one, what is the Dey to do with his Ships? What a reason for carrying on a Naval war! Mr. Pitt has not a better for this war. I have sent great news to Bastia, but (this word, I wish it was out of our language!) I am not fully contented. We beat the 29th, 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd; and, because I do not know we beat the third, am not satisfied. Such is human nature. Guns are sounding from the ramparts, and I am wicked enough to wish all those fellows' throats may be cut before night. August 11th.-Yesterday the French had their fête; but they seemed fearful of a riot. By Proclamation, all Tuscans were ordered to remain in their houses, and every possible precaution taken. The French say they have no orders from their Government to quit Leghorn: therefore, they shall remain. August 15th, at Sea.-I shall reply to your letters by Lord Garlies, who joined me this morning, by a separate letter. Ever your most obedient and faithful Servant, HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "August 11th.-At 3 P.M. weighed and stood farther in to the Eastward. At 4 came-to-sent the Venom and Vixen gun-boats in-shore after a French Privateer, which they took after some resistance the people got on shore-she had one brass 4-pounder and two brass swivels. 15th.-Weighed."—Captain's Log.] Sir, Captain, at Sea, August 15th, 1796. I am this morning honoured with your letters by Lord Garlies the Diadem joined me at the same time, having been eight days from Ajaccio, and I dispatch her instantly to Genoa. I am on my way to Bastia, to talk with the ViceRoy on the subject of the Leghorn expedition. As to our success, and making all the French in Leghorn our prisoners, I entertain no doubt. All the lower order are our sincere friends. I verily believe the French would be glad to get clear off; but the Austrians, who are at Bologna, will prevent them. But the French are preparing a bridge, to throw over the rivers by the coast, and hope to escape that way. Buona Part, all the Tuscans believe, died of his wounds at Florence, on the 10th August, and said to have been received on the 3rd. L'Eclair is gone to Genoa for news; but she is so slow that my expectation cannot be gratified; but I have no fears that Wurmser is beating these fellows. After we possess Leghorn, if the Service will allow it, I hope when the Dons are expected, to be with you. All your favours are not thrown away on an ungrateful soil; for I will endeavour to prove myself your most faithful Servant, HORATIO NELSON. The Captain shall not be a great while before she joins you; but till I have seen the Vice-Roy I cannot say exactly, I have wrote you about Lieutenant Dutton: I have not yet given him his commission. Lieutenant Noble I wish to have as my Lieutenant: therefore Mr. Davies, if you please, will belong to the Captain. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. An extract from this Letter is in vol. ii. p. 241. "16th August. Anchored at Bastia."-Captain's Log.] Dear Sir, Captain, Bastia Roads, August [17th], 1796. From Mr. Wyndham's letter, fancying the Spanish Frigate was to carry D'Aubert from Venice to Constantinople with his riches, it is possible that the Spanish Frigate bound to Cività Vecchia may be intended to carry money from his Holiness, with the famous Apollo, &c., for the French. It is allowable to seize the property of Enemies, even on board Neutral Ships of War. Mr. North tells me, that in the late War two or three Danish Ships of War were seized by the Spaniards, carrying stores to Gibraltar; and, on the remonstrance of the Danish Minister at Madrid, the answer he received was, that it was not Men of War which were stopped, but Vessels which had made themselves Merchantmen for the time. This hint may be useful, but if I should learn that money, &c., is shipping on board him, what is your opinion, as to at least making him submit to be examined? The times are critical, therefore, I should like your idea on this subject.-Ever your most faithful HORATIO NELSON. TO HIS SWEDISH MAJESTY'S CONSUL, AT LEGHORN. [Copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.Four lines of this Letter are in vol. ii. p. 247. "August 18th. Sailed from Bastia in company with the Lively.—20th. Anchored in Leghorn Roads."-Captain's Loy.] Sir, His Britannic Majesty's Ship Captain, Leghorn Roads, The Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean, Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B., wishing to alleviate the calamities which the French have brought on the Swedish Nation, by their possessing themselves of the Neutral Port of Leghorn, has in consideration of the near approach of winter, when the Baltic Sea will be frozen over, authorized me to permit the departure of Swedish vessels, without cargoes. You will, therefore, direct such Swedish Vessels as may wish to quit the Port of Leghorn, to come out of the Mole and anchor near me, when I will furnish them with passports to prevent their being molested on their voyage. