Chapter IX (3)

His lordship also wrote a similar letter to the Captain Pacha; in which he did not forget the kindest recommendation of his friend Cadir Bey, and general remembrances to all the admirals and captains serving under that worthy commander. Earl Elgin, and Mr. Spencer Smith, both now at Constantinople, were likewise most respectfully addressed by his lordship. To the former, he modestly writes--"Having yesterday received such a mark of the Grand Signior's favour, I have been puzzled how to express myself properly. I must, therefore, trust to your excellency's goodness for supplying my deficiency of language." To the latter, he returns thanks for all his goodness to his lordship, both public and private; sends him some sherry and sugar, but can neither get a drop of Madeira nor claret in the island, or even in all Italy: and concludes with desiring affectionate remembrances to his brother, Sir Sidney, whenever he writes; for whom, his lordship observes, he has just sent "a large cargo of good things."

The pleasure, however, of this unexpected honour from the Grand Signior, was insufficient to preserve the susceptible heart which it covered, from corroding cares, and painful anxieties, for his country and his friends. He wanted not, indeed, for personal and private causes of vexation and regret: but these, though they were perpetually preying on his constitution, seldom called forth his complaint; and scarcely ever were even mentioned, except to a very few of his most select friends.

One of the first disappointments, after this recent honour, was the arrival of Captain Stephenson, to take the command of the Princess Charlotte; by which, his lordship feelingly observes, in a letter of the 7th, to Captain Ball, "poor Hardy was consequently turned adrift." He had, at this time, too, received a mortifying letter from General Sir James St. Clair Erskine: mentioning, that the twenty-eighth regiment was ordered to England; and that he was sure General Fox, who was every moment expected, would not, on any consideration, break his orders, for any object. With this disagreeable information, his lordship could not bring his mind yet to acquaint Captain Ball. On the contrary, he affects to anticipate, in the letter above mentioned, that he expects the answer from Minorca will be unfavourable to both their wishes; and expresses his intention of going to Naples, for assistance from the Russians and his Sicilian Majesty. He then, with exquisite kindness and address, introduces the extract of a letter from Earl Spencer; which liberally states, that Captain Ball, by his unparalleled vigilance and exertion, had indeed shewn himself worthy of the friendship with which Lord Nelson had honoured him. "I only send this, my dear Ball," says his lordship, "to shew that I do not forget my friends: as to honouring you, that is not in my power; but to render you justice, is my duty."

In the mean time, his lordship had, on the preceding day, thus expressed himself to Earl Spencer, on the subject of attention to orders, in consequence of this refusal of troops from Minorca--"Much, my dear lord, as I approve of strict obedience to orders--even to a court-martial, to enquire 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," says this excellent man and true hero, "I assure you, almost broke, with that and other things." Then, speaking of the state of the blockade, he says--"If the enemy get supplies in, we may bid adieu to Malta. This would compleat my misery; for, I am afraid, I take all services too much to heart. The accomplishing of them is my study, night and day."

It is a singular circumstance, and merits high consideration, that while Lord Nelson thus strongly urges the necessity for both services to be equally strained; Sir Sidney Smith was most feelingly complaining, in letters dated off Rhodes, 29th September 1799, of the want of a cordial co-operation in General Koehler: who seems to have regarded Sir Sidney's gallant exploits on land as an improper interference with the military department; and to have made the subject of a long and formal complaint, what all the world has agreed to consider as fairly entitling him to immortal honour. On the receipt of these letters, which are written with a noble confidence in the kind and generous sanction of his lordship, Lord Nelson immediately wrote the following excellent letter to the Duke of Clarence. It certainly has, being addressed to a brother sailor, some strong professionalism; but it delicately claims, nevertheless, for Sir Sidney's conduct, the most decided approbation and applause, from a very competent judge of the duties of the profession.

"Palermo, 9th Nov. 1799.

"SIR,

"I beg leave to present to your royal highness, Captain Hardy, late
of the Foudroyant: an officer of the most distinguished merit; and,
therefore, highly worthy of your notice. He will tell you of all my
arduous work in this country; and, that all my anxiety is, at
present, taken up with the desire of possessing Malta. But, I fear,
notwithstanding all my exertions, that I shall not get any British
troops from Minorca: without which, the business will be prolonged,
perhaps, till it is relieved; when all the force which we could
collect would be of little use, against the strongest place in
Europe. I am anxiously waiting the arrival of General Fox; and hope
he will not consider the order for the removal of one or two
regiments, of such great consequence as the reduction of Malta, by
keeping them for two months longer in the Mediterranean. On the one
hand, they must, in England, or on the continent, be like a drop of
water in the ocean. By staying here, and employed, they would
liberate us from our enemy close to our door; gratify the Emperor
of Russia; protect our Levant trade; and relieve a squadron of our
ships from the service: besides giving us one eighty-gun ship, two
forty-gun frigates, a Maltese new ship of the line ready for sea,
and two frigates. With these in the scale, I cannot comprehend
that a moment can be lost in deciding. But, Sir, I find, few think,
as I do--that, to obey orders, all perfection. To serve my king,
and to destroy the French, I consider as the great order of all,
from which little ones spring; and, if one of these little ones
militates against it--(for, who can tell exactly, at a
distance?)--I go back to obey the great order, and object; to
_down_, _down_, with the damned French villains! Excuse my warmth;
but my blood boils at the name of a Frenchman. I hate them _all_;
royalists and republicans.

