-^ 
 
 
 J 
 
 •ISEDBAIS
 
 NEW IiIFE OF ZiOHD NELSON. 
 
 For Notices see the Tlmes^ August 17th and 22nd, 
 SECOND EDITION, JUST PUBLISHED, 
 
 In two volumes ^vo. with Illustrative Engravings and Facsimiles, 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 VICE-ADMIRAL 
 
 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, 
 
 K. B. 
 
 DUKE OF BRONTE, ETC. ETC. ETC. 
 
 AND THE 
 
 PERSONAL HISTORY OF LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE, 
 HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED, 
 
 BY 
 
 THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGREW, ESQ., F.R.S., F.S.A. 
 
 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTTINGEN, 
 ETC. ETC. ETC. 
 
 Considering the number of Lives* that have been written of the 
 Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, and the voluminous Collection of his 
 Dispatches and Letters published by the late Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas, it 
 may be reasonably inferred, that there remains nothing further in connexion 
 with Nelson and his varied exploits to be said — that, in fact, the subject is 
 completely exhausted ; yet, upon examination it will be found that there 
 exists a variety of interesting particulars unconfirmed — unexplained — and 
 even mysterious. The full development of these, it must be obvious, is only 
 to be obtained from the Private Correspondence of the celebrated hero. 
 
 It is well known that a very intimate, indeed, an almost daily correspon- 
 dence was maintained between Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton ; and in the 
 Letters and Documents, now to be presented to the public, a Diary will 
 literally be found containing his thoughts and reflections upon the passing 
 events, public and private, during the course of his distinguished career. 
 But the materials from which this new Life of Nelson is composed are not 
 confined to the Letters which passed between Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton 
 — they embrace also those of the King and Queen of Naples, the Emperor 
 of Russia, the King of Sardinia, Pi'ince Charles Felix of Savoy, many dis- 
 tinguished Naval Commanders and celebrated Diplomatists of the time. 
 Among these may be mentioned: — H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence, Earl 
 St. Vincent, Earl Spencer, Earl of Bristol, Lord Elgin, Lord St. Helens, 
 
 * By Clarke and M 'Arthur, Charnock, White, Churchill, Harrison, Southey, &c.
 
 ( 2 ) 
 
 Lord Hobart, Lord Sidraouth, Lord Collingwood, Lord Melville, Lord Eldon, 
 Lord Grenville, Lord Hood, Lord William Gordon ; the Hon. Nicholas 
 Vansittart, the Hon, H. Addington, the Hon. Hugh Elliott, the Hon. General 
 Sir AV. Stewart, Sir Thomas Troubridge, SirT. M. Hardy, Sir Richard Keats, 
 Sir J. T. Duckworth, Sir John Orde, Sir Hercules Ross, Sir Brooke Boothby, 
 Sir Sidney Smith, Sir Alexander Ball, Sir Evan Nepean, Sir Edward Berry, 
 Sir George Rose, Sir A. S. Hamoud, Sir William Hoste, Sir Henry Blackwood, 
 Sir Pulteney Malcolm, Sir James Crawford, Sir Thomas Louis, Sir Benjamin 
 Hallowell, Sir J. Sutton, Sir Manley Dixon, Sir J. Hillyar, Sir Thos. Staines, 
 General Sir John Acton, General Dumouriez, Admiral Tchitchagoif, Count 
 Bernstorff, Count Paniii, Adjutant-General Lindholm, Governor Balaschoff, 
 Captain Lloyd, Captain Parker, Captain Langford, Rev. A. J. Scott (Chaplain 
 to Lord Nelson), John Scott, Esq. (Secretary), William Beckford, Esq., 
 R. Payne Knight, Esq., Richard Bulkeley, Esq., William Hayley, Esq., 
 Alexander Davison, Esq., John Tyson, Esq., Perkins Magra, Esq. (Consul- 
 General at Tunis), Lambton Este, Esq., Rev. C. Este, Abbe Campbell, Dr. 
 Baird, &c. Rev. Edmund Nelson (the father of Lord Nelson), Lady Nelson, 
 Josiah Nisbet (her son), Rev. William afterwards Earl Nelson, Mrs. Matcham, 
 (Lord Nelson's sister), Maurice Nelson, Esq, (his brother), &c. &c. 
 
 The light thrown upon the transactions which took place from the battle 
 of the Nile, August 1, 1798, to that of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805, in the 
 course of this extensive correspondence will be found most interesting ; so 
 also will the minute particulars relating to the conduct and flight of the 
 Neapolitan Royal Family, the surrender of the Castles of Uovo and Nuovo, 
 the Blockade of La Valetta, the Convention of El Arish, &c. &c. 
 
 Upwards of Six Hundred Letters and Documents, which 
 HAVE NEVER BEFORE BEEN PRINTED, and the existence of which were 
 scarcely known, will appear in these Memoirs, which have been written with 
 the view of completing the History of one of the bravest and most patriotic 
 Admirals that ever adorned the British Navy. It was originally the intention 
 of the author simply to have edited the Correspondence, and published it as 
 Supplementary volumes to those which have already appeared ; but upon 
 examination the documents were found to be too numerous and too inte- 
 resting to be disposed of in that manner. They embrace such a variety of 
 topics, private and public— correct so many errors and misconceptions that 
 have gone forth and been very generally believed — enter so unreservedly 
 into the subjects to which they refer — and altogether render such a complete 
 picture of Lord Nelson's mind and character— that it has been adjudged 
 most proper to arrange them as a distinct publication, in the form of a New 
 Memoir, illustrative of the career of the Hero. Although it has been neces- 
 sary in this view to describe the various actions and incidents in which 
 Nelson was concerned, it has been thought proper not to enter upon minute 
 details which have already appeared, and which by those who may be pro- 
 fessionally interested in such a matter will readily be found in the pi'eviously 
 published Lives ; but rather to endeavour to combine, in the form of a 
 Narrative, the Correspondence alluded to with the particular events to which 
 they apply, and which form so interesting a portion of our Naval History. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 T. & W. BOONE, 29, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, 
 
 By wbom Subscribers' Names will be received.
 
 ( 3 ) 
 From the TIMES, August 17th^ &. 2Znd, 1849. 
 
 "Much as we have heard of the nation's darling hero, there still remained soniethiiu; 
 to be told. ♦ 
 
 " According to our notions, Nelson realized the ideal of a hero as completely as any 
 worshipped at any time in any land. His piety was of the simplest ; his love of country 
 was fervent and self-subjugating; his gentleness was equalled only by his valour ; and lii.s 
 energy, which has never been rivalled, corresponded with the genius that inspired it. 
 
 " Romance has been beaten in its own domain by the surpassingly romantic history of 
 Lady Hamilton. Before no other woman, perhaps, could Nelson have so completely 
 fallen ; upon no other woman of her time were fascinations of every kind so lavishly 
 bestowed. Her life reads like a fable. 
 
 " The character assumed by Lady Hamilton at the period of her introduction to Lord 
 Nelson, was one that could not fail to call forth the admiration of Nelson, and to win his 
 regard. . . . The sailors write to the lady upon matters of business, just as Romney 
 wrote of her when he informed his friend that ' the greatest part of the summer ' he would 
 be engaged 'in painting pictures from the divine lady,' to whom he could give no other 
 epithet, ' for I think her superior to all womankind.' The letters of bluff admirals an I 
 weather-beaten captains addressed to the divinity reveal an appreciation of her me 
 about which there can be no mistake. . . . If ever woman was mistress of the art 
 bringing all men to her feet. Lady Hamilton is she. The valiant old tars who swept the 
 seas, that England might sail empress of them, all were helpless children in her hands. 
 
 " Five years elapsed between the first and second meeting of Nelson and Lady Hamilton ; 
 but the former had passed a whole life in the interim. We saw him quitting Nafiled in 
 1793, after delivering his despatches to Sir William Hamilton, plain Captain Nelson of 
 the Agamemnon. He returned to the Neapolitan shores in 1798, with a title to the peerage, 
 a famous commander, a proud conqueror, and followed in his course by loud and grateful 
 acclamations. At Calvi, in 1794, he had conducted the siege, and lost an eye. In 1797, 
 crying to his men, whom he led to as desperate an assault as ever tempted bravery to the 
 jaws of death, ' Westminster Abbey or glorious victory,' he captured, as it were, with his 
 own hand, the San Josef and San Nicolas at the immortal battle of St. Vincent. Two 
 months afterwards he parted with his right arm at Teneriffe, and within a twelvemonth 
 again he received a wound in the head almost at the moment of achieving the splendid and 
 decisive victory of the Nile. At this crisis of his career, we say, overflowing with honours, 
 worshipped by his fellow-countrymen, laden with presents conferred upon him by every 
 potentate interested in the peace of Europe, from the Russian Emperor to the Grand 
 Signor, Nelson for the second time set foot in Naples, and saw his future mistress. His 
 reception was a triumph. King and Queen gave way to him, and the people received him 
 as they are apt to receive those whom their rulers deem svorthy of enthusiastic welcome. 
 
 "Lady Hamilton in the meanwhile had not been idle. In her peculiar sphere she had 
 laboured, so to speak, hand-in-hand with the hero, and contributed not a little to the 
 success of bis movements, and the consequent splendour of his renown. From the moment 
 she undertook the cause of the British Navy she gave her whole soul to the work. Her 
 nature did not permit her to leave one stone unturned in order to reach her end, and what 
 her will suggested she had art enough to compass. She had been but a shurt time at 
 Naples before it was asserted that she had contrived to ' de-Bourbonize the whole royal 
 family and to make them all English.' This was but clearing the field for subsequent 
 operations. A single instance of her unremitting zeal and daring patriotism speaks for a 
 thousand. One morning Lady Hamilton received intelligence that a courier had brought 
 to the King of Naples a private letter from the King of Spain. What were its contents? 
 Lady Hamilton could not guess, but she was resolved to ascertain. By the aid of the 
 Queen, the document was stolen from the King, transcribed by the ambassador's wife, and 
 then quietly deposited again in the King's cabinet or waistcoat pocket. The letter had 
 been worth the stealing. It announced the King of Spain's determination 'to withdraw 
 from the coalition into which he had entered,' and to join the French against England. 
 The vigilant woman lost not a moment. Sir William Hamilton lay dangerously ill ; but, 
 taking counsel of herself, she at once despatched a copy of the declaration to Lord Gren- 
 ville, the minister in England, and, from her own private purse, paid £400, in order to 
 insure the delivery of the letter into his lordship's hands. 
 
 "In June, 1798, Nelson, as all acquainted with the history of those times will vividly 
 remember, was in search of the French fleet. How he discovered it at Alexandria
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 towards the end of July, and what havoc in the course of twelve hours he played with it 
 on the 1st of August, no Englishman is likely soon to forget. But there are incidents 
 connected with tliis wonderful pursuit and this noble victory with which our readers are 
 perliaps not so fan)iliar. They belong rather to the history of Lady Hamilton than to that 
 of Nelson, yet how potently do they affect the character and fate of both ! 
 
 '' Sir William and Lady Hamilton were aroused from their slumbers one morning in 
 the aforesaid June by the arrival of Captain Troubridge, with letters from Sir Horatio 
 Nelson, ' requesting that the ambassador would procure him permission to enter with his 
 fleet into Naples, or any of the Sicilian ports, to provision, water, &c., as otherwise he 
 must run for Gibraltar, being in urgent want, and that consequently he would be obliged 
 to give over all further pursuit of the French fleet, which he had missed at Egypt, on 
 account of tlieir having put into Malta.' It was much easier for Sir Horatio to make the 
 request than for tlie ambassador to comply with it. At that very time Naples was at peace 
 with France, a French ambassador was resident at the Neapolitan capital, and Ferdinand 
 had stipulated with France that no more than two English ships of war should enter into 
 any of the Neapolitan or Sicilian ports. What was to be done? Sir William Hamilton 
 did the best he could. He jumped out of bed, hastened to Sir John Acton, Ferdinand's 
 prime minister, who convened a council immediately, at which the King himself was 
 present. The council sat down to consider Sir Horatio's demand at half-past six o'clock, 
 and took one hour and a-half exactly to come to a determination, for they did not rise 
 until eight. Captain Troubridge accompanied Sir William Hamilton to his residence after 
 the council broke up, but Lady Hamilton had already gathered from the countenances of 
 the King and Sir John Acton the dismal confession that Naples could not break with 
 France, that the fleet of Nelson could receive no help. We are reaching a point in the 
 narrative at which the craft of a penman fails him, and the superiority of the painter 
 becomes strikingly manifest. Imagine the vexation of the disappointed ambassador, 
 picture to yourself the bitter regret and downcast looks of the faithful Troubridge, and 
 then behold, close to them, a form lovely as an angel's, a face beaming with the animation 
 of triumph, and the ecstacy of an irrepressible delight — observe her hand trembling with 
 •the anxiousness of the precious treasure it grasps, and then see her waving high up 
 exultingly in the air the order which the council had refused, and the King himself could 
 not obtain. Dr. Budd's nurserymaid had positively in her possession the permission for 
 which Nelson had petitioned in vain, and without which it was impossible satisfactorily to 
 carry on the war. Oh, how the sorceress must have chuckled when she saw kings, 
 ministers, and councillors, all issuing from their solemn consultation with their lugubrious 
 visages indicating helplessness, inability, and unutterable disgust ! 
 
 " Not a moment was to be lost, and Lady Hamilton came at once to the catastrophe. 
 In the most passionate manner she threw herself upon her knees, and told the Queen that 
 the fate of the Two Sicilies now depended upon her resolution ; the council were sitting ; 
 let them decide upon negative or half measures, and the family of Ferdinand was doomed' 
 The great French force must be followed ; it could not be pursued unless the English fleet 
 found refreshment in the Sicilian ports; and if allowed to go free the peril, not to England, 
 but to Naples could not be overrated. The terrified Queen became alive to the danger of 
 the situation, but she had faith in the King then in council, and was sure he would provide 
 for the emergency. He might, replied the petitioner, or he might not; and if not, who 
 could reflect with patience upon the fate that threatened Naples and the royal family ? 
 Her Majesty, with the stroke of the pen, could be her own deliverer. — Why hesitate? 
 Her sign-manual was respected throughout the King's dominions ; a line, and her country, 
 her husband, and his crown were rescued from destruction. No doubt the word was suited 
 to the action, and the action to the word : pen, ink, and paper were in the room ; Lady 
 Hamilton dictated, and the Queen, with her right hand, directed ' all governors of the 
 Two Sicilies to receive with hospitality the British fleet, to water, victual, and aid them.' 
 Lady Hamilton enclosed that order to Nelson, and bade him commit the Queen no further 
 than the glory and service of England required. Nelson answered, that if he gained a 
 battle it should be called hers and the Queen's, for to them alone would his country be 
 indebted for the victory. He did gain a battle, and it was that of the memorable Nile. 
 Had his fleet not been furnished with the necessaries of life at Syracuse, the battle would 
 not have been fought. 
 
 " We content ourselves with this statement. No impartial reader of the whole case 
 will fail to conclude that Lady Hamilton employed the rare gifts that nature and education 
 had conferred upon her to bring one of the greatest of his time to her feet, and to com- 
 plete the history of the conquest by linking her name and life with those of a man who 
 will never be forgotten whilst the history of his country endures."
 
 OPINIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BRITISH AND COLONIAL PRESS 
 
 ON 
 
 MR. PRIDHAM'S "MAURITIUS," 
 
 &c. &c. 
 
 COMPRISING THE FIRST VOLUME OF 
 
 ^^ ENGLAND'S COLONIAL EMPIEE/' 
 
 AS RECEIVED UP TO NOVEMBER 10, 1846. 
 
 The opinions of the remainder of the British and Colonial Press, with those of the 
 French, German, American, Dutch, and Belgian, will be found in the second 
 volume of the work. 
 
 *^* The notices have been placed in alphabetical order. 
 
 " This is the first volume of what promises to be an iinpoi-tant national 
 work. The instalment now before us is brimful of valuable and interesting 
 information, making up by far the most complete account of ]\[auritius 
 which has yet been given to the world. The author has the qualifications 
 necessary to the due fulfilment of the task which he has set himself. He is 
 patient and painstaking, accurate and impartial. It is obviously his ambition 
 rather to instruct his reader than to distinguish himself. He never pompously 
 puts forward any theories of his own, nor is overtaken with paroxysms of 
 fine writing, but it is ever his study to open out his budget of information 
 with modesty and good faith, keeping his subject always before his readers, 
 and himself always in the background. And in such times as these, when 
 every shallow pretender has some theory of his own to propound, the subject 
 of colonization being especially tempting to these theorists, it is no small 
 merit in a Avriter to go at once to the point, telling us, without periphrasis, 
 ■what he knows, and leaving us, if it be worth our trouble, to infer what he 
 thinks. We believe the work, as far as it goes, to be thoroughly trust- 
 worthy, and do not doubt that it will be continued to the end with no dimi- 
 nution of that impartial spii'it, those inideniable evidences of laborious and 
 conscientious investigation of the truth, Avhich characterise the volume now 
 before us. * 
 
 " Mr. Pridham's materials are ample and varied, derived from every 
 available source, and he has arranged them in a manner best calculated to 
 keep every part distinct, and yet to give a unity and consistency to the entire 
 work. After devoting a chapter to the physical aspect and geographical 
 position of the island, he enters upon the history of the Mauritius from its 
 earliest discovery, gives the first connected account yet published of the 
 Dutch establishments, then treats of the French government of the island 
 under different systems, details the many stirring events connected with the 
 downfall of French supremacy, the final capture of Mauritius by the
 
 2 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 British, and its subsequent more peaceful history. The narrative is written 
 in ail easy, unatFected style, and is in no part unnecessarily diffuse. From 
 the political, Mr. rridhani proceeds to the social history of the island, treat- 
 ing of the slave trade, slavery, the French and Creole society of the island, 
 education, religion, public amusements, &c. &c. He then' discusses the 
 resources of the country, and supplies an abundance of important statistical 
 details. A vast mass of valuable information, the insertion of which would 
 have encunibcred the text, has been thrown iudiciously into an Appendix. 
 From the chapters on society and climate we give extracts, which will show 
 that the work before us is not one of mere dry detail, but may be perused 
 with pleasure even by those who read only for amusement." — Atlas. 
 
 " The History of the Mauritius, which comprises the first volume of 
 Pridham's ' England's Colonial Empire,' is vwidly traced, from its first occu- 
 pation by the Dutch down to the present government of Sir William 
 Gonim. The slave trade and the productions of the country also engage 
 a large share of the author's attention. The toork shows great diligeiice 
 and judgment^— Barbadian, Sept. 9th. 
 
 " This is the commencement of a projected series of volumes, intended to 
 give us an historical, political, and statistical account of the British empire 
 and its various dependencies. The author certainly does not overrate the 
 difficulties of his task. It is to be hoped that an undertaking of this impor- 
 tance, which must necessarily be expensive, will meet with the support of the 
 wealthier classes of Great Britain, and more particularly of her merchants 
 and manufacturers. The work is handsomely got up." — Bristol Mercurtj. 
 
 " The first volume of a work intended to completely exhibit England's 
 Colonial Empire, has just been issued by the enterprising colonial publishers, 
 Smith, Elder and Co. The author is Mr. Pridham, who, in a modest preface, 
 apologizes for having at so early an age undertaken so gigantic a task. The 
 first volume, however^ shows no lack of either ability, research, or knowledge. 
 It is occupied with an excellent account of the Mauritius, divided into four 
 parts : the first part gives its history from its discovery by the Portuguese to 
 the present time ; the second describes its inhabitants, and their institutions 
 and states ; the third its physical features and natural productions ; and the 
 fourth its industry, commerce, and government. As we are tied to space, we 
 can only say that ample information is given on all these heads, and that 
 regarding the extent of the author's design, and the evideyice he gives of the 
 requisite qualification to carry it out satisfactorily, we make no doubt that 
 his work will be a valuable addition to the history and geography of our 
 colonial empire. The present volume is complete in itself." — Britannia, 
 Aug. 15th. 
 
 " This is the first volume of a series, which we hope to see completed in 
 the spirit with which the task has been undertaken. Mr. Pridham modestly 
 reflects in his preface on his unfitness at so early an age for a task that may 
 perchance be rightly deemed gigantic. We do not, however, entertain a 
 doubt but that the experience he has gained by this initiatory volume will 
 nerve him to the easier fulfilment of his great design. As a whole, we are 
 bound to say that the book is a standard one, and that ' England's Colonial 
 Empire' has met with a chronicler of zeal, mdustry, and ability." — Colonial 
 Gazette, Aug. 29th. 
 
 " This is a work that has long been required, and which appears to have 
 been placed in excellent hands for execution. Having a cultivated mind, 
 and a zest for colonial inquiry, Mr. Pridham seems to have directed his 
 attention to elucidating and following up the history of our colonial posses- 
 sions. The history of the Isle of France, one of the most singular of our 
 colonies, whether we consider its annals or extraordinary events, alternately 
 under Dutch, French, and English government, has never before appeared 
 in a complete form, or in any other shape than in detached forms and frag- 
 mentary histories. IMr. Pridham has filled up the gaps, reconciled the con-
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS, d 
 
 tradictions of others, and added besides the whole account of the early Dutch 
 occupation, throwing more light on the dift'erent phases of its local history 
 
 than has ever yet been done We strongly recommend our readers 
 
 to lose no time in procuring the work, which will repay a careful perusal." 
 Colonial Magazine, July 1846. 
 
 " We have before us the opening volume of a work, the value of which 
 will become rapidly known. The work which Mr. Pridham has commenced 
 is, however, of no ephemeral character. He has been at great pains in 
 research, and his research has accumulated a mass of detail, which could not 
 be compressed into a small compass. A series of handsome volumes, calcu- 
 lated alike for an ornament to the drawing-room and for an honourable 
 place on the library shelves will therefore be devoted to the most interesting 
 subject now before the public. The first volume is given to the beautiful 
 Mauritius, an island which will ever be a memorial of the valour of British 
 arms, and the humanity of British policy. Mr. Pridham begins his history 
 very early, but there is little to interest a student until the occupation of the 
 island bj' the French. Their administration, their long and brilliant contest 
 with England, and their final expulsion, form a striking episode in modern 
 history. On this portion of the volume any reader can form his own 
 opinion, the evidences are open to all, and we need only say that although 
 the account of the struggle between England and France is perhaps some- 
 what prolonged — this can hardly be considered a fault —and that the thread 
 of the narrative has been judiciously sustained. But circumstances have 
 given us the opportunity of submitting that part of the book which treats 
 upon the present condition of the island, of the character and disposition of 
 its inhabitants, of its society, of its productions and natural history, to an 
 authority of no small value ; and it is only bearing a just testimony to Mr. 
 Pridham's industry and talent, to say that his -volume has stood the severe 
 test of examination by an individual who resided at Mauritius, in a distin- 
 guished military capacity for several years ; and that his sentence upon its 
 accuracy and truthfulness is one of unqualified praise." — Court Journal, 
 Sept. 5. 
 
 " The matter in this volume shows that such a work as this, well carried 
 out, will afford both amusement and information. It Avill serve the purpose 
 also of giving the public an idea of the amazing extent and importance of 
 our colonial possessions. The statistical tables in the appendix are valuable 
 records copied from various sources ; and are useful for reference, being par- 
 ticularly full Ml". Pridham's account of the natural history of 
 
 the island will be read with interest. The vegetable productions of the 
 island are also fully detailed, and will be interesting to all who are curious 
 in the beautiful productions of the tropics." — Douglas Jerrold's Shilling 
 Magazi7ie for October. 
 
 " Diligence is exhibited in the composition of this volume, but the reflec- 
 tions of the author on persons and things are tinctured with a degree of par- 
 tialit)'." — Douglas Jerrold's Weekly Newspajjer, Aug. 29th. 
 
 " ' England's Colonial Empire.' — The conception which this title an- 
 nounces pleases us. An historical, political, and statistical account of our 
 colonies must be of the greatest interest to an immense number of persons. 
 The traveller, the merchant, the shipowner, the legislator, the relatives and 
 connexions of the large population which now inhabits oiu" colonies, must be 
 equally interested in these dependencies : a carefully executed account of 
 them must become, therefore, like a history of the mother country, a univer- 
 sally read book. It must, too, be highly entertaining. Such varieties of 
 scenerj', such diversity of race, colour, and manner ; such curious and 
 strange productions, both plants and animals; such a diflference of climate 
 betAveen the possessions of the Hudson's Bay Company near to one Pole, and 
 Australia approximating to the other, with the scores of islands lying be- 
 tween, in the tropics and on the equator, the history and description of
 
 4 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 the British colonics is the history ami description of almost every climate, and 
 natives of almost every race on the globe. Of such an extensive Avork we 
 have here the commencement. Such an extensive undertaking demands 
 much consideration alike from author, publisher, and critic ; and from the 
 little time and space we can bestow on it, we are disposed to speak of it with 
 reserve inclining to favour. As for the Mauritius itself, it is at once flour- 
 ishing, important, and a subject of continued interest, and deserves to be 
 made extensively known to the public. The author sketches its early his- 
 tory and present state. He describes the state of education, the number of 
 its schools, the quantity of land under cultivation, the amount of its com- 
 merce, its natural productions, its geographical features, the animals that 
 have been indigenous and have been imported, the manners and customs of 
 the different classes, and enters fully into all the peculiarities, moral and 
 material, of the Colony. There is 710 other such description of the JMaii- 
 rilius extant. The author has not only consulted the best, a7id perhaps all 
 the authorities, hut lie has added information of his own, apparentlij gathered 
 on the spot. The following is a specimen of the lighter matters contained in 
 
 this work The work is got up with considerable industry. We 
 
 would, however, recommend both author and publisher not to insert one 
 unnecessary line, as the subject they announce is very extensive. By a con- 
 densation of the material, he may possibly give us a history of our colonies 
 worthy of them, and of the metropolitan country." — Economist, Nov. 14. 
 
 " This comprehensive undertaking has been most auspiciously commenced 
 in a magnificent treatise on the Mauritius and its dependencies. Mr. Prid- 
 ham, Avho has thus given such earnest of the completeness of the forthcoming 
 series, proves his masterly conception of the subject, by selecting the Mauritius 
 and its history as an appropriate introduction to the vast encyclopaedia of 
 colonial historj'-, Avhich he engages to supply, and of which the volume 
 before us is a perfect and classic specimen. It is written in an easy and 
 fascinating style of composition. It is not well possible to give in detached 
 extracts any just idea of the merits of this work, whose main scope is to leave 
 nothing that could be asked unanswered." — Freeman's Journal. 
 
 " ' England's Colonial Empire.' — This is indeed, a subject of the most 
 comprehensive nature, and one which it is surprising has not been hitherto 
 illustrated. The greatness and power of England ai'e mainly based upon 
 the extent and value of her vast dependencies in every quarter of the globe, 
 and yet the information we possess relative to the history and statistics of 
 those dependencies, with few exceptions, is of the most meagre description. 
 We hail, therefore, with pleasure the appearance of a work that promises to 
 supply the requisite information. In this first volume, which is complete in 
 itself, Mr. Pridham seems to have availed himself of every possible source of 
 information, — the volume displaying great diligence and perseverance, and 
 much minute research. The result is highly satisfactory ; and should the 
 whole of the work be carried out in a similar manner, England's Colonial 
 Empire will at length be amply illustrated. The first chapter on the early 
 discovery of the Mauritius shows much research, and the history of the admi- 
 nistration of La Bourdonnais, the effects of the French revolution upon the 
 island, the na-^-al combats and stirring events attendant upon the capture of 
 the island by the British, are detailed with great accuracy and impartiality. 
 The mode, also, in which the fearful trafhc in slaves was at first carried on 
 by the pirates is very graphically described. We regret that space will not 
 permit us to give extracts from this very interesting portion of the work ; 
 Ave, however, recommend our readers to make themselves individually ac- 
 quainted Avith the Avhole contents of the volume before us, as they A\'ill 
 thereby be able to appreciate its merits much better than from any casual 
 extracts Ave might be enabled to make. The chapters relative to the com- 
 merce, government, and present aspect of the Colony, are all deserving of 
 attentive perusal, as also the appendix, which contains a great variety of
 
 OPINIONS OP THE PRESS. 5 
 
 valuable and interesting information. In conclusion, when we consider the 
 careful manner in which ]\Ir. Pridham has collected and arranged his 
 materials, the numerous obstacles he has triumphed over, the impartiality he 
 has shown in the historical part of his subject, and the great diligence mani- 
 fested in obtaining the best and most ample information upon every topic 
 he has touched upon, we are inclined to augur most favourably . of the 
 result, and to entertain a sangume hope that 'England's Colonial Empire' will 
 at length receive due attention, and that the present work will, when com- 
 pleted, place the history, politics, and statistics of our mighty empire, its 
 colonies and dependencies, in a clear, unpretending, and tangible manner 
 before the whole community." — Freemason' s Quarterly Review, Oct. 1846. 
 
 " This appears to be the commencement of an extensive undertaking. 
 Nothing less than a comprehensive and detailed account of the past and 
 present state of all the British colonies. The outline is a bold one, and the 
 work has its good points, whiclt are neither few nor unimportant. It is 
 carefully written, and, considering the extent of the materials embraced, they 
 are well condensed and arranged. What is obviously wanted is a detinite 
 purpose. The Avork is not addressed to any particular class of readers, and 
 is scarcely calculated — as, indeed, what book is ? to please all. The practical 
 man, to whom chiefly it is evidently addressed, will find tAVO capital faults — 
 an insufficient reference to dates, and the want of an index. We ui-ge these 
 objections at once, and freely, because we like the ■plan of the work ; and with 
 this improvement it may be made what its author is evidently desirous of 
 producing, a work of sterling merit and authorify' — Globe, Aug. 24. 
 
 " The first volume of ' England's Colonial Empire' has just appeared; 
 the second will include the Island of Ceylon ; and, doubtless, if the mider- 
 taking meets with the encouragement it deserves, the W^est Indies will 
 ultimately find an able and impartial historian in Mr. Pridham" — Grenada 
 Free Press. 
 
 " ' England's Colomial Empire.' — Under the above title has recently 
 appeared the first of a series of works of great interest ; a labour which, from 
 the magnitude of the undertaking, it requires no ordinary mind to grapple. 
 It is now many years since Montgomery Martin undertook a somewhat 
 similar task, which only extended to a portion of the empire. If Mr. 
 Pridham even supplies the hiatus, be will bave deserved well of his country. 
 The present work is of a more ambitious character than were the volumes of 
 Martin, one of the chief aims of vdiich was to lay open the commerce and 
 capabilities of our difi^erent colonies, and thus to give an impulse and certain 
 direction to commercial enterprise. That of Mr. Pridham seems to be not 
 only to give a considerable amount of statistical information, but to enter 
 completely into the origin, history, and jiroductions of the various colonies, 
 upon which he is about to treat. Upon this arduous task he has entered 
 Avith determination, and if, in so vast a mass of matter, we find something to 
 censure, we find so much more to praise, that the laults, which have to be 
 sought for, become as nothing in comparison with the excellences Avhich are 
 everywhere apparent. Mr. Pridham has entered upon his task Avitli all the 
 ardour of a young man, full of energy and enterprise, and Ave shall look 
 Avith great interest upon the future progress of his Avork, in Avhich experience 
 Avill be added to the devotedness of his subject, Avhich he has already showni. 
 We sincerely A\-ish Mr. Pridham every success in his arduous imdertaking, 
 and can assure our readers, that from this, the first specimen of the Avork, 
 they Avill not less be benefiting the author than themselves by adding it to 
 their libi-aries." — Indian News, Oct. 
 
 " A Avork of great importance, and if ably executed as a Avhole, one much 
 to be desiderated by the British public, opens Avith a volume addressed to 
 the retrospect history and present vicAv of the Mauritius, &c. The next of 
 the series to appear, at convenient intervals, is Ceylon. 
 
 " There can be uo doubt but that a publication of this kind, compreheuding
 
 6 OPINIONS or THE PRESS, 
 
 and concentrating- all the information scattered over books of travels, statis- 
 tical returns, elder voyages, histories, and otlier sources of intelligence, so 
 as to bring it into a single and distinct compass, is a design of great merit, 
 and clairns our best attention. Our knowledge of the most valuable parts of 
 the colonial componency of our mighty empire is, to say the least of it, very 
 uncertain and unsatisfactory. If Mr. Tridham can, therefore, by his labours 
 and talent, present us with a sufftcient account of these distant possessions, 
 yearly exciting greater interest in regard to their actual position and pro- 
 gress, he Avill render a most essential service to the community at large. 
 Mr. Pridham's style is somewhat ambitious, but displays no want of care or 
 diligence. On the contrary, both foreign and English authorities appear to 
 have been ransacked for the materials, and the narrative is put together in 
 an unexceptionable manner. The settlement of this noble island by the 
 Dutch and French; the naval tights, which have taken place in the Indian 
 seas for its occupation; its physical aspect and natural history; and, in short, 
 all that could pertain to a competent acquaintance with its past and present 
 state, have been sedulously collected, weighed with judgment, and well 
 
 grouped or massed in this the initiatory volume We recommend 
 
 the book, then, as a good library publication, to all who seek to be well 
 informed respecting the colonies of Great Britain." — Literary Gazette, 
 Aug. 29. 
 
 " The practical tendencies of the present age cannot be more forcibly shown 
 than by such works as this. Imaginary woes, and sentimental slipslop find 
 no responsive chord ; but to the historian, the statist, and the geographer, 
 and those w^ho unveil the mj^steries of the physical sciences, the field is ever 
 open. We mean not hereby to undervalue the various production of a 
 lighter class which teems from the press; our hours of relaxation would 
 lose their charm without the graceful and sparkling narrative. But 
 then before we can be excited to sympathy with fictitious sorrow, we must 
 leel the truthfulness of the character portraj^ed, and acknowledge its 
 artistic development. ^ In this tvork, Mr. Pridham has been at pains to 
 consult all the authorities that can throw light upon the subject, ajid brings to 
 his task a mind well stored with classic history. The size of the work may 
 at first alarm a timid reader ; but the chapters of contents will allay his fears, 
 and the narrative give reassurance. As a fragment of the rock betokens 
 the quality of the mass to a geologist, so a page from the work, taken almost 
 
 at random, Avill best serve to illustrate the style and matter We 
 
 look with great interest for the history of Ceylon and its productions, which 
 is to form the second volume of this series." — London Mail, Sept. 7. 
 
 " We learn from an advertisement appended to this volume, that the 
 author has undertaken the stupendous labour of preparing an historical, 
 political, and statistical account of the British Empire, its colonies and depen- 
 dencies, a task of sufficient magnitude to occupy the greater part of a man's 
 natural life. It is designed, by means of an appendix attached to each 
 volume, to render the statistical returns of the- colony described as nearly as 
 possible coeval with the date of publication ; and finally, by means of a 
 general api)cndix, to carry the whole returns of every colony down to the 
 latest period. Judging from the contents of the present volume, Mr. Prid- 
 ham seems to enjoy extensive opportunities of collecting information, and to 
 be blessed with a patience that nothing can exhaust. He is, we may fairly 
 presume, eompetent to the study of the classical models ; and, without expect* 
 ing from him the comprehensive brevity of Thucydides, one may reasonably 
 look in the future volumes for a succinct, clear, and readable account of the 
 
 history of the Colony described The statistical information, 
 
 comprising the larger portion of the work, is extremely valuable." — Morning 
 Chronicle, Sept. 18. 
 
 " We hail, with much pleasiu'e, the first volume of a work of great scope 
 and pretension ; the importance and utility of which, all who are interested
 
 OPINIONS OP THE PRESS. 7 
 
 in our colonies will be disposed to admit as supplying a gap in the historical 
 records of a countrj', whose greatness and power are mainly based upon the 
 extent and value of its vast dependencies in all quarters of the world. 
 
 " If we may be permitted to judge of the character of the undertaking 
 by the sample here presented to us, we should be disposed to accord it our 
 unqualified approval. Accurate statistical information is doubly interesting 
 at the present moment. Mr, Pridham appears to have availed himself of all 
 the information that could be derived from authentic sources, either public 
 or private. Conformably with the plan laid down by the author, of treating 
 first of those colonies which are least in a state of transition, and whose civil, 
 military, and ecclesiastical establishments are placed on a permanent footing, 
 the first volume is devoted to the Mauritius, the Seychelles, &c. The diffi- 
 culties attending an historical, political, and statistical account of so remote 
 and isolated a colony as the Mauritius, are considerably enhanced by the 
 circumstance, that up to the period of its cession to Great Britain, all the 
 available materials are derived from foreign records ; and since then, the com- 
 paratively slight intercourse that has taken place between the Colony and 
 Mother country, has left it almost a terra incognita to the people of England. 
 In conclusion, we augur most favourably of ]Mr. Pridham's undertaking, from 
 the careful and impartial consideration which this first portion of his subject 
 has received at his hands." — Morning Herald, Sept. 2. 
 
 " Mr. Pridham's plan embraces the most extensive scheme of information 
 with which the public has been presented, in any one serial work about our 
 mighty and all but limitless colonial dominions. Colonial history, statistics, 
 and politics, have been very largely treated lately in works of every scope of 
 magnitude and pretension. But the information they supply is too ditfuse 
 and scantily indicated for purposes of instant use, when points are required 
 on a particular matter of fact. Mr. Pridham promises to fill up this defi- 
 ciency Every moving incident by flood and field, in what the 
 
 glory of old England was in any degree complicated, is chronicled and com- 
 mented on by the inestimable author, with an alacrity that must satisfy the 
 aspirations of the -most patriotic. The political and statistical portions of the 
 work are perhaps the most interesting ; and we bear the highest testimony to 
 the commendable assiduity with which the author seems to have collected his 
 materials for them. The physical aspect, the agricultural capabilities, climate, 
 geology, and capacities for the objects of military defence are successfully 
 noticed, and with a great deal of general impartiality and clearness. We 
 wish well to ]\Ir, Pridham's undertaking ; for the work promises much of 
 important practical utility. Its intention, and we will add, the preponderat- 
 ing complexion of its execution, are entitled to applause and support. Sup- 
 plementary to its essential object, it gives various interesting collateral facts 
 and intelligence ; and (what promises well for the success of the enterprise) 
 there is really room for a well-executed work of the kind." — Morning Post, 
 Nov, 6. 
 
 " With the exception of Montgomery Martin's performance, we are not 
 aware of the existence of any publication that may be said to present us with 
 a full and collective view of ' England's Colonial Empire,' Judging from 
 the specimen volume before us, INIr, Pridham's work will be upon a larger 
 scale, and more varied and comprehensive in its details. With reference to 
 the jMauritius and its dependencies, the Seychelles" groups and Roderigue, 
 Mr. Pridham appears to have amply availed himself of every source of infor- 
 mation, foreign as well as domestic ; and from the testimony of a valued friend 
 of our own, not long since returned from the seat of Government there, under 
 uhlch lie had for many years occupied a high official station, we may venture 
 to affirm that in his details, no less than in his general views, he has given 
 proof of extraordinary research and accuracy. This is no slight praise." — 
 Naval and Military Gazette, Saturday, Oct. 17. 
 
 " This is the commencement of a truly comprehensive landertaking, which,
 
 8 OPINIONS OP THE PRESS. 
 
 if carried out as it has been commenced, mil result in a work of the greatest 
 national importance. The illustrative department of Mr. Pridham's work 
 has been admirably executed by Mr. Hughes."— iVewj Monthly Magaztm for 
 September. 
 
 " This, the first of a series of works of great interest, has just appeared, 
 from the pen of Mr. Pridham. It is a labour of great magnitude, and one 
 recfiirjng no ordinary mind to perform. Mr. Pridham has entered upoii the 
 task with great energy and determination ; and we can assure our readers 
 that they Avill benefit themselves equally with him, by adding it to their 
 libraries." — New Zealand Journal, Sept. 21. 
 
 " This is a great work, both in labour and importance. If the author suc- 
 ceeds, he will produce a work which, even as a compilation, will be one of 
 the most laborious on record ; and where so many have failed, it will not be 
 inglorious for him to follow in their wake." — Observer, Aug. 23. 
 
 " We should be deviating from the course we have laid down, of noticing 
 important works on colonial subjects, did we fail to take a brief glance at the 
 commencement of a comprehensive history of the colonies, by Mr. Pridham 
 — a Avriter hitherto unknown, in relation to colonial questions — but Avho, 
 through his " England's Colonial Empire," the first part of which comprises 
 the Mauritius, may take the first rank as a colonial historian, and far above 
 Montgomery i\Iartin ; whose incorrect statements and defective statistics bear 
 evidence of the carelessness with which he pursued a work requiring the 
 utmost diligence and great judgment. The general arrangement of this work 
 is excellent." — St. Lucia Independent Press. 
 
 " This is a truly magnificent undertaking, and worthy of the empire which 
 possesses more colonies and dependencies than all the rest of the world put 
 together. The present volume contains all the information of interest on the 
 Mauritius lohich great labour could accomplish. Let the author exercise the 
 same indefatigable industry on his future volumes as he has done on this, 
 and we will promise that ' England's Colonial Empire' shall be worthy of its 
 subject.'" — Shipping Gazette, Aug. 22. 
 
 " The first volume of this promising series appeared yesterday." 
 
 — Standard, Aug. 15, Leading Article. 
 
 " This is the first instalment of a work, for which there is ample room, and 
 which has long been wanted. The danger to be avoided is, proceeding on too 
 large a scale, though this may be obviated by making the history of each 
 colony a complete work in itself, as is here done. The volume before us forms 
 a useful work as a history of the Mauritius, while it augurs well for its suc- 
 cessors." — Tail's Magazine for October. 
 
 " This is the commencement of a work, of which we have been long in 
 want. It is indeed extraordinary that no comprehensive book should have 
 been written on such an important subject as our colonial empire. The 
 materials are abundant, and only awaited the first careful hand to glean and 
 put them together. Mr. Pridham\s work promises to give us everything we 
 want. He writes excellently, and arranges his statistical matter with great 
 judgment. The whole of this volume is taken up with the Mauritius and its 
 numerous dependencies ; the history will therefore be a copious one ; indeed, 
 we ha\-e no doubt that it Avill at once take its place as a standard Avork in 
 every well-assorted library."— fFeeA/y Chronicle, Nov. 1, 1846. 
 
 " "We hope to see this series concluded as it has begun. The work ■will be 
 a standard one:' —West Indian Mail, September. 
 
 London : Printed by Stewart and MrSRAY, Old Bailey.
 
 m
 
 '/rsf/ 
 
 IfMICag! ©M. IKoB. 
 
 ■ITERS OF THE ADMIItA:
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 VICE-ADMIRAL 
 
 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, K.B. 
 
 DUKE OF BRONTE, ETC. ETC. ETC. 
 
 THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGIIEW, F.R.S., F.S.A, 
 
 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTTINCEN ; 
 ETC. ETC. ETC. 
 
 Rpspleiidet g-loria Martis. 
 Annati referam vires ? 
 
 Chiudian de Laud. St'il. 
 
 " A spirit equal to all undertaking's, and resources fitted to all occasions." 
 
 Lord CollhKjwood. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 LON DON : 
 
 T. AND W. BOONE, 2P, NEW BOND STREET. 
 
 MDCCCXLIX.
 
 DEDICATION- 
 
 TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 Since the completion of the printing of this work, the 
 country has been unhappily deprived of the services of the 
 Earl of Auckland, First Lord of the Admiralty, to whom 
 these pages are inscribed, not only with his sanction, but 
 with the expression of the gratification he should feel in 
 having his name connected with that of one of England's 
 greatest Naval Heroes. The private friends of the Noble 
 Lord have equally with the public to deplore the sudden 
 and unexpected decease of his Lordship, which it is not 
 too much to assume was in some measure occasioned bv 
 the great attention he had paid to the arduous duties of 
 the office he had the honour to hold in Her Majesty's 
 Government. 
 
 Jannarij Voth, 1849. 
 
 Saville Row, 
 December 2G, 1848.
 
 DEDICATION- 
 
 TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 THE EARL OF AUCKLAND, G.C.B. 
 
 FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY, 
 ETC. ETC. ETC. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 To no individual can the Memoirs of one of England's 
 greatest and most beloved Admirals be more appropriately 
 inscribed, than to the First Lord of the Admiralty of Great 
 Britain. 
 
 I eagerly embrace the opportunity afforded me by your 
 Lordship's kind acquiescence in my wishes, to express my 
 hope, that England may long enjoy the services of your Lord- 
 ship, in presiding over the Naval department of this country 
 with that zeal, ability, and independence which has ever 
 characterized your Lordship in your public career. 
 
 Personally, also, I am proud to acknowledge the attentions 
 I have always received from your Lordship, and have the 
 honour to subscribe myself, 
 
 Your Lordship's 
 Most faithful and obliged servant, 
 
 THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGREW. 
 
 Saville Row, 
 December 26, 1848.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The various Biographies of Lord Nelson by Clarke and 
 McArthur, Charnock, White, Churchill, Harrison, and at 
 a later period, Southey, may reasonably be presumed to 
 have exhausted the materials relating to the history of Eng- 
 land's most highly esteemed, brave, and patriotic Admiral ; 
 but the recent voluminous publication of his Dispatches and 
 Letters, under the editorial care of the late Sir Nicholas 
 Harris Nicolas, added to the discovery of his Private Corre- 
 spondence, extending from 1 798 to the day of his death, now 
 in my possession, will be found to throw new light upon 
 many of the transactions in which he was engaged ; and also, 
 to afford illustrations of his mind and character, which nothing 
 but his private and unrestrained correspondence could pos- 
 sibly afford. There is a delicacy, however, necessary to be 
 presei'ved under such circumstances, with regard to the indi- 
 viduals concerned, and this delicacy would have been most 
 especially demanded in the case of Lord Nelson in relation 
 to Lady Hamilton, had he not himself made the matter a 
 subject of history by naming her and his child Horatia in a 
 Codicil to his Will on the day of his death, and leaving them 
 as a testamentary bequest to his country. 
 
 It was in the year 1806, that a Mr. Harrison put forth, 
 under the sanction of Lady Hamilton, " The Life of Horatio 
 Lord Viscount Nelson," in 2 vols. 8vo. This work was com- 
 piled under the eye of Lady Hamilton, and it is not unrea- 
 sonable to suppose, tinctured by the opinions of the authoi*'s 
 patroness, whose kindness and confidence was ill-requited by 
 his printing, in 1814, a Collection of Private Letters, having 
 no apparently ostensible or justifiable object, nor tending to
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 the elucidation of any matter of public interest, without the 
 knowledge or sanction of Lady Hamilton, and occasioning to 
 this vmfortunate woman an undeserved portion of censure. 
 Whatever may be said of the indelicacy or impropriety of 
 such a publication, and I will admit the full justice of the 
 severe censure passed upon it at the time by the Edinburgh 
 RerAeWy there can be no doubt of the genuineness of the 
 epistles. They formed a portion of the Correspondence 
 which appears in a connected form in this work, and were 
 abstracted from Lady Hamilton's collections. Had not this 
 imperfect and injudicious portion previously appeared, and 
 other letters since furnished to Sir Harris Nicolas, and printed 
 by him at the conclusion of his collection of " Dispatches 
 and Letters," and had not the public been so well acquainted 
 with the intimacy which existed between Lord Nelson and 
 Lady Hamilton, an intimacy which no means whatever had 
 been taken to conceal from the public eye, I might have felt 
 considerable hesitation in printing some of the letters which 
 are now for the first time laid before the public in these 
 volumes, although nearly half a century has elapsed since 
 they were written. 
 
 If it were possible, consistently with what is due to justice, 
 to have given publicity to the pi'ivate opinions of Lord Nel- 
 son on the passing events of his time, and of the transactions 
 in which he was concerned, without unveiling the foibles and 
 weaknesses of his nature, the task would have been more 
 refreshing than it has proved to be ; but when imperfect and 
 prejudiced statements are put forth under sanction which 
 gives great weight to the narration, the demands of truth are 
 imperative, and the publication of that which certainly was 
 never intended for the public eye, or the general gaze, becomes 
 justified. 
 
 It has been, and not without justice, remarked by Sir 
 Harris Nicolas, that in most of the Memoirs of Lord Nelson, 
 and in many of ^he publications in which the letters of this
 
 PREFACE. Vii 
 
 celebrated man have been printed, they have, upon examina- 
 tion with the originals, appeared to have been incorrectly- 
 given. A particular omission, if relating solely to any private 
 matter, or individual, may be justified ; but to attempt to 
 alter the style of the writer, to dress up his phraseology, and 
 to give to the rude thought of the moment a polish which 
 never belonged to it, and ill-agreeing with the character or 
 views of the writer, is unpardonable. That license has not 
 been taken in the present work ; the reader will find that 
 many instances of ungrammatical propriety have been per- 
 mitted to remain rather than to incur the charge of a liberty or 
 fault such as has just been noticed. The only liberty I have 
 taken has been to omit numerous expressions of endearment 
 which might be offensive to the general reader, and are un- 
 questionably unnecessary as regards the intelligence or infor- 
 mation the letters are intended to convey. The value of the 
 letters now printed, is, I conceive, that they give the expression 
 of the precise feelings of the man at the moment when the 
 occurrences to which they allude took place, and I have 
 deemed it more in character with their nature to submit 
 them as a sort of running commentary upon the events of his 
 life during the period embraced by them. The part relating 
 to Lady Hamilton's personal history, and the investigation of 
 her claims upon the gratitude of her country, I have thought 
 it advisable to separate from the more general biography, and 
 to arrange in the form of two Supplementary Chapters. 
 
 When Lord Nelson's Private Correspondence first came 
 into my hands, it was my intention simply to have made a 
 selection from the mass, and to have printed it as a Supple- 
 ment to the Dispatches and Letters ; but upon a particular 
 examination, 1 found it to extend over so lengthened a period, 
 that also being one in which the principal events of his life 
 occurred, that it would have required so many references for 
 elucidation, and so many corrections of previous statements, 
 or notice of trifling peculiarities, as to have occasioned equal
 
 VIU PUEFACE. 
 
 embarrassment to the editor and the reader. I resolved, there- 
 fore, in order, as I conceived, to do justice to the subject, to 
 embody the whole in the form of a narrative, as now sub- 
 mitted to the public, and to effect this, it became necessary 
 to sketch out or frame a general biography. In this work 
 I have not been guided by any preceding Biography that has 
 appeared of Lord Nelson ; but have constructed it principally 
 by a diligent perusal of his Public Dispatches, Orders, and 
 Letters, as deposited in the Admiralty, and in the Collection 
 derived from that and other sources published by Sir Harris 
 Nicolas already alluded to. Many of the documents now 
 preserved in the Record Office of the Admiralty have been 
 printed in this Collection ; I have, therefore, felt it unnecessary 
 again to publish them entire, which would have extended 
 this work beyond the limits desirable in such an undertaking ; 
 but merely to give extracts from such as were necessary to 
 display the course of Nelson's career, and illustrate the various 
 operations in which he was engaged. I have preferred giving 
 references to these documents as already published, and 
 therefore accessible to the general reader; although I have 
 had the advantage of consulting the originals, and of being 
 permitted to take copies of any papers I required relating to 
 Nelson now in the Admiralty. I should be wanting in grati- 
 tude to every officer of this Department of the Public Service, 
 from the First Lord down to the Clerks, if I were not in an 
 especial manner to offer my most sincere thanks for the facili- 
 ties which have been so generously afforded me on this occa- 
 sion. My thanks are more immediately and especially due 
 to Captain William A. B. Hamilton, Second Secretary of 
 the Admiralty ; to my much esteemed friends, Thomas 
 Crofton Croker, Esq., of the Commission Department ; and 
 John Barrow, Esq., Head of the Record Department ;i all of 
 
 ' I cannot make mention of Mr. Ban'ow's name without noticing the great care 
 he has bestowed in classifying, arranging, and binding into volumes, some of the 
 most interesting and valuable documents connected with the Naval History of
 
 PREFACE. IX 
 
 whom have vied with each other in rendering me assistance, 
 whilst the Hberal loan of Works and MS. Indexes from 
 the Library of the Admiralty to ensure accuracy in all the 
 details, have enabled me, I trust, to verify and to correct 
 statements which have appeared, not only as regards Lord 
 Nelson himself, but also the services of his contemporaries 
 and those who so gloriously served under his command. The 
 number of Biographical Sketches, w^hich, with the assistance 
 of the works of Mr. James, Captain Brenton, Lieutenant 
 Marshall, the Naval Chronicle, &c., I have been enabled to 
 append to these pages, will, I flatter myself, not be less 
 acceptable to the public, than they must of necessity be to 
 the Naval profession. Having thus made my acknowledg- 
 ments to those individuals and sources w'hence I have been 
 able to accomplish this part of my undertaking, it remains to 
 say a few words with regard to some portion of the contents 
 for the first time appearing before the public, as those relate 
 to some of the most important concerns in the hero's career. 
 They especially refer to the transactions at Naples, and the 
 correspondence of the Queen of Naples with Lord Nelson 
 and Lady Hamilton. 
 
 To any one jealous of the honour and glory of England it 
 cannot but be painful to observe the almost universal con- 
 demnation with which Lord Nelson's conduct, in regard to 
 the trial and execution of Francisco Caracciolo, and the 
 repudiation of the Treaty of Capitulation of the Castles of 
 Uovo and Nuovo have been received ; but it appears to me 
 the censure has been too freely bestowed, and without a careful 
 and dispassionate examination of the circumstances. To 
 deny the ferocity of the Queen of Naples, and the malignity 
 
 this country. Ha\ing had occasion to refer to the Nelson Dispatches, I was much 
 struck with the extent and the arrangement of the Records of the Department, by 
 which I was enabled immediately to obtain that which I required, and I am most 
 happy in this opportunity of expressing my thanks to Mr. Barrow, and high ap- 
 preciation of his well-directed and judicious labours.
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 of Lady Hamilton in regard to Caracciolo so freely assumed 
 and positively stated by all writers, would almost appear to 
 be absurd, and to wilfully assert that which was contrary to 
 all belief ; yet I flatter myself that the private letters of her 
 Majesty printed in the succeeding pages — letters written in 
 full and entire confidence to Lady Hamilton — never intended 
 for the public eye, and composed as the events of the day 
 occurred, will serve to relieve her Majesty from the charges 
 so repeatedly urged against her, and so injurious to her 
 memory. In all the letters in which Caracciolo is mentioned, 
 who it must never be forgotten was a traitor, and carried 
 arms against his own Sovereign, her Majesty rather deplores 
 his madness than accuses him of crime : " J'ai vus aussi la 
 triste et merite fin du malheureux et forcene Caracciolo. Je 
 sens bien tout ce que votre Excellent Coeur aura souferte et 
 celle augmente ma reconnoissance."^ No delight is expressed 
 at the shedding of his blood, or the severity of his punish- 
 ment, and as to the part which Lady Hamilton appears 
 actually to have taken on the occasion, the report so repeatedly 
 stated that she was present to witness his execution is, and 
 must be, entirely without foundation, as she was during the 
 whole of the time in the cabin with Sir William Hamilton, 
 and Lord Nelson was in his own separate cabin apart from 
 them. Sir James Mackintosh- is therefore not warranted in 
 describing Lady Hamilton as " a ferocious woman, who 
 lowered the illustrious name of an English matron to the 
 level of a Parisian fishwoman," nor as one making " our 
 chosen hero an instrument in deeds of cruelty and dishonour." 
 He is not justified in stating Nelson to have been " seduced 
 into barbarity, and public as well as private perfidy ;" nor 
 when alluding to the execution of Caracciolo is he warranted 
 in speaking of it as " an act which I forbear to characterize." 
 Yet this same able writer can speak of a man under such 
 
 ' Letter of the 2nd of July, 1799, from the Queen to Lady Hamilton. 
 ° Life of Sir James Mackintosh, Vol. ii. p. 137.
 
 PREFACE. XI 
 
 circumstances, and with such impressions, or rather, in his 
 mind, convictions respecting him, as having a soul full of 
 honour and humanity, that he never punished a seaman with- 
 out having his nerves convulsed at seeing him punished, and 
 that he was the man whom the sailors called, ' Nel, bold as a 
 lion, and mild as a lamb/ Strangely contradictory this ! but 
 in what manner does he attempt to account for this extraor- 
 dinary contrariety of character ? 
 
 "Nelson (he says) had gone from his parsonage to sea; 
 where, in five years, he had become the greatest of English- 
 men. Art, pohteness, flattery, magnificence, and beauty, 
 acted upon his unworn sensibility. The daughter of Maria 
 Theresa was on her knees to him as a deliverer. Meretricious 
 beauty poured all its blandishments on the uncultivated sailor. 
 The arts, in the degraded state when they cease to deserve 
 the name of liberal, and become the wretched slaves of sense, 
 were still the land of prodigies to him. He had a just indig- 
 nation against the crimes of his enemies, and, more especially, 
 the dastardly treason of the Neapolitan nobility. He had 
 not been taught to value, nor accustomed to consider the 
 forms, without which the substance of justice cannot be 
 preserved. He believed the prisoners, or their ringleaders, 
 to deserve death ; and he thought that the existence of the 
 government required a terrible example ; and, perhaps, in 
 themselves, both these opinions were right. From a just 
 detestation of that irresolution which had ruined so many 
 governments, he fell into the prevalent error of supposing 
 that nothing deserves the name of energetic policy but undis- 
 tinguishing violence ; and thus, by errors in judgment, by 
 the excess of justifiable feelings, by the drunkenness of guilty 
 passion, and the maddening power of political fanaticism, he 
 was driven into these deplorable acts. I shall not even 
 extenuate them. I hope there is no creature who has a 
 greater abhorrence of perfidy and cruelty than I have. I 
 verily believe that there is no character in history, but that
 
 XU PREFACE. 
 
 of Nelson, which I should love, after imputing to it such 
 crimes." 
 
 Such eloquence is truly dangerous, being calculated to 
 divert from the truth, and therefore deserving of the severest 
 reprehension. Should the statements made in the IXth 
 Chapter of this Biography tend to counteract the injurious 
 opinions thus excited, I shall be truly gratified. My object 
 has been, without prejudice, to state the facts of the case as 
 far as the evidence in our possession will enable them to be 
 displayed ; and it is exceedingly to be regretted, that no 
 statement proceeding from Nelson himself, on this subject, is 
 upon record. His soul was, however, too generous to have 
 yielded to any improper influence or wicked impulse. He 
 was the soul of honour — the slightest suspicion of his sincerity 
 was sufficient to rouse his most violent feelings. His letters, 
 when accused at Genoa, ^ mark the character of the man and 
 his most susceptible disposition ; and will it be supposed that 
 when human life was the subject of consideration, he would 
 be less sensitive or tenacious ? He was one as described by 
 our Immortal Bard, and one who might with Hector truly 
 say:— 
 
 "Mine honour keeps the weather of my fate : 
 Life every man holds dear ; but the dear man 
 Holds honour far more precious-dear than life." 
 
 Troilus and Cressida, Act v. so. iii. 
 
 The papers relating to the Treaty of Capitulation of the 
 Castles of Uovo and Nuovo, emanating from the King and 
 Queen of Naples to Lord Nelson, investing him with ex- 
 traordinary powers, and solemnly denying the right of Car- 
 dinal RufFo to treat with the rebels, or conclude any treaty 
 without the sanction of his Sicilian Majesty, and the obser- 
 vations of the Q,ueen upon each separate article of the Treaty 
 will, I hope, serve to place the position of Lord Nelson in a 
 
 ' See Vol. i. page 72.
 
 PREFACE. Xlll 
 
 different point of view to that in which, by many, it has been 
 considered in this aifair. 
 
 These appear to me the principal points to which it is 
 essential to refer in these prefatory remarks; the various 
 points of his character, as exhibited throughout his career, 
 and upon which the estimate of his merits must be formed, 
 I have endeavoured to bring under review in the concluding 
 chapter. I am only fearful that it has not been in my power 
 to do justice to the magnitude of my subject, and that to 
 many it may appear extraordinary that one whose life has 
 been devoted to professional, scientific, and antiquarian 
 researches, should have been tempted into the paths of Naval 
 Biography. Although the subject has, as it were, come to 
 me accidentally, it is one which has had a charm for me from 
 my earliest years. The names of our great Naval Com- 
 manders, Rodney, Howe, Hood, and St. Vincent, have always 
 been in my remembrance, and the details of their glorious 
 achievements poured into my eai* by an affectionate parent, 
 who, as Surgeon of the Barfleur and the Victory, formed 
 part of that band who really constituted the bulwarks of the 
 country. A familiarity with these subjects, and an intercourse 
 of no very limited nature during my life with naval men, has 
 made the labour to me one of great pleasure and satisfaction, 
 for many of those who stood forth and proudly boasted of 
 having been of Nelson's chosen band I have had the honour 
 to rank among my dearest friends. 
 
 In committing my work to the public judgment, I must 
 say a word or two with regard to the Illustrations. For these 
 I am proud to acknowledge my obligations : in the first 
 place, to the Lords of the Admiralty, for their permission so 
 graciously accorded to me to engrave the portrait of Lord 
 Nelson by Leonardo Guzzardi, which now ornaments the 
 Board Room of the Admiralty, and which exhibits the hero 
 at a very interesting period of his life. It was painted for 
 Sir William Hamilton at Palermo in l799j one year after the
 
 XlV PREFACE. 
 
 Battle of the Nile, and upon his recovery from a severe attack 
 of fever. This exceedingly interesting portrait, in which he 
 appears with the Plume of Triumph, the diamond Aigrette, 
 presented to him by the Grand Signior, agrees so entirely 
 with what has been expressed by a noble writer in the West- 
 minster Review for January, 1848, that I cannot forbear 
 transcribing the following passage : " Those, indeed, who 
 look upon the portraits, for the most part indifferent ones, of 
 this celebrated man, some of which fitly adorn the ante- 
 chambers of our Kings, — see the frail, wan, and w^asted form, 
 mutilated with wounds ; yet, in the pale, melancholy features, 
 which Vandyke would have loved to paint, in the silent 
 eloquence of the blue, thoughtful eye, may be discovered the 
 traces of that indomitable spirit which actuated the leader, 
 and was successfully infused by him into his followers. In 
 looking at the likeness, in recalling the many recorded traits 
 of his gentle, yet enthusiastic nature, his warm religious 
 emotions, his ardent personal enterprise, we fancy we can 
 comprehend the confidence and attachment he inspired among 
 those who served under him/' This statement is no less 
 true than well expressed, for although the portraits of Nelson 
 are numerous, they are not remarkable for their excellence, 
 and I hope, therefore, in adding two more engravings from 
 original and genuine sources, I am effecting a desirable 
 object. The second portrait of Lord Nelson, by A. W. Devis, 
 is highly interesting, in having been the last taken of the 
 Immortal Hero — it is unfinished, and was executed just before 
 his departure for Trafalgar, the last, therefore, ever painted 
 from the life/ and for one who holds his memory most dear 
 — one of his own ' band of brothers' — his Flag Captain at 
 the Battle of the Nile— the bearer of his dispatches to 
 
 * A finished portrait either from the sketch in the possession of Sir T. B. Capel, 
 or copy belonging to the artist, was engraved for Sir William Beatty's Narrative 
 of the Death of Lord Nelson, and this picture which bears the date of September, 
 1806, is now in the possession of Mrs. Smith of Twickenham.
 
 PREFACE. XV 
 
 England on that glorious occasion — the Captain described in 
 Nelson's letter of introduction of him to Lady Hamilton as 
 "a son of Lord Essex, and a very good young man;"^ the 
 present Admiral the Honourable Sir Thomas Bladen Capel, 
 K.C.B., Commander-in-chief at Portsmouth, to whom I beg 
 to return my best thanks for his kind permission to engrave 
 it, and to express my fervent hope that he may long live to 
 enjoy the honours he has deservedly won by a most briUiant 
 career of service. 
 
 Although the portraits have been numerous, it is remark- 
 able that there is only one original bust of his Lordship. 
 Lady Damer executed a bust of Nelson in rriarble and pre- 
 sented it to the City of London. It is now in the Council 
 Chamber of the Guildhall, and appears to be the only one for 
 which Nelson sat. Lady Damer writes to Lady Hamilton from 
 Strawberry Hill, Oct. 31st, 1809: "I must not forget one 
 thing on which I wished to speak to you, that is, that I 
 understand a fine edition of Lord Nelson's Life is coming out 
 soon (I conclude under the directions of the present Lord and 
 his friends). I have the greatest desire, that in some way or 
 other, no matter how shortly or how simply said, either in a 
 note or otherwise, my having had the honour I prize so much, 
 of that immortal Hero's having sat to me, and to me alone, 
 for a sculptural bust, should be mentioned. To you, my dear 
 Lady Hamilton, and to my kind friend. Sir William, you 
 know I owe this favour, and you will not wonder at my 
 ambition and my anxiety that such a circumstance which I 
 know so well how to value, should be recorded in a manner 
 never to be forgotten, and that my name should thus be (if I 
 may so term it), joined to the most brilliant name England 
 ever gave birth to. 
 
 '' Your sincere and affectionate, 
 
 "Anne S. Damer.'' 
 
 ' See Vol. i. page 140.
 
 XVI PREFACE. 
 
 The engraving of the Danish line of Defence, at the attack 
 on Copenhagen, April 2, 1801, is from an original drawing 
 made for Lord Nelson, and sent home by him, intended to 
 he framed and glazed, and placed in what he called " The 
 Nelson Room," at Merton, which was intended to contain the 
 various mementos of his battles. He describes this drawing 
 as "correct to the minutest degree."^ 
 
 The Fac-similes selected, are such as may be reasonably 
 presumed of public interest. Independently of the autograph 
 signatures of the King and Queen of Naples, the Emperor 
 Paul, William IV., Victor Emanuel King of Sardinia, Prince 
 Charles Felix of Savoye, Francisco Caracciolo, General Du- 
 mouriez, and the Rev. Edmund Nelson, the venerable father 
 of Lord Nelson ; there are those of Horatio Nelson, as sub- 
 scribed by him to the Oath of Allegiance in the Admiralty, 
 on the 11th of April, 1777? two days after passing his exa- 
 mination for Lieutenant ; Horatio Nelson prior to losing his 
 arm ; Sir Horatio Nelson after the Battle off Cape St. Vin- 
 cent, and after the loss of his arm ; Nelson as a Peer of the 
 Realm ; Bronte Nelson of the Nile, after receiving the Ducal 
 title and estate from his Sicilian Majesty ; and Nelson and 
 Bronte, which was used by him to the time of his death, and 
 taken from the last letter he ever wrote ; there are also sepa- 
 rate fac-similes of his first letter as a Peer, proving his know- 
 ledge of his elevation as early as the 16th of October, 1798 ; 
 an interesting letter of thanks to Lord Nelson from the 
 Uueen of Naples, the Prince Leopold (afterwards Prince of 
 Salerno, who married Maria Clementina, daughter of the 
 Emperor of Austria) ; the Princess Christina (afterwards 
 married to Carlo Felice, King of Sardinia) ; Amelia (after- 
 wards Duchess of Orleans, the present ex-Queen of the 
 French) ; and the Princess Antoinette ; verses written by 
 Lord Nelson on the night of the day on which the action at 
 
 ' Vol. ii. p. 50.
 
 PREFACE. XVll 
 
 Copenhagen was fought; Lord Nelson's summary of his 
 wounds at the close of the war in 1801 ; and Lord Nelson's 
 letter, acknowledging the receipt of the Queen of Naples' 
 letter to the Governor of Syracuse, by which he was enabled 
 to water and provision his fleet, and to fight the Battle of the 
 Nile. 
 
 Of the portraits of Lady Hamilton, one was executed by 
 George Romney, R.A., and formed part of his effects at the 
 time of his death. It was purchased by the Right Hon. 
 Lord Northwick, who has kindly granted me the use of it, 
 and to whom Lady Hamilton was well known, both at Naples 
 and in England. It represents her in the pride of health and 
 beauty, exhibiting to great perfection those charming features 
 over which she could exercise such infinite variety of expres- 
 sion. The outUne by my late friend Sir Thomas Lawrence, 
 P.R.A., to whom also Lady Hamilton was well known, has 
 been most kindly lent to me by Chai'les Denham, Esq. 
 