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO EARL SPENCER, FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. Captain, Leghorn Roads, 20th August, 1796. My Lord, Taking your Lordship's permission in writing to you, I think it of importance to acquaint you that Rear-Admiral Man came off Calvi on the 11th, and immediately proceeded to join Sir John Jervis off Toulon. The Diadem is gone from me to the Fleet, and this Ship is under orders so soon as La Minerve arrives, in which Ship I am directed to hoist my Pendant; for the Admiral is pleased to think that my services here, and in the protection of Corsica, are too important to be taken away. Our Fleet will then be twentytwo Sail of the Line, and in such order and health, that I do not believe England ever boasted a better Fleet-(I mean as to Men and Officers); and the condition of the Ships is not bad. I am just come from meeting the Vice-Roy at Bastia. The French party are, although not numerous, yet I fear sufficient to give much trouble; and it is certain the French at Leghorn are endeavouring to get over from different parts of the Coast, by ten and twelve at a time, and are now in the mountains of Corsica. I hope General Wurmser may recover his check; but I fear the blow has been too hard. Our Troops in Corsica are more than usually healthy, and prepared for service. A Spanish Frigate is gone to Civita Vecchia, or the Mouth of the Tiber, to carry off, we suppose, the fine things from Rome. I have wrote to the Admiral on the subject. Last war the Spaniards stopped three Danish Ships of War, going into Gibraltar with stores; and the answer of the Spanish Court to the remonstrances of the Danes, who complained of their Men-of-War being stopped, was,-"We do not stop Menof-War; it is you who have made your Men-of-War merchantmen." This I had from Mr. North, who is likely to know the circumstance. Gentili is arrived at Leghorn, for the purpose of going over to Corsica: it looks like it. There is nothing new here. All is quiet. A Ship is just come in sight from the Fleet. I shall therefore keep this letter open till her arrival. Nothing new from the Fleet. Admiral Man had not joined when the Comet left them.-I have the honour to be, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. An imperfect extract from this Letter is in vol. ii. p. 249.] Dear Sir, Captain, Leghorn Roads, August 22nd, 1796. On Thursday last, 1225 French left Leghorn with General Vaubois, and almost all the Officers; the French Major de Place commands the remains, which is not more than eight or nine hundred men, this is the utmost. Seventy or eighty sailors are gone with the Army, as they say, to manage some flat Boats which are prepared for crossing the inundations about Mantua, which place they are determined to storm. Diadem will carry you late news from Genoa; therefore I shall confine myself very much to this place. Another very extraordinary thing has taken place: all the cannon which had been mounted on the works, except on the Mole, has been dismounted, and put into the same stores from which it was taken. What does this mean? an evacuation, I should rather think; yes, and that they are ordered to replace the things as they found them. Mr. Wyndham, my reports say, is gone to Rome, and from thence to the King of Naples at Monte Casino, to endeavour to induce His Majesty to commence hostilities. The Blanche is expected to-morrow morning. Lively is gone to examine the coast to the Southward, to see if any number of Boats are collected to carry over troops to Corsica. Lord Garlies is active, and I feel a pleasure in having him with me; I only hope for an opportunity of giving him some real service. Lieutenant Dutton is in the Vixen. Lieutenant Ravencroft not yet joined the Venom. Sardine I know nothing of. L'Eclair goes to-morrow for Bastia for a Ship of great value, for Genoa; and the two Transports to be repaired there, as also to convey the bullocks, &c., which Mr. Heatly has provided. August 23rd.-The Ragusa and Danish Consuls have sent off letters, which you will receive through the Vice-Roy; if his Excellency think it more proper to permit their departure without cargoes, I shall allow them to sail, and not wait for your answer. This is what I conceive you would wish. Gentili and two other Corsican Officers are here, but without any commands. They can only have been intended for Corsica; but I again hope the defeat of the French is at hand. They are surrounded at Verona.-Ever believe me, Sir, your most faithful servant, HORATIO NELSON. The Austrians on the 15th got a reinforcement of, they say, 20,000 men. Buonaparte is most certainly wounded, and many think he is dead. As I do not keep copies of those letters which I send you to read, I shall be obliged to you for them when convenient. TO JOSEPH BRANCA, ESQ., RAGUSA CONSUL AT LEGHORN. [Letter Book.] His Britannic Majesty's Ship Captain, Leghorn Roads, Sir, I have received your letter of the 22nd August, respecting the departure of Ragusa Vessels without cargoes, and have to inform you that I shall immediately transmit it to the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B., and it will be the greatest pleasure to me to have to inform you of the Admiral's compliance with your request; and when I know his answer, I will hoist an English red Ensign at the foretop-gallant mast head. You will then send a Boat on board me for his answer accordingly.-I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. CERTIFICATE. [Letter Book.] His Britannic Majesty's Ship Captain, Leghorn Roads, Commodore Nelson gives his word of honour that all his Squadron are in liberal pratique, and also that every Ship has the most positive orders to board no vessel which in any manner can be subject to quarantine; and the Officers at Leghorn, as they know Commodore Nelson, will not doubt what he has stated. The Commodore grants this Certificate, hoping it may be useful to a number of poor Fishermen, und other innocent inhabitants of Leghorn, for whom the Commodore has a sincere regard. HORATIO NELSON. |