what can I do? I dare say the account from Cadiz is as erroneous as that from Carthagena; but we bear all this, and more. Foley did not join Hallowell in time to send in the Summons; for the Peterel joined at the same moment, and they properly immediately sailed for this place, and depart for Gibraltar this evening. I am, &c., NELSON. TO THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. [Letter-Book.] My dear Marquis, September 5th, 1799. I send the Strombolo, and a large mortar; and I hope, from the number of people you will be able to land, that La Valetta will fall to your efforts. The Russians are very anxious to go there therefore I am doubly interested for your success. May God Almighty crown your efforts with success, is the prayer of your affectionate, NELSON. TO REAR-ADMIRAL DUCKWORTH. [Letter-Book.] My dear Admiral, Palermo, September 5th, 1799. Should the force sent down to Gibraltar be more than is necessary for guarding Cadiz, you will send me the Northumberland, or such other Ship as may be able to keep the sea during the winter; for the Russian Admiral has already told me that his Ships cannot. In short, for active operations, none but English Ships are of use. Marquis de Niza is off Malta, where also the Russian Admiral wishes to go; for he thinks the Port of Malta the most pleasing station. I am, &c. NELSON. My dear Lord, TO EARL SPENCER, K.G. [Letter-Book.] September 6th, 1799. I send you a copy of the Queen's letter to Lady Hamilton, as a postscript to that of General Acton. The King has prevailed on the Russian Admiral to go to Naples, but the more I see, the more I am satisfied they can do no good for active operations, and that they will be a dead weight on their Sicilian Majesties. The Russian Admiral has a polished outside, but the bear is close to the skin. He is jealous of our influence, and thinks whatever is proposed, that we are at the bottom. The Turk, who is by no means a fool-on the contrary, has more natural sense than the other-is our brother; and I am sure there is not a thing that we could desire him to do that he would not instantly comply with. I make use of the word 'we,' as both Sir William and Lady Hamilton have more merit in gaining the affection and implicit confidence of Cadir Bey and his Officers, than I have. The Austrians are only ten miles from Rome. Ever, my dear Lord, &c., NELSON. TO CAPTAIN TROUBRIDGE, H.M. SHIP CULLODEN. [Letter-Book.] Most secret. Palermo, September 7th, 1799. My dear Troubridge, Having secured the free access of the Straits by the force detached to Gibraltar, and, from your account and Hood's, being perfectly at my ease about Minorca, you have my full permission to either immediately send Louis to Cività Vecchia, with what Vessels you can give him, Perseus-or to keep under sail when you think the Russians and Turks are approaching, and go direct to Cività Vecchia, and try what can be done; and if you can get possession, then to land not only your Marines, but such other force as you can spare, and not to move till further orders from me; for, as I have before said, I am perfectly easy about Minorca. Now you know my sentiments, you will act and arrange accordingly; but this must be kept secret, or we shall give jealousy to the Russians. As for the Turks, we can do anything with them. They are good people, but perfectly useless. I think if you go, you had better keep Captain Dunn, although I believe he has stock on board for Duckworth. Do you manage this; for he sails with Secret orders. Your Boatswain's mate shall have an Acting order, and Harriman will, of course, travel with you. All here join in regard. I am, &c., NELSON. TO CAPTAIN TROUBRIDGE. Most secret. My dear Troubridge, [Letter-Book.] September 7th, 1799. The Perseus is this moment arrived. I am not surprised at what you tell me about Procida, but never mind it. If the Russian frigates will tell you that they are to stay at Naples, and you think the Capital will remain quiet, I would have you go immediately to Cività Vecchia-not telling any person where you are going. The Perseus stays to take her anchor and a new cable. She shall follow you to Cività Vecchia, if she misses you at Naples. I am, &c., NELSON. TO J. SPENCER SMITH, ESQ. [From a Copy in the Nelson Papers.] My dear Sir, Palermo, 10th September, 1799. As Sir William Hamilton has told your Excellency the whole of the very unpleasant affair which happened on Sunday last, I shall only say, that no fault attaches itself in the least to Cadir Bey; for a man of more conciliating manners does not exist, and he has gained all our hearts in this house, in which he is considered as a brother. Poor fellow! he is full of affliction, fearing that his enemies, if it is possible he can Miss Knight says in her Journal—“ Unfortunately, in the town an affray happened between the Palermitans and some of the Turkish sailors. Some of the first, and many of the latter were killed; and the Turks were so much irritated with the cruelty of the Sicilians, that they rose against their Admiral, and obliged him to return with his Squadron to Corfu." Lord Nelson went on board of the Turkish Admiral's Ship, and subdued the disturbance. The subject is again noticed by Lord Nelson, in pp. 11, 17. ness. have any, may do him an injury with the Sultan. That nothing of that kind may happen, I beg your kindness. I have examined his Ship with much attention, and could not but admire her extreme good order and remarkable cleanliYour exertion of good offices for Cadir Bey, will much oblige us all. Since I wrote you a line, about fourteen days back, I have not had a Vessel from the westward. Although it is now six weeks since Lord Keith passed the Straits, I have heard nothing of his movements. If he can but meet the Combined fleet, I shall be happy. In Italy all goes on well, although the Austrian Eagle appears to wish to cover with his wings more than I think the other Powers will allow him. By desire of Cadir Bey, I have presumed to write a line to the Grand Signior, of which I send your Excellency a copy. I sincerely hope your brother has returned to Constantinople, having finished his hard expedition: if so, you will make my kindest regards to him, and believe me, my dear Sir, your obliged and faithful servant, NELSON." TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY THE GRAND SIGNIOR. Sire, Palermo, 10th September, 1799. I trust that your Imperial Majesty will permit the servant of your most faithful Ally to bear his testimony to the good conduct of your Admiral, Cadir Bey. I can assure your Majesty that Ships in higher order cannot be than those under his command, and the little disturbance which arose in this place has not been owing to any want of attention from your Majesty's Admiral. Cadir Bey is with me every day, and a better man does not live in the world, or a better Officer: he is my brother. And I am, in the truest sense of the words, your Majesty's attached and faithful servant. BRONTE NELSON. On this Paper is written—“N.B. Received at Constantinople, on 7th October, and the needful done to save the Ottoman Admiral harmless. J. S. S." TO ADMIRAL OUSCHAKOFF. [Letter-Book.] Dear Sir, Palermo, September 11th, 1799. As you have been so obliging as to furnish me with the disposition of the Squadron under your Excellency's command, I here enclose, for your information, the disposition of those under mine; and be assured that I shall always be happy to co-operate with you by every means in my power for the good of the Common cause. I have the honour, &c. NELSON. DISPOSITION OF THE SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND OF REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON-VIZ., [September 11th, 1799.] Off Alexandria and coast of Egypt, under Sir Sidney Smith: Le Tigre, 80 guns. Theseus, 74. Cameleon, 18. Off Malta, under Rear-Admiral the Marquis de Niza: On the coast of Naples, and Roman coast, under Commodore Troubridge: Culloden, 74. Minotaur, 74. La Mutine, 18. Transfer, 16. Perseus Bomb, 20. |