 There is an exquisite whole-length portrait of Lady Hamil- 
 ton, by Sir Thomas Lawrence, in the dining-room at Stanmore 
 Priory, forming a companion picture to the one of Lady Char- 
 lotte Bury, by the same eminent artist. Neither of these 
 beautiful works of art, have, I believe, been yet engraved. 
 I have, however, gratefully to acknowledge the liberality 
 of the Marquis of Abercorn, in offering to me the portrait of 
 Lady Hamilton for this work, should it have been required. 
 Lord Northwick's kindness rendered it unnecessary at the 
 present time. 
 
 To conclude the list of my obligations, I have particularly 
 to return my thanks to the present noble and worthy bearer 
 of the well-earned title of the Great Admiral, and in doing 
 this, I may perhaps be excused expressing my deep regret 
 that the Ducal title and estate, of which Lord Nelson was so 
 justly proud, being bestowed upon him for his salvation of 
 Naples, by the glorious Battle of the Nile, has not descended 
 along with the EngUsh Peerage. Nelson without Bronte will 
 VOL. I. b
 
 XVin PREFACE. 
 
 ever be great, but Bronte without Nelson Is insignificant. 
 The Bronte estate was left by Viscount Nelson's Will, in the 
 same manner as the title is to English Peerages. First, to 
 his brother William, and his children male ; second, to his 
 sisters, and their children male. Upon the death of Viscount 
 Nelson, William, his brother, was created an Earl, whose only 
 son, Horatio Viscount Trafalgar, died January l7th, 1808, 
 at the age of 19, and was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, 
 under the centre of the dome, by the side of the remains of 
 his uncle. The sister of this youth. Lady Charlotte, married 
 Lord Bridport. The English title, therefore, descended to 
 Thomas Bolton, the male issue of Viscount Nelson's eldest 
 sister. Shortly before the first EarFs death (Earl William), 
 he attempted to alienate the Bronte estate in favour of his 
 daughter. Lady Bridport, and out of respect to the known 
 wishes of the Viscount, the second Earl, Thomas, and after- 
 wards the third, Horatio (the present), instituted and con- 
 tinued a suit in Chancery, v. Lord Bridport, for the Bronte 
 estate, The suit was however decided against Earl Nelson 
 by the Master of the Rolls. The arguments in this case, his 
 Lordship tells me, were much to the following effect : — An 
 alteration had been made in the law of the Two Sicilies which 
 prevented the Bronte estate from being left as the Viscount 
 intended ; but at the same time empowered the sale of estates 
 so willed in order that the proceeds might be laid out else- 
 where, and follow the will of the Testator. Lord Bridport 
 could not deny the intention of the Viscount in his Will, but 
 contended that Earl William could not be obliged to sell, that 
 being only a permissive, not a compulsory act. The whole 
 discussion then rested on the state and meaning of the Sicilian 
 law, and so doubtful was the matter, that Lord Langdale, in 
 giving his judgment, confessed that no two Judges might 
 entertain the same opinion on the subject. 
 
 By the loss of this suit, the present Earl is deprived of one of 
 the honours most highly prized by his great uncle, and also the
 
 PREFACE. XIX 
 
 heir-looms which he had left with the title and estate of Bronte. 
 The Diamond Plume (seen in the Portrait) given by the Sul- 
 tan, the diamond-hilted Sword by the King of Naples, are 
 gone out of the line of the English title, as well as the Bronte 
 title, which, it may be presumed, Lady Bridport is now enabled 
 to assume. One feeling only, and that of deep regret, must 
 be entertained, that such memorials, of no value in themselves, 
 except in connection with the history of the glorious deeds for 
 which they were bestowed, should be so separated from the 
 bearers of that title, which the country decreed should go down 
 to posterity as the grateful tribute of a nation to unequalled 
 skill, bravery, and patriotic ardour. 
 
 NOMEN IN EXEMPLUM SUO SERVABIMUS ^VO. 
 
 Z»2
 
 CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 1758—1784. 
 
 Parentage of Horatio Nelson— his Education— 1767, Death of his Mother — 
 1770, Entrance into the Navy— 1771, Goes to theWest Indies— 1772, Appointed 
 Midshipman of the Triumph — Acquires skill in Navigation — 1773, Removed 
 to the Carcass, Captain Lutwidge — Expedition to the North Pole — 1774, 
 Departs with a Squadron to the East Indies with Captain Farmer in the Sea- 
 horse — 1776, Returns to England in the Dolphin, Captain Pigott — Acts as 
 Lieutenant of the Worcester, Captain Mark Robinson — Goes to Gibraltar with 
 a Convoy — 1777, Passes his examination for Lieutenant, and appointed to the 
 Lowestoffe, Captain William Locker— Quits the Lowestoffe for a Schooner, 
 and captures the Abigail — 1778, Serves in the Bristol under Sir Peter Parker — 
 Raised to the rank of Commander, is appointed to the Badger — His activity 
 displayed against the American Privateers— Destruction of the Glasgow by 
 fire— Forms an intimacy with Captain Lloyd — Succeeded in command by 
 Captain CoUingwood — 1779, Made Post Captain, and appointed to the 
 Hinchinbrook — 1780, Entrusted with the command of the Batteries at Port 
 Royal in Jamaica — Expedition against Fort St. Juan— Testimonies of General 
 Sir John Dalling and Captain Poison to his great zeal and abiUty — Appointed 
 to the Janus — Derangement of his health — Returns to England in the Lion, 
 Captain the Hon. WilUam Cornwallis — Resides at Bath — Recovers, and is 
 appointed to the Albemarle — 1781, Departs for the North Sea — Entraps 
 Prince MaximiUan Joseph — Liberates him — Returns to Portsmouth — 1782, 
 Goes with a Convoy to Newfoundland and Quebec with Captain Thomas 
 Pringle— Sails on a Cruise, and is chased by three French Ships-of-the-line 
 and a Frigate — His remarkable coolness and decision on the occasion — Sails 
 with a Convoy for New York, and joins the Fleet under Lord Hood— Accom- 
 panies the Fleet to the West Indies — Returns to England in 1783— Attends 
 His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence to the Havannah— The Didie's 
 description of Nelson — Nelson's character of His Royal Highness — The Albe- 
 marle paid off, and Nelson placed on half-pay — Visits France vnth Captain 
 Macnamara — Meets with Captain Ball — Coleridge's character of Ball — 
 1784, Appointed to the Boreas — Sails for the Leeward Islands — Suppresses 
 illegal Traffic — Difficulties experienced— Weakness of Sir Richard Hughes, the 
 Commander-in-chief — Death of Captain Wilfred CoUingwood— Returns to 
 England — Representations to the Admiralty . . .pp. 1 — 2S 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 1787—1794. 
 
 Nelson's attachment to Female society — Mrs. Moutray, Mrs. Nisbet — His Mar- 
 riage — Arrival in England — Retires to Burnham Thorpe — His occupations
 
 XXU CONTENTS. 
 
 on shore — Anxiety to be employed again — Appointed to the Agamemnon in 
 1793 — Cruises in the Channel with a Squadron under Vice- Admiral Hotham 
 — Goes to the Mediterranean with Lord Hood — Surrender of Toulon — Departs 
 for Turin and Naples — Forms acquaintance with Sir William and Lady Hamil- 
 ton, and Sir John Acton, Bart. — Returns to the Fleet— Receives sealed Orders, 
 and proceeds to Cagliari — Falls in with a Squadron of French Frigates off 
 Sardinia, and engages the Melpomene— Protects the Trade ofif Corsica — 
 Account of the Evacuation of Toulon .... 29 — 47 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 1794. 
 
 Convention between Lord Hood and General Paoli for the expulsion of the 
 French from Corsica — Nelson's extraordinary activity — Examines Bastia — 
 The Siege and Surrender — Receives a cut in the back — Sails for Calvi — At its 
 Siege loses his right eye— Tablet erected by Nelson to the memory of Lieute- 
 nant James Moutray . . . . . . . 48 — 60 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 1794—1797. 
 
 Nelson rejoins Lord Hood, and proceeds in search of the French Fleet — Sent 
 with Dispatches to Genoa — His reception by the Doge — Placed under Vice- 
 Admiral Hotham, he is sent to look after the French Fleet at Toulon — At St. 
 Fiorenzo — 1795, Cruises with the Fleet — Falls in with the French Fleet — 
 Admiral Hotham's Action - Nelson engages the Ca Ira — Takes the Ca Ira 
 and Le Censeur — Goes into Porto Especia — Made a Colonel of Marines — In 
 another action with the French Fleet, Rear-Admiral Man commanding — Co- 
 operates with General De Vins on the Coast of Genoa — Is chased by the French 
 Fleet — Appointed Commodore — Captures a Corvette, Gun-boats, and a Convoy 
 to Alassio — Reports to Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker the state of the Ships in 
 Toulon — His indignation at being charged at conniving with the Enemy to 
 admit supplies for the French Army on the Riviera of Genoa — His addi-ess to 
 Lord Grenville on the occasion — 1796, Sir John Jervis's arrival at St. Fio- 
 renzo — Nelson departs for Leghorn — Sent to Toulon — Returns to St. Fiorenzo, 
 and is directed to w-ear a Broad Pendant — Captures four Vessels off Loano — 
 two others and five Transports off Oneglia, making fifty in the course of two 
 years — Quits the Agamemnon for the Captain — Blockades the Port of Leghorn — 
 Takes Porto Ferrajo — Fired upon by the Batteries of Genoa— His remon- 
 strances — Arrives at Bastia — Takes the Island of Capraja — Evacuation of Cor- 
 sica—Demand to the Genoese Government for the restitution of British Ship- 
 ping and Property— Sails with the Fleet for Gibraltar— Removes into La Minerve 
 — Captures the Santa Sabina, which is retaken by the Spanish Admiral — 
 Exchange of Prisoners — Takes a French Privateer — 1797, Arrives at Gibral- 
 tar — Joins the Fleet off Cape St. Vincent— Battle of St. Vincent— Takes pos- 
 session of the San Josef and the San Nicolas — Presents the Spanish Admiral's 
 Sword to the City of Norwich — Is made a Knight of the Order of the Bath — 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Drinkwater's account of the Battle . . 61 — 95
 
 CONTENTS. XXlll 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 1797—1798. 
 
 Nelson hoists his Pendant on board the Irresistible — The Freedom of the City of 
 London and other Corporations voted to him — Made Rear-Admiral of the Blue — 
 Blockades Cadiz —Departs for Porto Ferrajo— Meets a Convoy with the Troops 
 — Hoists his Flag in the Theseus, and is appointed to the command of the 
 Inshore Squadron — Gratifying attachment of his Men — Bombardment of 
 Cadiz — Desperate encounter vpith a Spanish Gun-boat — Second Bombardment 
 of Cadiz — Attack on Santa Cruz in Teneriffe — its failure — Nelson's loss of his 
 right arm — Rejoins the Earl of St. Vincent — Hoists his Flag on board the Sea- 
 horse, and proceeds to England — Upon his arrival retires to Bath — Draws 
 up a Memorial of his Services — Attends at St. Paul's Cathedral at the General 
 Thanksgiving — Appointed to the Vanguard — Hoists his Flag — Arrives at 
 Lisbon with a Convoy — Joins the Earl of St. Vincent off Cadiz — Ordered to 
 Gibraltar — Commands a Squadron of Observation up the Mediterranean — 
 Storm in the Gulf of Lyons — Proceeds in search of the French Fleet — Dissa- 
 tisfaction of Sir William Parker and Sir John Orde— Arrives off Naples — 
 Captain Troub ridge sent to Sir William Hamilton — Nelson sails for Malta — 
 thence to Alexandria and coast of Asia — Returns to Sicily, and anchors at 
 Syracuse — Obtains water and provisions — Sails for Egypt — Discovers the 
 French Fleet ....... 96—127 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 1798. 
 
 Battle of the Nile — Nelson wounded in the head — Destruction of L'Orient — 
 Coffin made of the Mainmast, and presented by Captain HaUowell, to Sir H. 
 Nelson — His Piety — Sword presented by the Captains to their Admiral — His 
 Portrait taken for the Egyptian Club — Letters of congratulation — The Leander 
 captured by Le Gen^reux — Sir Horatio Nelson created a PeeK — Pi-esents the 
 Sword of Admiral Blanquet to the City of London — Thanks of both Houses 
 of Parliament voted — Various presents — from the Emperor Paul — the Grand 
 Signior — the Dowager Sultana — the King of the Two Sicilies — the King of 
 Sardinia — the Presidents of the Island of Zante — the City of Palermo — the 
 East India Company — the Turkey Company — the Patriotic Fund — Medal to 
 commemorate the Victory struck by order of George III — Another by Mr. Da- 
 vison — Nelson intercepts the Dispatches of Buonaparte — Sails for Naples — His 
 arrival there — Enthusiastic reception by the Royal Family — Sir William and 
 Lady Hamilton— His disgust at the character and conduct of the Court — Festi- 
 vities at Naples— Sails for Malta — Description of the Island — La Valetta — 
 History of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem— Occupation of Malta by the 
 French — Capitulation of Gozo .... 128 — 167
 
 XXIV CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 1798. 
 
 Nelson returns to Naples — Deliberates with the King, General Mack, and Sir 
 John Acton — Nelson's first Letter as a Peer — Sails with a small Squadron for 
 Leghorn — Its Surrender — Return to Naples — Defeat of the Neapolitan Troops 
 — Character of General Mack — Alarm of the Royal Family — Reception of their 
 Majesties and Family on board the Vanguard— Departure for Palermo — Mode 
 and circumstances of Embarkation .... 168 — 188 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 1799. 
 
 Dissatisfaction of the Earl of St. Vincent and Lord Nelson, et the appointment of 
 Sir William Sidney Smith — Procures the liberation of some Mahometan Cap- 
 tives — Removes his Flag to the Bellerophon — Offers to mediate between the 
 Bey of Tunis, the Bashaw of Tripoli, His Sicilian Majesty and the Queen of 
 Portugal — Desperate condition of affairs at Naples — Conduct of Prince Pigna- 
 telli — Nelson promoted to be Rear-Admiral of the Red — Transfers his Flag to 
 the Culloden — Anxiety to protect Messina — Arrives at Palermo, and receives 
 the Freedom of the City— Orders a Blockade of Naples — Nelson's representa- 
 tions to the British Minister at Petersburgh, on the expense attending the 
 Blockade of La Valetta, and the necessity of Russian Troops — His opinion as 
 to the importance of Malta — Distress of the Maltese — Departs for Maritime — 
 In pursuit of the French Fleet— Earl St. Vincent returns to England— Lord 
 Keith appointed to the Command — The King of Naples entreats Lord Nelson 
 to come to his assistance — Removes to the Foudroyant — Returns to Palermo — 
 Embarks the Hereditary Prince, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and proceeds 
 to Naples — Surrender of the Castles of Uovo and Nuovo — Annuls the Signal of 
 Truce — Repudiates the terms of the Capitulation — Queen of Naples' comments 
 on the Articles of Capitulation — Cardinal Rnffo — Nelson created Duke of 
 Bronte in Sicily ...... 189—249 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 1799. 
 
 Francisco Caracciolo — His history— Trial and execution — State of Naples — Sur- 
 render of Fort St. Elmo — Reception of the King upon his return to Naples' — 
 Fetes on the occasion — Receives Lord Keith's orders to send Ships to Minorca 
 — Nelson's neglect of them — His conduct disapproved by the Admiralty — 
 Capture of Leghorn — Surrender of Capua and Gaeta — Evacuation of the 
 City of Rome and Civitii Vecchia — Returns to Palermo with the King 
 
 250—292
 
 CONTENTS. XXV 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1799—1800. 
 
 Lord Nelson made Commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean— Disposition and 
 Condition of the Squadron — Receives presents from the Grand Signior and the 
 Presidents of Zante — Lord Keith resumes the Command in the Mediterranean — 
 Nelson hoists his Flag in the Foudroyant, and sails for Palermo — in Leghorn 
 Roads, with Lord Keith— then at Messina and Malta— Ofif Cape Passaro, 
 captures Le Genereux, and a Frigate — Nelson's Squadron ordered to the 
 Blockade of La Valetta— Nelson's Correspondence upon Malta— Letter to the 
 Emperor Paul, soliciting the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, for Captain Ball 
 and Lady Hamilton — The Emperor's compliance with his desire — Returns to 
 Pakrmo — Dissipation of the Court of Naples at Palermo . 2&3 — 344 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 1800. 
 
 Sir William Sidney Smith — Convention of El Arish — State of affairs in Egypt 
 and Turkey — Capture of Le Guillaume Tell by Sir Edward Berry — Nelson 
 receives the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit — Sails for Malta — Sir William 
 Hamilton superseded as Minister at the Court of Naples — Departure of Nelson 
 for Palermo — Conveys the Queen and her Children to Leghorn — Their Letters 
 of thanks to Nelson, and expressions of attachment to England — Nelson ad- 
 dresses the Pope — Strikes his Flag, and proceeds to Vienna — His triumphal 
 reception — Grand entertainments given by Prince Esterhazy, the Archduke 
 Albert — Count Bathyany, Mr. Arnstein — The Archduke Charles — Arrives at 
 Hamburgh, and makes acquaintance with General Dumouriez — His arrival at 
 Yarmouth— His enthusiastic reception and progress to London — Dines with the 
 Lord Mayor, and receives the Sword from the City of London — Takes his seat 
 in the House of Lords — Death of the Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hos- 
 pital — Nelson attends his Funeral — Receives from Governor Ball an account of 
 the Surrender of La Valetta — Sir William Hamilton apphes for a Pension — 
 Assistance afforded to him by Lord Nelson — Negotiation with Mr. Beckford — 
 Visits Fonthill, Salisbury, &c. .... 345—407 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 1801. 
 
 Lord Nelson promoted to be Vice- Admiral of the Blue — Departs for Plymouth — 
 Visits Captain Westcott's mother — Writes to the Earl of St. Vincent on his 
 Birthday — Receives the Freedom of the City of Exeter and of Plymouth — Mes- 
 sage to Lord Holland — Puts himself under the command of the Earl St. Vincent 
 — Shifts his Flag from the San Josef to the St. George, and is placed under the 
 command of Sir Hyde Parker— Returns to London — Embarks Troops — Sails 
 for Yarmouth — Departs for the Baltic — His reasoning upon the Hostility of 
 Denmark — Removes into the Elephant — Passes Cronenburg and reconnoitres 
 the Danish line of defence ..... 408 — 1.S2
 
 XXVI CONTENTS. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 No. I. Translation of the Account of the Battle of the Nile, by the Adjutant of 
 
 the French Rear-Admiral Blanquet . • • 455 
 
 Account of the Battle of the Nile, by Mons. Vivant Denon . 460 
 
 II. Articles of Capitulation of Malta .... 464 
 
 III. Tunisian Aifairs — Correspondence of Major Perkins Magra, Consul at 
 
 Tunis, with Lord Nelson, Sir William Hamilton, and Sir Alexander 
 Ball, Bart. ..... 465—501 
 
 CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 1801. 
 
 The Battle of Copenhagen — Secret Orders to Sir Hyde Parter — Nelson's Plan of 
 attack — Communications with Mr. Vansittart — Removes into the Elephant — 
 Evening before the Battle — The Attack — Signal of Sir* Hyde Parker to with- 
 draw — Nelson's neglect of it — Flag of Truce — Messages in consequence — Danish 
 Force opposed to the English— English loss— Nelson made a Viscount — Ap- 
 pointed Commander-in-chief in the Baltic — His account of the Battle — Verses 
 written to his Guardian Angel — His reception by the Danes — Minute of Con- 
 versation with the Prince Royal — Death of the Emperor Paul — Nelson goes in 
 pursuit of the Swedish Squadron ..... 1 — 36 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 1801. 
 
 Letters of Congratulation on the Victory of Copenhagen from the Duke of Cla- 
 rence, Mr. Addington, King of Naples, Sir Brooke Boothby, General Du- 
 mouriez, &c. — Paper on the Armistice — Proceeds to Revel Roads — Alarm of 
 the Russians— Withdraws his Fltet .... 37 — 76 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 1801. 
 
 Death of Maurice Nelson - Nelson's kindness to his Brother's widow— Receives 
 the Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz — Ships of War at Copenhagen — Investiture 
 of Sir Thomas Graves as a Knight of the Bath — Nelson performs the ceremony
 
 CONTENTS. XXVU 
 
 — Quits the Baltic and returns to England— State of the Two Sicilies at this 
 time — Correspondence with Sir John Orde — Adopts means to recover his health 
 — Lord William Gordon's lines on the party at Staines — The Barony of Nelson 
 extended ....... 77 — 125 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 1801. 
 
 Threat of Invasion by Buonaparte — Camp at Boulogne — Instructions given to Lord 
 Nelson — Hoists his Flag in L'Unite — Arranges the SeaFencibles — Removes his 
 Flag to the Leyden— Then to the Medusa— Arrives off Boulogne — Resolves on 
 an attack —Disables some Vessels — Receives the freedom of Sandwich — Rev. W. 
 Nelson's importunities for preferment — Nelson desirous of a home — Particulars 
 of attack on the Boulogne Flotilla — Parker and Langford wounded — Failure of 
 the enterprise — Approves of the house at Merton — Great anxiety about Parker 
 — Threatened by a Mr. Hill — His contempt for him — Plan for Destruction of 
 the Dutch Fleet at Helvoet — Removes to the Amazon — Death of Parker — Nel. 
 son's distress — Presents Dr. Baird with a silver cup — Ingratitude of Parker's 
 father — Condition of Estate at Bronte — Mr. Davison's liberal offer — Preli- 
 minaries of Peace entered on ..... 126 — 209 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 1801. 
 
 Return of Peace — Receives the Order of St. Joachim — Returns to London — Visits 
 Merton — Attends the House of Lords — Defends the Preliminaries of Peace — 
 Receives the Insignia of the Order of the Crescent — Visited by his Father- 
 Nelson's embarrassments — Parts with his Diamonds . . 210—242 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 1802. 
 
 Statement of his wounds — Neglect of the Battle of Copenhagen by the City of 
 London — No Medals voted on the occasion — Question of Prize-money — Death 
 of his Father — Letter to the Lord Mayor — Obtains a living from Lord Chan- 
 cellor Eldon for his Chaplain — Makes a Tour into Wales — His enthusiastic re- 
 ception — Receives the degree of Doctor of Laws of Oxford — Freedom of Mon- 
 mouth— Fete at Milford in honour of the Battle of the Nile — His Portrait 
 placed in the New Hotel — Receives the Freedom of Worcester— Makes inquiries 
 about the growth of timber — Renewal of the War — His eyesight faihng — 
 Anxiety of Officers to serve under him — Anticipation of his appointment of 
 Commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean — Death of Sir William Hamilton — 
 Quits Merton for Portsmouth ..... 243—298
 
 XXVUl CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 1803. 
 
 Hoists his Flag in the Victory — Quits it for the Amphion — Arrives at Gibraltar — 
 Corresponds with the Neapolitan Authorities for the protection of the Sicilies — 
 Gratification of the King and Queen at his coming — Joins the Fleet with Sir 
 Richard Bickerton — Arrives off Toulon — Watches the Fleet — La Touche Tre- 
 ville — Exchange of Prisoners refused — Appoints Mr. Gibbs to the Stewardship 
 of the Bronte estate — Nelson's trouble with Prize Agents — Makes Codicil to his 
 Will in favour of Horatia — Blockade of Genoa and Port Especia — Admira- 
 tion of his Squadron — Letter to his Child — Deserters to Spain — Nelson's address 
 and orders respecting — Arranges a new Naval Hospital at Malta 299 — 360 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 1804. 
 
 Remarks on the importance of Sardinia — Correspondence with the Viceroy — 
 Gains his cause against the Earl of St. Vincent — Anxiety for the French Fleet — 
 Loss of Dispatches in the Swift cutter — Buonaparte's threats to the King and 
 Queen of Naples — Acton's removal .... 361 — 398 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 1804. 
 
 Nelson chases the French Fleet into Toulon — His indignation at the French Ad- 
 miral's account — Correspondence with the Queen of Naples— Letter to the 
 Lord Mayor — Made Vice-Admiral of the White — Dreadful gales — Deterioration 
 of his health — Alarm at Naples in fear of his return to England — Death of Ad- 
 mu-al La Touche Treville ..... 399—447 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1805. 
 
 Receives permission to return to England — Takes measures to protect the 
 Neapolitan Royal Family — Their anxiety at Nelson's intended departure — 
 Suggestions to avoid it — Napoleon Buonaparte's Letters to the King and Queen 
 of Naples — Nelson's extraordinary activity at this time — His anxiety for Cap- 
 tain Layman— His opinion unchanged with regard to the destination of the 
 French Fleet — Letter to CoUingwood — Continued search for the French Fleet — 
 Arrives in the West Indies — Expected Battle — Disappointment — General Bre- 
 reton's wrong information— Joins the Channel Fleet under Admiral Cornwallis 
 — Returns to England ...... 448 — 487
 
 CONTENTS. XXIX 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 1805. 
 
 Lord Nelson arrives at Merton — Is visited by the Duke of Clarence — Receives 
 intelligence from Admiral Louis off Cadiz — Arrival of Hon. Captain Blackwood 
 — Nelson's eagerness to depart — Withdraws his Proxy from the Earl Moira— 
 Quits Merton — Affecting leave of his child Horatia and Lady Hamilton — His 
 embarkation at Portsmouth — Enthusiasm of the populace — His watchword : 
 "Touch and take " — Officers desirous of accompanying him — Sees the Enemy's 
 Fleet — Receives Letters from the King and Queen of Naples— Attack of spasm 
 — Gratifying reception by the Fleet — Plan of Attack considered — His depen- 
 dence upon Captain Blackwood— System of Signals — His last Letter — Codicil to 
 his Will — His Prayer before entering on the Battle — Relative force of the Fleets 
 — The Battle — Is wounded by a musket-ball — Sir W'illiam Beatty's description 
 of his Death — His Body preserved — The Victory proceeds to Gibraltar, and 
 thence to England — Arrival at Spithead — Examination of the Body — Deposited 
 in a Coffin, and conveyed to Greenwich — Lays in State in the Painted Chamber 
 of the Hospital — Procession to the water-side, and conveyance to the Admi- 
 ralty — Public Funeral — Monument in St. Paul's — Other public Monuments — 
 Earldom conferred on his Brother — Pension and Grant to his Family — Grant to 
 the Victors of Trafalgar . . . . . . 488—541 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 1805-1806. 
 
 Letters of Condolence to Lady Hamilton from Sir William Bolton — Sir A. S. 
 Hamond, Bart. — Sir Thomas Louis, Bart. — Sir William Hoste, Bart. — Lady 
 EUzabeth Bentinck— Sir George Rose — Sir R. G. Keats— R. Bulkeley, Esq. — 
 Hon. Sir Henry and Lady Blackwood — Sir T. M. Hardy, Bart. — Rev. A. J. 
 Scott— The Abbe Campbell— William Hayley, Esq.— Sir A. J. BaU, Bart.— 
 Mrs. Lutwidge — Lord Collingwood .... 542 — 561 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 The Character of Lord Nelson — His Genius — Opinions of Alison — Coleridge — 
 His quickness and sagacity — Delicacy of frame — Disabilities — Early achieve- 
 ments — Lord Hood's opinion of Mm — Hon. Captain Plunkett's — His Battles — 
 their contrast with those of the ancient school — Attachment of Officers and 
 Men — his affection — his justice — humanity — attention to health — his mode 
 of life — his generosity — honour above riches — honesty — gratitude — humour 
 — Hatred of the French — Piety — Characterictics of Howe, St. Vincent, and 
 Nelson, by Sir J. Barrow — Earl of Malmesbury's character of Nelson — ]Mr. 
 Pitt's distress at his Death — Sir J. Mackintosh's opinion of Nelson — Conclusion 
 
 562-591
 
 XXX 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTERS. 
 
 I. Lady Hamilton 
 
 II. Horatia Nelson 
 
 593—637 
 638—656 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 I. Boulogne FlotUla . . . 657—658 
 
 II. Rev. A. J. Scott, D.D. . . . 659—665 
 
 III. Order of St. Joachim . . . 665—666 
 
 IV. Captain Layman's Proposal for building Line-of-Battle Ships 667 — 668
 
 INDEX TO BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Acton, General Sir John, Bart. i. 40. 
 Allen, Tom, i. 114. 
 Austen, Admiral SirF. W. ii. 493. 
 Ball, Sir Alexander, Bart. i. 19. 
 Bajrntun, Vice-Admiral Sir H. W. ii. 
 
 492. 
 Bazeley, Vice-AdmiralJohn, ii. 133. 
 Bedford, Vice-Admiral Wm. ii. 187. 
 Berry, Rear-Admiral Sir Edward, 
 
 Bart. i. 121. 
 Bickerton, Admiral Sir Rich. Hussey, 
 
 Bart. i. 382. 
 Blackwood, Admiral the Hon. Sir 
 
 Henry, Bart. i. 303. 
 Bolton, Captain Sir W. ii. 374. 
 Boothby, Sir Brooke, Bart. ii. 45. 
 Bowen, Captain Richard, i. 108. 
 Bowyer, Admiral Sir G. Bart. i. 55, 
 Boyle, Vice-Admiral the Hon. Cour- 
 
 tenay, ii. 447. 
 Brisbane, Real-Admiral Sir C. ii. 38. 
 Bristol, Earl of, ii. 333. 
 Calder, Admiral Sir Robt. Bart. i. 86. 
 Campbell, Admiral Sir Geo. ii. 336. 
 Campbell, Vice-Admiral Sir Patrick, 
 
 ii. 179. 
 Cathcart, Capt. the Hon. W. ii. 133. 
 Choiseul-Gouffier, Count de, ii. 308. 
 Cochrane, Admiral the Hon. Sir 
 
 Alex. F. J. ii. 176. 
 Cocks, Captain George, ii. 431. 
 Coffin, Admiral Sir Isaac, i. 208. 
 CoUingwood, Admiral Lord, i. 10. 
 Conn, Captain John, ii. 155. 
 Conway, Lord Hugh Seymour, i. 40. 
 Comwallis, Admiral the Hon. Sir W. 
 
 i. 13. 
 Cotgrave, Captain Isaac, ii. 155. 
 Cracroft, Capt. Wm. Edw. ii. 307. 
 Culverhouse, Lieutenant, i. 84. 
 Cuming, Rear-Admiral Wm. i. 432. 
 Darby, Admiral Sir Henry D'Esterre, 
 
 i. 204. 
 Dickson, Admiral Wm. i. 438. 
 Dickson, Admiral Sir Arch. ii. 348. 
 Dixon, Vice-Admiral Sir Manley, i. 
 
 207. 
 
 Donnelly, Admiral Sir Ross, ii. 340. 
 
 Duckworth, Admiral Sir John T. 
 Bart. i. 283. 
 
 Dumouriez, General C. F. D. ii. 48. 
 
 Duncan, Lieut. John, R.A. i. 51. 
 
 Durham, Admiral Sir P. C. ii. 494. 
 
 Edge, Captain Wm. ii. 143. 
 
 Elliot, Sir Gilbert, Bart. i. 48, 
 
 Este, Rev. Charles, ii. 187. 
 
 Faddy, Lieut. Wm. ii. 422. 
 
 Fancourt, Admiral Robt. D. ii. 131. 
 
 Farmer, Captain George, i. 4. 
 
 Foley, Admiral Sir Thomas, i. 433. 
 
 Foote, Vice-Admiral Sir E. J. i. 230. 
 
 Frederick, Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas 
 Lenox, Bart. i. 87. 
 
 Fremantle, Vice-Admiral Sir Thos. 
 Francis, i. 99. 
 
 Gardner, Vice-Admiral Lord, ii. 297. 
 
 Gore, Vice-Admiral Sir John, ii. 134. 
 
 Gore, Mr. ii. 160. 
 
 Gould, Admiral Sir Davidge, i. 416. 
 
 Graeme, Vice-Admiral, ii. 128. 
 
 Graves, Admiral, i. 55. 
 
 Graves, Vice-Admiral Sir T. ii. 99. 
 
 HalloweU, Admiral Sir Benj. (after- 
 wards Carew), i. 56. 
 
 Hamilton, Admiral Sir Chas. ii. 142. 
 
 Hamond, Admiral Sir G. E. ii. 472. 
 
 Hamond, Captain Sir Andrew Snape, 
 Bart. i. 110. 
 
 Hampden, Viscount, ii. 162. 
 
 Hardy, Admiral Sir Thos. Master- 
 man, Bart. i. 84. 
 
 Hawkins, Captain Richard, ii. 183. 
 
 HoUoway, Admiral John, i. 430. 
 
 Hood, Lord Viscount, i. 67. 
 
 Hood, Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel, 
 Bart. i. 247. 
 
 Hope, Rear-Admiral Sir Geo. i. 179. 
 
 Hoste, Capt. Sir Wm. Bart. i. 147. 
 
 Hotham, Admiral Lord, i. 62. 
 
 Hughes, Admiral Sir Edward, Bart. 
 i. 5. 
 
 Hughes, Admiral Sir Richard, Bart, 
 i. 21. 
 
 Hunt, Captain Anthony, i. 53.
 
 xxxu 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 
 
 Inglefield, Captain John N. i. 311. 
 Inman, Captain Henry, ii. 9. 
 Jones, Captain Richard, ii. 155. 
 Keats, Admiral Richard G. ii. 3G8. 
 Keith, Admiral Lord Viscount, i. 228. 
 Knight, Admiral Sir John, ii. 472. 
 Koehler, Major Geo. Fred. i. 48. 
 Langford, Capt. Frederick, ii. 156. 
 Layman, Captain Wm. ii. 381. 
 Linzee, Commodore, i. 43. 
 Lloyd, Captain Thomas, i. 9. 
 Locker, Captain William, i. 7. 
 Louis, Rear-Admiral Sir Thos. Bart. 
 
 i. 287. 
 Lumley, Capt. Rich. John, ii. 410. 
 Lutwidge, Capt. Skeffington, i. 4. 
 Macnamara, Captain, i. 18. 
 Malcolm, Admu-al Sir Pulteney, ii. 
 
 386. 
 Man, Rear-Admiral, i. 68. 
 Matcham, Mrs. i. 31. 
 Middleton, Admiral Sir Chas. i. 27. 
 MUler, Capt. Ralph Willet, i. 98. 
 Moore, Lieut. Ogle, ii. 410. 
 Mowbray, Vice- Admiral Sir Richard 
 
 Hussey, ii. 307. 
 Murray, Vice-Admiral Sir G. i. 442. 
 Nisbet, Dr. i. 32. 
 Nisbet, Mrs. i. 32. 
 Noble, Rear-Admiral, i. 76. 
 O'Brien, Rear-Admiral Edw. ii. 67. 
 Orde, Admu-al Sir John, Bart. i. 123. 
 Otway, Admu-al Sir Robt. W. ii. 37. 
 Paoli, Pascal de, i. 48. 
 Parker, Admiral Sir Hyde, Bt. i. 72. 
 Parker, Vice-Admiral Sir Peter, 
 
 Bart. i. 7. 
 Parker, Vice-Admiral Sir Wm. Bart. 
 
 i. 123. 
 Parker, Rear-Admiral Hyde, ii. 410. 
 Parkor, Captain Sir Peter, Bt. ii. 349. 
 Pasley, Vice-Admiral Sir Thos. Bart. 
 
 i. 55. 
 Paulet, Vice-Admiral Lord Henry, 
 
 ii. 501. 
 Payne, Rear-Admiral J. W. ii. 595. 
 Pole, Admiral Sir Chas. Morice, ii. 98. 
 Pringle, Captain Thomas, i. 15. 
 
 Ram, Lieut. W. A. u. 529. 
 Richardson, Capt. Henry, ii. 311. 
 Riou, Capt. Edward, ii. 15. 
 Rivers, Lieut. James E. ii. 534. 
 Robinson, Capt. Mark, i. 5. 
 Rowley, Capt. Samuel C. ii. 229. 
 Russell, Captain, ii. 189. 
 Ryves, Rear-Admiral Geo. Frederick, 
 
 i. 449. 
 Sandys, Capt. Charles, i. 22. 
 Saumarez, Admiral Lord de, i. 97. 
 Schomberg, Rear-Admiral Sir Chas. 
 
 Marsh, ii. 312. 
 Schomberg, Captain Isaac, ii. 142. 
 Scott, Rev. A. J. App. No. ii. Vol. ii. 
 Serocold, Captain, i. 5. 
 Shepard, Capt. James Keith, i. 19. 
 Shield, Admiral Wm. ii. 141. 
 Sliirley, Major-Gen. Sir Thos. i. 23. 
 Smith, John Spencer, i. 172. 
 Smith, Admiral Sir W. Sidney, i. 189. 
 Somerville, Capt. Philip, ii. 155. 
 Sotheron, Admiral F. S. ii. 450. 
 Staines, Capt. Sir Thos. ii. 439. 
 Stewart, Hon. Lieut.-Col. W. i. 431. 
 Stopford, Admiral the Hon. Robt. 
 
 ii. 492. 
 Stuart, General, i. 56. 
 Suckling, Capt. Maurice, i. 17. 
 Suckling, William, i. 221. 
 Sutton, Admiral Sir John, ii. 95. 
 Thesiger, Capt. Sir Frederick, i. 432. 
 Thompson, Vice-Admiral Sir Thos. 
 
 Boulden, Bart. i. 138. 
 Tobin, Rear-Admiral Sir Geo. ii. 223. 
 Totty, Rear-Admiral Thos. ii. 55. 
 Trevor, Hon. Mr. i. 40. 
 Troubridge, Rear-Admiral Sir Thos. 
 
 Bart. i. 186. 
 Tyler, Admiral Sir Chas. i. 433. 
 Villettes, Lieut.-Gen. Wm. Anne, 
 
 i. 52. 
 Vmcent, Admiral the Earl of St. i. 74. 
 Westcott, Capt. Geo. Blagdon, i. 136. 
 Westphal, Capt. Sir Geo. A. ii. 529. 
 Withers, Capt. Thos. ii. 178. 
 Wolseley, Admu-al William, i. 420. 
 Woodman, Lieutenant, ii. 378.
 
 XXXIU 
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 Portrait of Nelson by Leonardo Guzzardi . . . Frontispiece. 
 
 Fac-simile of Lord Nelson's Autograph at various periods of his life 
 
 to face page 1 
 Fac-simile of the Autograph of the Rev. Edmund Nelson . . 38 
 — — Queen of Naples . . 47 
 
 Lord Nelson's first Letter as a Peer . . . 169 
 
 Lady Hamilton's attestation of it . . . ib. 
 
 the Autograph of Francisco Caracciolo . . 185 
 
 the King of Naples . . 212 
 
 Emperor Paul . . 328 
 
 Letter of the Queen of Naples, the Prince Leopold, and 
 
 the Princesses Christina, Amelia, and Antoinette . 379 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 Portrait of Lord Nelson after a painting by A. W. Devis . Frontispiece. 
 
 Engraving of the Danish line of defence at Copenhagen to face page 8 
 
 Fac-simile of Verses written by Lord Nelson . . .17 
 
 the Autograph of William IV. . . . 38 
 
 General Dumouriez . . 49 
 
 Lord Nelson's statement of his wounds . . 243 
 
 the Autograph of Charles Felix of Savoye . . 363 
 
 Victor Emanuel, King of Sardinia' . 436 
 
 Portrait of Emma Lady Hamilton, after Romney . to face page 593 
 
 Profile of do. by Sir T. Lawrence . . . to face page 638 
 
 Fac-simile of Lord Nelson's Letter, acknowledging the receipt of one from 
 
 the Queen of Naples . . . . .613 
 
 * See Errata and Additions. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 XXXIV 
 
 ERRATA AND ADDITIONS. 
 
 Vol. I. p. 153, line 29, for " It stands upon a peninsula upon," read " The 
 city stands upon a peninsula betwixt." 
 
 157, line lb, for " Dolomien," read " Dolomieu," 
 
 189, note, line 17, for " Abercrombie," read " Abercromby." 
 
 • 234, note. The Sedili at Naples are stated to have been two in 
 
 number ; but I learn that there were four, viz. Sedile San 
 Giuseppe, Sedile di Porto o Penino, Sedile di Porta Capuane, 
 and Sedile di Porta Nolana. Their origin is very ancient — when 
 the City was divided into four quarters. From the four Sedili or 
 Parliaments, a commission of 21 members was chosen, who 
 communicated with the King as a Senate. The objects of the 
 Assemblies were as stated in the note, but the abolition of them 
 by the King took place upon liis return from the Congress at 
 Laybach. 
 
 . 377, line 5, for " Sorrentina," read " Sorrentino." 
 
 • 400, line 11, for " or," read " for." 
 
 Vol. II. p. 297, line 22 in note, for " 1795," read " 1793." 
 
 376, note, last line, for "Dr. Moseley," read " WilUam Moseley." 
 
 ■ 436. The fac-simile of the autograph of Victor Emanuel has been 
 
 omitted, and is therefore here given : — 
 
 ^^^•^^ CHt^(/l^Ui^^^^'^^ 
 
 539. The inscription written by R. B. Sheridan, Esq., M.P., was for 
 the monument in Guildhall, not that in St. Paul's as stated. 
 
 I
 
 // /Z^-r^'-ti^f^/'y 
 
 1 
 
 ^'^^ks^T^ ^ -e^H/ ii>-?z. 
 
 Franv Oat^ of Allegiance 
 
 ift'^ /Umircdty Jleards. 
 
 Adtmralfy Records. 
 leOi^ m^ lh& JuOwr's possession . 
 
 (JVffiv;^ W4«v<p^^ 
 
 Ad/rwrcdfy Records. 
 
 letiw in/ -the Aiithms /i^ssess,
 
 LIFE OF LORD NELSON. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 1758-1784. 
 
 From a short Autobiographical Sketch^ printed in 
 the third volume of the Naval Chronicle, written at Port 
 Mahon in the month of October, 1799, and published by John 
 McArthur, Esq. a Purser in the Navy, who had also filled the 
 situation of Secretary to Admiral Lord Hood, we learn that 
 Horatio Nelson, son of Edmund and Catherine Nelson, 
 was born September 29, 1758, in the county of Norfolk at 
 Burnham Thorpe. Of this village the Rev. Edmund Nelson 
 was Rector, upon the presentation of Lord Walpole. 
 
 The grandmother of Mrs. Nelson was the eldest sister of 
 Sir Robert Walpole, and Horatio Nelson was named after 
 his godfather the second Lord Walpole. Sir Nicholas Harris 
 Nicolas states- the sponsors of Horatio to have been ^' Horatio 
 second Lord Walpole of Wolterton, the Rev. Dr. Hamond 
 and Mrs. Joyce Pyle,^' and he has shewn that it could not 
 have been the first Lord Walpole, as all pre\ious biographers 
 have stated, that nobleman having died seventeen months 
 before Nelson was born. The father of Mrs. Nelson was 
 
 • Of this sketch a facsimile of the commencement is given in Clarke and 
 McAithur's Life of Nelson, and the whole is reprinted from the original auto- 
 graph in the possession of Mrs. Conway, Dr. McArthur's daughter, by Sir N. 
 H. Nicolas in the thud volume of his " Dispatches and Letters of Vice- Admiral 
 Lord Viscount Nelson." 
 
 ^ Dispatches and Letters of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, Vol. i. p. 1. 
 VOL. I, B
 
 2 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 the Rev. Dr. Suckling, a Prebendary of Westminster, and 
 Rector of Barsham in Suffolk, and Woodton in Norfolk, 
 and a descendant from the family to which the celebrated Sir 
 John Suckhng belonged. 
 
 Horatio Nelson was the fifth son and sixth child of a family 
 of eleven children, eight of whom were living at the time of 
 the decease of their mother, which took place in 1767. At 
 this time, therefore, he was only nine years of age, and his 
 maternal uncle Maurice Suckling, a Captain in the Navy, 
 upon the death of his sister, generously offered to take 
 charge of one of the boys. This offer appears in a few years to 
 have been of a most acceptable nature, as we learn that upon 
 the appointment of Captain Suckling to the command of the 
 Raisonable, a ship of 64 guns, appearing in a county news- 
 paper, and being read by Horatio Nelson, then only twelve 
 years of age, whilst his father was at Bath for the recovery 
 of his health, he became urgent with his brother William, 
 who was his elder by eighteen months, to write to his uncle, 
 and acquaint him that he was desirous of accompanying him 
 to sea. This intimation seems to have somewhat startled the 
 worthy Captain, who knowing him to be physically weaker 
 than his brothers, inquires, " What has poor Horatio done, 
 who is so weak, that he, above all the rest, should be sent to 
 rough it at sea?" But, as his father offered no objection, 
 and from what had been observed of his character and his 
 determination always to be at " the top of the tree," had 
 rather encouraged his resolution, he added, " But let him 
 come ; and the first time we go into action, a cannon ball may 
 knock off his head and provide for him at once." 
 
 The education of Horatio Nelson, it may be readily pre- 
 sumed, could have been but of a very slight character : — 
 weak in body, reduced by attacks of ague, and only twelve 
 years of age, he could not have had many opportunities for 
 learning, although he had been placed in a school at Down- 
 ham, in Norfolk, and also at the school of North Walsham. 
 Captain George W. Manby, whose ingenious contrivances 
 and benevolent exertions for the preservation of hviman life 
 from shipwreck, are well known and appreciated, is now 
 perhaps the only surviving schoolfellow of Nelson. He was 
 with him at Downham Market, a school, he says, altogether for
 
 1774.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 3 
 
 children, and kept by a man of the name of Noakes. Nelson 
 is recollected as having worn a green coat, and he frequently 
 employed his schoolfellows at the pump in the market-place, 
 amusing himself by launching paper boats into the stream, 
 and delighted to watch their course down the gutter, which 
 then ran in the middle of the street. My learned and excel- 
 lent friend, Mr. Dawson Turner of Yarmouth, was at North 
 Walsham school in 1783, twelve years after Nelson had left it, 
 at which time there were those who had been well acquainted 
 with his schoolfellows, and who delighted in telling anecdotes 
 of Nelson, who had then already risen into notice, and ex- 
 cited interest. They enumerated many of his odd doings and 
 dai'ing tricks. His name was also cut upon one of the seats 
 at church, but that is now lost. Mr. Wales, a medical prac- 
 titioner at Downham, recollected an anecdote told by William 
 Patman, a cordwainer, which is strikingly illustrative of the 
 tenderness of heart he manifested in after life. One day going 
 to his shoemaker, upon entering the house he accidentally 
 jammed a pet lamb between the door and the door-post, and 
 cried bitterly at the pain he had occasioned the poor animal. 
 
 Horatio Nelson entered the Navy in December, 1770^ fis a 
 midshipman of the Raisonable, where, however, as the dispute 
 which had at that time arisen with Spain relative to a harbour 
 in the Falkland Islands was soon settled, he remained only 
 five months, being then sent aboard a merchant ship bound 
 to the West Indies, commanded by Mr. John Rathbone, who 
 had formerly been in the Navy, and served with Captain 
 Suckling in the Dreadnought, 60 guns. The captain of the 
 merchantman had suffered disappointment in his views as to 
 the Navy, and entertained no good will to the service. He 
 failed not to infuse a portion of this ill feeling into Horatio 
 Nelson, who, in the Autobiographical Sketch previously 
 referred to, says, '^ If I did not improve in my education, I 
 returned a practical seaman, with a horror of the Royal Na^y, 
 and with a saying then constant with the seamen, ' Aft the 
 most honour, forward the better man !' " This prejudice had 
 taken so firm a hold on the mind of Nelson, that it was 
 some time ere it was dissipated, and he reconciled to his 
 position and the service. The desire, however, of being " at 
 the top of the tree," soon aroused his ambition, for, upon his 
 
 B 2
 
 4 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 return from the West Indies, when being appointed Midship- 
 man of the Triumph, 74 guns, a guard-ship in the Medway, 
 stationed at Chatham, and under the command of Captain 
 Suclding, he zealously exerted himself to become a good sea- 
 man, attended closely to navigation, and as a reward for his 
 good conduct, was permitted to go in the cutter, and decked 
 long-boat attached to the Commanding Officer's ship at Chat- 
 ham. He has referred to this service as being very advanta- 
 geous to him, for having frequently to go from Chatham to 
 the Tower of London, down the Swin, and to the North 
 Foreland, he acquired a knowledge oi pilotage, which in after 
 life became exceedingly useful, and to quote his own language, 
 afforded him ^' the very greatest comfort." After serving 
 on board the Triumph, where he was rated as " Captain's 
 servant" for one year two months and two days ; and " Mid- 
 shipman," ten months, one week and five days, he was re- 
 moved to the Carcass, Captain Skeffington Lutwidge ; then 
 to the Seahorse, Captain Farmer ; and afterwards to the 
 Dolphin, Captain James Pigott. During his term of service 
 as Midshipman, which extended over a period of four years, 
 it will be seen that he had the advantage of serving under 
 commanders of distinguished ability. 
 
 Captain Lutwidge, who died an Admiral of the Red in 
 August, 1814, is repeatedly mentioned, and with great respect 
 and affection in several of his letters herein printed. Nelson 
 was received by him as coxswain, boys being prohibited by 
 the Admiralty from being employed on the voyage to the 
 North Pole. 
 
 Captain George Farmer perished in the flames of the 
 Quebec frigate, 32 guns, which took fire accidentally during 
 an engagement with La Surveillante, of 40 guns, off Ushant, 
 October 6, 1779- Although severely wounded. Captain Far- 
 mer refused to quit his ship, and was blown up with the 
 vessel, the colours flying ; his son was created a Baronet as a 
 testimony of gratitude on the part of the nation to the services 
 of his father. The contest between the Quebec and the 
 Surveillante lasted three hours and a half, during which both 
 ships were totally dismasted. The Quebec caught fire by 
 the sails falling on the guns. Captain Farmer, with 150 men, 
 perished on this melancholy occasion.
 
 1776-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 5 
 
 Captain J. PIgott lived to attain the rank of Admiral, dying 
 September 27, 1822. 
 
 Under Captain Lutwidge Nelson served in the expedition 
 towards the North Pole, undertaken upon the representation 
 of the Earl of Sandwich to the King, in consequence of an 
 appHcation on the part of the Royal Society ; the object of 
 which was to discover how far navigation was practicable 
 towards the North Pole ; and whether any passage could be 
 discovered from the Arctic to the Pacific Ocean. This service 
 was to be under the direction of Captain the Hon. Constantine 
 John Phipps, afterwards Lord Mulgrave, a volunteer on the 
 occasion.^ Here Nelson exercised his skill in navigating 
 amidst immense masses of ice, and he afterwards visited almost 
 every part of the East Indies, from Bengal to Bussorah. His 
 health became greatly disordered by this vai'iety of service, 
 and he was sent to England by the kindness of Sir Edward 
 Hughes," the Commander-in-chief in the East Indies, in the 
 Dolphin. Having regained his health by a return to his 
 native country, he was, upon the vessel being paid off, ordered 
 to act as Lieutenant of the Worcester, 64 guns. Captain Mark 
 Robinson, an officer who distinguished himself in Admiral 
 Keppel's action, July 27? 1778^ — served as a Lieutenant 
 under Sir Edward Hawke in 1757? and was made Captain of 
 the Vanguard in 1760. He was a very gallant officer, and 
 died a superannuated Rear- Admiral in 1799, having lost a leg 
 while commanding the Swiftsure in Admiral Graves's action 
 
 ' Captain Phipps published " A Joui-nal of a Voyage undertaken in 1773, by 
 order of his present Majesty, for making discoveries towards the North Pole." 
 Lond. 1774, 4to. 
 
 ^ This officer was descended from a respectable family in Hertford, and entered 
 the naval service at an early age. After the taking of Porto Bello, he was pro- 
 moted to a Lieutenancy in 1740. He afterwards sailed to Louisboui'g, and was 
 appointed by Commander Knowles to the Lark, of which he had the command. 
 Feb. 6th, 1747, he was made Commodore. Towards the end of the war he was 
 removed into the Neptune, 90 guns, and accompanied Sir Charles Saunders to 
 the Mediterranean in 1760. On the East India station he was in the Isis, 50 guns, 
 and remained there until succeeded by Sir Edward Vernon in 1777. Upon his 
 return to England, he received the Order of the Bath, and was raised to the rank 
 of Rear-Admiral of the Blue in 1/78, and again sent to the East Indies. On his 
 passage he succeeded in reducing Goree. In 1782 he was engaged in a battle with 
 the French Admiral M. de Suflrem, which displayed the superiority of the British 
 navy in those seas. He rose to be Aduiual of the Blue, and died February 17, 
 1794.
 
 6 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 off the Chesapeake, September 5, 1781. In the Worcester 
 Nelson went to Gibraltar with a convoy, and he has proudly 
 recorded the confidence placed in him by his commander, 
 who did not hesitate to entrust him with the charge of a 
 watch during very bad weather, and used to say he felt as 
 easy when Nelson was upon deck, as any officer in the ship. 
 
 Having passed his examination for Lieutenant on the 9th of 
 April, 1777j before a Board of which Captain Suckling was at 
 the head,^ having succeeded Sir Hugh Palhser, as a Comp- 
 troller of the Navy, he was appointed on the following day 
 as Second Lieutenant to the Lowestoffe, 32 guns. Captain 
 William Locker, whose heart Nelson won early by his noble 
 and gallant bearing, on the occasion of the Lowestoffe 
 taking an American letter of marque. The First Lieu- 
 tenant was ordered by Captain Locker to board the vessel, but 
 the sea ran so high, that he was unable to reach her, and 
 returned without having effected his object. The Captain 
 impetuously demanded whether he had an officer who could 
 board the prize ? The Master immediately offered, but was 
 interrupted by Nelson, the Second Lieutenant, who exclaimed: 
 " It is my turn now. If I come back it will be yours. "^ He 
 
 ' An anecdote, much to the credit of Nelson's uncle has been recorded in 
 relation to his nephew's passing his examination. The Board consisted of Captain 
 Suckling, Captain John Campbell, and Captain Abraham North. Captain Suckling 
 concealed his relationship to the candidate from the other Captains, untU his 
 examination was concluded in the most prompt and satisfactory manner. The 
 uncle then introduced his nephew, and upon the Examining Captains expressing 
 their surprise that he had not previously acquainted them with his relation, he 
 replied, " I did not wish the younker to be favoured, I felt convinced that he would 
 pass a good examination ; and you see, gentlemen, I have not been disappointed." 
 Captain Suckling was M.P. for Portsmouth, and died in July, 1778, leaving 
 i£'500. to each of his sister's children. The sword belonging to him was given to 
 Nelson, who constantly wore it when on service. He valued it very highly, and 
 in Clarke and McArthur's Life of Nelson, (Vol. i. p. 26) a history is said to attach 
 to it. It is supposed to have been the sword of the gallant Galfridus Walpole, 
 who, in 1711, lost his right arm in the Mediterranean, when commanding the Lion, 
 of 60 guns, in an action with four French ships, each mounting that number. In 
 a letter to his brother William, Horatio Nelson designates the passing his exami- 
 nation for Lieutenant, as his degree as Master of Arts. From his uncle he received 
 a paper of instructions as to his conduct and professional duties, which is said to 
 have fiUed six sheets of writing paper, but a small portion only has been preserved 
 by Lieutenant Bromwich, and is given in the Appendix, No. 2, to Vol. i. of 
 Clarke and McArthur's Life of Nelson. 
 
 ^ Naval Chronicle, Vol. iii. p. 163.
 
 1777-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 7 
 
 leaped into the boat, and by his great expertness in the 
 management of her, got on board, and took possession of the 
 vessel. From this moment he had the entire confidence of 
 liis superior officer. Captain Locker was born in 1731, and 
 entered the naval service with Captain Wyndham, a distant 
 relative, in the Kent of 70 guns. Desirous of perfecting 
 himself, he made two or three voyages to the East Indies, 
 and upon the recommencement of the war in 1756, he served 
 as mate, and acting Lieutenant under the celebrated Sir 
 Edward Hawke, by whom he was much noticed. He after- 
 wards served as Lieutenant on board the Experiment, which 
 fought and took the Telemaque, June 10th, 1757^ under cir- 
 cumstances most honourable to Lieutenant Locker. With 
 Sir Edward Hawke he again served in the Royal George, 
 and remained with him until 1762, when being raised to the 
 rank of a Commander, he was appointed to the Roman Em- 
 peror fire-ship. He was made Post Captain in 1768, and 
 soon after appointed to the Queen, 90 guns. In 1770 he 
 commanded the Thames frigate, and upon the dispute with 
 America the Lowestoffe, in which he remained until 1779, 
 when from ill health, he was obliged to return to England. 
 In this vessel he first met with Nelson. Being in 1792 
 raised to the rank of Commodore, he hoisted his pendant on 
 board the Sandwich, and in the following year was made 
 Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital, where he died 
 December 26, 1800, in the 70th year of his age. 
 
 With Captain Locker Nelson went to Jamaica, but not find- 
 ing the duty sufficiently active for his mind, he quitted it, and 
 removed into the Little Lucy, a schooner attached to the Lowe- 
 stoflfe frigate ; and he captured the Abigail schooner from 
 Fran9ois, bound to Nantucket, after a chase of eight hours. 
 He subsequently served in the Bristol, the flag-ship of Vice- 
 Admiral Sir Peter Parker,^ to whom he was recommended by 
 
 ' Sir Peter Parker was the son of Rear-Admiral Christopher Pai-ker. He was 
 a Lieutenant on board the Russell in 1743, promoted to be Captain of the Margate, 
 and in 1749 commanded the Lancaster, a third rate. After the commencement 
 of the war with France in 1756, he served in the West Indies, and on his return 
 in 1758, cniized in the Channel, where he took many prizes. He served under 
 Commodore Keppel in covering the siege of Belleisle, and blocking up the French 
 ports in 1761. He was knighted in 1772, and in 1774 appointed to the Barfleur
 
 8 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 Captain Locker, and rose from Third Lieutenant to be the 
 First. Promoted to the rank of Commander, he was appointed 
 to the Badger brig, December 8, 1778. The service on which 
 this vessel was ordered, was to protect the Mosquito shore, 
 and the Bay of Honduras, against the depredations of the 
 American privateers. He was equally an object of the admi- 
 ration and attachment of the settlers, and upon receiving 
 their thanks at his departure, he was solicited, in the event 
 of a war breaking out with Spain, to describe their situation 
 to Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Parker, and to the Governor of 
 Jamaica, General Sir John DaUing.* Whilst engaged in the 
 command of this vessel, the Glasgow, 20 guns, Captain 
 Thomas Lloyd, came into Montego Bay, Jamaica, where 
 the Badger was then lying, and Nelson says, that in two hours 
 afterwards she took fire by a cask of rum, and that by the 
 joint exertions of Captain Lloyd and himself, the whole crew 
 were rescued from destruction. 
 
 In a letter to Captain Locker,^ Nelson gives an account of 
 this disaster in the following words : " I suppose before this 
 you have heard of the fate of the poor Glasgow : indeed it was 
 a most shocking sight ; and had it happened half an hour 
 later, in all probability a great many people would have been 
 lost. She anchored at half-past three, and at six she was in 
 flames, owing to the steward attempting to steal rum out of 
 the after-hold. Captain Lloyd is very melancholy indeed on 
 the occasion, and I sincerely wish I was at Port Royal for 
 his sake, and the ship's company's, who are falling sick very 
 
 of 90 guns. Obtaining the rank of Commodore on tlie American station, he 
 hoisted his pendant on board the Bristol. Failing in his attack on Charlestown, 
 he, under the command of Lord Howe, was detached with a small squadron to 
 Rhode Island, in which expedition he was successful, and remained at that port 
 until he attained the rank of Rear- Admiral, when he was ordered to Jamaica, and 
 remained there until 1782, when he returned to England ; having successively rose 
 to be Rear- Admiral of the White, Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and Vice-Admii-al 
 of the Wliite, in September, 1780. In 1787 he represented the borough of 
 Maiden in Parliament, and in this year was promoted to be Admiral of the Blue, 
 and in 1795, Admiral of the White. He lived to be Admiral of the Fleet, and 
 died at a very advanced age, T)ecember 21, 1811. 
 
 ' Sir John Dalling was the Commander-in-chief at Jamaica. He was created 
 a Baronet in 1783, and died in 1798. 
 
 2 Dispatches and Letters of Lord Viscount Nelson, Vol. i. p. 29, from an 
 Autograph in the Locker Papers.
 
 1778.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 9 
 
 fast, with the constant rains we have had since we left Montego 
 Bay, and no place on board the Badger to shelter such a 
 number of men.'^ 
 
 The Marquis of Lansdowne gave to Sir N. H. Nicolas the 
 following particulars relating to this event : " Captain Lloyd, 
 in one of the years between 1780 and 1790, commanded a 
 frigate, which was sent with a large stock of gunpowder to 
 Jamaica. The night after she got into the harbour of Port 
 Royal, one end of the vessel was discovered to be on fire. 
 On the flame bursting out, Captain Lloyd at once perceived 
 that if she blew up with all the gunpowder on board, all the 
 warehouses and magazines, not far from where she lay, would 
 be destroyed. He immediately summoned all hands, and 
 declared, that until every cask of gunpowder was thrown into 
 the sea, not one should leave the vessel ; and that he himself 
 would be the last to leave it. The crew, who were much 
 attached to their commander, obeyed his orders to the letter. 
 Every cask was disposed of, and the crew carried off in boats 
 as directed by the Captain, who, embarking in the last, just 
 got clear in time to escape from the total destruction of the 
 vessel. For this service he afterwards received the warmest 
 thanks of a meeting of the merchants and inhabitants. 
 Captain Lloyd retired from his profession to a small estate 
 he had inherited near Carmarthen, where I remember to have 
 visited him on a tour through Wales, whilst I was at College."^ 
 Captain Lloyd died in 1801. Events like these naturally 
 bind men together very strongly; the remembrance of the 
 dangers they have escaped, and the good they have co-operated 
 to effect, can scarcely be effaced fi'om their memory ; they 
 sei-ve to endear them to each other for their lives. Such 
 appears to have been the case in the present instance, for 
 although Captain Lloyd retired from the service, and removed 
 to Wales, I find the following letter addressed to him in 1801, 
 which will prove the warm feelings of attachment wliich 
 existed between these two brave officers. 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters, Vol. vii. p. 423.
 
 10 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. I. 
 
 " St. George, KeogeBay, nCar Copenhagen, 
 "April 24th, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lloyd, 
 
 " Although I scolded you for your last letter, about great 
 Commanders, and such stuff, yet my heart is always warm 
 to you, and your friendship will be the pleasure of my 
 life, let the world either smile or frown upon me. I know 
 the envy of many, both in the late and present Ministry, are 
 upon me ; but whilst my heart tells me I do my business 
 like an honest man, I can smile at their dirty attempts to pull 
 me down. I stand by myself a perfectly free and independent 
 man, and have seen too much of the world to become the 
 tool of any party. 
 
 " We are, I suppose, on the road home, for the Emperor of 
 Russia has ORDERED, I can give no other name to his 
 paper. Sir Hyde Parker and the Danes to be quiet, and for 
 us not to enter the Sound, but to stay in the Cattegat. 
 However they may settle matters, I am fixed as fate to go to 
 England, and get, if possible, a little rest. The moment 
 peace comes, I shall go to Bronte, and live under the shade 
 of my great chesnut tree. Our good friend Foley is very 
 well. I have been a sad plague to him, for he has again, in 
 our search after the Swedes, taken me on board his ship. 
 
 " Hoping, in fourteen days from this date, to take you by 
 the hand, if you are in London, but ever, my dear Lloyd, 
 believe me, 
 
 " Your most attached and affectionate friend, 
 " Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 "Thomas Lloyd, Esq. 
 Cilywyn, 
 Near Carmarthen, 
 
 S. Wales." 
 
 On the 28th of April, 1779? Nelson captured La Prudente, 
 of eighty tons and nine men. 
 
 Nelson was succeeded in the command of the Badger 
 by Captain Cuthbert Collingwood, afterwards Admiral 
 Lord Collingwood.i They were known to each other from 
 
 1 Frequent mention of this distinguished officer will be found in the subsequent 
 pages . He passed fifty years of his life in the Naval Service of Great Britain, 
 forty-four of which were in active employment abroad, being from 1793 to the 
 year of his death, 1810, only one year in England. For particulars of his life, 
 the reader is referred to a selection of his Public and Private Correspondence
 
 1780.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 11 
 
 a very early period of their service, maintained great intimacy, 
 and appeared to proceed pari passu in their progress in the 
 Navy. "Whenever (says Lord CoUingwood)^ Lord Nelson 
 got a step in rank, I succeeded him, first in the LowestofFe, 
 then in the Badger, into which ship I was made a Com- 
 mander in 1779^ and afterwards the Hinchinbrook, a 28-gun 
 frigate, which made us both Post Captains.'' It was on the 
 11th of June, 1779, that Nelson was made Post Captain, and 
 appointed to the Hinchinbrook. 2 At this time an attack, 
 by an immense force on Jamaica, was expected to be 
 made imder the French Admiral, Count d'Estaing. This, 
 however, did not take place. Nelson was entrusted with the 
 command of the batteries of Fort Charles, at Port Royal, 
 the most impoitant post in the whole island. At twenty- 
 one years of age then he had acquired this distinguished 
 rank, and in 1780, he was employed in the Expedition against 
 Fort St. Juan, in the Gulf of Mexico, and had the com- 
 mand of the sea part of it. The plan^ of this Expedition 
 was formed by General Sir John Dalling. His object was 
 to take Fort San Juan, on the Rio San Juan, which runs 
 from the great American lake Nicaragua into the Atlan- 
 tic, and thus to obtain possession of the cities of Granada 
 and Leon, by effecting which, the communication of the 
 Spaniards would have been cut off between their northern 
 and southern dominions in America. Nelson's duty was 
 
 interspersed with Memoirs by G. L. Newnham Collingwood, 2 vols. 12mo. Lend. 
 1837, fifth edition, and to the Naval Chronicle, Vol. xv. 
 
 1 Naval Chronicle, Vol. xxiii. p. 330. 
 
 2 He sailed in the Hinchinbrook (so named after Lord Sandwich's seat, whence 
 the Earl takes his second title of Viscount), from Port Royal, in September 
 1779, to join the Major and the Penelope, and took four sail, for which he ex- 
 pected to share about £800. sterling. — (Letter to Captain Locker.) 
 
 3 This plan, from the Nelson Papers, is to be found in Clarke and McArthur's 
 Life of Nelson, Vol. i. p. 32. Collingwood saysl that "the Expedition to the 
 Spanish Main was formed without a sufficient knowledge of the country, and 
 presented difficulties not to be surmounted by human skill or perseverance. It 
 was dangerous to proceed on the rivei', from ths rapidity of the cm-reut, and the 
 numerous faJls over rocks which intercepted the navigation : the climate too was 
 deadly, and no constitution could resist it effects." 
 
 ^ Selection from his Public and Private Correspondence, interspersed with 
 Memoirs of his Life bv G. L. N. Collingwood, Vol. i. p. 10, 5th edition. Lond. 
 1837.
 
 12 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 simply to convey the transports and land the tfbops, leaving 
 the operations to Captain Poison of the 60th regiment, who 
 had the command of the troops, but Nelson was indisposed 
 to confine his labours to so limited an extent. His love of 
 glory and daring exploit manifested itself conspicuously, and 
 Captain (afterwards Colonel) Poison, has borne unequivocal 
 testimony to the skill and energy of Nelson on this occasion, 
 " I want words (he writes in his Official Dispatch^) to express 
 the obligations I owe that gentleman; he was the first on 
 every service, whether by day or by night. There was scarcely 
 a gun fired but was pointed by him or Lieutenant Despard,^ 
 chief engineer, who has exerted himself on every occasion." 
 Nor was General Sir John Dalling less energetic in his 
 praise of Nelson's exertions. He wrote to the Secretary at 
 War, Lord George Germain, and humbly entreated that His 
 Majesty would be graciously pleased to manifest a satisfac- 
 tion of Captain Nelson's conduct, " Such minds, my Lord (he 
 says), are most devoutly to be wished, for Government's 
 sake." By the climate, and by his great exertions, his health 
 became most seriously deranged, and he was obliged to be 
 removed to the lodging house of Cuba, in his cot. These 
 consequences cannot be matter of surprise, when we recollect 
 that Nelson himself says he " carried troops in boats 100 
 miles up a river, whilst none but Spaniards, since the time 
 of the buccaneers, had ever ascended that river."^ And he 
 added, *' I boarded, if I may be allowed the expression, an 
 outport of the enemy, situated on an island in the river ; I 
 made batteries, and afterwards fought them, and was a prin- 
 cipal cause of our success." 
 