"My late letters from Egypt are, that Sir Sidney Smith is hurt at
the notorious cowardice and want of discipline in the Turkish army;
and I find, that General Koehler does _not approve_ of such
irregular proceedings, as naval officers attacking and defending
fortifications. We have but one idea; to get close along-side. None
but a sailor, would have placed a battery only a hundred and eighty
yards from the Castle of St. Elmo: a soldier must have gone
according to art, and the zig-zag way; my brave Sir Thomas
Troubridge went straight, for we had no time to spare. Your royal
highness will not believe, that I mean to lessen the conduct of the
army. I have the highest respect for them all. But General Koehler
should not have wrote such a paragraph in his letter. It conveyed a
jealousy which, I dare say, is not in his disposition.

"May health and every blessing, attend your royal highness, is the
constant prayer of your attached and obliged servant,

"Bronte Nelson."

Lord Nelson had, as it may be seen, signed his letters to foreigners as Duke of Bronte, from the time of obtaining that honour; but this epistle to the Duke of Clarence was one of the first in which he ever prefixed the word Bronte to his name when addressing any British subject. It is probable, therefore, that he had, about this time, received his sovereign's recognition of that Sicilian title.

Though his lordship had hitherto been unsuccessful in his repeated applications for troops at Minorca, he continued still to offer new reasons why they ought to be sent. With the most unwearied exertions, did this great man constantly labour for the promotion of whatever related to the honour or advantage of his king, his country, and his friends; and his assiduities never relaxed, till he had secured the accomplishment of his object. He tried, in particular, on this occasion, for the possession of Malta, all the arts of that powerful eloquence which flowed so naturally from his pen; and he might well say, as he did, in a letter of the 10th of November, to Mr. Nepean, "it has been no fault of the navy, that Malta has not been attacked by land; but we have neither the means ourselves, nor influence with those who have the power." In short, the history of this protracted siege, including all the military and political perplexities with which our hero's naval operations were entangled, would alone form a volume of no inconsiderable magnitude.

It appears that, about this time, suspicions were entertained, by Sir John Acton, respecting our intentions with regard to Malta; which first manifested themselves in a remark addressed to Lord Nelson, that the flag of the order was to be hoisted, instead of the three flags, when that island should be taken. This observation, he remarks, in a letter immediately written to Sir John, dated at Palermo, 18th November 1799, seems to convey, that his sentiments of respect for his Sicilian Majesty's flag were lessened. "I send you," says his lordship, with that noble frankness, and prompt decision, for which he was ever remarkable, "two papers, on which my order to good Captain Ball was founded. If I have erred, it is not too late to call back my order; and, if you think so, I shall be happy to meet your excellency, and the minister of England and Russia, on this subject. There is not, I can assure you, that man on earth, who would so strongly unite the two monarchs whom we serve as myself; and may perdition seize the wretch who would do the least thing towards lessening that harmony! And could it ever happen, that any English minister wanted to make me an instrument of hurting the feelings of his Sicilian Majesty, I would give up my commission sooner than do it. I am open to your excellency; and, I think, you are so to me. The interests of our sovereigns require it; and, I am sure, that we both only think of uniting the courts of London and Naples still closer together. I am placed in such a situation--a subject of one king, by birth; and, as far as is consistent with my allegiance to that king, a voluntary subject of his Sicilian Majesty--that, if any man attempted to separate my two kings, by all that is sacred, I should consider even putting that man to death as a meritorious act! Therefore, my dear Sir John, never, never, for a moment, think that I am capable of doing any thing but endeavouring to exalt the glory of their Sicilian Majesties."

Nor was this the only prejudice which malevolence seems now to have been secretly exciting against our hero. Though it has been sufficiently seen, that his lordship's indefatigable endeavours for the possession of Malta, which were never surpassed, either in activity or address, had constantly in view the merited aggrandizement of his persevering, brave, and conciliating friend, Captain Ball--for whom he had implored both emoluments and honours, which no consideration on earth could ever have induced him to solicit for himself--some apprehensions of our hero's diminished regard had been malignantly insinuated into the bosom of that worthy commander: as appears from the following expressions, which occur in a letter written to him by Lord Nelson on the 24th of November 1799. "My dear Ball, I love, honour, and respect you; and no persons ever have, nor could they, were they so disposed, lessen you in my esteem, both as a public officer and a private man: therefore, never let such a thought come into your head; which was never more wanted to be clear from embroils, than at this moment." Then, fortifying his perseverance with assurances that Commodore Troubridge is immediately coming with ships, and Colonel Graham with troops, he thus affectionately proceeds--

"But, my dear friend, your holding your post so long as you have,
is matter of the greatest credit to you;" and, with unexampled
kindness, concludes with thus arming his friend against the
worst--"If you are forced to quit the island, it cannot lessen your
exertion or abilities; and do not let such an event, should it
unfortunately happen, depress your spirits for a moment: and
believe me, as ever, your obliged and affectionate friend,

"Bronte Nelson."

