Chapter IX (1)

The sick, not in a state to be removed, shall remain at Naples,
with French surgeons, and shall be taken care of at the expence of
the republic. They shall be sent back to France as soon as possible
after their recovery.

Done at Fort St. Elmo, the 22d Messidor, in the seventh year of the
French republic, or 12th July 1799.

Signed,

Il Duca di Salandra, Captain-General of the Forces of his
Majesty the King of the Two Sicilies.

Thomas Troubridge, of his Britannic Majesty's ship
Culloden, and Commander of the British and Portuguese troops at
the attack of St. Elmo.

Chevalier Belle, Captain-Lieutenant, commanding the troops
of his Imperial Russian Majesty at the attack of St. Elmo.

Jh. Mejau, commanding Fort St. Elmo.

_Return of Killed and Wounded at the Siege of the Castle of St.
Elmo._

Marine forces landed from the squadron--John Hickman, private, of
the Vanguard, killed; Daniel Elliott, Christopher Calonie, privates
of ditto, wounded. Serjeant Morgan, of the Foudroyant, Thomas
Jones, and Benjamin Cole, privates of ditto, wounded.

Royal Artillery--Lieutenant Millbank killed.

T. Strickland, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Marine Forces.

Swiss Regiment--Two officers, seven privates, killed; nine privates
wounded.

Albanese Volunteers--Four privates wounded.

Russians--One officer, three rank and file, killed; one officer,
three rank and file, wounded.

Calabrese Regiment--One officer, twenty-one rank and file, killed;
four officers, sixty-four rank and file, wounded.

Total--Five officers, thirty-two rank and file, killed; five
officers, seventy-nine rank and file, wounded.

Foudroyant, Naples Bay, 13th July 1799.

The Castle of St. Elmo, at the time of it's surrender, had no want of ammunition or provisions: of the former, besides abundance of shot, shells, grenades, cartridges, &c. they had twenty-five thousand pounds of powder; and, of the latter, with eighteen oxen, upwards of three hundred barrels of salt beef and pork, nearly three thousand quintals of wheat, a hundred and fifty-eight of biscuit, two thousand one hundred and sixty-seven of flour, and numerous other articles of food in proportion, they had fifty thousand pints of wine, and six thousand of brandy.

Lord Nelson, immediately on receiving these dispatches from Captain Troubridge, wrote the following official letter to Lord Keith.

"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
13th July 1799.

"MY LORD,

"I have the pleasure to inform you of the surrender of Fort St.
Elmo, on the terms of the inclosed capitulation, after open
batteries of eight days; during which time, one heavy battery was
advanced within a hundred and eighty yards of the ditch. The very
great strength of St. Elmo, and it's more formidable position,
will mark with what fortitude, perseverance, and ability, the
combined forces must have acted. Captain Troubridge was the officer
selected for the command of all the forces landed from the
squadron. Captain Ball assisted him for seven days, till his
services were wanted at Malta, when his place was ably supplied by
Captain Hallowell, an officer of the most distinguished merit, and
to whom Captain Troubridge expresses the highest obligation.
Captain Hood, with a garrison for the castle of Nuovo, and to keep
good order in the capital--an arduous task, at that time--was also
landed from the squadron; and I have the pleasure to tell you, that
no capital is more quiet than Naples. I transmit you Captain
Troubridge's letter to me, with a return of killed and wounded.

"I have now to state to your lordship, that although the ability
and resources of my brave friend Troubridge are well known to all
the world; yet he had difficulties to struggle with, in every way,
which the state of the capital will easily bring to your idea, that
has raised his great character even higher than it was before: and
it is my earnest request, that your lordship will mention him, in
that way, to the board of Admiralty, that his majesty may be
graciously pleased to bestow some mark of his royal favour on
Captain Troubridge; which will give real happiness to your
lordship's most obedient and faithful servant,

"Nelson."

"Right Honourable Lord Keith."

Besides the above letter, Lord Nelson this day wrote three other letters to Lord Keith, and one to Earl Spencer; so indefatigable was his lordship in the performance of every branch of his duty. Yet, at this very moment, he was hazarding the imputation of too little regarding it, by those who have not his ability to discern in what it truly consists, or the magnanimity to hazard the consequences of a nominal and apparent breach, for the sake of securely seizing the spirit and substance of it's unquestionably intended effect. A truly great man, must sometimes even venture to expose his character, as well as his person, in perilous situations; though he will seldom be so presumptuous or rash as wantonly to commit either, on trivial occasions.

The fact is, that his lordship had, at this very critical juncture, been ordered, by Lord Keith, to detach a considerable part of his squadron for the reinforcement of his lordship, then at Minorca; with this order, however, having already parted with two ships for Malta, it was not possible to comply, without again putting the safety of Naples to a most imminent hazard. He ventured, therefore to remonstrate against the measure, in the following apology to Lord Keith; describing his precise situation, of which the commander in chief could not have any possible knowledge at the time of sending such orders.

"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
13th July, 1799.

"MY LORD,

"I have to acknowledge the receipt of your lordship's orders of
27th June; and, as soon as the safety of his Sicilian Majesty's
kingdoms is secured, I shall not lose one moment in making the
detachment you are pleased to order. At present, under God's
providence, the safety of his Sicilian Majesty, and his speedy
restoration to his kingdoms, depends on this fleet; and the
confidence inspired, even by the appearance of our ships before the
city, is beyond all belief: and I have no scruple in declaring my
opinion that, should any event draw us from the kingdom, if the
French remain in any part of it, disturbances will again arise:
for, all order having been completely overturned, it must take a
thorough cleansing, and some little time, to restore tranquillity.
I have the honour to be, with great respect, your lordship's
obedient servant,

"Nelson."