 In this expedition. Dr. Moseley, Surgeon-General of the 
 Island of Jamaica, and afterwards Physician to Chelsea Hos- 
 
 1 Dispatches and Letters, Vol. i. p. 7. Note. 
 
 2 This misguided and unfortunate man, who rose to the rank of Colonel of the 
 79th Regt. became afterwards notorious, and was tried for high treason before 
 Lord Ellenborough, February 7, 1803, having been apprehended with thirty- 
 associates at a public house in Lambeth. He was executed on the 21st, together 
 with sis of his companions, two of whom were privates in the Guards. Nelson 
 appeared at the trial as witness to his manly bearing and loyal character ; but 
 this referred to the period of his life now alluded to, and Nelson had not seen 
 him for twenty years. 
 
 3 AutobiogVaphical Sketch.
 
 1781.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 13 
 
 pital, the author of a celebrated work on Tropical Diseases, 
 and who enjoyed intimacy with Lord Nelson, states^upon the 
 authority of his Lordship^ that the fever which proved 
 so destructive to our men, invariably attacked them from 
 about twenty to thirty days after their arrival in the harbour : 
 that in his own ship (the Hinchinbrook) of 200 men, 87 were 
 seized and confined to their beds in one night, that 145 
 were buried there, and that not more than ten sui'vived the 
 expedition. Nelson's life was saved by Sir Peter Parker 
 appointing him to succeed Captain Bonnovier Glover, the 
 Commander of the Janus, 44 guns, who died March 21. 
 Nelson immediately sailed in the Victor sloop to Jamaica, to 
 take possession of her, and upon his arrival received the 
 kindest attention from Lady Parker, as well as the most 
 skilful medical aid. He was, however, obliged to resign the 
 command, and he returned to England in the Lion, Captain 
 the Hon. William CornM'allis,^ to whose great care and atten- 
 tion Nelson attributed the saving of his life. During nearly 
 an entire year he resided at Bath for the restoration of his 
 health, and was under the care of the celebrated Dr. Wood- 
 ward.^ In August 1781, he was appointed to the Albemarle 
 
 ^ Admiral the Hon. Sir William Cornwallis distinguished himself in the action 
 which was fought by Vice-Admiral Byron's squadron, and that under Count 
 d'Estaing, oiF Granada, July 6, 1779,1 and in a retreat2 in June 1795, which was 
 considered as of the most creditable character, and reflecting as much honour on 
 the Commander as a victory, and for which he received the thanks of both Housea 
 of Parliament. In 1796, however, he was tried by a Court-Martial for having 
 returned to England in the Royal Sovereign, instead of having proceeded to the 
 West Indies with his convoy. The Court adjudicated that misconduct was im- 
 putable for not having shifted his flag to another vessel when the Royal Sovereign 
 was disabled. Nelson, with all his partiality for Cornwallis, could not bring him- 
 self to think it right that he deserted his command.3 Cornwallis, however, rose 
 to the rank of Admiral, became Vice-Admiral of Great Britain, and Grand Com- 
 mander of the Bath. He represented the borough of Eye, in Suffolk, in Parlia- 
 ment in 17G8, and afterwards was Member for Portsmouth, and in 1790 was 
 again returned for Eye. He died in 1819. 
 
 2 Nelson was much attached to his physician, who had rendered him essential 
 service. In his letters to his father he frequently desired to be remembered to 
 him, and one to Captain Locker shews the confidence he placed in him. He 
 
 1 Ekins's Naval Battles of Great Britain, 4to. London, 1828, p. 95. 
 
 2 Ibid. p. 230. 
 
 3 Letter to CoUingwood, Dispatches and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 161.
 
 14 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 of 28 guns, and was cruelly kept the whole winter in the 
 North Sea, of which treatment he makes complaint in his 
 letters. The Albemarle was a French merchant vessel, 
 captm'ed at the close of the year 1779> purchased into the 
 King's service, and had many imperfections which were reme- 
 died by Nelson, who had her mast shortened, and he used to 
 say that the French had taught her to run away, as she was 
 never a good sailer except when going directly before the 
 wind. The readiness and tact of Nelson was manifested whilst 
 in command of this vessel. He conceived it likely that 
 having been a French one, she might easily be mistaken for 
 now belonging to that country if French colours were hoisted, 
 and this having been done whilst sailing in the Spanish Main, 
 and off Porto Cavallo in the Havannah harbour, the ruse 
 succeeded, for a boat of scientific gentlemen, who were en- 
 gaged in collecting natural curiosities, passing by, Nelson 
 ordered them to be hailed and invited on board. Being 
 addressed in the French language, they did not hesitate to 
 accept the invitation, and upon their arrival, to give also some 
 important information in answer to inquiries made of them as 
 to the force and number of ships in the harbour. Their sur- 
 prise and consternation upon finding themselves, however, 
 on board an English vessel may readily be conceived, but 
 Nelson soon suppressed their alarm by regaling them, and 
 assuring them that as their pursuits were solely of a scientific 
 and pacific nature, he should permit them to depart, merely 
 giving their parole of honour to be considered as prisoners 
 should his Commander-in-chief refuse to acquiesce in their 
 liberation, which was an event not at all likely to ensue. 
 They were delighted with this noble conduct, offered liberally 
 
 writes, " I shall be very happy whenever I am appointed to a ship, for, as you 
 may suppose, I do not sit under the hands of a doctor very easy, although I give 
 myself credit this once for having done every thing and taken every medicine that 
 was ordered, that Dr. Woodward, who is my physician, said he never had a 
 better patient." A creditable anecdote is told of this physician in Clarke and 
 McArthur's Life of Nelson, on the authority of Lady Nelson : "When Nelson 
 expressed his surprise at the smallness of his fees, and wished to increase the re- 
 muneration. Dr. Woodward observed, ' Pray, Captain Nelson, allow me to follow 
 what I consider to be my professional duty. Your illness. Sir, has been brought 
 on by serving your King and country, and believe me, I love both too well to be 
 able to receive any more.' "
 
 1782.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 15 
 
 of the specimens they had collected, which however Nelson 
 would not on any account accept, and they pai-ted with 
 mutual good wishes. One of the individuals forming this 
 party, was of great distinction, being no less than Maximilian 
 Joseph, a Prince of the German Empire, a General of the 
 French army, a Knight of the Grand Order of St. Louis, and 
 second in command at the capture of York Town. His 
 brother was heir-apparent of the Electorate of Bavaria and 
 of the Palatinate. He was travelling under the name of Count 
 de Deux Ponts, and when Nelson was afterwards at St. 
 Omer, the Prince sent to him a very pressing invitation to visit 
 him at Paris, which however Nelson was unable to accept. 
 The Prince succeeded to the Electorate of Bavaria in 1799, 
 and in 1806 became King of Bavaria. He died in 1825. 
 
 Nelson arrived at Portsmouth in January, 1782, and in 
 April sailed in company with Captain Thomas Pringle,i with 
 a convoy for Newfoundland and Quebec. In the month of 
 July, whilst sailing on a cruize off Boston, he was chased by 
 three French ships of the line, and the Iris frigate, part of 
 Monsieur Vaudreuil's squadron, and in this dilemma he dis- 
 played his accustomed coolness and decision, for finding those 
 vessels all superior to him in sailing, he run among the shoals 
 of St. George's bank, where the line-of-battle ships dared 
 not to follow him. The frigate, however, continued the pur- 
 suit, and at sunset was little more than gun-shot distant, 
 when Nelson ordered the main top-sail to be laid to the mast, 
 upon which the frigate tacked, and stood to regain her consort. 
 
 Whilst in the Albemarle he captured an American fishing 
 schooner, the Harmony, belonging to Cape Cod, on board 
 which was a cargo constituting nearly the whole of the pro- 
 perty of the poor fisherman, who had a large family at home 
 anxiously awaiting his return. There being no officer aboard 
 acquainted with Boston Bay and the adjacent shoals. Nelson 
 ordered the master of the schooner, Nathaniel Carver, to act 
 as pilot, whose services proved very useful, and having per- 
 formed those, his schooner and cargo were generously re- 
 stored to him, together with a certificate to secure him against 
 being captured by any other vessel. Sir N. Harris Nicolas 
 
 ^ He died a Vice-Admii-al in 1803.
 
 16 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. l'. 
 
 records that which was said to Carver at this time : " You 
 have rendered me, Sir, a very essential service, and it is not 
 the custom of English seamen to be ungrateful. In the name, 
 therefore, and with the approbation of the officers of this ship, 
 I return your schooner, and with it this certificate of your 
 good conduct. Farewell ! and may God bless you."^ It is 
 highly gratifying to be able to add that this generosity was 
 properly estimated, and that the man came off, at the hazard 
 of his life, some time afterwards to the Albemarle with a pre- 
 sent of sheep, poultry, and provisions, a circumstance of great 
 importance at that time, as the scurvy had made its appear- 
 ance on board the vessel, and the crew had been without a 
 meal of fresh food for more than three months. 
 
 From Quebec, in October, he sailed with a convoy to New 
 York, and there joined the fleet under the command of Lord 
 Hood. In a letter to Captain Locker, Nov. 17, 1782, Nelson 
 acquaints him that he was a candidate with Lord Hood for 
 a line-of-battle ship, and he says, ^'he has honoured me 
 highly by a letter, for wishing to go off this station, to a sta- 
 tion of service, and has promised me his friendship.^' In 
 another letter dated, Off Cape Tiberoon, Feb. 25, 1783, he 
 says, "My situation in Lord Hood's fleet must be in the 
 highest degree flattering to any young man. He treats me 
 as if I was his son, and will, I am convinced, give me any- 
 thing I can ask of him." 
 
 Under this command, he sailed to the West Indies in 
 November, and remained there until the peace with France 
 was concluded in January, 1783. He then returned to Eng- 
 land, attending his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence in 
 his visit to the Havannah, and was paid off at Portsmouth, 
 July 3, 1783, and placed on half-pay. 
 
 When Lord Hood introduced Nelson to the Duke of 
 Clarence, he told the Prince, that if he wished to ask any ques- 
 tions respecting naval tactics, Captain Nelson could give as 
 much information as any officer in the fleet. As His Royal 
 Highness remained one of Nelson's firmest friends to the end 
 of his life, it is interesting to have on record his description 
 of him at the time now alluded to. 
 
 ' The original MS. is framed and hung up in the house of Isaac Davis, Esq. of 
 Boston. — Disjmtches and Letters of Lord Nelson, Vol. i, p. 05.
 
 1783.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 17 
 
 The Duke of Clarence's account of Nelson, as given by 
 him in a conversation,^ is too curious not to be detailed : his 
 Royal Highness is reported to have said, " I was then a Mid- 
 shipman on board the Barfleur, lying in the Narrows off 
 Staten Island, and had the watch on deck, when Captain 
 Nelson, of the Albemarle, came in his barge alongside, who 
 appeared to be the merest boy of a Captain I ever beheld : and 
 his dress was worthy of attention. He had on a full laced 
 uniform : his lank unpowdered hair was tied in a stiff Hessian 
 tail, of an extraordinary length ; the old fashioned flaps of his 
 waistcoat added to the general quaintness of his figure, and 
 produced an appearance which particularly attracted my 
 notice ; for I had never seen any thing like it before, nor could 
 I imagine who he was, nor what he came about. My doubts 
 were, however, removed, when Lord Hood introduced me to 
 him. There was something irresistibly pleasing in his address 
 and conversation ; and an enthusiasm, when speaking on pro- 
 fessional subjects, that shewed he was no common being. 
 Nelson after this went with us to the West Indies, and served 
 under Lord Hood's flag during his indefatigable cruize off Cape 
 Fran9ois. Throughout the whole of the American war, the 
 height of Nelson's ambition was to command a line-of-battle 
 ship : as for prize money, it never entered his thoughts ; he had 
 always in view the character of his maternal uncle.' I found 
 
 1 Clarke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 53- 
 
 2 How correctly his Royal Highness appreciated Nelson, is apparent from the 
 followiDg extract from a letter addressed to W. Suckling, Esq., printed in the 
 Athenaeum, in which he says, " You have been my best friend, and I trust will 
 continue as long so as I shall prove myself, by my actions, worthy of supplying 
 that place in the service of my country, which my dear uncle (Captain Maurice 
 Suckling) left for me. I feel myself, to my country, his heir ; and it shall, I am 
 bold to say, never want the lack of his counsel; I feel he gave it to me as a legacy, 
 and had I been near him when he was removed, he would have said, ' My boy, I 
 leave you to my country. Serve her well, and she'll never desert, but will ulti- 
 mately reward you.' " Captain Maurice Suckhng entered the Navy at an early age, 
 and held the rank of Lieutenant in 1744. He was appointed to the Dreadnought 
 in 1755, and with two other ships engaged in a spirited action off Cape Franfois 
 against seven French ships of war. In 17G4, he married the Hon. Marj- Wal- 
 pole, eldest daughter of Horatio, Lord Walpole, and in 1770 was appointed to the 
 command of the Raisonahle, and afterwards to the Triumph, in both of which vessels 
 Nelson accompanied his uncle. He was then made Comptroller of the Navy, and 
 chosen Representative in Parliament for Portsmouth. He died in July, 1778. — 
 Naval Chronicle, Yo\. xiv. p. 265 78, where a portrait of Captain Suckling is given. 
 
 VOL. I. C
 
 18 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. 1. 
 
 him warmly attached to my father, and singularly humane : he 
 had the honour of the King's service, and the independence of 
 the British Navy, particularly at heart ; and his mind glowed 
 with this idea as much when he was simply Captain of the 
 Albemarle, and had obtained none of the honours of his 
 country, as when he was afterwards decorated with so much 
 well-earned distinction." 
 
 Of his lloyal Highness, Nelson wrote to his friend. Captain 
 Locker, " He will be, I am certain, an ornament to our service. 
 He is a seaman, which you could hardly suppose. Every other 
 quahlication you may expect from him. But he will be a disci- 
 plinarian, and a strong one ; he says he is determined every per- 
 son shall serve his time before they shall be provided for, as he 
 is obliged to serve his. A. vast deal of notice has been taken of 
 him at Jamaica : he has been addressed by the Council, and 
 the House of Assembly were to address him the day after I 
 sailed. He has his levees at Spanish Town : they are all 
 highly delighted with him. With the best temper, and great 
 good sense he cannot fail of being pleasing to every one." 
 
 Lord Hood carried Nelson to St. James's Palace on the 
 11th of July, where the King was very attentive to him, and 
 he afterwards took leave of the Duke of Clarence at Windsor 
 prior to his embarkation for the Continent. 
 
 In the autumn of 1783, Nelson went to France, accom- 
 panied by Captain Macnamara,' who was afterwards rendered 
 so unfortunately notorious by a duel with Colonel Mont- 
 gomery, and for whose death he was tried at the Old Bailey 
 
 1 This officer entered the Navy in 1782, aud went with Sir Richard Bickerton 
 to the East Indies. Upon his arrival there he was transferred into the Superb, 
 the flag-ship of Sir Edward Hughes, K.B. During the Russian and Spanish 
 armaments he served as Lieutenant in the Excellent, and also in the Victory 
 with Lord Hood, who made him a Commander. He was raised to the rank of 
 Post Captain in 1795, and commanded the Southampton under Commodore 
 Nelson, who sent him to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian forces to 
 expel the republicans from the Genoese territories. He particularly distinguished 
 himself in obeying an order given him by Sir John Jervis to bring out a French 
 cruizer detected in working her way into Hieres bay, an exploit he effected, to the 
 great admiration of the Commander-in-chief. He afterwards assisted in taking 
 Porto Ferrajo, in evacuating Capreja and Corsica, and in the expedition against 
 Piombiiio and Castiglione. The Southampton was one of the reporting frigates 
 in the battle off Cape St. Vincent. Captain Macnamara was engaged in many 
 gallant exploits, and was raised to the rank of Reai'- Admiral, June 4, 1814.
 
 1784.] LOilD VISCOUNT NELSON. 19 
 
 and acquitted, Lord Nelson being one of the witnesses to his 
 friend's character and disposition. Nelson remained in 
 France until January, 1784, when he came to England, and 
 sojourned for two months at Bath. 
 
 During this period Nelson first met with Sir Alexander 
 Ball,^ whose name so frequently occurs in the succeeding 
 pages. Nelson, whilst in France, wrote a letter to Captain 
 Locker, in which he says, " Two noble Captains are here, Ball 
 and Shepard.2 You do not know, I believe, either of them ; 
 they wear fine epaulettes,^ for which I think them great cox- 
 combs : they have not visited me, and I shall not, be assured, 
 court their acquaintance." The late Samuel Taylor Cole- 
 ridge, in the first Essay of the third volume of " The Friend," 
 has given a very interesting notice of Captain Ball, and he 
 says that it was at Nantes, where Ball was staying with 
 his lady, that he first saw Nelson, but that not determining 
 who should be the first to call on the other, no commu- 
 nication between them took place, and a mutual prejudice 
 was excited against each other. It was some years afterwards 
 that their ships were close together, when a violent storm 
 disabled Nelson's vessel off Sardinia, Sunday, May 20th, 
 1798, which continued until the Tuesday following, when 
 Nelson's ship, the Vanguard, which, according to Captain 
 Berry's account, was a complete wreck, was taken in tow by 
 the Alexander, commanded by Captain Ball. The conduct 
 of Ball on this occasion unquestionably cemented the great 
 
 ' Sir Alexander Ball, who was raised to the dignity of a Baronet in June, 1801, 
 was also a Knight of the Orders of St. John of Jerusalem and of St. Ferdinand 
 and Merit, Governor of Malta, and a Rear- Admiral in the British Navy, dying such 
 at Malta, Oct. 25, 1809. He was a younger brother of an old and respectable family 
 in Gloucestershire. His father, Robert Ball, was Lord of the Manor of Stonehouse, in 
 that County ; his mother, the daughter of Marsh Dickerson, Esq. who represented 
 the borough of Brackley, in the County of Northampton, in two Parliaments. 
 Sir Alexander was educated at Northampton, and was sent to France to perfect 
 him in the French language, which proved of great sei-vice to him in after life. 
 He told Mr. Coleridge that he entered the Navy at an early age, about 17G8, in 
 consequence of the deep impression and vivid images left on his mind by the 
 perusal of Robinson Crusoe. 
 
 2 Captain James Keith Shepard died Vice- Admiral of the Red in 1843. 
 
 3 Epaulettes were not ordered to be worn as a part of naval uniform until 
 June, 1795. It was sufl&cient that they were of French origin to incur the detes- 
 tation of Nelson. 
 
 c 2
 
 20 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 friendship which existed between him and Nelson, for when 
 the Vanguard was taken in tow by the Alexander, such 
 was the perilous condition of both ships from the fearful 
 storm, that Nelson apprehended, should Ball's endeavours be 
 continued, that his own ship might also be lost, and consi- 
 dering the case as desperate, he seized the speaking trumpet, 
 and with passionate threats, ordered Ball to let him loose. 
 To this, however, Ball responded by stating he felt confident 
 he could bring him in safe, and added, " I therefore, must 
 not, and, by the help of Almighty God, I will not leave you." 
 He effected this, and upon his arrival in harbour. Nelson 
 embraced him as his deliverer. Their friendship continued 
 for the remainder of their lives in the most intimate manner 
 their public duties would permit. 
 
 On the susceptibility of Nelson and Ball to the influxes of 
 good sense and information from whatever quarter they might 
 come, Coleridge says,^ that both Lord Nelson and Sir Alex- 
 ander Ball were " equally characterized, though each displayed 
 it in the way best suited to his natural temper : Nelson had 
 with easy hand collected, as it passed by him, whatever could 
 add to his own stores, appropriated what he could assimilate, 
 and levied subsidies of knowledge from all the accidents of 
 social life and familiar intercourse. Even at the social board, 
 and in the height of uni^estrained merriment, a casual sugges- 
 tion, that flashed a new light on his mind, changed the boon 
 companion into the hero and the man of genius ; and with 
 the most graceful transition, he would make his company as 
 serious as himself. When the temper of his genius seemed 
 extinguished, it was still sun'ounded by an inflammable 
 atmosphere of its own, and rekindled at the first approach of 
 light, and not seldom at a distance, which made it seem to 
 flame up self-revived." The same acute observer says,^ " If 
 it had pleased Providence to preserve Ball's life, and place him 
 on the same course on which Nelson ran his race of glory, there 
 are two points in which Ball would most closely have resem- 
 bled his illustrious friend; the 1st is, that in his enterprises 
 and engagements he would have thought nothing done, till all 
 had been done that was possible, ' Nil actum reputans, si quid 
 
 ' The Friend, Vol. iii. p. 313. 2 jy^id^ p_ 319,
 
 1784,] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 21 
 
 suppresset agendum :' The 2nd, that he would have called 
 forth all the talent and virtue that existed within his sphere 
 of influence, and created a band of heroes, a gradation of 
 officers, strong in head and strong in heart, worthy to have 
 been his companions and his successors in fame and public 
 usefulness P 
 
 In March, Nelson was appointed to the Boreas, 28 guns, 
 and sailed for the Leeward Islands, having on board Lady- 
 Hughes,^ the wife of the Commander-in-chiefs on that sta- 
 tion. He reached Barbadoes on the 26th of June, and for 
 nine months was entirely engaged in suppressing illegal 
 traffic carried on in those islands. In this service he encoun- 
 tered many difficulties arising from the weakness and inde- 
 cision of the Commander-in-chief, and the conduct of the 
 Governors and Custom-house officers, but he succeeded in 
 his object, and I shall state this in his own words as it appears 
 in the Autobiographical Sketch before alluded to : — 
 
 '^This station opened a new scene to the officers of the 
 British Navy. The Americans, when colonists, possessed 
 almost all the trade from America to our West India Islands, 
 and on the return of peace, they forgot, on this occasion, they 
 became foreigners, and, of course, had no right to trade in the 
 British colonies. Our Governors and Custom-house officers 
 pretended, that by the Navigation Act, they had a right to 
 trade ; and all the West Indians wished what was so much for 
 their interest. 
 
 "Having given Governors, Custom-house officers, and 
 Americans, notice of what I would do, I seized many of their 
 vessels, which brought all parties upon me : and I was perse- 
 cuted from one island to another, that I could not leave my 
 ship. But conscious rectitude bore me through it; and I 
 was supported, when the business came to be understood, 
 from home, and I proved (and an Act of Parliament has 
 since estabhshed it), that a Captain of a man-of-wai' is 
 in duty bound to support all the maritime laws, by his 
 Admiralty commission alone, without becoming a Custom- 
 house officer." 
 
 ^ Lady Hughes generously presented to Nelson a silver tea-caddy ladle, in re- 
 turn for his attentions to her and her attendants, a service that had cost him not 
 less than ^£200 I 
 
 2 Sir Richard Hughes, Bart., died an Adoural of the Red, January 5th, 1812.
 
 22 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 It will be readily seen, that this bold conduct would involve 
 him in a violent conflict with the American interlopers and 
 contractois, and he had indeed occasion for all the fortitude 
 and determination he possessed. But prior to this, which 
 shall be presently more particularly noticed, he was engaged 
 in a dispute with Sir Richard Hughes, Bart., the Admiral on 
 the West India station, in consequence of having ordered a 
 broad pendant, which had been hoisted on board the Latona 
 frigate. Captain Charles Sandys,^ to be removed. It had 
 been so placed in English Harbour by order of the Resident 
 Commissioner, Moutray, who was a Captain in the Navy 
 twenty-one years senior to Nelson, but then acting as Com- 
 missioner, which was considered as equivalent to being upon 
 half-pay. The Commissioner was supported by the Admiral, 
 but Nelson would know of no superior officers besides the 
 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and his seniors in 
 actual service on the post, and he therefore ordered the 
 pendant to be struck ; and to shew that he was not influenced 
 by any personal feeling, but actuated solely by a sense of what 
 he considered due to the service, he went immediately and 
 dined with the Commissioner, and then personally com- 
 municated to him what he had directed to be done. An 
 account of this was, however, transmitted to the Admiralty 
 by Sir Richard Hughes, and the conduct of Nelson was 
 approved. 
 
 But the most serious and vexatious dispute he was con- 
 cerned in, was occasioned by the trading of the Americans 
 with our islands, taking advantage of the register of their 
 ships, which had been issued whilst they were British subjects. 
 Nelson was determined to regard the Americans as foreigners, 
 and to treat them accordingly. He therefore placed his 
 reliance upon the Navigation Act, which he was resolved to en- 
 force. Sir Richard Hughes said he had no particular orders, nor 
 had the Admiralty sent him any Acts of Parliament upon which 
 he could act. Nelson, on the contrary, considered the Naviga- 
 tion Act to be included in the statutes of the Admiralty with 
 which every Captain was furnished, and conceived, as he 
 said, " that men-of-war were sent abroad for some other pur- 
 pose than to be made a show of." In this matter, however, he 
 
 1 He was a Post Captain at this period, and rose to the rank of Rear-Admiral. 
 He was superannuated in 1805, and died at the age of 62, in April, 1814.
 
 1785.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 23 
 
 was also opposed by Major-General Sir Thos. Shirley,' the 
 Governor of the Leeward Islands, who took in dudgeon the 
 advice of Nelson, and assured him, that old generals were not 
 in the habit of taking advice from young gentlemen ; upon 
 which Nelson, with much promptitude and ingenuity replied, 
 " Sir, I am as old as the Prime Minister of England, and 
 think myself as capable of commanding one of his Majesty's 
 ships, as that Minister is of governing the State." 
 
 Whilst the Americans continued colonists of Great Britain, 
 they engrossed nearly the entire trade between their country 
 and the West Indies. No immediate prospect of extensive 
 trade with others presenting itself, the West Indians encou- 
 raged the Americans in their views, and this support was not 
 Confined to the mercantile part of the community, but ex- 
 tended to the persons holding official situations, and in the 
 habit of receiving considerable emoluments for the easy per- 
 formance of their duties in connection with the trade. The 
 Governors and Custom-house officers were, indeed, the most 
 formidable supporters of the claims of the Americans to trade 
 with all the West India islands. 
 
 Arrived at St. Kitt's, he sent away all the Americans, who 
 though obliged to yield, yet alleged that the King's ships had 
 no power to seize them without having Deputations from the 
 Customs. They were supported by the planters, and with 
 the exception of a single President of one of the islands, John 
 Richardson Herbert, Esq. of Nevis, all the Governors and 
 Presidents were opposed to Nelson's views. The Admiral^ 
 
 1 This officer was Captain-General of the Leeward Islands, and in 1786 was 
 made a Baronet. He died at Bath in 1800. 
 
 2 Of Sir Richard Hughes, Nelson says, " He is led by the advice of the islanders 
 to admit the Yankees to a trade ; at least, to wink at it. He does not give him- 
 self that weight that I think an English Admiral ought to do. I, for one, am 
 determined not to suffer the Yankees to come where my ship is ; for I am sure, if 
 once the Americans are admitted to any kind of intercourse with these islands, the 
 views of the Loyalists in settling Nova Scotia are entirely done away. They will 
 first become the carriers, and next have possession of our islands, are we ever 
 again embroiled in a French war. The residents of these islands ai-e Americans 
 by connexion and by interest, and are inimical to Great Britaiu. They are as 
 great rebels as ever were in America, had they the power to shew it." (Letter to 
 Captain Locker, Jan. 15, 1785.) And in another to his brother, May 3, 1785 : 
 ** They make me so angry, that I have no patience, and our Admiral does not 
 support us. He is an excellent fiddler." iVlso in a letter to Captain Locker,
 
 24 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL. [CHAP. I. 
 
 was in fear to act, and advised Nelson to be guided by the 
 wishes of the President of the Council. This advice was not 
 given in an official form, and was therefore disregarded. 
 Nelson conceived that he had shewn and explained to the 
 Admiral what was the law on the subject ; but he now re- 
 ceived from him a communication, that he had obtained " good 
 advice on the matter, and that the Americans were not to be 
 prevented egress and regress, if the Governor chose to permit 
 them/^ Orders to this effect were sent to the Governors and 
 Presidents of the different islands, and Nelson was placed in 
 the very embarrassing position of being obliged either to dis- 
 obey his orders, or disobey Acts of Parliament. He, however, 
 did not hesitate a moment as to the course he should pursue ; 
 he preferred the former, trusted to the uprightness of his 
 intentions, and believed that his country would not allow 
 him to be ruined for protecting her commerce. Sir Richard 
 Hughes had, indeed, thoughts of superseding him, but was 
 averse to such a step ; and having mentioned the matter to 
 his Captain, whose opinion on the illegality of the orders 
 agreed with that of the whole squadron, he prudently 
 abandoned such a measure. No court-martial upon him 
 could be held under such circumstances ; and the Admiral 
 at length had the manliness to admit that he was in error. 
 Nelson had, in this trying affair, the co-operation of his 
 friend, Cuthbert Collingwood,i and his brother Wilfrid. 
 Several vessels were seized (the first in May, 1785), and 
 condemned in the Admiralty Court. Great commotion 
 followed. The planters, the Custom-house peopk, the 
 Governors, and others, were all opposed to him ; subscrip- 
 tions were opened to support the cause of the Americans, 
 whilst the Admiral stood neutral. Loyal prosecutions were 
 instituted, damages were laid at £4000., and he was obliged 
 to keep to his own ship, where he was preserved from arrest 
 
 March 5, 1786 : " Sir Richard Hughes you know probably better than myself, 
 and that he is a fiddler ; therefore, as his time is taken up tuning that instrument, 
 you will consequently expect the squadron is cursedly out of tune." 
 
 1 The attachment through life which existed between Nelson and CoUingwood 
 is too well known to need further illustration here : instances of the ardour of 
 tlieir friendship occur in tlie following pages, and are to be found in the Memoirs 
 of his Life and the Selection from his Public and Private Correspondence, by 
 G. L. N, CoUingwood. Lond. 1837. 2 vols. 12mo.
 
 1785.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 25 
 
 by the ingenuity of his first lieutenant, Mr. James Wallis.i 
 In his Memorial to the King^s Most Excellent Majesty, 
 bearing date June 29, 1785, after alluding to the seizure he 
 had made of the vessels, he says: "This increased the 
 ferment and iiTitation amongst the trading part of the 
 
 1 He was appointed Commander of the Rattler by Nelson in 1787, upon the 
 death of Captain Wilfrid Collingwood. He became Post Captain in 1797, and 
 died Captain of Sea Fencibles at Harwich, in 1808. The following extract 
 from a letterl written by Nelson to Cuthbert Collingwood is too interesting to be 
 omitted : — 
 
 " Boreas, Nevis, May 3rd, 1787. 
 " My dear Collingwood, 
 
 "To be the messenger of bad news is my misfortune ; but still it is a 
 tribute which friends owe each other. I have lost my friend, you an affectionate 
 brother. Too great a zeal in serving his country hastened his end. The greatest 
 consolation the survivors can receive, is a thorough knowledge of a life spent with 
 honour to himself, and of service to his country. If the tribute of tears are 
 valuable, my friend had them. 
 
 " The esteem he stood in with his Royal Highness (the Duke of Clarence), 
 was great. His letter to me on his death is the strongest testimony of it. I 
 send you an extract of it : ' Collingwood, poor fellow, is no more. I have cried 
 for him, and most sincerely do I condole with you on his loss. In him His 
 Majesty has lost a faithful servant, and the Service a most excellent officer.' A 
 testimony of regard so honourable, is more to be coveted than anything this world 
 could have afforded, and must be a balm to his surviving friends. 
 
 " The Rattler has been refitting at English Harbour, and when I arrived there 
 in the middle of April, Wilfrid was a little complaining, but I did not think, at 
 first, anything dangerous was to be apprehended. But in a few days I perceived 
 he was in a rapid decline. Dr. Young told me to send him to sea, as the only 
 chance. He sailed on the Tuesday for Grenada, where I was in hopes, could he 
 have reached Mr. Hume's, some fortunate circumstance might turn out ; but it 
 pleased God to order it otherwise. On Friday, the 21st of April, at ten at night, 
 he left this life without a groan or struggle. The ship put into St. Vincent's, 
 where he was interred with all military honours, the Regiment, President, and 
 Council attending him to the grave. I mention this circumstance to shew the 
 respect for his character. It is a credit to the people of St. Vincent's which I 
 did not think they would have deserved. I have directed Wallis not to suffer a 
 thing to be disposed of, but to have everything sealed up the moment he goes on 
 board, and that I will take them on board the Boreas, and carry them home. 
 
 " Adieu, my good friend, and be assured I am, with the truest regard, 
 
 " Your affectionate friend, 
 
 " Horatio Nelson. 
 
 ** Mrs. Nelson desires to present her kind compliments and condolence." 
 
 I Dispatches and Letters, Vol. i. p. 230, from an autograph in the possession 
 of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.
 
 26 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 inhabitants against your Memorialist; and the several 
 Masters of the said four vessels have been instigated to 
 procure divers writs for the arrest of your Memorialist, under 
 pretence of their having been assaulted and imprisoned by 
 him, to the amount of £4000. damages, which assault and 
 imprisonment is no more than what your Memorialist has 
 before stated ; and, moreover, one of the said Masters never 
 was on board the Boreas, or even seen by your Memorialist." 
 Nelson was in no way daunted by this opposition; and 
 when one of his officers, in allusion to the restraint to which 
 he was subjected, used the word pity, he fired up and ex- 
 claimed, " Pity, did you say ? I shall live. Sir, to be 
 envied ! and to that point I shall always direct my course." 
 In a letter to his brother from Barbadoes, May 5, 1786, he 
 says : " As to myself, I am well, and notwithstanding all my 
 struggles in this country with bad people, I am perfectly at 
 ease, so far as I am conscious of the rectitude and upright- 
 ness of my conduct; and it is my not allowing them to 
 continue inimical to the commerce of Great Britain that has 
 drawn down the displeasure of all the folks upon me. One 
 sends me a challenge ; another laws me : but I keep them 
 all off, nor have they been able to do the least tiling to 
 injure me." This painful state of things continued during 
 eight weeks, when the trial came on in the Court of Admi- 
 ralty. Nelson, under protection by the Judge from arrest 
 for the day, pleaded his own cause ; and his statements were 
 so clear and exphcit, that the four American vessels were 
 condemned. These proceedings were of great importance, 
 and upon receipt of a memorial by Nelson to his Govern- 
 ment, he was ordered to be defended against any prosecutions 
 at the expense of the Crown ; and the Register Act was 
 afterwards framed upon the suggestions made by him. He 
 did not, however, obtain the rewai'd due to such noble and 
 manly conduct. The Commander-in-chief received thanks 
 from the Treasury for his activity and zeal in promoting the 
 commerce of Great Britain, although he had opposed the 
 conduct of Nelson in this affair. To his uncle he wrote from 
 Nevis, July 5, 1786 : " My activity of mind is too much for 
 my puny constitution. I am worn to a skeleton; but I 
 ti-ust that the doctors and asses' milk will set me up again."
 
 1787-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 27 
 
 Nelson's services were not limited to those which have 
 been now mentioned. He was alive to the extortion and 
 nefarious proceedings of contractors and prize agents, and 
 other persons connected with naval affairs in the West Indies. 
 He resolutely opposed their scandalous practices. His 
 representations to the Comptroller were received in a luke- 
 warm manner, his suggestions were disregarded, the old 
 forms of proceeding were considered sufficient, and he was 
 under the necessity of submitting, when he received informa- 
 tion from two Antigua merchants, Messrs. Higgins and 
 Wilkinson, of great frauds having been committed upon the 
 Government in various departments, amounting altogether 
 to upwards of one million sterling. He examined into these 
 charges, and transmitted an account of them home ; but the 
 peculators were too powerful for him, and he raised a feeling 
 against him at the Admiralty, which he foimd it so difficult 
 to subdue, that he was near quitting the service in disgust. 
 The state of his health was also very precarious, often 
 seriously deranged, and he was unwell when he arrived in 
 England, in June ; but his ship was not paid off at Sheerness 
 till November, being kept at the Nore during that time as a 
 slop and receiving ship for impressed seamen. He was 
 indignant at such treatment, and kept himself almost entirely 
 on board. Nelson had resolved to wait upon the First Lord 
 of the Admiralty, and resign his commission ; but having 
 communicated his intentions to an officer in his confidence, 
 he most judiciously apprized Lord Howe of his design, who 
 anticipated his visit by expressing a desire to see him as soon 
 as he arrived in London, and upon conversing with him on all 
 that had occurred, requested to present him to the King at 
 the first levee. Thus was his resentment allayed, and the 
 services of Nelson retained to his country. 
 
 Now on shore, and in immediate communication with the 
 Admiralty, Nelson renewed his attack upon the peculators, 
 and proved all his charges to Mr. Rose,i Mr. Pitt,'^ and Sir 
 Charles Middleton.^ Investigation was instituted — the 
 
 1 Afterwards Rt. Hon. Sir George Rose, G.C.H., Secretary to the Treasury. 
 
 2 First Lord of the Treasury. 
 
 3 Comptroller of the Navy, afterwai-ds an Admiral, made First Lord of the 
 Admiialty, and in 1805 created Lord Barham. He died June 17, 1831.
 
 28 LIFE OF VICD-ADMIRAL [CHAP. I. 
 
 culprits were detected and punished — Nelson's suggestions 
 were attended to — his recommendations adopted, and an 
 immense saving to Government effected ; but the author of all 
 this good was unattended to — no reward, no honours were 
 bestowed upon him for his exertions, or as a repayment for 
 the anxieties and sufferings he had experienced. He 
 always, however, maintained that it was " better to serve an 
 ungrateful country than to give up his own fame."
 
 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 29 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 1787—1794. 
 
 With all his devotion to the Navy, and a strict regard to 
 the duties of his profession, embracing a consideration of 
 them in every particular, and an enforcement of the correct 
 performance of that which belonged to every branch of the 
 service, Nelson proved susceptible to the tender passion. 
 At an early period we learn, that when in Quebec, his friend, 
 Mr. Alexander Davison,^ in 1782, prevented him from form- 
 ing an imprudent connexion, exercised a friendly violence, 
 and safely lodged him in his boat. At St. Omer, in 1784, 
 he fell in love with the daughter of an English clergyman, 
 and carried his passion so far as to solicit peciuiiary assist- 
 ance from his uncle, Wm. Suckling, Esq., to enable him to 
 marry. His letter on the occasion is curious, and has been 
 printed in the Gentleman's Magazine : — ^ 
 
 " January 14th, 1784. 
 
 " My dear Uncle, 
 
 " There arrives, in general, a time in a man's life (who has 
 friends), that either they place him in life in a situation, that 
 makes his application for anything further totally unneces- 
 sary ; or give him help in a pecuniary way, if they can afford, 
 and he deserves it. 
 
 " The critical moment of my life is now arrived, that either 
 I am to be happy or miserable : — it depends solely on you. 
 
 " You may possibly think I am going to ask too much. 
 I have fed myself up with hopes you will not — till this trying 
 moment. There is a lady I have seen, of a good family and 
 connexions, but with a small fortune — £1000. I understand. 
 
 1 Nelson's intimacy with Mr. Davison commenced at Quebec about this time, 
 and their attachment continued through life. He was appointed Prize Agent for 
 the Battle of the Nile, and was otherwise concerned in the affairs of the Admiral, 
 as will be seen by many of the letters subsequently printed. 
 
 2 Vol. xcv. part 1. p. 19G.
 
 30 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. II. 
 
 The whole of my income does not exceed £130. per annum. 
 Now I must come to the point : — will you, if I should 
 marry, allow me yearly £100., until my income is increased 
 to that sum, either by employment, or any other way? A 
 very few years, I hope, would turn something up, if my 
 friends will but exert themselves. If you will not give me 
 the above sum, will you exert yourself with either Lord 
 North or Mr. Jenkinson, to get me a guard-ship, or some 
 employment in a public office where the attendance of the 
 principal is not necessary, and of which they must have such 
 numbers to dispose of. In the India service, I understand 
 (if it remains under the Directors), their marine force is to 
 be under the command of a Captain in the Royal Navy : that 
 is a station I should like. 
 
 " You must excuse the freedom with which this letter 
 is dictated ; not to have been plain and explicit in my 
 distress would have been cruel to myself. If nothing can be 
 done for me, I know what I have to trust to. Life is not 
 worth preserving without happiness ; and I care not where I 
 may linger out a miserable existence. I am prepared to hear 
 your refusal, and have fixed my resolution if that should 
 happen ; but in every station, I shall be a well-w isher to 
 you and your family, and pray they or you may never know 
 the pangs which at this instant tear my heart. God bless 
 you ; and assure yourself I am 
 
 " Your most affectionate and dutiful nephew, 
 
 " Horatio Nelson." 
 
 Mr. Suckling is stated, in the Gentleman's Magazine, to 
 have immediately complied with his nephew's request ; but 
 as no marriage took place. Nelson was probably rejected by 
 the object of his affections. He liked the society of females, 
 and seems to have been grateful to any who were attentive 
 to him, or could participate with him in his attachment to 
 his country, and in his love of glory. Mrs. Moutray, the 
 wife of the Commissioner at Antigua, appears to have 
 interested him greatly ; he depicts in a very striking manner 
 the pleasure he felt in her society, and laments the loss he 
 sustained by her departure from the West Indies. Writing 
 to his friend, Captain Locker, Sept. 24, 17S4, he says: "Was
 
 1787.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. SI 
 
 it not for Mrs. Moutray, who is very v^ry good to me, I 
 should almost hang myself at this infernal hole. Our 
 Admiral is tolerable, but I do not like him ; he bows and 
 scrapes too much for me ; his wife has an eternal clack, so 
 that I go near them as little as possible : in short, I detest 
 this country ; but as I am embarked upon this station, I 
 shall remain in my ship." Again, to his brother, Feb. 20, 
 1785 : "My dear, sweet friend is going home. I am really 
 an April day : happy on her accoimt, but truly grieved were 
 I only to consider myself. Her equal I never saw in any 
 country, or in any situation. She always talks of you, and 
 hopes, if she comes within your reach, you will not fail 
 visiting her. If my dear Kate^ goes to Bath next winter, she 
 will be known to her ; for my dear friend has promised to 
 make herself known. What an acquisition to any female to 
 be acquainted with : what an example to take pattern from !" 
 On March 16th he continues: " My sweet, amiable friend 
 sails the 20th for England. I took my leave of her with a 
 heavy heart three days ago. What a treasure of a woman ! 
 God bless her!" And May 3rd, 1785, to the same: "The 
 country appears now intolerable, my dear friend being absent. 
 It is barren indeed ; not all the Rosys can give a spark of joy to 
 me. English Harbour I hate the sight of, and Windsor I detest. 
 I went once up the hill to look at the spot where I spent 
 more happy days than in any one spot in the world. Even 
 the trees drooped their heads, and the tamarind tree died : — 
 all was melancholy : the road is covered with thistles ; let 
 them grow. I shall never pull one of them up. By this 
 time I hope she is safe in old England. Heaven's choicest 
 blessing go with her."^ 
 
 1 Nelson's youngest sister, born March 19, 1767. In 1787 she married 
 George Matcham, Esq. of Ashford Lodge, by whom she had several children. 
 She died March 28, 1842. 
 
 ~ Mrs. Moutray excited no less gratitude in the breast of Collingwood, to 
 whom, as well as Nelson, she appears to have exercised the greatest kindness. 
 The former made his acknowledgments in the following verse : 
 
 To you belongs the wond'rous art 
 
 To shed around you pleasure ; 
 New worth to best of things impart. 
 And make of trifles — treasure. 
 A letter from this charming lady, at the age of 84, glowing with rich reminis-
 
 32 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. II. 
 
 At the island of Nevis he became acquainted with a young 
 widow, Mrs. Frances Herbert Nisbet,' whose husband, Josiah 
 Nisbet, M.D.^died insane eighteen months after his marriage. 
 She w^as left with one boy named Josiah,^ of whom mention 
 is made frequently in his letters. In the Life of Nelson, by 
 Clarke and McArthur, mention is made of Mrs. Nisbet 
 having, prior to seeing Nelson, received the following account 
 of him in a letter from a female friend : ^' We have at last 
 seen the Captain of the Boreas, of whom so much has been 
 said. He came up just before dinner, much heated, and was 
 very silent ; yet seemed, according to the old adage, to think 
 the more. He declined drinking any wine ; but after dinner, 
 when the President, as usual, gave the following toasts, ^ The 
 King,' ' The Queen, and Royal Family,' and ' Lord Hood,' 
 this strange man regularly filled his glass, and observed, that 
 those were always bumper toasts with him; which having 
 
 cences of these naval heroes, appears in the Memoirs and Correspondence of 
 Collingwood. She states that she has in her possession, two portraits of Nelson 
 and Collingwood, taken under particular circumstances. Nelson had lost his 
 hair from fever, and its place had been so grotesquely supplied by the ai-t of the 
 perruquier, that Collingwood said one day to him, " I must draw you, Nelson, 
 in that wig ;" and he accordingly made a sketch of him, which bears much resem- 
 blance to the subsequent prints of the distinguished Commander. But the laugh 
 being over, which this feat of Collingwood had excited. Nelson now retorted by 
 observing that he would draw Collingwood in that queue of his, and in his turn 
 produced an outline drawing, which not unsuccessfully portrayed the features 
 of his friend. 1 
 
 1 She was the daughter of William Woolward, Esq., Senior Judge of Nevis, 
 and Molly Herbert, sister of J. R. Herbert, Esq. President of the Council of that 
 island. She was born in 1763, and died in 1831. 
 
 * Dr. Nisbet was a native of Scotland, and had practised at Coventry as an 
 apothecary. He exercised his profession as a physician at Nevis, but had not 
 acquired much wealth. 
 
 " Nelson attended to his education, and treated him with truly parental kind- 
 ness. Upon his expressing a desire to enter the Navy, he had his powerful assist- 
 ance, and was taken under his own immediate protection, being appointed a 
 Midshipman on board the Agamemnon. At Fiorenzo, January 17, 1795, Nelson 
 wrote to his wife : " As for Josiah, I have no doubt but he will be a comfort to 
 both of us : his understanding is excellent, and his disposition really good : he is 
 a seaman every inch of him." Nelson's judgment failed him here, for Josiah 
 afterwards occasioned him much uneasiness. October 14, 1799, he wrote to 
 Rear- Admiral Duckworth : " Perhaps you may be able to make something of 
 Captain Nisbet ; he has, by his conduct, almost broke my heart." 
 
 1 Vol. i. p. 14. 
 
 I
 
 1787.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 33 
 
 drank, he uniformly passed the bottle, and relapsed into his 
 former taciturnity. It was impossible, during this visit, for 
 any of us to make out his real character ; there was such a 
 reserve and sternness in his behaviour, with occasional sallies, 
 though very transient, of a superior mind. Being placed by 
 him, I endeavoured to rouse his attention by shewing him 
 all the civilities in my power ; but I drew out little more than 
 ' Yes,^ and ' No.' If you, Fanny, had been there, we think 
 you would have made something of him ; for you have been 
 in the habit of attending to these odd sort of people." 
 
 From a letter addressed to his uncle, William Suckling, Esq. 
 dated November 14, 1785, communicating his passion, and 
 soliciting pecuniary assistance to enable him to support his 
 proper position, he says : " My present attachment is of 
 pretty long standing ; but I was determined to be fixed before 
 I broke this matter to any person. The lady is a Mrs. Nisbet, 
 widow of a Dr. Nisbet, who died eighteen months after her 
 marriage, and has left her with a son. From her infancy 
 (for her father and mother died when she was only two years 
 of age) she has been brought up by her mother's brother, 
 Mr. Herbert, President of Nevis, a gentleman whose fortune 
 and character must be well known to all the West India 
 merchants, therefore I shall say nothing upon that head. 
 Her age is twenty-two ; and her personal accomplishments you 
 will suppose, / think, equal to any person's I ever saw : but, 
 without vanity, her mental accomplishments are superior to 
 most people's of either sex ; and we shall come together as 
 two persons most sincerely attached to each other from 
 friendship. Her son is under her guardianship, but totally 
 independent of her. But I must desci'ibe Herbert to you, 
 that you may know exactly how I stand ; for when we apply 
 for advice, we must tell all circumstances. Herbert is very 
 rich, and very proud, — he has an only daughter, and this 
 niece, who he looks upon in the same light, if not higher. 
 I have lived at his house, when at Nevis, since June last ; I 
 am a great favourite of his. I have told him I am as poor 
 as Job ; but he tells me he likes me, and I am descended 
 from a good family, which his pride likes ; but he also says, 
 * Nelson, I am proud, and I must live like myself, therefore 
 I cannot do much in my life time : when I die she shall have 
 
 VOL. la D
 
 34 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. II. 
 
 £20,000.; and if my daughter dies before me, she shall 
 possess the major part of my property. I intend going to 
 England in 1787, and remaining there my life; therefore, 
 if you two can live happily together till that event takes place, 
 you have my consent.' This is exactly my situation with 
 him ; and I know the way to get him to give me most, is not 
 to appear to want it : thus circumstanced, who can I apply 
 to but you? The regard you have ever expressed for me, 
 leads me to hope you will do something. My future happi- 
 ness, I can give you my honour, is now in your power : if 
 you cannot afford to give me any thing for ever, you will, I 
 am sure, trust to me, that if ever I can afford it, I will return 
 it to some part of your family. I think Herbert will be 
 brought to give me two or three hundred a year during his 
 life ; and if you will either give me, I will call it — I think you 
 will do it — either one hundred a year, for a few years, or a 
 thousand pounds, how happy you will make a couple, who 
 will pray for you for ever. Don't disappoint me, or my heart 
 will break : trust to my honom* to do a good turn for some 
 other person, if it is in my power. I can say no more, but 
 trust implicitly to your goodness, and pray let me know of 
 your generous action by the first packet."^ 
 
 It is sufficient to remark that his uncle acquiesced in his 
 Welshes, and in thanking him for his kindness, he observes : 
 " The greatest felicity I can enjoy is to make her happy ; for 
 myself I can care but little when she is considered ; and I 
 would lay down my life with pleasure at this moment for her 
 future happiness. After what I have written, you will believe 
 my love is founded upon that strong basis which must have 
 the appearance of enjoying happiness with her.''" 
 
 Ardent as his passion thus appears to have been, attention 
 to the duties of his profession delayed his union for some 
 time. In one of his letters to his intended wife, dated May 
 4, 1786, which he dates from Barbarous island, he says, 
 " Had I not seized any Americans, I should now have been 
 with you : but I should have neglected my duty, which I 
 think your regard for me is too great, for you to have wished 
 me to have done. Duty is the great business of a sea officer. 
 
 ' Athenffium for 1834, p. 718. =* Ibid. p. 749.
 
 1787-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 35 
 
 All private considerations must give way to it, however pain- 
 ful it is. But I trust that time will not have lessened me in 
 the opinion of her, whom it shall be the business of my future 
 life to make happy ."^ And on the 21st of August, " As you 
 begin to know something about sailors, have you not often 
 heard, that salt water and absence always wash away love ? 
 Now, I am such a heretic as not to believe that faith ; for 
 behold, every morning since my arrival, I have had six pails 
 of salt water at daylight poured upon my head, and instead 
 of finding what the seamen say to be true, I perceive the con- 
 trary effect ; and if it goes on so contrary to the prescription, 
 you must see me before my fixed time. At first I bore 
 absence tolerably, but now it is almost insupportable ; and 
 by and by I expect it will be quite so. But patience is a 
 virtue ; and I must exercise it upon this occasion, whatever 
 it costs my feeliugs.^'^ 
 
 The marriage of Nelson seems to have been forwarded by 
 his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, who, determining 
 to be at the wedding, offered to give away the bride ; and 
 Nelson thus describes his position to Mrs. Nisbet in a letter 
 from Sandy-point, March 6,1787- "His Royal Highness 
 has been with me all this morning, and has told me, that as 
 things here are changed, if I am not married when we go to 
 Nevis, it is hardly probable he should see me there again ; 
 that I had promised him not to be mamed, unless he was 
 present ; that he wished to be there, to shew his esteem for 
 me, and should be much mortified if impediments were thrown 
 in the way. He intends this as a mark of honour to me ; as 
 such I wish to receive it. Indeed his Royal Highnesses 
 behaviour throughout has been that of a friend, instead of a 
 person so elevated above me. He told me this morning, that 
 since he had been under my command he has been happy ; 
 and that I should find him sincere in his friendship."^ 
 
 The marriage took place on the 12th of March, 1787, his 
 Royal Highness attending as proposed. 
 
 Nelson returned to England, and arrived at Spithead on 
 the 4th of July, but the Boreas, as already stated, was not 
 paid off at Sheerness until Nov. 30th, and he then retired 
 
 ' Clarke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 84. * Ibid. p. 86. 
 
 => Ibid. p. 93. 
 
 D 2
 
 36 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. II. 
 
 with his wife to Burnham Thorpe, the place of his birth, and 
 for some time resided in the parsonage-house. He was not 
 again employed until 1793, although he made several appli- 
 cations to get a ship, "aye (he says), even a boat," to serve 
 his country, but in vain ; although his Royal Highness the 
 Duke of Clarence recommended him to Lord Chatham (who 
 became First Lord of the Admiralty in July, 1788), it failed 
 in effect. This is acknowledged by Nelson in a letter to 
 his Royal Highness, June 24, 1790,^ in which he says, '' My 
 not being appointed to a ship is so very mortifying, that I 
 cannot find words to express what I feel on the occasion ; and 
 when I reflect on your Royal Highnesses condescension in 
 mentioning me to Lord Chatham, I am the more hurt and 
 sm^prised. Sure 1 am, that I have ever been a zealous and 
 faithful servant, and never intentionally have committed any 
 errors ; especially as till very lately I have been honoured by 
 the notice of the Admiralty.'' Nelson fully believed that a 
 prejudice existed against him at the Admiralty, for which, 
 however, he was quite unable to account ; and had it not been 
 for the advice and remonstrances of Lord Hood, it is pro- 
 bable he would have retired from the service. On the 30th 
 of January, 1793, his ardent wishes were at length fulfilled. He 
 was commissioned to the Agamemnon, a remarkably fine 
 ship of 64 guns, in which he cruised in the' Channel with the 
 squadron under Vice-Admiral Hotham, and in June sailed 
 for the Mediterranean under Lord Hood. 
 
 During the time Nelson was upon half-pay, and at Burn- 
 ham Thorpe, where he and Mrs. Nelson resided in accord- 
 ance with the wish of his father, he is represented^ as 
 having employed himself " with considerable zeal in cultivat- 
 ing his father's garden, and in learning to farm the adjoining 
 glebe ; but the former was his principal station : he would 
 there often spend the greater part of the day, and dig, as it 
 were, for the sake of being wearied. At others, he would re- 
 new the early pastime of his childhood, and with a simplicity 
 that was peculiar to him, when his mind was not employed on 
 the great objects of professional duties, would spend the 
 
 1 From autograph draught in the Nelson Papers, Dispatches and Letters, Vol. i. 
 p. 288. 
 
 2 Clarke and McArthur's Life of Lord Nelson, Vol. i.p. 109.
 
 1-93.] I.ORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 37 
 
 greater part of the day amidst the woods, in taking the eggs 
 of different birds, which, as he obtained, he gave to Mrs. 
 Nelson, who, at his express desire, always attended him. He 
 sometimes also employed his time, when his eyes would admit 
 of it, in reading ; and particularly such periodical works of the 
 day as he could procure ; but oftener in studying a variety of 
 charts, and in writing, or drawing plans." The uniformity 
 of a village life was occasionally diverted by professional calls 
 to the metropolis ; by an annual visit ■with Mrs. Nelson to 
 Lord Walpole at Wolterton, and by occasional visits to Mr. 
 Coke at Holkham. 
 
 The health of Mrs. Nelson was not good, and after her 
 husband^s departure for sea, she appears to have gone to 
 Swaif ham, to Hilborough,i and afterwards to Kentish Town.2 
 In a letter to William Suckling, Esq. October 11, 1793, 
 Nelson writes : " I cannot but feel uneasy at the accounts 
 you give me of Mrs. Nelson. I wish she was comfortably 
 fixed in a house, or good lodgings in a place she liked ; but I 
 hope, and indeed believe, she will recover herself at Kentish 
 Town, where I am certain every kind attention will be shewn 
 her."^ The Rev. Edmund Nelson, her father-in-law writes 
 thus affectionately to her on the 13th December, 1793 : — 
 
 " My dear, 
 
 " I am indeed vexed your health is so precarious, and 
 your resolution not equal, I fear, to the trial you meet with. 
 Your own good understanding is a much better source of 
 comfort than any thing that can be offered by me, or any of 
 those who have great respect towards you. My only fear 
 respecting myself is, that anything should be left undone by 
 me, or that you will not, through kindness to me, be explicit 
 enough to give me a hint of. Swaffham, you are not per- 
 fectly pleased with. Can you fancy any other place ? Spend- 
 ing the winter months with me at Bath, you have sent me no 
 word about it. 
 
 " To leave you in an unpleasant or unsettled state I shall 
 regret, though my intention is to leave Burnham early in the 
 
 1 A small patrimony belonging to the Nelson family. 
 
 2 The residence of Nelson's uncle, William Suckling, Esq. 
 
 3 Letter in the Athenaeum for 1834, p. 768.
 
 38 LIFE OF Vice-admiral [chap. ii. 
 
 next month, yet to accommodate you in any way, that scheme 
 shall be altered, and if you can put yourself under my protec- 
 tion, a poor substitute, all shall be done that can be. Don't 
 at this time consider the expense— it can, it shall be made 
 easy. Sure I am one dear friend would have it so, and to 
 look no further, why might not the summer be passed away 
 at the Parsonage ? Be assured if I omit any thing, it is for 
 want of judgment. Do you hke to come here? 
 " I am, in all situations, 
 
 *' Yours affectionately, 
 
 '{cliK 4tc^cnx 
 
 " Friday 13, December, 1793." 
 
 Although Nelson had endeavoured, during the time he was 
 on shore, to amuse and instruct himself, he yet yearned for 
 active service, and the Correspondence, or rather Letters, 
 printed in Sir N. H. Nicolas's Dispatches and Letters of Lord 
 Viscount Nelson, shew that while at Burnham Thorpe, he 
 was constantly writing to be employed, and engaging those 
 who had interest to exert it in his behalf, that he might go to 
 sea. The receipt of his appointment seems to have given 
 him new life, and he writes to Mrs. Nelson from Chatham, 
 March 15, 1793: " We are wanted. Lord Hood writes me 
 word, for immediate service, and hints we are going to cruise, 
 and then to join his fleet at Gibraltar : therefore I am anxious 
 to get to Spithead. I never was in better health; and I 
 hope you intend a new lease of your life." He was in good 
 humour with everything. He writes to his brother : '^' I have 
 the pleasure of telling you that my ship is, without exception, 
 the finest 64 in the service, and has the character of sailing 
 most remarkably well." In another letter to Mrs. Nelson he 
 says, "The surgeon seems to be a very good sort of man: 
 indeed, I have reason to be satisfied at present with every 
 officer in the ship." And, again to his brother: " I not only 
 like the ship, but think I am well appointed in officers, and 
 we are manned exceedingly well ; therefore have no doubt but 
 we shall acquit ourselves well, should the French give us a 
 meeting." To Mrs, Nelson on the 29th of April, he writes :
 
 1793 ] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 39 
 
 " We are all well : indeed, nobody can be ill with my ship's 
 company, they are so fine a set. Don't mind what newspapers 
 say about us. God bless you." He, however, became very 
 impatient for the arrival of Lord Hood, and began to com- 
 plain of his life of inactivity. He grumbles at being detained 
 off the Lizard, and complains to his brother : " What we 
 have been sent out for is best known to the great folks in 
 London : to us it appears only to hum the nation and make 
 tools of us, for where we have been stationed, from ten to 
 twenty leagues to the westward of Guernsey, no enemy was 
 likely to be met with, or where we could protect our own trade. 
 Thus fiive ships have been sported with. I don't like it, nor 
 does our Admiral." In May, however, he cruised in the 
 Channel with the squadron, and in June sailed for the Me- 
 diterranean under Lord Hood. He remained with the fleet 
 until the treaty with the Commissioners from Toulon, into 
 which they were literally starved, was concluded. " Famine 
 (he observed to William Suckling,^ Esq.) has accomplished 
 what force could not have done ; not a boat has got into Toulon 
 since our arrival, and we literally starved them into a sur- 
 render.'^ 
 
 When Lord Hood arrived in the Mediterranean, and took 
 his station off Toulon, he opened a negotiation wuth some of 
 the members of the Provisional Government, who agreed to 
 deliver up the town, arsenal, forts, &c. to the British forces in 
 the name of Louis XVIL The forts, upon this proceeding, 
 were immediately manned by 1 700 marines and seamen taken 
 from the different ships, and placed under the orders of 
 Captain the Hon. George Keith Elphinstone, who was ap- 
 pointed Governor of the fort La Malgue, which commanded 
 the town, and both the outer and inner roads. A French 
 Admiral, St. Julien, had already seized upon some of the 
 forts, and refused to admit the English. The French ships 
 were however ordered to proceed into the inner harbour, and 
 to discharge their powder on pain of being treated as enemies. 
 This was done, and the British fleet anchored in the bay, Rear- 
 Admiral Goodall being named Governor of Toulon, whilst the 
 Spanish Admiral Gravina was made Commandant of the troops. 
 
 After the surrender of Toulon, Nelson was ordered to carry 
 
 1 Letter from Naples, September 14, 1793, iu the Athenaeum for 1834, p. 767.
 
 40 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL. [cHAP. II 
 
 the dispatches to OnegUa for Mr. Trevor,^ minister at Turin, 
 and thence to proceed to Naples with dispatches for Sir 
 AViUiam Hamilton. He also protected the Sardinian frigate 
 as far as Corsica on her way to Sardinia. Lord Hugh Sey- 
 mour Conway^ urged him to press Sir Wm. Hamilton to hasten 
 the Neapolitan troops to Toulon as much as possible, and guard 
 the works surrounding that place, knowing Lord Hood's great 
 anxiety in this matter.^ Nelson's letter to his wife (began 
 Sept. 7th off Sardinia, and ended on the 11th at Naples) states 
 the number of troops required to have been 10,000. He 
 expresses his astonishment at the surrender of Toulon : 
 " What an event this has been for Lord Hood : such an one 
 as history cannot produce its equal ; that the strongest place 
 in Europe, and twenty-two sail of the line, &c. should be 
 given up without firing a shot. It is not to be credited." 
 His pride of the service is constantly manifesting itself in his 
 letters. In the one just referred to he says : " I believe the 
 world is convinced that no conquests of importance can be 
 made without us ; and yet, as soon as we have accomplished 
 the service we are ordered on, we are neglected, If Parliament 
 does not grant something to this fleet, our Jacks will grumble ; 
 for here there is no prize money to soften their hardships ; all 
 we get is honour and salt beef. My poor fellows have not had 
 a morsel of fresh meat or vegetables for near nineteen weeks ; 
 and in that time I have only had my foot twice on shore at 
 Cadiz. We are absolutely getting sick from fatigue. No 
 fleet, I am certain, ever served their country with greater zeal 
 than this has done, from the Admiral to the lowest sailor."^ 
 
 Arrived at Naples, Nelson first became acquainted with 
 Sir AVilliam Hamilton, the British Minister there, and Sir John 
 Francis Acton, Bart.,^ an Englishman, Prime Minister. The 
 
 ' Afterwards Viscount Hampden. 
 
 ~ Lord Hugh Seymour Conway was Captain of the Leviathan, rose to the 
 rank of Vice- Admiral, and died in September, 1801. 
 
 ^ This service obtained him great credit with Lord Hood, for the Admiral re- 
 ceived the troops before his requisition reached Naples, and warmly expressed 
 his satisfaction at Nelson's conduct and activity. (See Letter to Wm. Suckling, 
 Esq. otf Corsica, Oct. 11, 1793.) 
 
 4 Clarke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 132. 
 
 5 Sir Jolin Acton, though of English origin, was born, in 1736, at Besanqon, 
 in France, and had acquired a reputation for ability in naval affairs, by the 
 manner in which he had conducted an expedition against Algiers. He was in
 
 1793.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 41 
 
 King and the Court were lavish in their praises of the 
 EngHsh — " the saviours of Italy," as they were called. The 
 King paid Nelson the most marked attention, and entrusted 
 to him "the handsomest letter that can be penned, in his 
 
 command of the Tuscan fleet, when, at the request of Prince Caramanico (who 
 was in much esteem at the Neapolitan Court) to the Grand Duke Leopold, he 
 was engaged to reorganize the Neapolitan Navy, which at that time was totally 
 inefficient, either for the protection of the coasts, or the commercial interests of 
 Naples. This brought Sir John Acton to Naples, where he was well received at 
 Court, and speedily raised to the dignity of Minister of the Marine. To this 
 event General Pepe attributes the most fatal effects — no less than the utter ruin 
 of Naples. He contends that, as a stranger, he could not feel any real affection 
 for the country, nor was he stimulated by desire of glory to labour for its welfare ; 
 on the contrary, he urges that, perceiving the ambitious disposition of the young 
 Queen, he availed himself of it, insinuated himself into her good graces, became 
 her prime favourite, and her confidant in all her schemes of aggrandizement. He 
 not only held the position of Minister of the Marine, but also that of Minister of 
 War ; and in his attempts to acquire absolute power, he, by the superiority of 
 his talents, his influence at Court, and other measures, contrived to be master 
 of all proceedings. Pepe says that he obtained the removal from Naples of 
 Prince Caramanico, by whose interest he had been called thither, first on an 
 embassy to London, and afterwards to Paris, and then had him nominated 
 Viceroy of Palermo, regarding him in the light of a rival at Court ; and the 
 General does not hesitate to say that the death of the Prince, which occurred 
 shortly after his elevation to the Vice-regal authority, did not take place without 
 exciting suspicion as to the manner in which it had been effected. His power 
 was unquestionably great; for upon the death of the Marquis Caracciolo be 
 became Minister of Foreign Affairs ; was also made a General, and having 
 created all the other Ministers, possessed complete power over them, either by 
 ties of gratitude or fear. Acton caused many large vessels to be built, which 
 came afterwards to the aid of England, and under Francisco Caracciolo, in 1795, 
 were placed, with the fleet of Nelson, in the Mediterranean. Acton is accused of 
 having done much mischief by his attempts to strengthen the army, by infusing 
 into it several thousands of the most abject population, deriving them from the 
 prisons, in which they were confined, many for crimes of the most heinous 
 description. He also brought into the country many foreigners to reorganise 
 the army, and gave to them different commands. The ill feeling thus engen- 
 dered, and the vast expense entailed by the measures adopted, doubtless served 
 to produce much discontent and mischief. The taxes were necessarily increased 
 eveny year, commerce was embarrassed, and justice was ill administered. Such 
 was the condition of things at Naples when the French Revolution commenced ; 
 and the Queen's mind was exasperated to the highest degree by the execution of 
 Louis XVL, and Marie Antoinette, her sister. The warlike preparations made 
 at Naples induced the French Republic to send a fleet of fourteen vessels into 
 the Bay of Naples, under the command of Admiral La Touche, to whose 
 demands, made under so imposing an appearance, the Court of Naples intimated 
 its intention to observe a strict neutrality. This was, however, only in appear- 
 ance, not in reality ; for a league, offensive and defensive, with England was by 
 the Queen, through Acton, entered into, and upon the landing of the Allied
 
 42 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. II. 
 
 own hand," to Lord ITood, and offered 6000^ troops to assist 
 in the preservation of Toulon. Here, too, Nelson first saw- 
 Lady Hamilton, who afterwards exercised such remarkable 
 influence over him, and which extended to the last moments 
 of his existence. As the principal part of the correspond- 
 ence from 1798 to that lamented time will form the chief 
 portion of novelty offered by these volumes, and to which the 
 present pages may be considered as preparatory and essential 
 to complete the series of events which distinguished the 
 career of this illustrious hero, it will not be out of place, nor 
 uninteresting, to insert the account (which, however, it must 
 be recollected, was written under the eye of Lady Hamil- 
 ton),' of the manner and the circumstances under which 
 he was introduced to her: — '^ Sir William, on returning 
 home, after his first interview with Nelson, told Lady 
 Hamilton that he was about to introduce to her a little man, 
 who could not boast of being very handsome, but who would 
 become the greatest man that ever England produced. I 
 know it from the very few words of conversation I have 
 already had with him. I pronounce that he wdll one day 
 astonish the world. I have never entertained any officer at 
 my house, but I am determined to bring him here ; let him 
 be put in the room prepared for Prince Augustus.'' Nelson 
 is stated to have been equally impressed with Sir WiUiam 
 Hamilton's merits : " You are," he said, " a man after my 
 own heart; you do business in my own way; I am now 
 only Captain, but if I live, I will be at the top of the tree. ''2 
 To Mrs. Nelson he thus simply notices Lady H. : " Lady 
 Hamilton has been wonderfully kind and good to Josiah.^ 
 She is a young woman of amiable manners, and who does 
 honour to the station to which she is raised." 
 