These unpleasant events did not fail momentarily to affect his lordship's sensibility, and with more permanency his health. In every excess of anxiety, or even of joy, his heart continued to suffer a renewal of that agony which it had first experienced during his search after the French fleet destined for Egypt; and such were the ever-shifting scenes of his active life, that he was seldom, for many days together, exempted from the effects of it's influence, by the occurrence of one or other of these causes.

As if it were not enough, that his mind was perpetually harrassed with professional cares, he had private and domestic sources of inquietude The former, he could freely impart to his numerous friends and in some degree fellow-sufferers; but the latter was scarcely communicable to any, and no one could be implicated in the same identical cause of distress. Even the very quality in which he surpassed, perhaps, every commander, even by sea or land, that of keeping up a punctual and widely-extended correspondence, did not, at this oppressive period, entirely preserve him from censure. He received, what he calls, in a familiar letter to his friend Rear-Admiral Duckworth, of the 27th November 1799, "a severe set-down from the Admiralty, for not having written, by the Charon, attached to a convoy; although," adds his lordship, "I wrote, both by a courier and cutter, the same day. But I see, clearly, that they wish to shew I am unfit for the command. I will readily acknowledge it; and, therefore, they need have no scruples about sending out a commander in chief." In this letter, his lordship tells Rear-Admiral Duckworth, that he approves very much of his calling at Algiers. "I am aware," says he, "that the first moment any insult is offered to the British flag, is to get as large a force as possible off Algiers, and seize all his cruizers; but if, in such a contest, any English vessel is taken, I know what will be said against me, and how little support I shall experience. But, my dear admiral, where the object of the actor is only to serve faithfully, I feel superior to the smiles or frowns of any board." His lordship afterwards concludes--"Sir William and Lady Hamilton desire their kindest regards. I am nearly blind; but things go so contrary to my mind, _out_ of our profession, that truly I care not how soon I am off the stage." In a postscript, his lordship does not forget to add--"Pray, do not let the Admiralty want for letters of every occurrence."

His lordship wrote, on the same day, a serious and respectable justification of his conduct, to Mr. Nepean; in which he observes, how perfectly conscious he is, that want of communicating where and when it is necessary, cannot be laid to his charge. After stating, that he actually wrote to Mr. Nepean, as well as to Earl Spencer, by a Neapolitan courier, who left Palermo on the very day the Charon sailed, he spiritedly says--"I own, I do not feel that, if cutters and couriers go off the same day, that it is necessary to write by a convoy. I know the absolute necessity of the board's being exactly acquainted with every thing which passes; and they, I beg, will give me credit for attention to my duty. As a junior flag-officer," he observes, "of course, without those about me--secretaries, interpreters, &c.--I have been thrown into a more extensive correspondence than ever, perhaps, fell to the lot of any admiral; and into a political situation, I own, out of my sphere. It is a fact, which it would not become me to boast of, but on the present occasion--I have never, but three times, put my feet on the ground, since December 1798; and, except to the court, that till after eight o'clock at night I never relax from business. I have had, hitherto," concludes his lordship, "the board knows, no one emolument, no one advantage, of a commander in chief."

In a letter written to Earl Spencer next day, the 28th, this exalted man, after observing that General Fox orders Colonel Graham not to incur any expence for stores, or any other articles but provisions, asks--"What can this mean? But I have told Troubridge, that the cause cannot stand still for want of a little money. This would be, what we call--penny wise, and pound foolish. If nobody will pay it," nobly adds our hero, "I shall sell Bronte, and the Emperor of Russia's box; for I feel myself above every consideration, but that of serving faithfully. Do not, my dear lord," he most pathetically concludes, "let the Admiralty write harshly to me; my generous soul cannot bear it, being conscious it is entirely unmerited!" The reader of sensibility will not fail to feel this very affecting deprecation; and to lament, that it should ever have been necessary.

On the day following, however, Lord Nelson had the satisfaction of receiving eight thousand ounces from his Sicilian Majesty, for the relief of the poor Maltese; which his lordship immediately sent to Captain Ball, by the Perseus bomb; and, determined that nothing in his power should be wanted, he not only took on himself, from the discouraging circumstance of General Fox's orders to Colonel Graham, to augment his numerous other occupations, by becoming a commissary for these troops, but actually pledged Bronte for twelve thousand ounces--six thousand six hundred pounds--should any difficulty arise in the payments.

On the 19th, Lord Nelson having been informed, by his friend Sir William Hamilton, that the principal inhabitants of Rome, and other professors and admirers of the fine arts, were about to erect, in that city, a grand monumental testimony of their gratitude to his lordship, for having delivered the country, as well as those valuable treasures of art and antiquity which had for ages formed it's proudest boast, from the tyranny and rapacity of French cruelty and barbarism, he immediately addressed the following letter to Mr. Fagan, an ingenious artist at Rome, who had so handsomely made the communication of this pleasing intelligence, through Sir William, and with whom the design of that honourable intention appears to have chiefly originated.

Palermo, 19th Dec. 1799.