"Right Honourable Lord Keith."

With these accounts of the operations at Naples, copies of which were transmitted by Lord Nelson, to England, for public information, his lordship wrote the following private letter to Earl Spencer; in which, among other interesting particulars, descriptive of his then state, he alludes to the impropriety of hastily detaching any ships for Minorca.

"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
13th July 1799.

"MY DEAR LORD,

"I have much to say; but am unable to write, or speak, half so much
as my duty would make it right: therefore, I must be brief. On my
fortunate arrival here, I found a most infamous treaty entered into
with the rebels, in direct disobedience of his Sicilian Majesty's
orders. I had the happiness of saving his majesty's honour;
rejecting, with disdain, any terms but unconditional submission to
rebels. Your lordship will observe my note and opinion to the
cardinal. The rebels came out of the castle with this knowledge,
without any honours; and the principal rebels were seized, and
conducted on board the ships of the squadron. The others, embarked
in fourteen polacres, were anchored under the care of our ships.
His majesty has entirely approved of my conduct in this matter. I
presume to recommend Captain Troubridge for some mark of his
majesty's favour: it would be supposing you, my dear lord, were
ignorant of his merits, was I to say more than that he is a
first-rate general. The king holds his levees on the quarter-deck of
the Foudroyant, at the same hour as he did when in his palace. His
Majesty's health is perfect, and he is in the highest spirits and
good humour. May I offer my kindest respects to Lady Spencer; and,
believe me, I am sensible of her goodness. Lieutenant Parkinson
will, I am sure, meet with your kind protection; he is an officer
of great merit. Lord Keith writes me, if certain events take
place, it may be necessary to draw down this squadron for the
protection of Minorca. Should such an order come, at this moment,
it would be a cause for some consideration, whether Minorca is to
be risked, or the two kingdoms of Naples and Sicily. I rather
think, my decision would be, to risk the former. I am told, the
alteration of the government is began in this capital, by the
abolition of the feudal system, and that it is meant to be
continued through the country. Sir John Acton is with his majesty:
I need not say more, than that he has the wisest and most honest
head in this kingdom. Sir William and Lady Hamilton are, to my
great comfort, with me; for, without them, it would have been
impossible I could have rendered half the service to his majesty
which I have now done: their heads, and their hearts, are equally
great and good. With every sentiment of respect and attachment,
believe me, my dear lord, your obliged and faithful

"Nelson."

"Earl Spencer."

In the public letter to Evan Nepean, Esq. which inclosed the several dispatches, Lord Nelson also recommends Lieutenant Parkinson, who is the bearer, to the notice of the Lords of the Admiralty; observing, that this officer is sent, by desire of his Sicilian Majesty, to mark that monarch's approbation of his lordship's conduct. Then, apologising for the brevity of his letter, when he has so much to communicate, his lordship adds, that he is writing in a fever, and finds it barely possible to keep out of bed; but, to the last, begs he will assure the board, that every exertion shall be made for the honour of his king and country.

By the surrender of St Elmo, the King of Naples had once more the satisfaction to behold his own flag waving over the capital, and all the forts by which it was defended. The only places now remaining in the hands of the French and his Neapolitan Majesty's rebellious subjects, were Capua and Gaieta. Against the former of these, on the 14th, Captains Troubridge and Hallowell began to make preparations, by landing a thousand men from the squadron; which, uniting with four thousand other troops, of various denominations, marched in a few days to effect it's reduction.

On the 17th, Lord Nelson, by the desire of his Sicilian Majesty, sent a letter to Captain Troubridge, directing him, when he sent in a summons to the commander of the French troops in Capua, to state that, on condition of immediately giving up Capua and Gaieta, both being under his command, the French garrisons, after laying down their arms, should be permitted to go to France without any restrictions; but, if this were not complied with, they should be considered as prisoners of war, with as degrading terms as it was in his power to give them: in short, the allies must dictate the terms. To this letter, there was a remarkable postscript; which serves to shew, with what marked contempt his lordship regarded those whom he had reason to consider as traitors--"There is a person," says his lordship, "who has been a _notorious rebel;_ but, now, _pretends_ to serve his king faithfully. If he should attempt to come even into your presence, I earnestly request, that you will never voluntarily admit him to your sight, much less speak to him; for honour and loyalty, which you possess, never ought to be contaminated with infamy and rebellion. His name is said to be _Roccaromara_." There can be no doubt, that Lord Nelson had good reasons for this positive caution: the want of which might, perhaps, have been prejudicial to the expedition; if not fatal to this his lordship's favourite commander, for whose honour and welfare he was to the full as solicitous as for his own.

Just as every thing was arranged, ready to march against Capua, the event which his lordship had anticipated in his letter to Earl Spencer actually occurred. A peremptory order arrived, on the 19th, from Lord Keith, directing him to detach, immediately, from the Island of Sicily, the whole of his squadron--or such part, at least, as might not be necessary in that island--for the protection of Minorca. Lord Nelson, however, well knowing, that Lord Keith, at the time of sending this order, could not be informed of the change of affairs in the kingdom of Naples, where all the marines, and a considerable body of seamen, were now landed, in order to drive the French scoundrels out of the kingdom--which was likely, he said, with God's blessing, to be very soon effected, when a part of the squadron should be instantly sent--he thought it right, till the French were all driven from Capua, not to obey his lordship's order for sending down any part of the squadron under his command. After stating these reasons, as his apology for thus acting, his lordship thus concludes--"I am perfectly aware of the consequences of disobeying the orders of the commander in chief; but, as I believe the safety of the kingdom of Naples depends, at the present moment, on my detaining the squadron, I have no scruple in deciding, that it is better to save the kingdom of Naples, and risk Minorca, than to risk the kingdom of Naples, and save Minorca. Your lordship will, I hope, approve of my decision."

