sent to get some Sherry wine and sugar; but as to Madeira, or Claret, there is not a drop of such even in this Island, or in all Italy. Only tell me in what I can be useful to you, and I shall have great pleasure in assuring you, by fact, that I feel myself your most obliged friend, BRONTE NElson. Remember me affectionately to your brother, when you write. I have just sent him a large cargo of good things. r TO THE RIGHT HON. EARL SPENCER, K.G. My dear Lord, [Letter-Book.] Palermo, November 6th, 1799. I had entertained sanguine hopes that troops would have been obtained from Minorca to join the Russians in the attack of Malta; but that hope is much diminished by a letter from General Sir James St. Clair, writing me word that the 28th Regiment was ordered for England, and that he expected General Fox every moment, and that [till] he was here, the General would not, on any consideration, break his orders for any object. Much as I approve of strict obedience to orders-even to a Court-Martial to inquire whether the object justified the measure yet to say that an Officer is never, for any object, to alter his orders, is what I cannot comprehend. The circumstances of this war so often vary, that an Officer has almost every moment to consider-What would my superiors direct, did they know what is passing under my nose? The great object of the war is-Down, down with the French! To accomplish this, every nerve, and by both Services, ought to be strained. My heart is, I assure you, almost broke with that and other things. The moment I get General Fox's for General St. Clair cannot lend me even the garrison of Messina, to hold the posts occupied by our and the Portuguese Marines, till a force can be collected to attack it properly. If I am obliged to withdraw from the shore of the Island, what a thorn it will remain to our trade and to our Allies! It will require a constant succession of good Ships, answer 1 1 Sic. which are very scarce with me, to cruize off it; and if the Enemy get supplies in, we may bid adieu to Malta. This would complete my misery; for I am afraid I take all services too much to heart. The accomplishing of them is my study, night and day. The services of Captain Ball will not, I am confident, be forgot by you, but I feel sensible that my pen is far unequal to do justice to the merit of my friends; for could I have described the wonderful merit of Sir Thomas Troubridge and his gallant party in the Kingdom of Naples-how he placed his battery, as he would his Ship, close alongside the Enemy -how the French Commander said, "This man fancies he is on board Ship-this is not the mode a General would adopt;' in what a few days this band went to the siege of Capua, where, whatever was done, was done by the English and Portuguese, for the Russians would fight, but not work. The Neapolitan corps were in air, and 600 Swiss were all who Troubridge could depend upon. If I had, as their Chief, a looker-on, a pen to describe their extraordinary merits, they would not be diminished by the comparison of our success in Holland, or by the gallant exertions of my friend, Sidney Smith-of whose zeal, judgment, and gallantry, no man is more sensible than myself-and been equally entitled to the thanks of their Country, by its representatives in Parliament. A few days ago, a gentleman from the Grand Signior came here with letters for me, and also a magnificent diamond Star, in the centre of which, on a blue enamel, is the Crescent and a Star. It is desired by the Grand Signior, that I will wear it on my breast. I have, therefore, attached it to my coat, over the Star of the Order of the Bath. This is sent simply as a mark of his-[imperfect.] TO HIS EXCELLENCY J. SPENCER SMITH, ESQ. [From a Copy in the Nelson Papers.] My dear Sir, Palermo, 6th November, 1799. I send you a cask of sugar, such as I think you mean by saying prize-sugar: I would also have sent loaf-sugar, but it is not to be had any more than Sherry. Had the Foudroyant been here, I should have sent you a cask, which I will not omit the first opportunity, as it always gives me pleasure to execute your commissions. I send you a paper of 27th September, which may not have reached you. In it you will see the honourable and deserving manner in which your gallant brother is mentioned. I hope Cadir Bey will be perfectly satisfied with his reception; he appears a good man. I am thinned of Ships: seven Sail of the Line since I wrote last, besides Frigates and Sloops. Believe me, my dear Sir, your obliged friend, BRONTE NELSON. TO LADY NELSON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 234.] 