"DEAR SIR,

"Sir William Hamilton has been so kind as to communicate to me the
distinguished honour intended me by the inhabitants, by you, and
other professors and admirers of the fine arts at Rome, to erect a
monument. I have not words sufficient to express my feelings, on
hearing that my actions have contributed to preserve the works
which form the school of fine arts in Italy, which the modern Goths
wanted to carry off and destroy. That they may always remain in the
only place worthy of them, Rome, are and will be my fervent wishes;
together with the esteem of, dear Sir, your most obliged servant,

"Bronte Nelson."

Had the several powers of the continent taken the constant advice of his lordship, cordially to unite, in resolutely opposing the French pillagers of principle as well as property, these rare productions of the Greek and Roman schools of art would not since have found their way to Paris, nor the projected grand rostral column have finally failed equally to honour Rome and our immortal hero.

On the 17th of December, the Phaeton, Captain Morris, arrived from Constantinople; having, by desire of the Ottoman ministry, brought two Turkish ministers, one for Tunis, and the other for Algiers, to be landed by Captain Morris, in his way down the Mediterranean. These Turkish gentlemen brought Lord Nelson a very elegant letter from the Grand Signior; accompanied by a drawing of the Battle of the Nile, and another of the hero himself: "a curious present," pointedly says his lordship, in writing next day to Earl Spencer; "but highly flattering to me, as it marks that I am not in the least forgotten."

At this time, too, Lord Nelson received, from the inhabitants of Zante, through the hands of Mr. Speridion Forresti, the very elegant and flattering presents of a sword and cane; accompanied by a most kind and respectful letter, in which they express their grateful acknowledgments to his lordship, for having been the first cause of their liberation from French tyranny. This, though true, his lordship observed, in a very affectionate answer, was such an example of gratitude as must for ever do them the highest honour; and begs that Mr. Speridion Forresti, by whom he transmits it to them, will have the goodness to express, in fuller terms than any words which his lordship can find, his sense of their kindness, and of the wish to prove himself farther useful to them. The cane was mounted in gold, with a single circle of diamonds; the value of which was rendered incalculable, by the circumstance of the inhabitants having declared that it was their wish to have added another circle, but that they had no more diamonds in the island.

His lordship's letter to the Grand Vizier, in return for the presents and epistle from the Grand Signior, was as follows.

"Palermo, 22d Dec 1799.

"SIR

Were I to attempt, by words, to express what I felt on receiving
the imperial present of the drawing of the Battle of Aboukir, and
the highly flattering letter wrote by your excellency in obedience
to the imperial command, I should feel myself unequal to the task.
Therefore, I can only beg your excellency to express, in words most
adapted to convey my gratitude to his imperial majesty, my sense of
the extraordinary high honour conferred upon me, by a present more
valuable than gold or jewels; as they may come only from the hand
of a great monarch, while this can only flow from the benevolent
heart of a good man. That the Almighty may pour down his choicest
blessings on the imperial head, and ever give his arms victory over
all his enemies, is the fervent prayer, and shall ever be, as far
as my abilities will allow me, the constant exertion, of your
excellency's obliged servant,

"Bronte Nelson."

In a letter to Earl Elgin, then ambassador at Constantinople, his lordship thus expresses his grateful attachment to the Turks. "They," says he, "do me but justice, in believing that I am always alert to do them every kindness; for, as no man ever received greater favours from the Sublime Porte, so no one shall be more grateful." His lordship sincerely regrets the escape of Bonaparte; and remarks, that those ships which he had destined for the two places where Bonaparte would certainly have been intercepted, were--from the Admiralty's thinking, doubtless, that the Russians would do something at sea--obliged to be at Malta and on other services, in which he also thought the Russian admiral would have assisted: "therefore," he adds, "no blame lays at my door." The Vincejo sloop, however, his lordship says, had a few days before taken a vessel from Egypt, with General Voix, and seventy-five officers; and that Captain Long was happy enough to save the dispatches, which had been thrown overboard with a weight insufficient to instantly sink them. These dispatches represented the extreme distress of the French army in Egypt; and he expresses his hope, that the Sublime Porte will never permit a single Frenchman to quit Egypt. "I own myself," says his lordship, in that severe spirit of Antigallicanism for which he was ever so remarkable, "wicked enough, to wish them all to die in that country they chose to invade. We have scoundrels of French enough in Europe, without them." It is contrary to his opinion, he repeats, to allow a single Frenchman, from Egypt, to return to France, during the war; nor would he subscribe any paper giving such permission. "But," concludes his lordship, "I submit to the better judgment of men."

To Spencer Smith, Esq. now secretary of the embassy, his lordship writes in a similar strain--"I have read, with pleasure, all that has passed in Egypt, between Bonaparte, Kleber, and the Grand Vizier; and I send Lord Elgin some very important papers, which will shew their very deplorable situation: but I cannot bring myself to believe they would entirely quit Egypt; and, if they would, I never would consent to one of them returning to the continent of Europe during the war. I wish them to perish in Egypt; and give a great lesson to the world, of the justice of the Almighty."