Though Lord Nelson's heroic bosom could by no means fail to be violently agitated on this very alarming occasion, his resolution was not to be shaken by any consideration of personal suffering: had the refusal been attended with the certain loss of life, he would not have consented to part with a single ship; such was the inflexible firmness of this invincible man, when his determination was once fixed. He did not, however, set danger at defiance; though he so little regarded it's weight, when placed in the scale which opposed his own conscious sense of duty. Desirous to be duly understood, and to obtain the indemnity of which he could not but consider himself as worthy of receiving, he had ventured to hope for Lord Keith's approbation of his conduct. He judged it right, however, to be prepared against the worst that could happen, by immediately addressing Earl Spencer, also, in a private letter on the subject; as well as the Admiralty in general, through their secretary, Mr. Nepean. These valuable documents, at once self-criminating and exculpatory, are finely characteristic of his lordship's firmness, sensibility, and honour.

"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
19th July 1799.

"MY DEAR LORD,

"You will easily conceive my feelings, at the order this day
received here from Lord Keith; but my mind, your lordship will
know, by my letter sent by Mr. Lieutenant Parkinson and Mr.
Silvester, was perfectly prepared for this order: and, more than
ever, is my mind made up. At this moment, I will not part with a
single ship; as I cannot do that, without drawing a hundred and
twenty men from each ship now at the siege of Capua, where an army
is gone this day. I am fully aware of the act I have committed;
but, sensible of my loyal intentions, I am prepared for any fate
which may await my disobedience. Capua and Gaieta will soon fall;
and, the moment the scoundrels of French are out of this kingdom,
I shall send eight or nine ships of the line to Minorca. I have
done what I thought right: others may think differently; but it
will be my consolation, that I have gained a kingdom, seated a
faithful ally of his majesty firmly on his throne, and restored
happiness to millions. Do not think, my dear lord, that my opinion
is formed from the arrangements of any one. _No_; be it good, or be
it bad, it is all my own. It is natural I should wish the decision
of the Admiralty, and my commander in chief, as speedily as
possible. To obtain the former, I beg your lordship's interest with
the board; and, in all events, I shall consider myself your
lordship's, &c. &c.

"Nelson."

"Earl Spencer."

The letter for the Lords of the Admiralty, addressed to Evan Nepean, Esq. their Secretary, was as follows.

"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
19th July 1799.

"SIR,

"I send you a copy of Lord Keith's orders to me, my answer, and a
copy of a letter written since my letter to Lord Keith. My decision
was taken, and I feel the importance of it in every way; and know,
I must be subject to trial for my conduct: but I am so confident of
the uprightness of my intentions for his majesty's service; and for
that of his Sicilian Majesty, which I consider as the same; that I,
with all submission, give myself to the judgement of my superiors.
I have the honour to be, with great respect, your, &c.

"Nelson."

By this open and dignified manner of appealing to the honourable Board of Admiralty, as well as to his commander in chief, Lord Nelson not only escaped any public censure, but even obtained great private applause, very much to the honour of all parties. It was, they well knew, no light departure from duty, originating in presumption or ignorance; but a necessary deviation, dictated by the most profound wisdom, and justified by the truest discernment.

Lord Nelson appears to have been of opinion, about this time, that the French fleet, which had effected a junction with the Spanish, making together forty-three sail of the line, and were reported to have sailed from Carthagena on the 29th of June, had hostile designs against the kingdom of Portugal. This he mentions to Sir Sidney Smith, in a congratulatory epistle on the first successes of that able officer in Egypt. "Yesterday," his lordship says, writing on the 24th of July, "brought me letters from your worthy brother; and we had the great pleasure of hearing that your truly meritorious and wonderful exertions were in a fair train for the extirpation of that horde of thieves, who went to Egypt with that arch-thief Bonaparte. I beg you will express, to Captain Miller, and to all the brave officers and men who have fought so nobly under your orders, the sense I entertain of your and their great merit." To Sir Sidney's brother, his lordship writes with still stronger praise of that spirited and enterprising officer--"I thank you, truly," says his lordship, "for your letter of June 9th, containing an extract of one from your brother, who has done so much at Acre. It is like his former conduct; and, I can assure you, no one admires his gallantry and judgment more than myself. But, if I know myself, as I never have encroached on the command of others, so I will not suffer even my friend Sir Sidney to encroach upon mine. I dare say, he thought he was to have a separate command in the Levant; I find, upon enquiry, it never was intended to have any one in the Levant separate from me." This candid explanation may be considered as a manly acknowledgment of his lordship's, that he had pushed his severity against his friend Sir Sidney sufficiently far.

Lord Nelson also received, from Constantinople, among other dispatches, the approbation of the Grand Signior for his conduct at Tripoli and Tunis: to whom he had constantly sent copies of his correspondence with the bashaw and the bey; and now, in a letter to his Excellency the Grand Vizir, observed that he had no other object in view, than to fulfil the orders of the great king, his master, by proving him a most faithful ally.

On the 28th, the garrison of Capua surrendered to Captain Troubridge, and the commanders of the other allied troops; of which event he informed Lord Nelson, next day, in the following public letter.

"Culloden, Naples Bay,
29th July 1799.

