so as to avoid suspicion. God knows what turn the minds of the Corsicans may take when the measure comes to be known. The love of plunder, and a desire to make themselves peace, with, I suppose, their former tyrants, the French, may induce them to disturb us; and in that event, an embarkation of stores, especially from hence, is by no means

easy.

But this is a digression. I send you the account of Ships necessary, made out from returns of stores to the General, and by communication with the Vice-Roy. It will at least show you that my mind has not been idle, however my abilities, without a soul to speak to in the different departments, may fall short of my wishes.-Ever believe me, dear Sir, your most faithful HORATIO NELSON.

This letter will of course be followed by others to the time of my departure.

TO JOSEPH BRAME, ESQ., GENOA.

[Copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Sir, Diadem, off Genoa, October [9th], 1796. I have the honour to acquaint you that I am charged by his Excellency the Vice-Roy of Corsica, and Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B., to come to Genoa, to endeavour to restore that harmony which the late conduct of the Government of Genoa has interrupted. I have therefore to desire that you will, as speedily as possible, know from the Ministers of the Serene Republic, whether His Majesty's Ship may with safety enter the Port of Genoa, and to sail from thence when I please to order her, and whether my person will be held sacred in the Town and Port of Genoa?-I am, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO MR. BRAME, GENOA. [Copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] [About 9th October, 1796.]

Captain Towry has a Paper to deliver to the Government from me, and you will not omit to acquaint them, that I am empowered to treat for the restitution of Capraja, whenever the Government of Genoa shall revert to its former neutrality, and give satisfaction for the late insults offered His Majesty, and for the injury done his Subjects. I need not remind you of the consequences of sending me away without an answer.

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO MR. BIRD, GENOA. [Copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] October 9th, 1796.

I must rely upon you for managing matters expeditiously, and with becoming dignity. You may assure the Merchants there is no sacrifice consistent with His Majesty's honour, that I am not authorized to make for the security of their property. The refusal of the Government of Genoa to treat, on pretence of having made reclamations to the Court of London, will not stop the hands of His Majesty's Servants in these seas, and the consequences to Genoa must be dreadful. We have taken numbers of Genoese Ships, and if the Government of Genoa refuse the proffered Peace, their sins be on their own head. You will not fail to urge this forcibly.

TO THE GENOESE GOVERNMENT.

[From an Autograph Draught in the Nelson Papers, and a Copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.-This Paper is printed, but with many errors, and with an uncertain date, in vol. ii. pp. 294-296.]

October 9th, 1796. Commodore Nelson has the honour to acquaint the Serene Government of Genoa, that he is charged by their Excellencies the Vice-Roy of Corsica, and Sir John Jervis, K.B., Commander-in-Chief of His Britannic Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean, to come to Genoa, and to demand from the Serene Government the immediate restitution of the British Shipping and Property sequestered in the Port of Genoa; satisfaction for the insult offered His Majesty's flag, by the firing of cannon on it on the 11th day of September last, and also for the subsequent conduct of the Government on that day, by shutting the Ports of the Republic to the British flag, at the instigation of His Majesty's enemies; and that this conduct is considered as the more insulting, as it was entirely unprovoked by any improper conduct on the part of His Majesty's Officers and Men, who were employed on a legal service near the shore of St. Pierre d'Arena, which was in possession of the French, and on which a French battery was erected.

These open hostilities has left no choice with the Servants of His Majesty in these seas, but that of vindicating His honour by immediate reprisals. The consequences have been that Capraja is at present occupied by British Troops, and that a great number of Genoese Vessels have been seized at sea and in our harbours, (which will every day increase), and are sequestered.

I am also instructed by his Excellency the Vice-Roy to state to the Government of the Serene Republic that Capraja had offered many provocations to His Majesty's Government in Corsica anterior to the late events in Genoa. That Island had been, for the last two years, the constant haunt of Vessels calling themselves French Privateers, fitted out in the harbour of Capraja, under the eye of the Genoese Government, by a French Agent, received and acknowledged

as such.

These Vessels lay in wait at Capraja, for the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects, and exercised a piratical warfare against the English and Corsicans, under the protection of a Genoese fort and harbour in a manner entirely contrary to the laws of Neutrality: that no redress has been obtained from the Serene Republic by any representations which were made on the subject by His Majesty's Minister at Genoa; that although a French Agent was not only received at Capraja, but was avowedly the instrument of these hostilities, the Serene Republic declined the reasonable and just request that was made to them on our part, to admit an English Vice-Consul at the same place.