On the 23d of December, his lordship received information from Sir Thomas Troubridge, that the Culloden, in going into the Bay of Marsa Scirocco, in the Island of Malta, to land cannon, ammunition, &c. from Messina, for the siege, had struck on a rock, and was greatly damaged. The rudder, and great part of the false keel, were carried away; and the rudder would have been lost, but for Sir Thomas's timely exertion in getting a hawser reeved through it. The pintles were all broken; and the ship was steered to the anchorage, with the sails, in a safe but leaky state. In answer to his friend Troubridge, respecting this unfortunate accident, Lord Nelson says--"Your resources never fail; and you would contrive something, I dare say, if the ship's bottom was knocked out."

In another letter of the 2d of January 1800, his lordship, who is incessantly labouring, at all points, to obtain every requisite for the reduction of Malta, and for the relief of the distressed natives, writes thus--"I cannot get the frigate out of the mole; therefore, I must learn to be a hard-hearted wretch, and fancy the cries of hunger in my ears. I send you orders for the different governors: you will see, they are for the supply of the army and navy; therefore, whatever Graham and you send for will, if possible, be granted. I hope the Russians will sail, this north-east wind; and it is my intention to give you all a meeting, the moment the Foudroyant arrives."

On this day, too, his lordship wrote letters to Portugal: containing the kindest praises of the Marquis De Niza, and the several officers and men of the Portuguese squadron under his command; which were, at length, returning home, in obedience to orders, on being relieved by Sir Thomas Troubridge's arrival at Malta. One of these letters contained particular recommendations of promotion for Captains Thompson, Welch, and De Pinto. "When," says his lordship, "I mention my brother, and friend, Niza, I must say, that I never knew so indefatigable an officer. During the whole time I have had the happiness of having him under my command, I have never expressed a wish that Niza did not fly to execute."

On the 6th of January, his lordship learned that his prediction to Rear-Admiral Duckworth, of what had been intended respecting the command of the Mediterranean fleet, was completely verified, by the approach of Lord Keith; who now signified, in a letter to Lord Nelson, that he was coming to Sicily. The effect which this event, though not unsuspected, must have produced on his lordship's mind, is less difficult to be conceived, than expressed. He had already met with sufficient impediments to the execution of his designs, most of which were just happily surmounted; but a paramount difficulty seemed now arising, against which he might be disarmed of all power to perform any thing efficient. The general aspect of his public situation, at this period, is concentrated by his own skilful hand, in the following professional letter, which he immediately wrote to Lord Keith; but his exalted and superior mind disdained to discover, in such a communication, the state of his own private feelings.

"Palermo, 7th Jan. 1800.

"MY DEAR LORD,

Last night, I received your letters, and orders, to December 14th,
from November 30th; all of which, I shall endeavour to obey: and,
with the greatest pleasure, to give you the state of the squadron,
and of affairs on this side of Minorca. I shall begin in the east.
My last accounts from thence were by the Phaeton, Captain Morris;
and, as your lordship will probably see him, I shall only say, that
I have not heard immediately from Sir Sidney Smith since September
the 7th. At Constantinople, they heard he was communicating with
the Grand Vizier, at Gaza, respecting the French army. The ships
with him are, Theseus and Cameleon; but the Bulldog is directed to
go to him, till the Smyrna convoy is ready to return. I have lately
sent provisions, and some few stores, all we had, for those ships;
and I have written to Duckworth, and Inglefield, to send
particularly for those ships. What Turkish ships of war Sir Sidney
Smith has under him, I know not; but, I am told, there are several.
The Turkish admiral, Captain Morris tells me, who served under him,
had his head taken off, for leaving the port of Alexandria open,
and permitting the escape of Bonaparte. I would have kept up a
more constant communication with Egypt; but, I have never had the
benefit of small vessels. At Corfu, General Villete is arrived, and
raising two regiments of Albanians. Our consul there, Mr. Speridion
Forresti, is a very able man; and, from thence, the passage of an
express, by land, to Constantinople, is twelve days. To get to
Malta--which has kept, for sixteen months, every ship I could lay
my hands on fully employed; and has, in truth, broke my spirits for
ever--I have been begging, of his Sicilian Majesty, small supplies
of money and corn, to keep the Maltese in arms, and barely to keep
from starving the poor inhabitants. Sicily has, this year, a very
bad crop, and the exportation of corn is prohibited. Both Graham
and Troubridge are in desperation, at the prospect of a famine.
Vessels are here, loading with corn for Malta; but I can neither
get the Neapolitan men of war, nor merchant vessels, to move. You
will see, by the report of the disposition of the ships, what a
wretched state we are in. In truth, only the Foudroyant and
Northumberland are fit to keep the sea. The Russians are, on the
4th, arrived at Messina; six sail of the line, frigates, &c. with
two thousand five hundred troops. It is not to be expected, that
any one Russian man of war can, or will, keep the sea; therefore,
the blockade by sea can only be kept up by our ships: and it is my
intention, if the Foudroyant, or even a frigate, comes soon, to go
for two days to Malta, to give the Russian admiral and general,
Graham, Troubridge, and Governor Ball, a meeting; not only, on the
most probable means of getting the French out, but also, of
arranging various matters, if it should fall to our exertions. The
Maltese have, Graham says, two thousand excellent troops; we have,
soldiers and sailors, fifteen hundred; the Russians will land full
three thousand. I hope, the Ricasoli may be carried; and, if it is,
I think the French general will no longer hold out. What a relief
this would be to us! If I cannot get to Malta very soon, I shall,
from your letter, remain here, to give you a meeting and receive
your orders. It is impossible to send, from Mahon, too many
supplies of stores to Malta; sails, rope, plank, nails, &c. You can
form no idea of our deplorable state, for the last year. In Sicily,
we are all quiet. I have been trying, with Sir William Hamilton, in
which the queen joins, to induce the king to return to Naples; but,
hitherto, without effect. I must suppose, his majesty has reasons
which I am unacquainted with. It has long been my wish, to send a
small squadron on the coast of Genoa; for the Russian ships are of
no use, to co-operate with the Germans: but, I have not them to
send. La Mutine, I have directed to protect our trade about
Leghorn; and to assist, as far as she is able, in giving convoy to
vessels carrying provisions to the Austrian army. The report of the
combined fleets being ready for sea, induced me to direct the
Phaeton and Penelope to cruize between Cape Spartel and Cape St.
Vincent; that I may have timely notice of their approach, if bound
this way--_which I believe_.