"MY LORD,

"Agreeable to your lordship's orders, I marched on the 20th inst.
with the English and Portuguese troops from Naples, and arrived at
Caserta the following morning. After resting the people, we marched
and encamped near Capua. The Swiss, under Colonel Tschudy, the
cavalry under General Acton, and the different corps of infantry
under General Boucard and Colonel Gams, took up their appointed
situations: the former, to the left of the camp; and the latter, to
the right of the river.

"On the 22d, a bridge of pontoons was thrown over the river, to
establish a communication. Batteries of guns and mortars were
instantly began, within five hundred yards of the enemy's works:
and, on the 25th, the gun-battery of four twenty-four pounders,
another with two howitzers, and two mortar-batteries, were opened,
and kept up a constant and heavy fire; which was returned, by the
enemy, from eleven pieces of cannon. On the 26th, trenches were
opened, and new batteries began, within a few yards of the glacis.

"The enemy, on finding our approach so rapid, sent out terms, which
I rejected _in toto_; and offered, in return, the inclosed terms of
capitulation, which the French general agreed to, and signed the
following morning at six o'clock. The French garrison marched out
this morning, at three; and, grounding their arms, proceeded to
Naples, under the escort of four hundred English marines, and two
squadrons of General Acton's cavalry.

"In performing this service, I feel much indebted to Captains
Hallowell and Oswald; to whose abilities and exertions, I attribute
the reduction of the place in so short a time; as they staid night
and day in the field, to forward the erecting of the batteries. I
also beg leave to recommend Lieutenant-Colonel Strickland and Major
Cresswell, the officers and marines, for their constant and
unremitted attention; as well as the officers and men of her most
faithful majesty, the Queen of Portugal. The Russian forces, under
Captain Builie, rendered every assistance. Generals Acton and De
Boucard, and Colonel Gams, merit much for their zeal in chearfully
performing all the different services that arose. Colonel Tschudy's
zeal merits great attention, for his constant readiness to send
working parties to the batteries, as well as pushing his men
forward on all occasions.

"To M. Monfrere, a volunteer gentleman from the Seahorse, whom I
had the honour to recommend to your lordship's notice at St. Elmo,
I feel indebted for his great ability and assistance as an
engineer, which forwarded our operations much.

"Lieutenants Lowcay and Davis, who served as aides-du-camp to me,
have also great merit; as well as Mr. Greig, an officer in the
Russian service, serving in his majesty's ship under my command,
whom I beg your lordship to recommend to the court of Petersburgh
as a promising officer. Count di Lucci, chief of the etat-major,
was unremitting in his attention. I have the honour to inclose your
lordship a return of the ordnance, stores, and provisions, found in
Capua, as well as a return of the garrison, not including Jacobins,
which were serving with the French.

"I have the honour to be, &c.

"T. Troubridge."

"The Right Honourable Lord Nelson, K.B."

The capitulation contained nine articles, like that of St. Elmo, which it in all other respects resembled. The ordnance was one hundred and eighteen pieces of cannon; and there were twelve thousand muskets, four hundred and fourteen thousand musket-cartridges filled, and sixty-seven thousand eight hundred and forty-eight pounds of powder. The French garrison consisted of a hundred and ninety-nine officers, and two thousand six hundred and eighteen non-commissioned officers and privates.

The town and garrison of Gaieta, being under the same commander in chief as Capua, Monsieur Girardon, General of Brigade, was immediately after agreed to be surrendered without a siege, and an order to that effect was sent, on the 30th, to the Governor: on which account, the place having only been blockaded, all the French troops, consisting of eighty-three officers, and fourteen hundred and fifteen privates, were allowed to march out with their firelocks, bayonets, swords, and cartouch-boxes, without being deemed prisoners of war on their arrival in France. In other respects, the articles of the capitulation, which was signed by General Acton, Lord Nelson, and Monsieur Girardon, on board the Foudroyant, were very similar to those of Capua. There were sixty pieces of brass cannon, twelve iron, and thirteen mortars, with an immense quantity of powder and other garrison stores.

On the 1st day of August 1799, the first anniversary of Lord Nelson's glorious victory off the Nile, his lordship had the inexpressible happiness of announcing to his king and country, the entire liberation of the kingdom of Naples from French anarchy; the restoration of it's worthy sovereign to his hereditary throne; and of his numerous oppressed subjects, to the felicity of that benign and paternal protection which they had ever experienced under his Sicilian Majesty's mild and gentle sway.

This agreeable intelligence was communicated in the two following letters: one, to the commander in chief, Lord Keith; the other, to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary to the Admiralty.

"Foudroyant, Bay of Naples,
1st August 1799.

"MY LORD,

"I have the honour to transmit you a copy of Captain Troubridge's
letter to me, and the capitulation of Capua and Gaieta, &c. Too
much praise cannot be given to Captain Troubridge, for his
wonderful exertion in bringing about these happy events, and in so
short a space of time. Captain Hallowell has also the greatest
merit. Captain Oswald, whom I send to England with a copy of my
letter, is an officer most highly deserving promotion. I have put
Lieutenant Henry Compton, who has served as a lieutenant with me
from January 1796, in the Perseus bomb, in his room, and whom I
recommend to your lordship.

"I sincerely congratulate your lordship, on the entire liberation
of the kingdom of Naples from a band of robbers; and am, with the
greatest respect, my lord, your, &c.

"Nelson."

"Right Honourable Lord Keith, K. B."

"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
1st August 1799.

