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ever concerns the health of the Seamen, which is my reason for mentioning this circumstance; for believe me, dear Sir, with the highest esteem, your most obliged

HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. A fragment of this Letter is printed in vol. i. p. 175, from Clarke and M'Arthur, as if it were a part of the preceding Letter.]

Sir. Agamemnon, Gulf of Genoa, May 30th, 1796. The Meleager joined me yesterday from Genoa; and I send you all the letters and information received by her. It would appear that Mr. Trevor's postscript is very much later than his first letter. Its complexion is very different from the letter: the letter being all despair, the postscript all hope. Why we are to look towards Porto Conté is not expressed. Is it that French principles are imported there? That seems already done. Can it be that if Troops or Ships are sent from France, they will go there? That appears by the Treaty to be needless. Or is it that an embarkation from Sardinia may take place to assist the rebels in Corsica? From its being mentioned with Corsica affairs, I am led to believe this is meant; but I know not how we can get at the knowledge, unless a Ship is sent there, or the Vice-Roy sends spies to look out. The latter, perhaps, is the most eligible. Mr. Trevor seems to think a Spanish war is almost unavoidable, and that the French, after all their protestations, will take possession of Leghorn. My mind is clear, if they have force to penetrate further into Italy, they will possess themselves of Leghorn. The Toulon information is, as I always thought it, pleasant to know, but never to be depended upon; all is guess, they may go east, west, north, or south. These Commissioners know nothing, they write a history to get money; in this, I fancy, they succeed wonderfully well. I hope to hear soon from Mr. Drake of the actual situation of the Armies, and if he has hopes: if Mr. Drake has none, (for he will have them, if within probability, however distant,) I

shall have not the smallest.

Mr. Brame's letter gives an account of insurrections: this must embarrass the French General. The Speedy has joined me, and from her rowing, if anything is to be done close in shore, she is more likely to effect it than any of us. The Surgeon of the Blanche being dead, and Captain Sawyer having applied to me for the Surgeon of the Speedy to act till your pleasure is known, I have directed Mr. Robert

Smith, Surgeon of the Speedy, to act in the Blanche. I shall beg leave to refer you to Captain Cockburn for any little occurrences which have taken place; and 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. An imperfect copy of this Letter is in vol. i. p. 179.

"31st May. P.M. at 2 saw a Convoy of small Vessels in shore steering to the Eastward. Made the Signal for a general chase. The Boats of the Squadron proceeded to cut out the French Vessels at St. Stefano-let go the best bower anchor, in 5 fathoms water-the Speedy anchored-the Enemy opened their fire from a Bombard and 3 Ketches-employed carrying out hawsers, &c., to get the Vessels off-came out one Brig, one Bombard, and three Ketches-the Prizes all out at sea. June 1st. A.M.-At 7, up anchor and made sail.”—Agamemnon's Log.] Dear Sir, Agamemnon, off Nice, June 2nd, 1795.

I have sent the Diadem, with all the prizes, (except the armed Ketch,) first to San Fiorenzo, where the Brig, and, if not too leaky, the Ketch, loaded with ordnance stores, are to be left; and I have wrote the Viceroy, if he wants any of them for the Island, I shall direct them to be landed. The mortars are wonderfully fine, thirteen and a half inch: but the number of either cannon or mortars we know not. Everything seems put on board in confusion. The Vessel with brandy, and the Gun-boat, if not wanted in Corsica, I have desired Captain Towry to carry to Leghorn, where, having completed his provisions, to join me off Cape Noli. I have kept the Ketch with me, and put a Mate and a few men into her, and occasionally shall send her in-shore, where she may be of great use; she sails and rows exceedingly well, and just hove down, and completely refitted. By papers found, sixteen sail of Transports are destined for Vado, with ordnance stores for the siege, and cannoniers. I wish we may get any of the others, but the chance is much against us: I can only promise, that I will not miss an opportunity. I have an account of the exact force of the Enemy the 6th of February, sent to General Buonaparte: it consists, including the garrisons of Toulon and the whole Coast, 65,000 men. The Army, when Buonaparte took the command, was effective 30,875. Probably many of the 65,000 are gone forward; but still, on the whole, the force is not so great as I believed; and if the report is true, of the peasantry having taken arms, it yet gives hopes that the Army of the Enemy may repent of their advance into Italy, especially if the Emperor sends reinforcements to General Beaulieu. I have got the charts of Italy sent by the Direc

tory to Buonaparte, also Maillebois' Wars in Italy, Vauban's Attack and Defence of Places, Prince Eugene's History; all sent for the General. If Buona Parti is ignorant, the Directory, it would appear, wish to instruct him: pray God he may remain ignorant.

In my public letter it is impossible to enumerate every individual; but next to Captain Cockburn stands Captain Stuart of the Peterel: Spicer commanded the Boats which first boarded the Ketch, under the heavy fire, and had a little skirmish when on board, and to whom the Commander surrendered.