I have run over our present state; perhaps, too hastily: but, I am
anxious not to keep the brig one moment longer than my writing this
letter. With every sentiment of respect, believe me, my dear lord,
your most obedient servant,

"Bronte Nelson."

To his Excellency, the Honourable Lieutenant-General Fox, at Minorca, his lordship on the same day wrote, that he would not suffer General Graham to want, if he could "beg, borrow, or steal, to supply him. Lord Keith," he adds, "is, I dare say, with you, at this moment; and, I am sure, all matters will be much better arranged with him than I have ability of doing. I have only the disposition to do what is right, and the desire of meriting your esteem." To Colonel Graham, at Malta, he also wrote, this day, as follows--"I hope to soon pay you a visit, and I only wish that I could always do all you ask me. It is certain, that you cannot go on at Malta, without money; therefore, I declare, sooner than you should want, I would sell Bronte. But, I trust, from General Fox's letter to me, that you will have his consent for ordering what money may be necessary. I send you all the Egyptian papers, for you, Ball, and Troubridge; and, if you like, in confidence, Italinskoy. Suwarrow is at Prague, with his whole army: ready to act with the Austrians, if they come to their senses; or, perhaps, against them. _Moreau_ is at Vienna, treating for peace. What a state the allies bring us into! But, it is in vain to cry out; John Bull was always ill-treated. May a speedy success attend you!"

On the 14th, a new mortification occurred to his lordship. The Russian admiral, who had so long lingered at Naples, and recently arrived at Messina, with the intent, as was supposed, of at length going to Malta, sent notice that he was proceeding with his ships and troops to Corfu, and could not go to Malta. Lord Keith was, at this time, gone to station a squadron for the blockade of the port and coast of Genoa; and Lord Nelson, after arranging, with General Acton, a plan for sending two thousand six hundred troops, and encouraging his respective friends at Malta to persevere in their labours, under these and other comforting assurances, sailed in the Foudroyant, on the 16th, to concert measures for future operations with the commander in chief.

On the 23d, his lordship writes to Earl Spencer, from Leghorn, that he came thither to meet Lord Keith; and that they are going, together, to Palermo and Malta. "If," says his lordship, "Sir James St. Clair, or General Fox, had felt themselves authorized to have given us two thousand troops, I think that Malta, by this time, would have fallen; and our poor ships been released from the hardest service I have ever seen. The going away of the Russians, has almost done me up; but the King of Naples has ordered two thousand six hundred troops from Sicily, to assist Graham, and they are to be under our command. It is true, they are not good soldiers; but, they will ease our's in the fatigues of duty. The feeding the inhabitants of Malta, and paying two thousand of the people who bear arms, has been a continual source of uneasiness to my mind. His Sicilian Majesty has done more than it was possible to expect he had the ability of performing; for the resources of his kingdom are hardly yet come round, and his demands are excessive from all quarters of his dominions. Lord Keith will now be able to judge, with his own eyes and ears, and your lordship will see his report. The loyalty and attachment of their Sicilian Majesties to our king and country is such, that I would venture to lay down my head to be cut off, if they would not rather lose their kingdom of Naples, than hold it on terms from Austria and the French, by a separation from their alliance with England. There is not a thing which his majesty can desire, that their majesties of the two Sicilies will not have the greatest pleasure in complying with. I have, before, ventured on the character of their Sicilian majesties. The king is a real good man, but inclined to be positive in his opinion; the queen is certainly a great monarch, and a true daughter of Maria Theresa. I am just favoured with your letter of December 12th; which, although so entirely contrary to my expectations, cannot alter my respect for all your kindness. I am in debt, from my situation; but, time and care will get me out of it. Since May 1798, I have had all the expence of a commander in chief, without even the smallest advantage. Lord Keith," concludes his lordship, "shall find, in me, an officer ever ready to anticipate his wishes, so long as my health permits."

Though Lord Nelson does not absolutely complain of his then ill health, he was certainly much indisposed; and, but a few weeks before, had undergone a painful course of electricity, at Palermo, from which he entertained hopes of recovering the sight of his left eye.