 Nelson returned to the Fleet, and on the 9th of October, 
 Lord Hood gave him sealed orders, which were not to be 
 
 forces at Toulon, the Neapolitan Government sent its contingent proportion of 
 vessels and troops to be engaged in that enterprise. He married, by a dispensa- 
 tion of the Pope, the eldest daughter of his brother, and died at Palermo Aua: 
 12, 1811. ' ^' 
 
 1 A portion only of those were sent. 
 Harrison's Life of Nelson, Vol. i. p. 108. 
 
 3 Mrs. Nelson's son by her marriage with Dr. Nisbet.
 
 1793.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 43 
 
 opened until he arrived off the east end of the island of 
 Porquerol, one of the Hieres islands, when he found he was 
 to go to Cagliari, and place himself under the direction of 
 Commodore Linzee,^ in the Alcide. On his way to Cagliari 
 he fell in with four French frigates, and a brig. They were 
 men-of-war from Tunis, and consisted of the Melpomene, 
 44 guns, 9 and 18-pounders, 400 men; La Minerve, 44 
 guns, 9 and IS-pounders, 400 men; La Fortunee, 44 guns, 
 12 and 36-pounders, 500 men; Le Fouchet, 24 guns, 
 9-pounders, 220 men; a brig, 14 guns, 9-pounders, 100 men. 
 A few shots were exchanged ; but as the Agamemnon had 
 lost her main topmast, and was otherwise much injured, they 
 could not be got at near enough, and thus pursuit was given 
 up. The French frigate Melpomene was apparently in a 
 sinking state. ^ 
 
 Lord Hood entrusted to Nelson the command of a 
 squadron of frigates, off Corsica and the coast of Italy, to 
 protect our own trade, and also that of the Grand Duke of 
 Tuscany, and to prevent any vessels from going into the 
 Port of Genoa. He was highly pleased with Lord Hood's 
 conduct, and says, in a letter to Captain Locker, addressed 
 to Greenwich Hospital, of which the Captain had recently 
 been appointed Lieutenant-Governor : " He is certainly the 
 best officer I ever saw. Everything from him is so clear, it 
 is impossible to misunderstand him." Nelson had reason to 
 be delighted with Lord Hood's opinion of his talents ; for 
 there were five Captains, his seniors, in the fleet when he 
 was appointed to this command. 
 
 The services of Nelson, whilst on the coast of Corsica, were 
 of the most active description. Whether on land, or at sea, 
 in the transport of guns, the erection of batteries, or the 
 taking of fortresses — his exertions always tended to ensure 
 the success of the operations. It was at this time that he 
 first displayed his great qualities as the Commander of a 
 squadron, and certainly no greater example of skill, activity, 
 and bravery, could ever be adduced. 
 
 The National Convention of France determined, at all 
 
 1 He died an Admiral of the Blue, in September, 1804. 
 
 2 See Letter to Maurice Nelson, Esq., Tunis, Nov. 8. 1793. Clarke and 
 McArthur, Vol. i. p. 136.
 
 44 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [ciIAP. II. 
 
 hazai'ds, to regain possession of Toulon, and in the efforts to 
 accomplish this, Buonaparte greatly distinguished himself. 
 He was at this time only twenty-three years of age, a Captain of 
 artillery, but was soon afterwards raised to the rank of 
 Brigadier-General. The Republican army approached Toulon 
 from the east, west and north. Communication was open 
 only by sea, whence the people received their supplies, and 
 derived all their hopes, which were doomed speedily to vanish. 
 The means possessed by Lord Hood to defend Toulon, were 
 unquestionably inferior to the purpose. He had already sent 
 to Naples for troops to assist in its preservation. Two 
 thousand had been sent, also two ships of the line, and two 
 frigates, and a further supply of 2000 was promised within 
 three weeks. On the 24th September, the Colossus brought a 
 corps of Sardinians from Cagliari.^ 
 
 The defence of the place was, however, impossible. Lord 
 Hood, therefore, held a Council, at which were present his 
 Lordship, Admiral Langara, Rear-Admiral Gravina, Major- 
 General Dundas, Lieutenant-General Valdez, Prince Pigna- 
 telli. Admiral Forteguerri, Sir Hyde Parker, Chevalier de 
 Revel, and Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart. At this Council the 
 evacuation of Toulon was determined upon, and measures 
 taken for the security of the fleet, and such of the Royalists 
 as were disposed to seek the protection of the British flag. 
 After several conflicts, in which much British bravery was 
 exhibited, but success hopeless, "on December 13th the 
 approaches of the enemy were still rapidly advancing, his 
 batteries stronger, and more numerous. The number of their 
 troops was supposed to amount to 50,000, ours to about 
 15,000, of which 4000 were sick in the hospitals.2 Fort La 
 Malgue was attacked and taken by the Republicans, and the 
 situation of the inhabitants was most desperate. The French 
 ships which, upon the surrender, had been ordered into the 
 inner basin, were now filled with emigrants of all ranks, ages, 
 and sexes, attempting to fly from inevitable destruction; 
 every boat, every shallop, however decayed or forlorn, had 
 its freight of woe ; parents separated from their children. 
 
 1 Brenton's Navtil History of Great Britain^ Vol. i. p. 211. 
 
 2 lb. p. 219.
 
 1793.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 45 
 
 husbands from their wives, all property abandoned, the love 
 of life overcame, as usual, every other consideration.''^ 
 
 The ships in the inner road were got out of reach of the 
 guns on the west anchorage by Captains Elphinstone, 
 Hallowell, and Mathews, under the pressure of a very severe 
 fire, and to Captain Sir W. Sidney Smith, at his own request, 
 was intrusted the destroying of the arsenal, and the ships of 
 war. In this proceeding, unfortunately, the powder ships, 
 instead of being scuttled, were blown up, and a serious 
 destruction was the consequence.^ 
 
 Taking the number that escaped on board the British fleet 
 at 15,000, Mr. James^ thinks we may consider that, at, and 
 during a few weeks subsequent to the recapture of Toulon, 
 nearly 6000 of the wretched inhabitants, men, w^omen, and 
 children, perished by the sword, musket, or guillotine, or 
 plunged into the sea, and were drowned, in their endeavours 
 to escape from the demoniac rage of an infuriated soldiery. 
 
 Nelson was convinced that it was not possible to hold 
 possession of Toulon without a superior army in the field. 
 The foreign troops were bad defenders of the outposts, and 
 Lord Hood failed in rallying them to exertion. Nelson 
 communicated this to his Royal Highness the Duke of 
 Clarence, with whom he appears to have kept up a frequent 
 correspondence, and in a letter to his Royal Highness 
 gives an affecting account of the events occurring upon the 
 evacuation of the place : — 
 
 " That on the 13th a most numerous army covered the 
 hills ; that Lord Hood issued a Proclamation to prepare the 
 inhabitants for what would probably happen, the evacuation 
 of Toulon ; that on the 1 7th, at eight o'clock at night, the 
 enemy made a general attack on all our outposts, which lasted 
 the whole night, many of which they carried with too much 
 ease ; that the other outposts were obliged to be abandoned, 
 and the troops to retire to Fort La Malgue ; that on the 18th, 
 
 1 Brentou's Naval History of Great Britain, Vol. i. p. 221. 
 
 ~ The questions considered at the Council at which the evacuation of Toulon 
 was determined upon, and the letter of Sir Sidney Smith, giving an account of 
 the proceedings intrusted to him, were printed in the Naval Chronicle, Vol. ii. 
 pp. 268—295. 
 
 2 Naval History of Great Britain, Vol. i. p. 11/.
 
 46 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. II. 
 
 Lord Hood ordered all the Neapolitans to be embarked 
 together, with as many Royalists as could find ships to carry 
 them ; and that our fleet, with that of Spain, were anchored 
 under La Malgue. On the 19th, in the morning, such a 
 scene was displayed as would make the hardest heart 
 feel: the mob had risen, was plundering, and committing 
 every excess : many — numbers cannot be estimated — were 
 drowned in trying to get off; boats upset; and many put a 
 period to their existence. One family, of a wife and five 
 children, are just arrived — the husband shot himself. Indeed, 
 Sir, the recital of their miseries is too afflicting to dwell upon. 
 In this scene of horror. Lord Hood was obliged to order the 
 French fleet of 20 sail of the line, and as many other ships 
 of war, together with the arsenal and powder magazines, to 
 be set on fire : report says one half of that miserable place 
 is in ashes. 
 
 "The Neapolitan fleet, and near 100 sail with them, are 
 arrived in Port Especia, twelve leagues from hence. What 
 calamities do civil wars produce; and how much does it 
 behove every person to give their aid in keeping peace at 
 home. It is the poor inhabitants of Toulon that I feel for. 
 The quitting Toulon by us, I am satisfied, is a national 
 benefit, both in money, for our contracts will be found to have 
 been very extravagant, people seemed to act as if fortunes 
 were to be made instantly ; and in saving some of our gallant 
 English blood, which, when the muster comes to be taken, 
 will appear to have flowed plentifully. The destruction of 
 the fleet and arsenal, and indeed of the harbour of Toulon, 
 for a number of years, is a great benefit to England. I have 
 only to regret it could not have been done on the first day of 
 our entrance." 
 
 The interest felt at Naples at this time regarding Toulon is 
 shewn by the following letter from the Queen to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 "TO LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 " January 7, 1794. 
 "Having learnt that several English ships have arrived 
 at Legjiorn from the Hieres Islands, I am very anxious to
 
 1794.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 47 
 
 know if they have sent any news by the post from Toulon to 
 
 the ChevaUer Hamilton to-day. The interest I feel in all 
 
 that relates to the expedition being so great, I pray you, my 
 
 Lady, to satisfy my feehngs on so interesting a subject, as 
 
 well as to pacify the general eagerness, and believe me with 
 
 much friendship, 
 
 " Your devoted. 
 
 1 To all letters written in French, Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples, affixed 
 the signature as above : those in Italian she signs 
 
 Her Majesty's French is indifferent and spelt incorrectly, so also is her Italian, 
 I have therefore only given translations of her letters, and as literal as the sub- 
 ject will admit, placing any doubtful words as in the original. In this I trust I 
 have consulted the convenience of the reader.
 
 48 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. Ill 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 1794. 
 
 After the evacuation of Toulon, it became a matter of no 
 little importance to obtain possession of Corsica and the 
 harbour of San Fiorenzo. This determined Lord Hood to 
 enter into a convention with General Paoli.i the celebrated 
 leader of the insurgents, who sought the assistance of the 
 English, and Corsica was ceded to Great Britain. The 
 negotiators on this occasion were Lieutenant- Colonel Moore,^ 
 Major George Frederick Koehler/ and Sir Gilbert Elliot, 
 Bart./ who having previously acted as Commissary Pleni- 
 
 1 Pascal de Paoli, born iu 1726, was so much admired by his countrymen, 
 that at the early age of twenty-nine he was chosen Generalissimo of Corsica. He 
 remodelled the laws, improved its condition, and laid the foundation of a maritime 
 power. The Genoese failing in their attempts to subjugate the island, transferred 
 the sovereignty of it to the French. An insurrection followed, of which Paoli was 
 the leader ; but he endured defeat, and escaped to England, where he was well 
 received by the Prime Minister, the Duke of Grafton, and had a pension given 
 him of £^1200. per annum. After the French Revolution he was induced to 
 return to Corsica, and resigning his English pension, appeared, together with the 
 Corsican Deputies, before the National Assembly of Paris. On returning to 
 his country he was elected Mayor of Bastia, Commander-in-chief of the National 
 Guard, and President of the Department. His anxiety that Corsica should be en- 
 tirely independent involved him in fresh troubles with France, to relieve himself of 
 which he entered into a convention for an union with England, conveying 
 Corsica to the Crown of Great Britain. He, therefore, returned to England, 
 lost his property by the failure of a mercantile house at Leghorn, lived in privacy, 
 and died in London, Feb. 5, 1807, in the 81st year of his age. He was well 
 known to Samuel Johnson, Oliver Goldsmith, and James Boswell, the latter of 
 whom has, in his Account of a Tour in Corsica, given many particulars respecting 
 this celebrated man 
 
 2 Afterwards Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore, K,B., who gloriously fell 
 at Corunna in 1809. 
 
 3 This officer rose to the rank of General ; was sent to discipline the Turkish 
 army, and fell a victim to the plague in Syria in 1801. 
 
 4 The Right Hon. Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart, was born April 23, 1751 , appointed 
 Commissary Plenipotentiary to Corsica, and after the cession of that island to 
 Great Britain, made Viceroy, which he held until the evacuation of it in October, 
 179G. In the following year he was created Baron INIinto, and in 1799, was sent
 
 1794.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 49 
 
 potentiary, was appointed Viceroy of the island ; and being 
 specially authorized, accepted of the crown and constitution 
 of Corsica, as unanimously decreed in the general assembly 
 of the Corsican nation, held at Corte, and signed in the 
 assembly by all the members of which it was composed, 
 consisting of upwards of 400 persons. 
 
 Whilst this proceeding was pending. Nelson cruized off 
 the island to prevent any supplies reaching the French, and 
 was exceedingly active in annojdng the enemy. He landed 
 near St. Fiorenzo, the harbour of which was of great import- 
 ance to Great Britain as a rendezvous in the Mediterranean 
 for the British squadrons. At this place the French had a ware- 
 house : Nelson destroyed it, thi'ew their flour into the sea, 
 burnt the flour-mill, and re- embarked his men, 120 in number 
 (60 soldiers and 60 seamen), before the French could send a 
 force amounting to 1000 men to oppose him, not having lost 
 a single man. This took place on the 21st of January, 1794. 
 The spirit of the enemy was much depressed by this annoy- 
 ing warfare, and at length (February l7th) St. Fiorenzo was 
 besieged and taken. The extent to which he harassed the 
 enemy may be seen by reference to the Journal he kept, 
 printed under the Letter A. in Sir N. H. Nicolas's *' Dis- 
 patches and Letters," Vol. i. p. 349, et seq. from which the 
 following extracts will suffice : 
 
 " January 21st. Landed about four miles from St. Fio- 
 renzo. Burnt the only water-mill in that part of the countiy, 
 much to the distress of the French. 
 
 " February 6th. Landed at Centuri ; burnt four polacres 
 loaded with wine for the French ships at St. Fiorenzo. 
 
 ^' February 8th. Landed at Maginaggio ; burned eight sail 
 of vessels, took four, and destroyed about 1000 tons of wine. 
 
 " Februaiy 12th. Attacked a French courier-boat, whose 
 crew got ashore at Capreia ; after a very smart contest, in 
 w'hich I lost six men, carried her. 
 
 Envoy Extraordinary to Vienna, whence returning to England, he was in 1806, 
 made President of the Board of Control, and in 1807, Governor-General of India, 
 succeeding the Marquis AVellesley. He accompanied the Expedition for reducing 
 the island of Java in 1811, and upon his return to England, was created, 
 February 24, 1813, Viscount Melgundand Earlof Minto. He died June 21, 181 J, 
 at the age of 63. 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 50 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. III. 
 
 " February 19th. Landed at L'Avasina, took the tower 
 of Miomo, and drove the French within gun-shot of the 
 walls of Bastia. 
 
 " February 24th. Ran down the town of Bastia, and can- 
 nonaded it for two hours. 
 
 " February 26th. Drove the French from a work they 
 were making to the southward of Bastia." 
 
 The effects of the Revolution in the confusion and depres- 
 sion of the finances, in the loss of colonies, and the obstruc- 
 tions to commerce, by the activity of the Naval force of Great 
 Britain, were necessarily injurious to the development of any 
 extensive Naval power by France. Their vessels were also 
 ill-equijjped, their seamen inexperienced, and Great Britain 
 was almost omnipotent on the waters. 
 
 In a letter to General Paoli, and referred to under date of 
 February 8th, written on board the Agamemnon, between 
 Bastia and Cape Corse, Nelson exultingly details an attack 
 made upon Rogliani, where the National colours were hoisted 
 by the Republicans. He destroyed the vessels and wine, 
 and with his own hand struck down the colours which were 
 flying in the town, and also the Tree of Liberty that had 
 been planted there. He most completely carried out the pur- 
 pose for which he had been commissioned, for he had neither 
 allowed troops nor provisions to enter into, nor frigates to 
 come out of, Corsica. To a similar duty he was appointed off 
 Bastia. He made an excellent Report to Lord Hood of the 
 place and its defences, with suggestions as to the mode and 
 means of taking it, and emphatically observed, " Nothing 
 shall get in, you may be assured." Nelson felt certain of 
 the fall of Bastia, and Lord Hood was anxious for the attempt 
 to be made. Major-General Sir David Dundas, the Com- 
 mander of the Forces, thought it premature, and considered 
 the siege, with their means and forces, to be " a most visionary 
 and rash attempt, and such as no officer could be justified in 
 undertaking.^' He desired to wait for the arrival of more 
 troops from Gibraltar. Lord Hood was, however, of a dif- 
 ferent opinion, and very frankly avowed the same to the 
 General. Nelson was ordered to reconnoitre, and passing 
 a battery of 6 guns, the enemy opened a fire upon the Aga- 
 memnon, the Romulus, and the Tartar. They soon, however.
 
 1794.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 51 
 
 drove the French from the batteiy, but the cannonading lasted 
 one hour and three-quarters. No loss was sustained, and 
 Nelson declares, in a letter addressed to his wife, after the 
 survey, " If I had carried with me 500 troops, to a certainty 
 I should have stormed the town, and I believe it might have 
 been carried. Armies go so slow, that seamen think they 
 never mean to get forward ; but I dare say they act on a surer 
 principle, although we seldom fail." In another place he 
 avows, " If I had force to go again and cannonade it, 1 believe 
 I should yet get it. My seamen are now what British sea- 
 men ought to be, to you I may say it, almost invincible : they 
 really mind shot no more than peas."i 
 
 Lord Hood determined on taking the responsibility upon 
 himself, nor was he furnished with a single soldier to assist 
 in the enterprise. He was able only to obtain a few artillery- 
 men ; relying therefore upon his marines and sailors, he made 
 the attack which proved his judgment to be equal to his skill, 
 and the bravery of his men. Every one was personally in- 
 terested in the event ; the sailors run the guns up the heights, 
 in a manner which Nelson declared none but British seamen 
 could have accomplished. The result was highly satisfactory 
 and honourable. Great privations and difficulties were 
 offered to the attainment of the object: the weather was tem- 
 pestuous, the vessels suffered from the elements, they were 
 also without firing, water, provisions, or stores, and in want 
 of canvas, ropes, twine and nails ; they Hterally had nothing 
 to eat. His Journal on March 16th, in an express sent off 
 to Lord Hood, has the following entry: " Not a man had 
 slept dry for many months.^' Lord Hood acceded to a re- 
 quest of Nelson, and sent an Engineer and an artillery officer to 
 assist him in examining Bastia. They agreed with Nelson, who 
 had made the best of his way to St. Fiorenzo, to consult 
 with Lord Hood, and then left with Lieutenant De Butts,^ the 
 Engineer, and Lieutenant John Duncan, R.A.^ on March 25 th. 
 Nelson wrote to Sir William Hamilton for mortars, shells, 
 
 1 Clarke and Mc Arthur's Life of Nelson, Vol. i. p. 155. 
 
 2 Afterwards Lieut.-General Sir Augustus De Butts, K.C.H. still living. 
 
 ^ This officer svas promoted to a Captaincy for his exertions on this occasion, 
 and rose to the rank of Lieut. -Colonel in 1798. In 1800 he was appointed 
 Deputy Quarter-Master-General to the forces under General Sir Ralph Aber- 
 crombie, and died in 1803. 
 
 E 2
 
 52 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. III. 
 
 and artillery stores, from Naples ; told him of the state of 
 afllairs, of the opposition offered by General Dundas and 
 General D'Aubant, who had succeeded the former, and 
 agreed with his predecessor. Nelson failed not to eulogize 
 Lord Hood: *' His zeal (he says), his activity, for the honour 
 and benefit of his King and country are not abated. Upwards 
 of 70, he possesses the mind of 40 years of age. He has not 
 a thought separated from honour and glory. May each 
 opposer of such a character have for their accusers their own 
 minds. I am sure that will be all sufficient.^* How spirited are 
 his remarks : '' When was before the time (he says) that 2000 
 British troops, as good as ever marched, were not thought 
 equal to attack 800 French troops, allowing them to be in 
 strong works ? What would the immortal Wolfe have done ? 
 as he did, beat the enemy, if he perished in the attempt. Our 
 Irregulars are surely as good as the enemy's ; and in numbers 
 we far exceed them. I truly feel sorrow, but I have hope 
 and confidence that all will end well." 
 
 On the 3rd of April landing was made for the siege : the 
 troops and marines under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel 
 Villettes,' of the 69th Regiment, and the seamen under 
 
 1 Lieutenaat-General William Anne Villettes was descended from an ancient 
 family in France, distinguished for their exertions in favour of the Huguenots 
 during the civil wars, and after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes they with- 
 drew from France and settled in England. He was born at Bern, June 14, 1754, 
 but educated at Bath and St. Andrews. In 1775, he entered as a Cornet in the 
 10th regiment of Dragoons, and remained in that corps until he had attained the 
 rank of Major. He was afterwards Aide-de-Camp and Secretaiy to Sir Wm. 
 Pitt, when Commander of the Forces in Ireland. Upon being appointed Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel of the 69th regiment in 1792, he was sent to the Mediterranean, 
 and upon the taking of Bastia was made Governor, which post he resigned to re- 
 turn to England, having been severely attacked with intermittent fever. In 
 1797-98, he served with the Hon. Sir Charles Stuart in Portugal, and in June of 
 the latter year was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He was afterwards 
 Comptroller of the Household of His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, by 
 whom he was very highly esteemed, and in 1799 sent to Corfu, and thence to 
 Malta, where he was second in command, being under General Pigot, whom he 
 succeeded as Commander of the Forces, and continued as such until 1807. He 
 was then raised to the rank of Lieutenant- General, and appointed Lieutenant- 
 Governor and Commander of the Forces at Jamaica, with the rank of a General 
 in that Island. In the course of a military tour of inspection he was attacked with 
 fever, which in three days proved fatal, dying near Port Antonio, on the 13th of 
 July, 1808, at the age of 54. He was buried at Kingston, where a monument is 
 erected to his memory, and another in Westminster Abbey, close to that of his friend, 
 Sir Charles Stuart, in the same chapel as the much admired Nightingale tomb.
 
 1794.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 53 
 
 Captain Nelson, who was accompanied by Captains Hunt,* 
 Serocold/ and Bullen.^ Lord Hood was at anchor near the 
 town. "Our batteries/' Nelson writes to his wife, '^ opened 
 on the 11th, and apparently have done great execution. 
 Time, I hope, indeed have no doubt, will crown our zealous 
 endeavours with success. We are but few, but of the right sort : 
 our General aft St. Fiorenzo not giving us one of the five regi- 
 ments he has there lying idle." Nelson describes his position 
 to William Suckling, Esq. April 6, 1794, thus : " I am every- 
 thing, yet nothing ostensible, enjoying the confidence of Lord 
 Hood and Colonel Villettes, and the Captains landing with 
 the seamen obeying my orders."* On the 11th of April, 
 Lord Hood sent a flag of truce, but the enemy would not 
 receive the summons : " I have hot shot (exclaimed the Com- 
 missioner) for your ships, and bayonets for your troops. 
 When two-thirds of our troops are killed, I will then trust to 
 the generosity of the English ;" upon which the batteries 
 opened and the siege commenced and continued until May 
 the 19th, when they capitulated ; but it was not until the 22nd 
 that possession of Bastia was regularly taken. In his Jour- 
 nal, Nelson thus describes this scene : " On the 22nd of May, 
 our troops at six in the morning marched from their posts, 
 the band playing ^ God save the King.' At seven, the 
 French colours were struck upon Camponella, Stafforella, 
 Croix de Capuchin, Monserrato Rock, Fort St. Mary's, and 
 all the other outposts, and the British colours were hoisted 
 under three cheers from every seaman and soldier. The 
 French troops all Fetired to the town and citadel. May 23rd. 
 This morning the British grenadiers took possession of the 
 town gates and the gate of the citadel ; and on the 24th, at 
 
 1 Captain Anthony Hunt was the bearer of Lord Hood's Dispatches on the 
 surrender of Bastia. He entered the Navy as a Midshipman in 1789, was made 
 Commander in 1790, and Post Captain in 1793. In 1797, he took the Princess 
 of Wirtemberg to Cuxhaven, and also conveyed the Marquis Wellesley to India 
 when appointed Governor- General, and died of a fever in May, 1798, soon after 
 his arrival in Bengal. 
 
 2 Captain Serocold was killed at the siege of Cahd, in July, 1 794. Acknowledg- 
 ing to Nelson his information relative to this death, Lord Hood said, " I feel struck 
 for the fate of poor Serocold, as the King had not a more gallant and deserving 
 officer in the Navy, and I had a sincere regard for him." 
 
 3 Captain Joseph BuUen is still living, and an Admiral of the White. 
 * Letter in the Athenseum for 1834, p. 768.
 
 54 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [ciIAP. III. 
 
 daylight, the most glorious sight that an Englishman can ex- 
 perience, and which, I believe, none but an Englishman 
 could bring about, was exhibited — 4,500 men laying down 
 their arms to less than 1000 British soldiers who were serv- 
 ing as marines." 
 
 Bastia was a fine large town, an acquisition of much im- 
 portance, as giving the command of the Mediterranean. At 
 the siege of this place Nelson received a sharp cut in the 
 back. The only notice of this injury is to be found in a 
 letter to his wife after the taking of Calvi, when she would feel 
 no anxiety with respect to it. In the Dispatch of Lord Hood 
 announcing the surrender of Bastia, the services of Nelson 
 are, it is generally conceived, and it was particularly felt so by 
 Nelson, not rendered sufficiently conspicuous. More particu- 
 lar notice is bestowed upon Captain Duncan, R.A. who was 
 brought to the siege by Nelson, and at his request. It is im- 
 possible to peruse all the letters and extracts from the Jour- 
 nals relating to this protracted siege, carried on under circum- 
 stances of peculiar difficulty and distrust, and without the co- 
 operation of the army, which would have materially shortened 
 the period of operations, without feeling that the success at- 
 tending the attempt was mainly attributable to Nelson's zeal 
 and ability, under the sanction and command of his very experi- 
 enced Admiral, Lord Hood. The haste in which the Dispatch 
 was written may probably in some measure account for this 
 apparent injustice, for no one could entertain a higher sense 
 of Nelson's skill and bravery than Lord Hood, and it is grati- 
 fying to find that it did not interfere with the friendly relations 
 kept up between these two most gallant men, for at Calvi, 
 July 16th, 1794, Nelson writes to Wilham Suckhng, Esq., 
 '* Lord Hood and myself were never better friends, — 7ior, 
 altJiough his letter does, did he wish to put me where I never 
 was — in the rear."^ 
 
 About this time Lord Howe fought his celebrated battle. 
 The attachment of the Queen of Naples to England, and her 
 admiration of the bravery of British officers, is well illustrated 
 in the following letter addressed by Her Majesty to Lady 
 Hamilton, giving her intelligence of the success of the Ena-- 
 lish fleet :— 
 
 1 Letter in the Athenseum for 1834, p. 768.
 
 1794.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 55 
 
 " My very dear Lady, 
 
 '^A letter of the 10th of June announces to us that Lord 
 Howe has completely beaten the French fleet, that he has 
 taken seven vessels, one of which afterwards sunk. Admiral 
 Graves^ was wounded in the arm ; Admirals Pasley^ and 
 Bowyer^ have each lost a leg, proving their bravery. May 
 God prosper our brave allies as I desire. My attachment for 
 your nation is very sincere. A thousand compliments to the 
 Chevalier, and believe me your very attached and sincere friend, 
 
 "Charlotte.^' 
 
 ' Admiral Graves was the second son of Rear Admiral Thomas Graves (who 
 died in 1755) : first went to sea under the protection of Commodore Medley, 
 Governor of Newfoundland, and upon the breaking out of the Spanish war, 
 served with his father at the attack on Carthagena. In 1761 he was appointed 
 Governor and Commander-in-chief of Newfoundland, and distinguished himself 
 in the capture of St. John's. He was made Rear-Admiral of the Blue in 1779. 
 In 1781 he engaged the French fleet in the Chesapeake. In 1788 he was made 
 Commander-in-chief at Plymouth, and raised to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue, 
 and in 1790 to that of the White. In 1793 he attained the rank of Vice-Admiral 
 of the Red, and in the following year was made Admiral of the Blue. He was 
 in Lord Howe's action of the 1st of June, commanding the Royal Sovereign, and 
 was wounded in the arm. On the 12th of August he was created an Irish Peer, 
 by the title of Lord Graves, Baron of Gravesend, County Londonderry. He died 
 March 31st, 1814. 
 
 2 Sir Thomas Pasley was descended from an ancient and honourable family in 
 North Britain, and entered the navy as a Midshipman in 1752. He served as 
 Lieutenant in the Biddeford frigate, under Captain, afterwards Admiral, Digby, and 
 was entrusted with the charge of j£300,000 in bullion, which he safely deposited 
 in the Bank. Having served with Captain Elliot, he sailed with Captain, after- 
 wards Lord, Hotham. He was made Post Captain in 1771, appointed to the Sea- 
 horse, and sent to the West Indies. The protection he afforded our merchants 
 procured for him the thanks of the cities of London and Bristol, and the present 
 of a handsome piece of plate. In the Jupiter, 50 guns, he had a great variety of 
 arduous service. In 1788 he had the chief command in the Medway, and upon 
 the breaking out of the French war in 1793, he joined the Bellerophon, and ac- 
 companied Lord Howe's fleet. In 1794 he was made Rear- Admiral of the White, 
 and was in the battle of the 1st of June, in which he lost a leg, and for his services 
 on this occasion was created a Baronet, with a pension of £\0Q0 per a7inuni. 
 The mutiny at the Nore in 1798 caused him to be appointed to the command in 
 the Thames and Medway ; he was President of the Court Martial appointed to try 
 Richard Parker, the leader of the mutiny, and was afterwards made Port 
 Admiral at Plymouth. On the 14th of February, 1799, he attained the rank of 
 Vice-Admiral of the Red, and died November 29, 1808. 
 
 3 Admiral Bowyer, afterwards Sir George Bowyer, Bart, was of an ancient 
 family, the pedigree of which has been traced to the time of Henry I. He lost 
 a leg in the action of the 1st of June, for which he received a pension of ,£1000. 
 per annum. He died December 6, 1800, having attained the I'aoik of Admiral 
 of the Blue.
 
 56 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. Ill, 
 
 Bastia having surrendered to the British, Calvi became 
 the next object of attack, and Nelson was here destined to 
 co-opei'ate with a very distinguished officer, General the 
 Hon. Sir Charles Stuart/ a man of a kindred spirit to him- 
 self. On the 13th of June he sailed with 1450 men, ex- 
 clusive of officers, for Mortella Bay, where, on the 15th, 
 General Stuart came on board, and on the 19th the troops 
 were disembarked at Port Agro, three miles and a-half distant 
 from Calvi. On the 20th and 21st the weather was stormy; 
 thunder, lightning, and rain prevailed to such an extent 
 as to prevent communication with the shipping. The chs- 
 tance required to drag up the guns, being not less than a 
 mile and a-half, and up steep mountains, rendered the ser- 
 vice one of great labour, and necessarily occupied a consider- 
 able time. General Stuart washed for more troops, and they 
 were embarked from Bastia. Lord Hood sent also 50 men 
 under the command of Captain Hallowelli and Captain Sero- 
 
 1 General Stuart was descended from the Earl of Bute, and was father of the 
 present Lord Stuart de Rothesay. He received the Order of the Bath in 1799, 
 and died in March, 1801. 
 
 2 Captain Hallowell, afterwards Sir Benjamin Hallowell Carew, G. C. B., 
 entered the navy at an early age, and was made a Lieutenant in August, 1781. 
 His ship,. the Alcide, 74 guns, was engaged in the action off the Chesapeake, soon 
 after which he went with Sir Samuel, afterwards Lord, Hood, to the West Indies, 
 and in the Alfred, 74 guns, was engaged in the action with the Count de Grasse in 
 1782. He was likewise in the action of Rodney of the 12th of April, of that 
 year, and upon the establishment of peace served in the Leeward Islands, and 
 then with Lord Hood in the Barfleur till he arrived at the rank of Commander in 
 1791. Proceeding afterwards to the Mediterranean, he was, upon the occupation 
 of Toulon by the Allied forces, appointed Governor of the Fort La Malgue. He 
 served at the siege of Bastia and the reduction of Calvi ; then under Vice- Admiral 
 Hotham in 1 795, off the Hieres Islands. He was also in the Victory as a volun- 
 teer (his ship, the Courageux, having been lost on the coast of Barbary) in the 
 battle of Cape St. Vincent, and conveyed duplicates of Sir John Jervis's dispatches 
 to the Admiralty. In the Lively, to which he was speedily appointed, he co- 
 operated with Lieutenant Hardy to cut out La Mutine, a French brig of war in 
 the Bay of Santa Cruz. In the Swiftsure he played no insignificant part at the 
 battle of the Nile. In aiding the Turks and Russians to harass the French army, 
 and at Sicily, and at Naples he performed many useful services. He was after- 
 wards under the orders of Rear-Admiral Duckworth, and assisted in intercepting 
 part of a fleet bound from Cadiz to Lima. He was sent by Lord Keith with a 
 convoy from Aboukir to Malta, and hearing of a squadron of the enemy being 
 out in those seas, he endeavoured to join Sir John Borlase Warren, but un- 
 fortunately fell in with the hostile squadron, and by the bad condition of his
 
 1/94.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 57 
 
 cold, (who, poor fellow ! fell from a grape-shot passing 
 through his head as he cheered on the men who were dragging 
 up the last gun for one of the batteries), with directions to 
 them to follow Nelson's orders. 
 
 On the 12th of July the enemy opened a heavy fire from 
 the town of San Francesco, and a shot struck and scattered 
 the sand of the works then in progress, some of which was 
 thrown into Nelson's right eye, and upon his face. From 
 this he suffered much, and ultimately lost the sight of the 
 eye. This serious affair is thus noticed by him in a letter to 
 Lord Hood, dated. Camp, July 12, 1794 : " Reports, we know, 
 get about, and as neither time, or many other circumstances 
 may be mentioned, it is best to say it myself — that I got a 
 little hurt this morning ; not much, as you may judge by 
 my writing." Lord Hood knew his character, and how to 
 estimate his devotion to the service. In his reply to this 
 communication his Lordship says : " My dear Nelson, — I am 
 truly son'y to hear you have received a hurt, and hope you 
 tell truth in saying it is not much. I shall send some one in 
 the morning to know how you are, and whether you would 
 not have assistance." 
 
 After a very lengthened progress in the erection of batteries, 
 sending of flags of truce, suspension of hostilities, much to 
 the annoyance of Nelson, whose impatient spirit could not 
 brook the regularity of military operations under the General, 
 Calvi surrendered on the 10th of August. The climate was 
 exceedingly unfavourable at this season of the year for such 
 
 vessel, was taken by M. de Gantheaume, the French Admiral, who, however, did 
 every thing in his power to make him comfortable. He was on parole at Minorca, 
 and upon being tried by a Court-Martial at Port Mahon for the loss of his vessel, 
 was honourably acquitted. Upon the return of peace he went to the coast of 
 Africa, and afterwards, upon the renewal of the war, was engaged in an expedition 
 against St. Lucia and Tobago, which capitulated July 1st, 1803. He sub- 
 sequently sailed in company with Nelson in pursuit of the French fleet. In Le 
 Tigre he commanded the naval part of the expedition to take possession of 
 Alexandria in 1807, and was in Lord CoUing^N^ood's fleet in the Bay of Rosas. 
 In 1810 he was made a Colonel of Marines, and in the following year a Rear- 
 Admiral. In 1812 he was again in the Mediterranean, where he remained some 
 time after the conclusion of the war. His commission as Vice-Admiral bears the 
 date of August 12, 1809. He died September 2nd, 1834, being at that time au 
 Admiral of the Blue.
 
 58 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. III. 
 
 an attack; the heat in the months in which they were 
 engaged was intolerable. Nelson says, in a letter to his 
 Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, that they had upwards 
 of 1000 sick out of 2000, and that the others were not much 
 better than phantoms. "We have lost (says he) many men 
 from the season, very few from the enemy. I am here the 
 reed amongst the oaks : all the prevaihng disorders have 
 attacked me, but I have not strength for them to fasten 
 upon : I bow before the storm, whilst the sturdy oak is 
 laid low. One plan I pursue, never to employ a doctor : 
 Nature does all for me, and Providence protects me. Always 
 happy, if my humble but hearty endeavours can serve my 
 King and country.'' 
 
 Nelson's usual fortune attended him. His great services, 
 if sufficiently appreciated, were not noticed in the terms of 
 eulogy they deserved by the General. The injury to his eye 
 was not even mentioned in the dispatches. As no notice of 
 the injury to his eye had been made in the public list of the 
 wounded at the siege of Calvi, Nelson felt that it was due 
 to himself to call Lord Hood's attention to the subject, and 
 he therefore, in October, transmitted to his Lordship two 
 certificates, one from the physician of the fleet, the other from 
 the surgeon to the forces in the Mediterranean, who truly 
 predicted that he would never regain the sight of his eye. 
 Lord Howe placed these certificates in Lord Chatham's 
 hands, who promised to lay them before the King. My most 
 gallant and esteemed friend, General Anderson, whose bravery 
 and exploits with his much loved commander Sir John Moore 
 are recorded in history, acquaints me, that he was present 
 when Nelson received the injury to his eye. Nelson, he tells 
 me, made so little of it, and it was so little spoken of, that had 
 he not been on Nelson's battery at the time, he should pro- 
 bably have known nothing about it. General Anderson had 
 gone with two other officers of the 51st regiment to see Nel- 
 son's battery open, and they, together with Captain Nelson 
 and others on the battery, were observing one which the 
 enemy had erected opposite. They were of one mind that it 
 was a Manton battery, of which they were soon convinced by 
 two well directed shells being thrown up so that one fell on 
 the ramparts where they were standing. They had only time
 
 1794.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 59 
 
 to throw themselves on their faces when the shell burst in the 
 sand-bags of which the battery was composed ; upon rising 
 they were most agreeably surprised to find that they had all 
 escaped, and were congratulating each other, when Nelson 
 said there was something in his eye ; they could observ^e only 
 a little sand, and recommended him to wash it. So little was 
 then thought of the injury which caused the destruction of 
 the organ. 
 
 For one day only did Nelson allow this injury to interfere 
 with the active performance of his duties. The following 
 letter was addressed to Nelson by his father, in relation to the 
 loss he had sustained : 
 
 " My dear Horatio, 
 
 '^ It is well known that the predestinarian doctrine is 
 amongst the creeds of militaiy men. It may sometimes be 
 useful : yet it must not exclude the confidence Christianity 
 preaches of a particular providence which directs all events. 
 It was an unen-ing Power, wise and good, which diminished 
 the force of the blow by which your eye was lost; and we 
 thank the hand that spared you — spared you for future good, 
 for example, and instruction, in many subsequent years. 
 There is no fear that flattery can come from me ; but I some- 
 times wipe away the tear of joy at hearing your character in 
 every point of view so well spoken of. The letters received 
 from you give me and your good wife the pleasing intelligence 
 that your health has not suffered from the long fatiguing 
 service you are professionally obliged to go through ; and also 
 that success has generally been the issue of your endeavours 
 to make yourself known to the world as a man of probity and 
 judgment ; not only looking towards the things that are your 
 own, but to those of others also. Your lot is cast, but the 
 whole disposing thereof is of the Lord : the very hairs of j^our 
 head are numbered — a most comfortable doctrine. Upon the 
 whole, I am as strong as can be looked for ; how many do I 
 see and hear of, that are either fallen or much more afflicted 
 by age than myself. Bless God, my days are lengthened, I 
 hope, for some good purpose. Accept, my dear good Son,
 
 60 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. III. 
 
 the usual but most hearty expressions of love and friendship 
 from your affectionate father, 
 
 " Edmund Nelson."^ 
 
 Among the losses sustained during the siege of Calvi was 
 one which much affected Nelson ; it was that of Mr. Moutray, 
 Lieutenant of the Victory, son of Mrs, Moutray, to whom 
 allusion has been made^ as being most highly regarded by 
 Nelson. This young man died from the effects of the climate. 
 Nelson mapifested his feehngs by the erection of an inscription 
 to his memory in the church of San Fiorenzo. It was found 
 in an autograph in the Nelson Papers : 
 
 SACRED 
 
 TO THE MEMORY 
 
 OF 
 
 LIEUTENANT JAMES MOUTRAY, R.N. 
 
 WHO, SERVING ON SHORE AT THE SIEGE 
 
 OF CALVI, 
 
 THERE CAUGHT A FEVER, 
 
 OF WHICH HE DIED, 
 
 SINCERELY LAMENTED, 
 
 ON AUGUST 19th, 1794, 
 
 AGED 21 YEARS. 
 THIS STONE IS ERECTED BY AN AFFECTIONATE FRIEND, 
 WHO W^ELL KNEW^ HIS WORTH AS AN OFFICER, AND HIS 
 ACCOMPLISHED MANNERS AS A GENTLEMAN. 
 
 H. N. 
 1 Clarke and McArthur, Vol, i. p. 192. 2 See page 30.
 
 1794.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 61 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 1794—1797. 
 
 After the possession of Calvi, Nelson joined the fleet of 
 Lord Hood, and again proceeded in search of the French fleet 
 which had taken refuge in Gourjean Bay; but on the 18th 
 of September he was ordered to proceed to the Mole of Genoa 
 with dispatches to the Minister there. Upon his arrival he 
 pledged his honour to the Governor that he would not break 
 the neutrahty of the port.i He found only three English 
 vessels there, and two privateers of the enemy. He was 
 much struck with the magnificence of the place, which 
 exceeded any thing he had before seen. He wrote an account 
 of the city to Mrs. Nelson, and after noticing that the houses 
 and palaces were on the grandest scale, he concludes by 
 observing, ^' However, I trust we shall soon quit these mag- 
 nificent scenes, and retire to England, where all that I admire 
 is placed." He paid his respects to the Doge, and was 
 received by him in some sort of state. Mr. Drake, the 
 minister, was not at Genoa at the time of his arrival, and he 
 therefore, as he says, found it absolutely necessary to say 
 something civil, and remarked that he had come to pay his 
 respects to his serenity, and to assure him, that both by duty 
 and inclination, he should pay the strictest attention to the 
 neutrality of Genoa ; and should be happy in doing every 
 thing in his power to cement the harmony which subsisted 
 between the two nations. The Doge was much pleased, and 
 civil; saying, that he thanked him for his expressions of 
 
 1 In 1794 the Senate of Genoa had determined upon preserving a strict neu- 
 trality, but the victory of Monte Nolte over the Piedmontese and Austrians, 
 April 11, 1796, placed Genoa at the discretion of Buonaparte, who in the follow- 
 ing year supported the nation against the aristocracy. On the 6th of June a 
 convention was signed, obliging the Genoese to adopt the name of the Ligurian 
 Republic ; this was proclaimed, June 14th, modified, June 26th, 1803, and 
 abolished, Oct. 8th, 1805, by the union of the state of Genoa to France.
 
 62 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IV. 
 
 friendship, and begged to assure him, that it should be reci- 
 procal on his part ; and that fi-om so pleasing a beginning of 
 their renewal of friendship, he had no doubt of its being 
 lasting ; that he was always happy to see English men-of-war 
 in Genoa ; and whatever he found a difficulty in getting, by 
 making it known to him, he would be happy in removing it ; 
 and that the gates were always at his disposal.^ 
 
 Lord Hood and Admiral Hothara arrived at Genoa on the 
 23rd of September^ and on the 27th, Nelson went to sea with 
 them. Important business obliged Lord Hood to go to Leghorn 
 in October, when he directed Nelson to place himself under the 
 command of Admiral Hotham.^ In the course of this month 
 he writes in his usually affectionate manner to his wife : ^^ Do 
 not repine at my absence ; before spring I hope we shall have 
 peace, when we must look out for some little cottage : I 
 assure you I shall return to the plough with redoubled glee ;'^ 
 and rejoices at the destruction of the entire squadron he fell 
 in with the previous year on his way to Cagliari. The attack 
 then made, and the injury done to the Melpomene, obliged 
 the frigates and brig to put into Calvi, instead of proceeding 
 to France as intended, and upon the siege of that place they 
 were taken possession of by the English. 
 
 Sent to look after the French fleet, he found them at 
 Toulon, sixteen sail of the line and several frigates. His 
 
 1 Dispatches and Letters, Vol. i. p. 490. 
 
 2 This officer was Captain of the Gibraltar in 1757, and in the following year 
 took the Danae, a French frigate. During the remainder of the war he was in 
 tlie Channel, and harassed the enemy by his exertions. Upon the dispute with 
 America, he served as Commodore under Lord Howe with great credit. Sir 
 Peter Parker detached him to cover the expedition against Rhode Island, and he 
 afterwards was recalled to New York to command during Lord Howe's absence. 
 He distinguished himself in an attack on the Tonnant, 84 guns, and in the West 
 Indies in the attack of the island of St. Lucia. He was in two engagements with 
 the Count de Guichen ; captured several vessels at St. Eustatia : and was at the 
 relief of Gibraltar. In 1787 he was made Rear- Admiral of the Red; in 1790 
 Vice- Admiral of the Blue, and in 1793 of the White. He then accompanied 
 Lord Hood into the Mediterranean, was made Vice-Admu-al of the Red, and in 
 March, 1795, attacked the French Squadron. It was again attacked in July. 
 At the close of this year he struck his flag, and returned to England, and as 
 a reward for his services was raised to the dignity of a Peer in Ireland, in 1797, 
 by the title of Baron Hotham. In 1799, he was promoted to the rank of 
 Admiral of the White, and in 1805 of the Red. He died May 2nd, 1813. 
 
 3 Clarke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 193.
 
 1795.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 63 
 
 search gave rise to a report of his vessel being taken, and he 
 eagerly writes to Mrs. Nelson, Nov. 12, 1794, '* There has 
 been a most diabolical report here, of Agamemnon's being 
 captured and earned into Toulon, owing to my running into 
 the harboui*'s mouth. I hope it has not reached England. 
 Never believe anything you may see in the papers about us, 
 and rest assured that Agamemnon is not to be taken easily ; 
 no two-decked ship in the world, we flatter ourselves, is able 
 to do it."^ 
 
 At the commencement of 1795, he was again at San Fio- 
 renzo, and in expectation that the fleet would be joined by 
 some Neapohtan ships, though he was not sanguine of the 
 advantages that were likely to accrue from their junction, as 
 he did not look upon the Neapohtans as seamen, and thought 
 them unable to keep the sea beyond a passage. After such 
 incessant labour as he had experienced from the time in which 
 he was first employed to harass the enemy off Corsica, and 
 prevent the arrival of supplies, succeeded by the sieges of 
 Bastia and Calvi, it is not to be wondered at that he should turn 
 his attention to home, and feel a desire of enjoying domestic 
 happiness. His ship had been much cut up and injured, yet 
 she remained his favourite Agamemnon ; " the finest ship I 
 ever sailed in, and, were she a 74, nothing should induce me 
 to leave her whilst the war lasted."'^ His love of glory and 
 desire of independence, however, operated powerfully on his 
 mind. To his wife he affectionately writes : " Much as I 
 shall regret being so long parted from you, still we must look 
 beyond the present day, and two or three months may make 
 the difference of every comfort, or otherwise, in our income. 
 I hope we have many happy years to live together ; and if we 
 can bring £2,000. round, I am determined to purchase some 
 neat cottage, which we should never have occasion to change."* 
 The treatment he had experienced in the neglect of proper 
 reference to his services, and the injury he had sustained was 
 evidently much reflected upon and canvassed by his family, 
 as appears by the letters published in Clarke and McArthur's 
 Life of Nelson. He often remarks upon the loss of his eye, 
 which at this time was exceedingly painful to him, and, indeed, 
 
 1 Clai-ke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 196. 2 ibid. p. 198. 
 
 3 Ibid. p. 199.
 
 64 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cilAP. IV. 
 
 how could it be otherwise, for he was in perpetual activity 
 and writing incessantly. In January, he tells his wife that his 
 eye is grown worse, and is in almost total darkness, and very 
 painful at times, but adds, " Never mind, I can see very 
 well with the other." At the end of this letter he mentions 
 a circumstance too singular and important not to be reported 
 in this place. " I believe I shall inform Lord Hood, what I 
 never told him yet, that after everything was fixed for the 
 attack of Bastia, I had information given me of the enormous 
 number of troops we had to oppose us ; but my own honour, 
 and the honour of our country, must have all been sacrificed, 
 had I mentioned what I knew; therefore, you will believe 
 what must have been my feelings during the whole siege, when 
 I had often proposals made to me by men, now rewarded, to 
 write to Lord Hood to raise the siege." Love of country 
 and of glory here overcame all sense of personal danger, and 
 stimulated him to the most extraordinary efforts. It is sur- 
 prising he did not sink under the effects of climate, physical 
 suffering, and mental anxiety ; but he knew well how to esti- 
 mate the importance of the acquisition he had been the chief 
 means to obtain. In a letter to Wm. Suckling, Esq.,^ Feb. 7j 
 1795, he points out the advantages of Corsica to us, arising 
 from its different kinds of produce, as well as its convenience 
 in ports for our fleets. He had inquired into the value of 
 its products, its admirable pines and other woods, its excellent 
 tar, pitch, and hemp, and the fineness of the oil obtained from 
 its large woods of olives. He then enlarges on the improve- 
 ment of cultivation since the preceding year, when he was 
 there for its reduction, and concludes by observing, " When 
 I reflect that I was the cause of re-attacking Bastia, after our 
 wise Generals gave it over, from not knowing the force, fan- 
 cying it 2000 men ; that it was I, who, landing, joined the 
 Corsicans, and with only my ship's party of marines, drove the 
 French under the walls of Bastia ; that it was I, who, know- 
 ing the force in Bastia to be upwards of 4000 men, as I have 
 now only ventured to tell Lord Hood, landed with only 1200 
 men, and kept the secret till within this week past ; — what I 
 must have felt during the whole siege may be easily conceived. 
 
 1 Letter in the Athenaeum for 1834, p. 770.
 
 1795.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 65 
 
 Yet I am scarcely mentioned. I freely forgive, but cannot 
 forget. This and much more ought to have been mentioned. 
 It is known that for two months, I blockaded Bastia with a 
 squadron ; only 50 sacks of flour got into the town. At St. 
 Fiorenzo and Calvi, for two months before, nothing got in, 
 and four French frigates could not get out, and are now ours. 
 Yet my diligence is not mentioned ; and others, for keeping 
 succours out of Calvi for a few summer months are hand- 
 somely rewarded. Svch things are. I have got upon a subject 
 near my heart, which is full when I think of the treatment I 
 have received : every man who had any considerable share in 
 the reduction, has got some place or other. I, only I, am 
 without reward. The taking of Corsica, like the taking of St. 
 Juan's, has cost me money. St. Juan's cost near £500. ; 
 Corsica has cost me £300., an eye, and a cut across my back ; 
 and my money, I find, cannot be repaid me. Nothing but 
 my anxious endeavour to serve my country makes me bear up 
 against it ; but I sometimes am ready to give all up." 
 
 He cruised about with the fleet, arrived at Leghorn, Feb. 
 24th, and remained there until the 10th of March, when 
 Admiral Hotham again put to sea, having received intelligence 
 that the French fleet had been seen off" the Isle of Marguerite. 
 At this time the Fi'ench made great efforts to obtain a respect- 
 able Naval power, and sent forth the Toulon fleet, consisting 
 of thirteen sail of the line, having for its object the expulsion 
 of the English squadron then in the Gulf of Genoa, by which 
 the French would be enabled to land an expedition in Corsica. 
 The Berwick, 74 guns, was taken by them in the Gulf of St. 
 Florence, and according to the authority of the Hon. Capt. 
 Plunkett,' this vessel was taken by the French squadron when 
 alone, having three days previously lost her three lower masts 
 by a piece of neglect, for which the Captain, First and Second 
 Lieutenants, and Master, were tried by a court-martial, and 
 dismissed the ship. The loss of the Berwick, however, was 
 speedily revenged by Lord Hotham, who, commanding the 
 blockading fleet, was at Leghorn as ah'cady stated, whence he 
 sailed on the 10th of March. On the 12th the French fleet 
 
 ' Sketches of the last Naval War, translated from the French of Captain E. 
 Jurien de la Graviere by the Hon. Capt. Plunkett, R N. 2 vols. 8vo. Lond. 
 1818, Vol. i. p. 97. 
 
 VOL. I. P
 
 G6 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP, IV. 
 
 was first espied, and signals given to prepare for battle, the 
 body of the enemy's fleet being only three or four miles distant ; 
 but both fleets' remained quiet during the night. On the 
 13th, a signal was given for a general chase. The Agamem- 
 non engaged the Ca Ira (large enough, as Nelson said, to take 
 Agamemnon in her hold), but he manoeuvred her in a most 
 masterly way, and the Ca Ira- and Le Censeur surrendered 
 to Nelson on the following day. The former was made 
 prison- ship at St. Fiorenzo, and was accidentally burnt, April 
 11, 1796. The vessels mentioned fought more bravely than 
 any others of the French fleet, and the valour of their seamen 
 has been conjectured to have arisen from an impression enter- 
 tained by them, that in the event of being taken, no quarter 
 would be given, as they fired red-hot shot, and employed also 
 a combustible material furnished to them by the Convention 
 of Paris, in its nature corresponding to the ancient Greek 
 fire, which, when discharged, could not be quenched by water. 
 The enemy fled to the Isle of Hieres, where they disembarked 
 the troops they had, and the English Admiral did not pursue 
 them. Nelson was not at all satisfied with the result, contend- 
 ing that the whole French fleet should have graced their 
 triumph on that occasion ; and in a letter to Captain Locker, 
 he designates the action as a " brush with the French fleet, 
 a battle it cannot be called." Two days after the action, a 
 gale of wind drove the Illustrious on shore, and forced our 
 vessels into Porto Especia, after which he returned to St. 
 Fiorenzo, where he remained until the 16th of April. 
 
 The Viceroy of Corsica, Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart, addressed 
 Nelson on the successes of the 13th and 14th March, which 
 had saved Corsica from an invasion, and says, " I certainly 
 consider the business of the 13th of March as a very capital 
 feature in the late successful contest with the French fleet ; 
 and the part which the Agamemnon had in it must be felt by 
 every one to be one of the circumstances that gave lustre to 
 this event ; and rendered it not only useful, but peculiarly 
 honourable to the British arms. I need not assure you of 
 the pleasure with which I constantly see your name foremost 
 
 1 Tlie British fleet consisted of 15 sail of the line, besides frigates ; the French 
 fleet of 13 ships of the line. 
 
 - The Ca Ira, 80 guns, is reported to have had 1300 men, and Le Censeur, 
 7 J guns, 1000 men. Each of these vessels lost about 400 men.
 
 1795.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. G'J 
 
 in every thing that is creditable and serviceable ; nor of my 
 sincere regard and affection."^ 
 
 During nearly two months Nelson was with the fleet off 
 Minorca, and on the 1st of June was made a Colonel of 
 Marines, an appointment he was very desirous of receiving, 
 as he considered himself eiititled to it by his services, and it 
 also added to his pay. Appointments of this description are 
 now abolished, and good service pensions (twenty in number) 
 substituted. Upon obtaining their flag these advantages 
 ceased. The appointment Nelson received was the Colonelcy 
 of the Chatham Division of Marines, at which time he was 
 seventh on the list of Post Captains. 
 
 The appointment of Colonel, and subsequently of General of 
 the Marines, dates back no further than the year 1760. They 
 now cease to exist, having been only as sinecures to reward 
 professional services. Originally, however, it was not intended 
 that these appointments should be sinecures, for Sir John 
 Barrow tells us in his Life of the Earl Howe"^ that they were 
 contemplated as efficient appointments. This appears from 
 the Memorial to the King, in which the Lords of the Admi- 
 ralty state, that *'the marines having been augmented to 130 
 companies, of 123 private men each, amount in the whole to 
 18,092 men, with very few officers, they think it necessary, 
 in order to preserve discipline and regularity among so great 
 a body of men, that some officers of rank in the Navy should 
 be appointed to assist therein, who may frequently review 
 them, both afloat and ashore, to see they are kept in constant 
 order for service, and regularly provided with clothing, arms, 
 and accoutrements ; likewise to inquire into the conduct and be- 
 haviour of the officers, and make their Reports to the Board." 
 
 That Lord Hood did not return to the fleet was a matter 
 of general regret. Nelson looked upon him as the best officer, 
 taken altogether, England had to boast of. Lord Howe he 
 considered great in the management of a fleet, but Lord Hood 
 equally great in all situations in which an Admiral could be 
 placed.^ On the 1st of July the fleet were again in port at 
 
 ' Clarke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 209. 2 Life of the Earl Howe, page 67. 
 
 ^ Lord Viscount Hood was born in December, 1724, and entered as Midshipman 
 into the Royal Navj^ on board the Uomney in 1740 ; in 1746 was made Lieu- 
 tenant, and appointed to the Winchelsea frigate, in which, during a severe engage- 
 ment with a French frigate of superior force, he was wounded. In 1754 he was 
 
 F 2
 
 G8 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIBAL [CHAP. IV. 
 
 St. Fiorenzo, then off Cape Corse, and on the 13th Nelson 
 was in another action with the French fleet, Rear-Admiral 
 Man^ commanding. Nelson was sent at the beginning of 
 July from St. Fiorenzo with a small squadron to co-operate 
 with the Austrian General De Vins in driving the French 
 from the Riviera of Genoa, and he fell in with the French 
 fleet, consisting of 17 sail of the line, and 6 frigates. They 
 chased him for twenty-four hours without success. Admiral 
 Hotham sailed with 23 sail of the line, and got sight of the 
 enemy on the 13th. A general chase was made, and an 
 action took place. The wind proved adverse, blowing directly 
 into the Gulf of Frejus, where the enemy anchored after dark ; 
 little therefore resulted from this conflict, which Nelson cha- 
 racterized as " a miserable action.'^^ Towards the end of this 
 month his health began to fail, and he writes to Sir Gilbert 
 Elliot, " in good truth, I am almost worn out. I find my 
 exertions have been beyond my strength. I have a complaint 
 in my breast which will probably bear me down ; but please 
 God, if I see this campaign out, if Agamemnon does not go 
 to England, I must ; the medical people tell me, ' be on 
 
 made Commander, and in 1756 Captain. In 1768 he hoisted a broad pendant as 
 Commodore, and in 1778 was appointed Resident Commissioner of the Dock- 
 yard at Portsmouth, In this year he was also made a Baronet. In 1 780 he 
 relinquished his appointment, being made a Rear-Admiral, and hoisted his 
 flag on board the Barfleur, 98 guns. His career in the West Indies was one of 
 great brilliancy, and his nautical talents were amply displayed. He distinguished 
 himself in two actions with the Count de Grasse, and in that of the 12th of April, 
 1782, for which he was raised to the peerage as Baron Hood. Upon being created 
 Viscount in 1796, the title of Baroness was given to Lady Hood, with remainder 
 to her issue. In 1784 he represented Westminster in Parliament, and in 1786 
 was made Commander-in-chief at Portsmouth. He attained the rank of Vice- 
 Admiral of the Blue in 1787, and in the following year was one of the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty under the Earl of Chatham, then First Lord. 
 Upon the fitting out of armaments against Spain and Russia, in 1790 and 1791, 
 he was again placed upon active sei-vice, but these not being required, he in 1792 
 became Port Admiral at Portsmouth, and retained his seat at the Admiralty Board. 
 In 1793 his services in the Mediterranean were of the first order — in these Nelson 
 performed his full part. His Lordship's state of health now obliged him to with- 
 draw from his command, and in 1794 he retired. Upon the decease of the 
 Marquis of Townshend in 1795, Lord Hood was elected an Elder Brother of the 
 Trinity House, and succeeded Sir Hugh Palliser as Governor of Greenwich 
 Hospital in 1796, retaining that appointment until his death on the 27th January, 
 1816, at the advanced age of 92 years. He attained the rank of Admiral of the 
 Red in 1805. 
 
 1 This officer died an Admiral of the Red, Sept. 21, 1813. 
 
 2 Dispatches and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 61.
 
 1795.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 69 
 
 shore for a month or two, without the thoughts of service.' " 
 In a letteri toWm. Suckling, Esq. from Leghorn, July 27th, 
 1795, he writes : " I was blown in here yesterday morning 
 by a heavy gale of wind from my station off Genoa, at which 
 place I am fixed to co-operate with the Austrian army, with 
 8 frigates under my command. The orders I have given, by 
 the advice of the ministers of Turin and Genoa, are strong ; 
 and I know not how my Admiral will approve of them, for 
 they are, in a great measure, contrary to those he gave me ; 
 but the service requires strong and vigorous measures to 
 bring the war to a conclusion. My orders are to take and 
 detain all vessels (to whatever nations they may belong) 
 bound to France. The Genoese begin to quake ; Tuscany 
 will do the same ; and the Dey of Algiers seems the only 
 power which England fears ; but if we are to finish the war 
 with France we must not be disposed to stop at trifles : it has 
 already continued much too long — more by an opposition, and 
 fear of an opposition, at home, than a want of power in Eng- 
 land. We have much power here at present to do great 
 things, if we know how to apply it. Hotham must get a new 
 head — no man's heart is better, but that will not do without 
 the other. If my conduct is approved of, in September we 
 shall be at Nice, and perhaps across the Var, for Provence will, 
 I am sure, declare for us the first opportunity." In August, 
 he says, he does not write less than from ten to twenty letters 
 daily, that he is almost blind, and that indeed he has been so 
 ill for several days that he is " alive and that's all.'' Yet, in 
 this deranged state of body, he was concerting with the old 
 Austrian General a plan to land 5 or 6000 men between St. 
 Remo and Vintimiglia to oppose the enemy. On the 26th 
 he took a National corvette, two small galleys, a large gun- 
 boat, and six or seven other vessels laden with different 
 articles of provision and ammunition at Alassio, having been 
 appointed a Commodore, with a squadron under him on the 
 11th. On the 29th Nelson sent the two galleys he had taken 
 •manned with officers and seamen of the Agamemnon to 
 Oneglia, to take a ship, carrying provisions. They met with 
 three large Turkish vessels on their way, boarded them, but 
 were defeated with much loss. This aftair was conducted by 
 Lieutenants Andrews and Spicer. 
 
 ' In the Athenaeum for 1834, p. 785.
 
 70 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. IV. 
 
 The slow manner in which warhke measures proceeded, 
 was ill suited to Nelson's temperament, and he describes it 
 to his wife as " slow beyond description." As by a Con- 
 vention entered into at Vienna, May 4, 1795, England en- 
 gaged to raise £'4,600,000 on account of the Emperor of 
 Austria, upon condition that he should employ in his different 
 armies in the campaign of the year at least 200,000 effective 
 men. Nelson suspected that his Imperial Majesty was 
 desirous of having another four millions of English money ; 
 and as to German Generals, he says, " war is their trade, and 
 peace is ruin to them ; therefore we cannot expect that they 
 should have any wish to finish the war. I have just made 
 some propositions to the Austrian General to spur him on, 
 which, I believe, he would have been full as well pleased had 
 I omitted ; in short, I can hardly believe he means to go any 
 farther this winter. I am now under sail, on my way to 
 Genoa, to consult with our minister on the inactivity of the 
 Austrians ; and he must take some steps to urge these people 
 forward."* His observation during this lengthened period 
 of service led him to conclude on the futility of Continental 
 Alliances. In an interesting letter to Wm. Suckling, Esq., 
 dated Oct. 2'J, 1795,"'^ it is said : " The campaign of our Allies, 
 the Austrians and Piedmontese, is, I suppose, almost over, 
 not that I am in the secret when it commenced. My situation 
 with this army has convinced me, by ocular demonstration, 
 of the futility of Continental Alliances. The conduct of the 
 Court of Vienna, whatever may be said by the House of Com- 
 mons to the contrary, is nothing but deception : I am certain 
 if it appears to that Court to be their interest to make peace 
 with France, it will instantly be done. What is Austria 
 better than Prussia, or vice versa ? — in one respect, Prussia 
 perhaps may be better than Austria : the moment he got our 
 money he finished the farce. Austria, I fear, may induce us 
 to give her more, for to a certainty she will not carry on 
 another campaign without more money ; but it appears to me 
 that the continuance or cessation of the war depends entirely 
 on the French nation themselves : it will now be seen whether 
 they are willing to receive and join the Count d'Artois and 
 have Royalty ; or if they oppose him, that they are determined 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 82. 
 2 In the Atheniseum for 1834, p. 786.
 
 1795.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX; 71 
 
 to be a Republic. If the firsts at this moment of writing all 
 must be nearly finished : if they destroy the emigrants landed 
 at Charente, it is clear the French nation wish to be a Re- 
 public ; and the best thing we can do, is to make the best and 
 quickest peace we can : the landing the emigrants is our last 
 trial ; and if that fail, we have done our utmost to place Louis 
 upon the throne. To me, I own, all Frenchmen are alike : I 
 despise them all. They are (even those who are fed by us) 
 false and treacherous : even Louis XVIIL receives our money 
 and will not follow our advice, and keep up the dignity of the 
 King of France at Verona.^' 
 
 About this time he received an offer of a seat in Parlia- 
 ment, to which he made the following reply from the Aga- 
 memnon, Vados Bay, Nov. 6,1795:^ "I have just received 
 your letter of Sept. 29th, and wish to be open and sincere 
 in my declaration, that I will not attempt to come into Par- 
 liament but in support of the real Whig interest — I mean, 
 the Portland interest ; and I must know that those principles 
 are truly acceptable to that party who you conceive would 
 give me its support. My pretensions are only a long series 
 of services performed for my country ; and if that part of 
 my country who may honour me with their confidence in 
 Parliament, think me an eligible person to serve them in 
 the House of Commons, the same zeal shall manifest itself 
 there as it has done so repeatedly in their service in action 
 against the French. I have only to say, that I have been 
 more than 100 times actually engaged in battle, at sea, and 
 on shore, against the French, since the commencement of 
 this war, and that I have been twice wounded. If those gen- 
 tlemen are satisfied, the Duke of Portland must be applied 
 to, through Lord Walpole and Lady Walpole ; for although 
 I have so often seen the French shot, yet truly, I have seen 
 little of their money. I can have no doubt of Lord Hood's 
 good wishes to serve me, and I will write to him on the sub- 
 ject ; nor will Admiral Corn waUis, I am confident, withhold 
 his assistance. Lord Conway is my friend and acquaintance, 
 and a more honourable man, I am confident, does not grace 
 the navy of England ; therefore, if I am joined with him, the 
 same Admiralty interest will support us both. If it is neces- 
 sary that I should be in England, the Duke of Portland must 
 
 ' In the Atlienceum for 1834, p. 786.
 