"SIR,

"I have the honour to transmit you copies of my letter to the
commander in chief, with it's several enclosures: and most
sincerely congratulate their lordships on the entire liberation of
the kingdom of Naples from the French robbers; for by no other name
can they be called, for their conduct in this kingdom. This happy
event will not, I am sure, be the less acceptable, from being
principally brought about by part of the crews of his majesty's
ships under my orders, under the command of Captain Troubridge. His
merits speak for themselves. His own modesty, makes it my duty to
state that, to him alone, is the chief merit due. The
recommendation bestowed on the brave and excellent Captain
Hallowell, will not escape their lordship's notice, any more than
the exceeding good conduct of Captain Oswald, Colonel Strickland,
and Captain Cresswell, to whom I ordered the temporary rank of
major; and all the officers and men of the marine corps: also, the
party of artillery, and the officers and men landed from the
Portuguese squadron.

"I must not omit to state, that Captain Hood, with a garrison of
seamen, in Castle Nuovo, has for these five weeks very much
contributed to the peace of the capital; and Naples, I am told, was
never more quiet than under his directions.

"I send Captain Oswald, of the Perseus bomb, with this letter; and
I have put Lieutenant Henry Compton, who has served with me ever
since January 1796, as a lieutenant, into the Perseus: and I beg
leave to recommend these two officers, as highly meriting
promotion.

"I have the honour to be, &c.

"Nelson."

"Evan Nepean, Esq."

In his lordship's private letter to Earl Spencer, of the same date, which accompanied the dispatches to England, he thus expresses himself--"I certainly, from having only a left hand, cannot enter into details which may explain the motives that actuate my conduct, and which may be necessary for a commanding officer who may wish to have every subject of duty detailed by those under his command. My principle, my dear lord, is--to assist in driving the French to the devil, and in restoring peace and happiness to mankind. I feel, that I am fitter to do the action, than to describe it; therefore, briefly, all the French being forced to quit this kingdom, and some order restored, two more ships of the line are to sail this evening for Minorca, which I will take care of." Having thus demonstrated that he was embracing the earliest opportunity to comply with Lord Keith's former orders, his lordship proceeds to state that he is going to send five hundred marines, with six hundred excellent Swiss, for the attack of Civita Vecchia, and to assist the insurrection in the Roman state: the sea part of this business to be under the direction of Captain Louis of the Minotaur, and the land part under Captain Hallowell of the Swiftsure; assisted by an excellent officer, Captain Cresswell of the marines, whom it has been necessary to give the temporary rank of major, which he wishes the board to confirm. His lordship also trusts to the earl's goodness, for the promotion of Lieutenant Compton. At the time of writing this letter, Lord Nelson had not heard that the French and Spanish fleets were returning to Brest; for he congratulates the earl on the happy arrival of the combined fleets at Cadiz; having, he says, been fearful that, as they had escaped the vigilance of Lord Keith, they would get to Brest. On the state of affairs at Naples, his lordship remarks that, his Sicilian Majesty, having settled a certain degree of order, will return to Palermo on the 7th. "I send you," adds his lordship, "a letter of Sir John Acton to me, which gives reasons for continuing the cardinal at the head of affairs in this country. My opinion of him has never altered. He is now only lieutenant-general of the kingdom; with a council of eight, without whose consent no act is valid: but, we know, the head of every board must have great weight. This man must soon be removed; for all about him have been, and are, so corrupt, that there is nothing which may not be bought. Acton, and Belmonte, seem to me the only uncorrupted men in the kingdom."

Lord Nelson's opinion of Cardinal Ruffo has been already seen, in his letter to Captain Troubridge: his lordship used facetiously to denominate him, the Great Devil who commanded the Christian Army; and, though he did not seriously think him a traitor, he probably considered him as not altogether incorruptible. To an ambitious cardinal, the tiara might have proved a dangerous temptation.

Captain Louis, who had been sent to the French governor of the fortress of Gaieta, with the terms of capitulation entered into between Lord Nelson and the commandant of Capua for the surrender of Gaieta, was to have immediate possession of the gates; and, within twenty-four hours, to embark the garrison. Some objections, however, being raised by the governor, which he expressed in writing, Captain Louis was induced to send them to his lordship; who instantly returned, for answer, that he was hurt, and surprised, the capitulation had not been complied with. "It shall be," said his lordship, "and the commander has agreed to it. I have not read your paper inclosed. You will execute my orders, or attack it. The Fellow ought to be kicked, for his impudence."

This French governor, it seems, with true Gallic insolence, had the audacity to require, among other unreasonable conditions, that they should embark horses for France, as well as carry away all the pillaged property; but Lord Nelson was not thus to be trifled with. "The greatest care," said his lordship, in a letter of the 3d of August, to Captain Darby, "is to be taken that no property, which they did not bring with them into the country can be theirs, or is suffered to be carried away. We are to send them to France: and will, properly; but, not as they dictate. As to horses, it is nonsense; as well might they say--_We will carry a house_! If the fellow is a scoundrel, he must be threshed."

A letter of this date, however, from Captain Louis, informed his lordship that the matter was settled; in answer to which, he thus expresses himslef--"i was sorry that you had entered into any altercation with the scoundrel. The capitulation once signed, there could be no room for dispute. There is no way of dealing with a Frenchman, but to knock him down. To be civil to them, is only to be laughed at, when they are enemies."

We tremble, in this age of refinement, for the fate of so rough a sentiment; but, perhaps, we ought rather to tremble for that of the age which is become so refined. It will, at least, not be disputed, by posterity, that no man ever knew better than Lord Nelson, how to deal properly with Frenchmen.

