may not have stores for the French. I am going to Genoa to get the post to-morrow, and hope to be here by Saturday night, or Sunday morning. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. Thursday evening. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HON. JOHN TREVOR. [Letter-Book. 28th April P.M.-The batteries fired several shot at us, which we returned. At 4 Cape Delle Melle N. b. W. about two miles. 29th, P.M.-Anchored at Genoa.-Agamemnon's Log.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, off Delle Melle, April 28th, 1796. How I lament the prospect of affairs in Piedmont! and I hear from Genoa that the King of Sardinia is certainly negotiating a peace with the French. How sad all this is, when we know to what shifts the French Army is put to absolutely for common necessaries, and should the whole force of the Enemy be turned against General Beaulieu, I suppose he must retreat, and leave the Enemy unmolested, to journey to all parts of Italy, unless, which I fear is not likely, that double the number of Beaulieu's Army is sent from Germany. It would seem that a proper number of Troops has not been sent to insure success, but very few more than last year, and the Enemy have doubled their Army. I still hope, from the conduct of the French, that the Piedmontese will rouse to a man, and [sic] the French. This they may do, if they are one-half as zealous to defend their Country as the Enemy is to plunder it. We English have to regret that we cannot always decide the fate of Empires on the sea. I am hunting for the French Convoy, and if I find them in any place where there is a probability of attacking them, you may depend they shall be either taken or destroyed at the risk of my Squadron; for at this moment I feel their Convoy is of more consequence than my Squadron, which is built to be risked on proper occasions. We have had a very heavy gale of wind, which has drove us as far to the Westward as Nice; and I fear the Convoy, which perhaps was in some of the Ports near Cape Delle Melle, may take the opportunity of getting the start of us. I was informed the other day that the Convoy had got into Loano; immediately proceeded off that place, but found only four vessels, loaded with muskets, cases of ammunition, rice and wine, which we took. Our loss was trifling in respect to numbers; but, among them, I have to regret one of the Lieutenants of the Agamemnon's. April 29th, Genoa.-I am just arrived, and hear such bad news, that writing is out of the question. I wish I had only 3000 men to command myself. I am vain enough to think I could command on shore as well as some of the Generals I have heard of; but it is past. I shall always feel a glow of gratitude in reflecting on your kind and uniform opinion of my conduct. With the sincerest wishes for your health and happiness, believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged and faithful HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Sir, Agamemnon, off Alessio, April 28th, 1796. The Blanche is returned, but with very few stores-not canvas enough to mend our sails, 10lbs. of twine, no tar, not a spar. We have, literally speaking, no top-gallant yards, no steering sail booms, those we have up are fished: not an ounce of paint, and many other things, the Commissioner tells me, but I send you letters. We want much, and I must beg you will give me your order to purchase stores. I assure you, Sir, not an article shall be got, but what is absolutely necessary. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY FRANCIS DRAKE, ESQ. [Letter-Book.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, off Delle Melle, April 28th, 1796. I have received your letters of April 21st, with the packet for Sir John Jervis, which I shall forward the first opportunity. I am anxious, my dear Sir, to be everywhere, but I really believe my presence may be of more utility in the Gulf, than any place else at present. I want to take or destroy the Convoy expected, and you may depend it shall be done, if there is the smallest possibility. You will, and I wish all the Allies would, give me credit for my earnest endeavours to destroy the Enemy. I have not a thought on any subject separated from the immediate object of my Command, nor a wish to be employed on any other service. So far the Allies, if I may be allowed the expression, are fortunate in having an Officer of this character; but I cannot command winds and weather. A Sea-Officer cannot, like a Land Officer, form plans; his object is to embrace the happy moment which now and then offers-it may be this day, not may not have stores for the French. I am going to Genoa to get the post to-morrow, and hope to be here by Saturday night, or Sunday morning. I am, &c., Thursday evening. HORATIO NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HON. JOHN TREVOR. [Letter-Book. 28th April P.M.-The batteries fired several shot at us, which we returned. At 4 Cape Delle Melle N. b. W. about two miles. 29th, P.M.-Anchored at Genoa.-Agamemnon's Log.