 72 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IV. 
 
 make application for the Agamemnon to be ordered home ; 
 but I should hope that, being now actually in the most active 
 service in the Mediterranean, it will not be necessary (for I 
 do not much like a land voyage) ; therefore, if it is necessary 
 I should hope Agamemnon will be ordered home. Thus, my 
 dear Sir, I have been plain, and cannot well be misunderstood." 
 
 On the 1st of November, Admiral Hotham struck his flag 
 and was succeeded in the command by Vice-Admiral Sir 
 Hyde Parker,i Bart, to whom Nelson made a report of the 
 state of the ships in Toulon on the 20th of that month. 
 
 No officer was ever more firm in purpose, nor more sincere 
 and honourable in exertion than Nelson. It may easily be 
 conceived, therefore, that when a charge was brought against 
 British officers of conniving with the enemy to admit coasting 
 vessels to land their cargoes for the supply of the French 
 army on the Riviera of Genoa,^ that it would be immediately 
 met by him in the most manly and straightforward manner. 
 This we find to be the case when the King of Sardinia had 
 been induced to give credence to such a report communicated 
 to Nelson by Mr. Drake, the Minister at Genoa. Nelson in- 
 stantly addressed Lord Grenville, then Secretary of State for 
 Foreign Affairs, on this subject, and indignantly denied the 
 truth of the accusation, demanding that the libeller or libellers 
 should be forced to avow themselves, and be called upon to 
 substantiate their charges. "I do (says Nelson, in his ad- 
 dress to Lord Grenville), in behalf of myself and much 
 injured brethren, demand, that the person, whoever he may 
 be, that wrote, or gave that paper to your Lordship, do fully 
 and expressly bring home his charge ; which, as he states 
 that this agreement is made by numbers of people on both 
 sides, there can be no difficulty in doing. We dare him, 
 my Lord, to the proof. If he cannot, I do most humbly 
 
 1 Sir Hyde Parker, Bart, entered the Navy under the eye, as it were, of his 
 father (who was supposed to have perished at sea in 1783), in 1757, and was pre- 
 sent at the reduction of Manilla. He was made Post Captain in 1763, and dis- 
 tinguished himself during the American war. In 1779, he received the honour of 
 Knighthood, and in 1783 succeeded to the Baronetcy. He was made Captain of 
 the Fleet in the Mediterranean, in 1793, under Lord Hood, and promoted to the 
 rank of Rear- Admiral ; became full Admiral in 1799, and was second in com- 
 mand in the Channel Fleet. In the Baltic, in 1801, he was Commander-in- 
 chief, and in this year retired from active service. He died March 16th, 1807. 
 
 '^ The Eastern and Western Riviera comprehended the Genoese territory be- 
 tween the Apennines and the sea.
 
 1795.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 73 
 
 implore, that His Majesty will be most graciously pleased 
 to direct his Attorney-General to prosecute this infamous 
 libeller in his Courts of Law ; and I likewise feel, that, with- 
 out impropriety, I may, on behalf of my brother officers, 
 demand the support of his Majesty's Ministers; for as, if 
 true, no punishment can be too great for the traitors ; so, if 
 false, none can be too heavy for the villain, who has dared to 
 allow his pen to write such a paper/" He then gives the 
 names of the Captains who together with himself become the 
 subjects of this traitorous accusation. They consist of the 
 following officers, all of whom have so honourably distin- 
 guished themselves in the service of their king and country : 
 Captains Fremantle, Hope, Cockburn, Hon. Charles Elphin- 
 stone. Shields, Middleton, Plampin, Brisbane, Thomas El- 
 phinstone, Macnamara; and ends by expressing his willingness 
 to take all the responsibility upon himself as head of this 
 body of valiant men. He finally appeals to Lord Grenville 
 in the following words : " For myself, from my earliest youth 
 I have been in the naval service ; and in two wars have been 
 in more than 140 skirmishes and battles, at sea, and on shore ; 
 have lost an eye, and otherwise blood, in fighting the enemies 
 of my king and country ; and, God knows, instead of riches, 
 my little fortune has been diminished in the service ; but I 
 shall not trouble your Lordship further at present, than just 
 to say — that at the close of this campaign, where I have had 
 the pleasure to receive the approbation of the Generals of the 
 Allied Powers ; of his Excellency, Mr. Drake, who has always 
 been on the spot ; of Mr. Trevor, who has been at a distance ; 
 when I expected and hoped, from the representation of his 
 Majesty's Ministers, that his Majesty would have most gra- 
 ciously condescended to have favourably noticed my earnest 
 desire to serve him, and when, instead of all my fancied ap- 
 probation, to receive an accusation of a most traitorous 
 nature — it has almost been too much for me to beai'. Conscious 
 innocence, I hope, will support me." The scandalous accusa- 
 tion which thus raised Nelson's ire, it is hardly necessary to 
 say, was without foundation. It had originated through 
 representations made by the Austrian officers to their Court 
 of the means furnished to the enemy's army, and their igno- 
 rance of naval atiairs. 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 104.
 
 74 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IV. 
 
 Towards the close of 1/5)5, Sir John Jervis,^ afterwards the 
 Earl of St. Vincent, arrived at St. Fiorenzo, to take the com- 
 mand of the fleet, and Nelson went to Leghorn to refit. The 
 Government acted with judgment in appointing Sir J. Jervis 
 to the naval command in the Mediterranean, the most exten- 
 sive, and incurring greater responsibility than any other 
 station. Nelson's mind was uneasy at the defeat of the 
 Austrians by the French, and the charges of inefficient co- 
 operation on the part of the British squadron. He lamented 
 that the Admiral should have left him with little or no support, 
 the Agamemnon remaining alone, and proved that he did 
 much more than could have been expected under such cir- 
 cumstances, and was the means of affording safety to 8 or 
 10,000 Austrians, including General De Vins, the com- 
 mander. 
 
 To give some idea of the service he had gone through in 
 his ship, it is only necessary to remark that when she came 
 into dock to be refitted '^ there was not a mast, yard, sail, nor 
 any part of the rigging, but was obliged to be repaired, owing 
 to the shot she had received. Her hull had long been secured 
 by cables sewed round."=* 
 
 After the refitting of the Agamemnon, Nelson commenced 
 the year 1796 with seriously thinking upon the probable in- 
 tentions of the enemy. He felt convinced that if they meant 
 to carry on the war they must penetrate into Italy. Their 
 preparations, to his mind, were favourable to this project, and 
 he awaited anxiously the result. On the 19th of January he 
 had his first interview with Admiral Sir John Jervis, who 
 immediately offered to him the St. George, of 90 guns, or the 
 Zealous of 74 ; but he declined them both with great respect. 
 He was attached to his ship and to his crew. He was much 
 pleased with the Admiral and the regard paid to his opinions. 
 Sir John Jervis knew how to estimate those, and having come 
 out but imperfectly informed upon many particulars he felt 
 the information obtained from such a source to be of the 
 
 ' Sir John Jervis, afterwards Earl of St. Vincent, one of the brightest orna- 
 ments of the British navy, has found an adequate biographer in Mr. J. S. Tucker, 
 to whose work, " Life of Earl St. Vincent," 2 vols. 8vo. Lond. 1843, the reader 
 is referred for the varied particulars of his career. Also to Lieutenant Marshall's 
 Naval Biography, Vol. i. p. 12. He was born January 9, 1734, and died Admiral 
 of the Fleet, March 13, 1823. 
 
 - Clarke and McArthur.
 
 1796] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 'J 5 
 
 highest value. That this was the case was fully manifested 
 by an inquiry which could not have failed of being most gra- 
 tifying to Nelson, namely, that in the event of obtaining his 
 Flag, whether he would consent to serve under him ? Sir 
 John Jervis sent him to examine into the state of the ships 
 at Toulon, where he was joined by the Admiral on the 23rd 
 of February, who shewed his reliance upon Nelson by en- 
 trusting him to act witliout orders. He felt that in being 
 thus treated he was considered rather as an associate than a 
 subordinate officer. The vigour of Sir John Jervis in all 
 measures appertaining to the Naval service was well adapted 
 to Nelson's taste and disposition, and was warmly felt by him, 
 when contrasted with the quiet tactics of the old system. 
 M. de Graviere, an excellent observer, and a competent judge 
 in naval matters, attributes the success of the English over 
 the French, to our crews being better trained, and our squad- 
 rons better disciplined than theirs, and he states this supe- 
 riority to have been the fruit of some years' cruising, and 
 especially the work of Jervis and Nelson.^ Sir J. Jervis's 
 system was that of implicit obedience — this was his method 
 of establishing order and discipline. By this system and an 
 attention to the most effective organization, as Graviere re- 
 marks, although not rash himself, he yet led the way for the 
 most daring deeds. "Nelson rushed into the arena, and 
 with the rapidity of lightning shewed the latent results of 
 the change effected."' Captain Brenton says. Earl St. 
 Vincent and Lord Nelson by the union of science with 
 practical skill, brought the navy to the rank it now holds.^ 
 
 Nelson now proceeded to the Gulf of Genoa, where he had 
 the command of a small squadron, and suffered seriously by 
 a very severe gale. He found Genoa full of corn for the 
 French. He strongly urged the necessity of getting possession 
 of Vado Bay, as a measure absolutely necessary for the safety 
 of Italy and also that of Fort Especia, as that would Instantly 
 give to the French the flat country as far as Leghorn, which 
 place might easily be taken. Mr. Drake, the minister, agreed 
 with him In opinion, and he communicated the same to 
 the naval Commander-in-chief. In April he again conferred 
 
 1 Plunkett's Last Naval War, Vol. ii. p. 293. 
 
 2 Ibid. Vol. i. p. 176. 
 
 3 Naval History of Great Britain, Vol. i. p. 302.
 
 76 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. V. 
 
 with Sir John Jervis at St. Fiorenzo, and was directed by him 
 to wear a broad pendant. 
 
 The French succeeded in getting their convoy into Vado 
 which much annoyed Nelson, and he proposed to Sir John 
 Jervis to pursue 2 frigates and 16 transports, and to take them 
 by boats. He offered himself for this service, and suggested 
 that 10 barges should attack each frigate, and that one boat 
 should be specially appointed with a most confidential officer 
 to cut the cable of each frigate. In making this proposition 
 to Sir John Jervis, he says, "■ I grieve when the French have 
 any good fortune at sea.'^ 
 
 Oflf Loano he boarded four vessels, and brought them 
 off. Lieutenant (afterwards Rear- Admiral) Noble,' of the 
 Agamemnon, receiving a severe gun-shot wound in the 
 throat. Nelson was, however, much disheartened at the 
 progress of the war, and on his way to Leghorn, wrote. 
 May 16th, 1796, to Sir Gilbert Elliot:—"! very much 
 believe that England, who commenced the war with all Europe 
 for her allies, will finish it by having nearly all Europe for 
 her enemies/' Off Oneglia, on the 31st of May, he took two 
 more vessels and five transports. This capture completed a 
 list of not less than fifty vessels of different kinds, taken from 
 the 1st of June, 1794, to the 1st of June, 1796, as appears 
 in the autograph in the Nelson Papers. Well may he there- 
 fore say in a letter to his wife, August 2nd, 1796, '^Had all 
 my actions, my dearest Fanny, been gazetted, not one fort- 
 night would have passed during the whole war without a 
 letter from me : one day or other I will have a long gazette to 
 myself; I feel that such an opportunity will be given me. I 
 cannot, if I am in the field for glory, be kept out of sight. 
 Probably my services may be forgotten by the great by the 
 time I get home ; but my mind will not forget, nor cease to 
 
 1 The father of this distinguished officer, after sacrificing considerable property 
 in the royal cause, was killed by a party of American rebels, when proceeding 
 to New York on public service. Noble entered the navy in 1788, and con- 
 ducted himself most gallantly in the actions between the British and French 
 fleets in 1795. He was Flag- Lieutenant to Nelson, and was present with him at 
 many severe encounters. He was frequently wounded. In Nelson's memorable 
 exertions on the 14th of February, 1797, Noble bore a conspicuous part, and 
 after the battle was raised to the rank of Commander. He became a Post-Cap- 
 tain in 1802, and attained the rank of Rear-Admiral, August 17th, 1840, and 
 Vice-Admiral of the White, November 9th, 1846, in which rank be now stands 
 on the Navy List.
 
 1796.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 77 
 
 feel, a degree of consolation and of applause superior to unde-^ 
 served rewards. Wherever there is any thing to be done, 
 there Providence is sure to direct my steps. Credit must be 
 given me in spite of envy. Even the French respect me.^' 
 
 On the 11th of June he quitted the Agamemnon, and 
 hoisted his broad pendant on board the Captain, 74 guns. 
 The Agamemnon being the worst conditioned vessel in the 
 fleet was sent home with a convoy. In July, Sir John 
 Jervis ordered Nelson to blockade the port of Leghorn. 
 In acknowledging this command he writes the Admiral, that 
 he " shall not fail to sow as much inveteracy against the 
 French as is possible." In this month also (July 10th), he 
 co-operated with Major Duncan, and took possession of 
 Porto Ferrajo, agreeably to the instructions of the Viceroy of 
 Corsica. From a memorandum in the Nelson Papers, it 
 appears that Nelson was directed to return the thanks of the 
 Commander-in-chief to all the officers and men employed on 
 this service, for the manner in which they performed their duty. 
 
 During the time he maintained the blockade of the Port of 
 Leghorn, he shewed great forbearance and humanity towards 
 the Livomese. Whilst the French occupied Leghorn, he 
 was unwilling to notice the frequent firing from the bat- 
 teries on his Britannic Majesty^s ships, for fear of chastise- 
 ment or injury to the poor inhabitants ; but when great 
 numbers of the enemy had departed, he wrote to his Excel- 
 lency the Governor of Leghorn, Signor Jacques de Lavalette, 
 a very laconic epistle, in which he warns him of the repe- 
 tition of such conduct, and threatens, in the event of its 
 continuance, a punishment not to be forgotten, " but which 
 will be attributable to his Excellency, and not his Excel- 
 lency's most obedient servant, Horatio Nelson." 
 
 In the month of September, no less discretion and for- 
 bearance did he manifest at Genoa, than he had shewn at 
 Leghorn. The batteries, erected by the French at Genoa, 
 had for a long time been a source of great annoyance ; yet 
 fearful of injuring the Genoese, and feeling acutely for their 
 situation, and their timidity, the distressing position in which 
 they were placed between two powerful belligerent parties, 
 he had not returned the fire. lie repeatedly protested to the 
 Secretary, to the Consul, to the Doge himself, but all in vain. 
 Oxen brought for His Majesty's ships had been even refused
 
 78 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. IV. 
 
 embarkation ; still no redress was to be obtained ; and he 
 suggested to Sir John Jervis, and with the approbation of 
 Sir Gilbert Elliot, that the taking and securing Genoese 
 ships should be adopted as a pledge for the safety of the 
 English property at Genoa, and as a measure of reprisal for 
 the conduct of the Government. 
 
 On the 14th of September he arrived at Bastia ; and 
 having received on board the Captain and the Gorgon the 
 troops ordered for the attack of the island of Capraja, under 
 the command of Major Logan, on the ] 8th that place was 
 taken possession of. The capture of this island was directed 
 by the Viceroy of Corsica, and intended to be held until the 
 Government of Genoa should give satisfaction for the injuries 
 Nelson had so loudh' complained of without obtaining redress, 
 and as a security against the repetition of them. On the 25 th 
 he returned to the Leghorn roads, whence he again proceeded 
 to Bastia, being employed in the evacuation of Corsica, a 
 measure resulting from the defensive alliance with Spain, 
 entered into by our Government. The orders for carrying 
 this measure into effect were on the 21st of October counter- 
 manded ; but the dispatch arrived too late — the evacuation 
 had been effected. A difference of opinion, with respect to 
 this proceeding, has been held ; but Sir John Jervis, who is 
 certainly entitled to the credit of political as well as naval 
 knowledge, in a letter to Earl Spencer, on the 11th of No- 
 vember, remarks : — " I consider it a great blessing that the 
 evacuation of Corsica had taken place before I had received 
 the orders to maintain the Viceroy in the sovereignty of it, 
 which could not have been effected for any length of time, 
 as the moment the enemy had landed in force, every man in 
 the interior of the island would have taken part with him, 
 and there was not a tenable part in it."' 
 
 In November, Nelson addressed the Genoese Government, 
 and demanded restitution of the British shipping and pro- 
 perty, sequestered in the port of Genoa, and satisfaction for 
 various other aggressions. The Genoese Government had 
 roused Nelson's indignation by charging him with a breach 
 of his word of honour.'^ In his letter to the British Consul 
 
 1 Tucker's Memoirs of tlie Earl St. Vincent, Vol. i. p. 240. 
 
 2 Refening to this subject I have the following letter and document : — 
 "The undermentioned Secretary of State has made known to the Most Serene
 
 1796.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 79 
 
 Nelson indignantly reverts to the accusation, saying, " You 
 must know, from your own acquaintance with me, that I am 
 
 Government the two letters sent to him by the English Consul, one from Com- 
 modore Nelson of the 9th of this month, and the other from Admiral Sir John 
 Jervis of the 25th of September last ; and the Most Serene Government is deter- 
 mined to answer His Britannic Majesty's Consul respecting the said letters, with 
 the annexed two copies, which the Secretary has the pleasure to transmit, per- 
 suaded that the Consul wDl be pleased to send one of them to the said Admiral 
 Jervis, and the other to Commodore Nelson, together with the two printed 
 papers enclosed. 
 
 " In thus executing the orders of this Most Serene Government the Secretary 
 renews towards the Ministerial Consul his sentiments of esteem and consideration. 
 " Felicia Giacinto Gianvelli Castiglione." 
 " Genoa, 15th October, 1796." 
 
 " The greatest act of hostility that can be practised is that of surprising and 
 seizing upon territory belonging to a neutral Prince, which was, to the last 
 degree, done by the English in taking possession of Capraia. The Government 
 of Genoa might dispense with answering the letters sent by Commodore Nelson, 
 dated the 9th instant, and wi-itten in the names of Sir Gilbert Elliot and Admiral 
 Sir John Jervis, and also the letter sent by Admiral Jervis himself of the 25th of 
 last September, but it cannot avoid observing the acts of the 11th day of Sep- 
 tember last. Commodore Nelson, who to that time had enjoyed the effects of the 
 Republic's neutrality, from the asylum which he found in the port of Genoa ; 
 and notwithstanding his given word (a pledge ever held sacred amongst nations), 
 committed upon the territory of the Republic, even under the very batteries of 
 the capital (a circumstance which does away the pretended supposition that 
 the place of San Pier d' Arena was possessed by the French) acts of violence the 
 most evident, by seizing and taking away a French tartane and cargo. 
 
 " This act, so contrary to the acknowledged right of nations, hath given cause 
 to the Government of Genoa, in order to maintain its rights and neutrality, to 
 make opposition, and take recompense, which never can be deemed an act of 
 hostility committed by the Republic against the British ships. 
 
 " The low ground of St. Pier d' Arena being undoubtedly Genoese property, 
 and under the very batteries of the capital, never could be considered by the 
 English agents as a place occupied by their enemies ; neither could four pieces of 
 cannon, of small calibre, unrepaired, and without guard or cheirge ; nor the 
 appearance of a small number of French troops, who fired some time after the 
 tartane had been in the hands of the English, furnish any motive for such conduct. 
 This operation, so injurious to neutral territory and its rights, preceded by so 
 many other repeated acts of violence and hostility committed by the English 
 agents, by detaining at sea Genoese ships, and seizing their mercantile property, 
 by interrupting their navigation and national commerce, without any reparation 
 being made, notwithstanding the most pressing and repeated complaints conveyed 
 to British agents on the part of the Republic, these are the reasons for the ex- 
 clusion of British ships from the Port of Genoa. 
 
 " This measure of precaution and defence cannot be thought an hostile act, 
 since every free and neutral powor ought to attend to the protection of its terri- 
 tory and security of its people, but a just opposition to the maxim adopted and 
 manifested by the English agents, to practise, under any pretences, the greatest 
 hostilities against the Republic. 
 
 " If the Government of Genoa hath added to its resolution of excluding from
 
 80 LIFE OK VICE-ADMIRAL [cilAP. IV. 
 
 incapable of such conduct, and you had my report of the 
 transaction, which was sufficient for you to resent, as becomes 
 your station, and my hitherto unimpeached honour ; but, if 
 you have so far forgotten yourself and station as to permit 
 such an infamous lie to be uncontradicted, it is my desire, and 
 I demand it of you, that you go immediately to the Secretary 
 of State, and state that I say, the scandal of a breach of 
 honour lies with him for writing an untruth, with his Govern- 
 ment for permitting it, and with their officer, who pledged 
 
 its ports British ships, that of sequestering some vessels and merchandise, declared 
 to be British property, within the port, this is to effect that just indemnification 
 which has been often claimed, and which ought not to be denied to the Republic. 
 In December last, the Commissary of Capraia acquainted Sir Gilbei-t Elliot 
 that permission was given to appoint an English agent in that island on the same 
 footing with that of France. Such were the orders issued by Government on 
 the 30th of November last, and in the foll&wing month information of them 
 was given. 
 
 " By these public deliberations every imputation, every complaint is excluded, 
 and the neutrality and perfect impartiality of the Republic are clearly proved by 
 their effects. 
 
 '^The English privateers can never say that they were excluded from the port 
 of Capraia : these always found there a reception and asylum, like those of the 
 other belligerent nations ; uor has the smallest kind of armament been permitted 
 in the said island : a few sailors indeed went out in French privateers, who have 
 been severely punished for it, and some of them have remained a long time wan- 
 derers from their country, with the view to avoid merited chastisement. 
 
 " The great want of bullocks in the State of Genoa, the epidemic disorder 
 discovered in the neighbouring states, and the prevention from transporting any 
 from external countries, have determined the Government to detain those said to 
 have been procured on account of the English, there can be no reason therefore 
 for refusing to^ have the price of them returned, together with the expenses 
 attendant on the English commission, which was done. Such a retention, being 
 the right of preservation and subsistence, can never be deemed an hostile act, 
 and therefore admits not of any complaint. 
 
 " All the above mentioned facts, and all the above proved acts of hostilities 
 committed by the English agents against the RepubUc, her territory, her people, 
 her commerce, and her national navigation, have recently been represented with 
 the greatest force and confidence at the Royal Court of London. 
 
 " His Majesty, in his justice, will weigh the importance of the facts which took 
 their beginning on the 5th of October, 1793, by the notable surprise and violent 
 seizure, within the port of Genoa, of the French frigate, and have been continued 
 to the present moment — he will know the irregular operations which have been 
 carried on in the Mediterranean — and the Republic is persuaded that the most 
 positive orders will be given for due reparation and recompense, in disapprobation 
 of the great irregularity which has been hitherto practised. 
 
 " The Republic waits the result of these her just complaints, and in the mean 
 time incloses a printed paper, from which the English agents may observe the 
 deeds done by them, and the just titles of complaint and defence which belong to 
 the Republic."
 
 1796.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 81 
 
 himself for the Republic's being neutral, when I gave my 
 word of honour to observe the neutrality of Genoa, and that 
 I would attack no vessel in its port, or luider the guns of 
 Genoa. This reciprocal pledge was given in your room, and 
 yourself interpreted ; and of course you will recollect, that I 
 would not give my word of honour till the officer gave his for 
 the neutrality of the Republic. I call on the Government of 
 Genoa to say, if they understood my pledge of honour to be 
 otherwise than that I would not commence an attack, and not 
 that I would abstain from repelling or chastising one. You 
 will mark the flagrant breach of honour in the Republic of 
 Genoa. They permitted the French to enter the port of 
 Genoa, contrary to their edict of neutrality, with vessels loaded 
 with gunpowder : they permit all kinds of warlike stores for 
 the attack of Neutral Powers to be landed within 300 yards 
 of the walls of Genoa : they permit guns to be mounted by 
 the enemies of England within the same distance. The con- 
 sequence of this conduct on the part of the Government of 
 Genoa, was, that the French fired on his Majesty's boats, 
 and on the boats resenting the insult from what had here- 
 tofore been considered as a neutral territory, by taking a 
 French vessel, the Government of Genoa, instead of sup ■ 
 porting its neutrality by opening a fire upon the French 
 battery, turned the guns of Genoa, first on his Majesty's 
 boats, and then on the ships ; and, in addition to this hostile 
 act, they permitted a number of French armed vessels to come 
 out of the port of Genoa to attack his Majesty's colours. 
 This statement of facts, which I dare them to contradict, but 
 which it was your bounden duty to have supported long 
 since, will shew the Genoese nation, and the whole world, who 
 has broken their parole of honour."^ 
 
 Nelson then sailed with the fleet from Mortella Bay to 
 Gibraltar, where he arrived on the 1st of December. But 
 the Marquis of Spinola, Genoese Minister to the Court of 
 London, made a formal complaint of his conduct, and charged 
 him with acts which he must have known to be without 
 foundation. Nelson forwarded to Sir John Jervis his state- 
 ment of facts, which was transmitted to Lord Grenville, who 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 207, from a copy in the Adiraralty. 
 VOL. I. . G
 
 82 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. :V. 
 
 communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 
 the King's " entire approval of the conduct of Nelson in all 
 his transactions with the Republic of Genoa." 
 
 Upon the evacuation of Corsica the troops, stores, &c. were 
 taken to Porto Ferrajo, and Government withdrew the garrison 
 from this place on the 10th of December. Marshall has 
 observed that " the great body of Corsicans were perfectly 
 satisfied, as they had good reason to be, with the British 
 Government, sensible of its advantages, and attached to it ; 
 but when they found that the English intended to evacuate 
 the island, they naturally and necessarily sent to make their 
 peace with the French. The partisans of France found none 
 to oppose them. A committee of thirty took upon themselves 
 the government of Bastia, and sequestered all the British 
 property ; armed Corsicans mounted guard at every place, 
 and a plan was laid for seizing the Viceroy. Commodore 
 Nelson, who was appointed to superintend the evacuation, 
 frustrated these projects. On the 14th of October, 1796, he 
 sent word to the Committee, that if the slightest opposition 
 was made to the embarkment and removal of British property, 
 he would batter the town down. A privateer, moored across 
 the mole head, pointed her guns at the officer who carried 
 this message, and muskets were levelled against him from the 
 shore. Hereupon, Captain Sutton, pulling out his watch, 
 gave them a quarter of an hour to deliberate upon their 
 answer. In five minutes after the expiration of that time, 
 the ships, he said, would open their fire. Upon this the very 
 sentinels scampered off, and every vessel came out of the 
 mole. During the five following days, the work of embarkation 
 was carried on ; the property of individuals was saved, and 
 public stores to the amount of .£200,000." Sir John Jervis 
 now ordered Nelson to hoist his distinguishing pendant on 
 board La Minerve frigate, to take the Blanche and go from 
 Gibraltar to Porto Ferrajo. The vessels there also were to 
 be taken under his command; and such was the confidence 
 reposed in Nelson by Sir John Jervis, that he left the exe- 
 cution of this affair entirely to the judgment of the Commodore. 
 Sir John Jervis wrote on this occasion to Sir Gilbert ElHot, 
 Bart., Dec. 10, 179G, " It cannot be in better hands ;" and to 
 
 ^ Naval Biography, Vol. i. p. 255.
 
 179C.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 83 
 
 Sir Wm. Hamilton on the same day, and on the same sub- 
 ject : " Commodore Nelson, than whom a more able or enter- 
 prising officer does not exist, will repair to Porto Ferrajo and 
 take upon him the command of the naval force there." In his 
 passage from Gibraltar to Porto Ferrajo, off Carthagena, as 
 appears from the log of La Minerve, on the 19th, Nelson fell in 
 with a Spanish frigate, the Santa Sabina, and took her.' This 
 action was most bravely fought on both sides. Nelson, in a 
 letter to his brother, and for his pi'ivate journa], says, " When 
 I hailed the Don, and told him, ' This is an English f. igate,' 
 and demanded his surrender, or I would fire into him, his 
 answer was noble, and such as became the illustrious family 
 from which he is descended : — ' This is a Spanish frigate, and 
 you may begin as soon as you please/ I have no idea of a 
 closer or sharper battle : the force to a gun the same, and 
 nearly the same number of men ; we having 250. I asked 
 him several times to surrender during the action, but his 
 answer was, ^ No, Sir ; not whilst I have the means of fighting 
 left.' When only himself of all the officers were left alive, he 
 hailed, and said he would fight no more, and begged I would 
 stop firing."^ In this action Lieutenant Noble was again 
 wounded. Nelson was then chased by four other ships, dis- 
 covered on the 20th, two Spanish ships of the line and two 
 frigates, from which, by great skill. La Minerve escaped, 
 though crippled by the action on the previous day, and La 
 Sabina was retaken by the Spanish Admiral. Nelson pro- 
 posed to exchange the Captain of the Sabina, Don Jacobo 
 
 1 In 1796 (Aug. 19), a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, had united 
 Holland, and was about to unite Spain, with France. A treaty, signed at Madrid, 
 between the descendant of Philip V. and the French Directory, stipulated that in 
 three months time either of these powers desiring the assistance of the other, 
 should receive 13 sail of the line and 10 large frigates or corvettes, with their 
 crews and necessary supplies. This treaty was ratified in Paris on the 12th Sept., 
 and three days after the English Government ordered the seizure of all the Spanish 
 ships anchored in the ports of England. Spain answered this embargo by a 
 declaration of war, and the fleet of Admiral Don Juan de Langara, leaving Cadiz, 
 sailed immediately for the Straits. 1 
 
 2 Autograph in the Nelson Papers. 
 
 1 Plunkett's Last Naval War, Vol. i. p. 132. 
 G 2
 
 84 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IV. 
 
 Stuart, then on board his vessel, for Lieutenants Culver- 
 house^ and Hardy,^ taken on board the Sabina. 
 
 On the 24th he took a French privateer off the south end 
 of Sardinia. He arrived at Porto Ferrajo on the 27th, but 
 as General De Burgh had not received orders to abandon 
 the place, although he agreed with Nelson that his further 
 stay was useless, the troops did not embark. 
 
 Nelson opens the year 1 797 with a letter to his father, allud- 
 ing to his action with the Sabina, and the character of his late 
 prisoner, her Captain, Don Jacobo Stuart, a descendant from 
 the Duke of Berwick, son of James 11. Nelson returned to 
 him his sword, and sent him in a flag of truce to Spain. He 
 thus expresses himself: " I felt it consonant to the dignity of 
 my country, and I always act as I feel right, without regard to 
 custom : he was reputed the best officer in Spain, and his 
 men were worthy of such a Commander; he was the only 
 surviving officer /^^ 
 
 Quitting Porto Ferrajo, Nelson proceeded to reconnoitre 
 Toulon and Carthagena ; he arrived at Gibraltar on the 9th 
 of February, and on the 13th joined the fleet off Cape St. 
 Vincent. He then hoisted his broad pendant on board the 
 Captain. He only arrived just in time to be present at the 
 celebrated battle of St. Vincent, and had been chased from 
 Gibraltar by two Spanish line-of-battle ships. He had, how- 
 ever, accomplished that respecting which he was so anxious, 
 namely, to join Sir John Jervis, having found at Carthagena 
 that the Spanish fleet had sailed. In the action of St. Vin- 
 cent, which took place the day after his arrival, Nelson, as 
 usual, was in the thickest. This is indeed apparent in the 
 list of killed and wounded in the different vessels. The 
 total of British force killed in this action amounted to 73, of 
 whom Nelson's ship furnished 24. Of wounded, the total 
 227, Nelson's vessel numbering 56. 
 
 1 Lieutenant Culverhouse was promoted for this action, and made a Post Captain 
 in 1802. He was appointed Agent for Transports at the Cape of Good Hope, 
 and in 1809 was, together with his wife, unfortunately drowned in Table Bay. 
 
 2 Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Bart. G.C.B. died, at the age of 70 years, 
 Governor of Greenwich Hospital, Sept. 20, 1839. He was dearly beloved by 
 Nelson, as the events towards the close of the great naval hero's career will 
 sufficiently shew. 
 
 3 Clarke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 342.
 
 1797.] 
 
 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 
 
 85 
 
 List of the British Fleet opposed to the Spanish, February 14, 1797. 
 
 Ships. Guns. 
 
 1. Victory . 100 
 
 2. Britannia . 100 
 
 3. Barfleur . 98 
 
 4. Prince George 98 
 
 5. 
 
 Blenheim 
 
 90 
 
 6 
 
 Namur 
 
 90 
 
 7. 
 
 Captain 
 
 74 
 
 8. 
 
 Goliath 
 
 74 
 
 9. 
 
 Excellent 
 
 74 
 
 10. 
 
 Orion 
 
 74 
 
 11. 
 
 Colossus 
 
 74 
 
 12. 
 
 Egmont 
 
 74 
 
 13. 
 
 CuUoden 
 
 74 
 
 14. 
 
 Irresistible 
 
 74 
 
 15. 
 
 Diadem 
 
 64 
 
 Commanders. 
 
 * Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B. 
 ^ 1st Captain, Robert Calder 
 V. 2nd Captain, George Grey 
 t Vice-Admiral Thompson 
 i Captain T. Foley 
 t Vice-Admiral Hon.W.Waldegrave 
 ( Captain Jas. Rich. Dacres 
 ^ Rear-Admiral William Parker 
 ^ Captain John Irwin 
 Captain Thos. L. Frederick 
 Captain J. H. Whitshed 
 c Commodore Nelson 
 \ Captain R. W. Miller 
 Captain Sir C. H. Knowles 
 
 Captain C. Collingwood 
 
 Captain Sir James Saumarez 
 
 Captain George Murray 
 
 Captain John Sutton 
 
 Captain Thomas Troubridge 
 
 Captain George Martin 
 
 Captain G. H. Towry 
 
 Killed. Wounded. 
 
 \ - 
 
 \ « 
 
 7 
 
 . 12 
 
 49 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 ! - 
 
 56 
 
 
 8 
 
 . 11 
 
 12 
 
 — 
 
 9 
 
 — 
 
 5 
 
 . 10 
 
 47 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 — 
 
 2 
 
 Total 73 227 
 
 List of the Spanish Fleet opposed to the British. 
 
 
 Guns. 
 
 
 Killed 
 
 Wounded 
 
 1. Santissima Trinidada 
 
 130 
 
 
 
 
 2. Mexicana 
 
 112 
 
 
 
 
 3. Principe de Asturiaa 
 
 112 
 
 
 
 
 4. Conception 
 
 112 
 
 
 
 
 5. Conde de Regla 
 
 112 
 
 
 
 
 6. Salvador del Mundo 
 
 112 
 
 Taken 
 
 42 
 
 124 
 
 7. San Josef 
 
 112 
 
 Taken 
 
 46 
 
 96 
 
 8. San Nicolas 
 
 84 
 
 Taken 
 
 144 
 
 59 
 
 9. Oriente 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 10. Glorioso 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 11. Atlante 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 12. Conquestador 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 13. Soberano 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 14. Firme 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 15. Pelayo 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 16. San Genaro 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 17. San Juan Nepomuceno 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 18. San Francisco de Paula 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 19. San Ysidro 
 
 74 
 
 Taken 
 
 29 
 
 63 
 
 20. San Antonio 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 21. San Pablo 
 
 74 
 
 

 
 8G LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. IV. 
 
 Guns. 
 
 22. San Firmin . 74 
 
 23. Neptuna . 74 
 
 24. Bahama . 74 
 
 25. St. Domingo . 74 
 
 26. Terrible • 74 
 
 27. II Defenso • 74 
 
 Thus twenty-seven sail of the line, Spanish force, were 
 opposed to fifteen. Four vessels, the Salvador del Mundo, 
 112 guns; the San Josef, 112 guns; the San Nicolas, 84 
 guns ; and the San Ysidro, 74 guns, were taken. In this 
 action Nelson was much bruised, but not sufficiently so to 
 induce him to quit the deck. It is remarkable that in the 
 Dispatches of Sir John Jervis, one Captain only (the bearer 
 of the Dispatches), Captain Calder,^ of the Victory, was 
 mentioned. The services of Nelson, Troubridge,^ Colling- 
 
 1 Sir Robert Calder, Bart, was born July 2, 1745, entered theNavy in 1759, and 
 made Post Captain in 1780. He was Sir John Jervis's first Captain in the action of 
 the 14th February, 1797, and conveying home the Dispatches received the honour 
 of Knighthood. In the following year, August 22, 1798, he was created a Baro- 
 net. He attained the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue in 1799, and in the fol- 
 lowing year hoisted his flag in the Channel Fleet under the Earl of St. Vincent. 
 His conduct in a contest with the combined French and Spanish squadrons on the 
 22nd July, 1805, became the subject of inquiry at his own request, and the Court 
 adjudicated that he had not done his utmost to renew the engagement, and to take 
 and destroy every ship of the enemy ; which neglect was attributed to an error in 
 judgment, and he was sentenced to be severely reprimanded. In 1810, he suc- 
 ceeded Admiral Young as Commander-in-chief at Plymouth, and died Admiral of 
 the White in 1818. 
 
 2 This able and zealous officer, one of Nelson's most attached friends, and who 
 has been justly designated " as a pattern of professional excellence, of un- 
 daunted valour, and of patriotic worth, entered the naval service under the gallant 
 but unfortunate Capt. George Farmer, of the Seahorse. He was made Post Cap- 
 tain in 1783, served in India, and upon his return to England was appointed to 
 the Castor, 32 guns, engaged to convoy 14 sail of vessels from the Channel 
 Islands to Newfoundland in 1794, and was captured by a French squadron. 
 Captain Brentonl tells a good anecdote of Captain Troubridge which occurred on 
 board the Sans Pareille on the morning of the 1st of June, 1794. " Captain Trou- 
 bridge, who had been recently taken in the Castor with his convoy bound to New- 
 foundland, was a prisoner on board the French ship above named, where Rear- 
 Admiral Neuilly had his flag flying : after Lord Howe had obtained his position, 
 and had drawn his fleet into a line parallel to that of the enemy, he brought to, 
 and made the signal to go to breakfast. Troubridge knew the purport of the 
 signal, and telling it to the French Admiral, they took the advantage of the time 
 allowed them for the same repast. Troubridge, whose appetite never forsook him 
 
 1 Naval History, Vol. i. p. 308.
 
 17970 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 87 
 
 wood, and Frederick's though in the severest parts of the con- 
 flict, were not recorded. Their services were noted to Earl 
 
 on these occasions, was helping himself to a large slice from a brown loaf^ when the 
 French Captain observed to him by an interpreter (for Troubridge never would 
 learn their language), that the English Admiral shewed no disposition to fight, 
 and he was certain did not intend it. " What !" said the English hero, dropping 
 his loaf, and laying his hand almost too emphatically on the Frenchman's shoulder, 
 while he looked him furiously in the face, "Not fight! stop till they have had 
 
 their breakfasts, I know John Bull d d well, and when his belly is full, you 
 
 will get it." In a few minutes after this the British fleet bore up to engage. 
 Troubridge was sent into the boatswain's store-room, where for a length of time 
 he leaned against the foremast, and amused himself in pouring forth every invec- 
 tive against the French, and the man appointed to guard him. Suddenly he felt 
 the vibration of the mast, and heard it fall over the side ; when grasping the as- 
 tonished Frenchman with both his hands, he began to jump and caper with all 
 the gestures of a maniac. The Sans Pareille soon after surrendered, and Trou- 
 bridge assisted in setting her to rights, and taking her into port." He was after- 
 wards appointed to the CuUoden, 74 guns, and placed under the command of the 
 Earl Howe. He was in Lord Hotham's engagement of the 13th July, and it was 
 he who first descried the Spanish fleet which was brought to action by Sir John 
 Jervis on the 14th of Febraary, 1797. In this action he greatly distinguished 
 himself. No less bravery was exhibited by him in the attack of Santa Cruz, with 
 others of Nelson's chosen band, and also in various other valorous exploits, as 
 detailed in these pages. The CuUoden having got aground at Aboukir, he had the 
 grea*: mortification of being present at, though unable to take a part in, the Battle 
 of the Nile. Hewas afterwards employed in the blockade of Alexandria and 
 also of Naples, and received the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit. He was at the 
 taking of the Castle of St. Elmo, Civita Vecchia, &c. and in 1799 was created a 
 Baronet. Returned to England he was made Captain of the Channel Fleet, and 
 afterwards became one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in which he 
 continued until May, 1804. In this year he was promoted to the rank of Rear- 
 Admiral of the Blue, and took the command in the Indian seas in the Blenheim, 
 In 1806, he was appointed Commander-in-chief of the Cape of Good Hope ; 
 during a hard gale off the Mauritius, his vessel, which was in a decayed state, was 
 lost sight of, and no intelligence of her was ever received. His son, Edward 
 Thomas, succeeded to the Baronetcy, and is now a Rear-Admh-al of the White. 
 
 Nelson's opinion, as expressed in a letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, written in 
 October, 1798, will appropriately close this short notice of Admiral Troubridge : 
 " I have experienced the ability and activity of his mind and body : it was Trou- 
 bridge that equipped the squadron so soon at Syracuse ; it was he that exerted 
 himself for me after the action ; it was Troubridge who saved the CuUoden, when 
 none that I know in the service would have attempted it ; it was Troubridge 
 whom I left as myself at Naples to watch movements ; he is, as a friend and an 
 officer, a non pareil !"l 
 
 3 Capt. Thomas Lenox Frederick, was born March 25th, 1750, in the parish 
 of St. George's, Hanover Squai-e, and succeeded his grandfather, Sir John Fre- 
 
 1 Tucker's Memoirs of Earl St. Vincent, Vol. i. p. 455.
 
 88 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL, [ciIAP. IV. 
 
 Spencer in a letter, which, however, did not appear in the 
 Gazette. From this letter it appears that Nelson "contri- 
 buted very much to the fortune of the day,'' and took pos- 
 session of the San Josef and the San Nicolas. 
 
 Lord Collingwood looked upon this action as superior in 
 every respect to that of the 1st of June, at which he was 
 present; and in a letter to his relative, J. E. Blackett, Esq. 
 relates some particulars of Nelson's conduct in this battle. 
 He says : " After I had driven the San Nicolas on board the 
 San Josef, and left them on their fire ceasing, to be taken 
 possession of by somebody behind, they fell on board my 
 good friend the Commodore, and as they had not surrendered, 
 he, in his own active person, at the head of his ship's company, 
 boarded them, and drove the Spaniards from deck to deck at 
 the point of their swords. They at last both surrendered ; and 
 the Commodore, on the quarter-deck of a Spanish first-rate, 
 San Josef, received the submission and the swords of the 
 officers of the two ships, while one of his sailors, (William 
 Fearney, one of Nelson's bargemen) bundled them up with 
 as much composure as he would have made a faggot, though 
 
 derick, Bart., in his title and estate. His father was Sir Charles Frederick, K.B. 
 Surveyor-General of the Oi'dnance, and M.P. for Queenborough. He was a 
 highly educated officer, and very greatly esteemed. He went to sea in 1768 
 under Sir Peter Parker. He was made Post Captain in 1779, after having been 
 honourably acquitted for the loss of his ship in a fog off the coast of Newfound- 
 land. He was afterwards taken prisoner in the Unicom, and carried into Marti- 
 nique. Appointed to the Diomede, and sent off the North American station, he 
 gallantly captured the Santa Carolina of 40 guns after a chase of eighteen hours 
 and a half. On the breaking out of the French war in 1793, Captain Frederick 
 was appointed to the Illustrious, 74 guns. He was with Lord Hood at the taking 
 of Toulon. He remained with Lord Hotham, and was in his action in March, 
 1795, and was certainly the most distinguished warrior of that day. His ship, 
 from having been in conflict with two French men-of-war, one of 80, the other of 
 74 guns, both of which he defeated, was so shattered that the Meleagerwas obliged 
 to take her in tow, but a gale coming on, she was lost. He was then appointed 
 to the Blenheim, and made a Rear- Admiral. He was afterwards engaged in the 
 long blockade off Toulon, and was with Sir John Jervis on the 14th of February, 
 1797, to the glory of which day he greatly contributed. After taking a convoy 
 to Lisbon he again joined Earl St. Vincent on the resumption of the blockade of 
 Cadiz, at which the Blenheim was made one of the reporting ships. In the 
 autumn of 1798 he returned to England, and in 1799 struck his flag. His health 
 was seriously decayed, and he died October 7th, 1799, in Nottingham Place, 
 London.
 
 1797-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 89 
 
 22 sail of their line were still within gun-shot."^ CoUingwood 
 rendered Nelson great assistance on that day, and came 
 admirably to the relief of the Captain, which was ten'ibly 
 mauled. Nelson acknowledged these services in a letter of the 
 following day : " ' A friend in need is a friend in deed' was 
 never more truly verified than by your most noble and gallant 
 conduct yesterday, in sparing the Captain from further loss. 
 We shall meet at Lagos; but I could not come near you 
 without assuring you how sensible I am of your assistance, 
 in nearly a critical situation." CoUingwood replied : " It 
 added very much to the satisfaction which I felt in thumping 
 the Spaniards, that I released you a little." 
 
 When Nelson boarded'^ the San Josef, the Spanish Cap- 
 tain presented to him the Spanish Admiral's sword,3 and when 
 Sir John Jervis received Nelson on the quarter-deck of the 
 Victory after the action, he said he could not sufficiently 
 thank him, and insisted on his keeping the sword of the 
 Spanish Admiral which he had so bravely won.4 
 
 Sir Horatio Nelson presented this sword to the city of 
 Norwich. The following letter, addressed by him on this 
 occasion to Wm. Herring, Esq. the Mayor, is taken from a 
 fac-simile made at the request of Page Nicol Scott,^ Esq. 
 Surgeon of Norwich, and Assistant-Surgeon in the Royal 
 Navy in 1805 : 
 
 "Irresistible, off Lisbon, 
 Feb. 26th, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, 
 '' Having the good fortune, on the most glorious 14th of 
 February, to become possessed of the sword of the Spanish 
 
 1 Memoirs and Correspondence, Vol. i. p. 51. 
 
 2 The manner in which this was effected gave rise to a saying, " Nelson's Pa- 
 tent Bridge for Boarding First- Raters," alluding to his having passed over an 
 enemy's 80-gun ship to capture another, the San Josef. 
 
 3 Don Francisco Xavier Winthuysen, Rear-Admiral, who died of his wounds 
 received on board the San Josef in this action. 
 
 4 MTien Nelson came on board the Admiral's ship after the action. Sir J. Jervis 
 is reported to have been so delighted with his exertions that he clasped him in his 
 arms, covered over and disfigured by dirt as he was, and with part of his hat shot 
 away. 
 
 5 This estimable and philanthropic man, whose exertions to serve Tom Allen, 
 and others, attached to and esteemed by Nelson, will be noticed in the subsequent 
 pages, died April 27, 1848.
 
 90 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. IV. 
 
 Rear-Admiral Don Xavier Francisco Winthuysen in the way- 
 set forth in the paper transmitted herewith, 
 
 "And being born in the County of Norfolk, I beg leave to 
 present the sword to the City of Norwich in order to its being 
 preserved as a memento of this event, and of my affection for 
 my native county. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, Sir, 
 
 "Your most obedient servant, 
 
 " Horatio Nelson. 
 
 " To the Mayor of Norwich." 
 
 This present is highly prized by the people of Norwich, 
 and in the Council Chamber of the Hall in the market-place 
 is the following device : an anchor, to which is suspended a 
 yard and sail, supposed to have been shot away in action. 
 On the sail is inscribed, " The sword of the Spanish Admiral 
 Don Xavier Winthuysen, who died of wounds he received 
 in an engagement with the British fleet, under the command 
 of Admiral Earl of St. Vincent, 14th February, 1797^ which 
 ended in the most brilliant victory ever obtained by this 
 country over the enemy at sea, wherein the heroic valour and 
 cool determined courage of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, 
 K. B. had ample scope for their display. He, being a native 
 of Norfolk, honoured the city by presenting this sword, sur- 
 rendered to him in that action." The sword is suspended 
 from the flukes of the anchor, and beneath are the Arms 
 granted to Nelson by George III. The crest is the stern of 
 a man-of-war, and the supporters a sailor bearing a British 
 lion trampling on the Spanish colom's, the motto " Faith and 
 Works.'' 
 
 Nelson was in the habit of calling the day on which this 
 battle was fought, "The most glorious Valentine's day." 
 For his gallant services he received the Knighthood and 
 Order of the Bath, and Sir John Jervis was made Earl of 
 St. Vincent. 
 
 That Nelson's genius could not be fettered by orders, his 
 conduct at this battle fully demonstrates. By a vigorous 
 cannonade nine Spanish vessels had been detached from the
 
 17970 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 91 
 
 enemy's fleet, and cut off to leeward. The Spanish Admiral 
 endeavoured to repair this disaster, and was wearing round 
 the British lines, when Nelson, who was in the sternmost 
 ship, disregarded his orders, stood directly towards him, and 
 penetrated into the midst of the hostile squadron. Alison 
 has suggested that this circumstance may have operated so as 
 to prevent Nelson's name being mentioned in Earl St. Vin- 
 cent's Dispatches, though the British Admiral is said to have 
 appreciated its boldness, and to have admitted its propriety. 
 That Nelson's great ability was recognized by the Admiral, is 
 shewn by the manner in which he was received by him after 
 the action. His conduct in running his ship (the Captain, 
 of 74 guns) between the Santissima Trinidada of 136 guns 
 and the San Josef of 112, is justly regarded by naval men as 
 one of the boldest things ever executed in the service. The 
 superior equipment of oiu' ships, and the ability of our seamen 
 were magnificently shewn in this action, where the disparity 
 of numbers was so exceedingly great. 
 
 Writing to his uncle, Wm. Suckling, Esq. Feb. 23, 1797,^ 
 he says : " The event of the late battle has been most glorious 
 for England, and you will receive pleasure from the share I 
 had in making it a most brilliant day, the most so of any I 
 know in the annals of England. Nelsons patent bridge for 
 boarding first-rates, will be a saying never forgotten in this 
 fleet, where all do me the justice I deserve. The Victory and 
 every ship in the fleet, passing the glorious group, gave me 
 three cheers." 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Drinkwater pubhshed a very animated 
 " Narrative" of this battle, of which he was a spectator in the 
 Lively, into which he had removed from La Minerve in com- 
 pany with Sii' Gilbert Elhot, the Viceroy of Corsica, taking a 
 passage from Porto Ferrajo. The Colonel says : "When Sir 
 John Jervis on the 14th of February, had accomplished his 
 bold intention of breaking the enemy's line, the Spanish Ad- 
 miral, who had been separated to windward with his main 
 body, consisting of 1 8 ships of the line, from 9 ships that 
 were cut off to leeward, appeared to make a movement as if 
 with a view to join the latter. This design was completely 
 
 I Athenaeum for 1834, p. 807.
 
 92 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IV. 
 
 frustrated by the timely opposition of Commodore Nelson, 
 whose station in the rear of the British line afforded him an 
 opportunity of observing this manoeuvre. His ship, the Cap- 
 tain, had no sooner passed the rear of the enemy's ships that 
 were to windward, than he ordered her to wear, and stood on 
 the other tack towards the enemy. 
 
 " In executing this bold and decisive manoeuvre, the Com- 
 modore reached the sixth ship from the enemy's rear, which 
 bore the Spanish Admiral's flag, the Santissima Trinidada, 
 of i36 guns, a ship of four decks, reported to be the largest 
 in the world. Notwithstanding the inequality of the force, 
 the Commodore instantly engaged this colossal opponent, and 
 for a considerable time had to contend not only with her, but 
 with her seconds, a-head and a-stern, each of three decks. 
 While he maintained this unequal combat, which was viewed 
 with admiration, mixed with anxiety, his friends were flying 
 to his support. The enemy's attention was soon directed to 
 the CuUoden, Captain Troubridge ; and in a short time after 
 to the Blenheim, of 90 guns. Captain Frederick, who for- 
 tunately came to his assistance. 
 
 '^ The intrepid conduct of the Commodore staggered the 
 Spanish Admiral, who already appeared to waver in pursuing 
 his intention of joining the ships cut off by the British fleet ; 
 when the Culloden's timely arrival, and Captain Troubridge's 
 spirited support of the Commodore, together with the ap- 
 proach of the Blenheim, followed by Rear-Admiral Parker, 
 with the Prince George, Orion, Irresistible and Diadem, not 
 far distant, determined the Spanish Admiral to change his 
 design altogether, and to throw out the signal for the ships' 
 main body^to haul their wind, and to make sail on the larboard 
 tack. 
 
 *' Not a moment was lost in improving the advantage now 
 apparent in favour of the British squadron. As the ships of 
 Rear-Admiral Parker's division approached the enemy's ships, 
 in support of the Captain, Commodore Nelson's ship, and 
 her gallant seconds, the Blenheim and CuUoden, the cannonade 
 became more animated and impressive. In this manner did 
 Commodore Nelson engage a Spanish three-decker until he 
 had nearly expended all the ammunition in his ship, which had 
 suffered the loss of her fore-topmast, and received such con-
 
 1797.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 93 
 
 siderable damage in her sails and rigging that she was almost 
 rendered hors dii combat. At this critical period, the Spanish 
 three-decker having lost her mizen-mast, fell on board a 
 Spanish two-decker of 84 guns, that was her second : this 
 latter ship consequently now became the Commodore^s op- 
 ponent, and a most vigorous fire was kept up for some time 
 by both ships within pistol-shot. 
 
 " It was now that the Commodore's ship lost many men, 
 and that the damages already sustained, through the long and 
 arduous conflict which she had sustained, appeared to render 
 a continuance of the contest, in the usual way, precarious or 
 perhaps impossible. At this critical moment the Commodore, 
 from a sudden impulse, instantly resolved on a bold and 
 decisive measure; and determined, whatever might be the 
 event, to attempt his opponent sword in hand. The boarders 
 were summoned, and orders given to lay his ship on board 
 the enemy. 
 
 " ' Fortune favours the brave !' nor on this occasion was 
 she unmindful of her favourite. Ralph Willet Miller, the 
 Commodore's Captain, so judiciously directed the course of 
 the ship, that he laid her aboard the starboard quarter of 
 the Spanish eighty- four : her spritsail-yard passing over the 
 enemy's poop, and hooking in her mizen shrouds ; when 
 the word to board being given, the officers and seamen des- 
 tined for this perilous duty, headed by Lieutenant Berry, 
 together with the detachment of the sixty-ninth regiment, 
 commanded by Lieutenant Pearson, then doing duty as 
 marines on board the Captain, passed with rapidity on board 
 the enemy's ship ; and in a short time the San Nicolas was 
 in possession of her intrepid assailants. The Commodore's 
 ardour would not permit him to remain an inactive spectator 
 of this scene. He was aware the attempt was hazardous, and 
 he thought his presence might animate his brave companions, 
 and contribute to the success of this bold enterprise; he, 
 therefore, as if by magic impulse, accompanied the party in 
 this attack ; passing from the fore-chains of his own ship hito 
 the enemy's quarter -gall ery, and thence through the cabin 
 to the quarter-deck, where he arrived in time to receive the 
 sword of the dying Commander, who had been mortally 
 wounded by the boarders.
 
 94 LIFE OP VICE-ADMIRAL [cilAP. IV. 
 
 " He had not long been employed in taking the necessary 
 measures to secure this hard-earned conquest, when he found 
 himself engaged in a more arduous task. The stern of the 
 three-decker, his former opponent, was placed directly amid- 
 ships of the weather beam of the prize, San Nicolas ; and 
 from her poop and galleries the enemy sorely annoyed with 
 musquetry the British, who had boarded the San Nicolas. 
 The Commodore was not long in resolving on the conduct to 
 be adopted on this momentous occasion. The two alternatives 
 that presented themselves to his unshaken mind, were, to 
 quit the prize, or instantly board the three-decker : confident 
 of the bravery of his seamen, he determined on the latter. 
 Directing, therefore, an additional number of men to be sent 
 from the Captain on board the San Nicolas, the undaunted 
 Commodore, whom no danger ever appalled, headed himself 
 the assailants in this new attack, exclaiming, Westminster 
 Abbey ! or Glorious Victory ! 
 
 '^ Success, in a few minutes, and with little loss, crowned 
 the enterprise. Such indeed was the panic occasioned by his 
 preceding conduct, that the British no sooner appeared on 
 the quarter-deck of their new opponent, than the Commander 
 advanced, and asking for the British commanding officer, 
 dropped on one knee, and presented his sword, apologizing 
 at the same time for the Spanish Admiral's not appearing, as 
 he was dangerously wounded. For a moment, Commodore 
 Nelson could scarcely persuade himself of this second instance 
 of good fortune : he therefore ordered the Spanish Com- 
 mandant, who had the rank of a brigadier, to assemble the 
 officers on the quarter-deck, and direct means to be taken 
 instantly for communicating to the crew the surrender of the 
 ship. All the officers immediately appeared, and the Com- 
 modore had the surrender of the San Josef duly confirmed by 
 each of them delivering his sword." 
 
 The difference of strength opposed to each other in this ac- 
 tion was very remarkable, and Captain Brenton has observed 
 that from the day of the battle of Cape St. Vincent, "the old 
 fashion of counting the ships of an enemy's fleet, and cal- 
 culating the disparity of force, was entirely laid aside, and a 
 new ffira commenced in the art of war at sea.'" He also 
 
 1 Naval History, Vol. ii. p. 152.
 
 1797.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 95 
 
 remarks, " If we estimate the merits of this action only as to the 
 numerical loss of the enemy^ we shall form a very inadequate 
 notion of its importance. The French from this period no 
 longer relied on the assistance of Spain ; jealousy was sown 
 between them, and the Spaniards became the friends of 
 Britain and the secret enemies of the French Republic. This 
 battle may be said to have paralyzed the power of Spain, and 
 to have reduced its marine to a nonentity."' 
 
 ^ Naval History, Vol. ii. p. 156.
 
 96 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. V. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 1797—1798. 
 
 After the glorious battle off Cape St. Vincent, in which 
 so many brave officers had distinguished themselves, Nelson 
 hoisted his pendant on board the Irresistible, his own ship, 
 the Captain, having suffered very great damage from the 
 part she had sustained in the action. For his bravery on 
 this occasion, Nelson received the Freedom of London in a gold 
 box, also that of Norwich, Bath, Bristol, and some other cor- 
 porations. On the 20th of February, he was promoted to the 
 rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue. Before, however, he was 
 acquainted with his promotion, having anchored with the 
 fleet in the Tagus, he was dispatched with a squadron to 
 cruise off Cadiz, to watch the Spanish fleet, and intercept 
 the Viceroy of Mexico, whose arrival with a large treasure 
 was expected. 
 
 When Nelson first beheld the Spanish fleet at Cadiz, he 
 could not help exclaiming that he thought them the finest in 
 the world, and he added, " Thank God, the Spaniards cannot 
 build men." M. Thiers, however, formed a different opinion 
 of the Spanish ships ; he says of them : " But those vast ma- 
 chines of war, which reminded one of the ancient splendour 
 of the Spanish monarchy under Charles III., were like the 
 Turkish ships, superb in appearance, useless in danger. The 
 penury of the Spanish arsenals had not allowed them to be 
 properly rigged, and the weakness of the crews was dis- 
 tressing.'' — "Mais ces vastes machines de guerre, qui rappe- 
 loient I'ancien eclat de la monarchic espagnole sous Charles 
 III. etaient, comme les vaisseaux Turcs, superbes en appa- 
 rence, inutiles dans le danger. Le denument des arsenaux 
 espagnols n'avait pas permis de les grcer convenablement, et 
 lis etaient quant aux equipages d'une faiblesse desesperante."' 
 
 To Mr. McArthur, Nelson wrote off Lagos Bay, March 
 
 * Histoire du Consulat et de TEmpire, Tom. \-i. liv. xxii. p. 140.
 
 1797.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 97 
 
 ]6th, 1797 ' — " I am here, looking for the Viceroy of Mexico, 
 with three sail of the line, and hope to meet him. Two 
 first-rates, and a 74 are with him ; but the larger the ships, 
 the better the mark, and who will not fight for dollars ?"^ 
 
 On the 11th of April he blockaded Cadiz; but on the 
 12th went to Porto Ferrajo to bring off" the troops there, the 
 blockading of Cadiz being confided to Sir James Saumarez.^ 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 3G3. 
 
 ^ This officer is of an ancient family which settled in Guernsey. He was born 
 March 11th, 1757, and entered the navy in 1770, being first employed on the 
 Mediterranean station. Made Lieutenant, he sailed in the Bristol, under Sir. 
 Peter Parker, off Charlestown and South Carolina, his conduct obtaining for him 
 the approbation of his Commodore. He cruised off the American coast, and 
 captured several privateers. Under Lord Howe he commanded a galley which 
 was burnt, to 2>revent its falling into the hands of the enemy at Rhode Island, and 
 he returned home in the Leviathan, when he was appointed to the Victory, and 
 served in the Channel fleet, from which he was removed into the Fortitude, and 
 went with Sir Hyde Parker to the North Sea. Afterwards sailing with a detach- 
 ment of the Channel fleet. Captain Saumarez was the first to descry the Count 
 de Guichen's squadron, and his exertions on this occasion called forth the ap- 
 probation of Admiral Kempenfelt, who sent him to Sir Samuel Hood, then com- 
 manding in the West Indies, and he was appointed to the Russell of 74 guns, 
 though only 24 years of age. He was in the battle of 12th April, 1782, doing 
 very efiective service. He was sent home by Sir George Rodney with the Ville 
 de Paris and other prizes, and then joined Sir Peter Parker with a convoy for 
 Jamaica. On the commencement of hostilities in 1787, he was again emj)loyeu, 
 and in 1793 was engaged in a spirited conflict with the Reunion, French frigate, 
 off Cherbourg, for which he received the honour of Knighthood, and a piece of 
 plate from the merchants of London. In 1795 he took the command of the Orion, 
 74 guns, and formed part of the Channel fleet under Lord Bridport. He was in 
 the celebrated action ofi" Cape St. Vincent, and took possession of the Salvador 
 del Mundo, of 1 12 guns. He was subsequently engaged in the blockade of Cadiz. 
 In 1798 he accompanied Sir Horatio Nelson, and partook of the glories of the 
 battle of the Nile, in which he was slightly wounded. Nineteen of the seamen of 
 L'Orient, when she blew up, swam and were received on board the Orion, and 
 treated with all kindness. Sir James Saumarez was entrusted to convey the 
 prizes home, and on his way gave assistance in arms and ammunition to the ]\Ialtese. 
 On the 14th February, 1799, he was made a Colonel of Marines, appointed to the 
 CiPsar, and attached to the Channel fleet. He was employed in the blockade of 
 Brest Harbour, and endured no little fatigue. In 1801 he was created a Baronet. 
 He was in the action with the French squadron under Admiral Linois, off Algeziras ; 
 the English, however, after five hours conflict, withdrew, and returned to Gibraltar 
 Bay. Saumarez again fought a noble battle off" Cape Trafalgar, in the Straits of 
 Gibraltar in July, seven days only after the preceding, with the great disadvantage 
 of disabled and injured ships. He received the Order of the Bath, and was in- 
 vested at Gibraltar by General O'Hara, the King's Commissioner, and the Par- 
 liament voted him a pension of £1200 per annum for his life. The City of London 
 presented him with the Freedom of the City, their Thanks, and a Sword, which 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 98 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 On the 21st he wrote to Sh- John Jervis, off the southern 
 end of Corsica, that he had fallen in with the convoy under 
 Captain Fremantle, having the troops on board. He was 
 most anxious to return to the Commander-in-chief, and he 
 hoisted his flag on board the Theseus, and was appointed to 
 the command of the in-shore squadron, a most active service. 
 Much anxiety was felt for a reinforcement, as the combined 
 fleet Avas expected to amount to forty sail of the line. He 
 kept a sharp look out for them, and watched every move- 
 ment. In his report to Sir John Jervis, June 13th, he says, 
 ** I have given out a line of battle, myself to lead, and you 
 may rest assured that I will make a vigorous attack upon 
 them, the moment their noses are outside the Diamond. "^ 
 He writes also to his wife on the 15th : — "A few nights ago 
 a paper was dropped on the quarter-deck, of which this is a 
 copy : ' Success attend Admiral Nelson ! God bless Captain 
 Miller !- We thank them for the officers they have placed 
 
 was delivered to him in March, 1803. On occasion of the Thanks of the House 
 of Lords being moved by Earl St. Vincent, to Rear- Admiral Sir James Saumarez, 
 for these triumphs, Lord Nelson seconded the motion, and asserted that " a greater 
 action was never fought than that of Sir James Saumarez." In 1814 he was made 
 Admiral of the Red, and in 1831 was raised to the Peerage under the title of 
 Baron de Saumarez. He died on the 9th of October, 1836. 
 
 ' Tucker's Memoirs of Earl St. Vincent, Vol. i. p. 412. 
 
 ^ Captain Ralph Willet Miller, was an officer who possessed Nelson's entire 
 confidence. He was the son of an American loyalist, and born in New York, 
 January 24th, 1762. He entered the navy in 1778 under Admiral Gambier, and 
 was employed against the American rebels, and he aftei-wards partook of the 
 glories appertaining to those who were engaged in the actions fought by Admirals 
 Barington, Rodney, Hood, and Graves. He was made a Lieutenant by Rodney 
 in 1781. Off Toulon, on the batteries and in the destruction of the arsenal and 
 shipping, he manifested great zeal and ability. He was engaged in the taking of 
 San Fiorenzo, Bastia, and Calvi, and was very active in the harassing warfare 
 carried on off Corsica. He attempted, at great personal hazard, to fire the 
 French fleet in Gourjean Bay, but did not succeed in his endeavours. He was in 
 Lord Hotham's actions in 1795. He likewise distinguished himself on the 14th 
 February, 1797, and at the subsequent blockade of Cadiz. He was the first man 
 to enter the mole at the unfortunate attack on Santa Cruz. At the battle of the 
 Nile he was no less active, and was, on this occasion, wounded in the face. He 
 was with Sir Sidney Smith at Acre, and commanded the Naval force at that siege, 
 whilst Sir Sidney was carrying on operations on shore. Intelligence having been 
 received that a squadron of French frigates had left Alexandria, to land ammunition 
 and stores at Joppa for Buonaparte, he was sent to intercept them, but unhappily 
 whilst engaged in preparing some shells on board the Theseus, an acciient oc-
 
 1797'] tORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 99 
 
 over us. We are happy and comfortable, and will shed every 
 drop of blood in our veins to support them, and the name of 
 the Theseus shall be immortalized as high as the Captain's. 
 
 "Ship's Company.'" 
 The bombardment of Cadiz commenced on the night of 
 the 3rd of July. Nelson regarded his personal courage in 
 this service as more conspicuous than at any other time of his 
 life. He says, — " In an attack of the Spanish gun-boats, 
 I was boarded in my barge with its common crew of ten 
 men, Coxswain, Captain Fremantle,^ and myself, by the 
 
 curred, by which he and many others lost their lives. Lieutenant England com- 
 municated this melancholy intelligence to Sir Sidney Smith, in the following letter, 
 dated off Mount Carmel in Syria, May 15, 1799 : — " It is with extreme concern 
 I have to acquaint you, that yesterday morning, at half-past nine o'clock, twenty 
 36-howitzer shells, and fifty 18-pounder shells, had been got up and prepared 
 ready for service by Captain Miller's order, the ship then close off Cesarea, when 
 in an instant, owing to an accident that we have not been able to discover, the 
 whole was on fire, and a dreadful explosion took place. The ship was immediately 
 in flames : in the main rigging and mizen-top, in the cock-pit, in the tiers, in 
 several places about the main deck, and in various other parts of the ship. The 
 danger was very imminent, and required an uncommon exertion of every one to 
 get under so collected a body of fire as made its appearance ; and I have the 
 happiness to add, that our exertions were crowned with success, the fire got under, 
 and the ship was most miraculously preserved. 
 