Besides assisting the councils of his Sicilian Majesty, with regard to the necessary arrangements for Naples, Lord Nelson was actively engaged in making a proper distribution of the squadron under his command, and directing the various operations already commenced, or in immediate contemplation. He had already ordered the Bellerophon, Captain Darby, and the Zealous, Captain Hood, to Minorca: and Captain Martin, in the Northumberland, was now detached, with the San Leon, Captain Harward, with orders to proceed off Civita Vecchia; looking out for Captain Nisbet of the Thalia, who had been seen cruizing off that place, and was to join them. From thence, Captain Martin had instructions to proceed into Leghorn Roads, and send a boat on shore for intelligence respecting the affairs of the north of Italy, and the situation of the allied armies: and, should he fall in with Captain Foote, of the Seahorse, to take that officer under his orders; and, proceeding to the Gulph of Genoa, co-operate with Field-Marshal Suwarrow, for the annoyance of the enemy, and the good of the common cause.

The following kind letter, which was written by Lord Nelson to Captain Nisbet, at this period, will evince the truly paternal anxiety which his lordship felt for the welfare of his son-in-law,

"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
3d August 1799.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I herewith inclose you a letter received some days ago: and, on
the receipt of this, you will keep a good look out for the
Northumberland, who is coming your way; and join her as soon as you
can, Captain Martin having letters for you. I am sorry to find, you
have been cruizing off Civita Vecchia; I was in hopes of your being
on the north coast of Italy: but, I am persuaded, it was done for
the best. I here inclose you the copy of a letter, sent open to me,
from Mr. Smith, at Constantinople; respecting some supplies
furnished La Bonne Citoyenne, at the Dardanelles: and request, that
you will give the necessary directions to have it settled; or
explain it to me, that it may be settled. Mr. Tyson has written to
the purser, Mr. Isaacson, to desire he will draw out bills for the
amount; and fresh vouchers for your signature, and the settlement
of his account.

"I am, wishing you every success, your's very affectionately,

"Nelson."

"Captain Nisbet."

This letter cannot require any comment; it must produce decisive convictions in the mind of every intelligent reader, respecting the true characteristics of both parties. It forms, indeed, a genuine picture of paternal solicitude.

On the 5th of August, Lord Nelson wrote to inform Lord Keith, as well as Earl Spencer and the Board of Admiralty, that being then about to proceed, in the Foudroyant, with his Sicilian Majesty on board, for Palermo; and, finding it necessary the command of the squadron in Naples Bay, and along the coast, should be left with an officer above the rank of post-captain--especially, as the Russian and Turkish squadrons were soon expected in the bay--he had thought it right to give Captain Troubridge an order to wear a broad red pendant at the main top-gallant mast-head of the Culloden, which he hoped their lordships would, respectively, approve and confirm.

Having thus generously promoted his friend Troubridge, he left under the command of the new commodore, besides the Culloden, the Audacious, Goliath, and Swiftsure, British line of battle ships, with two Portuguese, and smaller vessels of war: directing him to co-operate with Cardinal Ruffo, the lieutenant-general of the kingdom of Naples, in all things necessary for it's safety, and the peace and quiet of the capital; with liberty, should he find it necessary, to detach a part of the squadron along the Roman coast, to the northward, as far as Leghorn, in order to prevent the French from carrying off the plunder of Rome.

This and every other requisite arrangement being completed, for the peace and security of his Sicilian Majesty's Neapolitan dominions, and the due distribution of the British squadron under Lord Nelson's command, his lordship immediately sailed for Palermo, with the king and his principal ministers, and his friends Sir William and Lady Hamilton; all impatient personally to acquaint the queen with the particulars of those joyful events which had filled every bosom with sensations of the purest delight. Her majesty, indeed, had been regularly apprised of the various transactions, immediately as they occurred: but, in an affair of such variety and importance as the recovery of a wrested kingdom from foreign and domestic enemies, ten thousand little occurrences, often most powerfully interesting to souls of genuine grandeur, and forming the chief charm for minds of a delicate and tender susceptibility, may be supposed to have attracted those who were present amidst these impressive scenes, absolutely incommunicable by the most practised and facile pen, and only to be successfully detailed with the many adventitious aids of personal elocution. The feelings of the king, as he benignantly eyed his noble benefactors; of the illustrious hero, and his two estimable friends, who were the honoured objects of his majesty's just regards; must be left to the conception of the reader: it would be difficult to decide, which enjoyed, on this occasion, the greatest portion of substantial felicity; the grateful monarch thus happily restored to his rightful throne, or the generous friends who had so disinterestedly and successfully accomplished the arduous task of replacing him.

Fraught with these dignified sentiments, they no sooner arrived off Palermo, on the 8th inst. than the queen, and royal offspring, sympathetically replete with equally exalted sensations, and who had impatiently awaited the happy return of his majesty, came out, in the royal barge; attended by innumerable pleasure-boats filled with loyal Sicilians of all ranks, who hailed their beloved sovereign with acclamations of the sincerest joy. Her majesty, overwhelmed with delight, no sooner got on board the Foudroyant, than she embraced Lady Hamilton, who had respectfully hastened to receive the queen; and, at the same instant, hung round her ladyship's neck a rich chain of gold, to which was suspended a beautiful portrait of herself, superbly set in diamonds, with the motto--"_Eterna Gratitudine!_"--"Eternal Gratitude!"--inscribed at the back of the picture. To Lord Nelson, her majesty also united with the king in the highest degree of grateful regard which it is possible for language to convey. He was addressed as their preserver, their deliverer, their restorer; and it was easy to perceive that, even when they were silent, their great minds meditated some noble reward. Nor were the substantial services of Sir William Hamilton, though of a less brilliant nature than those of his heroic friend, passed over without the most grateful acknowledgments of their Sicilian Majesties; whose interests that wise and worthy minister had uniformly promoted, for a long series of years, with a zeal little less ardent than that which he is well known to have constantly exerted for the honour and advantage of his own sovereigns, whom himself and lady so splendidly and munificently represented at the Neapolitan court.

