Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ,, ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Palermo, September 21st, 1799. I have received their Lordships' secret orders, of the 11th July, respecting the re-establishment of the Order of Malta, should we be so happy as to force it to surrender. I am glad I can assure their Lordships that Captain Ball who is named by His Sicilian Majesty (who is the undoubted Sovereign of that Island) at my request, and by the unanimous desire of the Maltese people, Chief of the Island of Malta, has had since last March my secret orders and instructions for a cordial cooperation with the Russians, should they arrive. The better sort of people of Malta know that the Emperor of Russia is named Grand-Master, yet the lower order have not an idea that the Island is to be under the Order again, or bad consequences might be expected, from the dread of, as they say, their former oppressors: the better sort hope, from the character of the Emperor Paul, to have their condition meliorated. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON. DISPOSITION OF THE SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND OF LORD NELSON, THE 21ST SEPTEMBER, 1799. Culloden, 74, Minotaur, 74, Mutine, 18, Transfer, 14, Perseus bomb, 20, Block ading Malta. Off Cività Vecchia, and if they do not succeed, to return to Palermo. Bellerophon, 74, bad state, Northumberland, 74, Seahorse, 38, to heave down, or go to England, Peterel, 16, San Leon, 14, bad state, Alceste, 36, at Mahon, Not to be considered in force as a Frigate : gone with Convoy from hence to Mahon; half-manned. Santa Dorotea, 34-not known, very bad. Santa Teresa, 34-cruizing off Genoa, to return to Mahon. Courageux, 20-not manned, at Mahon. Fulminante Foudroyant, 84, do. (Gone to Sardinia to convey His Sardinian Majesty and Family to Leghorn, or some part of the Continent. Alliance, half-manned-at Palermo, to proceed to England. Balloon, 14-gone to join Commodore Troubridge. Any other Ships on the Station not known. NELSON. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Palermo, September 21st, 1799. I was yesterday honoured with your letter of August 20th, covering to me their Lordships' directions to the particular services it would be my duty to attend to; and I beg you will assure their Lordships that I shall pay the strictest attention to all the directions pointed out, and shall endeavour to deserve the good opinion their Lordships are pleased to have of my zeal and exertions. Many of the Ships of the Line on this station, having been several years from England, are in that state that it is absolutely necessary they should return to England before the winter; therefore I shall endeavour to get those Ships to Gibraltar and off Cadiz, that they may go home the moment Ships arrive to relieve them; the worst are those mentioned in the within list. Their Lordships will not, I hope, depend on anything at sea from the Russians, as the Admiral has notified to me that his Ships cannot keep the sea during the winter. It is therefore naturally my wish not to have a Ship but what is fit to keep at sea the whole winter, the number and force must be left to their Lordships' judgment. I can only promise that not one shall be idle. I am, &c., NELSON. P.S.-I herewith enclose the Disposition of the Squadron under my command: And the Portuguese Squadron are in a wretched condition. [Added, in Lord Nelson's own hand.] Santa Dorothea, is in the Mediterranean, but I have no list of what Ships are left on the station. Theseus very bad. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] NELSON. Palermo, 24th September, 1799. Sir, I herewith enclose you the copy of a letter from Sir John Acton to Sir William Hamilton, His Majesty's Minister at this Court, and have to acquaint their Lordships that His Sicilian Majesty has been graciously pleased to bestow on each of the Captains mentioned in the enclosed schedule, serving under my command, a very valuable Gold Box, set round with diamonds. In the centre of that given Commodore Troubridge was His Majesty's portrait, and to him he gave also an elegant diamond ring. In the centre of the others was His Majesty's cipher of F.R., neatly set in diamonds, and he has been pleased to particularize the services for which they were given; and to Captain George Hope he has presented a diamond ring for embark-· ing His Majesty and the Prince Royal in his barge on the night of the evacuation of Naples, in December last. His Majesty has also presented Captain T. M. Hardy, my Captain in the Foudroyant, with an elegant Box, set round with a double row of diamonds, and his portrait in the centre, and an elegant diamond ring; and to Mr. Tyson, my Secretary, he has also presented a diamond ring of great value. I have the honour to be, with great respect, &c., TO ADMIRAL OUSCHAKOFF. NELSON. [Letter Book.] Palermo, 25th September, 1799. Dear Sir, By my letters from England of August the 20th, I find that the Combined Fleets entered the Port of Brest on the 13th of that month, and the British Fleet arrived off that harbour the same day. Being now, from these circumstances, left with the temporary command of the British Fleet in the Mediterranean, I am more at liberty to act from myself; therefore I again take the opportunity of assuring your Excellency that it is my wish and desire that we should cooperate and join most cordially together for the benefit of the common Cause, and, as is my duty, I shall be as open to you as our two Sovereigns are to each other. I shall rejoice most cordially when we can go against Malta; for I am satisfied it is not to be taken without more force against it. When the Culloden and Minotaur return, I shall go to Minorca for a few days, to look at its Naval protection, and to endeavour to induce the Commanding General to lend us a few troops, mortars, stores, &c., against Malta, or Cività Vecchia. I beg my sincere regards to the Chevalier Italinsky, and that you will believe me ever your Excellency's obedient servant, BRONTE NELSON. TO EARL SPENCER, K.G. [Letter-Book.] My dear Lord, Palermo, September 26th, 1799. As the Courier is not yet gone, I have the opportunity of sending you the translation of a letter I received yesterday from Cardinal Albani. Although I dare say his Eminence has sent similar letters to England, yet I feel it right for me to send it to your Lordship. The immeasurable ambition of Austria is seen by the lowest, as well as the highest understanding. Our dear Queen is most exceedingly angry with Gallo, for his folly at Petersburg. Her language has ever been the same as before the first war of Austria. She has a wise head and a great soul. I have also certain information from Toulon, of the 15th September, that five Vessels are loading salt • The original letter, dated Venice, 20th August, 1799, is in the Nelson Papers. Cardinal Albani requested Lord Nelson to induce the King of England, and the other Sovereigns of Europe, especially the Emperor Francis, to obtain the release of Pope Pius the Sixth, and to restore him to his Dominions. |