 " Our loss from the explosion, I here lament, has been very great ; and 
 Captain Miller, I am sorry to add, is of the number killed, which amount to 20 ; 
 drowned, 9 ; and 45 wounded. The whole of the poop and after part of the 
 quarter-deck is entirely blown to pieces, and all the beams destroyed ; eight of 
 the main-deck beams also broke, which fell down and jammed the tiller ; all the 
 ward-room bulk heads and windows entirely blown to pieces, and the ship left a 
 perfect wreck. In short, a greater scene of horror or devastation could not be 
 produced ; and we are all truly grateful to God Almighty for His most signal 
 preservation, in saving us from a danger so very great and alarming." 
 
 Nelson's distress at the loss of Miller is apparent in many of his letters. To 
 Manley he says : " He is not only a most excellent and gallant officer, but the 
 only truly virtuous man that I ever saw." Nelson manifested his deep regard by 
 most liberal efforts to promote the erection of a monument, suggested by Captain 
 Berry, to his memory, designed by Flaxman, and placed in St. Paul's Cathedral. 
 Gocernraent granted a pension of .£""100. per annum to Captain Miller's widow 
 for her life, and £2h. each to two daughters, one eight, and the other seven years 
 of age, until they should marry. 
 
 ' Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 19. 
 
 '^ Sir Thomas Francis Fremantle, G. C. B., was created by the Emperor 
 Francis, a Baron of the Austrian empire, November 29th, 1816, which, by per- 
 mission, his son (created a Baronet, August 14, 1821) inherits. He was also a 
 Knight of the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit. He was made Captain, INIay 
 
 H 2
 
 100 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 commander of the gun-boats. The Spanish barge rowed 
 twenty-six oars, besides officers, thirty in the whole; this 
 was a service hand to hand, with swords, in which my Cox- 
 swain, John Sykes (now no more), twice saved my life. 
 Eighteen of the Spaniards being killed, and several wounded, 
 we succeeded in taking their commander." ^ 
 
 The fatigue, anxiety, and personal danger incurred in this 
 service were very great. To confine the enemy as closely as 
 possible to their port, we are told that it was the practice every 
 night to send from each of the ships, forming the blockade, one 
 or more boats well manned, armed, and supplied with a good 
 store of ammunition, into the very mouth of the harbour. 
 These boats were supported by gun-boats, which had been 
 expressly fitted out for this occasion, and could only be pro- 
 tected by the inner line of ships which Sir Horatio Nelson 
 had posted to render the blockade complete, and the escape 
 of any vessel of the enemy nearly impossible. When the 
 boats were thus arranged, the Rear-Admiral made his inspec- 
 tion, and rowed through them according to their arrange- 
 ment. The duty was therefore most active, and all danger 
 of surprise from the enemy effectually guarded against. 
 Occasions for offensive measures frequently presented them- 
 selves, for the Spaniards were alert in the same modes of 
 precaution and warfare. They equipped numerous gun- 
 boats and launches, to check the too near approach of our 
 boats ; and to avoid any mischief that might be exercised 
 against their vessels, many skirmishes between these parties 
 took place, and it is to one of these that Nelson alludes in 
 the preceding extract, which was a conflict between Sir Ho- 
 ratio and Don Miguel Tyrason, a Spanish commander. The 
 great disparity of force in the contending parties on this 
 occasion, probably places the bravery of Nelson, and his in- 
 domitable crew, beyond that of almost any other transaction 
 in which they were engaged. The Spanish commander was 
 wounded and taken prisoner, and eighteen of his crew killed, 
 and several wounded. According to Nelson's return, we lost 
 
 i6tli, 1793 ; Rear-Admiral, July 31st, 1810 ; and he died at Naples after a short 
 illness of less than 24 hours, on the 19th of December, 1819, a Vice-Admiral 
 of the Blue, and Commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean. 
 ' Autobiographical Sketch of his Life.
 
 1797] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 101 
 
 only one killed, and twenty wounded. The following extracts 
 from Nelson's letters cannot be read without interest : — 
 
 "July 3rd, 1797. 
 " We will begin this night by ten o'clock ; and I beg that 
 all the launches of the fleet may be with me by eight, or half- 
 past at farthest, also all the barges or pinnaces. I wish to 
 make it a warm night at Cadiz. The town and their fleet 
 are prepared, and their gun-boats are advanced; so much 
 the better. If they venture from their walls, I shall give 
 Johnny his full scope for lighting."i 
 
 " Theseus, July 4th, 1797- 
 " The Spaniards having sent out a great number of 
 mortar gun- boats, and armed launches, I directed a vigorous 
 attack to be made on them, which was done with such gal- 
 lantry, that they were drove and pursued close to the walls 
 of Cadiz, and must have suffered considerable loss ; and I 
 have the pleasure to inform you that two mortar boats and 
 an armed launch remained in our possession. 
 
 " I feel myself particularly indebted for the successful ter- 
 mination of this contest, to the gallantry of Captains Fre- 
 mantle and Miller, the former of whom accompanied me in 
 my barge ; and to my Coxswain, John Sykes,^ who, in 
 defending my person, is most severely wounded; as was 
 Captain Fremantle slightly in the attack. And my praises are 
 generally due to every officer and man, some of whom I saw 
 behave in the most noble manner, and I regret it is not in 
 my power to particularize them. I must also beg to be per- 
 mitted to express my admiration of Don Miguel Tyrason, the 
 commander of the gun-boats. In his barge, he laid my boat 
 alongside, and his resistance was such as did honour to a 
 brave officer ; eighteen of the twenty-six men being killed, 
 and himself and all the rest wounded."^ 
 
 In reporting this action to the British Government, Sir 
 John Jervis writes : — " The Rear- Admiral, who is always 
 present in the most arduous enterprises, with the assistance 
 of some other barges, boarded and carried five of the enemy's 
 
 ' Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 22. 
 
 2 This brave fellow was rewarded by the Commander-in-chief with a Gunner's 
 warrant, and he was appointed to the Andromache. He, poor fellow, was killed 
 by the bursting of a cannon. 3 From the original in the Admiralty.
 
 102 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 gun-boats, and a barge launch of one of their ships of war, 
 with the Commandant of the flotilla. In this short conflict 
 eighteen or twenty Spaniards were killed, the Commandant 
 and several wounded ; he and twenty-five men were made 
 prisoners ; the rest swam ashore. 
 
 " This spirited action was performed with inconsiderable 
 loss on our part. Rear-Admiral Nelson's actions speak for 
 themselves ; any praise of mine would fall very short of his 
 merit. '^ 
 
 On the 5th of July Sir Horatio Nelson made a second 
 bombardment of Cadiz, which produced considerable effect 
 in the town, and among the shipping, with little loss (three 
 killed and sixteen wounded) to our service. 
 
 In acquainting Sir John Jervis of the proceedings of this 
 second bombardment of Cadiz, Nelson says : — " News from 
 Cadiz, by a market boat, that our ships did much damage ; 
 the town was on fire in three places ; a shell that fell in a 
 convent destroyed several priests (that no harm, they will 
 never be missed) ; that plunder and robbery was going on — 
 a glorious scene of confusion."^ 
 
 In a letter to Sir John Jervis, April 12th, Sir Horatio 
 Nelson submitted a plan he had in his mind in regard to 
 Teneriffe, but the subject passed without any thing being 
 done. Intelligence, however, having been received in July, 
 that a Spanish ship (El Principe D'Asturias), most richly 
 laden from Manilla to Cadiz, was at Santa Cruz, the original 
 design of Nelson was revived, and determined to be acted 
 upon. It, however, was not carried out in the way he 
 intended, inasmuch as there was wanting the assistance of 
 the land force. The departure from the plan originally pro- 
 posed tended probably to its want of success. 
 
 Nelson^s letter" to Sir John Jervis on this subject, is so 
 important, and at the same time so characteristic of the man, 
 that it must not be omitted : — 
 
 "April 12th, 1797. 
 "My dear Sir, 
 
 " Troubridge talked to me last night about the Viceroy at 
 Teneriffe. Since I first believed it was possible that his Ex- 
 cellency might have gone there, I have endeavoured to make 
 
 > Tucker's Life of the Earl of St. Vincent, Vol. i. p. 418. 
 2 Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 7.
 
 1797.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 103 
 
 myself master of the situation, and means of approach by sea 
 and land. I shall begin by sea. 
 
 "The Spanish ships generally moor with two cables to the 
 sea, and four cables from their stern to the shore ; therefore, 
 although we might get to be masters of them, should the 
 wind not come off the shore, it does not appear certain we 
 should succeed so completely as we might w^ish. As to any 
 opposition, except from natui'al impediments, I should not 
 think it would avail. I do not reckon myself equal to 
 Blake ;^ but if I recollect right, he was more obliged to the 
 wind coming off the land, than to any exertions of his own : 
 fortune favoured the gallant attempt, and may do so again. 
 But it becomes my duty to state all the difficulties, as you have 
 done me the honour to desire me to enter on the subject. 
 
 "The approach by sea to the anchoring place is under 
 veiy high land, passing three valleys ; therefore the wind is 
 either in from the sea, or squally, with calms from the moun- 
 tains. Sometimes in night a ship may get in with the land- 
 wind and moderate weather. So much for the sea attack, 
 which, if you approve, I am ready and willing to risk it, or 
 to carry into execution. But now comes my plan, which 
 would not fail of success, would immortalize the under- 
 takers, ruin Spain, and has every prospect of raising our 
 countiy to a higher pitch of wealth than she ever yet attained : 
 but here soldiers must be consulted, and I know from expe- 
 rience, excepting General O'Hara, they have not the same 
 boldness in undertaking a political measure that we have ; 
 we look to the benefit of our country, and risk our own fame 
 every day to serve her : a soldier obeys his orders, and no 
 more. By saying soldiers should be consulted, you will 
 guess I mean the army of 3 700 men from Elba, Avith cannon, 
 mortars, and every implement now embarked ; they would 
 do the business in three days, probably much less. I will 
 undertake, with a very small squadron, to do the naval part. 
 The shore, although not very easy of access, yet is so steep 
 that the transports may run in and land the army in one 
 
 1 This is in allusion to the famous Admiral Blake's attack upon the Spanish 
 Fleet in 1657, when the whole of the fleet were burnt, except two vessels which 
 sunk. The wind veering to the south-west, the Admiral got safe out of port, 
 losing in this exploit only forty-eight men killed, and 120 wounded. (See 
 Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, Vol. ii. p. 57.)
 
 104 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 day. The water is conveyed to the town in wooden troughs : 
 this supply cut off, would probably induce a very speedy 
 surrender: good terms for the town, private property se- 
 cured to the islanders, and only the delivery of public stores 
 and foreign merchandise demanded, with threats of utter 
 destruction if one gun is fired. In short, the business could 
 not miscarry. 
 
 " Now it comes for me to discover what might induce 
 General De Burgh to act in this business. All the risk and 
 responsibility must rest with you. A fair representation 
 should also be made by you of the great national advantages 
 that would arise to our country, and of the ruin that our 
 success would occasion to Spain. Your opinion besides 
 should be stated, of the superior advantages a fortnight thus 
 employed would be of to the army, to what they could do in 
 Portugal; and that of the six or seven millions sterling, the 
 army should have one half. If this sum were thrown into 
 circulation in England, what might not be done? It would 
 ensure an honourable peace, with innumerable other blessings. 
 It has long occupied my thoughts. Should General De 
 Burgh not choose to act, after having all these blessings 
 for our country stated to him, which are almost put into our 
 hands, we must look to General O'Hara. The Royals, about 
 600, are in the fleet, with artillery sufficient for the purpose. 
 You have the power of stopping the store ships ; 1000 men 
 would still insure the business, for Teneriffe never was be- 
 sieged, therefore the hills that cover the town are not fortified 
 to resist any attempt of taking them by storm; the rest 
 must follow — a fleet of ships, and money to reward the 
 victors. But I know with you, and I can lay my hand on 
 my heart, and say the same, — It is the honour and prosperity 
 of our country that we wish to extend. 
 
 " I am, &c,, 
 
 " Horatio Nelson.^^ 
 
 On the 15th Nelson sailed for TeneritFe. The attempt 
 against Santa Cruz was intended for the 21st, but the ships 
 were discovered before a landing could be efifected. It was 
 therefore postponed to the 24th, and in his letter to Sir John 
 Jervis of this date, he says, " This night I, humble as I am, 
 command the whole, destined to land under the batteries of
 
 1797.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 105 
 
 the town, and to-morrow my head will probably be crowned 
 with either laurel or cypress."^ In this attack he received 
 the wound which deprived him of his right arm, and it is 
 remarkable that in his official dispatch he does not make 
 mention of the loss he had personally sustained. It was a 
 grape-shot through the elbow, as he was drawing out his 
 sword, and stepping out of the boat. His step-son, Josiah 
 Nisbet, was with him, and nobly and affectionately tended 
 him, laid him in the bottom of the boat, bound up the 
 s'lattered limb, in which he was assisted by Lovel,^ one of the 
 AdmiraFs bargemen, who tore his shirt into shreds, and made 
 of it a sling for the wounded arm. The boat was then got 
 afloat (for it had grounded from the falling of the tide), and 
 Josiah Nisbet took one of the oars. The voice of his step- 
 son giving orders roused Nelson, whose faintness was subsid- 
 ing, and he desired to be lifted up to look a little about him. 
 The scene of destruction and the tempestuous sea (it is said) 
 were sublimely dreadful, a painful uncertainty prevailed 
 respecting the fate of his brave companions ; when, on a 
 sudden, a general shriek from the crew of the Fox, which had 
 sunk from a shot she had received under water, made the 
 Admiral forget his own weak and painful state. Many were 
 rescued from a watery grave by Nelson himself, whose humane 
 exertions on this occasion added considerably to the agony 
 and danger of his wound. Ninety-seven men, including 
 Lieutenant Gibson, were lost, and eighty-three were saved. 
 The first ship which the boat could reach happened to be 
 the Seahorse ; but nothing could induce the Admiral to go 
 on board, though he was assured that it might be at the risk 
 of his life, if they attempted to row to another ship : " Then 
 I will die,^' he exclaimed, ^^ for I would rather suffer death 
 than alarm Mrs. Fremantle by her seeing me in this state, 
 and when I can give her no tidings whatever of her husband." 
 They accordingly proceeded without further delay for the 
 Theseus ; when, notwithstanding the increased pain and 
 weakness which he experienced, he peremptorily refused all 
 assistance in getting on board : " Let me alone, I have yet 
 my legs left, and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste 
 
 1 Nelson Papers. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. ii. p. 421. 
 
 2 This noble fellow is now a pensioner in Greenwich Hospital.
 
 lOfj LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 and get his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, 
 so the sooner it's off the better."' In the Sketch of his Life 
 he simply says, " Having lost my right arm, for this loss and 
 my former services his Majesty was pleased to settle ^800 a 
 year ; and by some unlucky mismanagement of it, I was 
 obhged to go to England ; and it was the 13th of December, 
 before the surgeons pronounced me fit for service.'^ Lord 
 Collingwood states that Nelson was giving orders almost 
 immediately after the amputation, and three weeks after 
 exerting himself most imprudently. Captain Troubridge 
 succeeded in making favourable terms with the Governor of 
 the Canary Islands, he and his party marching with the 
 British colours flying to the mole, where they embarked in 
 such of our boats as were not stove, the Spaniards finding 
 others to carry them off to the ships. 
 
 Lord Collingwood wrote to a relation an account of the 
 Tenerifi^e expedition, and states that Captain Troubridge, 
 upon landing, retired to a convent, where he collected his 
 forces, without ammunition, except what they took from the 
 prisoners they had made, and from this convent he had the 
 boldness to demand the surrender of the citadel, and to 
 threaten the town with ruin. In the presence of priests (he 
 says) they were employed in preparing torches, fire-balls, and 
 all the necessary apparatus for conflagration ; and they in 
 terror fled to the Governor to entreat him to grant to those 
 mad Englishmen any terms by which they might get rid of 
 them. The Governor being a worthy, sensible man, full of 
 admiration even at the extravagance of the English seamen, 
 and dreading perhaps the effects of their despair, made pro- 
 positions to them of so much kindness, that they were not to 
 be rejected. The Spaniards found boats to embark them all 
 
 ^ Hoste, in a letter to his father, after the attack on Santa Cruz, describing that 
 affair, says, " At two, Admiral Nelson returned on board, being dreadfully 
 wounded in the right arm with a grape-shot. I leave you to judge of my situa- 
 tion when I beheld our boat approach with him, who, I may say, has been a 
 second father to me, his right arm dangling by his side, while with the other he 
 helped himself to jump up the ship's side ; and with a spirit that astonished every 
 one, told the surgeon to get his instruments ready, for he knew he must lose his 
 arm, and that the sooner it was off the better. He underwent the amputation 
 with the same firmness and courage that have always marked his character, and 
 I am happy to say is now in a fair way of recovery." (See Memoirs and Letters 
 of Sir Wm. Iloste, Vol. i. p. 74.)
 
 1797'] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOV. 107 
 
 in their ships again ; and before they parted, gave to each 
 man a loaf and a pint of wine, for the English boats were all 
 dashed to pieces in landing, and the provisions lost in the 
 sea.^ 
 
 It is generally supposed that the expedition failed in con- 
 sequence of so few boats hitting the mole with the Rear- 
 Admiral, and the loss of the scaling implements. Captain 
 Troubridge, it must also be recollected, was unable to storm 
 the citadel before the approach of the Spanish troops ; and 
 the early period at which Nelson was shot in the arm, must 
 have necessarily led to its complete failure. Captain 
 Brenton has made some judicious remarks on this unfor- 
 tunate affair. He says, "^ Of all the places which ever came 
 under our inspection, none we conceive is more invulnerable 
 to attack, or more easily defended, than Teneriffe. The 
 island, like most of its neighbours, is a volcanic production, 
 consisting of mountains, ravines, rocks, and precipices. The 
 bay of Santa Cruz affords no shelter for shipping ; the shore 
 is nearly a right line, and the bank so steep that no 
 anchorage can be found beyond the distance of half a mile, 
 and that in forty-five fathoms water ; the beach, fi'om north 
 to south, is one continued series of broken masses of loose 
 rock, and round smooth stones, either rendered so by friction, 
 or slipping from sea-weed ; on this a perpetual surf breaks, 
 rendering the landing at all times difficult, except at the mole 
 or pier of Santa Cruz. To these obstacles there is another, 
 which Nelson experienced in its fullest force. Teneriffe, 
 hke all other mountainous countries, is liable to calms, 
 sudden squalls, and violent gusts of wind, which, rushing 
 down the ravines, frequently take the ship's topmasts over 
 the side without a moment's warning."^ 
 
 The squadron appointed to this daring expedition con- 
 sisted of — 
 
 Ships. Guns. Commanders. 
 
 c Rear- Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. 
 Theseus .... 74 . . • j Captain R. W. Miller. 
 CuUoden . . . . 74 . . . Captain T. Troubridge. 
 
 1 See Collingwood's Memoirs and Correspondence, Vol. i. p. 80. 
 * Naval History of Great Britain, Vol. ii. p. 234. — See also Glass's History of 
 the Discovery and Conquest of the Canary Islands, Lend. 1/64, 4to.
 
 108 LIFE OF VIGE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 Zealous • 
 Leander . 
 Seahorse . 
 Emerald . 
 Terpsichore 
 Fox Cutter 
 
 74 ... Captain Samuel Hood. 
 
 50 . . . Captain T. B. Thompson. 
 
 38 . . . Captain J. F. Fremantle. 
 
 36 . . . Captain J. WaUer. 
 
 32 • . . Captain Richard Bowen. 
 
 12 . . . Lieutenant J. Gibson. 
 
 On the 27th, Nelson wrote his first letter with his left hand 
 to Sir John Jervis, in which he despondingly says : — " I am 
 become a burthen to my friends, and useless to my country ; 
 but by my letter, wrote the 24th, you will perceive my anxiety 
 for the promotion of my son-in-law, Josiah Nisbet. When 
 I leave your command, I become dead to the world ; I go 
 hence, and am no more seen. If from poor Bowen's^ loss, you 
 
 1 Captain Richard Bowen was a native of Devonshire, bom at Ilfracombe, ia 
 1761. At the age of thirteen having manifested a great predilection for the sea, 
 he sailed with his father, who commanded a ship in the merchant service. He 
 also accompanied his brother. Captain James Bowen (afterwards one of the Com- 
 missioners of the Transport Board), then commanding a ship engaged in the Canada 
 and Jamaica trade. At Jamaica, Mr. Richard Bowen was in 1778 made 
 acquainted with the commencement of hostilities between Great Britain and 
 France, and he volunteered into the navy, under the protection of Captain, after- 
 wards Admiral Caldwell, then in command of the Emerald frigate in that station. 
 He returned to England in the following year, and was appointed to the Hannibal, 
 50 guns ; but Captain Calder needing assistance in the Lightning fire-ship, 
 Bowen was transferred over to him. His conduct gained the approbation of his 
 Commander, who recommended him to the notice of Captain Jervis (afterwards 
 the Earl of St. Vincent), and he was received on board the Foudroyant. In 
 1781, in Vice-Admiral Darby's squadron, and in 1782, under Admiral Baring- 
 ton's command, he exerted himself so as to gain their regard and esteem, having 
 displayed much bravery and ability in the encounters which at that time occurred. 
 He afterwards served in the West Indies, under the flag of Sir Richard Hughes. 
 In the course of three years on this station, he was thrice nominated a Lieutenant, 
 and each time disappointed in confirmation of them, so that he returned to Eng- 
 land only a Junior Lieutenant of the flag- ship, and then passed his examination 
 at the Navy Office. He was in 1787 doomed to continued disappointment, not 
 being able to obtain his commission as Lieutenant from the Admiralty ; yet his 
 zeal in the service was unabated, and he went to the West Indies in a packet 
 under the advice of Captain Jen'is, who recommended him to Commodore Parker, 
 the commander on the Leeward Island station. Here he obtained an appoint- 
 ment to the Jupiter, but was superseded by the arrival of Lord W. Beauclerk. 
 Again deprived of sei-vice, he accepted the command of a Government brig, and 
 was occupied in cruising against smugglers till the middle of 1789. 
 
 In 1790, his friend. Sir John Jervis, made him his Flag-Lieutenant on board 
 the Prince, he being one of twenty young officers promoted by the Admiraltyin 
 consideration of former disappointments. Bowen highly merited this promotion, 
 for he had assiduously devoted himself to the study of mathematics and naviga- 
 tion, and was both theoretically and practically a good seaman. In 1791 he sailed
 
 1797.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 109 
 
 think it proper to oblige me, I rest confident you will do it ; 
 the boy is under obligations to me, but he repaid me by 
 
 for New South Wales, whence he was sent to Bengal, landing in his way Lieu- 
 tenant-Governor King and his family at Norfolk Island. He passed a route 
 which had not been made by any one previously. Steering east, he passed New 
 Caledonia, the Isle of Pines, and Terra Arsacides. To shorten the distance he 
 went through an unexplored passage, between Borneo and Paraguay, into the 
 China Sea, thence through the Straits of Malacca, and so to Bengal, where he 
 arrived in 1792. He returned with a cargo of rice, &c. on the 19th of June. 
 After relieving Norfolk Island, he quitted New Holland, with Governor Phillip 
 on board, and arrived at Spithead, May 10th, 1793, having in little more than 
 two years made two voyages, one of which was nearly round the world in a 
 common transport. For this remarkable service he received the thanks of the 
 Navy Board and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. 
 
 He arrived in England when hostilities had broken out with France ; and Sir 
 John Jervis, having command of the expedition against the French settlements. 
 Lieutenant Bowen accompanied him as Fourth Lieutenant of the Boyne, in which he 
 displayed his usual gallantry and talent, commanding the gun-boats in the attack 
 on Martinique, and particularly by boarding the Bien Venu, a large French 
 frigate. His success in this daring attempt induced Sir John Jervis (as ex- 
 pressed in his Dispatch), and the General, " to attempt the port and town of 
 Port Royal by assault." Success followed, and the place was afterwards called 
 Prince Edward, after his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, who served as 
 Major-General at the siege, and greatly distinguished himself on the occasion. 
 In 1794 Bowen was raised to the rank of Commander, and appointed to the 
 Zebra, afterwards to the Veteran, and then to the Terpsichore, a frigate of 
 32 guns, in which he went to America ; and learning that Sir Charles Knowles 
 was blocked up in the Chesapeake, he pushed for his relief, and successfvdly 
 effected his object. He was actively engaged at the evacuation of Guadaloupe, in 
 which, according to the dispatches, his conduct " was above all praise;" but in 
 this arduous duty he was severely wounded in the cheek, and to avoid any bad 
 effects likely to arise in that climate, which might prevent his recovery, he was 
 sent to England. Upon regaining his health he was actively employed in the 
 North Sea, and in 1795, with Sir John Jervis in the Mediterranean Fleet, where 
 he was very useful in protecting trade, and affording supplies to Gibraltar. WTien 
 dispatched on this service. Sir John Jervis gave him an introduction to General 
 O'Hara, in which he says, " Captain Bowen, who is a child of my own, 
 is selected to command the small naval force at Gibraltar ; and you will find in 
 him the most inexhaustible spirit of enterprise, and skilful seamanship, that can be 
 comprised in any human character. "^ He was engaged in a most spirited contest 
 with a Spanish frigate, the Mahonesa, on the 13th October, 1796, which he 
 captured, and the merchants at Lloyd's voted him a piece of plate for his intre- 
 pidity. He was engaged in other gallant exploits, and was with Sir Horatio 
 Nelson at the bombardment of Cadiz, and ultimately at the unfortunate attack on 
 Santa Cruz. He effected a landing at the mole, stormed the battery, spiked the 
 guns, and in his progress to the town received several wounds, which proved 
 
 ' Clarke and McArthur's Life of Nelson.
 
 110 LIFE OP VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 bringing me from the mole of Santa Cruz. I hope you will 
 be able to give me a frigate to convey the remains of my 
 carcase to England/'^ Nelson joined the Admiral on the 
 16th of August, and went on board the Ville de Paris to pay 
 his respects to the Commander-in-chief. " A left-handed 
 Admiral (he says) will never again be considered as useful, 
 therefore the sooner I get to a very humble cottage the 
 better, and make room for a better man to sei-ve the 
 State/' 
 
 From a letter addressed to Captain Sir Andrew Snape 
 Hamond, Bart.,^ Comptroller of the Navy, it appears that 
 Nelson despaired of success in the second attack upon Tene- 
 riife ; but his pride suffered from the failure of the first ; and 
 
 mortal, from a discliarge of grape-shot with which the enemy assailed them. 
 Thus fell the gallant Bowen. His body was committed to the deep with all the 
 honours of war on the 27th July. " The dark wave rolls over the remains of the 
 hero ; the tears of his friends and of his shipmates embalm his memory ; and the 
 fame of his gallant actions shall endure when the marble shall have mouldered 
 into dust!" — Naval Chronicle, Vol. xxiii. 
 
 ' Earl St. Vincent answered Nelson on the 16th of August: — " Your son-in- 
 law is Captain of the Dolphin, hospital ship, and all other wishes you may favour 
 me with shall be fulfilled, as far as is consistent with what I owe to some valua- 
 ble officers in the Ville de Paris. M^e expect to hear of the preliminaries of peace 
 being agreed on every hour. I have betted ^""lOO. that they were settled on or 
 before the 1 2th, and that the Definitive Treaty is signed before that day month. 
 Give my love to Mrs. Fremantle. I will salute her, and bow to your stump to- 
 morrow morning, if you will give me leave." — Nelson Papers. Captain Fre- 
 mantle was also wounded in the arm in the attack. 
 
 2 Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, Bart., F.R.S., so named after his great uncle 
 and godfather, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Snape, one of Queen Anne's Chaplains, 
 and Px'ovost of King's College, Cambridge. He was born at Greenwich in De- 
 cember, 1738, entered the navy in 1753, made Lieutenant in 1759, and distin- 
 gviished himself in the battle between Hawke and Conflans in the same year. In 
 1770 he was made Post Captain, and appointed Flag Captain to Earl Howe, 
 and received the honour of Knighthood in 1778 for his services during the 
 American war, principally in the Arethusa frigate, of which he had the command. 
 He took part in the expedition against New York ; was appointed Lieutenant- 
 Governor and Commander-in-chief of Nova Scotia, and Resident Commissioner of 
 the Navy at Halifax, which he held until the peace in 1783, when he was on 
 December 10th created a Baronet. He held a command in the Med way as 
 Commodore and Commander-in-chief, from 1785 to 1788, and was made De- 
 puty-Comptroller of the Navy in February, 1794. In the month of August 
 following, he succeeded Sir Henry Martin as Comptroller, which appointment 
 he held until his retirement from public life, in 1800, when he obtained a pension 
 of ^'1500. 7;er annum. He was al~o one of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity 
 House. He died September 12th, 1828.
 
 1797'] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. Ill 
 
 although he did not expect to return, he felt the honour of 
 Lis country called for the effort, and that he should be the 
 commander of it. 
 
 On the 20th of August, he struck his flag in the Theseus, 
 hoisted it in the Seahorse, and proceeded to England. He 
 arrived at Spithead on the 1st of September, struck his flag, 
 and went to Bath. 
 
 Two days preceding he wrote to his uncle/ " As I can write 
 but slowly, I am forced to begin my letter a great way from 
 Portsmouth, where, please God, I am bound. I have ever been 
 a trouble to you, and am likely so to continue, as I have now 
 to request you will have the goodness to ask the Collector of 
 the Customs at Portsmouth to take care of my wine, and such 
 things as I may place under his care, till I can find a hut to 
 put my mutilated carcase in." To His Royal Highness the 
 Duke of Clarence, he apologizes for not having written a 
 letter since his arrival, and assigns as its cause, "the not 
 being now a ready writer," and he characteristically adds, 
 *' I feel confident of your sorrow for my accident ; but I 
 assure your Royal Highness, that not a scrap of that ardour 
 M'ith which I have hitherto served our King has been shot 
 away." Coleridge says. Nelson used to say, in allusion to the 
 loss of his arm, " Who shall dare tell me that I want an arm, 
 when I have three right arms, — this, putting forward his 
 own, and Ball, and Troubridge." The Duke of Clarence 
 immediately acknowledged the receipt of Nelson's letter, and 
 wrote from Dover, Sept. 7? 1797 • "I congratulate you with 
 all my heart upon your safe arrival at last, covered with 
 honour and glory. As an old friend, I cannot but lament the 
 very severe loss you have sustained in losing your right arm. 
 I hope your health is good, and that you are gone, as I am 
 informed, more for the purpose of joining Lady Nelson, than 
 for the re-establishment of a constitution in which I am 
 doubly interested, both as a friend, and as one who is anxious 
 to see the country have restored to her a brave and excellent 
 officer. Excuse my anxiety, as it proceeds from friendship 
 and admiration of your public character, and I must request 
 you will allow Lady Nelson to write to me how you are, and 
 
 ' Athenreum for 1834, p. 803.
 
 112 LIFE OF yiCE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 when you will be able to be in London, that I may be one of 
 the first to shake you by the hand."^ 
 
 In October, it was proposed to grant a pension of £1000. 
 per annum, to Nelson for his services, and it being customary 
 on such an occasion to present a Memorial detailing the 
 claims for such a distinction, he drew up one, from which it 
 appeared that he had during the war been engaged in four 
 actions with the fleets of the enemy; viz. on the 13th and 
 14th of March, 1795 ; on the 13th of July, 1795 ; and on 
 the 14th of February, 1797; in three actions with frigates; 
 in six engagements against batteries ; in ten actions in boats 
 employed in cutting out of harbours, in destroying vessels, 
 and in taking three towns. He had also served on shore 
 with the army four months, and commanded the batteries at 
 the sieges of Bastia and Calvi. During the war he had also 
 assisted at the capture of seven sail of the line, six frigates, 
 four corvettes, and eleven privateers of different sizes, and 
 taken and destroyed nearly fifty sail of merchant vessels ; he 
 had actually been engaged against the enemy upwards of 120 
 times. In this service, he had lost his right eye, and his 
 right arm, and been severely wounded and bruised in his body. 
 
 For Nelson's gallant conduct in the battle off Cape St. Vin- 
 cent on the 14th of February, he had been named for the honour 
 of Knight Companion of the Bath, with the insignia of which, 
 however, he had not been invested when he returned to Eng- 
 land. The Earl of St. Vincent had received the instructions 
 of the Duke of Portland, then Secretary of State for the Home 
 Department, to confer this honour upon him in the King's 
 name ; but his absence from the fleet at the time of its arrival, 
 and his subsequent condition from the affair at Teneriffe, had 
 prevented this ceremony from taking place. Now in Eng- 
 land, the investiture was fixed for the 2 7th of September, and 
 Nelson came up to London from Bath to attend the King at 
 St. James's Palace. 
 
 In December, he also attended at the Guildhall to receive 
 
 the Freedom of the City of London, which had been voted 
 
 to him in a gold box of the value of one hundred guineas. 
 
 On this occasion, he was addressed by the celebrated John 
 
 1 Autograph in the Nelson Papers.
 
 1797-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 113 
 
 Wilkes^ then Chamberlain, and Sir Horatio Nelson replied to 
 his address in the following appropriate manner : — 
 
 *' Sir^ nothing could be more gratifying to me (as it must 
 be to every sea officer) than receiving the high honour this 
 day conferred upon me, in becoming a Freeman of the great 
 city of London ; and I beg you to believe, and to assure my 
 fellow-citizens, that my hand and head shall ever be exerted, 
 with all my heart, in defence of my King, the laws, and the 
 just liberties of my country, in which are included everything 
 which can be beneficial to the capital of the empire. I beg 
 leave. Sir, to return you my sincere thanks for the very 
 flattering expressions you have honoured me with on this 
 occasion." 
 
 The amputation of his arm was attended with much sub- 
 sequent distress, as the ligature which had been affixed to the 
 humeral artery also included a branch of nerve which occa- 
 sioned the ligature to be a long time in effi^cting the ulcerative 
 process by which it becomes disengaged. Nelson was at- 
 tended in London in Sept. 1797 by Dr. Moseley, Mr. Cruik- 
 shank, and Mr. Thomas, Mr. Cruikshank's son-in-law, from 
 whom I had this information. The spasmodic twitchings 
 and pains to which he was liable in consequence of this acci- 
 dent subjected him frequently to the most intense suffering. 
 At one time it was even in contemplation to cut down upon 
 the ligature, but it fortunately separated, and he was instantly 
 relieved without an operation. The wound occasioned by the 
 thread healed, and Nelson's piety and thankfulness for his 
 recovery was manifested by his transmitting to the Rev. Mr. 
 Greville, of St. George's, Hanover Square, the following form 
 of thanksgiving, which was read dvu'ing the performance of 
 Divine service : '• An officer desires to return thanks to Al- 
 mighty God for his perfect recovery from a severe wound, 
 and also for the many mercies bestowed on him. Dec. 8th, 
 1797, for next Sunday." 
 
 His arm, which had thus proved so troublesome and so 
 painful, was now pronounced sufficiently recovered to permit 
 of his again going to sea, and on the 19th of December he 
 was appointed to the Vanguard, 74 guns. Previously, how- 
 ever, to his departure, he attended at St. Paul's Cathedral, on 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 114 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 occasion of a General Thanksgiving for the many signal and 
 important victories obtained by his Majesty's Navy during 
 the war. At this service the King and Royal Family were 
 present, and seats were reserved for the flag officers who had 
 commanded, or who had been present in a general action in 
 which any ships of the enemy^s line had been captured; 
 Nelson was attended on this occasion by Captains Berry and 
 Noble. 
 
 Nelson carried his love of order and accuracy into all the 
 concerns of life, private as well as pubHc. When he arrived 
 at Spithead to hoist his flag on board the Vanguard, he wrote 
 the following to his wife, whom he had left at Bath : — 
 
 " My dear Fanny, 
 " At half-past five I arrived here, and what you will be 
 surprised to hear, with great difficulty found one pair of raw 
 silk stockings, I suppose in some place or other I shall find 
 my linen, for there is scarcely any in this trunk. The wind 
 is fair, and on Saturday morning I go on board, and with the 
 lark on Siji^day I am off. All here are full of inquiries about 
 you. No letter from Mr. Cooper — it is shameful. Kind 
 love to my father and Kitty, and ever believe me, your most 
 affectionate 
 
 " Horatio Nelson. 
 
 "March 29th, Wind N.E." 
 
 "March 31st, 1798. 
 " My dearest Fanny, 
 
 *• I go on board at two o'clock, and, if possible, I shall sail 
 early to-morrow morning. I have not the scrap of a pen 
 from Mr. Cooper. More than £45. I have laid out for his 
 son. Mr. Marsh has given Allen' no account of his money 
 which you gave him to buy into the Funds — Get it. 
 " God bless you all, and ever believe me, 
 
 ""Your most affectionate, 
 
 "Horatio Nelsox. 
 " I have opened the letter to say thanks for your letter. 
 
 1 Allen, here mentioned, was well knov^Ti as Tom Allen, a native of Bm-nham 
 Thorpe, the birth-place of Nelson, and early in life in the sendee of the Nelson 
 family. At his own desire he accompanied his young master to sea, when ap-
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 115 
 
 In due time send me Marsh and Creed's account. I have no 
 wishes but for a speedy peace. 
 
 " I have wrote Mr. Cooper to send you an order for £45.'' 
 
 At St. Helens, three days before his departure with a con- 
 voy to Lisbon, he thus again addressed Lady Nelson : — 
 
 "St. Helen's, April 7th, 8 p.m. 
 
 " AprU 8 : Noon, Wind S. W. 
 
 " Many thanks, my dearest Fanny, for your two letters. 
 From my heart, I wish it was peace, then not a moment would 
 I lose in getting to my cottage. I wrote you this morning 
 about my things. I have bought a new stock buckle at double 
 the price of the old one, which, eighteen years past, cost Is. Gd., 
 just one penny per year, and it was certainly now worth \s. 
 Cooke and Holford, No. 7» Beaufort Buildings, Strand, wrote 
 me they have £108. 05. 8c?. forme, which I have desired them 
 to send you, but I believe it is not payable before ]\Iay ; but, 
 
 pointed to the Agamemnon. He was a trusty servant, and looked upon almost as 
 an absolutely necessary appendage to the hero. He had the charge of all his pro- 
 perty on board, and always slept near his master, watching over him in his various 
 illnesses, and when suffering from his wounds, with great tenderness and fideUty. 
 He was with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile, and other glorious exploits, evincing 
 great personal courage and devotion to his master. He was not, however, at the 
 Battle of Ti"afalgar, his services being needed on shore after the departure of his 
 master, and he was unable afterwards to reach the Victory, a cu'cumstance which 
 greatly depressed him for the remainder of his life. After the death of Lord 
 Nelson, Tom Allen returned to Bumham Thoriie, and entered into the ser\ice of 
 Captain Su- W^m. Bolton, of Coltesey, Norwich, where he remained until the death 
 of that officer. He was then, to employ a nautical expression, turned adrift, and 
 after a short time, with advanced years, had nothing but the workliouse to look for- 
 ward to, being unable to support his wife and family. To the truly benevolent 
 exertions of the late Page Nicol Scott, Esq. Surgeon at Norwich, Assistant- Surgeon 
 in the Navy in 1805, Tom Allen was rescued from this degradation. This gentleman 
 made application to Sir Thomas Hardy, Sii-Wm. Beatty, and others, and obtained 
 for him admission into Greenwich Hospital as a Pensioner in 1 83 1 . When Sir Thos. 
 Hardy was appointed Governor of this noble establishment in 1837, Tom was raised 
 to the office of Pewterer to the Hospital, which gave him a salary of £(ib. per annum, 
 with apartments, in which he, liis wife, and grand-daughter, resided until his death, 
 which took place, after a few hours illness, in November, 1838. Sir Thomas Hardy 
 erected a tablet to his memory in the hospital cemetery, and as his wdow was not 
 entitled to a pension by the situation which Tom had held, Mr. Scott again gene- 
 rously came fon\'ard, and with the aid of Lieutenant Rivers, and others, made a 
 subsci-iption which placed the widow in comparative ease and comfort for the re- 
 mainder of her life. 
 
 I 2
 
 116 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 if you do not get it sooner, inquire when you go to London. 
 Governor Phillip is a good man, remember me kindly to him 
 and her. As to those people swearing off, if they are any one 
 indicted, they will at least stand in the Pillory. Mr. Pitt will 
 get money whilst it is to be had, and for this world I would 
 not take a false oath. You will take care and secure a few 
 hundred pounds, for if England to herself is not true, our 
 funded debt must fall, and with it who can tell wliat. May 
 God Almighty protect you is the most sincere prayer of your 
 
 affectionate husband, 
 
 "Horatio Nelson. 
 
 " Kind love to my father, Kitty my sister, and Mr. 
 Matcham. Compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Sherston." 
 
 Nelson departed to join the fleet under the command of 
 the Earl of St. Vincent, with the sincere good wishes of many 
 of his old comrades and companions in arms. No one felt 
 more anxiety and goodwill towards him than Captain Lloyd, 
 to whose friendship reference has already been made (page 
 8). The following letter arrived at Portsmouth nine days 
 after he had departed, but was forwarded to him from Bath 
 by Lady Nelson, to whom it was sent : — 
 
 "Monday, 9th April, 1798. 
 " My dear Nelson, 
 " About an hour after you left me I took to my bed with 
 agonizing pains, and almost sleepless nights ever since. 
 I am now much better, but still in bed, where I have been 
 ever since Tuesday sen'night, and am bolstered up to tell you 
 that among all your friends you have not one more anxious 
 for your success and safety than your faithful and devoted 
 friend, 
 
 "Thos. Lloyd. 
 
 " I shall take care to give your compliments where you 
 wish, and I shall not be unwatchful of your interest, nor the 
 reputation of your Commander-in-chief. 
 
 " I must make my letter short, being unable to lengthen it 
 — God bless you, my good fellow. My compliments to all 
 in the Tagus, if they are allowed to remain there.^^
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. Il7 
 
 On the 1st of April, 1798, Nelson sailed in the Vanguard 
 from Portsmouth, and on the 23rd arrived at Lisbon with a 
 convoy. On the 30th, he joined Earl St. Vincent in the fleet 
 off Cadiz. The Earl was delighted at his arrival, and deter- 
 mined immediately upon sending him off with a squadron to 
 observe the preparations making by the French, having re- 
 ceived information that a large armament was preparing 
 at Toulon. 
 
 Earl St. Vincent wrote to Lady Hamilton on the 22nd of 
 May as follows : — 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 
 " I feel myself highly honoured and flattered by your Lady- 
 ship's charming letter of the 15th of April. The picture you 
 have drawn of the lovely Queen of Naples and the Royal 
 Family, would rouse the indignation of the most unfeeling of 
 the creation at the infernal designs of those devils, who, for 
 the scourge of the human race, govern France. I am bound 
 by my oath of chivalry to protect all who are persecuted 
 and distressed, and I would fly to the succour of their Sicilian 
 Majesties, was I not positively forbid to quit my post before 
 Cadiz. I am happy, however, to have a knight of superior 
 prowess in my train, who is charged with this enterprise, at 
 the head of as gallant a band as ever drew sword or trailed 
 pike. 
 
 " The design Miss Knight^ is at work upon will hand my 
 name down' to the latest posterity, coupled as it is with your 
 fair form : pray say everything kind to her and the venerable 
 lady mother, and be assured, my dear Madam, that I will 
 avail myself of the first opportunity which places us within 
 reach of each other, to pay you my homage in person ; at 
 this distance I can only say, that no one of your acquaintance 
 respects and admires your Ladyship more truly, than 
 " Your true knight, and devoted humble servant, 
 
 '^ St. Vincent.^^2 
 
 " Ville de Paris, at Anchor before Cadiz, 22nd May, 1798." 
 
 1 Daughter of Admiral Knight, of whom mention is frequently made in sub- 
 sequent letters. 
 
 2 This letter is superscribed by Lady Hamilton, "June 10th, 1798, received by 
 Captain Bowen, Naples, from dear respectable Earl St. Vincent."
 
 118 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP, V. 
 
 And to Sir William Hamilton on the same day: 
 
 " Ville de Paris, before Cadiz, 
 "May 22nd, 1798. 
 
 " I must decline entering into the wretched policy which 
 has placed the Two Sicilies in the situation they now are, with 
 respect to the system of the insolvent and overbearing Re- 
 public. I have a powerful squadron ready to fly to the 
 assistance of Naples the moment I receive a reinforcement 
 from the west of Ireland, which is on its passage hither, and 
 I hourly look for its appearance with the utmost degree of 
 anxiety and impatience. Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson 
 will command this force, which is composed of the tlite of 
 the navy of England. Sir G. Byng (Lord Torrington) did 
 not make a better choice when he was charged by George 
 the First with a very important mission to the same coasts, 
 and I have no doubt of the event being equally propitious to 
 liis Majesty's arms. I am prohibited by my orders from 
 quitting this position, which the mistaken policy of Spain has 
 made necessary. Have the goodness to lay me at the feet of 
 their Majesties, and assure them of my most profound respect, 
 and that I will exert every nerve for their preservation. 
 
 " St. Vincent." 
 
 The instructions given to Sir Horatio Nelson, by the Earl 
 of St. Vincent, on this occasion, are too important to be 
 omitted : — 
 
 '* By the Earl of St. Vincent, Admiral of the Blue, Com- 
 mander-in-Chief, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 [Most Secret.] 
 
 " In pursuance of orders from the Lords Commissioners of 
 the Admiralty, to employ a squadron of His IMajesty's ships 
 in the Mediterranean, under the command of a discreet officer 
 (copies of which are enclosed, and other papers necessary for 
 your guidance), and in conformity thereto, I do hereby au- 
 thorize and require you, on being joined by the ships named 
 in the margin, to take them and their Captains under your 
 command, in addition to those already with you ; and to
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 119 
 
 proceed with them in quest of the armament preparing by 
 the enemy at Toulon and Genoa ; the object whereof appears 
 to be, either an attack upon Naples, or Sicily ; the convey- 
 ance of an army to some part of the coast of Spain, for the 
 purpose of marching towards Portugal, or to pass through 
 the Straits, with a view of proceeding to Ireland. On falling 
 in with the said armament, or any part thereof, you are to use 
 your utmost endeavours to take, sink, burn, and destroy it. 
 Should it appear to you, from good authority, on your arrival 
 up the Mediterranean, that the enemy's force, capable of 
 being sent to sea, is inferior to what is reported by intelligence 
 herewith transmitted, you are, in this case, to direct such 
 ships to rejoin me as may not be absolutely necessary to 
 ensure your superiority, the moment you shall find yourself 
 in a situation so to do. 
 
 "On the subject of supplies, I enclose also a copy of their 
 Lordships' letter to me, and do require you strictly to com- 
 ply with the spirit of it ; by considering and treating as hos- 
 tile any ports within the Mediterranean (those of Sardinia 
 excepted), when provisions, or other articles you may be in 
 want of, and which they may be enabled to furnish, shall be 
 refused, — and you are to treat in like manner, and capture 
 the ships and vessels of powers, or states, adhering to his 
 Majesty's enemies ; or, under other circumstances enumerated 
 in the said order, determining to the best of your judgment 
 upon the several cases under that head, that may occur during 
 your command. You are to remain upon this service so long 
 as the pi'ovisions of your squadron will last, or as long as you 
 may be enabled to obtain supplies from any of the ports in 
 the Mediterranean ; and when, from the want of provisions, 
 or any other circumstance, you shall be no longer able to 
 remain within the Straits, or in the event of the enemy's ar- 
 mament escaping to the westward (which you will take 
 especial care to prevent), you are to lose no time in rejoining 
 me, wherever I may be. 
 
 "St. Vincent. 
 
 " Given on board the Ville de Paris, 
 
 off Cadiz, May 21, 1?98. 
 " To Sii- Horatio Nelson, K.B. 
 
 Reai--Admb-al of the Blue. 
 
 " By command of the Admiral, G. Purvis, Secretary.
 
 120 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 *^ Additional Instructions for Rear- Admiral Sir Horatio 
 Nelson. 
 
 " From the tenor of the instructions from the Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty, which you will receive herewith, 
 it appears their Lordships expect a favourable neutrality from 
 Tuscany and the Two Sicilies : in any event you are to 
 extract suppHes, of whatever you may be in want of, from the 
 territories of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the King of the 
 Two Sicilies, the Ottoman territory, Malta, and the ci-devant 
 Venetian dominions, now belonging to the Emperor of Ger- 
 many. You will also perceive, by an extract of a letter, from 
 Mr. Master, his Majesty's Consul at Algiers, that the Dey is 
 extremely well disposed towards us. The Bey of Tunis, by 
 the report of Captain Thompson, of his Majesty's ship 
 Leander, is also perfectly neutral and good-humoured. From 
 the Bashaw of Tripoli, I have every reason to believe, that 
 any ships of your squadron that touch there will be received 
 in the most friendly manner. 
 
 "' In a private letter from Lord Spencer, I am led to believe, 
 that you are perfectly justifiable in pursuing the French 
 squadron to any part of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Morea, 
 Archipelago, or even into the Black Sea. Should its des- 
 tination be to any of those parts, thoroughly sensible of your 
 zeal, enterprise, and capacity, at the head of a squadron of 
 ships so well appointed, manned, and commanded, I have the 
 utmost confidence in the success of your operations. I send 
 Mr. Littledale to you as an aid in the victualling branch, Mr. 
 Heatly having been well satisfied with the conduct of the 
 house to which he belongs, at Leghorn. Their former con- 
 tracts for the supply of the fleet will serve as a guide to you. 
 If a plan I have directed Mr. Heatly to make out, does not 
 arrive in time to go by Captain Troubridge, I will send it by 
 the first good conveyance. 
 
 "It is hardly necessary to instruct you to open a corres- 
 pondence with his Majesty's ministers at every court in Italy, 
 at Vienna, and Constantinople, and the different Consuls on 
 the coasts of the seas you are going to operate in : those of 
 Algiers and Tunis are absent from their posts, and not likely 
 to resume them. You will see the necessity of my being in-
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 121 
 
 formed of your movements from time to time. A good 
 sparonare^ or felucca, with faithful people on board (if to be 
 found), will serve for an advice boat, during the summer 
 months : when I have a cutter to spare you shall have her. 
 
 '^St. Vincent. 
 
 "Given, &c. May, 21,1798." 
 
 Nelson arrived at Gibraltar on the 4th of May. The Terpsi- 
 chore captured a corvette, which came out of Toulon on the 
 17th, and Nelson thereby obtained a confirmation of the very 
 generally believed report that an expedition was preparing to 
 sail from Toulon. On the 24th he wrote to Lady Nelson a letter 
 which has been often printed, and always much admired, as 
 illustrative of Nelson's character. It relates the particulars 
 of a storm, and its awful effects upon his ship in the Gulf of 
 Lyons. " I ought not (says he) to call what has happened to 
 the Vanguard by the cold name of accident : I believe firmly 
 that it was the Almighty's goodness, to check my consum- 
 mate vanity. I hope it has made me a better officer, as I 
 feel confident it has made me a better man. I kiss with all 
 humility the rod. Figure to yourself a vain man, on Sunday 
 evening at sun-set, walking in his cabin with a squadron 
 about him, who looked up to their chief to lead them to 
 glory, and in whom this chief placed the firmest reliance, 
 that the proudest ships, in equal numbers, belonging to 
 France, would have bowed their flags, and with a very rich 
 prize lying by him. Figure to yourself this proud, conceited 
 man, when the sun rose on Monday morning, his ship dis- 
 masted, his fleet dispersed, and himself in such distress, that 
 the meanest frigate out of France would have been a very 
 unwelcome guest. But it has pleased Almighty God to 
 bring us into a safe port, where, although we are refused the 
 rights of humanity, yet the Vanguard will in two days get to 
 sea again, as an English man-of-war." At the time of this 
 visitation, Captain Berry^ says, " The British squadron was 
 
 1 An Italian boat. 
 
 2 Sir Edward Berry, Bart., K.C.B., was born April 17th, 1763. He went to 
 sea at an early age, under the protection of Lord Mulgrave, in the Burford, of 
 70 guns, in which he went to the East Indies in 1779. He obtained his Lieu- 
 tenant's commission for gallant conduct in boarding a French ship of war ; and
 
 122 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 not many leagues distant from the French fleet, under 
 Buonaparte, which had on that very day set sail from 
 Toulon/^ To remedy the disaster, the greatest activity was 
 exercised, and in four days the Vanguard was so equipped 
 that she was actually at sea again, cruising after the enemy 
 on their own coast. Quitting St. Pierre, in Sardinia, where 
 the damage done to the ship was repaired as much as possible. 
 Nelson strongly recommended Mr. Morrison, the carpenter, 
 to Earl St. Vincent, for reward for his extraordinaiy 
 exertions. 
 
 At Toulon he arrived on the Slst of May, and wrote to 
 Earl St. Vincent, " My pride was too great for man ; but I 
 trust my friends will think that I bore my chastisement like 
 a man. It has pleased God to assist us with his favours, 
 and here I am again off Toulon."^ On the 7th of June he 
 was joined by a squadron of ten sail of the Hne, and the 
 Leander of 50 guns, with whom he proceeded in search of 
 the French fleet. 
 
 That Nelson should have been selected to command a 
 
 lie maintained his character for bravery in Lord Howe's action of the 1st of 
 June, 1794. Sir John Jervis appointed him, in 1796, Lieutenant in the Agamem- 
 non, and he was there introduced to Nelson, with whom he was engaged in the 
 battle off Cape St. Vincent, February 14th, 1797. He was the first to jump into 
 the mizen chains of the San Nicolas ; and he also accompanied Nelson into the 
 San Josef, and was present when the sword of the Spanish Admiral was de- 
 livered up. For this action he was made Post Captain ; and in the following 
 year was as Flag Captain with Nelson in the Vanguard. At the battle of the 
 Nile he caught his Commander when wounded, in his arms, and communicated to 
 him from time to time the progress of the action. He was also most active in pre- 
 serving the lives of the seamen, upon occasion of the blowing up of L'Orient. 
 He was entrusted to convey the dispatches to the Earl of St. Vincent, in the 
 Leander, Captain T. B. Thompson, and with that gallant officer was made prisoner 
 by Le Genereux. Upon his release from captivity, he returned to England, 
 received the honour of Knighthood, and the freedom of the City of London in a 
 gold box. He then accompanied Nelson in the Foudroyant, and landed him in 
 Sicily for the recovery of his health ; and he afterwards succeeded m capturing Le 
 Guillaume Tell, one of the French ships that had escaped from Aboukir. Berry 
 was one of Nelson's great favourites ; and in 1805, he was commissioned to the 
 Agamemnon, and joined Nelson in time to participate in the glories oiF 
 Trafalgar. In 1806 he was created a Baronet. He subsequently served in the 
 Mediterranean, and in 1815 was made K.C.B. In 1819 he was appointed a 
 Colonel of the Marines; and in 1821, Rear- Admiral of the Blue. He died 
 a Rear-Admiral of the Red, Feb. 13, 1831. 
 . I Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii, p. GO.
 
 1798.] LOftD VISCOUNT NELSON. 123 
 
 detachment from the fleet in ])reference to Sir Wm. Parker,' 
 or Sir John Orde,'^ both of whom were his seniors in the 
 service, occasioned much notice, and called forth remon- 
 strances from those officers, which were sent home. Earl St. 
 Vincent did every thin^ in his power to prevent this being 
 done, and to allay their irritated feelings. '^ It has been since 
 
 1 This officer died a Vice-Admiral, on the 31st of December, 1802. He had 
 served during the whole of the war, and was present in Lord Howe's action of 
 the 1st of June, 1794 ; and that of the Earl St. Vincent, Feb. 14th, 1797. 
 
 2 Sir John Orde was descended from an ancient family in the north of Eng- 
 land, and was born at Norfolk in 1752. He entered the navy in 1766, and 
 served in the Mediterranean station in the Jersey, Captain Wm. Dickson, and 
 afterwards on the Newfoundland and the Jamaica stations. With Sir Andrew 
 Snape Hamond, Bart., he went to America, as Second Lieutenant, and afterwards 
 in Lord Howe's flag-ship as First Lieutenant. He was made Post Captain in 
 1778. In 1780, he assisted in taking Charlestown, and carried home the dis- 
 patches. He was then appointed to the Chatham, and went back to America ; 
 but upon the recall of Admiral Arbuthnot, he returned to England, and then 
 joined Sir Hyde Parker in the North Sea. In 1783 he was made Governor of 
 Dominica. In 1790, having returned to England, he was created a Baronet ; 
 and in the following year was successful in quelling an insurrection at Dominica. 
 Complaints, however, were made of his conduct, and he was ordered home, where 
 an investigation took place before the King and Council. The result is reported 
 to have been satisfactory to his feelings ; but he requested to be permitted to 
 resign his government of the island, which was granted, and he was offered 
 active employment in his profession. He was appointed to the Victorious, and 
 then to the Veneral^le, and joined Lord Howe's fleet. In 1795 he was given the 
 command of the Prince George, 98 guns, and made Rear-Admiral of the White. 
 In 1797 he commanded at Plymouth, in the absence of Sir Richard King, and re- 
 mained there until the close of the mutiny. He presided over the Court Martial 
 appointed to try the mutineers at the Nore, and then joined Earl St. Vincent in 
 the Tagus. He was ordered to the blockade of Cadiz. The selection of Sir 
 Horatio Nelson in search of the French fleet, occasioned a serious misunder- 
 standing between Sir John Orde and the Earl St. Vincent. The par-ticulars will 
 be seen in the letter of Sir John Orde to Lord Nelson, herein printed. It is suf- 
 ficient in this notice to observe, that Sir John applied for a Court Martial on the 
 Earl, and it was refused by the Admiralty. Failing in this, he sent a challenge 
 to Earl St. Vincent, but the parties were held to bail, and no duel took place. 
 Sir John Orde was oflered to hoist his flag in the Channel Fleet, but this he de- 
 clined. In 1799, he was promoted to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and in 1801 
 of the White. In 1802 he published a pamphlet on the subject of his differences 
 with Earl St. Vincent, a copy of which, as will be seen, he sent to Lord Nelson, 
 upon his return to England, after the battle of the Nile. Ha\ang obtained the 
 rank of Admiral of the Red, he died Feb. 19, 1824. 
 
 3 Captain Brenton says, that when Nelson was objected to as a junior officer 
 to take the command. Earl St. Vincent replied, tliat he considered those who 
 were responsible for measures, had a right to choose their men.
 
 124 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. V. 
 
 shewn, that the Earl had little discretion to employ in the 
 matter, for Nelson had been specifically named to him for 
 this service by Earl Spencer, then at the head of the Admi- 
 ralty ; and his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence desired 
 Captain Berry to acquaint Nelson that it was by the King's 
 own orders that he was so appointed. Certainly no officer in 
 the service was so well acquainted with the Mediterranean, or 
 possessed of so many qualifications for the performance of so 
 important a duty. 
 
 Thus supported, and so honourably entrusted. Nelson's 
 spirits were at the highest pitch. He was all eagerness to 
 find out the French fleet. He begins by observing : — " The 
 French have got a long start, but (he adds), you may be 
 assured I will fight them the moment I can reach their fleet, 
 be they at anchor, or under sail."' He wrote off Elba, June 
 12th, to Sir William Hamilton: — '^I hope we are in good 
 time to save Naples or Sicily from falling into the hands of 
 the enemy. I beg you will assure the King and Queen of 
 Naples, that I will not lose one moment in fighting the 
 French fleet, and that no person can have a more ardent 
 desire of saving them, and of fulfilling the orders of the good 
 and great King, our master."^ To Earl Spencer, on the 
 15th, he wrote fi'om off the island of Ponza : — ''The last 
 account I had of the French fleet, was from a Tunisian cruiser, 
 who saw them on the 4th off Trapani, in Sicily, steering to the 
 eastward. If they pass Sicily, I shall believe they are going 
 on their scheme of possessing Alexandria, and getting troops to 
 India — a plan concerted by Tippoo Saib, by no means so 
 difficult as might at first view be imagined; but be they 
 bound to the Antipodes, your Lordship may rely that I will 
 not lose a moment in bringing them to action, and endeavour 
 to destroy their transports.'' 
 
 Off Naples he wTote three times to Earl St. Vincent to 
 say, " I have only to assure you I will bring the French fleet 
 to action the moment I can lay my hands on them." Captain 
 Troubridge had been sent to Sir W. Hamilton, and returned, 
 having heard that the enemy had gone towards Malta. Nel- 
 son immediately sailed for that place, but finding the French 
 
 1 Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p, 28.
 
 1798,] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 125 
 
 fleet had departed from thence on the 18th, he immediately 
 sailed for Alexandria. From the following letter of the Queen 
 of Naples to Lady Hamilton, Nelson was at Syracuse on 
 the 21st. 
 
 "June 29, 1798. 
 
 '^ My dear Lady, 
 " I received your obliging letter with the interesting trans- 
 lation, to which I should wish for a considerable addition 
 soon. I have no news. Buonaparte left Malta on the 19th 
 for the Levant, where they have lost all trace of him. They 
 have left 6 or 8000 men in gamson at Malta, and a frigate, 
 and the vessels of the order. The English squadron passed 
 Syracuse on the 21st at six or seven o'clock in the morning, 
 and was afterwards seen at Capo-passero ; that God may 
 bless and accompany them is my sincere wish. Adieu, my 
 dear Lady, my compliments to your dear husband the brave 
 Chevalier. I shall have the pleasure of sending you the news 
 at the earliest moment, and of seeing you, and assuring you 
 of my sincere constant friendship and gratitude.'' 
 
 Arrived, however, off Pharos Tower, Alexandria, Captain 
 Hardy reported that he could gain no intelhgence of the 
 enemy's fleet. Thence Nelson sailed over to the coast of Asia, 
 passing close to the southern side of Candia, but found no 
 French fleet. He returned to Sicily and anchored at Syra- 
 cuse on the 20th July, there obtaining a supply of fresh 
 provisions, &c.^ On this day he wrote to Lady Nelson, *' I 
 have not been able to find the French fleet, to my great mor- 
 tification, or the event I can scarcely doubt. We have been 
 off" Malta, to Alexandria, in Egypt, Syria, into Asia, and are 
 returned here without success : however, no person will say 
 that it has been for want of activity. I yet live in hopes of 
 meeting these fellows ; but it would have been my delight 
 to have tried Buonaparte on a wind, for he commands the 
 fleet as weU as the army. Glory is my object, and that 
 alone."^ Nelson attributed his ignorance of the movements of 
 the enemy to the want of frigates which were to have been 
 
 1 For particulars relating to this important matter, see Supplementary Chapter, 
 No. I. " Lady Hamilton." 
 
 2 Clarke and McArthur, Vol. i. p. 71.
 
 12G LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. V. 
 
 with him. It is indeed lamentable to think of the inade- 
 quate force with which Nelson was furnished in the Mediter- 
 ranean squadron opposed to the able generalship of Buona- 
 parte. James' has endeavoured " to explain how it happened 
 that, in a sea so comparatively small as the Mediterranean, 
 two hostile fleets, one of which was so strenuously seeking 
 the other, that other too, from its immense numbers, spread 
 over so wide a surface, did not come in mutual contact. On 
 the 24th of ^lay when the reinforcement for Rear- Admiral 
 Nelson quitted Earl St. Vincent off Cadiz, the French fleet 
 was running down the eastern coast of Corsica ; and on the 
 8th of June, when Rear- Admiral Nelson made sail from off 
 Toulon, with a fleet which had only been formed the night 
 before. Admiral Brueys was standing across from Sicily to 
 Malta. The French fleet (part of it the day before) quitted 
 the last named island on the morning of the 19th, singularly 
 enough on the night of the 22nd the two fleets crossed each 
 other^s track unperceived. That this should have happened, 
 in a case in which one of the fleets numbered, as that of the 
 French then did, nearly 400 sail, must appear strange ; but 
 the surprise will diminish when it is known, that the spot of 
 intersection was about midway between Cape Mesurata and 
 the mouth of the Adriatic, the widest part of the Mediterra- 
 nean ; that the British fleet sailed in close order, and had 
 no frigates to spread as look-outs 5 and that a constant 
 haze pervaded the atmosphere. Subsequent to the 22nd the 
 French steered east, to make the Goza di Candia ; while the 
 British stood south-east, or straight along the African coast. 
 Hence the latter reached its port of destination just two 
 days before the former; and the British fleet, as it quitted 
 the shore on its departure, was actually seen from the Pharos 
 Tower on the morning of the same day, the 30th, towards the 
 evening of which the French fleet made its appearance off 
 the coast of Egypt." 
 
 To Lady Hamilton he especially attributed the victualling 
 and watering of the fleet at Syracuse. In Nelson's Letter 
 Book, Lady Hamilton, in whose possession it was for some 
 time, wrote, " The Queen's letter, privately got by me, got him 
 
 J Naval History of Great Britain, Vol. ii. p. 229.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 127 
 
 and his fleet victualled and watered in a few days. — Emma 
 Hamilton.'^ 
 
 On the 22nd Nelson wrote to Sir William and Lady 
 Hamilton, " Thanks to your exertions, we have victualled and 
 watered : and surely watering at the Fountain of Arethusa, 
 we must have victoiy. We shall sail with the first breeze, 
 and be assured I will return either crowned with laurel, or 
 covered with cypress."^ 
 
 The particulars of the harbour of Syracuse were not known 
 to any one in the fleet, yet by great management every ship 
 was got in, and water, and all other necessaries obtained. 
 M. de Graviere remarks, that it was the first time that bay 
 had ever received a squadi'on of 14 sail of the line. 
 
 Nelson sailed from Syracuse on the 23rd for the Morea, 
 and the Culloden being sent into the gulf of Coron for intel- 
 ligence, she returned with a French brig, a prize, and infor- 
 mation that the French fleet were steering to the S.E. from 
 Candia a month before. He then made sail for Alexandria, 
 when he discovered the fleet, and on the 1st of August 
 fought the Battle of the Nile. 
 
 1 Harrison's Life of Nelson, Vol. i. p. 256.
 
 128 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 1798. 
 
 The intensity with which Sir Horatio Nelson had studied 
 eveiy thing in relation to the Battle of the Nile, and the 
 manner in which he had digested every possible or probable 
 position in which the combatants might chance to be placed, 
 and the opinions he entertained, with regard to the best mode 
 of attack, had been fully laid before all the Captains of the 
 ships composing his fleet (14 in number, 13 of 74 guns, and 
 the Leander of 50) ; and nothing could exceed the anima- 
 tion of the Admiral and his brave companions when they 
 found their long expected attack about to be realized. 
 
 Sir Edward Berry, in his narrative of the battle, says, 
 " The utmost joy seemed to animate every breast on board 
 the squadron at sight of the enemy ; and the pleasure which 
 the Admiral himself felt, was perhaps more heightened than 
 that of any other man, as he had now a certainty by which 
 he could regulate his future operations. The Admiral had, 
 and it appeared most justly, the highest opinion of, and placed 
 the firmest reliance on, the valour and conduct of every Cap- 
 tain in his squadron. It had been his practice, during the 
 whole of the cruise, whenever the weather and circumstances 
 would permit, to have his Captains on board the Vanguard, 
 when he would fully develope to them his own ideas of the 
 different and best modes of attack, and such plans as be 
 proposed to execute upon falling in with the enemy, whatever 
 their position or situation might be, by day or by night. 
 There was no possible position in which they could be found, 
 that he did not take into his calculation, and for the most 
 advantageous attack of which he had not digested, and 
 arranged the best possible disposition of the force which he 
 commanded. With the masterly ideas of their Admiral, 
 therefore, on the subject of naval tactics, every one of the 
 Captains of his squadron was most thoroughly acquainted ; 
 and upon surveying the situation of the enemy, they could
 
 1 798.] 
 
 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 
 
 129 
 
 ascertain with precision what were the ideas and intentions 
 of their Commander, without the aid of any further instruc- 
 tions ; by which means signals became ahnost unnecessary, 
 much time was saved, and the attention of every Captain 
 could almost undistractedly be paid to the conduct of his own 
 particular ship, a circumstance from which, upon this occa- 
 sion, the advantages to the general service were almost 
 incalculable." 
 