7th November, 1799. Since my arrival from Minorca, my task here has still continued arduous; for I cannot get the General at Minorca to give me some troops for the service of Malta, and I have not force enough to attack it. One day or other I shall rest from all my labours. I still find it good to serve near home, there a man's fag and services are easily seen; next to that, is writing a famous account of your own actions. Yours, &c. BRONTE NELSON. TO CAPTAIN BALL, CHIEF OF THE ISLAND OF MALTA. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball, Bart.] My dear Ball, Palermo, November 7th, 1799. I am anxiously waiting the answer from Minorca to my last very strong application, at least for the Garrison of Messina, till we can get troops to attack the place. The moment the which, I own, I expect will be unfavourable to our wishes, I intend to go to Naples, to see what the Austrians will do, and his Sicilian Majesty will send some men; and if, after all our exertions, we should be forced to give up the idea of anything beyond the blockade, it is none of our fault. I trust that Niza will not take a man from the shore till I can get my answers, and communicate them. Lord Spencer, in a late letter, says, and that Malta has also fallen before the meritorious and unparalleled vigilance and exertion of Captain Ball, who has, indeed, shown himself worthy of the friendship with which you have honoured him.' I only send this, my dear Ball, to show I do not forget my friends. As to honouring you, that is not in my power; but to render you justice is my duty. I have this day wrote to the Emperor of Russia, Grand Master of Malta, requesting for you the Order of Malta; for I have never had any answer from Sir Charles Whitworth to the former application, therefore I have now gone to the fountain head. The Grand Signior has again manifested his friendship for me by sending a diamond Star, in the centre of which, on blue enamel, is a Crescent and Star; and I have called myself First Knight of the Order of the Crescent.' I know, my dear Sir, that no jealousy reigns in your breast, and that whatever honours are heaped on me, give you pleasure. Captain Stephenson is just come out to the Princess Charlotte-poor Hardy, consequently, turned adrift! You will have the Frigate off Malta. I send you some papers; and believe me ever your obliged and affectionate friend, BRONTE NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS DE NIZA. [Letter-Book.] Palermo, November 7th, 1799. My dear Marquis, I every moment expect the answers from Minorca. Ball will show you my letter to him of my intentions. I only beg that you will not take a man from the Island till my directions can get to you of the future measures necessary to be taken. But if your Ship wants to come here before that time, leave the command with Captain Louis, giving all your Ships orders for that purpose; but again I desire you will not draw one person from the shore. The Grand Signior has just created me first Knight of the Imperial Order of the Crescent, and sent me a diamond Star. We have reports of our check in Holland, September 19th, 2 and of our complete victory on the 24th; also of Suwarrow's success on the 10th and 11th October-8000 killed, 20,000 prisoners, 15,000 of which laid down their arms in a body— Massena carried off in a car, wounded. The loss of the Russians 9000, of which 1000 were Officers-Suwarrow wounded. But we have no official accounts. From Spain we know that the Spanish Ambassador is fled from Paris, and that an insurrection had taken place in Paris. All will end well. Adieu, my dear Marquis, and believe me ever your obliged friend, BRONTE NELSON. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Palermo, November 9th, 1799. Sir, This letter, with all my dispatches, will be delivered to you by Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy, who has been my Captain from the Battle of the Nile till October 13th, when he was superseded by Sir Edward Berry. I beg leave to recommend him to their Lordships in the strongest manner, as one of the best Officers in His Majesty's Service, and to refer to him for the particular state of the Ships under my command, and of my own situation in this Country, certainly a very extraordinary one; for if I move they think the Country in danger, and that they are abandoned. If my Flag is in a Transport, they seem contented. Believe me, Sir, &c., NELSON. TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. Sir, [Letter Book.] Palermo, 9th November, 1799. I beg leave to present to your Royal Highness, Captain Hardy, late of the Foudroyant, an Officer of the most dis The success of the army in Holland here alluded to, occurred on the 2nd of October. Vide "London Gazette" of the 8th and 13th of October, 1799. This report was without any foundation. |