ready to proceed to Leghorn the moment I may join you. It is hardly possible for me to tell you the schemes of the French to annoy the Austrians; but this I am certain, that if I had not arrived here at the time I fortunately did, that a very large party would have taken post between Voltri and Savona. The Brune is now hauled into the Inner Mole, and inside many Merchant Ships, as also the Privateers, and Vessels which they had hired. The object was-in which, I fear, they had support from some Genoese, if not from the Government-to force General de Vins to have sent so many men from his advanced posts to have combated what would then have been a shadow, by which means the French might have made a successful attack on his posts, and the Austrians have been driven out of the Riviera. Nothing has saved this Army but the British Squadron. I cannot move till I get some of our Squadron here. I am laying at single anchor outside the Mole-Head. HORATIO NELSON.

I am, &c.,

If any your superior Officer should arrive, you will please to communicate to him this letter. I have the pleasure to assure you that the French Army is not only totally defeated on the Rhine, but that, as an army, it is totally destroyed. All the cannon and baggage are in possession of the victors. Yesterday assured us that Manheim was taken, and 25,000 men prisoners: to-day that Mayence has fallen. I have seen the letters. All in that quarter is successful.

TO CAPTAIN MIDDLETON, OR THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS IN VADO BAY.

[Autograph in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.]

Sir, Agamemnon, Genoa, November 19th, 1795. Sir Hyde Parker has told me that Meleager, Dido, and two Cutters are coming to join me. If they are arrived, or when they do arrive, I would have you proceed as expeditiously as possible with your Prize to Leghorn, and you will rejoin me in as short a time as possible. Some papers which I got from the Master of the Brig, I shall forward to Leghorn by the post, and from what the Master has said, I have no doubt as to the cargo, and but very little that the hull is absolutely French property. I told the Master to declare the truth before the Commissioners at Leghorn, and that if, from his declaration, the Vessel and cargo were made prizes of, that the Captors would make up his loss of voyage, by giving him £200 sterling. This is only conditional, that both Vessel and cargo are condemned in consequence of his

telling the truth. An Expedition is fitting out here for some purpose. I cannot quit the Port for the present. Manheim has surrendered, and 20,000 men prisoners of war. All the French train of artillery, stores, and clothing are taken, and the total loss of the French is more than 50,000 men. I am, Sir, yours very faithfully. HORATIO NELSON.

I cannot get the Neapolitan Feluccas to go down. You will see I wrote you some days past. I have wrote the Commander of the Gallies that he must keep his Vessels in readiness for service, in the present very critical situation of

affairs.

TO CAPTAIN MIDDLETON, OR THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS IN VADO BAY.

[Autograph in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Sir, Agamemnon, Genoa, November 19th, 1795. I am to desire, immediately on the receipt of this letter, that you will direct the Speedy Brig, or one of the Cutters or Frigates, if any of them are in Vado, to join me in this Port, with all possible expedition, as I want them for service of the greatest importance. If the Inconstant is at Vado, I have orders for Captain Fremantle, and desire the Inconstant may come to me without loss of time. I am here by no means pleasantly situated. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON.

N.B.-A Cutter, in preference to any other Vessel, to

be sent me.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR HYDE PARKER.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. An imperfect copy of this Letter is given in vol. ii. p. 103.]

Sir, Agamemnon, Genoa Road, November 20th, 1795. Upon consultation with his Excellency Mr. Drake, I have determined on sending a Vessel to you, with the enclosed reports of the state of the Ships in Toulon. It is needless for me to make any further observation on their contents, than that if the Enemy's Squadron come on this Coast, and land from three to four thousand men between Genoa and Savona,

I am assured that either the whole Austrian Army will be defeated, or they must instantly retreat into Piedmont, and abandon their artillery and stores. We are well acquainted with the French plans, and of the well-founded expectation they have of raising an insurrection of the Genoese peasantry, in a particular valley between this and Vado. I have not (which probably you know) been on former occasions back

ward in representing to Admiral Hotham my thoughts, that at one time or other, the French would make a push on this Coast, and my wishes for a reinforcement of two 74-gun Ships, and that the Frigates should not be diminished; the latter, Í am sorry to say, is done.

