure-if I am left in the command-tell me, and it shall, as soon as possible, be complied with, for believe me, my dear Darby, your obliged and affectionate friend, NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY REAR-ADMIRAL THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. [Letter-Book.] My dear Marquis, Palermo, September 13th, 1799. I know not what to say to the state of the Affonço. If, on a survey of three good carpenters, it is absolutely necessary that she should go to Lisbon, keep her as long as it is prudent, and then send her home. Respecting the state of the poor inhabitants of Malta, nothing has been wanting on my part to give them every relief. I send Ball, who is now regularly appointed to the command of the Maltese people, a paper of the corn sent since this time last year. I wish I could do more. If Mr. Vaubois puts his garrison afloat, I have no doubt but some of your Ships will catch him. If such an event should happen, push immediately part of your Ships on the west side of Sardinia, and part on the east side. The latter, in my opinion, will be his route, and he will be taken; but no time must be lost in the pursuit. I approve very much of your directing guns to be landed from the Alexander. I would have every exertion used, and every nerve strained, to finish this tedious blockade. As Mr. Lucas, the Consul, must return to Tripoli, I beg you will order either the El Corso or Bonne Citoyenne to carry him; you can also write to the Bashaw a compliment. As I think all my public answers are finished, I can only most heartily wish you a speedy termination of your labours. The Russian Squadron is still here, nor can I guess when they sail. The Turks have had a quarrel with the Sicilians, and are gone towards Constantinople in disgust and mutiny. News since you left us is, Archduke Charles defeated Massena, completely taken Lucerne, and not a French scoundrel in Switzerland; Massena, having lost his arm, dead, and d-d, of course; the King of the French expected in Switzerland, as probably a revolution in his favour is now broke out in France; Russia and Sweden attack Holland; England, the Low Countries, under the Duke of York; I hope all will succeed, and gain us an honourable peace. Forty-four days since, Lord Keith passed the Straits, since which I have never heard from him, nor any report of him. I fear it is a bad omen, but we will hope the best. I am, &c., NELSON. ТО САРТАIN FOOTE. [Letter Book, and Captain Foote's "Vindication," p. 148.] My dear Sir, Palermo, September 14th, 1799. I did not send your Box by the Goliath as I thought it probable that some event might bring you to Palermo, and, to say the truth, I did not like to trust it in a four-gun Cutter; therefore I fear it must remain in my possession a little longer. I can assure you, my dear Sir, that it affords me infinite pleasure to convey to you the distinguished mark of his Sicilian Majesty's approbation. The dispatch expresses 'for most important services, when left with the command in the Bay of Naples, when Lord Nelson was obliged to order VOL. IV. Commodore Troubridge to join him, and for taking Castel del Mare." I am this day again requested by his Sicilian Majesty to interest myself with you, and all others who have any of the carronades belonging to his little Yacht, and given his Majesty by the King our Master, and His Sicilian Majesty attaches great value to them on that account. I think I spoke to you before on this subject, therefore I beg you will have the goodness to send them to his Majesty, who will feel very much obliged. If money has been paid for them, I will, with the greatest pleasure, repay it. If Hallowell or any of my friends are in possession of any of them, pray say this for me. I hope that what I have wrote to Darby and Duckworth will please you; for believe me with the very greatest esteem, your obliged humble servant, NELSON. TO CAPTAIN BALL, MALTA. [Letter Book.] My dear Ball, Palermo, September 14th, 1799. As the Deputies will tell you, nothing has been wanting on my part to get provisions, and, indeed, every necessary for the Maltese; but, alas, this Country is not like ours! and until it is in hand we never know whether we have succeeded or not. As far as relates to myself, I wish to strain every nerve to getMalta before the bad weather sets in, therefore land guns and use what the Ships afford for taking it. The Alexander is in a wretched state. Would it not be better to send her to Mahon? not that there is a fathom of rope there, more than at this place. If you are fortunate to get La Valetta, she will serve for a guard-ship, till the spring. Take care the French ships are not plundered, if you are so fortunate as to get into possession. I send you General Acton's dispatch, naming you as Head of the Maltese people--therefore, let who will come, you will still hold that post. The Russians are very much disposed to pay you a visit. If so, you will, I am sure, heartily co-operate with them, but in that case none but his Sicilian Majesty's colours are to fly in the whole Island. All the Ships are to remain without colours, in the care of the Governor, and to be disposed of as the Allied Courts shall agree, but I hope you and Niza will take them, which will save me much trouble. 16th Noon.-I have been with General Acton this morning, and I hope to get the King to give up to me the two Polaccas loaded with corn; then I shall be sure it will go to Malta. I have an order for wood, and Tyson shall have a Transport to send for it. He intends buying for other Ships, as it will come cheap, I am told. The Turks are returned to Constantinople, the Russians gone to Naples, and not a word of the two Fleets. Captain Gore' left the Combined fleets round Cape St. Vincent's, arrived on the morning of the 6th in London, and has put the whole Kingdom in alarm. Every small Vessel is ordered to sea to collect our scattered Ships, and prepare Ireland. Sir James St. Clair Erskine will not send a soldier at this moment. Duckworth is gone to Gibraltar. God bless you, my dear Ball, and be assured of every support, both public and private, from your obliged and affectionate NELSON. TO COMMODORE TROUBRIDGE, H. M. SHIP CULLODEN. [Letter-Book.] My dear Troubridge, Palermo, September 16th, 1799. ... I have now only to say, How are you? Since I wrote last, not the least thing has occurred. Two vessels from Mahon, where they know nothing of the two Fleets. It has been rumoured at Barcelona that the Combined fleets are arrived at Brest; but I do not believe they can have any such . . . vant, although I fear it will be so, and overturn our secret expedition to Flanders, under the Duke of York. Duckworth sailed the 4th from Mahon, with five Sail of the Line-more than I intended to leave that Island, but I have directed two to be returned. Northumberland he has left orders with Darby to keep, and send to the Coast of Spain. They have more troops Of the Triton; afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir John Gore, K.C.B. |