I have found the list of all the cargoes of the sixteen Vessels we have taken. The of the brass Cannon, which I am sorry to say is only two; of the large mortars; of the 24-pound shot; of the shells; of other articles it is impossible to express. Believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged and faithful humble servant,

HORATIO NELSON.

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 in vol. i. p. 180.]

Dear Sir, June 3rd, 1796. The Southampton has this moment joined me, and I shall directly proceed to St. Fiorenzo, and effect the exchange as soon as possible. I feel obligations to you on every occa sion, since I have had the pleasure to serve under your command; and I endeavour, by an assiduous attention to my duty, to merit the continuance of your good opinion. I shall not go to Pisa at present, we may be useful here; and, to say the truth, when I am actively employed I am not so bad. My complaint is as if a girth was buckled taut over my breast, and my endeavours, in the night, is to get it loose. If the Service will admit of it, perhaps I shall at a future day take your leave. I have manned and put a Lieutenant into the Ketch: she will be of the greatest service. I will not keep the Southampton a moment: therefore shall conclude by assuring you how much I am your faithful humble servant,

HORATIO NELSON.

I wish, Sir, Captain Cockburn had the Minerve; he is worthy of her, or a better Ship. My poor Soldier-officer wishes much to go with me, and his Regiment is by far in greater numbers than the 25th, which, I think, is on board the Egmont; if it is possible, pray Sir, indulge me.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. Some extracts from this Letter are in vol. i. p. 181.

"June 4th. Anchored in St. Fiorenzo Bay."-Agamemnon's Log.]

Dear Sir, I never was more surprised than on my arrival here to find Sutton does not wish to go to England, except in the Egmont. I feel full of gratitude for your good wishes towards me, and highly flattered by your desire to have me continue to serve under your command, which I own would afford me infinite satisfaction. I therefore beg leave to propose some measures which may still give me that pleasure.

Agamemnon, San Fiorenzo, June 4th, 1796.

The first is, the Agamemnon can certainly remain in this Country for the next three months, but she must be in England before the winter. Another is, that if a Sixty-four is ordered to go, that although Diadem is certainly in better plight than Agamemnon, yet in point of sailing she is much inferior. The third is, if you really think that the Admiralty will order my flag to be hoisted in this Country, that you direct me to hoist my Pendant on board any Ship you judge proper. Captain Miller, or any other Post Captain, put into Agamemnon, and a Master and Commander acting into the Post Ship, which the Admiralty may confirm, or not, as they please; and I have no doubt but if you are pleased to represent that from my local knowledge of this Country, that you think it necessary to keep me in the Country, although Agamemnon goes home, but the Admiralty will approve. You will easily perceive, that my wishes to stay are sincere; were they not, after your kindness to me, I should be an ingrate. But I hope Sir Charles Knowles, or some other Captain, will wish to go home; for I am assured the promotion is to take place the 1st June. I still think I shall stay with you, which will be real satisfaction to, dear Sir, your most obliged

HORATIO NELSON.

The Diadem is, I fancy, blown into Leghorn; but I have sent an order for Captain Towry to join me here directly. Since writing I find Captain Miller is appointed to a better Ship than Mignonne. I only mentioned him as I fancied he would be glad to leave his present command.

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. i. p. 182.]

Sir, 5th June, 1796. Two days after we took the Vessel with Austrian troops on board, who had been made prisoners by the French, a Boat came off to Captain Cockburn, with a Genoese Master and crew of the Vessel, and papers, to say they were chartered by the Spanish Consul at Savona, to carry these Troops to Barcelona for the Swiss regiment. I have examined some of the Austrians, who say, that they were marched by a guard to the Vessel, and, when on board, a person gave them thirty sous each, and told them they were going to Spain, where they would find many of their comrades. The men say it was against their inclination, and that they wish to return to their own service, or to serve with the English till there is an opportunity. Knowing, as I do, that the French absolutely sell them to the Spaniards, I have no difficulty in keeping them, to be returned to their own Sovereign whenever opportunities offer; and, if you approve, I shall discharge the Genoese Vessel, and put the men, with Admiral Linzee's permission, into the Mignonne. They want a change of apparel, which, if we get no work for it, the German Government ought to pay, and a bed each: they are, Sir, as fine healthy-looking men as I ever saw, the oldest of one hundred and fifty-two is thirty-four years of age. I think, till we have an opportunity of sending them to General Beaulieu, they would add to the strength of our Ships, five Ships thirty each: this is submitted with deference to your better judgment. I am, Sir, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] San Fiorenzo, June 5th, 1796.

Dear Sir, I am not the less anxious than yesterday for having slept since my last letter. Indeed, Sir, I cannot bear the thoughts of leaving your Command. You have placed an unbounded confidence in me, and I own I feel that no exertion of mine has been for a moment wanting to merit so great an honour.

I have yet another mode to propose, if you approve: the promotion then will be of no advantage to you, and very trifling expense-which is, that if you really think I shall have the happiness to hoist my Flag under your command,

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