A few days after their arrival at Palermo, Lord Nelson received the royal remuneration of his transcendent services, in a stile far surpassing any expectation which his lordship could possibly have formed on the subject; and of which, so rare is any excess of human gratitude, history scarcely affords a single similar instance.

Indeed, when Lady Hamilton, by desire of the Queen of Naples, first announced to his lordship, on the second day after their arrival, that it was the determination of his Sicilian Majesty to create him Duke of Bronte, and to confer on him all the valuable estate and princely privileges attached to that most distinguished and appropriate title; such were his lordship's nice notions of honour, that he positively protested against receiving any reward from that sovereign, for what he considered as a mere faithful discharge of the duty which he owed to his own. It was not the formal "_Nolo episcopari!_"--"I am unwilling to become a bishop, or to take on myself the episcopal character!"--of every new bishop; who is injudiciously constrained, by a singular perversion of propriety, to prepare for the exercise of the most sacred of all functions, by making a declaration which, though it ought, in a spiritual sense, to be strictly correct, is extremely subject, at best, to be considered as not altogether sincere: but, in truth, the spontaneous and felt sense of that dignified delicacy of honourable conduct, by which his lordship was ever directed; and of which persons of vulgar intellect, who are by no means fitted to form any just estimate of the actions of so exalted a character, will probably be weak enough still to doubt the actual existence. It is certain, nevertheless, that Lord Nelson resolutely held out against the acceptance of these elevated dignities, and their annexed emoluments, for two or three days, at least, notwithstanding all the intreaties of Sir William and Lady Hamilton: nor did this incomparable man finally agree to receive them--maintaining, to the last, that he could not do so without subjecting the purity of his motives, in what he had happily effected, to the opprobrium of unjust suspicion--till Lady Hamilton, at the express instance of the queen, solicited the inflexible hero, even on her knees, to consent to the wishes of these truly amiable and most munificent sovereigns; as requisite to demonstrate that, amidst the too rigid sense which he evidently entertained of what might seem to him proper for the maintenance of his own honour, he was not altogether unregardful of what the world, as well as themselves, must ever consider as absolutely necessary for the preservation of their's. The exquisite address of this argument, as suggested by her Sicilian Majesty, and pressed by the unaffected eloquence of her ladyship, was too powerful to be opposed. His lordship could offer nothing sufficiently substantial against such persuasive wisdom; and, being unable longer to reason, he could no longer continue to resist. Should the scornful insolence, that is ever awakened, in low and vicious minds, by even the slightest mention of virtuous deeds, endeavour to interpose the mean malignity of it's cold suspicions on hearing this recital; let the humbler bosom, that cherishes more generous sentiments, reflect but for a moment, that his lordship had recently risked even a disobedience of orders from his temporary commander in chief, while promoting the interests of their Neapolitan Majesties, and it will feel sufficient reasons for our hero's delicate repugnance to the ready acceptance of any undesired aggrandizement, however highly merited, on this particular occasion.

On the 13th, therefore, in consequence of this acquiescence, the King of Naples sent his lordship a superb diamond-hilted sword, with a most affectionate letter; thanking him for having reconquered his majesty's kingdom, and again placed him on the throne of his ancestors. The value of this present, estimated at four thousand guineas, was incalculably enhanced by the very appropriate circumstance of it's being the identical sword which had been given to the King of Naples, by Charles the Third, on that monarch's memorable departure to Spain, accompanied by the following most remarkable declaration--"With this sword, I conquered the kingdom which I now resign to thee. It ought, in future, to be possessed by the first defender of the same; or, by him who shall restore it to thee, in case it should ever be lost." At the same time, Lord Nelson received an official letter from his Excellency the Prince Di Luzzi, informing him that his Sicilian Majesty had that day been graciously pleased to create his lordship Duke of Bronte, in Sicily, and to confer on him all the valuable estate and privileges attached to that most honourable title.

When it is considered, that the word _Bronte_ signifies, in the Greek language, _Thunder_; that the fabulous forger of the thunder of Jupiter was said to be one of the Cyclops, named _Bronte_, who resided at Etna in the Island of Sicily, where the Dukedom of Bronte is situated; and that the military guard of honour, appertaining to the Dukes of Bronte, still actually wear, in allusion to the fabled Cyclops, sons of Neptune and Amphitrite, who had one large eye in the middle of their foreheads, the representation of an eye on the front of their caps; there could not, every person must admit, have been a more appropriate dignity bestowed on our incomparable hero, by his Sicilian Majesty, than that which he had thus liberally and judiciously been induced to confer.

Lord Nelson, penetrated with unutterable gratitude, by his majesty's most generous munificence, instantly wrote the following letter to the minister who had made this interesting communication.

"Palermo, 13th August 1799.

"SIR,

"I have this moment received the honour of your excellency's
letter, conveying to me his Sicilian Majesty's most gracious
approbation of my conduct; and, also, that his majesty had been
pleased to confer upon me the title of Duke of Bronte, together
with the estate attached to it. I request that your excellency will
lay me, with all humility, and full of gratitude, at his majesty's
feet: express, to him, my attachment to his sacred person, the
queen, and royal family; and that it shall be the study of my life,
by following the same conduct which has gained me his royal
favours, to merit the continuance of them.

"I sincerely thank your excellency for the very handsome manner in
which you have executed the royal commands; and believe me, with
the highest respect, your excellency's most obliged and obedient
servant,

"Bronte Nelson".

"His Excellency Prince Di Luzzi."