On the 26th, his lordship sailed from Leghorn, and arrived safely at Palermo; from whence, in a few days, he proceeded to Malta, for the purpose of arranging the business of that important siege.

On the 12th of February, at sea, his lordship received the report of a survey held on the warrant-officers stores found onboard the Leander at the time, of it's being delivered up, with an account of those said to be supplied by the Russians while this ship was in their possession, which he inclosed to Lord Keith, as commander in chief; and, only six days after, being in company with the Northumberland, Audacious, and El Corso brig, fortunately captured Le Genereux, by which the Leander had been originally taken. The particulars of this pleasing event will be best described in his lordship's own words.

"Foudroyant, at Sea, 10th Feb. 1800.
Off Cape di Corso,
Eight Leagues West of Cape Passaro;
off Shore, Four Miles.

"MY LORD,

This morning, at day-light, being in company with the ships named
in the margin, I saw the Alexander in chase of a line of battle
ship, three frigates, and a corvette: and, about eight o'clock, she
fired several shot at one of the enemy's frigates, which struck her
colours; and, leaving her to be secured by the ships astern,
continued the chase. I directed Captain Gould of the Audacious, and
the El Corso brig, to take charge of this prize. At half past one
P.M. the frigates and corvette tacked to the westward; but the line
of battle ship, not being able to tack without coming to action
with the Alexander, bore up. The Success being to leeward, Captain
Peard, with great judgment and gallantry, lay across his hawser,
and raked him with several broadsides. In passing the French ship's
broadside, several shot struck the Success; by which, one man was
killed, and the master and seven men wounded. At half past four,
the Foudroyant and Northumberland coming up, the former fired two
shot; when the French ship fired her broadside, and struck her
colours. She proved to be Le Genereux, of seventy-four guns,
bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Perrée, commander in chief of the
French naval force in the Mediterranean; having a number of troops
on board, from Toulon, bound for the relief of Malta. I attribute
our success, this day, to be principally owing to the extreme good
management of Lieutenant William Harrington, who commands the
Alexander in the absence of Captain Ball: and I am much pleased
with the gallant behaviour of Captain Peard, of the Success; as,
also, with the alacrity and good conduct of Captain Martin, and Sir
Edward Berry. I have sent Lieutenant Andrew Thomson, First
Lieutenant of the Foudroyant, to take charge of Le Genereux; whom I
beg leave to recommend to your lordship, for promotion: and send
her, under care of the Northumberland, and Alexander, to Syracuse,
to wait your lordship's orders. I have the honour to be, my lord,
your lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,

Bronte Nelson

The Right Honourable Lord Keith, K.B. &c."

His lordship, the next day, directed Captain Gould, of the Audacious, to proceed with the French prisoners for the harbour of St. Paul, in the Island of Malta; and, putting them on board any ship of war, or empty transport, he might find there, to return to the westward of Goza, where he was to cruize till farther orders.

Though Lord Nelson was much gratified by this capture, which reduced the number of French ships that had escaped at the battle off the Nile to the single one of Le Guillaume Tell, then blocked up at Malta, his health appeared daily on the decline. Still, however, his spirits seem to have remained lively; for, in writing on the occasion, to Palermo, he desires Prince Leopold will tell his august father, that he is, he believes, the first Duke of Bronte who ever took a French seventy-four.

Besides the French prisoners sent to Malta for the sake of compelling their countrymen to maintain them, and consequently to assist in the consumption of the provisions of the garrison, and thus accelerate it's surrender; there were a number of Moorish prisoners on board Le Genereux, subjects of the Bashaw of Tripoli. These Lord Nelson sent back to their own country; with letters to the bashaw, as well as to the British consul: the former of whom he assures, that he is happy in the opportunity of saving so many of his subjects from a French prison; and the latter, he requests, will not fail to impress on the bashaw's mind, that Nelson is never unmindful of his friends. "The bashaw," he adds, "was very good in supplying the El Corso with some rope, which was duly reported to me; and, for which, I beg, you will thank his excellency in my name."

On the 24th of February, off Malta, where his lordship found his health much affected, he wrote to Lord Keith, that it was impossible he could remain much longer there. "Without some rest," says his lordship, "I am gone. I must, therefore, whenever I find the service will admit of it, request your permission to go to my friends at Palermo, for a few weeks, and leave the command here to Commodore Troubridge. Nothing but necessity obliges me to write this letter." Finding, however, on the 28th, from the report of his friend Captain Ball, that the French ships were perfectly ready for sea, and would probably attempt to escape the first fair wind, he writes thus to Lord Keith--"My state of health is very precarious. Two days ago, I dropped with a pain in my heart, and I am always in a fever; but the hopes of these gentry coming out, shall support me a few days longer. I really desire to see this Malta business finished." The following passage, which occurs in another part of this letter, is highly characteristic--"The intended movements of their ships, is a convincing proof, to me, that the garrison has lost all hopes of a successful resistance, and I wish General Graham would make false attacks. I am no soldier; therefore, ought not to hazard an opinion: but, if I commanded, I would torment the scoundrels night and day."

