Malta, which the French intend to relieve. Five polacres and the two Venetian Ships are loading provisions and stores: therefore, I want to fix our Ships on the spot most likely to intercept them at Lampedosa, and Cape Bon, and in the track from Toulon to Ajaccio. These are my ideas; for as to blocking Toulon for so few Ships, they would escape, the first north-west wind, if the whole Fleet was there. I need only say to you these are my objects, for you to support me, which it is my pleasure always to acknowledge. I send you an order respecting the re-establishing the Sovereign Pontiff, as far as my power extends. Great Britain only (I hope) wishes to see all things as they were before the I send you a little bread. To say the truth I have been expecting you so long that it has been deferred from time to time. If the place has not fallen and you think it useful to keep the blockade, I leave it to you. Captain Mundy is this moment arrived. I am confident, my dear friend, that you have acted in the best manner for all parties. I have only to repeat that you have my ideas of what is necessary to be done, and you will come as soon as you can; for our business is never done. I have sent to General Acton, as the Pope is dead, whether the Pope's colours ought to be hoisted. At this moment therefore be guided by Acton's order; but always hold out that our Country has no object but the good of all Europe. I desire you will say to Mr. Nepean, that in obedience to orders from me, that you send extracts of your letter to me, and the Capitulations, &c.; for I am the temporary Commanderin-Chief in the Mediterranean. May God bless you, and remember me to Louis and all with you. Believe me, your affectionate, NELSON. How happy you have made us! my pen will not say what I feel. Of the Transfer, now Vice-Admiral Sir George Mundy, K.C.B. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM F. WYNDHAM. [Autograph, in the possession of the Honourable Mrs. Wyndham.] Palermo, October 1st, 1799. Sir, Although His Majesty's Ships are in duty bound to protect the trade of His Allies when bound the course of the respective Ships, I am afraid it will be impossible for our country to keep Convoys for all the trade of Tuscany, but my endeavours shall not be wanting to afford them all the protection consistent with the utmost stretch of my duty, and therefore it was needless for your Excellency to lay such a stress to remind me of what, I dare say, you thought the duty of a British Admiral. I am not accustomed to be wanting in the service of our King, of which, I trust, you will bear witness. I am, with great respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant, NELSON. TO COMMODORE SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. [Letter-Book.] Secret. My dear Troubridge, Palermo, October 1st, 1799. Mr. Parker' is just gone home by desire of the King of Sardinia-therefore it is matter for consideration whether Lord Spencer would take it well, sending one on every occasion; but if you think it will answer a good purpose, send your First Lieutenant, and write Lord Spencer and Mr. Nepean, that it is my directions, as a mark of entire approbation of The letter of Mr. Wyndham's here alluded to, has not been found, nor does the Letter-Book contain a copy of any part of it. 4 Lieutenant William Parker, now Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B., who is mentioned in the Preface to the second Volume. Lady Nelson writing to her husband from Roundwood, on the 21st of October 1799, said— "Lieutenant Parker called last night at ten o'clock, just to tell me you were well on the 8th of September. Thank God for it; and may you enjoy health, and every other blessing this world affords. This young man's extreme gratitude and modesty will never be obliterated from your good father's and my memory. He stayed a very few minutes, as the express from Vienna was in the chaise at the door." your conduct. If Mr. Schomberg is the Officer of your choice, send him. I have got the King's order for hoisting the Pope's colours, but since hearing of the Pope's death, I have sent for a confirmation. God bless you. I send you an extract of Mr. Wyndham's unhandsome mode of expressing himself towards me. Appoint a Vessel for that serviceeither Mutine or Transfer; the Cutter shall come to you toEver faithfully, morrow. NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN ACTON, BART. [Letter-Book.] Palermo, October 2nd, 1799. My dear Sir, The Portuguese brig shall be ready, or some other, by one o'clock, to carry General Naselli to Cività Vecchia. I send your Excellency a letter from Lisbon, by which you will see that the Portuguese Squadron is ordered to return. This under our present circumstances is a very serious thing, as the 500 Marines landed from them will be re-embarked; and I am sorry to tell you that I have the most positive information from Toulon of 15th September, that two Venetian Ships of the Line and five other Vessels are loaded with provisions and