French before did not take possession of, nor did the Austrians. The Guns in the Batteries at Vado were spiked, but I suppose they will soon be cleared again. I was in Vado Bay on the 29th November, and saw the French in full possession. Meleager joined me on the 30th, at night, and I have directed Captain Cockburn to cruise off Vado, to prevent any of our Ships from going in, and to perform such other services as, on consultation with Mr. Drake, may be most for His Majesty's Service. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, G.C.B. 6th December.-Anchored in Leghorn Roads. 29th.-Arrived H. M. Ships Barfleur (Admiral Waldegrave), Blanche Frigate, Peterell Sloop, and Convoy, from England.-Agamemnon's Log.] Sir, Agamemmon, Leghorn Roads, December 8th, 1795. As I find that the Lowestoffe and her Convoy are safe, for the protection of whom I left Meleager to cruise off Vado Bay, of course the object is at an end: therefore I beg leave to acquaint you where she will be found, whenever you think proper to send for her. I also beg leave to observe that two or three Vessels in the Port of Genoa will be unloaded, and wishing for a Convoy to Leghorn, and that the Meleager, if you please, can perform that service. The Brune Frigate and several stout Privateers are at Genoa. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B., COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. [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. 121.] Leghorn Roads, December 21st, 1795. Sir, I cannot allow the Lively to have a chance of falling in with you, without telling you of our state. We are getting on very fast with our caulking; our head is secured; our rigging nearly overhauled; and our other matters in as great a state of forwardness as I could expect at this season of the year; I hope by the first week in January, the Agamemnon will be as fit for sea, as a rotten Ship can be. I have wrote to Genoa, directing Captain Cockburn to take the Ships in that Port under his protection to Leghorn; but should they, from any change of circumstances, not wish to leave Genoa, then to join me here by the 31st of Decem ber, when I shall order him to be ready for sea. By letters from Mr. Drake, December 8th, at Milan, it appears that the French, after having attempted to get into the plain of Piedmont, in which they failed, had retired into winter-quarters. The defeat of General de Vins' Army, and also General Colli's being forced from Venice on the 28th November, had thrown the Court of Turin into the greatest consternation, and had nearly produced offers of Peace to the Enemy, which must have been disadvantageous to His Sardinian Majesty. However, their fears are now, I hope, quieted. The loss of the Austrian Army is not yet ascertained, but it is supposed to exceed 4,500 men, killed, wounded, and deserters. The oldest Officers of the Army assure Mr. Drake they never have been witnesses to so total a defeat. General Wallis has 18,000 men with him, and stragglers are joining their corps very fast: he is near Acqui, in a very good position for the defence of Piedmont. I understand that General has wrote to Sir Hyde Parker, since his defeat, but which I hear he is pleased to call a check, complaining of a want of co-operation on our parts. I take for granted, neither Sir Hyde or you will fully answer his letter, till I have an opportunity of explaining the whole of my conduct. His Excellency Mr. Drake, His Majesty's Minister at the Head-Quarters of the Army, to whom I always communicated all my proceedings, has borne to Lord Grenville the fullest approbation of my conduct. I shall only trouble you with one observation, which will almost furnish an answer to any letter General Wallis may have written, which is, that the part of the Austrian Army which had to sustain an attack in front, as well as the terrible fire of the Gun-boats, was the only part of the Army which was not forced, and the only part which retreated in a body; a proof clear to my mind, that either the Gun-boats did little or no mischief, or that the other parts of the line were not equally well defended. I have wrote to General Wallis to congratulate him, that (under the great misfortune) where he commanded all went well. I have been long on my guard against these gentlemen; and months ago apprised them of what would one day happen; but they believed themselves invincible. My health is but very indifferent, but I hope I shall get better. Believe me, &c., HORATIO NELSON. I shall not attempt to give you English news. Lord Garlies will tell you more in a minute than I could write in a quire. However, all seems quiet in England. 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. pp. 125-6.] Sir, Agamemnon, Gulf of Genoa, 27th January, 1796. Yesterday I joined the Meleager and Blanche, but the weather was too bad to have any communication till this morning: there is no appearance of any number of Vessels being collected, from Nice to Genoa, and no Vessel of war; therefore, any large embarkation cannot at present be intended on this Coast. As to a mere plundering party, in a few Feluccas, perhaps it is out of the power of our whole Fleet to prevent it; but I shall do my best. I send the Blanche to Genoa, with letters for Mr. Trevor and Mr. Drake, requesting them to give me all the information in their power, both in respect to the Austrian and Sardinian Armies, as also of the French and of the Toulon Fleet. I shall send or call every week off Genoa for any letters, and to get information. Although I have taken two Vessels loaded with corn to France, whose cargoes will be condemned, if the same policy is held by the Court of England which has hitherto been, yet I am sorry to say two others, from its falling little wind, got under the batteries of Monaco. 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. January 14th, 1796.-Anchored here H. M. Ship Zealous, with the corpse of Lord Harvey on board. 16th.-Weighed. 18th.-Noon, saw the Fleet in Fiorenzo Bay. 19th.-Anchored in St. Fiorenzo Bay-manned ship and cheered Sir John Jervis. 21st.-Weighed. 23rd.-A.M. Boarded a Venetian Brig laden with corn bound to France; sent a Midshipman and seven seamen on board, and sent her off for Fiorenzo. 