I am also directed by the Vice-Roy and Admiral to inform the Serene Republic, that they would still have persevered in the same system of moderation and forbearance, from a sincere regard for the Serene Republic, and from an ardent desire to maintain, even with great sacrifices, the harmony which has so long been preserved, through difficult and delicate times, between the two Governments, if the violent and insulting transactions of the 11th of September had not committed the honour of His Majesty, as well as the interest and just claims of his Subjects, too deeply to admit of further forbearance.

At the same time I am further instructed to inform the Serene Republic, that neither desire of conquest nor avidity of gain, by a War against the extensive commerce of Genca, have influenced their councils on this occasion; and that the only objects they have in view are to obtain reparation for the late insults committed at Genoa, and a security against a repetition of those injuries which have been experienced from the conduct of the Genoese Government at Capraja.

When these objects are accomplished, it is their Excellencies' desire, and they will think it their duty, to restore everything to its former footing, and to revert to that friendly intercourse with Genoa which it has been so much the wish

of His Majesty, and the study of all his Servants to maintain, notwithstanding many provocations which perhaps the nature of the times and circumstances have rendered unavoidable.

The Commodore flatters himself that these, their Excellencies' sentiments, will sufficiently evince to the Government of Genoa, and to the whole world, their amicable and pacific disposition, and will render the Serene Republic alone responsible for the evils which have ensued from the present differences, or for those measures which their Excellencies may justly be called upon to employ for the vindication of His Majesty's honour and the protection of his Subjects. To these declarations of their Excellencies, the Commodore has only to add, that it is the ardent wish of his heart to be instrumental in restoring harmony between the two Nations, in a manner compatible with the dignity of his Sovereign, which is inseparable from the true interest of the Republic of Genoa.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "October 11th.-Hove up the anchor and made sail. 13th.-Anchored in Martello Bay-found Sir John Jervis and the Fleet at anchor. P.M. Weighed." -Diadem's Log.]

Dear Sir,

Bastia, October 14th, 1796.

I am this moment arrived, and it was my intention to have come over to you; but the Vice-Roy and others think it by no means safe; therefore I shall remain, and act with the Vice-Roy. The state of the Town is very bad, and I suspect we shall lose the Citadel before night. Ever your most faithful HORATIO NELSON.

Cockburn, Lord Garlies and, I suppose, Blanche are at Leghorn. The latter has been long ordered to join the Fleet. Not being present when the complaint was made, I did not choose to put Captain Sawyer under arrest, as indeed I hope he would take himself off. Pray tell me what I shall do about Leghorn. I send all the Genoa papers.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. Part of this Letter is incorrectly printed in vol. ii. pp. 288, 289.

"October 15th.-Anchored at Bastia-Commodore Nelson shifted his broad pendant from the Diadem, and hoisted it on board the Captain-Boats employed in bringing off stores."-Captain's Log.]

Dear Sir,

Bastia, October 15th, 1796.

As far as my powers and abilities go, you may rely on me that nothing shall be left undone which ought to be done, even should it be necessary to knock down Bastia. Last night I took the Vice-Roy and Secretary of State afloat; and at daylight this morning came to the General, and told him, that from the embarkation of the Vice-Roy, &c., the evacuation and regulation of this Town became entirely military, and of course devolved on us. I hope the General will join me cordially, but, as you well know, great exertions belong exclusively to the Navy. The Army is, as usual, well dressed and powdered. I have been to the magazines, and the quantity of provisions is as follows:-2800 bags of flour, 130 pounds each; 668 barrels of flour; 1100 bags of biscuit; whole barrels of beef, 217; half barrels, 71; quarter barrels, 311; 217 pipes of wine, 53 of brandy. I have arranged, as far as I have the means, the embarkation, and the General says he will have proper guards to keep off the populace. I have recommended to the General to send for the Municipality, and to tell them that the direction of affairs was in our hands, and that [it would be] at their peril were they to interfere in the embarkation of any property belonging to us. Had not the Ships arrived when they did, yesterday would have lost Bastia: the Ships are laid opposite the Town, with springs. I am sorry to say the Convoy with Southampton is not in sight, and it is calm: Captain not at anchor: it is by the terror of the Ships which will keep order here. If you could send a Ship round and two Transports, it would be very useful. I have sent a Felucca to prepare Capraja: the Rose goes to Elba to direct the stores to be put on board a Transport I left for that purpose. Southampton I shall send to attend at Elba, but that evacuation not to take place till we are finished here, which, according to the present appearances, will be some time. Had not Elba been ours, our Smyrna Convoy and Transports, I believe, would have been lost. The Commissioner arrived safe before six o'clock. All the French prisoners are gone.-Ever yours most faithfully, HORATIO NELSON.

I purpose taking the Ships from Leghorn, when we are absolutely all afloat, or we shall have swarms of Privateers to torment us.