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, off Delle Melle, April 28th, 1796. How I lament the prospect of affairs in Piedmont! and I hear from Genoa that the King of Sardinia is certainly negotiating a peace with the French. How sad all this is, when we know to what shifts the French Army is put to absolutely for common necessaries, and should the whole force of the Enemy be turned against General Beaulieu, I suppose he must retreat, and leave the Enemy unmolested, to journey to all parts of Italy, unless, which I fear is not likely, that double the number of Beaulieu's Army is sent from Germany. It would seem that a proper number of Troops has not been sent to insure success, but very few more than last year, and the Enemy have doubled their Army. I still hope, from the conduct of the French, that the Piedmontese will rouse to a man, and [sic] the French. This they may do, if they are one-half as zealous to defend their Country as the Enemy is to plunder it. We English have to regret that we cannot always decide the fate of Empires on the sea. I am hunting for the French Convoy, and if I find them in any place where there is a probability of attacking them, you may depend they shall be either taken or destroyed at the risk of my Squadron; for at this moment I feel their Convoy is of more consequence than my Squadron, which is built to be risked on proper occasions. We have had a very heavy gale of wind, which has drove us as far to the Westward as Nice; and I fear the Convoy, which perhaps was in some of the Ports near Cape Delle Melle, may take the opportunity of getting the start of us. I was informed the other day that the Convoy had got into Loano; immediately proceeded off that place, but found only four vessels, loaded with muskets, cases of ammunition, rice and wine, which we took. Our loss was trifling in respect to numbers; but, among them, I have to regret one of the Lieutenants of the Agamemnon's. April 29th, Genoa.-I am just arrived, and hear such bad news, that writing is out of the question. I wish I had only 3000 men to command myself. I am vain enough to think I could command on shore as well as some of the Generals I have heard of; but it is past. I shall always feel a glow of gratitude in reflecting on your kind and uniform opinion of my conduct. With the sincerest wishes for your health and happiness, believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged and faithful HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Sir, Agamemnon, off Alessio, April 28th, 1796. The Blanche is returned, but with very few stores-not canvas enough to mend our sails, 10lbs. of twine, no tar, not a spar. We have, literally speaking, no top-gallant yards, no steering sail booms, those we have up are fished: not an ounce of paint, and many other things, the Commissioner tells me, but I send you letters. We want much, and I must beg you will give me your order to purchase stores. assure you, Sir, not an article shall be got, but what is absolutely necessary. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY FRANCIS DRAKE, ESQ. [Letter-Book.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, off Delle Melle, April 28th, 1796. I have received your letters of April 21st, with the packet for Sir John Jervis, which I shall forward the first opportunity. I am anxious, my dear Sir, to be everywhere, but I really believe my presence may be of more utility in the Gulf, than any place else at present. I want to take or destroy the Convoy expected, and you may depend it shall be done, if there is the smallest possibility. You will, and I wish all the Allies would, give me credit for my earnest endeavours to destroy the Enemy. I have not a thought on any subject separated from the immediate object of my Command, nor a wish to be employed on any other service. So far the Allies, if I may be allowed the expression, are fortunate in having an Officer of this character; but I cannot command winds and weather. A Sea-Officer cannot, like a Land Officer, form plans; his object is to embrace the happy moment which now and then offers-it may be this day, not Le a monti, and perhaps never. We have had dreadful weather, and been drove so far to the Westward as Nice. If the Coctor was at ateher in any of the Bays, near Cape Dele Malle. I have my fears they have pushed on, by the irst Westerly wind You may have heard of our little business at Leano a few days past. I had heard in the morning that the French Convey of twenty Tartans, and two Bomhards, had arrived there. Unfortunately we only found four Vessels laying under the batteries, which we took One Ship Loaded with earn. one Bombard loaded with muskets and cases of ammunition, one large Tartan of 100 tons loaded with wine, and one with corn. Our loss in numbers was triding, but I have to regret among them Lieutenant Noble, of the Aramemnon, who received a musket ball through his throat. He is vet alive, but we all fear for him. The French have no occasion to send provisions from France. The Coasts are covered with Genoese Vessels with corn, wine, hay, &c., for places on the Coast; and they know I have no power to stop the trade with the Towns. This must be thought of, and if the French are well supplied, the fault must [not] be laid to me. I this day saw not less than forty-five Genoese Vessels, all laden, passing along the Coast. What can I do? April 29th, Genoa. I have this day received your and Mr. Trevor's letters. How bad eighteen days ago the Campaign opened! What has become of Mr. Trevor, I beg leave to inclose you [sic.] I shall send a Ship to the Admiral to-morrow, if possible. We are now harassing the French. I see plainly the utility of your plan for the 3,000 men in Transports. If we had them, we would have done, and will do, wonders. Mr. [sic] assures me, the six sail from Toulon may be expected with the Convoy. I hope the Neapolitans are on their way. Most probably, if I was there they would not pay much attention to a Foreigner. I hope General Beaulieu will be reinforced, and be able to get a fair blow. TO HIS EXCELLENCY FRANCIS DRAKE, ESQ. [Letter-Book.] My dear Sir, Agamemnon, April 30th, 1796. On reading again your dispatches, I find a part of them I have not answered. You may rest assured that the Admiral has no intention whatever to withdraw the Squadron from s Gulf, and we shall always keep a good look-out, should embarkation take place; but you are well aware how |