The extraordinary events which have taken place here, and the Expedition which would now sail from this Port, was I to withdraw the Agamemnon', will render it a measure of necessity always to keep a superior force to the French at this place, with orders to attack the Enemy, if they presume to sail. They have broke the Neutrality, and the Genoese have not called on me for my word to respect it. They are fully aware (I think) what my answer must be. Should the French Squadron come into Genoa, the debarkation can take place round the Lanthern at St. Pierre d'Arena. The Genoese have not the means of preventing it, and the safety of the Agamemnon becomes very precarious.

The Government, two nights ago, ordered a guard of forty men for Mr. Drake's house, about five miles from Genoa, as they were fearful for his personal safety. I believe they intend to recommend his residing in the Town, but which Mr. Drake is determined not to do. I have taken the liberty of breaking open the Rendezvous which you sent for Captain Fremantle, and I am, with great respect, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

5 20th October.-Weighed. 23rd.-P.M. Cape Garoupe, N.W. b. W. about 2 miles. The Fort fired two shot at us-Flora in company. 25th.-Off Toulon. 26th.-Off Marseilles. 29th.-P.M. Saw a Tartan in shore-made sail, and stood in after her-fired three shot at the chase, and brought her to. She proved to be French, laden with 70 barrels of powder, and 1036 six-pound shot sent the boats manned and armed after two Tartans, then in shore-the boats returned with one laden with flour and bacon. The Flora joined company, with a Danish Brig from Cette, bound to Hamburgh. November 3rd.-A.M. Fired a gun at a strange sail, who not bringing to, fired several shot at her, and musketry. She then brought-to-sent the Cutter with a Lieutenant and six men on board her. At 4 ditto weather, reefed top-sails-the main and mizen top-sail split in several places. At daylight saw several Vessels in shore, who would not bring-to-fired several shot at them-the Vessels chased saved themselves in the Bays of Alassio and Languila. At noon, Cape Noli N.N.E. E. 4 or 5 leagues-found that after boarding the Vessel the Cutter swamped-lost William Rolf (Seaman). P.M. Strong gale of wind with a high sea from the S.W.-in chase of a Brig-the Prize at some distance in shore. At 3 the Prize carried away her foremast-saw a French Gun-boat rowing out from Alassio to attack her-sent the boats manned and armed to her assistance. At 4 the sea running very high from the S.W., the ship labouring very much-carried away our mizen top-mast, split the jib, mizen top-mast staysail, main top-gallant sail, and mizen top-sail. At 7 took the Prize in tow-hoisted in the barge and pinnace and made sail. At 11 the yawl astern swamped, and was lost with all her furniture, not being able to hoist her in. Prize in tow. 5th.-Anchored in Vado Bay. 13th.-Weighed and made sail along shore to the eastward. P.M. Anchored in Genoa Mole. 17th.-Hove up the anchor and made sail from Genoa-the Neapolitan and Sicilian Gallies and Austrian Privateers sailed from Genoa for Leghorn.—Agamemnon's Log.

November 21st.-I am sorry to add that I have received letters from Leghorn, telling me that the Moselle is not arrived there; and as she left Vado thirteen days ago for Leghorn, I am, from her very bad state, under some apprehensions for her safety. The Speedy Brig is also missing seventeen days; but our weather is so extremely bad in this Gulf, that Sails, nor Ships, or people can remain at sea for a long time. This morning, at daylight, the Austrians took possession of the French empty magazines at St. Pierre d'Arena, and their sentinels are now close to the gates of Genoa. Mr. Drake thinks General de Vins has done wrong in doing it. He demanded satisfaction and payment of the Genoese Government, and, without waiting for their answer, has taken satisfaction himself. Had the General done so at first, he would have found full magazines, instead of empty ones. By his conduct he has liberated the Genoese from their difficulties: things here are so changeable, that I cannot guess what may happen to-morrow. You may be assured I shall pursue a steady moderate line of conduct. H. N. Peace is the univeral cry, as the King went to Parliament. This comes through France.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DRAKE.