stores for Malta, of which I have given notice to the Marquis de Niza, that Ships might be stationed at proper places to intercept them, which will, I fear, be frustrated, if I cannot, not only get a Squadron, but troops, to land in Malta. I therefore beg leave to propose to your Excellency, whether under our present circumstances, it would not be right for his Sicilian Majesty to desire that the English garrison at Messina should instantly go to Malta, and also that Admiral Ouschakoff should be instantly wrote to, desiring he would send a part of his Squadron and troops to Malta, for I am clear, that if Malta is relieved, that our forces got together could not take it, and the commencement of a new blockade 3 Lieutenant Charles Marsh Schomberg, Lieutenant of the Minotaur, from whom, and from her Captain, Louis, Sir Thomas Troubridge said, in his dispatches announcing the surrender of Rome, "he had received the greatest assistance." Mr. Schomberg was soon after made a Commander, and obtained the rank of Post-Captain in 1803. He died in January 1835, being then a Companion of the Bath, and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Guelphs. [would be] useless; and this would not be the worst consequence, for all the Barbary cruizers would there have their rendezvous, and not a Vessel of his Sicilian Majesty's could put to sea, and Great Britain and Russia not being at war with those Powers, the case would be dreadful, and ruinous to the subjects of his Sicilian Majesty. I have stated the situation under mature reflection, and have only to request it may be taken into immediate consideration. Ever your Excellency's obedient Servant, TO COMMODORE SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. [Letter-Book.] My dear Troubridge, Palermo, October 2nd, 1799. I send you General Naselli, your old Leghorn friend, who is going Governor to Rome. The Court has nobody betteryou may think they can have nobody worse. The Portuguese Squadron, by letter received this day, are ordered to Lisbon. I am more than ever anxious for your arrival, that, at least, we may lay wait for the Ships from Toulon. I have wrote again and again to Mahon for troops, but without effect. I have this day given my opinion in writing, that his Sicilian Majesty should desire the garrison of Messina to go to Malta, and also to Admiral Ouschakoff to be wrote to, for Ships and troops from Naples. Nothing shall be wanting on my part, but I am almost mad with the manner of going on here. Captain Bayley' will tell you the Minorca news, and I have only to say how happy I shall be to see you; for believe me ever your affectionate friend, NELSON. As there is no Pope, it should be only the Cross Keys without the Tiara. General Acton says it is of no consequence whether the Tiara is in the Colours or no. His Sicilian Majesty only wishes to show the world that his views are disinterested. Zealous, Majestic, and Seahorse, are sailed for England. G Apparently Captain Thomas Bayley, who was made a Post-Captain on the 15th March, 1800, and died between 1816 and 1820. TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS AT MAHON. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Palermo, 2nd October, 1799. As Captain Bayley, of His Majesty's Ship L'Alceste, has been constantly employed in the conducting of Convoys up and down the Mediterranean to Mahon since he has been in the command of that Ship, I request that he may be allowed to put my orders of this date in execution, on his arrival with the Convoy from Messina at Mahon, relating to his cruizing on the Coast of Spain, for three weeks, if His Majesty's service will admit thereof. I am, &c., TO THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. [Letter-Book.] NELSON. My dear Marquis, Palermo, 3rd October, 1799. I have received a letter from Don Roderigo de Souza, saying, that as the Squadron under your orders were not now necessary in the Mediterranean, his Royal Highness had directed their return. Upon this belief your orders are founded; but as the contrary is the fact-for your services were never more wanted than at this moment, when every exertion is wanting to get more troops of English and Russians to Malta-I must, therefore, most positively desire that your Excellency will not on any consideration withdraw one man from the shore, or detach any Ship down the Mediterranean. On the contrary, keep this fine Brig, and I will in two days send you the Balloon; and I send you an order to justify your Excellency's not complying with his Royal Highness's orders, and I am confident he will approve of my conduct. Should the Russian Admiral come to Malta, I am sure you will act like brothers. I am going to Minorca to get ten Sail of the Line together, in order, should the Squadron of thirteen Sail of the Line and one Three-decker, seen off Cape Finisterre on the 18th of September, be bound into the Mediterranean, which I am satisfied they are not, but trying for our outward bound Convoy. Ever yours affectionately, NELSON. |