Having waited till the 8th of March, with the vain expectation that the French ships would venture out, his lordship wrote to Lord Keith, that his health continued so bad, he was obliged, in justice to himself, to retire to Palermo for a few weeks, directing Commodore Troubridge to carry on the service during his necessary absence: and, in a day or two after, sailed for Palermo; where he did not arrive, having had a tedious passage, till the 16th.

On the 20th, his lordship writes to Lord Keith--"It is too soon to form any judgment of what effect it may have on my health; but, on the 18th, I had near died, with the swelling of some of the vessels of the heart. I know, the anxiety of my mind, on coming back to Syracuse in 1798, was the first cause; and more people, perhaps, die of broken hearts, than we are aware of." To Commodore Troubridge he writes, also, on this day, much in the same strain--"It is too soon to form an opinion whether I can ever be cured of my complaint. At present, I see but glimmering hopes; and, probably, my career of service is at an end: unless the French fleet should come into the Mediterranean, when nothing shall prevent my dying at my post. I hope, my dear friend, that your complaints are better. Pray, do not fret at any thing; I wish I never had: but my return to Syracuse, in 1798, broke my heart; which, on any extraordinary anxiety, now shews itself, be that feeling _pain_ or _pleasure_." His lordship remarks, however, that he is an infidel about the Brest fleet again trusting themselves in the Mediterranean. The Russians, he observes, are certainly going to Malta; under commanders, both at sea and land, with whom all will be harmony. "You will have heard," continues his lordship, "that Mr. Arthur Paget is daily expected, to replace, for the present, Sir William; Comte Pouskin is also superseded by Italinskoy. In short, great changes are going on; and none, that I can see, for the better. I have not yet seen General Acton; but I am led to believe, that the king's not returning to Naples, _has_ been entirely owing to the general. At present, perhaps, he has so much frightened him, that the act appears his own. _We, of the Nile_, are not equal to Lord Keith, in his estimation; and ought to think it an honour to serve under such a _clever man_." In concluding this letter, his lordship says--"Acton has, I am almost convinced, played us _false_."

In another letter to Sir Thomas Troubridge, dated on the 28th, his lordship says, that if the ships get away, he is certain the garrison will not hold out; and expresses his intention again to visit Malta, before he retires from the station. A courier, from Constantinople, he says, is just arrived: bringing intelligence, that the French treaty for quitting Egypt is ratified by the Porte; and, that the ministers of England and Russia have acquainted the Porte of the determination of the allies not to suffer the French army to return to Europe. His lordship then directs him to repeat the orders already given, for making the French from Egypt, under whatever protection they may be, come into some of the ports of the allies; for, on no consideration, must they be allowed to return to France. "I now," adds his lordship, "come to the most painful part of my letter, the loss of the Queen Charlotte, by fire. Lord Keith is safe; and, I hope, most of the officers and crew. She sailed from Leghorn at daylight of the 17th, with a strong land wind. She was, when five miles distant, discovered to be on fire; and, at noon, she blew up, about twelve miles from the light-house. This is the whole we know. Vessels were fearful, till after some time, to approach her; therefore, many poor fellows must be gone!"

In a very few days after this melancholy accident, Lord Nelson experienced one of the highest gratifications of his life, by the capture of Le Guillaume Tell. The first information of that important event was conveyed in the following note from Sir Edward Berry.

"Foudroyant, 30th March 1800.

"MY DEAR LORD,

"I had but one wish, this morning; it was for you. After a most
gallant defence, Le Guillaume Tell surrendered, and she is
compleatly dismasted. The Foudroyant's lower masts, and main
topmast, are standing; but, every roll, I expect them to go over
the side, they are so much shattered. I was slightly hurt in the
foot; and, I fear, about forty men are badly wounded, besides the
killed, which you shall know hereafter. All hands behaved as you
would have wished. How we prayed for you, God knows, and your
sincere and faithful friend,

"E. Berry."

On the 4th of April, his lordship having received farther particulars from Sir Thomas Troubridge, wrote thus to Mr. Nepean.

"Palermo, 4th April 1800.

"SIR,

"I have received no official reports, but I have letters from
Commodore Troubridge, Captain Dixon, and Sir Edward Berry, telling
me of the capture of the William Tell, on the morning of the 30th
of March, after a gallant defence of three hours. The Lion and
Foudroyant lost each about forty killed and wounded. The French
ship is dismasted; the French Admiral, Decres, wounded; and the
Foudroyant much shattered. I send Sir Edward Berry's hasty note.
Thus, owing to my brave friends, is the entire destruction of the
French Mediterranean fleet to be attributed, and my orders from the
great Earl of St. Vincent are fulfilled. Captain Blackwood, of the
Penelope, and Captain Long, of the Vincejo, have the greatest
merit. My task is done; my health is finished; and, probably, my
retreat for ever fixed--unless another French fleet should be
placed for me to look after. Ever your most obedient humble
servant,

"Bronte Nelson of the Nile."

"Evan Nepean, Esq."

The letter of Commodore Troubridge, above mentioned, contains the following particulars.

"Culloden, Marsa Scirocco,
1st April 1800.

"MY LORD,