 The history of this most celebrated Battle, which gave to 
 Nelson his Peerage, has been ably detailed by the distin- 
 guished officer above referred to. Captain of the Admiral's 
 ship, under the title of " An Authentic Narrative of the pro- 
 ceedings of his Majesty's Squadron, under the command of 
 Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, from its sailing from 
 Gibraltar to the conclusion of the glorious Battle of the Nile, 
 drawn up from the minutes of an officer of rank in the 
 squadron." The particulars therein related have been so 
 fully detailed, and canvassed in so many different naval 
 histories, biographies, &c. that it would be superfluous here 
 to say any thing on the subject, further than that the battle 
 was fought in Aboukir Bay, where the French fleet was first 
 discovered by the Zealous, Captain Hood; the force of 
 the respective fleets being as follows : — 
 
 British Fleet opposed to the French, August 1, 1/98. 
 
 Commanders. 
 
 Captain Troubridge 
 
 Captain R. W. Miller 
 
 Captain A. J. Ball 
 ( Rear-Admii-al Sir Horatio Nelson, 
 \ K.B. 
 I Captain Edward Berry 
 
 Captain T. Louis 
 
 Captain B. Hallowell 
 
 Captain D. Gould . 
 
 Captain John Peyton 
 
 Captain Samuel Hood 
 
 Captain Sir James Saumarez 
 
 Captain Thomas Foley . 
 
 Captain B. Westcott 
 
 Captain H. D. E. Darby 
 
 Captain T. B. Thompson 
 
 Captain T. M. Hardy . 
 
 
 Ships. 
 
 Guns 
 
 1. 
 
 Culloden 
 
 74 
 
 2. 
 
 Theseus 
 
 74 
 
 3. 
 
 Alexander 
 
 74 
 
 4. 
 
 Vanguard 
 
 74 
 
 5. 
 
 Minotaur 
 
 74 
 
 6. 
 
 Swiftsure 
 
 74 
 
 7. 
 
 Audacious 
 
 74 
 
 8. 
 
 Defence 
 
 74 
 
 9. 
 
 Zealous 
 
 74 
 
 10. 
 
 Orion 
 
 74 
 
 11. 
 
 Goliath 
 
 74 
 
 12. 
 
 Majestic 
 
 74 
 
 13. 
 
 Bellerophon 
 
 74 
 
 14. 
 
 Leander 
 
 50 
 
 15. 
 
 La Mutine 
 VOL. I. 
 
 14 
 
 
 Killed. Wounded 
 
 . Not in 
 
 the action. 
 
 5 
 
 30 
 
 14 
 
 58 
 
 son, 1 
 
 I 30 
 
 75 
 
 23 
 
 64 
 
 
 7 
 
 22 
 
 
 1 
 
 35 
 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 
 13 
 
 29 
 
 
 21 
 
 41 
 
 
 50 
 
 143 
 
 
 49 
 
 148 
 
 
 — 
 
 14 
 
 Tot 
 
 al 218 
 
 677
 
 130 
 
 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL 
 
 [chap. VI. 
 
 French Fleet opposed to the British, August 1, 1798. 
 
 Ships. Guus, 
 
 
 Coninianders. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 , Vice-Admiral Brueys 
 
 J Rear- Admiral Gantheaume 
 
 ) 
 
 
 1. 
 
 L' Orient 
 
 120 
 
 1 
 
 Burnt 
 
 
 
 
 ( Commodore Casa-Bianca 
 
 
 2. 
 
 Le Franklin 
 
 80 
 
 1 Rear-Admiral Blanquet 
 1 Captain M. Gillet 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 Taken 
 
 3. 
 
 Le GuiUaume Tell 
 
 80 
 
 ^ Rear- Admiral Villeneuve 
 i Captain Saulnier 
 
 } 
 
 Escaped 
 
 4. 
 
 Le Tonnant 
 
 80 
 
 Commodore du Petit Tliouars 
 
 
 Taken 
 
 5. 
 
 L'Aquilon 
 
 74 
 
 Commodore H. A.Thevenard 
 
 
 Taken 
 
 6. 
 
 Le Genereux 
 
 74 
 
 Captain Le Joille 
 
 
 Escaped 
 
 7. 
 
 Le Conquerant . 
 
 74 
 
 Captain Etienne Dalbararde 
 
 
 Taken 
 
 8. 
 
 L'Heureux 
 
 74 
 
 Captain J. P. Etienne 
 
 
 Taken 
 
 9. 
 
 Le Guenier 
 
 74 
 
 Captain J. F. Timothee Trullet, 
 
 Sen. 
 
 Taken 
 
 10. 
 
 Le Mercure 
 
 74 
 
 Captain Cambon^ acting'^ 
 
 
 Taken 
 
 11. 
 
 Le Souverain Peuple 
 
 74 
 
 Captain P. P. Raccord 
 
 
 Taken 
 
 12. 
 
 Le Spartiate 
 
 74 
 
 Captain M. J. Emerian 
 
 
 Taken 
 
 13. 
 
 Le Timoleon 
 
 74 
 
 Captain J. F. Timothee Trullet, 
 
 Jun. 
 
 Burnt 
 
 14. 
 
 La Diana 
 
 '40 
 
 ^ Rear-Admiral Decres 
 i Captain E. J. N. Soleil 
 
 
 Escaped 
 
 15. 
 
 La Justice 
 
 '40 
 
 Captain Villeneuve 
 
 , 
 
 Escaped 
 
 16. 
 
 L'Artemise 
 
 36 
 
 Captain P. J. Standelet 
 
 . 
 
 Burnt 
 
 17. 
 
 La Serieuse 
 
 36 
 
 Captain C. J. Martin 
 
 . 
 
 Sunk 
 
 Brigs, Alerte and Railleur ; Bomb vessels, Hercule, Salamine, and another. 
 Several Gun-boats. 
 
 The position of the enemy offered most formidable points 
 of defence, being in compact hne of battle, close in with the 
 shore, flanked by many gun-boats, and a battery of guns 
 and mortars on an island in their van. The action was 
 nobly sustained on both sides ; it commenced at sunset, which 
 was at 31 minutes past 6, it being completely dark at 7> and 
 terminated at about 6, a.m. the next day, thus occupying 
 little less than twelve hours, the whole hemisphere illuminated 
 by the firing of the ships. At 10 minutes past 9 the French 
 Admiral's ship, L'Orient, 120 guns, was observed to be on 
 fire, and she blew up, forming a most terrific spectacle. 
 
 Coleridge, in his Biographical notice of Sir Alexander Ball, 
 contained in The Friend, (Vol. iii.) has made a statement, the 
 truth of which is denied by British officers, and is certainly 
 contrary to the spirit and character of British warfare, 
 namely, that he, Coleridge, was told by Ball, that at the 
 battle of the Nile a combustible preparation had been made ; 
 
 ^ La Diana is stated by Captain Brenton to be 48 guns, and La Justice 44 guns. 
 James has given them as stated above. 
 
 2 For Commodore Perree who was appointed to command the guu-boats on 
 the Nile.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 131 
 
 but that the use of it was to be reserved for the last emer- 
 gency. And he goes on to state, that one of the Lieutenants, 
 without Ball's knowledge, threw in the combustible matter, 
 and occasioned the explosion of the Orient, just as he had 
 expected she would have struck to him. This certainly differs 
 from all other statements made on this subject. 
 
 The cause of the explosion of L'Oi'ient has never been 
 satisfactorily stated. The French assigned it to have been 
 occasioned by the wadding of our guns falling into some 
 unused oil jars and paint buckets that had been left upon 
 the deck of the vessel, whose sides had just been painted ; 
 whilst others ascribe it to the communication of fire to some 
 of the combustible missiles which are known to have been 
 on board most, if not all, of the French ships. These were 
 of a composition which was able to burn under the water as 
 well as out of it, and this view of the calamity appears to be 
 supported by the statement which has been made as to the 
 inability of the French sailors to extinguish the flames by 
 throwing buckets of water upon the ignited parts. The loss 
 of human life on the occasion was very great ; only seventy 
 are said to have escaped destruction, and these principally by 
 the aid of British boats, which were actively employed in 
 this humane exercise. So awful was the blowing up of 
 L'Orient, that the firing on both sides was suspended for ten 
 minutes. 
 
 In the Rev. Cooper Willyams's' voyage up the Mediter- 
 ranean, it is said that in a conference held with some French 
 officers and Captain Hallowell, on board the Swiftsure, the 
 British M^ere accused of having unfairly used some combus- 
 tible missiles at the battle of the Nile, upon which the Captain 
 ordered Mr. Parr, the gunner, to bring up some balls, and 
 to tell where he had obtained them. To the confusion of the 
 Frenchmen he stated them to have been taken from the 
 Spartiate, one of the ships captured on the 1st of August. 
 Experiments were now made with them. One tried was a 
 fire-ball, the composition of which was not known ; but as 
 it did not explode, it was thrown into the water, where it 
 continued to burn, pouring forth a black pitchy matter, until 
 the shell in which it was contained was completely emptied. 
 
 1 This gentleman was Chaplain on board the Swiftsure. 
 K 2
 
 132 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 Another ball exploded upon being set fire to, and had nigh 
 proved dangerous to those who were around. 
 
 The floating portions of the wreck of L'Orient were picked 
 up, and various articles manufactured from them by different 
 officers of the fleet to commemorate the victory. That directed 
 by Captain Benjamin Hallowell was certainly singular. He 
 employed his carpenter on board the Swiftsure, to make a 
 coffin from the mainmast, and to use in it the iron as well as 
 the wood belonging to it, and he presented the same to Nelson, 
 accompanied by the following letter : 
 
 " Swiftsure, Aug. 1/98. 
 
 "Sir, 
 
 " I have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin, made 
 from the mainmast of L'Orient ; that, when you have finished 
 your military career in this world, you may be buried in one 
 of your trophies : but that that period may be far distant, 
 is the earnest wish of your sincere friend, 
 
 "Benjamin Hallowell." 
 
 This letter was received by Nelson in the spirit and feeling 
 with which it had been presented by Hallowell, and he 
 ordered it to be placed upright in his cabin, but at the 
 entreaties of an old servant it was taken below. It was, how- 
 ever, conveyed to England, and was lodged with Peddieson, 
 the upholsterer in Brewer Street, who was desired by Nelson 
 to get the attestation of its identity engraved on the lid, at 
 the same time saying, " I think it highly probable that I may 
 want it on my return." 
 
 Prior to the blowing up of L^Orient, Sir Horatio Nelson 
 had been wounded in the forehead by a langridge shot, or a 
 piece of iron, which cut the skin at right angles, and threw 
 it down over his face, so that his sight was obscured by 
 it. He was obliged to be removed from the deck, but upon 
 receiving intelligence of this awful event, although under great 
 suffering, he instantly came upon deck to issue such directions 
 as he thought might tend to the preservation of the lives of 
 the unfortunate sufferers. About seventy Frenchmen were 
 by these means saved. 
 
 At the Battle of the Nile ten ships were taken ; three des- 
 troyed; four escaped. Nelson's piety was well displayed on 
 this occasion. In the midst of all the confusion attendant upon
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT XELSON. 133 
 
 such a battle, he directed, on the 2nd of August at 2 o'clock, 
 thanksgiving to be ofTered up to Almighty God for the victory- 
 vouchsafed to them. Service was performed on board the Van- 
 guard and other ships, and the seamen and all present Avere 
 deeply impressed by the solemnity of the occasion. His Royal 
 Highness the Duke of Clarence, in a letter congratulating Nel- 
 son on the action, remarks, " I admire and approve exceedingly 
 your Lordship's having in so public a manner returned Thanks 
 to the Almighty, for his gracious assistance afforded to his 
 Majesty's arms : I have frequently been surprised it has not 
 been practised in our fleets oftener, and I trust every successful 
 Admiral will in future follow your Lordship's good example."^ 
 
 Delighted at the success of the British force, the Arabs and 
 Mamelukes caused an illumination to be made along the 
 coast and in the country, in celebration of the victory. The 
 wounded French, were, by Nelson's orders, and arrangements 
 with the Commandants of Aboukir and Alexandria, taken on 
 shore, and attended to by French surgeons. They also ob- 
 tained, through Captain Troubridge, a supply of fresh pro- 
 visions, and other necessary articles. 
 
 Nelson is said to have considered his wound mortal, from 
 the severe pain it inflicted, and desired his Chaplain to give 
 his dying remembrance to Lady Nelson, and Captain Berry, 
 who caught him in his arms at the time he was wounded, 
 also received his exclamation, '^ I am killed — remember me to 
 my wife.'^ When, however, his wound had been dressed, he 
 was requested to remain quiet in the bread-room, where 
 Captain Berry brought to him intelligence of the course of 
 the battle. Nelson, however, could not remain inactive. He 
 ordered his secretary, Mr. Campbell, who had also been 
 wounded, to commence writing to the Admiralty ; but this 
 gentleman was so overcome by the sight of blood and the 
 appeai'ance of the Admiral, that he was unequal to the task, 
 and the Chaplain was directed to take his place ; the im- 
 patience of Nelson, however, became so great, that notwith- 
 standing his condition, he seized the pen and began to write, 
 commencing his account with expressions of devout thankful- 
 ness to the Supreme Being. 
 
 After witnessing the destruction of L'Orient, he was per- 
 suaded to go to bed, but was exceedingly restless, got up, and 
 
 1 Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 124.
 
 134 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 signed Captain Hardy's commission for the Vanguard, as 
 Captain Berry was to proceed with the dispatches, giving an 
 account of the victory. 
 
 M. de la Graviere and other authorities have considered 
 it as remarkable that Nelson should have entered Aboukir 
 Bay at night. It occurred near sun-set, and the French 
 undoubtedly did not expect that he would have accomplished 
 his entry until morning. Here his decision and impetuosity 
 are admitted to have given him great advantages. The 
 authority I have referred to admits that the French Navy 
 never recovered the terrible blow given to its reputation and 
 its power at the Battle of the Nile. " It was this battle (he 
 says) which for two years delivered up the Mediterranean 
 to the power of England ; summoned thither the Russian 
 squadrons, left the French army isolated amidst a hostile 
 population ; decided the Porte in declaring against them ; 
 saved India from French enterprise, and brought France 
 within a hair's breadth of her ruin, by reviving the smoulder- 
 ing flames of war with Austria, and bringing Suwarrow and 
 the Austro-Russians to the French frontiers.^^i 
 
 James- has given the translation of an intercepted letter 
 stated to be by M. Poussielgue, Comptroller of the expenses 
 of the French army, and Administrator-General of the 
 Finances, in which, referring to the Battle of the Nile, he 
 says : " But the fatal engagement of Aboukir ruined all our 
 hopes ; it prevented us from receiving the remainder of the 
 forces which were destined for us ; it left the field free for 
 the English to persuade the Porte to declare war against us ; 
 it rekindled that which was hardly extinguished with the 
 Emperor of Germany ; it opened the Mediterranean to the 
 Russians, and planted them on our frontiers; it occasioned 
 the loss of Italy, and the invaluable possessions in the 
 Adriatic, which we owed to the successful campaigns of 
 Buonaparte ; and, finally, it at once rendered abortive all our 
 projects, since it was no longer possible for us to dream of 
 giving the English any uneasiness in India ; add to this that 
 the people of Egypt, whom we wished to consider as 
 friends and allies, instantaneously became our enemies ; and, 
 entirely surrounded as we were by the Turks, we found 
 ourselves engaged in a most difficult and defensive war, 
 1 Plunkett's Last Naval War, Vol. i. p. 224. 2 Vol. ii. p. 264.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 135 
 
 without a glimpse of the slightest future advantage to be 
 derived from it/'i 
 
 On all sides letters of congratulation, commendation and 
 eulogy, and the most enthusiastic admiration of Nelson's 
 conduct, and the success of the battle, poured in upon him. 
 In the first place the Captains of the Squadron met on the 
 3rd of August, and voted a sword to their brave Admiral, to 
 testify their admiration of his skill and intrepidity. They also 
 solicited him to permit his portrait to be taken, and hung up 
 in the room belonging to the Egyptian Club, which became 
 established from that day, to commemorate the battle. Highly 
 flattering were the letters he received from Sir Wm. Hamilton, 
 Sir John Acton, Earl Spencer, the Countess Spencer, the 
 Lord Chancellor Loughborough, the Duke of Clarence, Earl 
 St. Vincent, Earl Howe, Lord Hood, Lady Parker, Admiral 
 Goodall, Captain Collingwood, &c. &c. 
 
 Sir Wm. Hamilton says : "■ The ever memorable Battle of 
 the Nile — a battle, I believe, of the greatest importance that 
 was ever fought, and the expected good consequences of 
 which are incalculable. History, either ancient or modern, 
 does not record an action that does more honour to the 
 heroes that gained the victory, than the late one of the I st of 
 August. You have now completely made yourself, my dear 
 Nelson, immortal. God be praised, and may you live long 
 to enjoy the sweet satisfaction of having added such glory to 
 our country, and most probably put an end to the confusion 
 and misery in which all Europe would soon have been 
 involved. This country feels its immediate good effects ; and 
 their Sicilian Majesties, their Ministry, and the nation at 
 large, are truly sensible of it, and loudly acknowledge eternal 
 obligation to your undaunted courage, and steady perse- 
 verance. You may well conceive, my dear Sir, how happy 
 Emma and I are, in the reflection that it is you — Nelson — our 
 bosom friend, who has done such wondrous good, in having 
 humbled these proud robbers and vain boasters.'^^ 
 
 The Countess Spencer writes : "Joy, joy, joy to you, brave, 
 
 1 As it may be interesting to peruse some of the French accounts of this battle, 
 I have inserted two of these in the Appendix, No. I. That of the Adjutant of 
 Admiral Blanquet is singularly contrasted with the highly imaginative detail of the 
 celebrated M. Denon. 
 
 '^ Autograph in the Nelson Papers.
 
 136 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 gallant, immortalized Nelson ! May that great God, whose 
 cause yon so valiantly support, protect and bless you to the end 
 of your brilliant career ! Such a man surely never was seen. 
 My heart is absolutely bursting with different sensations of 
 joy, of gratitude, of pride, of every emotion that ever warmed 
 the bosom of a British woman, on hearing of her country's 
 glory— and all produced by you, my dear, my good friend.''^ 
 
 CoUingwood addressed the following to Sir Horatio Nelson 
 
 on this occasion : — 
 
 "OfF Cadiz, 1798. 
 
 " I cannot, my dear friend, express how great my joy is 
 for the complete and glorious victory you have obtained over 
 the French, — the most decisive, and in its consequences, per- 
 haps the most important to Europe that was ever won ; and 
 my heart overflows with thankfulness to the Divine Provi- 
 dence for his protection of you through the great dangers 
 which are ever attendant on services of such eminence. So 
 total an overthrow of their fleet, and the consequent deplo- 
 rable situation of the army they have in Africa, will, I hope, 
 teach those tyrants in the Directory a lesson of humility, and 
 dispose them to peace and justice, that they may restore to 
 those States which they have ruined, all that can now be 
 saved from the wreck of a subverted government and plun- 
 dered people. I lament most sincerely the death of Captain 
 Westcott ;- he was a good officer and a worthy man ; but if 
 
 1 Copy in the Nelson Papers. 
 
 2 Captain Westcott was highly respected by Nelson, and esteemed an excellent 
 officer. He was the son of a baker living at Honiton in Devonshire ; and the 
 Naval Chronicle (Vol. xii. p. 453) gives the following anecdote as the cause of 
 his entering upon a sea-faring life : " Being led by his profession to a connexion 
 with the mUlers, young Westcott used frequently to be sent to the mill. It hap- 
 pened in one of his visits, that by the accidental breaking of a rope, the macliine 
 was disordered ; and neither the owner nor his men being equal to the task of re- 
 pairing it, Westcott offered to use his skill in splicing it, although attended with 
 danger and difficulty. The miller complied, and the job was executed with such 
 nicety, that he told him ' he was fit for a sailor, since he could splice so well ; and 
 if ever he should have an inclination to go to sea, he would get him a berth.' 
 Accordingly an opportunity presented itself, of which the lad accepted ; and he 
 began his naval career in the humble capacity of a cabin boy ; a situation the 
 most common in the ship, and not much calculated to afford vent to the expan- 
 sion of genius. But he continued to exercise his abihties to such good purposes, 
 and discovered such an acutencss of understanding, that he was, in a very short 
 time, introduced among the Midsliipmen ; in which rank his behaviour was so 
 conciliatory and prudent, that farther advancement followed. Since that time
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 137 
 
 it were a part of our condition to choose a day on which to 
 die, where could we have found one so memorable, so emi- 
 nently distinguished among great days ? I have been here mi- 
 serable enough all the summer ; but I hope to go to England 
 very soon. The Barfleur, Northumberland, and some other 
 ships, are expected to relieve the old ones. Say to Lady 
 Nelson, when you write to her, how much I congratulate her 
 on the safety, honours, and services of her husband. Good 
 God ! What must be her feelings ! How great her gratitude 
 to heaven for such mercies. Pray give my hearty congratu- 
 lations to all my friends in your fleet. I am glad to under- 
 stand that my worthy Ball and Darby are recovering. That 
 success may ever attend you is the constant prayer of your 
 faithful and affectionate friend, 
 
 " C. COLLINGWOOD." 
 
 He also wrote to Captain Ball on the same : — 
 
 " Excellent, stiU off Cadiz, Oct. 28th, 1798. 
 
 " I cannot express to you how great my joy was when 
 the news arrived of the complete and unparalleled victory 
 which you have obtained over the French, or what were my 
 emotions of thankfulness that the life of my worthy and 
 much respected friend was preserved through such a day of 
 danger, to his family and his country. I congratulate you, 
 my dear friend, on your success. Oh ! my dear Ball, how I 
 have lamented that I was not one of you. Many a victory 
 has been won, and I hope many are yet to come, but there 
 never has been, nor will be perhaps again, one in which 
 the fruits have been so completely gathered, the blow so 
 nobly followed up, and the consequences so fairly brought to 
 account. I have been almost broken-hearted all the summer. 
 My ship was in as perfect order for any [service as those 
 which were sent; in zeal I will yield to none; and my friend- 
 ship — my love for your admirable Admiral give me a parti- 
 cular interest in serving with him. I saw them preparing to 
 leave us, and to leave me, with pain ; but our good chief 
 found employment for me, and to occupy my mind sent me to 
 
 he became so signally conspicuous both for his skill and bravery, that he 
 gradually, or rather hastily, continued to be promoted, until he reached that ho- 
 nourable station in which he lost his life. Had he survived the battle, his senio- 
 rity of appointment would have obtained him an Admu'al's flag ; but alas ! human 
 expectations end in the grave !"
 
 138 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 cruise off St. Luccars, to intercept the market boats, the poor 
 cabbaa-e carriers. Oh ! humiliation ! But for the conscious- 
 ness that I did not deserve degradation from any hand, and 
 that my good estimation would not be depreciated in the 
 minds of honourable men by the caprice of power, I should 
 have died with indignation. I am tired of it ; and you will 
 believe 1 am glad that to-morrow I depart for England. The 
 Barfleur and Northumberland, Dacres and Martin joined us 
 to-day. I have seen the account of the action and plans 
 which you sent to Sir William Parker. I admire Blanquet's 
 ingenuousness; but I believe the French nation will never know 
 the truth of his story. Something must be fabricated to veil 
 the extent of their loss and of their disgrace. I was alarmed 
 for you when I heard you were wounded ; but as you do not 
 mention it yourself, I hope you are now quite well. It was 
 God's great mercy that you were not blown to atoms by the 
 vast explosion L'Orient must have made. I have heard with 
 great pleasure that your squadron have presented Sir H. Nel- 
 son with a sword ; it is the honours gained by so many brave 
 men reflected back upon himself, — the finest testimony of his 
 merits for having led you to a field in which you all so nobly 
 displayed your own. The expectation of the people was raised 
 to the highest pitch ; the event has exceeded all expectation. 
 Every day do I lament that I was not a partaker with you. 
 You will have heard how suddenly Sir John Orde left the 
 fleet. What was the subject of difference I never could un- 
 derstand, or even that there was any. It gave me much un- 
 easiness that there should be any appearance of disagreement 
 among men of high rank at such a time, when our very ex- 
 istence seems to depend upon harmony and united efforts ; 
 your squadron has shewn eminently the good effects of 
 them. Remember me most kindly to Sir H. Nelson, to 
 whom I wrote not long since ; to Foley, Troubridge, and all 
 my friends. Tell them how truly I congratulate them. With 
 every good wish for you, I am ever, my dear Ball, your faith- 
 ful and affectionate friend, 
 
 ''C. COLLINGWOOD." 
 
 The Leander, Captain Thompson,' conveying the Dis- 
 
 1 The original name of this distinguished officer was Boulden, and he was a 
 native of Kent. His uncle. Captain Edward Thompson, took him to sea, and he
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUxXT NELSON. 139 
 
 patches of the Battle of the Nile, from Sir Horatio Nelson to 
 the Earl of St. Vincent, by Captain Berry, quitted Nelson on 
 the 6th of August. On the 18th, off Gozo, near Candia, she 
 fell in with Le Genereux, 74 guns, one of the French vessels 
 that had escaped from Aboukir. Captain Thompson desired 
 to, but could not, avoid a vessel of such superior force. The 
 Leander answered to the Genereux's shot a-head by a broad- 
 side. A cannonading ensued, and the Leander resisted until 
 the vessel became unmanageable from the injuiy done to her, 
 and they were compelled to surrender. This was a most 
 gallant defence, made under circumstances of great disparity 
 of force, and a reduced and weakened body of seamen. The 
 combat, however, lasted during six hours, and was most 
 honourable to Captain Thompson. The loss sustained was 
 killed 35, wounded 57, forming a full third of the whole crew. 
 Le Genereux commenced the action with a complement of 
 936 men and boys ; her loss has been stated at 100 killed and 
 188 wounded, demonstrating the effects of the Leander's 
 broadsides. Upon being taken possession of by the French, 
 all on board were most barbarously treated, and robbed of their 
 necessaries. The reply to a remonstrance offered to the 
 French Captain, Le Joille, was : ^' J'en suis bien fache, mais 
 le fait est, que les Fran9ais sont bons au pillage." The 
 Surgeon of the Leander was robbed of his instruments whilst 
 engaged in dressing the wounded, and Captain Thompson, 
 although wounded, was denied the possession of his cot. 
 They were taken into Corfu, and thence to Trieste, where they 
 were on parole. Captain Thompson upon his return to 
 
 assumed his name. He was first employed in the Channel sen-ice, and was after- 
 wards present in the action between Lord Rodney and Don J. Langai-a. He 
 captui-ed a French privateer of very superior force to that of his vessel. He was 
 only Lieutenant of a small schooner. In 1790 he was made Post Captain. 
 Having been appointed to the Leander, he was selected by Nelson as one of his 
 Captains for the unfortunate TenerifFe expedition, in which he received a wound, 
 and afterwards distinguished himself greatly in the battle of the Nile. His noble 
 daring in the encounter with Le Genereux, as detailed above, has not been sur- 
 passed, and it is gratifying to find liis conduct so universally approved. In 
 addition to the honour of knighthood, a pension of £'300 per annum was conferred 
 upon him. He commanded the Bellona m the Baltic, but unfortunately got 
 aground before the action, and was subjected to the enemy's fire, by which he was 
 wounded, and lost a leg. He received the Thanks of Parhament, and was created 
 a Baronet and G.C.B., and his pension was augmented to £"500 per annum. 
 He died, a Vice-Admkal of the Red, March 3, 1828.
 
 140 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIUAL [CHAP. VI' 
 
 England, was tried by a Court-martial and honourably ac- 
 quitted. He received the honour of knighthood, and was 
 presented with the freedom of the city of London in a gold 
 box. The dispatches entrusted to Captain, afterwards Sir 
 Edward, Berry, were buried in the ocean. 
 
 The Hon. Captain CapeP was fortunately furnished with 
 duplicates of the dispatches, went over land, via Naples, and 
 carried the intelligence to the Admiralty. 
 
 The following letter was addressed by Nelson to Lady 
 
 Hamilton at this time : — 
 
 "August 11th, 1798. 
 ^' My dear Madam, 
 
 " I may now be able to shew your ladyship the remains of 
 Horatio Nelson, and I trust my mutilations will not cause 
 me to be less welcome. They are the marks of honour. I 
 beg leave to introduce Captain Capel, who is going home 
 with my dispatches, to your notice. He is a son of Lord 
 Essex, and a very good young man. And I also beg your 
 notice of Captain Hoste, who to the gentlest manners joins 
 the most undaunted courage. He was brought up by me, 
 and I love him dearly. I am afraid you will think me very 
 impertinent in introducing all these young men, but you and 
 Sir William have spoiled [me] . Believe me, 
 " Ever, my dear Madam, 
 " Your Ladyship's most obedient servant, 
 
 " Horatio Nelson." 
 
 Captain Capel wrote to Nelson, and depicted the joy 
 universally felt at Naples, from the King and Queen to the 
 lowest subject, at the success of the British force. The fol- 
 lowing was addressed by the Queen of Naples to Lady Hamil- 
 ton upon receiving intelligence of the Battle : — 
 
 " September 3rd, 1798. 
 
 "■ My dear Lady, 
 " What happiness, what glory, what consolation for that 
 unmatched, great, and illustrious nation. How obliged and 
 grateful I am to you : I cry, laugh, and embrace my children 
 and husband. The news has quite revived me. I was much 
 oppressed before. What courage ! what bravery ! to embrace 
 
 1 Admiral the Hon. Sh- Thomas Bladen Capel, K.C.B., the present Com- 
 mander-in-chief at Portsmouth.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 141 
 
 you would be a consolation to me. I shall to-morrow have 
 the joy of seeing your heroes, the defenders of Italy ; and if a 
 portrait of Nelson is taken, I will have it in my chamber. 
 My gratitude is engraven on my heart ; vive vive the brave 
 nation and its navy. I participate in the glorj^ doubly, as 
 being so greatly for our advantage, and also redounding to 
 the fame of the first flag in the world ; — hip ! hip ! my dear 
 lady. I am wild with joy ; with what pleasure I shall see 
 our heroes this evening. I cannot say that this binds me 
 to your brave nation, for I have always been, am, and 
 shall be attached to it ; but this augments the gratitude it is 
 so pleasing to feel for people whom you so entirely cherish 
 and esteem. My affectionate compliments to the Chevalier. 
 I embrace you; my children, all belonging to me feel as 
 they ought, and are mad with joy. May heaven prosper a 
 nation great, magnanimous, courageous. Surrounded by my 
 beloved family, if it were possible, I would see the brave 
 Nelson, and the victorious squadron, and thank them for 
 their exploits. Adieu, until evening. Do not fail to bring 
 our heroes this evening." 
 
 Her Majesty also wTote thus to the Marquis di Circello, 
 Neapolitan Ambassador, at London : — 
 
 " I write to you with joy inexpressible ! The brave and 
 enterprising British Admiral, Nelson, has obtained a most 
 signal and decisive victory. My heart would fain give wings 
 to the courier, who is the bearer of these propitious tidings, 
 to facilitate the earliest acknowledgments of our gratitude. 
 So extensive is this victory in all its relative circumstances, 
 that were it not that the world has been accustomed to see 
 prodigies of glory achieved by the English on the seas, I 
 should almost question the reality of the event. It has pro- 
 duced among us a general spirit of enthusiasm. It would 
 have moved you much to have seen my infant boys and girls 
 hanging round my neck in tears, expressing their joy at the 
 happy tidings made doubly dear to us by the critical period 
 at which they arrived. This news of the defeat of Buona- 
 parte's Egyptian fleet has made many disaffected persons less 
 daring, and improved the prospect of the general good. Make 
 my highest respects acceptable to their Majesties of England. 
 Recommend the gallant hero. Nelson, to his royal master. 
 He has raised in the Italians an enthusiastic reverence for the
 
 142 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. VI. 
 
 English nation. Great expectations were naturally founded 
 on his enterjirising talents, but no one could look for so total 
 an overthrow of the enemy. All here are frantic with excess 
 
 of joy ."^ 
 
 The dispatches were received in London on the 2nd of 
 October, on which day a Gazette Extraordinary was pub- 
 lished. On the 6th, the London Gazette announced the 
 elevation of Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B., to the dignity of a 
 Baron, by the style and title of Baron Nelson, of the Nile, 
 and of Burnham Thorpe, in the county of Norfolk, to hold to 
 him and the heirs male of his body. Earl St. Vincent, having 
 received an Earldom, and Lord Duncan a Viscountcy, for their 
 respective battles of St. Vincent and Camperdown, neither 
 of which in importance or effect could be compared with 
 that of Nelson at the mouth of the Nile, a very general 
 dissatisfaction was expressed, that no higher honour than 
 that of a Baron should have been conferred on him for so 
 great and glorious an exploit. It has been attempted to be 
 explained upon a principle that Nelson was acting not as a 
 Commander-in-chief,^ but as subordinate to Earl St. Vincent, 
 who, however, it must be recollected, was not less than 2000 
 miles off; and that Nelson was directed to destroy the 
 French fleet, the means to be taken in carrying such an 
 object into effect being left entirely to his own discretion and 
 judgment. As he would have been answerable for all the 
 consequences resulting upon defeat, he should in equity have 
 reaped all the rewards due to success. Although Nelson 
 was of a nature too susceptible, and too much alive to feel- 
 ings of honour, not to be sensible of this neglect, it in no 
 way lessened his devotion to the interests and glory of his 
 country. Parliament voted to him, and the next two heirs 
 male, a pension of ;62000. per annum, and a gold medal was 
 ordered for the Admiral and Captains present at the battle. 
 The City of London, having received from Nelson the sword 
 of the French Admiral Blanquet, which he, as a freeman of 
 the city, had presented to be placed among the city regalia, 
 
 ' Naval Chronicle, Vol. xiv. p. 473. 
 
 2 M. dela Graviere justly states, that this distinction between the services of a 
 Commander-ill-chief, and an Admiral holding a temporary command, had some- 
 thing paltry in it, considering the enthusiasm which this unexpected victory had 
 excited in all the courts of Europe, and the immense results which it promised. — 
 (Plunkett's Last Naval War, Vol. i. p. 230.)
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 143 
 
 voted their thanks to him, and the officers and seamen under 
 his command, and the sword was, on the 5th of October, 
 deposited in a glass case in the Council Room in great state. 
 A sword of the value of 200 guineas was also voted to him, 
 and Captain Berry was presented with the freedom of the city 
 in a gold box of the value of 100 guineas. The city also voted 
 an address of congratulation to the King on the 24th. 
 Prayer and thanksgiving were used in all churches on the 
 21st; and the Battle was specially alluded to in the King's 
 speech upon opening Parliament on the 20th of November. 
 The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to 
 Nelson; and his friend Lord Minto (formerly Sir Gilbert 
 Elliot, Bart.), who knew so well how to appreciate the cha- 
 racter of the hero, and had witnessed his zeal in the service 
 of his King and country, having been present at the battle 
 off Cape St. Vincent, eloquently eulogized his brilliant 
 exploit, observing of the battle, that ^' as it had done more 
 to exalt the reputation of our country, and added more 
 to the ancient, and already accumulated stock of British 
 Naval glory, so it had contributed more essentially to the 
 solid interests and security of this empire, as well as to the 
 salvation of the rest of the world, than perhaps any other 
 single event recorded in history." No one could better esti- 
 mate the genius of Nelson than Lord Minto, and the following 
 remark, in the course of his speech, is well worthy of obser- 
 vation : — " There is one other point of excellence to which I 
 must say a single word, because I am, perhaps, the man in 
 the world who has had the best opportunity of being ac- 
 quainted with it. The world knows that Lord Nelson can 
 fight the battles of his country ; but a constant and confi- 
 dential correspondence with this great man, for a considerable 
 portion of time, has taught me, that he is not less capable of 
 providing for its political interests and honour, on occasions 
 of great delicacy and embarrassment. In that new capacity 
 I have witnessed a degree of ability, judgment, temper, and 
 conciliation, not always allied to the sort of spirit which, with- 
 out an instant's hesitation, can attack on one day the whole 
 Spanish line with his single ship, and, on another, a supe- 
 rior French fleet, moored and fortified within the islands and 
 shoals of an unknown bay ; what can I add to these two
 
 144 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 short facts ? They are themselves a volume of praise, and 
 must leave behind tliem all the common and vulgar forms of 
 panegyric/' 
 
 The Duke of Clarence was no less warm in the praise of 
 his friend Nelson. 
 
 A monument to the memory of Captain George Blagdon 
 Westcott of the Majestic, who fell in the action, was voted 
 by Parhament. From the Emperor Paul of Russia, Nelson 
 received a gold box set with diamonds, together with an auto- 
 graph letter. The Grand Signior transmitted to him a superb 
 diamond Aigrette (called a Chelongk, or Plume of Triumph) 
 and a pelisse of sable fur of the first quality. Nor did he 
 forget the seamen who had fought in this battle : to them 
 he sent for distribution a purse of 2000 sequins. 
 
 The Naval Chronicle (Vol. xiv. p. 472), contains the 
 following translation of the letter accompanying the aigrette 
 from the Grand Signior : — 
 
 " It is but lately that by a written communication it has been 
 made known how much the Sublime Porte rejoiced at the first 
 advice received of the English squadron in the White Sea 
 having defeated the French squadron off Alexandria in Egypt. 
 
 "By recent accounts, comprehending a specific detail of 
 the action, it appears now more positive that his Britannic 
 Majesty's fleet has actually destroyed by that action the best 
 ships the French had in their possession. 
 
 " This joyful event therefore, laying this empire under an 
 obligation, and the service rendered by our much esteemed 
 friend Admiral Nelson on this occasion, being of a nature to 
 call forth the public acknowledgments, his Imperial Majesty, 
 the powerful, formidable, and most magnificent Grand Signior, 
 has destined, as a present in his Imperial name to the said 
 Admiral, a diamond aigrette [chelongk) and a sable fur with 
 broad sleeves, besides 2000 sequins to be distributed among 
 the wounded of his crew. And as the English Minister is 
 constantly zealous to contribute, by his endeavours, to the 
 increase of friendship between the two Courts, it is hoped he 
 will not fail to make known this circumstance to his Court, 
 and to solicit the permission of the powerful and most au- 
 gust King of England for the said Admiral to put on and 
 wear the said aigrette and pelisse." 
 
 "Sept. 8, 1798."
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 145 
 
 The presents from the Grand Signior were brought to Nel- 
 son by Mahomet Kehm, an EfFendi, in a Turkish frigate to 
 Alexandria, and thence to Naples, Nelson having quitted that 
 place before his arrival. They were presented to him with 
 peculiar ceremony. The Secretary and his attendants were 
 dressed in state robes, and offered their presents seated on 
 cushions, according to the Oriental manner. The pelisse 
 was of the finest scarlet clotli, lined with most beautiful 
 sable fur, and was magnificent. The aigrette consisted of an 
 artificial plume, formed of thirteen fingers covered with dia- 
 monds. These were intended to represent the thirteen ships 
 taken and destroyed at the battle. The centre diamond and 
 the four surrounding it were estimated at the value of £5000. 
 and there were at least 300 other diamonds of smaller size. 
 These splendid presents were accompanied with a letter, 
 dated Oct. 3, 1798, in the handwriting of the Grand Signior, 
 in which it was stated that the Plume of Triumph, or Che- 
 longk, was such as had never before been presented to any 
 but victorious Mussulmans. The star in the centre worked 
 upon a centre, and Avas put in motion by watch- work at the 
 back. 
 
 The mother of the Grand Signior, the Dowager Sultana, 
 who was not less enthusiastic in her admiration of Nelson's 
 valour, sent him a box set with diamonds of the value of 
 ;£1000. The King of the Two Sicilies gave to him a sword 
 which had been presented to the King of Naples by Charles 
 III. upon his departure from Spain, when he is said to have 
 uttered the following words : " With this sword I conquered 
 the kingdom which I now resign to thee. It ought in future to 
 be possessed by the first defender of the same, or by him who 
 rcstoreth it to thee, in case it should ever be lost." The King 
 of Sardinia gave to him likewise a box set with diamonds ; 
 the Island of Zante presented to him a gold-headed cane, and 
 the City of Palermo a gold box and chain, and the freedom of 
 the City. He was also honoui'ed with £10,000 fi-om the 
 East India Company; a piece of plate from the Turkey 
 Company ; and £500. for a piece of plate from the Patriotic 
 Fund. It is needless to specify the various Corporations 
 which conferred upon him the freedom of their cities on this 
 occasion. All classes and all public bodies seemed to vie with 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 146 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 each other In anxiety to express their admiration of his con- 
 duct and to recognise the great service he had rendered to 
 his country. 
 
 Mr. Lewis Pingo of the Royal Mint, struck a medal by 
 order of George III. " in memory of the defeat of the French 
 fleet on the coast of Egyptj" and an impression in gold was 
 given to the Captains engaged. Mr. Alexander Davison also 
 struck a medaP on the occasion, to commemorate the victory 
 of his friend, an impression of which in gold was presented to 
 Nelson, and every Captain in the fleet ; in silver, to every 
 other warrant officer ; and in copper, to every seaman and 
 marine engaged in the action. The expense attendant on this 
 munificence was not less than £2000. 
 
 On the 9th of August, Nelson intercepted the dispatches of 
 Buonaparte going to France, and on the same day forwarded 
 them to the Earl Spencer. These were being conveyed in a 
 gunboat, the Legere, when Captain Hope of the Alcmene 
 frigate, espied her, upon which the officer threw the dispatches 
 overboard. Two of our seamen, John Taylor and James 
 Harding, however, perceived the action, and at the risk of 
 their lives jumped overboard and secured them, for which 
 they were each rewarded by the City of London with a pen- 
 sion of £20 per annum. These dispatches were important, 
 inasmuch as they displayed the condition of the French army 
 and the discontent prevaiHng in it. The capture of the French 
 fleet had goaded them to frenzy, and they despaired of ever 
 returning to their own country. Plague, pestilence and 
 famine surrounded them ; and they looked forward to nothing 
 but death as a termination of their sufferings.'* In the letter 
 
 ' The medal represents the allegorical figure, Hope, with the emblem proper, 
 standing on a rugged rock, with an olive branch in her right hand, and supporting 
 by her left arm, the profile of Lord Nelson, on a medallion, to which she is point- 
 ing with her forefinger. Hope is crowned with oak and laurels ; and the motto to 
 the medalUon is, " Europe's Hope and Britain's Glory." The reverse represents 
 the French fleet at anchor in the Bay of Aboukir, the British fleet advancing to 
 the attack ; the fortified islands in the enemy's van ; the four fi-igates that were 
 moored within the line to cover their flank, and the gun-boats near the islands ; 
 the setting sun, the coast of Egypt, the mouth of the Nile, and the castle of 
 Aboukir. The legend, " Almighty God has blessed liis Majesty's ai-ms ;" and on 
 the exergue, " Victory of the Nile." 
 
 * M. Denon, as will be seen in Appendix, No. I. puts a different consti-uction 
 on the dispatches.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 14^ 
 
 accompanying the dispatches, addressed to Lord Spencer, 
 Nelson laments his want of frigates to destroy the store-ships, 
 transports, &c. in the port of Alexandria. " Was I to die 
 this moment (he says) ' want of frigates' would be found 
 stamped on my heart. No words of mine can express what 
 I have, and am suffering, from want of them." He suffered 
 considerably from the injury he had received at the battle. 
 On the 10th August, he says, " My head is ready to split, 
 and I am always so sick : in short, if there be no fracture, my 
 head is severely shaken. I shall remain off this coast as long 
 as circumstances will allow me, and will endeavour to annoy 
 the enemy to the utmost of my power ."^ 
 
 Having received a dispatch of importance from Earl St. 
 Vincent on the 12th, he ordered the greater part of his 
 squadron to sail down the Mediterranean under Captain Sir 
 James Saumarez, of the Orion, and on the 19th he sailed in 
 company with the CuUoden, the Alexander, and the Bonne 
 Citoyenne, for Naples. From a letter addressed to Earl 
 St. Vincent, Nelson, it appeal's, had suffered from an attack 
 of fever. '^ On the day Hoste^ left me, I was taken with a 
 
 ' Letter to the Earl St. Vincent, in Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 90. 
 
 2 No officer was ever more beloved by Nelson than Hoste, who may be said to 
 have gone to sea under his protection. His excellent temper, his uniform good 
 conduct, and marked ability, secured to him the most affectionate regard of liis 
 Commander. WUliam Hoste was descended from Jacques Hoost, the Governor 
 of Bruges, whose son fled from the Low Countries to England to avoid the perse- 
 cution directed against the Protestants by the Duke of Alva in 1569. At the 
 commencement of hostihties on the part of Revolutionary France, William Hoste 
 entered the Navy as a Midshipman under Nelson, who took him upon the recom- 
 mendation of Mr. Coke, afterwards Earl of Leicester, and he sened in the Aga- 
 memnon until 1797, distinguishing himself particularly in cutting out vessels, and 
 other hazardous service, from which he became a great favourite with the sailors. 
 In 1797, he was ti-ansfeiTcd to the Theseus, Captain R. W. MDlcr, to whose meiits 
 he has borne testimony. To his father he writes, (Memoirs and Letters of Sir 
 W. Hoste, Vol. i. p. 83) : " I am perfectly comfortable on board the Tlieseus. 
 With such a man as Captain Miller, indeed, who would not be so .' Endowed 
 with a perfect knowledge of his profession, he likewise possesses a most amiable 
 disposition ; and, in my opinion, the person who feels himself uncomfort- 
 able under his command, must be miserable indeed under that of any other." 
 Again, after MiUer's accidental death : " Gifted with the manners and sentiments 
 which so fully characterize the gentleman, he possessed also, in a veiy great degree, 
 the abilities of a seaman ; in him, I may truly say, the service lost a brave and 
 experienced officer, and I, speaking for myself, a very sincere friend." (Ibid. p. 
 131.) 
 
 L 2
 
 148 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. VI. 
 
 fever, which has very near clone my business ; for eighteen 
 hours my life was thought to be past hope ; I am now up, 
 but very weak both in body and mind, from my cough and 
 this fever. I never expect, my dear Lord, to see your face 
 again ; it may please God that this will be the finish to that 
 fever of anxiety I have endured from the middle of June ; but 
 be that as it pleases His goodness — I am resigned to His 
 
 In 1797, Hoste was with Nelson in the Captain at the battle off Cape St. Vin- 
 cent, and in the following year having passed his examination for a Lieutenant, he 
 was given the command of the Mutine for his conduct at the Battle of the Nile, 
 and he conveyed intelligence of the action to Gibraltar. In ] 802, he was made a 
 Post Captain, and appointed to the Greyhound, 32 guns. He came to England 
 in 1803, and in November, 1804, was appointed to the Eurydice, and went to 
 Gibraltar. In 1805, he commanded the Amphion, 36 guns, and was sent to 
 Algiers. Upon his retm-n he learnt of the Battle of Trafalgar, and of the death of 
 his friend and patron. His grief was excessive. " Not to have been in the battle 
 (he says) is enough to make one mad ; but to have lost such a friend besides, is 
 really sufficient to almost overwhelm me." (Ibid. p. 251.) Again : " Oh that I 
 liad been thei-e ! it would have been some consolation to have witnessed the last 
 heroic feats of that man, whose memory will ever be held sacred by every British 
 seaman." " I suppose you are all mad in England with the news of so glorious 
 and unprecedented a victory. I never think of it but with the most heartfelt sor- 
 row, and long shall I lament the loss of that gallant, brave Nelson. I forget 
 whether I told you I wrote to Lady Hamilton. I did, however, as the only com- 
 pliment I could pay to so great a friend as Lord Nelson." " It will be my first 
 and earnest endeavour to follow his footsteps." " His equal we may look for in 
 vain." (Ibid. pp. 253—269.) 
 
 In 1806, Hoste joined Sir Sidney Smith's squadron in Sicily, and he was after- 
 wards with Sir John Duckworth when forcing the passage at the Battle of the 
 Dardanelles, which has been regarded as one of the most daring deeds ever exe- 
 cuted by the British Navy. The shot used by the enemy on this occasion was 
 most extraordinary. The largest (of marble or granite) with which our ships 
 were assailed, was 26^ inches in diameter, and weighed 864 lbs. Tlu-ee hundred 
 pounds of gunpowder were calculated to be necessaiy to give such shot effect. 
 One of them, Hoste says, made a hole eight feet in diameter in the Royal George, 
 and the men went backwards and forwards through it with ease. " Jack (he adds) 
 says, it is strange work, playing at marbles with the Tm-ks." (Ibid. p. 296.) 
 
 Hoste afterwards joined Lord ColUngwood, and in 1811 particularly distinguished 
 himself in a victory achieved over the combined French and Italian squadrons, at 
 the head of four frigates, after a severe action, which continued six hours off 
 Lyssa. From 1812 to 1814, he was actively engaged, and for liis services created 
 a Baronet, September 21st, 1814. In 1817, he married Harriet, daughter of 
 Horatio, second Earl of Orford. He was a Knight Commander of the Bath, and 
 a Knight of the Austrian Order of Maria Theresa. He died December 6, 1828. 
 
 For many interesting particidars of Captain Sir W. Hoste, and his Con-espon- 
 dence, the reader is referred to the Memoirs and Letters published by Lady Hoste 
 in 1833. Two vols, 8vo.
 
 1798.] tORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 149 
 
 will."i Upon his approach to Naples the Queen addressed 
 the following to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "September, 1798. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " With what pleasure and satisfaction I shall see the hero, 
 the brave, the disinterested Nelson, with emotions that can 
 only be felt, but not expressed. The King has commanded 
 the Board of Health to hasten admittance to pratique as soon 
 as possible. He also charges me, as well as the General,- to 
 say in confidence, that we wish that none of the French 
 prisoners be permitted to land, for parole dlwnneur is with 
 them void of meaning. We expect the arrival of the courier 
 every moment, which will enable us to declare what our sen- 
 timents really are (ce que se positivement nous sommes), but 
 until then we wish those gentry to remain on board, and not 
 to be allowed to put themselves in communication with, or 
 under the protection of their rascally representative.^ Adieu, 
 my dear Lady, how I envy you the sight of the hero ! Tell 
 him all I feel of pride, admiration, and gratitude for him and 
 his brave companions. Adieu, send me word of the health of 
 the hero Nelson, whether he feels any thing from his wound ; 
 what news he brings of our enemies ; in a word, let your 
 kindness inform me of every thing. Take care of your health, 
 for you will be much excited, and believe me your very sincere 
 and attached friend for life," 
 
 On the 22nd, Nelson arrived at Naples. The King came 
 out three leagues to meet him, and was preceded by Sir 
 William and Lady Hamilton. Nelson has given an account 
 of this in a letter to Lady Nelson. He says : " I must endea- 
 vour to convey to you something of what passed ; but if it 
 were so affecting to those who were only united to me by bonds 
 of friendship, what must it be to my dearest wife, my friend, 
 my everything which is most dear to me in this world ? Sir 
 William and Lady Hamilton came out to sea, attended by 
 numerous boats with emblems, &c. They, my most respect- 
 able friends, had nearly been laid up and seriously ill ; first 
 
 1 Letter to the Earl St. Vincent in Clarke and McArtliur, Vol. ii. p. 100. 
 
 2 Sir John Acton, Bart. 
 
 3 The French Ambassador at this time resident in Naples.
 
 150 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 from anxiety, and then from joy. It was imprudently told 
 Lady Hamilton in a moment, and the effect was like a shot ; 
 she fell apparently dead, and is not yet perfectly recovered 
 from severe bruises. Alongside came my honoured friends : 
 the scene in the boat was terribly affecting ; up flew her 
 Ladyship, and exclaiming, ' O God ! is it possible ?' she fell 
 into my arm more dead than alive. Tears, however, soon set 
 matters to rights ; when alongside came the King. The 
 scene was, in its way, as interesting j he took me by the hand, 
 calling me his ' Deliverer and Preserver,' with every other 
 expression of kindness. In short, all Naples calls me ' Nostro 
 Liberatore ;' my greeting from the lower classes was truly 
 affecting. I hope some day to have the pleasure of intro- 
 ducing you to Lady Hamilton ; she is one of the very best 
 women in this world; she is an honour to her sex. Her 
 kindness, with Sir William's, to me, is more than I can 
 express : I am in their house, and I may now tell you, it 
 required all the kindness of my friends to set me up. Lady 
 Hamilton intends writing to you. May God Almighty bless 
 you, and give us, in due time, a happy meeting."^ Lady 
 Hamilton did write to Lady Nelson, and a letter of the date 
 of the 2nd of December has been printed, making allusion to 
 one written a month preceding. 
 
 Hoste gives the following account of his proceeding to 
 Naples, in a letter to his mother : '.' We arrived in Naples 
 about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the 1st of September, and 
 after getting pratique, Captain Capel and myself proceeded 
 to Sir William Hamilton's, the English Minister at the Court 
 of Naples, where he delivered the dispatches and the account 
 of the victory. Lady Hamilton (whom I suppose you have 
 heard of) received us very kindly indeed. I had a letter^ of 
 introduction from Lord Nelson to her, so that I soon became 
 acquainted ; and the civilities I received, both from Sir Wil- 
 liam and his lady, I shall always remember with gratitude. 
 
 "As it was necessary that the Court should be informed of 
 our arrival, and of the victory, we went to the palace, accom- 
 panied by Sir William Hamilton, who presented us both to 
 the Prime Minister, General Acton, who, of course, expressed 
 
 ' Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 101. 
 2 See page 139, ante.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 151 
 
 his joy at the laurels we had received off the Nile. On our 
 leaving the palace, we were met by Lady Hamilton, who made 
 us get into her carriage and parade through the streets till 
 dark ; she had a bandeau round her forehead, with the words 
 ' Nelson and Victory.^ The populace saw and understood 
 what it meant, and ' Viva Nelson !' resounded through the 
 streets. You can have no idea of the rejoicings that were 
 made throughout Naples at the time. Bonfires and illumi- 
 nations all over the town ; indeed, my dear mother, it would 
 require an abler pen than I am master of, to give you any 
 account but what will fall infinitely short of what was the 
 case. We went to the Opera, and were in the minister's box 
 with him and his lady. Not a French cockade was to be 
 seen ; all expressed their joy at seeing us, as it confirmed the 
 account of the victory, which before they had heard only from 
 report. 
 
 ^' The next day Captain Capel proceeded on his passage to 
 England, so I was left quite alone. We had been out so long 
 a cruise before the action, that I was in want of almost every 
 thing. Lady Hamilton was good enough to assist me until 
 I was completely fitted out. I lived at Sir William Hamilton's 
 house during my stay, and was entertained by him with the 
 most distinguished attention. 
 
 '' A few days after, I was surprised by an officer arriving 
 from the palace, and inquiring for me : on my being pre- 
 sented to him, he gave me a note from the Queen, (but whom 
 I was to consider incog.) and a small box with a very hand- 
 some diamond ring enclosed in it ; two hundred guineas for 
 the brig's company, and six pipes of wine and two calves for 
 the same purpose. I returned an answer which was not 
 adequate to the occasion, and on her birthday, which hap- 
 pened a few days after, I dressed the Mutine completely in 
 colours, which is reckoned a token of respect."^ 
 
 Naples, at this time, notwithstanding the great attention of 
 the Court, was not a place to Nelson's hking. On the 30th, 
 disgusted with that which at length overcame him, he writes 
 to the Earl St. Vincent : " I am very unwell, and the miser- 
 able conduct of the Court is not likely to cool my irritable 
 temper. It is a country of fiddlers and poets, whores and 
 
 1 Memoks and Letters of Sir W. Hoste, Vol. i. p. 107.
 
 152 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 scoundrels.''! The devotedness, however, of Sir WilHam and 
 Lady Hamilton ultimately reconciled him in some measure to 
 his detention there. In a letter to Lady Nelson, written at 
 the commencement of October, although acknowledging the 
 kind attention of Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and stating 
 it to be such as " must ever make you and I love them, and 
 they are deserving the love and admiration of all the world ;" 
 he yet writes, " The Grand Signior has ordered me a valuable 
 diamond ; if it were worth a million, my pleasure would be to 
 see it in your possession. My pride is being your husband, 
 the son of my dear father, and in having Sir William and 
 Lady Hamilton for my friends. While these approve of my 
 conduct, I shall not feel nor regard the envy of thousands. 
 Could I, my dearest Fanny, tell you half the honours which 
 are shewn me here, not a ream of paper could hold it. On 
 my birthday, 80 people dined at Sir William Hamilton's 5 1740 
 came to a ball, where 800 supped. A rostral column is 
 erected under a magnificent canopy, never, Lady Hamilton 
 says, to come down while they remain at Naples. A little 
 circumstance has also happened, which does honour to the 
 King of Naples, and is not unpleasant to me. I went to view 
 the magnificent manufactory of china. After admiring all the 
 fine things, sufficient to seduce the money from my pocket, 
 I came to some busts in china of all the Royal Family : these 
 I immediately ordered, and, when I wanted to pay for them, 
 I was informed that the King had directed whatever I chose 
 should be delivered free of all cost : it was handsome in the 
 King." 
 
 The fete above alluded to, was given by Sir William and 
 Lady Hamilton, on the birthday of Nelson, Sept. 29, 1798? at 
 which upwards of 1800 of the nobility and gentiy were enter- 
 tained. On the rostral column mentioned, was inscribed the 
 words, " Veni ; Vidi ; Vici." The expense attending this 
 ball and supper amounted to not less than 2000 ducats ; and 
 everything went off with great eclat, with one exception, 
 which, singularly enough, related to Josiah Nisbet, who con- 
 ducted himself towards his stepfather with so much indecorum, 
 that Captain Troubridge and another officer were under the 
 necessity of removing him from the room. A reconciliatioiij 
 ' Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 103. 2 Ibid. p. 112.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 153 
 
 between Sir Horatio Nelson and Captain Nisbet, was, how- 
 ever, effected by the intervention of Sir WiUiam and Lady- 
 Hamilton, who represented the affair as proceeding from in- 
 ebriety, perhaps somewhat pardonable on such a festive occa- 
 sion. Although the Court of Naples was in mourning at this 
 time, it was laid aside in honour of Nelson. 
 
 Nelson wrote to Lady Nelson on the 28th of September, 
 thus : " The preparations of Lady Hamilton, for celebrating 
 my birthday to-morrow, are enough to fill me with vanity ; 
 every ribbon, every button, has ^Nelson,' &c. The whole 
 service is marked, ' H. N. Glorious 1st of August !' Songs 
 and sonnetti are numerous beyond what I ever could deserve. 
 I send the additional verse^ to God save the King, as I know 
 you will sing it with pleasure. I cannot move on foot, or in 
 a carriage, for the kindness of the populace ; but good Lady 
 Hamilton preserves all the papers as the highest treat for 
 you. The Queen yesterday, being still ill, sent her favourite 
 son to visit, and bring me a letter from her of gratitude and 
 thanks. Miserable accounts of Le Guillaume Tell. I 
 trust God Almighty will yet put her into the hands of our 
 King, His all-powerful hand has gone with us to the battle, 
 protected us, and still continues destroying the unbelievers : 
 All glory be to God ! The more I think, the more I hear, 
 the greater is my astonishment at the extent and good conse- 
 quences of our victory. 
 
 "Yours, &c. 
 
 "Horatio Nelson.'^' 
 
 Few places have been, perhaps, more strongly fortified, both 
 by nature and art, against assault, than Malta. It stands 
 upon a peninsula upon two of the finest ports in the world, 
 defended by the most formidable and almost impregnable for- 
 tifications. The south-eastern port extends full two miles 
 into the island, and the largest ships of war can ride there 
 ■with perfect safety in the most tempestuous weather. The 
 mouth of the harbour is barely a quarter of a mile in breadth, 
 and defended by the most powerful batteries. The southern 
 coast of the island is quite inaccessible. The city of La Va- 
 
 ' This, Sir H. Nicolas saj's, has been ath-ibuted to a Sir. Devonport. It was 
 wTitten by Miss Knight. See Supplementary Chapter, No. I. " Lady Hamilton." 
 - Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 102.
 
 154 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 letta is situated on a hill, and remarkable for its splendid 
 edifices. Brydone, who visited Malta in 1770, says the forti- 
 fications were not only well supplied with artillery, but the 
 Maltese had a kind of ordnance of their own, for that the 
 rocks were not only cut into fortifications, but likewise into 
 artillery to defend them, being hollowed out in many places 
 into the form of immense mortars. The charge of these was 
 said to be about a barrel of gunpowder, over which they were 
 to place a large piece of wood made so as exactly to fit the 
 mouth of the chamber. On this they were to heap a quantity 
 of cannon balls, shells, or other deadly materials, and when 
 an enemy's ship approached the harbour the whole was to 
 be fired into the air, which they pretended had a very great 
 effect, making a shower for two or three hundred yards round 
 that would sink the vessel. 
 
 Malta was ceded to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem 
 in 1530, by the Emperor Charles V. upon their being driven 
 by Solyman II. from the Isle of Rhodes, Philip Villers L'isle 
 Adam being at that time Grand Master of the Order. To 
 the labours of the Order must be attributed the improve- 
 ments in Malta, for prior to their occupancy of it, it was a 
 shelterless rock, and the cultivation of the land had been 
 little attended to. Attacks, at various times, extending over 
 a period of not^ less duration than three centuries, by the 
 Turks, have proved the ability of Malta to withstand a pow- 
 erful siege, when defended by soldiers of honour and ability. 
 It was indeed regarded as impregnable. 
 
 Valetta, so named from having been designed by and con- 
 structed under the direction of Frederick John de La Va- 
 lette, the Grand Master of the Order, was not less remarkable 
 for the beauty and splendour of its edifices than for the 
 strength and arrangement of its fortifications. The first stone 
 of its city was laid by its founder, March 28, 1566. The 
 funds of the Order had been very liberally expended to pro- 
 duce such magnificence and defence. The Order was very 
 wealthy, for the flower of the European nobility aspired to 
 attach themselves to it, and the successive donations of 
 28,000 estates or manors were fully competent to maintain a 
 force of cavalry and infantry capable of effectually defending 
 Palestine. The Knights were fearless in their character,
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 155 
 
 their martial spirit predominating over their monastic dis- 
 position. The city of Valetta was completed in 1571 ; its 
 founder having died three years before its occupancy by the 
 Knights, who previously lived at the Burgh, which, from 
 having resisted the attacks by the Turks, had been also called 
 Citta Vittoriosa, and was situated to the north of the Castle 
 of St. Angelo. 
 
 The Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem was 
 originally founded by Peter Gerard, a native of Provence, in 
 1099, and in the first instance, consisted merely of an associa- 
 tion of a few charitable persons for the purpose of rendering 
 assistance to the sick and destitute. The house or hospice 
 into which the objects of charity, being principally pilgrims 
 journeying to pay a visit to the holy sepulchre, were received, 
 was called the Hospital of St. John. The associates soon 
 after formed themselves into a regular Order, and were in- 
 vested by the Pope with the habit of St. Augustine. They 
 were necessitated to take the three vows of chastity, obedi- 
 ence, and poverty before the Patriarch of Jerusalem, under 
 whose authority they remained for some time. They were, 
 however, freed from all ecclesiastical jurisdiction by the Pope, 
 .and were then called the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John the 
 Baptist of Jerusalem. At Jerusalem also, a lady of the name 
 of Alix formed a similar association to receive females only, 
 and by mutual desire the two institutions were connected, 
 the females being obliged to prove their nobility equally 
 with the Knights, and to be under the command of the Grand 
 Master of the Order. 
 
 As the Order proceeded to acquire strength, its views were 
 directed to further objects, and that those who had become 
 inmates of the hospice, and had received relief in their ne- 
 cessity, might have the means of returning to their own 
 countries with safety, the Religious Order became also a 
 Military one, and in 1121, under Raymond Du Puis, then 
 Grand Master, the Knights took a vow to defend the holy 
 sepulchi'e to the last drop of their blood, and to combat infi- 
 dels wherever they might meet with them. They now offered 
 their services to the King of Jerusalem, and became, like the 
 Knights Templars, auxiliaries to the Sovereign, but indepen- 
 dent of the throne of Jerusalem. Thus increasing in numbers.
 
 156 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 the Order was divided into Langues : Provence, Auvergne, 
 France, Italy, Aragon, England, Germany ; afterwards 
 Castile was added, and Anglo-Bavarian was substituted for 
 England. The Order increased rapidly, and ultimately be- 
 came a sovereignty, and acknowledged as such by^ princes of 
 all religions. It sent its Ambassadors to the Courts through- 
 out Europe, and the Maltese vessels were saluted by the flags 
 of every country.^ 
 
 At the commencement of the French Revolution the pro- 
 perty of the Maltese was respected; but on the 19th Septem- 
 ber, 1792, the Government decreed that the Order of St. 
 John at Malta should be annulled, and its property annexed 
 to the demesnes of France. No sooner had this edict been 
 passed than the estates were seized upon and ravaged ; the 
 houses of the Commanders were pillaged, and their possessors 
 persecuted. The Knights were pursued, imprisoned, and 
 threatened with death. Those who escaped were proscribed. 
 The Order of St. John had, under Rohan, a Grand Priory 
 estabhshed in Poland, which, on the general dismemberment 
 of that country had passed under the Government of Russia. 
 To the Empress Catherine II. letters confidential were pre- 
 sented by the Minister Plenipotentiary from the Order, but 
 the Empress dying suddenly, Paul I. succeeded to the throne. 
 An admirer of chivalry, Paul had always entertained admira- 
 tion of the exploits of the Knights of Malta, and he readily 
 increased the annual revenue of the Order in Poland from 
 120,000 florins to 300,000, about £75,000. English money, 
 payable by the treasurer of the empire. The title of Grand 
 Priory of Russia was now given, and permission granted to 
 found others upon the same principles. This new Priory 
 was incorporated with that of the Anglo-Bavarian, and the 
 Emperor was invested with the title of Protector of the Or- 
 der. French influence was, at this time, on the increase at 
 Malta, and the finances of the Order, from the persecutions 
 it had experienced, were deplorably low. A formidable 
 French fleet was fitted out at Toulon, with a powerful arma- 
 
 ' For the Constitution, and other interesting particulars relating to this Order, 
 the reader is referred to Louis de Boisgelin's Ancient and Modern Malta. The 
 author was a Knight of the Order.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 157 
 
 ment, and entrusted to the command of Admiral Brueys, who 
 appeared off Malta with no less than 18 ships of the line, 18 
 frigates, and about 400 transports, having 40,000 troops on 
 board. Malta was at this time in a good state of defence, and 
 had troops sufficient to have withstood for a considerable time 
 any attacks from the French. On the 6th of June, 1798, the 
 first division of the French fleet appeared in sight of Malta, 
 and occasioned much alarm. This division consisted of a few 
 frigates, and 70 transports, but the Commodore Sidoux per- 
 ceiving the batteries well mounted, only ventured to express 
 his surprise, and profess neutrality which he said subsisted 
 between France and the Order. Some vessels in want of re- 
 pairs were thereupon admitted, and the demands incurred were 
 punctually discharged. Assurances of peace were abundantly 
 lavished by the French Consul, and General Dolomien, who 
 was on board in the fleet, and endeavours were made to per- 
 suade the Maltese of their safety. But on the evening of the 
 9th of June the remainder of the French fleet arrived under 
 the command of General Buonaparte, who immediately or- 
 dered the French Consul to demand of the Grand Master in 
 his name the free entry of all the ports for the whole of the fleet 
 and convoy together. This was refused by the Grand Master, 
 at that time a weak indecisive man, Ferdinand Hompesch, who 
 for himself and the Council replied, that the laws of the coun- 
 try prevented his compliance with the request, but that all 
 possible assistance and refreshments would be bestowed and 
 distributed : only two, or at most four ships, could be permitted 
 to enter at one time. The intentions of Buonaparte were, 
 however, now too apparent. The French Consul gave to him 
 a list of all those, amounting to 4000 in number, who might 
 be depended upon as favourable to the French interests, and 
 willing to join in the destruction of the Knights, upon the 
 commencement of hostilities. With a solitary exception 
 (Bordon de Ransijat, Treasurer of the Order), the Knights 
 W'Cre faithful to their vows, and eagerly stood forward to the 
 defence of the place. The French landed their troops at St. 
 George's Bay to the north-west of Valetta, one shot only was 
 fired, and the place was taken possession of by 15,000 troops 
 on the 10th. Intrigue, treachery, and treason, had deprived 
 the Knights of the muniments of war. Goza, or Gozo,
 
 158 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 which is about three and a half miles north-west of Malta, 
 ten miles long, and five miles and a half broad, was the 
 only place which offered anything hke resistance ; it was 
 attacked by the General Regnier, and defended by De Me- 
 grigny. 
 
