since he sailed from Syracuse; but I am sure, if the destroying the Ships can be done by the Bomb-Ships, he will do it. Minotaur and a Frigate are at Leghorn; and whenever the Great Duke can part with them, they return here, as both of them are ordered down the Mediterranean. I have four Sail of the Line I could give up with much pleasure, ! but one of my friends I cannot so readily part with. Goliah is ordered to carry Sir William and Lady Hamilton to England, whenever they choose to quit this Country. As for me, I expect either to take root and vegetate here, or be dried as a mummy before July is past; for I have promised that my Flag shall not go out of the Mole of Palermo, without the approbation of the Court, and that I never expect to get. But who can say how long this will be a Monarchy, February 8th.-The Calabrese are as yet loyal; but as the Vesuvian Republic is formed, it cannot, unless the Emperor moves, be long in that state. As to my health it is very indifferent, but whilst I can do good, I am content.-Ever believe me, with the greatest respect, &c., NELSON. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] My dear Lord, Palermo, February 13th, 1799. Our news from Calabria is very bad, as most of the Towns have erected the Tree of Liberty, and it approaches the Coast towards Sicily, and in this Island are many discontented people, who have shown themselves in various places, in a manner contrary to law, and nearly approaching rebellion. Thus situated, who can say that the chance is not that the Royal Family will not be obliged to once more take refuge under the British Flag? I have letters from Mr. Wyndham at Florence, of February 7th. He represents the situation of Tuscany as very critical. The French make no scruple of declaring their intention of revolutionising the Grand Duchy. His Excellency has requested Captain Louis to remain at Leghorn until it is seen whether the Emperor moves forward. The scoundrels of French, not content with turning the King of Sardinia out of Piedmont, intended seizing his person after he left Leghorn, by some of their Privateers, and to carry him to Corsica; for if they can help it, His Majesty will never get to Sardinia. Captain Louis has been applied to for to permit the Terpsichore to go, as if by accident, in company with the Vessel; for to such a state of degradation is this Monarch reduced, that he dare not publicly accept of the offered protection of the British Flag. The moment Terpsichore arrives, she shall go off for Gibraltar. His Holiness the Pope is dead. The French ordered him, although living in Tuscany, to quit that Country, and repair to Sardinia, and when he represented his ill state of health, Salicetti was present when the old man's blisters were taken off, to see he did not sham. However, he is at rest from all his cares and troubles, and in truth he is to be envied. As to myself I see but gloomy prospects, look which way I will. We have accounts that 60,000 Russians are arrived at Salzburg (the German side of the Tyrol), but as the Russians have been marching the whole war, so they will, I fear, arrive too late in Italy. At present I see but little prospect of the fall of Malta. Several Vessels with provisions are got in. Ball is indefatigable, and has great hopes. In short, my dear Lord, everything makes me sick-to see things go to the devil, and not to have the means of prevention. El Corso is just going to Corfu to try and get some Turks and Russians to come to Messina. Mutine was to have gone, but she is found in want of many repairs, that I must send her to Coffin at Minorca. I hope very soon to hear of Troubridge. I shall rejoice to see him back again.-God bless you, my dear Lord, and believe me, ever your faithful and obliged NELSON. TO EARL SPENCER. My dear Lord, Palermo, 17th February, 1799. Things are fast approaching to a crisis in this Country. As I have before said, they hate the French, but they are many of them discontented; and the near approach of the Enemy in Calabria, makes me fear for Messina, which is the key of Sicily. Ten thousand men are required for the defence of the Town, and three thousand for the Citadel, and this good King has no persons that he can trust. When Troubridge comes from Egypt I shall order him to Messina, and try if I cannot reinforce that important garrison with three or four hundred Marines. They may give an example of discipline which will be useful to their Soldiers and Militia. It was my intention, could the Citadel have been defended by 1000 or 1200 men, to have offered my friend Troubridge to the King, and to have formed that number of British from the Squadron, for its defence, but at present it is beyond my power. 3000 British Troops, I affirm, would save this Kingdom, and without them it is indeed in great jeopardy; but what can be done, your Lordship may depend shall be done for the preservation of this very important Island. I fear during the late hard gales some Vessels with provisions have got into Malta, which will of course prolong its defence; and the Maltese, although I have no doubt but they would follow, do not like in an assault to take the lead; but my friend Ball has sanguine hopes of the fall of La Valette very soon, and I will say that if it can be done, by judgment, gallantry, and the most conciliating manner that ever man was blessed with, my dear friend Ball is the person.-Believe me, my dear Lord, your most faithful servant, NELSON. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B,] My dear Lord, Palermo, March 10th, 1799. The Terpsichore came in yesterday from Leghorn and Cagliari, to the last of which places she had safely conveyed the unfortunate King of Sardinia. By letters from Leghorn -not from Mr. Wyndham, I find the Russian Army was at Inspruck, in the Tyrol, on February 6th. This is only one week's march from Verona: therefore, if the Emperor moves forward with them, I see a gleam of well-founded hope, that Italy may yet be recovered. There are insurrections against the French almost in every part: Civita Vecchia 2,500 French and Cisalpines have been defeated. Genoa is also very riotous against the new system of War with England. Europe may yet be happy, if Austria and Prussia will exert itself. In this Island we are improving daily in loyalty, and attachment to the good King and Queen. The poor King of Sardinia has wrote me a letter, requesting my looking on him. I shall answer His Majesty with respect, and do everything in my power to serve him. At 9 o'clock I was most agreeably surprised at the appearance of General Stuart, who has brought with him 1000 English Troops. This conduct of the General most assuredly demands the warmest gratitude from His Sicilian Majesty, and I have no doubt but he will experience it. This goodness of General Stuart reflects upon him the highest honour. He has probably, by his quick decision, not only saved this Kingdom, but may be the instrument of driving the French out of the Kingdom of Naples. It will be an electrical shock to the good and the bad. God bless you, my dear Lord, and believe me ever, your affectionate NELSON. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] My dear Lord, Palermo, March 20th, 1799. Captain Drummond says he is very anxious to serve up the Mediterranean, and as Bomb-Ships are very much wanted, I have to request that your Lordship will have the goodness to direct that the Bull-Dog may be speedily repaired, and as many Sea-Mortars (say four) put on board her as possible, with any number of Shells General O'Hara will give us, and Captain Drummond returned under my command.-Ever my dear Lord, your affectionate NELSON. TO EARL SPENCER. [Autograph in the Spencer Papers. An imperfect copy of this Letter is in vol. iii. p. 316.] Palermo, 6th April, 1799. My dear Lord, I have to thank you for your letters of December 24th and 25th, duplicates of which also arrived by sea the same day. I am happy that everything which I have done respecting Malta, has been exactly what has been wished at home. To say the truth, the possession of Malta by England, would be a useless and enormous expense; yet any expense should be incurred, rather than suffer it to remain in the hands of the French. Therefore, as I did not trouble myself about the establishing again the Order of St. John at Malta, Sir William Hamilton has a written assurance from His Sicilian Majesty that he will never cede the Sovereignty of the Island to any Power, without the consent of His Britannic Majesty. The poor Islanders have been so grievously oppressed by the Order, that many times have we been pressed to accept of the Island for Great Britain; and I know if we had, His Sicilian Majesty would have been contented. But, as I have said before, I attach no value to it for us; but it is a place of such consequence to the French, that any expense ought to be incurred to drive them out. I have this moment letters from Captain Ball, stating the distress of the Island, and his fears that when the harvest comes, which will be in three weeks, they may make their peace with the French, in the belief that Sicily will fall into VOL. VII. m their hands before winter; on the other hand, the garrison is in great distress, and eat up with the scurvy. The Bashaw of Tripoli, having made a treaty with Buonaparte, on February 24th, and received a present of diamonds, I wrote him a letter on the subject, and sent it by the Vanguard; Captain Hardy brought me back a letter of promise of future good conduct. I can now get to more interesting subjects. Being sensible that by a close blockade of Naples with the largest force I could collect, must prevent any French Troops from being sent against the Christian Armies (as they are named) in the Provinces, I sent my friend Troubridge, with five Sail of the Line, on this service, and directed him to use every means in his power to take Procida, in order to secure the anchorage: he sailed on the 31st ultimo. Yesterday I had the most satisfactory letters from him, of his complete possession of all the Islands in the Bay of Naples, and of his getting possession of all Jacobin municipality, officers, &c. Some well-timed and speedy punishments will have the happiest effects. The French are not more than 2000 Troops in Naples, and about 20,000 Civic troops; the last are weathercocks, and will always be on the side of the conqueror. We are anxious for the promised succours of Russian troops; 10,000 would possess Naples in twenty-four hours. It is natural, my dear Lord, that I should be anxious for the rise of a beloved brother, after thirty years' service, to something beyond a Clerk. A Commissioner's situation was my desire for him, but I submit, that it is not right at present for my wishes on this point being complied with. I observe what your Lordship is pleased to say about the worst Ships being destroyed. I do not enter on the subject, lest it might so happen that a new Ship might be most battered. But I thank you sincerely for all your attentions to me, and with my very kindest respects to Lady Spencer, believe me ever your obliged and faithful NELSON. TO EARL SPENCER. My dear Lord, Palermo, 12th April, 1799. Since I wrote my former letter, Captain Troubridge has informed me that he has taken possession of the Island of Capri and the Ponzo Islands, the inhabitants of which are as loyal as heart can wish. Captain T. has opened a com |