make themselves masters of it; I therefore feel it my duty, as Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Squadron employed on this Coast, and in the absence of the Naval Commanderin-Chief, to state clearly the fatal consequences which will attend this plan of the French Commissioners. The possession of Port Especia gives always an easy access to every part of Italy, even to the Kingdom of Naples, and security to Transports, Ships of War, and small Vessels; and I also beg it may be understood, that if the French Flotilla proceeds along the Coast, that our Ships of War cannot molest them, not being able to approach the Coast, from the shallowness of the water. And I must also observe, that the Enemy possessing themselves of Leghorn, cuts off all our supplies, such as fresh meat, fuel, and various other most essential necessaries; and of course our Fleet cannot always be looked for on the Northern Coast of Italy. I also beg leave to state, that to obviate these misfortunes, two plans are necessary to be attended to: the first and best, is the possession of Vado Bay; this done, as far as human foresight can look to, Italy is safe; the next is the possessing ourselves of Port Especia. As a Sea Officer, I beg leave to say, that unless one of these plans is adopted, my Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Fleet, cannot answer for the safety of Italy, from any attempts which may be made on it Coastways. 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 copy of this Letter is in vol. ii. p. 137.] Sir, Agamemnon, at Sea, 16th March, 1796. I beg leave to transmit copies of all the letters which I have wrote or received from His Majesty's Ministers at Turin, Genoa, and Naples, that you may be in full possession of my conduct, and know whether I am worthy the honour of commanding the Squadron intrusted to my direction. My last letter to Mr. Drake, dated yesterday, is of so very important a nature, and the opinion I have given so very decisive, that I must request you will, as soon as possible, give me your opinion of my conduct. Should it unfortunately be disapprobation, I have only to regret that my abilities are not equal to my zeal. I have the honour to be, &c., TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. An imperfect copy of this Letter is in vol. ii. p. 137.] Sir, Agamemnon, at Sea, March 16th, 1796. Mr. Drake having expressed a wish to see me, to communicate many things which he did not think it right to trust to paper, yesterday morning I arrived at Genoa, with the Meleager and Blanche, and held a conference with Mr. Drake. The part of the plan intimated in his letter and at present submitted to the consideration of Ministers, from the same cause which prevented him from writing, prevents me from entering fully into the subject: but which, whenever I have the honour of meeting you, I am at full liberty to communicate; for I would receive no information or plans which I might not freely communicate to you. Mr. Drake expressed himself pleased at your determination to give the Austrian General a meeting, whenever he pleased to bring his Army on the Coast; but, at the same time, he said, he found it extremely difficult to make them hear of the Riviera, although he had pressed very much to have the plan of last year carried into execution; with the exception, in the first instance, of penetrating into Provence. The Commander-in-Chief of the Army was not yet fixed on; but it was understood that the Archduke was to be the nominal, and General Beaulieu the active, Commander-in-Chief; that Beaulieu wished to meet the French in the plains of Lombardy, and then to follow up the blow, which he had no doubt would be decisive. I could not help observing, that the very reason why the General wished to meet them in a particular place, would of course be the reason why the French would not penetrate by that route; that the information, which I had received of the intention of the Directory to order the movement of their Army in three columns, one by Ceva, another by the pass of the Bochetta, and another to march through the Genoese territory, or be carried coastways to Port Especia (which would give them an easy entry into the plains of Italy, and the possession of Leghorn); I had no doubt that the two first would be feints, and the last the real plan. I must here observe, that before night Mr. Drake had this same information communicated to him; and also, that a body of Troops would be embarked on board the Fleet, the moment Richery arrived from Cadiz, and a push made for Port Especia. This conversation and information induced [me] more, if possible, strongly than ever, to press the measure of taking Vado, or Port Especia, with all possible expedition; and that without one or the other was done, it was impossible for you to answer for the safety of Italy coastways; and that it was now perfectly clear for what the two hundred Flat boats were built, and the numerous Gun-boats fitted out. Mr. Drake told me, that he had already pressed the measure of taking Vado, and would continue it, and also would press instantly the necessity of possessing Port Especia, if I would say the Austrians should be supported from attacks by sea by our Naval force; which, I said, there could be no doubt of, for it would be the home of our Squadron employed on this Coast. He then desired me to give my opinion in writing, as the authority of a Sea- Officer would have more weight than all he could urge to them: this is the cause of my writing the letter, for which I am so anxious to obtain your sentiments. Salicetti has failed in his demand for the loan of thirty millions of livres. On Salicetti's first demand, it was understood that five millions would be given him to get rid of the demand, which, on Mr. Drake's hearing [of it], he came to Genoa, and all the Ministers of the coalesced Powers joined in a Note to the Serene Republic, stating that they had heard of the demand made by the French; that they did not believe the Republic would so far forget her neutral state, as to comply with the demand; but that if she should, the coalesced Powers would no longer recognize her as a neutral Power, but consider her as the ally of France. The demand of Salicetti was taken into consideration on Saturday night the 12th instant, and carried against the demand by 142 against 34. Mr. Drake yesterday received information that an embargo is laid on the Port of Toulon, and also the gates shut, and no person suffered to go out of the Town. This is an additional inducement for my looking into Toulon, which so soon as done I shall dispatch a Frigate to you. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. G.C.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., 19th March.-A.M. At 9 saw 13 sail of the Line and 6 Frigates in Toulon Harbour. At three quarters past 8 tacked, and stood out again-two small batteries opened their fire upon us as we passed Sepet to the westward. At 11 hove-to-made the signal for Captain Sawyer of the Blanche-made the Meleager's signal to look out N.W. At Noon dispatched the Blanche for the Fleet.Agamemnon's Log.] Sir, Agamemnon, off Toulon, March 19th, 1796. From the information which Mr. Drake gave me, that the gates of Toulon were shut, and an embargo on the Port, it was an additional inducement to me to look into that Harbour, which I have this day done. There are only thirteen Sail of the Line in the Outer and Inner Roads, six or seven Frigates, and a Brig. Two of the Line are in the Arsenal, but only one has her topmast through the cap: the other has not her top overhead. They are all in a state of bending sails: not one but has some bent, and none of the Line-of-Battle Ships all bent. The Sans Culottes appeared to us to be bending her topsails this morning. I send Captain Sawyer to you off Mahon, where I hope he will find you, and shall return directly to Genoa. I have the honour to be, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO CAPTAIN CHARLES SAWYER, HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP BLANCHE. [Letter Book in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Agamemnon, off Toulon, 19th March, 1796. You are hereby required and directed to proceed as expeditiously as possible off the Port of Mahon, in the Island of Minorca, where, not seeing our Fleet, you will send a Boat on shore to the English Consul, and learn from him if the Admiral has been off that Port, and where he has gone to. If you hear that the Admiral has not been off there, you will deliver the dispatches to the Consul, enjoining the greatest care of them, as they are of importance; but should you be informed that the Admiral has left that station, and also where you can find him, you will proceed to him. But should the Admiral have left that station, and the Consul not know where he is gone to, or any information of his speedy return, you will then proceed to St. Fiorenzo in the Island of Corsica, and deliver the dispatches to the Commanding Officer, for an opportunity of their being forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief. HORATIO NELSON. TO JOHN UDNEY, ESQ. [From a copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B., and Letter Book.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, Gulf of Genoa, March 23rd, 1796. The latter end of last week, we looked into Toulon, and the whole Fleet are getting ready,—in particular, the Ships in the Arsenal. The Sans Culottes bent her sails the day we were off Toulon, and I should think they will be ready for sea in about fourteen days, fifteen Sail of the Line. Believe me, very sincerely, dear Sir, your most obliged HORATIO NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HON. JOHN TREVOR. [Letter Book.] Dear Sir, Agamemnon, off Genoa, March 23rd, 1796. On Saturday morning I looked into Toulon, as I informed you in my last was my intention. The thirteen Sail which were ready for sea when I looked at them in February, were employed in bending sails, and I saw the Sans Culottes bend her topsails. The Ships in the Arsenal are getting very forward. Two in the Grand Arsenal have all an end, and two in the Inner Arsenal are not so forward. If we suppose that one or two may not be intended to come to sea, they will have fifteen Sail of the Line and five Frigates. If I may judge, they will be perfectly ready in about twelve or fourteen days at furthest. I dispatched a Frigate to Sir John Jervis, with my observations; therefore, he will be on his guard. We have now such very fine weather that I begin to expect to hear of events every day. God send they may be favourable. Believe me, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HON. JOHN TREVOR. [Letter Book. 25th March.-P.M. Anchored in Genoa Mole. 30th.-Weighed. April 3rd. -Anchored in St. Fiorenzo Bay; found Sir John Jervis and the Fleet at anchor here. 5th.-A.M. Up anchor.-Agamemnon's Log.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, Gulf of Genoa, April 6th, 1796. I am just come from Sir John Jervis at St. Fiorenzo, and delivered to him your plan of Cagliari; and should the French Fleet go there, I am certain the Admiral will give a very good account of them. I find every disposition in the Admiral to forward the objects which the Austrian and Piedmontese Armies may have in view, when they get on the Sea-coast, and I have no doubt I shall be supported in a much better manner than last year. We shall think of a Flotilla; perhaps Naples will supply us; and I think last year the King of Sardinia had a number of Seamen, who could be no where so well employed as in manning four or five large Tartans, with 36-pounders, the same as the French. I only mention this as a thing to be thought of, before the Army gets on the Coast, for then our thoughts should be speedily put in execution. It is impossible to suppose that our Fleet can in any manner be unmanned till the French Fleet is defeated; and whenever that glorious event happens, I am sure Sir John will do everything possible in this way. Whatever |