[Autograph in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] My dear Sir, Genoa, November 22nd, 1795. If the letter of Lord Grenville (which I suppose it must, by its being directed to you to inquire into) is intended to convey an insinuation or suspicion, on his part, of the infamous and scandalous behaviour of the conduct of myself, or His Majesty's Officers under my orders, I must request you will favour me with an official copy of his Lordship's letter, and also an attested translation of the Paper sent with it, that I may have an opportunity of expressing my sentiments on the villanous Paper sent, and also on his Lordship's suspicions, which must hurt my feelings so much, that unless I can clear myself to your Excellency in the first instance, as the first step towards convincing His Majesty that I am an Officer that has ever pursued the road of honour, very different from that to wealth, I shall humbly request that my Admiral will recall me from a Command which for a moment I am thought unworthy to fill. If you do not come to Town, Mr. Brame and myself will be with you at ten o'clock. I am, dear Sir, your much injured

• Vide vol. ii. p. 103.

HORATIO NELSON.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR HYDE PARKER.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. Two short passages of this Letter are in vol. ii. p. 111.]

Sir, Agamemmon, at Sea, December 2nd, 1795. Although from circumstances I have reason to believe that you are acquainted that Vado is in possession of the French, yet I think it my duty to acquaint you of as much of the matter as I know. Reports say the Speedy Brig went into Vado, as also a Frigate, and three Merchant-Ships; therefore, as I have seen none of them, which I own I am a little surprised at, I take for granted they are returned to St. Fiorenzo. Mr. Drake and myself hired a Vessel at Genoa to carry dispatches to you, and I took the liberty to break open Captain Fremantle's letter, to find out where the Fleet was. The purport of my letter was to send you a Report of the state of the Ships in Toulon, the certainty of the intended debarkation between Genoa and Savona, and a letter from Mr. Drake. I directed the Master of the Vessel, if he fell in with any Ships of ours, to deliver the dispatches to him. If not, to deliver them to the Consul at Mahon. Not having any Ships with me, I had it not in my power to prevent the Enemy's Gun-Boats from annoying the flank of the Austrian Army, which I am given to understand the Generals mean to make the most of. However, I am satisfied, as is I believe, the whole Army, that I have done everything in my power to render them assistance. My being at Genoa, by the requisition of the General at Vado, the Imperial Minister, the Colonel commanding the Troops at St. Pierre d'Arena, and of Mr. Drake, although contrary to my wishes, has fortunately been the means of saving about eight or ten thousand Austrians, and most probably of De Vins himself, who came the road which, but for my prevention, would have been in possession of the French. I assure you, Sir, I never more regretted not being able to divide the Agamemnon. General Wallis is retreated to Ormea, with about 10,000 men; this is all, we know, that are collected; for the Troops from Vado, Savona, and on the Coast between Savona and Genoa, ran away, I am told, in the utmost confusion, and are gone towards Milan.

I am sorry to say I have a Lieutenant, two Midshipmen, and sixteen men taken in the Town of Savona', which the

7 29th November.-At noon, Savona, N. b. W. W. 3 or 4 miles-Sent the jolly boat with a Lieutenant and Midshipman to Savona on duty. P.M. At 6 finding the jolly boat was detained, bore up. 30th.-P.M. Sent a boat with an Officer on shore at Genoa on duty. Three quarters past 4, the boat returned. Made sail, the Meleager in company. December 1st.-P.M. At 2 anchored off Genoa Mole. At quarter past 4 weighed and made sail-the Meleager parted company.-Agamemnon's Log.