TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. Fragments of this Letter are in vol. ii. p. 292.] Bastia, October 19th, 1796. Dear Sir, The greatest part of the flour and all the salt provisions are on board. Powder is now getting off, and we shall attend chiefly to this most important article, ordnance stores: all English guns, mortars, and stores should most assuredly be embarked at every place. The Vice-Roy writes to Calvi this day on the same subject. My present intention is to embark the Troops on the morning of the 21st; and I am sorry to take the Line-of-Battle Ships to Elba, as I am so anxious to have them with you; but they are so full of stores, and will perhaps be of Troops, that I can only say, twelve hours shall be the outside for Egmont and Excellent, and I shall bring the Vice-Roy probably in a few hours afterwards to talk with you. Sardine is under sail for Naples, and only waits to make sail till the Vice-Roy's letter is finished. Dido is gone to Elba to tell Colonel Montresor, the Commandant, the great change. As to Sawyer, you astonish me; yet why? a person who is impudent enough to do what has been proved on him, may fairly be supposed to have impudence enough for anything. Our water is getting smooth, and we are all well and quiet.-Ever your most faithful HORATIO NELSON. Everything may be done at Porto Ferrajo. I shall give Port-orders that no Transport, or Merchant Ship, or Frigate, shall take the anchorage of a Ship of the Line. You will be delighted with the Port. Coffin is quite enraptured. Noon. We have just [received] accounts from the Municipality, that a number of French have landed near Cape Corse, and have sent to demand of the Municipality what part they mean to take. The Vice-Roy has sent to the Municipality, that we wish to quit them amicably, and in the state we promised; but if they permitted the French to enter the Town, or in any way embarrassed our embarkation, that it would end in the destruction of the batteries, and would be highly detrimental to the Town. I am not clear in my own mind as to the fact, at least as to numbers, but we shall act, I see, with prudence, and retreat in time. The garrison of Capraja is arrived. H. N. May I beg your care of the enclosed, which is truly only to say I am well. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "October 20.-All the Troops embarked. At 11 weighed and made sail. P.M.-Anchored in Port Ferrajo, and the Convoy came in, and anchored. 21st. -The launch employed landing baggage and stores belonging to the Troops. P.M.-Saluted the Vice-Roy on his quitting the Ship with 19 guns-the Vanneau sailed with dispatches for England to the Roman coast-heard several guns fired outside the harbour-found that the Vanneau was on shore-sent the boats with anchors, cables, and hawsers to her assistance-dispatched the Speedy with the dispatches. 22nd.-A.M. The Dido sailed, the Vanneau much damaged, and not likely to get off."-Captain's Log. Dear Sir, Captain, Port Ferrajo, October 21st, 1796. The Romulus and her Convoy being blown in here, in order that the Ships of War should join you as soon as possible, I have ordered each Ship of War to take twenty live oxen for the Fleet, therefore not more than forty will remain, which is not an object to stop such a Ship as Romulus. Tarleton goes to you, that Lord Proby may shift into the Téméraire, which I understand you intend. Dido sails directly for Leghorn, to relieve Lively, who wants many things, and will be ordered to join you. I inclose you a list of the Force, and how employed, which remains. I shall detail to you our proceedings in another letter, if I have time, by Romulus; but I can say, in a word, that all was conducted to my satisfaction, as far as relates to the Navy, and all who I care about are satisfied with us. The Garrison of Capraja arriving at Bastia the day before our embarkation, although orders had been sent, and miscarried, for them to remain, Egmont, Excellent, and Southampton were ordered to call off Capraja, and to land the garrison. The Line-of-Battle Ships were not to anchor, and they will be here to-day, and sail with me to-morrow to join you. The Vice-Roy intends at present to come with me: therefore I shall reserve myself for further particulars till I have the pleasure of seeing you.-Ever believe me your most faithful HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "October 23rd.-Weighed. 24th.-Saw the Fleet coming from St. Fiorenzo Bay to anchor in Martello. P.M.-Anchored in Martello Bay. November 2nd. -The French and Corsicans came round from St. Fiorenzo to annoy the watering parties. Several of the Ships in shore firing at them. P.M.-Weighed all the Fleet under weigh. 16th-Saw the land about Algiers. 21st.-Ivica N.W. b. N. Formentara W.N.W. 10 or 12 leagues-the Commodore went on board the Admiral. December 1st.-Anchored at Gibraltar, as did the Admiral and Fleet."