Immediately after, his lordship penned also the following admirable letter for the sovereign by whom he had been thus bountifully honoured, which was instantly transmitted to that generous monarch.

"Palermo, 13th August 1799.

"SIRE,

The bounty of your majesty has so overwhelmed me, that I am unable
to find words adequate to express my gratitude: but it shall be my
study to continue in the same line of conduct which your majesty
has been pleased to approve, and to mark with such very
extraordinary proofs of your royal favour; and which has also
gained me the approbation of my own most gracious sovereign, your
majesty's most faithful ally. That the Almighty may pour down his
choicest blessings on your sacred person, and on those of the queen
and the whole royal family, and preserve your kingdoms in peace and
happiness, shall ever be the fervent prayer of your majesty's
faithful servant,

Bronte Nelson.

On the morning of this day, while Lady Hamilton was at the palace with the queen, who had purposely invited that lady early, two coach loads of the most magnificent and costly dresses, were secretly sent to her house, with a richly jewelled picture of the king, worth a thousand guineas, for her ladyship; and another picture of his majesty, of the same value, for Sir William Hamilton. The whole of the presents on this occasion received by Sir William and his lady, from their Sicilian Majesties, were estimated at full six thousand guineas.

Lord Nelson had, in these few days, so completely detached the squadron under his command to the several destinations, that his own flag was now flying on board the Samuel and Jane transport; yet, even thus situated, so confident were their majesties, and their Sicilian subjects, that there could be nothing to fear while they possessed even the person of our invincible hero, not the smallest alarm was either felt or expressed on the occasion.

The Foudroyant, indeed, which had accompanied two Portuguese ships of the line to Captain Ball at Malta, was only intended to remain there a few days, with some hope of quickening the surrender of that island by the appearance of such a force; and, on the 14th, his Sardinian Majesty having requested a ship to carry him and his family to the continent, in a letter received from his minister by our grand protector of kings, his lordship was constrained to order the Foudroyant on that important service. This letter also solicited the kind and powerful interference of our hero, to obtain, from the Bey of Tunis, some modification of the very severe terms to which his Sardinian Majesty had been under the necessity of agreeing, but found it impossible immediately to raise the sum stipulated from his distressed people for the ransom of their fellow-subjects. Though his lordship could not but feel almost hopeless of success in any requisition of pecuniary forbearance from a Barbary State, he did not hesitate a single moment in making the attempt, by writing both to Mr. Magra and the Bey of Tunis, with his customary diplomatic dexterity and address. Having done this, his lordship thus answered the letter of his Sardinian Majesty's minister, Count Chilembert.

"Palermo, 16th August 1799.

"SIR

"I was yesterday honoured with your excellency's letter of August
11th. The situation of the poor people taken by the Bey of Tunis is
shocking to humanity, and must sensibly touch the royal heart: but
I will not attempt to cherish a hope, that the bey will abate one
zequin of the sum fixed in the convention of June the 21st; and I
very much doubt, if a longer time than that fixed by the
convention, and witnessed by six friendly consuls, will be granted.
However, I have, I can assure your excellency, no difficulty in
sending a letter to Mr. Magra, his Britannic Majesty's consul,
covering one to the bey; to say, that I am confident such a mark
of his goodness will be highly acceptable to the great king, my
master.

The Chevalier Marechal is gone towards Malta, after the Foudroyant;
and, I hope, she will be at Cagliari in three days after this
letter: I have, therefore, only to intreat, that every thing for
the service of his majesty may be ready to put on board the moment
she anchors. I send the Foudroyant, as she is my own flag-ship, and
the first two-decked ship in the world. I would send more ships,
but the service of the civilized world requires every exertion;
therefore, I have not the power to send another ship of war. A very
fine brig I have directed from Naples, to assist in carrying his
majesty's attendants; and, as a much less ship has carried a much
more numerous royal family, I trust, their majesties will not be
pressed for room. I beg that your excellency will lay me at their
majesties feet, and assure them of my sincere desire to be useful
for their service; and believe me, with the greatest respect, your
excellency's most obedient servant,

"Bronte Nelson.

"There is a Russian squadron in the bay; but they are not, in the
smallest degree, under my orders."

"His Excellency Compte Chilembert."

The Russian squadron mentioned in the above postscript had arrived at Palermo the preceding day, as appears from the following letter to the celebrated Russian general, Field-Marshal Suwarrow.

"Palermo, 16th Aug. 1799.

"MY DEAR FIELD-MARSHAL,

"Yesterday, brought me your excellency's letter of July 30th; and
four galliots are ordered, by his Sicilian Majesty, to protect
provisions, &c. for the use of your army, under the orders of my
friend Captain Martin. I have ordered another frigate and brig to
join the squadron on the Riviere of Genoa. I wish, I could come to
you myself; I shall truly have a pleasure in embracing a person of
your exalted character; but, as that cannot be at present, I only
regret I cannot send you more ships. Rear-Admiral Katzow is here,
with three sail of the line and a frigate; but, they are not under
my orders or _influence_. May God bless you, my honoured friend!
and believe me, for ever, your attached friend,

"Bronte Nelson."

In a long letter, of this day's date, to Admiral Duckworth, Lord Nelson says--"In Naples, every thing is quiet; but the cardinal appears to be working mischief against the king, and in support of the nobles: sooner, or later, he must be removed, for his bad conduct. We are dying with heat, and the feast of Santa Roselia begins this day; how shall we get through it!" Then, mentioning the honours and gifts from the King of Naples, his lordships says, respecting the dukedom of Bronte, "the title, of course, I cannot assume, without the approbation of our king; which, I now hear, has been some time desired." His lordship, it appears, had just received medals for his captains; for he says--