30th.-Anchored in Port Especia.-Agamemnon's Log.] Sir, Agamemnon, at Sea, January 23rd, 1796. In the night I stopped a Venetian Vessel, loaded with corn from the Morea, bound to Genoa, but the Master says, to Marseilles, or Nice, which I must believe, as I have taken him to the Westward of Nice, steering N. W. The wind at N. E. He passed between Elba and Corsica, as sufficient proof of his destination, and that his papers are false. If it is right to stop all corn bound to France, he is a good prize; if not, I beg you will order him to be released, and I will take no more. It blows very strong to the N. E. at present, and the Vessel having fell on board us, and carried away her bowsprit, which obliges me to lay to, to endeavour to save his foremast. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. The Master, and Passenger, a Tunisian, declares the papers are false, and that they were only made to pass the English Cruizers, but that the cargo belongs to Tunisians, and is going to France to be sold. The acknowledgment of the papers being false, I hope will be sufficient for condemnation of the cargo. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HON. JOHN TREVOR, MINISTER AT TURIN. [From a copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. A part of this Letter is in vol. ii. pp. 128, 129. February 4th.-Weighed. Blanche in company. 5th.-Anchored in Genoa Mole. 9th.-Up anchor-took a Merchant Ship in tow. 11th.-Cast off the ship we towed from Genoa. P.M. anchored in Leghorn Roads. 12th.Manned ship and cheered the Commander-in-Chief. 14th.-Weighed and made sail, Blanche in company. 19th.-Off Cape Sicie. 20th, P.M.-Heard several reports of guns in Toulon Harbour. 23rd. A.M.-Stood into Toulon Bay-saw the Enemy's Fleet, consisting of 13 sail of the Line, 5 Frigates, 1 Brig (and 2 Ships in the Arsenal, doubtful if of the Line or not). At half-past 10 two Batteries from the shore opened their fire upon us-many shot went over, but none struck us. From 8 to 12 standing in and off shore in Toulon Bay. At noon Cape Sepet N.N.W. 5 or 6 miles. P.M. fresh breezes with rain. At quarter-past noon saw seven sail of our Fleet. At half-past 1 the Fleet joined us the Forts firing as we passed Cape Sepet-answered the signal for a Midshipman. Came on board, Mr. James M'Arthur as Acting Lieutenant. At 5 made the Blanche's signal to keep company with us. Made sail and parted from the Fleet.-Agamemnon's Log.] Dear Sir, Agamemnon, at Sea, 24th February, 1796. But When I left Genoa the beginning of this month, I went to Leghorn with a Convoy, from whence the Admiral directed me to examine the Port of Toulon, where he was to join me so soon as the Fleet was fitted, which he did yesterday. I had good opportunities of examining, with a seaman's eye, the state of their Ships, as far as outward show goes; and I have no doubt in my mind, but that they are fitting for sea. I should think it will be near a month before they are out, although with activity, which they do not want on occasion, it may be sooner. Thirteen Sail of the Line, and five Frigates, except having their sails bent, are perfectly ready: some others are masted and are in the Arsenal; but of these I cannot speak from my own knowledge. I am on my passage to Genoa, and hope to hear of intended movements of the Austrian Army towards Vado. I am sure, from Sir John's own mouth, that nothing will be wanting on his part towards an effectual co-operation, consistent with the other services which you so well know are required of an English Admiral; but I can take upon me to say, that Sir John will come to Vado Bay, and future plans may then be better concerted. I cannot help thinking the taking of Vado is a VOL, VII. great object, and it must be done early in the spring, or the Enemy's Fleet may with ease cover a body of Troops in Transports into Italy, which, if we possess, I will venture to say, they cannot with their present Fleet. As the Admiral is punctual in answering letters, and has so lately wrote you, I have but little to say. I hear no more of my promotion, and whether the Agamemnon goes home with the first Convoy is not yet certain; but I believe we shall have a Battle before any Convoy sails, and which pray God send; for the event, under so active and good an Admiral, who can doubt of success? I shall keep this open till my arrival at Genoa. At present, we are in a gale of Easterly wind. Genoa, March 2nd. I am just arrived, and favoured by your three letters of February 6th, 13th and 18th, for which I am much obliged. From the state of the French at Toulon, if the Admiral had small Vessels, he could not venture to unman his Fleet. I was six days in sight of Toulon; and could each day see a visible getting forward of their Ships. I sincerely hope our Fleet has not experienced the heavy gale we have lately had. If they have, I should fear some of them are damaged; and in that case we shall certainly have the French Fleet at sea directly; for the Ships seem by no means in bad order. I sincerely hope we shall once more possess Vado. It is the only place which will prevent, in a certain degree, the French from getting plenty of provisions. Believe me, dear Sir, your much obliged and faithful Servant, HORATIO NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY FRANCIS DRAKE, ESQ. [From a copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. A part of this Letter is in pp. 128, 129.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, at Sea, February 28th, 1796. After I went to Leghorn with the Ship Hope from Genoa, the Admiral desired me to look into Toulon; for all fears for Massa and Carrara are at an end, and if the Expedition was intended, we have kept it off, till whoever is Sovereign of the Country have had time sufficient to get Troops from Vienna: therefore I trust they do not now look to us for protection; and, if it should be true that the Sovereign will not send any Troops to protect his Dominions, I cannot help thinking they deserve what may happen, for there, or thereabouts, the French will make a landing, if they can get along the Coast. The French have thirteen Sail ready for sea, of the Line, and five Frigates-all but their sails bent. What |