-Captain's Log. [The Captain was still at Gibraltar on the 7th, when the Logs in the Editor's possession end.] Sir, December 29th, 1796. I arrived here the night before last, where I found Captain Fremantle, who returned me the state of the Squadron, as by the inclosed paper. The Minerve's main and mizen mast are so badly wounded, that the builder has reported them unfit for service. The foremast he hopes to be able to secure. I shall be able, I believe, to sell the Mignonne advantageously, as also the Tarleton; and if the Commissioner does not come from Naples by the Dido, I shall direct them to be sold, and the Mignonne's people to carry down the Spanish Brig. I send you copies of letters which have passed between General de Burgh and myself. It will be near a fortnight before the measure directed can be executed, and if the General should determine to remain here, I shall join you with such Ships as are not absolutely wanted here.I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. P.S.-A cargo of timber is landed from a Swede. I am getting on board one of the Transports. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] La Minerve, December 29th, 1796. Sir, Herewith I send you the sentence of a Court-Martial held yesterday, on Captain Harrison, of His Majesty's Ship Dromedary, and will forward the Minutes as soon as the Deputy Judge-Advocate has them copied fair. I have directed Captain James to command the Dromedary till his own Ship arrives, or he falls in with her. Captain Temple takes his passage in the Transfer.-I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] December 29th, 1796. How the Squadron under my command is employed: My Lord, TO EARL SPENCER. [Autograph in the Spencer Papers.] La Minerve, Port Ferrajo, 4th January, 1797. As Mr. Wyndham is over here to confer with General de Burgh on the subject of withdrawing our Troops from the Continent of Italy, I take the opportunity of his return to inform your Lordship of my arrival here to execute the very important mission with which I am charged, and which, in due time, I hope to accomplish. I rest sure of your Lordship's opinion that nothing will be wanting on my part for its success. The General is without orders, and the Army are not so often called upon to exercise their judgment in political measures as we are; therefore the General feels a certain diffidence. But let me be clearly understood, as not intending to convey the slightest criticism on the General's conduct: for an Officer more anxious, or more able, to execute the King's commands, or with whom it is easier to carry on united operations, I never met with. Our Convoy arrived last night from Naples. In short we want for nothing here of any kind or sort, from a bag of dollars to a cabbage. I shall not trouble you with any account of my Action; it will come before you through its proper channel, Sir John Jervis, having sent Captain Maitland express to the Admiral with an account of it, my arrival, &c., &c.; but I cannot omit most earnestly recommending Lieutenant Culverhouse, First of La Minerve, to your Lordship's notice. Lieutenant James Noble, who left the Captain to serve with me, and who is grievously wounded; -I presume to press his repeated wounds and merits on your Lordship's notice. I have the honour to be, with the most perfect respect, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO EARL SPENCER. [Autograph in the Spencer Papers.] My Lord, I did myself the honour of writing your Lordship, when Mr. Wyndham returned to Florence from hence. The General was then in a state of uncertainty whether he should stay or go. The same uncertainty still prevails; but the General will, I fancy, be guided in a great measure by Sir Gilbert Elliot, whose arrival is momentarily expected The Troops were placed here by orders, and there are no orders for their departure. I have stated most fully to the General the Admiral's intentions, and my instructions. However, should the General's determination be to stay, I have every Naval store, and all the establishment embarked, and shall take them down the Mediterranean, leaving a very small Naval force here under Captain Fremantle. The Minerve is nearly refitted; but as every rope, and almost every spar has been new, it has taken a longer time than I wished. Except the Pallas and Inconstant, every Ship has joined me, and I expect them very soon. The Romulus is fitted with a new bowsprit and head, having been run foul of by the Pallas, one week after her departure from Naples. In Corsica, we hear by a gentleman who left Bastia yesterday, that the Republican party daily loses their influence; and what is extraordinary, the part of the Island which was in rebellion against us is now in the same state against the French, but they are Paolists. I have the honour to be, &c., HORATIO NELSON. La Minerve, Port Ferrajo, 16th January, 1797. |