provisions for Malta; also that the two old Venetian ships were loading stores for the above destination. One Frigate and two Corvettes are also ready for sea. A Ship of the Line which I suppose to be the Généreux, is heaving down, and another old Ship is repairing. I shall keep an eye to that quarter—not by blocking Toulon; for, the first N. W. wind, they would get out in spite of us. I shall place Ships in the track from Toulon to Ajaccio, for on that coast I think they will go, and also off the Island of Lampedosa, stretching to Cape Bon, in Africa. I may be wrong, but I feel confident I am right; for if I cannot get troops, starving is our only hopes; but I hope General Fox will help me. I have not yet heard whether we have been able to get hold of Cività Vecchia. I know I am a bad hand at describing my operations ;-I only beg your indulgence, that my works may speak for themselves. With every sentiment of regard, believe me, my dear Lord, Your obliged NELSON. I thank you for your intention about the St. Joseph. I wish Troubridge to have the Foudroyant, the finest two-decker in the world. TO JOHN UDNEY, ESQ., CONSUL, LEGHORN. [Letter-Book.] Palermo, 26th September, 1799. Sir, I have to request you will give information to the British merchants at Leghorn, and all others concerned in Ships at that place, that such of His Majesty's Ships as may touch at Leghorn, in future, will be directed to take under their protection all Trade bound down the Mediterranean, and will convoy them to Minorca, which will hereafter be the general rendezvous for all Convoys. I am, &c., NELSON. Major General, the Honourable Henry Edward Fox, fourth son of Henry first Lord Holland, who had been appointed Commander of the Forces in Minorca, and in the Mediterranean: he died a full General in 1811. TO CAPTAIN BALL, CHIEF OF THE ISLAND OF MALTA. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball, Bart.] My dear Ball, Palermo, 27th September, 1799. I sent your letter with all the arguments I could use for provisions, which I hope to get; as to any more money, I believe it will be impossible to get a farthing. General Acton tells me that he will endeavour to send to me two or three ship-loads of corn, and with them a person to go to Malta, to receive cotton in payment. I am using every effort to get troops from Minorca to assist you, and I also hope, now some Russian troops are expected at Naples, that the Fleet will come to your assistance. I need not urge the most sincere and cordial co-operation with the Russian Admiral, which also my late instructions from the Admiralty enjoin in the most positive manner. The Rear-Admiral tells me he thinks he can land 2000 men, and he has ladders, &c. No language is to be held that any of the three Powers mean to keep it; when taken the three Courts are to arrange what is to be done. I have here two 13-inch mortars, and 12,000 shells, carcases, &c., if you, with your present force, want any. I wish you may be able to hold your intended new post, but I have my doubts; you will see that the letter from Tunis, which I know to be true, accounts for Vaubois' determined resistance. If Niza can send any Ships to Lampedosa, I have no doubt but he will get hold of them, for probably the five ready will not sail at the same time. We are all very unwell; the air of Palermo is very bad; Sir Thomas Troubridge, Baronet, gone to try if the French can be talked out of Cività Vecchia, but I expect him and the Minotaur, and Foudroyant, every moment. Inglefield writes me, he is sending the Chichester with some stores for Minorca-a part shall directly go to Malta for your disposition. May God bless your endeavours with a speedy success is the fervent wish of your obliged and affectionate friend, NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. [Letter-Book.] My dear Marquis, Palermo, September 27th, 1799. Your meeting with Vaubois has this good effect-that we must take Malta, if we mean to have it: therefore, all our exertions must be used. I have applied earnestly to Minorca for some troops, and I hope also, that the Russian Admiral will soon be able to leave Naples and to join you off Malta, when, he tells me, he can land 2000 men. You will, I am sure, co-operate with the Russian Admiral in the most cordial and friendly manner, and give directions to all under your orders to do the same. I have got two 13-inch mortars and - 1200 shells, if any more are wanted, with carcases, &c., but the Maltese do not like to have the Town destroyed. That would not be minded, if we had a regular force. I send you an extract of a letter from Tunis. I know it to be true from other quarters, therefore I think if you can, to have some Vessels off Lampedosa, and a look-out kept on the top of it. I shall send also to Minorca for our Ships to keep a look-out towards Sardinia. It is these succours which make Vaubois so determined to hold out, therefore our intercepting them is of the very greatest consequence. I am truly sorry to see all our Ships in such a bad state, but I yet hope we shall have it before the winter. I have sent bread and wood by a Transport. Duckworth arrived at Gibraltar the 13th. In England not a word is said against Lord Keith: all minds are taken up with the secret expedition-therefore, I think it very probable, we may see the French Fleet once more in the Mediterranean: therefore, be on your guard by a good look-out. We are all ill and uncomfortable, but ever regard you and believe me, my dear Marquis, &c., NELSON. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Palermo, 28th September, 1799. I have received your letter of the 11th June, and observe with great surprise the premature complaint laid before their Lordships by a Messrs. Patterson, Lie, and Iselim, previous to their knowing whether any injustice had been done them, respecting the 400 pigs of lead landed at Palermo by my order from on board the Oporto, Plofield, Master, which His Sicilian Majesty was in absolute want of for the War; and consequently, I desired Mr. James Tough,' His Majesty's Consul here, to value the lead at the price it would fetch at Leghorn, the place of its destination. This was strictly attended to, and I am informed that the produce has been remitted long since to Messrs. James Sutton and Company, of London, to be distributed to the just proprietors, who at the period of landing the lead were not known, by the bills of lading appearing to order. Mr. Tough assures me that the nett produce deducting freight, average, aggio, and charges, which Patterson has entirely forgot in demanding the sum of 16637. 11s. sterling, will be about 1350l. sterling, which exceeds what it would have rendered at Leghorn at the price of 70 ducats, exchange 48, the above charges deducted, and gives a very considerable profit to Patterson and Co.; and I beg you will assure their Lordships that I took care, in the present indispensable case, that every justice was done to all parties. I have the honour to be, with great respect, &c., Vide vol. iii. p. 265. NELSON.R On the following day, the 29th of September, Lord Nelson completed his fortieth year, on which occasion the Queen of Naples wrote to congratulate him :"Palerme, le 29 Septembre, 1799. "Mon digne et estimable Lord Nelson, recevez mes vœux biens sincéres, pour votre jour de naissance, dans cette année, qui vous venez de terminer. Combien d'innombrables motifs de réconnoissance n'avons nous point pour vous être attachés et éternellement dévoués! Nous vous devons tout, et croyez que le souvenir en est ineffaçablement gravé dans nos cœurs, car je ne suis que l'interprète des sentimens du Roi, et de toute ma chère Famille, qui unis avec moi vous assurent de leur éternelle réconnoissance, et des vœux qu'ils font au Ciel, pour votre parfait bonheur VOL. IV. D TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph in the Admiralty, and published in the "London Gazette" of November 16th, 1799.] Sir, Palermo, 1st October, 1799. I have desired Commodore Troubridge to send you for the information of their Lordships extracts of all his letters to me with the terms entered into with the French for the evacuation of the City of Rome and Cività Vecchia," on which event I sincerely congratulate their Lordships, and am, Sir, with great respect, &c., NELSON. TO COMMODORE SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. [Letter-Book.] October 1st, 1799. My dear Troubridge, Most affectionately do I rejoice in the honour the King has conferred upon you;' and you may depend that if the Marines can be got at, they will be at your service. General Acton sent me a letter this morning detailing what you have done at Cività Vecchia, but as no dates are stated I can only hope that you have done the job. If it is necessary to leave a few of your and Louis's Marines, do it, and one or two of the Small craft, for the protection of the trade. I want certainly all the Line of Battle Ships, and such of the Small craft, as are not absolutely wanted there. My intention is, to go almost directly to Minorca, and arrange a proper Naval defence for that Island, and to try to get troops to finish the business of et longue conservation. Recevez donc les souhaits d'une famille, d'une nation entière, qui sent toute l'obligation qu'elle vous doit, et croyez moi pour la vie, avec la plus profonde estime et véritable reconnoissance, votre très attachée et affectionée, CHARLOTTE."-Autograph, in the Nelson Papers. 9 Captain Troubridge's official Letter, Terms of Capitulation, &c., were published in the London Gazette of the 16th of November, 1799. On the same day, Lord Nelson wrote to Earl Spencer, to precisely the same effect, adding, "I sincerely congratulate your Lordship on this event, so honourable to our Country, for the French would treat with no Country but Britain."-Letter-Book. A Baronetcy. |