 The terror upon the landing of the French at Malta was 
 excessive, and universal disorganization ensued. The keys 
 of the old city gates were delivered up to General Vaubois 
 without any summons to such an effect having been issued. 
 Much blood was, however, shed at different parts, and dread- 
 ful atrocities were perpetrated against such as offered any 
 opposition. La Valetta was now invested, all other places 
 being entirely subdued. Articles of capitulation^ were drawn 
 up, and accepted, and Malta was in the possession of the 
 French, the laws of the Directory were established, and a 
 Provisional Government formed. Of this administration the 
 traitor Ransijat was named President, but made subject to 
 the command of St. Jean d'Angeli, Commissary of the Direc- 
 tory, who had received money from the Order to defend its 
 rights in the National Assembly of France. 
 
 Buonaparte left Malta on the 19th, the Grand Master 
 Hompesch having embarked privately in a merchant ship 
 with twelve Knights on the night of the l7th, and when he 
 arrived at Trieste he resigned the office of Grand Master of 
 the Order. The command of the garrison was left to General 
 Vaubois, who had 4000 troops. Much treasure was taken 
 away, and principally deposited in L' Orient, the ship in which 
 Buonaparte was, and which was afterwards, together with 
 its treasures, blown up in the Battle of the Nile. The greater 
 portion of the Knights fled to Russia, where they were pro- 
 tected by the Emperor, who, on the 29th of June, at their 
 solicitation, took upon himself the title of Grand Master. 
 On that day he received the crown and regalia of the Grand 
 Mastership, the Vice-Chancellor pronounced the act of accept- 
 ance, and the Knights took the accustomed oaths of allegiance 
 on the occasion. The standard of the Order for a perma- 
 nence was hoisted on the angle of the Bastion of the Admi- 
 ralty at Petersburgh on the 1st of January, 1799, and saluted 
 by the firing of thirty-three cannons. 
 
 1 See Appendix, No. II,
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, 159 
 
 On the 2nd of September, 1798, after the Maltese had gained 
 intelligence of the total defeat of the French fleet at Aboukir, 
 an attempt was made by the French to take down and appro- 
 priate some valuable decorations in the churches and convents, 
 which gave rise to an insurrectionary movement, and the 
 French Consul imprudently drew his sword against the 
 people, who w^ere offering resistance to this violation of sacred 
 property, and who, incensed by the proceeding, fell upon the 
 detachment, massacred them, and burned their bodies. In 
 the course of twenty-four hours, the insurrection spread and 
 became general, but it was suppressed. The Maltese appealed 
 to the King of Sicily as their sovereign for protection, and La 
 Valetta was, on the 18th, blockaded by four Portuguese men- 
 of-war and two frigates. This was to be under the command 
 of the Marquis de Niza, the Sicilian Admiral, aided by Cap- 
 tain Ball, of the Alexander. Captain Murray, of the Colossus, 
 also offered his support. The Marquis was much esteemed 
 by Nelson, who writes : " I must say that I never knew so 
 indefatigable an officer. During the whole time I have had 
 the happiness of having him under my command, I have 
 never expressed a wish that Niza did not fly to execute.^^ 
 
 The Queen of Naples gave information of the possession of 
 Malta by the French, to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 ^' I feel greatly obliged by your attention. I have sent the 
 letter to the General (Acton), to be translated. May God 
 bless and aid with His almighty power the brave and loyal 
 English. On the 9th and 10th the French landed at Malta ; 
 the city and port defend themselves, and may God overthrow 
 the treason, and cause the traitors to perish. Garat has 
 opened an office for the proceedings, worthy of him and his 
 clients, but which will be treated as it ought to be. They 
 are going to send our serious complaints to Paris, respecting 
 Malta and this office, and they send to London and Vienna 
 also to urge them. The rascally French pretend that they 
 have means [agrets) to burn the English fleet ; I hope that 
 is not true. May God and the wind be favourable to them ; 
 my prayers and wishes follow them, and I ardently desire for 
 the time to come when all our strength and means may aid
 
 IGO LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 them, and prove that I am, as I shall be for life, their sincere 
 and grateful friend." 
 
 "June 19, 1798. 
 " My very dear Friend, 
 
 "The surrender of Malta, almost without firing a shot, has 
 much affected me ; they are masters of everything, the port 
 and the fort. They have disembarked from 10 to 15,000 
 men, a portion of the squadron is Avithin the port, the 
 remainder is gone, nobody knows where ; perhaps it will fall 
 into the hands of the brave Nelson. Buonaparte is at Malta, 
 which proves that he will thence achieve the remainder, and 
 presages no good for us. The loss of Malta is an incalculable 
 misfortune. We protest at Paris, Madrid, Vienna, London, 
 Russia, against this violation of territory; Malta belonging to 
 us. They have expelled all the Knights, for whom I have 
 neither esteem nor pity, as they did not defend themselves. 
 The courier leaves to-morrow for Vienna and London ; let 
 the Chevalier know that. I am melancholy and disturbed, 
 but am always your sincere friend through life.'^ 
 
 Nelson remained at Naples until the 16th or l7th of Oc- 
 tober, when he sailed for Malta. The following letters, two 
 without date, must have been written by the Queen of Naples 
 to Lady Hamilton at this time : 
 
 " October 15, 1798. 
 
 '' My dear Lady, 
 '^ In imagination I see you greatly affected at the departure 
 of the valiant Admiral. I also feel great regret, but am con- 
 fident that his name and presence will be highly serviceable 
 at Malta, and that we shall soon have the happiness of seeing 
 him again ; for under his observation and direction, all will 
 go well. I shall see you, my dear Lady, and the Chevalier at 
 Caserta with great pleasure. Rely on my sincere friendship 
 and gratitude. I send you the original paper entrusted to me 
 by our brave Admiral, to return to him. iVIy health is a little 
 better, but not yet well ; but we must be patient, and perform 
 our duty to the last. Adieu. A thousand compliments to 
 the Chevalier Hamilton, and believe me for life your sincere 
 friend."
 
 1793.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 161 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 "We have just received the news of the Republican 
 squadron being before Malta, and of their having already 
 taken a Maltese polacca in proof of hostility; but a more 
 striking one is, that they have sent a force and boats to Pan- 
 tellaria, to learn whether that 'island belongs to Malta or to 
 us, and finding that it is ours they quitted it, a proof that 
 their designs are against Malta, the loss of which would be 
 a great misfortune to us, as these rogues would have a port 
 and fortress directly in front of us, from which no power 
 would dislodge them ; they fear the English, and inquire 
 everywhere as to their position ; they sail badly, being too 
 heavily laden. It would, perhaps, be useful to let our friend 
 and preserver Nelson know this news, but it would be as well 
 that the Chevalier should go and inform the good and true 
 General who will tell him (Nelson) best. Adieu, my dear 
 friend, rely on my affection and gratitude under all trials.'' 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " T send you Nelson's interesting letter, the translation of 
 which I have read with much pleasure. The wind has been 
 fresh from the west, and I hope the squadron has made good 
 way. May God accompany them, and enable Malta to main- 
 tain itself until they arrive. All this deranges me very much. 
 A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, and believe me 
 yours through life." 
 
 Captain Ball addi'essed the following to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "Alexander, off Malta, October 19th, 1798, 
 
 " I cannot let slip this occasion to address a few Hues to 
 the best friend and patroness of the navy, and to assure you 
 and Sir William Hamilton, that I shall ever retain the most 
 lively sense of the attention and hospitality we all received at 
 Naples through your goodness. I have brought upon myself 
 a great deal of envy, by shewing the official order I received 
 from you, at Mr. Head's, signed a la Nelson. 
 
 *' The Marquis de Niza is a candidate for carrying you to 
 Lisbon ; old Bai'ker kissed the order, and regi'etted that he 
 had not a chance ; but I stand more in fear of Foley than 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 162 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 any one. There was a report made of his ship the day I 
 sailed;, which I did not at all like ; however, I shall depend 
 upon your firmness. I trust that a very short time will put 
 us in possession of the French ships in the harbour of Malta, 
 viz.i Le Guillaume Tell, of 80 guns; La Diana and La 
 Justice, frigates of 40 guns, besides two ships, formerly 
 Maltese. The French would be glad of a sufficient excuse to 
 surrender, which they will soon have, as they are firing away 
 their powder very fast. The Maltese have gone too far ever 
 to recede ; they keep up their spirits, and think that the 
 English will do every thing for them — that we carry with 
 us every where the cornucopia. I think their character 
 partakes a little of the Corsican breed. 
 
 " Mr. Davenport is in good health, and makes an ex- 
 cellent voT/ageur. He desires his best respects to you and 
 Sir William. I inclose a letter from the boy Mrs. Cadogan 
 sent with me. He is a good lad, and promises well. My 
 best respects to her. 
 
 " I request that you will have the goodness to remember 
 me to Lady Knight, Miss Knight, and all my English 
 friends. Pray accept of my best wishes for your's and Sir 
 WilUam's health. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 " With infinite respect, 
 " Dear Madam, 
 " Your most obedient and humble servant, 
 "Alexander John Ball." 
 
 Lord Nelson, on the 24th, the day of his arrival off Malta, 
 wrote also to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " Vanguard, off Malta, October 24th, 1798. 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " After a long passage, we are amved ; and it is as I sus- 
 pected — the ministers at Naples know nothing of the situa- 
 tion of the island. Not a house or bastion of the town is in 
 the possession of the islanders ; and the Marquis of Niza tells 
 me, they want arms, victuals, and support. He does not 
 know that any Neapolitan officers are in the island ; perhaps,
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 1G3 
 
 although I have their names, none are arrived ; and it is very 
 certain, by the Marquis's account, that no supplies have been 
 sent by the governors of Syracuse or Messina. However, 
 I shall and will know every thing as soon as the Marquis is 
 gone, which will be to-morrow morning. He says he is very 
 anxious to serve under my command ; and, by his exchanging 
 his ship, it appears as if he was so : how^ever, I understand 
 the trim of om* English ships better. 
 
 ^' Ball will have the management of the blockade after my 
 departure, as it seems the com't of Naples thinks my presence 
 may be necessary and useful in the beginning of November. 
 I hope it will prove so ; but I feel my duty lays at present in 
 the East ; for, until I know the shipping in Egypt are de- 
 stroyed, I shall never consider the French army as com- 
 pletely sure of never returning to Europe, 
 
 " However, all my views ai'e to serve, and save the Two 
 Sicilies ; and to do that which their Majesties may wish 
 me, even against my own opinion, when I come to Naples ; 
 and that country is at war. I shall wish to have a meeting 
 with General Acton on this subject. 
 
 " You will, I am sure, do me justice with the Queen ; for, 
 I declare to God, my whole study is how best to meet her 
 approbation. 
 
 " May God bless you and Sir William ; and ever believe 
 me, with the most affectionate regai'd, your obliged and 
 faithful friend, 
 
 "Horatio Nelson. 
 
 '' I may possibly, but that is not certain, send in the 
 inclosed letter. Shew it to Sir William. This must depend 
 on what I hear and see ; for I believe scarcely any thing I 
 hear. 
 
 " Once more, God bless you !" 
 
 When Sir James Saumarez was taking home the Nile 
 prizes, being detained off Malta, he, after an ineffectual 
 attempt to obtain the surrender of the island from the 
 French, furnished to the Maltese 1200 muskets, and a quan- 
 tity of ammunition, which subsequently proved of service 
 to them in the recovery of their liberty. 
 
 Upon arriving at Malta, Nelson found the French colours 
 
 M 2
 
 164 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 flying on the castle of Gozo, and in the town of Malta. The 
 Marquis de Niza was sent back to Naples to refit^ and Nelson 
 determined upon ascertaining precisely how matters stood, 
 as the information he had already obtained was very unsatis- 
 factory. He had been led to expect that the islanders, who 
 were opposed to the French, had been furnished with sup- 
 plies, ammunition, &c. ; he, however, found this not to be 
 the case, but that, on the contrary, a quarantine had been 
 laid on the vessels of the good people of Malta equal to those 
 of the French. On the 25th, he addressed the French 
 General and Admiral, commanding in the town of Valetta 
 and port of Malta, demanding their abandonment of the 
 island, and the delivery of Le Guillaume Tell, La Diana, and 
 La Justice. Upon condition of complying with these demands, 
 the troops and seamen were promised to be landed in France ; 
 those Maltese who had favoured the French to be pardoned, 
 and mediation with their Sovereign offered for the restoration 
 of their property. But for the assistance rendered to the 
 Maltese by the English, in the supply of arms, ammunition, 
 &c., they must have been overpowered by the French, and 
 Nelson determined on mentioning to the King the neglect of 
 his ministers in affording them no assistance whatever. 
 
 There were 10,000 Maltese in La Valetta in arms against 
 the French, but their position was too strong to be sub- 
 dued. General Vaubois had the command of the French, 
 with 4000 men in garrison, but double this number was 
 considered necessary to defend it, and by sickness they 
 were reduced to half that number, but had acquired 
 some additional strength from the crews of the vessels, 
 alluded to in the preceding letter, that had escaped from 
 the battle of the Nile, and were commanded by the French 
 Admiral Decres. Berthier gave orders that 6000 men, 
 from the depots of the army at Toulon, should proceed 
 thither; 1000 men were also sent from Corsica, 1500 from 
 Civita Vecchia, and 1500 from Genes.^ There were also 
 100 Maltese, all that were found willing to aid their 
 invaders. 
 
 Upon Nelson's arrival off Malta, Captain Ball was directed 
 
 ' Campagnes d'Egypte et de Syne, 1798-1799. Paris, 1847, 8vo. Vol. i. 
 p. 30.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 165 
 
 to summon Gozo, which he did, and a capitulation was the 
 result, October 30th, 1798. One hundi-ed and fifteen pri- 
 soners of the garrison were conveyed on board the Alexander, 
 received by the Vanguard, and the same number transferred 
 to the Minotaur, which took them to Naples, whence they 
 were sent to Nice. 
 
 The success of the French in Italy rendered our arrange- 
 ments with the Barbary powers, from Tunis to Tangier, a 
 matter of great importance in reference to our trade in the 
 Levant. No one rendered more effectual assistance in this 
 matter than the Consul at Tunis, Perkins Magra,Esq.,^ whose 
 conduct is frequently alluded to by Nelson with distinguished 
 approbation. 
 
 The great attention paid to Nelson's health by Lady 
 Hamilton was very generally and warmly acknowledged. 
 Earl St. Vincent wrote to Lady Hamilton thus : — 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 ^'Ten thousand most grateful thanks are due to your 
 Ladyship, for restoring the health of our invaluable friend 
 Nelson, on whose hfe, the fate of the remaining Governments 
 in Europe, whose system has not been deranged by those 
 devils, depends. Pray do not let your fascinating Neapolitan 
 dames approach too near him, for he is made of flesh and 
 blood, and cannot resist their temptations. 
 
 '' Lady St. Vincent will be transported with your attention 
 to her : I have sent the fan mounts, for Lady Nelson and 
 her, by Sir James Saumarez, who, after seeing the French 
 prizes safe moored in the Tagus, conveys the Duke D'Havie 
 to England. He, poor man ! although a Grandee of Spain, 
 having been driven out of that kingdom by the insolent 
 intrigues of Truguet. 
 
 ' I had the happiness of being intimately acquainted with the late Major 
 Perkins Magra, and had the honour of enjoying his friendship for many years. 
 He was one of the equerries to the late Duke of Sussex, and was very highly 
 esteemed by his Royal Highness, and a very distinguished circle of friends. He 
 was a man of enlightened and comprehensive views, and had remarkable decision 
 of character. He died in February, 1826, leaving me his executor, by which the 
 copies of several of his letters to Lord Nelson, Sir William Hamilton, and Sir 
 Alexander Ball, have come into my hands, and prove useful in illustrating the 
 career of ovir great naval hero. — (See Appendix, No. III.)
 
 166 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VI. 
 
 " I have obeyed your Ladyship's commands respecting 
 Tom Bowen, who is now Captain of L'Aquilon, and gone to 
 Lisbon to take possession of her, and his brother William, 
 who married a daughter of Sir William Parker, I have 
 appointed to the Caroline, the finest frigate I have, and he is 
 employed on the most advantageous service for filling his 
 pockets. Should your Ladyship have any other protegees, 
 I desire you will not spare me. 
 
 " I am very much penetrated wnth the condescension their 
 Majesties of the Two Sicilies have graciously shewn to me 
 through your Ladyship, and I rely on your doing justice to 
 my feelings upon the occasion. 
 
 " I have taken up my residence here, for some months, 
 that I may be ready to afford succour to the detachments of 
 the fleet I have the honour to command, in the Levant 
 and before Cadiz, and when Sir Wilham and you arrive, 
 I shall be able to give you some English mutton, in a plain 
 way. 
 
 " Continue to love me, and rest assured of the most un- 
 feigned and affectionate regard of, my dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " Your faithful and devoted Knight, 
 
 "St. Vincent.^ 
 
 " Admiral's House, 
 " Rosia, Gibraltar, 
 
 «' 28th October, 1798." 
 
 Lady Hamilton was exceedingly attentive to all Nelson's 
 favourite officers as well as to himself. Captain Troubridge 
 thus addressed her : — 
 
 " Culloden, October 20th, 1798. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " My letter to Sir William was to prevent any delay of the 
 Cutter, that he might send any intelligence he might be in 
 possession of since Sir Horatio's departure. I mentioned at 
 
 ' This letter, and the subsequent one of the date of December 7th, have 
 appeared in the " Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton." The greater 
 number of those printed were never returned to the Collection from vehich they 
 were abstracted. The letters now printed are taken from the originals, unless 
 otherwise expressed.
 
 1/98.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 167 
 
 the bottom that he should have the Budget the moment my 
 people could copy it. Captahi Waller will have given it to 
 you long, long, ere this. 
 
 " I am highly flattered by the honour her Majesty has 
 done me by thinking of me. Indeed I begin to think you 
 will spoil us all ; we shall not be able to stay out for eight or 
 nine months cruising, after all this attention. I sincerely 
 wish the Princess a good time, for I really am very partial to 
 the King and Royal family of Naples. I should have been 
 with you, but I hope Monday evening the CuUoden will be 
 at Naples. I shall then have leisure, and be highly flattered 
 by the introduction your Ladyship mentions. I shall say 
 nothing of our French friends at Alexandria, as Sir William 
 is in possession of all I am, except a small extract I send you 
 from Captain Hood's letter, which I am sure will please you 
 as it does me, so many villains out of the world, one of them, 
 an aide-de-camp of a wretch they call Buonaparte. The 
 messenger waits for this. I beg my respects to Sir 
 William. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 " With great sincerity, 
 " Your ever obliged and obedient 
 * " Humble servant, 
 
 "T. Troubridge. 
 
 *' Lady Hamilton."
 
 168 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 1798. 
 
 At the urgent request of the King of Naples and the court, 
 Nelson promised to return in the first week in November to 
 concert the commencement of the war in which the King was 
 to lead the troops, 30,000 in number, in person. There was, 
 however, much hesitation on the occasion, as on the 14th 
 November Nelson writes to Earl Spencer that he had been 
 present at the deliberations with the King, General Mack, 
 and Sir John Acton, and that a disposition appeared to exist 
 in consequence of want of assurance of support from the 
 Emperor of Austria to wait until the French had made further 
 aggressions. Nelson boldly told the King : " Either to 
 advance, trusting to God for his blessing on a just cause, to 
 die with I'epee a la main, or remain quiet and be kicked out 
 of your kingdoms/^ ^ 
 
 The letter just alluded to, which embraces the dates of the 
 13th, 14th, 15th, and 18th November, is generally considered 
 as the first signed by Nelson as a Peer, his previous letters 
 being Horatio Nelson. It, however, appears that Earl 
 Spencer had apprised him in a letter of the date of the 7th 
 of October, of the King having conferred upon him the 
 dignity of a Baron, and the same was gazetted on the day 
 preceding. Nelson did not receive this letter until the 7th 
 of December, having been at Leghorn. Lord Spencer's 
 letter of the 2nd of October upon receipt of the dispatches 
 by Captain Capel, states only that in his next he should have 
 the pleasure of acquainting him of the measures to be taken 
 by the Government to mark their sense of his merits, and 
 it is probable that some private information between the 
 2nd and the 6th may have been forwarded to him of the 
 intention to raise him to the Peerage. He mentions in a 
 
 1 Letter Book.
 
 1% 
 
 1
 
 ^/ y 
 
 
 
 v^ 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 i 
 
 n 
 
 
 ^-5 
 
 ^ r.i< 
 
 I 
 I
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 169 
 
 letter to Captain Berry, " I have not a letter from England 
 since Captain Capel's arrival, except two private ones from 
 Lord Spencer." He says the same in a letter to Captain 
 Ball. These private letters must have made known to him 
 the rank he was entitled to hold, although his letters do not 
 bear signature as such until November l7th, but I have the 
 following letter written as early as the 16th of October, with 
 his signature as a Peer,^ and it appears to me also as an 
 elegant and delicate manner adopted by Nelson to commu- 
 nicate the intelligence of his elevation to his intimate friends 
 Sir William and Lady Hamilton. It runs thus : — 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " I honour and respect you and my dear friend Sir William 
 Hamilton, 
 
 " And believe me ever 
 
 *^ Your faithful and affectionate 
 
 " Nelson. 
 
 " Naples, October 16th, 1798." 
 
 This was addresed to Lady Hamilton, who has written 
 beneath the above : — ''The first letter written by our gallant 
 and immortal Nelson, after his dignity to the peerage. May 
 God bless and preserve him, and long may he live to enjoy 
 the honours he so deservedly won, prays his true friend, 
 
 "Emma Hamilton." 
 
 Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas states, though he does not 
 give any authority for the statement, that '' on the 1 7th of 
 that month (November), he learnt that he had been created 
 a Peer by the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of 
 Burnham Thorpe, in the County of Norfolk."^ 
 
 The following letter from the Queen of Naples refers to the 
 deliberations at this time going on in Council : — 
 
 to lady HAMILTON. 
 
 "Naples, November 17, 1798. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I wish to hear how your health is, and that of the Che- 
 valier, and of the brave Nelson. Gallo returns expressly to 
 
 ' • See Fac-simile. 
 
 * Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. Pref. p. 5.
 
 170 LIFE OP VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 speak with your husband on our affairs, and the subsidies so 
 indispensable to us — make my compliments to Nelson, tell 
 him I recommend our affairs to him. The weather is so bad, 
 that it makes me tremble for the soldiers ; I fear there will 
 be much sickness. I cannot go out of doors, which is alto- 
 gether very detrimental. Adieu, my dear Lady, keep well, 
 and accept the sincere sentiments of your attached friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 Nelson sailed with a small squadron in company with the 
 Portuguese squadron, having 5123 troops on board from 
 Naples, on the 22nd November, and arrived at Leghorn on 
 the 28th. He seldom omitted an opportunity of writing a 
 letter, either official or private, to acquaint others with the 
 state of things. On this day, the 22nd November, before 
 quitting Naples, he addressed the following to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " Not being able to get our anchor out of the ground, al- 
 lows me to say on paper that I am your and Sir William's 
 affectionate friend. May God Almighty bless and protect you 
 both is the fervent prayer of your 
 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " Thursday, Noon." 
 
 In connection with the Neapolitan General, Nelson sum- 
 moned the town of Leghorn, and it surrendered. Possession 
 of it was immediately taken, and also of the fortress. On the 
 30th he left Leghorn, and returned to Naples on the 5th 
 December. About this time the following letter must have 
 been written by the Queen : — 
 
 TO LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I was incapable of replying to you yesterday, being too 
 much affected. The King, thank God, continues well, but I 
 am sure he cannot be so long, living in the midst of such 
 heart-breaking trials of every kind. I pity him intensely, 
 and would be with him. There has been no battie yet, and 
 
 J
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. I7l 
 
 our troops conduct themselves very badly, which afflicts and 
 kills me. God only knows what evils are in reserve ; I am 
 deeply affected by it, and expect every day something more 
 horrible. The good only will be the victims. The Chevalier 
 of Saxe is badly wounded by two discharges of shot, and one 
 from a musket which passed through his body ; also Arcovite, 
 Barco, and several others. Mack is in despair, and there is 
 reason to be so. Adieu; — a thousand thousand compliments 
 to the brave Admiral Nelson, and to the Chevalier. This is 
 for you alone : being shameful to us, it will kill me with cha- 
 grin. Pity me — pity my virtuous, sacrificed husband, and 
 
 believe me, till death yours We will spare nothing if the 
 
 villains come, — enormous expenditure, life — everything; but 
 if the people continue so passive {etre lapins) we shall be lost ; 
 thus the stay of the brave Admiral is a great advantage, as I 
 could in case of misfortune, confide my children to him. We 
 will do all that is possible without degrading ourselves, but my 
 soul is quite obscured. La Combe was ordered yesterday to 
 lay down his arms, and by Monday, he, his mission, and all 
 the French shall be driven from Naples. Adieu." 
 
 The Neapolitan troops under General Mack^ were defeated, 
 
 ' Nelson always entertained an unfavourable opinion of this officer. " General 
 Mack (he says) cannot move without five carriages. I have formed my opinion. 
 I heartily pray I may be mistaken." — Letter to Earl Spencer. At a NeapoUtan 
 Review, the General made a mistake in directing the operations of a feigned fight, 
 and his own troops became surrounded by those of the enemy. Nelson, who 
 observed tliis, immediately exclaimed, " This fellow does not undei-stand his busi- 
 ness." General Mack is admitted on all hands to have been an incompetent officer, 
 and totally unfit to take the command of the army of the Two Sicilies, and the 
 disastrous consequences which followed his campaign, probably led to a division 
 of the country into parties, the largest of which supported the King and absolute 
 power, whilst a smaller one was disposed to declare itself in favour of liberty, and 
 considered the invasion by the French as an unavoidable but temporai-y evil. Cap- 
 tain Hoste, writing to his father of the Neapolitan army, states that the most san- 
 guine expectations had been formed fi-om the knowledge of Mack and the army, 
 but that the division and defect of one part broke all their measures, and that the 
 treachery of the officers, who had been privately bribed by the French, and the 
 bad state of the troops, being in want of clothing and provisions of every kind, 
 occasioned a general discontent throughout the army. The Neapohtans, dis- 
 couraged by their defeat, refused to fight in their country's defence, and laid down 
 their arms to a man. — {Memoirs and Letters of Sir W. Hoste, Vol. i. p. 113) 
 
 M. de Graviere describes Mack as " cold, grave, frugal of speech, and letting 
 out each word bv itself in oracular form."
 
 172 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 and made a retreat most ingloriously — in fact they ran away. 
 The position of the country became very critical. Nelson 
 considered nearly all in it to be traitors or cowards. The 
 King returned to Naples in the middle of December. On 
 the 17th Nelson wrote to his Excellency J. Spencer Smith, ^ 
 at Constantinople: "I have had the charge of the Two 
 Sicilies entrusted to me, and things are come to that pitch, 
 that I do not know that the whole Royal Family, with 3000 
 Neapolitan emigrts, will not be under the protection of the 
 King^s flag this night."- On the following day he wrote to 
 Earl Spencer : " There is an old saying that ' when things are 
 at the worst, they must mend.' Now, the mind of man can- 
 not fancy things worse than they are here, but, thank God, 
 my health is better, my mind never firmer, and my heart in 
 the right trim to comfort, relieve, and protect those who it 
 is my duty to afford assistance to.''"' 
 
 The interest felt for the Queen of the Sicilies, and the 
 cordial manner in which the land and naval forces lived to- 
 gether at this time, is well shewn in the following letter from 
 Earl St. Vincent to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 ^' My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 ^' I have to thank you, which I do most kindly, for your 
 obliging letters of the 7th and 10th of November, and for the 
 gracious letter w^hich your Ladyship had received from the 
 charming delightful Queen of the Two Sicilies, at whose feet 
 I am anxiously desirous to throw myself; and as I have re- 
 linquished my intention of returning to England, (although 
 in possession of leave to go) I hope the period is not far 
 distant. In the mean while, have the goodness to keep me 
 alive in the remembrance of Her Majesty ; assure her of my 
 profound respect and admiration of her as Queen : I dare not 
 give utterance to what I feel for her as one of the first and 
 most lovely of her sex. Our possession of the island of 
 
 ' John Spencer Smith, brother of Sir William Sidney Smith, was in his youth 
 one of the Pages of Honour to Queen Charlotte, and afterwards held a commission 
 in the Guards. Quitting tlie army for diplomacy, he was engaged at the Ottoman 
 Porte. He died at Caen, in Normandy, in 1810, leaving two sons, one a clergy- 
 man, the Rev. Edward Herbert Smith, the other a Captain in the navy, named 
 after his uncle, William Sidney Smith. 
 
 * Letter Book. ' Ibid.
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 1 73 
 
 Minorca will relieve her Majesty and the Government from 
 one embarrassment, touching their last Treaty with France, 
 as Lord Nelson will now be able to refit his squadron without 
 committing an infraction of the Treaty. 
 
 *' Our excellent ft-iend, General O'Hara, is very busy 
 in erecting two rooms for the accommodation of your Lady- 
 ship and Sir William, when you visit this curious rock. He 
 is among the most hospitable and entertaining of men, and 
 we live together as all Commanders of his Majesty^s land 
 forces and fleets ought to do ; and I hope will do, from the 
 examples which have been shewn, whenever I have acted with 
 the army, as Sir Charles Grey, the Governor of this garrison, 
 and General Stuart will testify, and if the immortal Wolfe 
 could be conjured from the grave, he would do so too. 
 
 ^' I hope soon to hear our dear Lord Nelson is quite well 
 under your fostering care, and with my warmest wishes for 
 every blessing to be showered down upon you and yours, I 
 have the honour to be, with the truest respect, esteem and 
 regard, 
 
 " Your Ladyship's 
 " Very affectionate humble servant, 
 "St. Vincent.^' 
 
 *' Rosia House, 
 
 "Gibraltar, 7th December, 1798. 
 
 In reference to the possession of Minorca, alluded to in the 
 preceding letter, the Queen of Naples writes thus, probably at 
 this time, but the letter bears no date : — 
 
 TO LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I am rejoiced at all the good news of Minorca ; may suc- 
 cess follow success to your brave nation, our dear aUies and 
 defenders, and who will, I hope, still support us. I am free 
 from noon till 5 o'clock — dining at noon — I say so, having a 
 a Council at 10 and 2 o'clock. I shall be enchanted to see 
 you, my dear friend, and assure you of my friendship. I 
 had news yesterday evening, thank God, from the King at 
 Fresinone. Messieurs the Republicans luckily have yielded 
 to the summons, and are gone. There was some firing, but
 
 174 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 without doing any mischief to Vesuli and to Terracina. They 
 have sent an Adjutant to Rome to tell them to depart — we 
 shall see what they will do. This horrid weather, and de- 
 testable dirty roads, annoy us greatly, and give me much 
 trouble. Leopold is here with me, ready to receive your 
 kindness. I wait impatiently to see you. A thousand com- 
 pliments to the good attached Chevalier. I am your sincere 
 friend for life." 
 
 The defeat of the Royal Army by the French, produced 
 riotous proceedings at Naples, and some murders were the 
 consequence. The Royal Family took alarm, and it .became 
 necessary to concert measures for their safety. It was unques- 
 tionably at much peril that those were carried into effect, 
 and the chief agent through whose instrumentality they were 
 accomphshed was certainly Lady Hamilton, who could con- 
 tinue to visit the Queen without exciting suspicion. The 
 King of Naples was with difficulty persuaded to quit the 
 seat of his government ; had he, however, remained, it is 
 most probable he would have fallen a victim to one of many 
 of the deceptive artifices then in operation among different 
 political parties. The letters of the Queen to Lady Hamil- 
 ton at this period are very interesting. 
 
 "December 17, 1798. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 "We have received no news from General Mack since 
 Thursday from either the Upper or Lower Abnizzi, which 
 keeps me in a perpetual agony. I venture to send you this 
 evening all the money we have saved, both the King's and 
 mine, amounting to 60,000 ducats in gold, which is our all, 
 for we have never accumulated. The diamonds of the 
 family, both male and female, will come to-morrow evening 
 to be consigned to Admiral Lord Nelson. The General will 
 have already spoken to him about our money, that is for 
 paying the troops and seamen. Crime, treason, cowardice, 
 general consternation, and no vigour existing, cause me 
 much fear and render me completely miserable, but I will 
 fulfil my different duties to the last. Adieu, my compliments 
 to the Chevalier and to my Lord our liberator. Preserve
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSGiy. 175 
 
 the friendship for me of which you give me so many proofs, 
 and beheve me for life your sincere friend. Saverio, a faith- 
 ful and sure man, accompanies the money. 
 
 " This was written yesterday, but knowing of the fete at 
 Niza's, I would not send for fear of incommoding ; but to- 
 night I shall send you every thing — ^jewels, money, and 
 necessai'ies, for our misfortunes are pressing, our people are 
 infamous execrable wretches. Acton's brother is arrived and 
 relates horrors. Mack is in despair. I feel desolate and 
 bewildered ; adieu, my compliments to the hero Nelson, and 
 his brave nation. I blush for the infamous cowardice of ours. 
 Adieu, yours until death.'' 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "December 18, 1798. 
 
 ^' My dear Lady, 
 
 " I send three more coffers and a small box ; the three 
 contain some linen for my children on board and some 
 dresses, in the box there are some smaller things. I hope 
 it is not wrong to send them — the remainder shall go by a 
 Sicilian vessel to avoid inconvenience. The French have 
 entered Teramo, and have put the prisoners of State into 
 seciu-e places. In the province of Aquila they have been 
 repulsed, the people defend themselves vigorously. Adieu 
 my dear Lady, a thousand compliments to the Chevalier, 
 and to our estimable liberator, and believe me for life your 
 grateful attached friend, 
 
 ^' I hope to see you to-morrow evening with our very dear 
 Admiral." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 " December 19, 1798. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " I abuse your goodness as well as that of our brave Ad- 
 miral. Let the great cases be thrown into the hold, the 
 small ones are easier to dispose of, unfortunately I have such 
 a large family. Such distress drives me to despair, and my 
 tears flow unceasingly, the suddenness of the blow has dis- 
 tracted me, and I do not think I shall ever recover from it, 
 but it will sink me amazed into the grave. Pray send me, 
 my dear friend, information of every thing and be certain of
 
 17G LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 my discretion. My son is returned from Capua with dread- 
 ful accounts of the flying troops and unheard of misfortunes. 
 Adieu, my dear, the effect of this horrible break up is de- 
 structive of two-thirds of our existence, our accustomed 
 habits. I shall place myself in the hands of Divine Provi- 
 dence and be contented ; but it is a cruel and mortal trial. 
 Make my compliments to our estimable liberator. Adieu, a 
 thousand compliments — my entire gratitude is devoted to you. 
 " Besides the large list of persons to embark 1 shall make 
 a special one written like the copy which I send you, and 
 whom I beg on my responsibility may be embarked and 
 saved.'^ 
 
 Embarque Je vous prie, 
 M, C. 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "December 19, 1798. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " Dangers thicken, Aquila is taken with 600 men, to the 
 eternal disgrace of our country. Mack wTites in despair. 
 The weather appears favourable, and so the King is pressing. 
 I am bewildered and lost, as this entirely changes our state of 
 life and situation, and all the ideas I and my family had 
 formed for the future. My head is quite gone. I will send 
 some more cases to-night, but the things belonging to my 
 family will be very numerous, as it is for life. Tell me frankly 
 then, if I may send to the dock to-night by a trusty man 
 (Lalo or Saverio) our trunks, and if a transport can take 
 them, or if that would be troublesome let me know, so that 
 I may then take other steps. 
 
 "A thousand compliments to our Saviour from the most 
 unfortunate of women, mothers, and queens, but your sin- 
 cere friend." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "December 21, 1798. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " Popular tumults, in which people are killed, are a sure 
 sign that subordination is at an end; they increase daily, and
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 177 
 
 I tremble to think of the horrors whicih a people may 
 permit themselves to commit with unbridled license, who 
 have not the courage to encounter their enemy. I rely upon 
 the understanding agreed upon with our Liberator, and aban- 
 don to him the ten innocent persons of our household. I 
 feel my heart is breaking with grief. This is the list of the 
 unfortunate who have a note from me.^ The fear of ven- 
 geance or other evils occun'ing has caused me to keep silent 
 about them till now. The emigrants are killed, the seditious 
 language of the people is very alarming, and all announces 
 a frightful catastrophe. My compliments to you all. My 
 mind is lacerated and my heart bleeds. Adieu. 
 
 " The unfortunate Maudets cannot save themselves — have 
 pity on them. Poor Vanni has shot himself this morning ; 
 how I reproach myself.^' 
 
 On the 21st of December their Sicilian Majesties with 
 their family arrived on board the Vanguard at 9 p. m. feeling 
 it to be absolutely necessary in the present state of affairs. 
 The British Ambassador and family, the Imperial Ambas- 
 sador and his suite, many of the Neapolitan nobility and 
 their servants, and the chief of the English gentlem.en and 
 merchants, were also received on board the Vanguard,^ which 
 
 ' " Monsieur Lalo,Vicenzo Morra, Guiseppe Castrone, Emanuele de Domenicis, 
 Guisepe Hauss, Frameno Baldassare, Giachino Diez, L'abbe Labdane, or others that 
 I may give a note to. I only suffer for others, my owni danger does not alarm me." 
 
 ^ My good friend. Captain W. H. Smyth, in a lively account of Nelson's visits to 
 Naples, inserted in the United Sei-vice Magazine for May and July, 1845, says, 
 that at the time of receiving the passengers in the Vanguard, "there w-as, of 
 course, a considerable stir on board, for Nelson was not very nice about a ship or 
 its kelter ; and neither of his Captains, Berry or Hardy, had lumbered themselves 
 with many traps. Matters were, however, very cheerfully accommodated to cir- 
 stances, and the ship was unmoored ; but they lay at single anchor all the next 
 day, though a fine N.E. wind was blowing, in order that the escapade might be 
 completed, by filling the transports with chattels and alarmed merchants, who 
 gladly threw themselves and their families on board in the utmost confusion. 
 Thus laden, the armament weighed, and made sail on the evening of Monday, the 
 24th ; the Vanguard being followed by the Archimedes, a Neapolitan 74 ; the San- 
 nite corvette, and about twenty sail of merchantmen. The wind was tlien easterly, 
 and the weather tolerably fine, but they had hardly cleared the island of Capri, 
 before it chopped round to the westward in heavy squalls, with rain, which greatly 
 saddened the fugitives in the ill-found smaller vessels. Nor was the Vanguard, in 
 her crowded state, at all comfortable, for she laboured prodigiously, and brought 
 heartfelt groans from the passengers. Although rest was out of the question, 
 VOL. I. N
 
 l78 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 sailed on the 23rd, in company with a Neapolitan ship of the 
 line, the Sannite, commanded by Francesco Caracciolo, a 
 number of merchant ships, and the English transports. The 
 passage to Palermo was very stormy, and the Vanguard re- 
 ceived much damage ; but arrived on the 26th. In a letter 
 addressed to the Earl St. Vincent, the original of which is in 
 the Admiralty, Nelson gives several particulars relating to 
 these proceedings. The embarkation of the Royal family, 
 &c. was safely elFected, he says, chiefly by the correspon- 
 dence carried on between the Queen and Lady Hamilton, a 
 correspondence which caused no suspicion, as letters had 
 been daily passing between them for a considerable time. 
 Neither Lord Nelson nor Sir William Hamilton appeared at 
 Court, as their movements were minutely watched by the 
 Jacobins. By night Lady Hamilton received the jewels and 
 property of the Queen and Royal family, in value, it is said, 
 amounting to full £2,500,000 sterling. Southey says, " Lady 
 Hamilton, like a heroine of romance, explored, with no little 
 danger, a subterraneous passage leading from the palace to 
 the sea side : through this passage the royal treasures, the 
 choicest pieces of painting and sculpture, and other pro- 
 several of the Court had retired to their cribs and cabins, and Nelson, who had 
 been pacing the deck, had just looked at the ship's place upon the chart, when, at 
 about half-past one, a furious blast of wind from W.S.W. gave the ship a heavy- 
 heave, and blew her topsails to pieces, together with the driver and fore-topmast 
 staysail : and she had now a disagreeable coast under her lee. The alarm was 
 general among the Royal party, who began to think they had only escaped a passing 
 danger on shore to perish at sea. As their fears increased, etiquette decreased in 
 the Admiral's crowded cabin, in which they now all congregated ; and Nelson, who 
 in such weather was himself extremely liable to squearaishness, was desperately 
 perplexed. Captain Hardy, however, and some officers, made themselves eminently 
 useful ; and as the wind moderated and drew round to the S.E., Christmas-day 
 witnessed a more composed scene. But still there was much for such passengers 
 to endure, and even the noted horse-laugh of Nasone (a nickname by which the 
 King was very generally known), was in abeyance ; for royal stomachs are not 
 more proof against the hideous advances of the potent mal de mer than those of 
 plebeians." " During the height of the gale, when Lady Hamilton could think of 
 nothing more wherewith to console the desponding Queen, she looked aroimd for 
 Sir William, who was not to be found. At length, it was discovered that he had 
 withdrawn to his sleeping-cabin, and was sitting there with a loaded pistol in each 
 hand. In answer to her Ladyship's exclamation of surprise, he calmly told her 
 that he was resolved not to die with the ' guggle — guggle — guggle ' of the salt- 
 water in his throat ; and therefore he was prepared, as soon as he felt the ship 
 sinking, to shoot himself!"
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 179 
 
 perty to the amount of two millions and a half were con- 
 veyed to the shore, and stowed safely on board the English 
 ships. '^^ 
 
 Nelson writes that, on the 21st, at half-past 8 p.m. he and 
 Captain Hope," with three barges, landed at a corner of the 
 arsenal. He proceeded to the palace, brought away the 
 whole Royal family, put them into the boats, and at half-past 
 9 they Avere all safe aboard. He then gave notice to the 
 British merchants that their persons would be protected on 
 board the English vessels, and their valuable property re- 
 ceived. The French emigrants were also afforded an asylum 
 in two vessels hired by Sir W. Hamilton for their accommo- 
 dation. All the Neapolitan vessels were ordered out of the 
 mole, and Nelson directed that in order to prevent any ships 
 of w^ar falling into the possession of the enemy, should such 
 necessity appear to arise, the vessels were to be burnt. 
 
 The condition upon which the Neapolitan ships were to 
 be burnt had not then arisen, but the vessels were destroyed 
 by Commodore Campbell. Nelson was exceedingly angry 
 at this disobedience of orders by the Portuguese Commodore, 
 and wrote to him, and also to the Marquis of Niza on the 
 subject. It appears that this act had been committed under 
 the Commodore's feelings of disgust at the treachery and 
 weakness of the Neapolitan General. Proceedings were 
 ordered to be instituted against the Commodore, but they 
 were withdrawn at the request of the Queen of the Two 
 
 . ' General Pepe says the value of antiquities, works of ^irt, bullion and specie, 
 carried away on this occasion, amounted to no less than twenty million ducats. 
 
 * Captain George Hope, related to the JNIelville and Hopetoun families, ob- 
 tained his seniority as Captain, Sept. 13, 1793, having acted as Commander in 
 the Racehorse sloop of war. Earl St. Vincent appointed him to the Alcmene 
 and afterwards to the Majestic in 1797, and those appointments were confirmed 
 by the Admiralty, Feb. 27, 1800. He subsequently commanded the Leda, De- 
 fence, Theseus, Pompee, &c. He served in the fleet in the Baltic under Sir 
 James Saumarez, and was made a Rear-Admiral, Aug 1, 1811. Upon the ap- 
 pointment of Lord Melville to be First Lord of the Admiralty, he was named 
 one of the Lords of the Admiralty. His patent bears date May 24, 1816. He 
 continued in this office until the time of his death in INIarch, 1818, being succeeded 
 by Sir George Cockburn. In January, 1818, he was appointed Major-General of 
 the Marines. He was buiied in Westminster Abbey, having died in the 53rd 
 year of his age. He was a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and had 
 represented East Giinstead in Parliament. 
 N 2
 
 180 LIFE OF VICE-jU)MIRAL [gHAP. VII. 
 
 Sicilies. Nelson wrote to the Marquis from Palermo, Feb. 
 27, 1799: "The good and amiable Queen has desired that 
 all proceedings against Commodore Campbell may be at an 
 end : therefore I have to request that all proceedings against 
 the Commodore may finish, and that he may hoist his broad 
 pendant without any thought of what is passed. I am sure 
 of his good intentions, however they may have differed from 
 my orders to your Lordship." 
 
 Nelson's orders left with the Marquis de Niza were, that 
 should the French advance near Naples, or the people revolt 
 against their legitimate Government, to destroy the ships and 
 join him at Palermo, leaving one or two ships to cruise 
 between Capri and Ischia to prevent the entrance of any 
 English ship into the Bay of Naples. 
 
 When Nelson arrived at Palermo with the Royal family 
 from Naples, he was delighted to find the King determined 
 (probably upon his own counsel), to send away every French- 
 man from the island of whatever description. On the 6th 
 Jan. 1799, Lord Nelson issued the following notice from the 
 Vanguard : 
 
 " His Sicilian Majesty having directed, that all French, 
 of whatever description, should leave the island of Sicily — 
 a ship of 600 tons, an English transport, will be ready, by 
 to-morrow morning, to receive French emigrants; say 200. 
 She will have put on board her biscuit, salt provisions, peas, 
 oatmeal, and the common wine of the country. As this will 
 be an additional gratuity, on the part of the King of Great 
 Britain, the emigr^es will, if they choose it, lay in such stock 
 of fresh provisions, and other comforts, as they please. 
 
 *' All those pensioned by Great Britain, will be received by 
 a note from the British agent ; and all those pensioned by 
 his Sicilian Majesty, by a note from the Neapolitan ag^nt. 
 
 "A Neapolitan corvette to be attached to this ship, to 
 convey her to Trieste and back again, and to receive on board 
 such emifjrees as the Court shall direct. The transport and 
 corvette ovit are to sail as soon as possible. Their time of 
 departure will depend on the King's order." 
 
 On the 24th February, Lord Nelson distributed various 
 sums of money from his Sicilian Majesty to those who had 
 assisted the Royal family on their passage from Naples. To
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 181 
 
 the officers, seamen, and marines on board the Vanguard, 
 was given 1000 oz. of silver ; to each of the two barges' crews, 
 who brought the Royal family off from the palace, 100 oz. ; 
 to the Admiral's servants the same, and to the barge's crew 
 of the Alcmene a like sum. 
 
 On the voyage to Palermo, Dec. 25th, one of the Royal 
 children, the Prince Albert, was taken ill in the morning, 
 and died in Lady Hamilton's araas in the evening. The beds 
 of the officers were all given up to the Royal family, and 
 their accommodation. The Vanguard arrived at Palermo on 
 the 26th, and at 5, a.m. Lord Nelson attended the Queen 
 and Princesses on shore. The Queen suffering much grief 
 from the death of the young Prince, declined going on land 
 in any public manner. The King landed amidst loud accla- 
 mations and apparent joy, at 9, a.m. 
 
 The landing at Palermo was not effected but with great 
 difficulty from tempestuous weather. Nelson's ship had sus- 
 tained so much injury, that it was necessary to tow her into 
 port, which was safely effected by the Captain of a frigate, 
 Bausan, who braved the danger in an open boat. This man, 
 according to General Pepe's statement, was a year after this 
 circumstance exiled.^ 
 
 The following letters and documents give information of 
 the great attention paid to all parties by Nelson on this occa- 
 sion, and the order intended to be observed with regard to 
 the embarkation : — 
 
 GENERAL SIR JOHN ACTON, BART.^ TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 " Naples, December 20th, 1/98. 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " I thank your Lordship for his free and loyal opinion that 
 the Royal family should not be exposed to any further delays : 
 it was, and it is still my way of thinking in this horrid and 
 critical emergency. 
 
 " Their Sicilian Majestyes are extreemly sensible and 
 thankfuU to your Lordship's counsels, andfriendley as well as 
 salutary assistance. But as the money, unfortunately, is not 
 
 ' Memoirs of General Pep6, Vol. i. p. 33. 
 
 * Sir John Acton, it must be rememberedj was an Englishman, but had so long 
 been absent from his country that he could not write correctly in his own language, 
 I have preferred to print his letters without amending their orthography.
 
 182 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 shipped yet, and secured under your protection, their 
 Majestyes have suspended, till to-morrow night 21st, their 
 embarcation. A proper person of confidence shall attend 
 your Lordship for the proper place. 
 
 " I am, with due regard and attachment, 
 
 " Your Lordship^s most obedient humble sen^ant, 
 
 " John Acton/' 
 
 "Naples, December 20th, 1798. 
 " Sir, 
 " I desire you will, without a moment's loss of time, pro- 
 ceed with two armed boats to and there you will 
 a person will probably be there to give you 
 information. Relying on your judgment for this important 
 service, I am 
 
 " Your very humble servant, 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " To Commodore Campbell." 
 
 " Naples, December 20th, 1798. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " Commodore Stone will take care of you. Do not be 
 alarmed, there is in truth no cause for it. 
 
 " Ever your faithful servant, 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " Lady Knight." 
 
 SIR JOHN ACTON, BART. TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 " Naples, 21st December, 1798. 
 
 " My Lord, 
 " I am answering to the articles which you are so good as 
 to ask my opinion upon : if the weather should not permit 
 the embarcation at the Molesiglio, I think that it would be 
 better to suspend it till to-morrow. If the Alcmena anchors 
 by Posilippo, it would, I am afraid, make a signal for the 
 numerous people of Santes Lucia, or Chiy'a and Posilippo, 
 and alarm the people of the livery in bringing at such an 
 hour the Royal family towards Posilippo. -Every head, in 
 the palace especially, is in a sad state of accension : I should 
 think to wait for your Lordship's opinion, if by seven o' clocks 
 there is a prospect of embarcation, it must take place, other-
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 183 
 
 wise we are to awaite, though with great inconveniencyes and 
 danger. 
 
 " I am, with true regard, 
 
 " Youi" Lordship's most obedient and 
 " Most humble servant, 
 
 "John Acton." 
 
 from the same to the same. 
 
 " Naples, 21st December, 1798. 
 
 " My dear Sir, 
 " I have received your kind last billet. Count Thurn shall 
 attend at the Victoire past seven. Trust we must in God. 
 The Royal family shall embark after 8, half an hour, or timely 
 notice will come either from your Lordship, or if any acci- 
 dent should happen, from the Court. 
 
 " I am, with due consideration, 
 
 " Your Lordship's most obedient and 
 " Most humble servant, 
 
 " J. Acton. 
 
 " The Imperial and Prussian Minister shall be advised, and 
 depend on your Lordship's kind offers for embarking on 
 board of time of the ships." 
 
 " FIRST EMBARCATION. 
 
 The King. 
 
 The Queen. 
 
 Prince Leopold. 
 
 Prince Albert, with his Zafatta, D. Vincenza Rizzi. 
 
 Three Princesses, daughters to their Majestyes. 
 
 General Acton. 
 
 Prince Castelcicala. 
 
 Prince Belmonte. 
 
 Count Thurn. 
 
 The Hereditary Prince. 
 
 His Princessa. 
 
 Their daughter, a child, with their Zafatta, Dalguero. 
 
 Duke of Gravina. 
 
 "This embarcation should be made at the Molesiglio at 
 eight o'clock and a half in the night. 
 
 , " SECOND EMBARCATION. 
 D^ Ulderica Sanchez. -\ 
 
 D. Ma. Giuseppa Bartoldy. S Her Majestyes. 
 
 3. Madame Chatelain. J
 
 184 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 2. D;i Rosa, e d. Giuseppa Pucci — The Princesses's. 
 1. Mile. Baselli, first — The Princess Hereditaryes. 
 
 1. The nurse to the child. 
 
 < D- Gius. Garano — King's Confessor. 
 ■ I D. Michele Troja — Surgeon. 
 
 De Vin. Falco. J ^. , . ^ , . 
 
 3. D. Niccola de Pietro. j Kmg s Attendants. 
 
 D. Gius. Vitta Prince's Do. 
 
 Abbe Labdan •\ 
 
 3. Losinese S For the young Princes. 
 
 Eccevina J 
 
 r M. Pernet— Cook. 
 &• \ Gaet. Lombardo and Son — Cook. 
 ' Leop. Caprioli and Son — Ripostieri. 
 John Kenish. > 
 
 2. Savari Salvante. J 
 
 22. 
 
 ** This second embarcation ought not to take place but two 
 hours after the first — and some other boats besides should be 
 prepared above those necessary for the embarcation of the 
 described persons ; in order to receive their Majestyes and 
 Princesses baggage, for the own service. The rest and people 
 appointed shall go on board of the Neapolitan ships. 
 
 " THE TWO PRINCESSES OF FRANCE. 
 
 *^ These should come from Caserta, and arrive by 1 1 o'clock 
 or midnight in Naples, in case the weather should not 
 permit to embark themselves at Portici, where it would be 
 much better, but it is feared that a great swell continues there. 
 
 " The two Princesses have got in their company four or six 
 persons of their retinue. 
 
 " Passaggieri imharcati sul Vascello Sannite. 
 
 La Baronessa Acton con sei Figli, tre ai, due Servitori, ima Cameriera, ed un 
 
 Cameriere. 
 Priore Tanucci un Camariere, e Moglie. 
 Marchese Altavilj con Camariere. 
 Cavalier Vivenzio, Moglie, e due Figli. 
 Principe VUlafranca, Moglie 4. Figli, a due persone di Servizio e tre' Figlie di 
 
 Catanassetta. 
 Cimmino Moglie Marito, e cinque Figli. 
 Rocca Fiorita, con tre Figli, ed una persona di Serjirizio 
 Jace, Moglie e Marito, Figlia e 4 persone di Servizio. 
 Ascoli solo, con due persone di Servizio. 
 Marehese del Vasto con due persone di Servizio.
 
 179B.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 185 
 
 Cardinale Buschi, due persone di Servizio. 
 
 D. Innocenzo Pignatelli due persone di Servizio. 
 
 Bresace Regis una persona di Servizio. 
 
 Marchese Haus, due Cameriste della Ps'sa, ed una Mozza di Camera. 
 
 Principessa Valguarnera con due Donne, ed un Servitore di Servizio. 
 
 Marchese Savaghetta una Camariera. 
 
 Francesco Sav, Troja, 
 
 D. Anna Maria Troja, due Figli, Matre e Suecera di D. Michele Troja. 
 
 D. Aniello Puntillo, due Nipoti, una donna di Servizio. 
 
 Coca di S. M. la Regina nominata Antonia Bertoldi con una sua Cameriera 
 
 Giuseppe Lazaro Coco di S. M. la Regina, Moglie, e tre Figli. 
 
 Gaetano Teconi a Servizio delle Psse. 
 
 Occhie Muzza di Camera della Psia Antonetti. 
 
 Camerista Basselli di S. Altezza Ereditaria. 
 
 Altra Haver una persona di Servizio. 
 
 2 Cameriste Major, una persona di Serviaio. 
 
 Caterina Kotto Muzza di Camera di S. A- R. con una donna di Servizio. 
 
 Cameriere Castel Cicale con Moglie, a due Figli. 
 
 Saverio Rodino ajutante di Camera, con Moglie 4 Figli. 
 
 Gennaro Garzia solo. 
 
 D. Gioacchino Diaz Mozzo d'Uffizio. 
 
 D. Francesco Baldassaie Idem. 
 
 D. Giuseppe Comes i . . 
 
 D. Antonio Comes ) 
 
 D. Carlo de Cevarria ajutante di Camera. 
 
 Numero 116. 
 
 " Individui mancanti dbordo del Vascello Sannite. 
 
 Piloti . . . . . N. 3 
 
 Timonieri . . . • .4 
 
 Marinari di P. F. . • . • 8 
 
 2 Classe . . . . .136 
 
 3 Classe .... 62 
 
 4 Classe . . . . .37 
 Cannonieri . . . . 14 
 
 Mancanti 264 
 
 Si e preso un' rinforzo di Soldati . . N. 50 
 
 Se attendono dal Quartero altri . . .25 
 
 Bordo del VasceUo di S. M. II Sannite adi 22 Xbrd^ 1798. 
 
 ^LBn'^S-cm- (^ouicar^ 

 
 186 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 SIR JOHN ACTON TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 "December 28th, 1798. 
 
 " My dear Sir, 
 " I am obliged to your Lordship for what you do advise 
 me, has been done on board for Hquor brought contrary to 
 good order. Whatever you think of doing is allways known 
 to be right, therefore I shall myself acquaint the King of 
 what your Lordship has been so kind to write to me. The 
 people will certainly be at your own disposal. No misrepre- 
 sentation can ever be oifered to any body in those kingdoms, 
 especially of what relates to Lord Nelson. 
 
 " I am ever your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " J. Acton. 
 " I hope that Lady Hamilton and Sir William are satisfied 
 with their new lodgings.^' 
 
 from the same to the same. 
 
 " Palermo, December 29th, 1798. 
 
 " My dear Sir, 
 " In consequence of your kind billet of last night, orders 
 have been given this morning to receive the seamen of the 
 Leander in the hospital named Spedale Grande, upon the 
 square of the palace, as this hospital is better served than the 
 military one. The deputies have prepared the beds, and 
 every thing is ready when your Lordship pleases to order the 
 men to be there transported. I have wrote a billet to Captain 
 Hardy according to your Lordship's direction, for permitting 
 Saverio to land their Majestyes effects. A little later I shall 
 write another to the same Captain Hardy, begging that he 
 would permit the landing of the money, when every thing is 
 ready to receive it in the castell. I shall name the officer 
 appointed to receive it on board. 
 
 " I am, with respect and gratitude, 
 " Your Lordship's most obedient and faithful servant, 
 
 " J. Acton." 
 
 The exertions of Lady Hamilton are admitted to have been 
 very great, and Earl St. Vincent addressed her on the 
 occasion :
 
 1798.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 187 
 
 " Rosia House, Gibraltar, 
 " 17th Janviaiy, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " I shall never cease to admire the magnanimous conduct 
 of your Royal friend and self during the late severe trials at 
 Naples, and during your short voyage to Palermo. The page 
 of history will be greatly enriched by the introduction of this 
 scene in it, for the greatness of both your minds, and the 
 firmness and ability shewn in the most critical situation that 
 ever two human beings were placed in, surpasses all that we 
 read of ! May Heaven have in store blessings for you both. 
 Base indeed, must be the Briton, who will not sacrifice the 
 last drop of his blood for the preservation of two such exalted 
 characters. 
 
 " God bless you, my dear Madam, and enable you to per- 
 severe in the comfort and support of the great and amiable 
 Queen, your firiend, to whom I beg you will pay my most 
 dutiful and respectful homage, and rest assured of the most 
 lasting regard, and esteem of your Ladyship's 
 
 " Truly affectionate 
 
 " St. Vincent.'' 
 
 From the Queen of Naples also. Lady Hamilton received 
 the following : — 
 
 "December 28, 1799. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " It appears an age to me since I saw you, and it will be a 
 high treat to me to see you again, to thank you for all your 
 attentions, and to assure you of my eternal gratitude. Night 
 or day. Nelson or his officers, or any one specially chosen by 
 him, can come to see the King. I wish to talk with our brave 
 Saviour of our future affairs. So many troubles have quite 
 shaken me, my spirits are much depressed ; I am in despair, 
 I have been bled, but my head and chest are very bad, and I 
 am good for nothing, but nevertheless I shall see you with 
 great pleasure. I should like to know if you have found the 
 dwelling agreeable which I recommended to you. Excuse 
 the trouble I give about the cases, but they contain the clothes 
 which I and my children actually want for Sunday, when we
 
 188 LIFE OF VICE-ADMI-RAL [CHAP. VII. 
 
 have to receive so many people ; I therefore send Saverio to 
 take your orders. With what pleasure I shall see you again, 
 to thank you for all your care, and to weep with you. Adieu, 
 my dear Lady. A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, to 
 our dear Lord Nelson, and believe me from my hearty your 
 tenderly attached and grateful friend. ^^ 
 
 "January 1, 1799. 
 
 ^' My dear Lady, 
 *' I am very uneasy about the health of the dear Chevalier. 
 I know your attachment to him, and share your anxiety. 
 Should you wish for a physician or surgeon, or any thing in 
 my power, you will make me but too happy in being useful 
 to you ; therefore let me know. My health is always bad, 
 miserable, ruined ; my mind in despair at every thing. No 
 news from my dear Naples. My compliments to our excel- 
 lent Admiral : I much wish to have a quiet conversation with 
 him about the defence of this island, for every thing I see, 
 hear, and understand, deprives me of all tranquillity. I am 
 neither consulted nor even listened to, and am excessively 
 unhappy. I regret that I did not go elsewhere with my chil- 
 dren, and shelter myself with my family fi'om events which 
 must inevitably occur from the line of conduct pursued ; but 
 one must submit to fate and die. I only grieve for my chil- 
 dren, for as to myself I have lived too long. But I am very 
 selfish to write thus instead of consoUng you on account of 
 your husband ; but I am accustomed to open my heart to 
 you as a sincere friend, and therefore you must pardon me. 
 I wish you a happy new year, replete with all your heart and 
 excellent quahties deserve. Continue your friendship to me, 
 and believe me till death your sincere and tender friend, 
 
 "Charlotte. 
 
 " I beg you to send me full particulars of the dear invahd. 
 A thousand compliments to the worthy Lord Nelson, our 
 liberator."
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, 189 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 1799. 
 
 After the brilliant victory of the Nile, and the active ser- 
 vices rendered by Nelson for the safety of the Royal family 
 of Naples, he was little prepared to find them so little 
 respected, or those of the brave Captains who had served 
 with him, so neglected, as to have a portion of the com- 
 mand placed in other and junior hands. The appointment of 
 Sir W. Sidney Smith,^ to Le Tigre of 80 guns, gave great 
 
 ' Sir Sidney Smith was the son of Captain John Smith, of the Guards, one of the 
 Gentlemen Ushers to Queen Charlotte, and Aide-de-camp to Lord George Sackville 
 Germain. He was bom June 21st, 1764, and entered the navy at the early age of 
 eleven years, under tlie orders of Viscount Howe ; Lieutenant of the Alcide in 1 780, 
 and Captain of the Alcmene in 1782, was engaged in various encounters of the 
 Russian and Swedish forces in 1790, and sent on a mission to Constantinople in 
 1792. Upon his retm-n, he was employed in the destruction of the Toulon fleet and 
 the arsenal, and afterwards in the Channel service. He was taken prisoner and was 
 sent to Paris in 1796, and escaped from imprisonment in the Abbaye and Temple in 
 1798. Upon his return to England, he was, in October of the same year, commis- 
 sioned to Le Tigre, and sent out as Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Court at Constan- 
 tinople, which occasioned much misunderstanding between liim. Earl St. Vincent, 
 and Lord Nelson. He was afterwards at St. Jean d'Acre, where he destroyed the 
 enemy's flotilla, and conducted a siege during sixty days, displaying great skill and 
 bravery, with a body of undisciplined troops opposed to a regular army. After 
 these successful exertions, which obtained for him the thanks of Parliament, and 
 other distinctions, he aided General Sir Ralph Abercrombie in Egypt. He was 
 subsequently engaged upon a Convention at El Arish for the evacuation of Egypt 
 by the French. Upon his return to England in 1801, he was returned to Parlia- 
 ment for Rochester, and took an active part in the discussions upon the case of 
 Captain Wright. In 1803, he joined the North Sea squadron under Loj-d Keith, 
 and was engaged in cruising off Flushing, Ostend, and Boulogne. Being raised 
 to the rank of Rear- Admiral in 1805, he was placed under the orders of Admiral 
 Lord Collingwood, and in 1806 appointed to a separate and secret expedition. He 
 arrived at Palermo, relieved Gaeta, and took the fortress of Capri. Visiting Naples, 
 he found Joseph Buonaparte upon the throne of that kingdom, and he proceeded
 
 190 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 offence to the Earl St. Vincent, as well as Lord Nelson. 
 The latter addressed the following letter^ to his Commander- 
 in-chief: — 
 
 " Palermo, December 30th, 1798. 
 " My Lord, 
 " The great anxiety I have undergone during the whole 
 time I have been honoured with this important command, 
 has much impaired a weak constitution. And now, finding 
 that much abler officers are arrived within the district, which 
 I had thought under my command, having arranged a plan 
 of operations with the Embassy, with which I have been 
 honoured by the Grand Signior, having opened an unreserved 
 
 to Calabria, carrying on various operations on that coast. In 1807, he left for 
 Malta, and put himself under the command of Vice-Admu-al Su- John Duck- 
 worth, and defeated a division of the Turkish fleet. He then commanded the 
 squadron off the Tagus, and in 1808 went to the Brazils, where he remained 
 until 1809, when, upon his arrival in England, he struck his flag. In 1810, 
 he was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and in this year 
 married Lady Rumbold. In 1812, he again hoisted his flag on board the 
 Tremendous, and sailed for the Mediten-anean, where he was second in com- 
 mand, joining Sir Edward Pellew off Toulon. He was sent to Cagliari to 
 adjust some differences, which he accomplished, after which he returned to 
 England in 1814, for the recovery of his health, which at this time was much 
 impaired. He now directed his attention to the Abolition of Slavery, and 
 aided in the formation of, if he did not actually project, the Society to sup- 
 press the African Slave Trade. He became President of " The Knight's Libe- 
 rators' Society for the Abolition of Slavery," and was engaged in a very extensive 
 correspondence on the subject. Having taken up his residence at Brussels in 
 1815, he was present at the Battle of Waterloo, and exerted himself in rendering 
 assistance to the wounded. He afterwards went to Paris, was present at the 
 banquet given by the Duke of Wellington to the Knights of the Bath in the 
 Palais d' EUsee, when Paris was in possession of the Allied Forces. Sir Sidney 
 was invested with the Insignia of the Order by his Grace, Dec. 29, 1815. He 
 afterwards joined the Order of Knight Templars and entered warmly into their 
 proceedings. He accepted the title of Regent of that Order and retained the 
 same until his death, which took place May 26th, 1840 ; having attained the 
 rank of Admiral of the Red. In addition to the Order of the Bath he was also 
 a Knight Commander and Grand Cross of the Royal Swedish Military Order of 
 the Sword, and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit. 
 For particulars relating to the distinguished career of this naval hero, the reader 
 is referred to Mr. Barrow's " Life and Correspondence of Admiral Sir Wilham 
 Sidney Smith," 2 voli. 8vo. Land. 1848. 
 
 ' From the Letter-Book printed in Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 213.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 191 
 
 correspondence with the Turkish and Russian Admirals, and, 
 I flatter myself, having made the British nation and our 
 gracious Sovereign more beloved and respected than hereto- 
 fore ; under these circumstances I entreat, that if my health 
 and uneasiness of mind should not be mended, that I may 
 have your Lordship's permission to leave this command to 
 my gallant and most excellent second in command, Captain 
 Troubridge, or some other of my bi-ave friends who so glo- 
 riously fought at the battle of the Nile. 
 
 " Captain Ball has the important command of the blockade 
 of Malta, and is as eminently conspicuous for his conciliating 
 manner, as he is for his judgment and gallantry. I shall not, 
 if I can help it, quit this command till I receive your appro- 
 bation ; for I am, with every respect, 
 
 " Your Lordship's most faithful servant, 
 
 " Nelson." 
 
 Earl Spencer, in a private letter to Earl St. Vincent, endea- 
 vours to shew that Sir Sidney Smith's former residence at 
 Constantinople might render him useful in the present posi- 
 tion of affairs in the Levant. Earl Spencer was quite alive 
 to the objections that might be felt on this occasion, as he 
 observes : '^ I am well aware that there may, perhaps, be 
 some prejudices, derived from certain circumstances w'hich 
 have attended this officer's career tlu-ough life, but from a 
 long acquaintance with him personally, I think I can venture 
 to assure your Lordship, that added to his unquestioned 
 character for courage and enterprise, he has a great many 
 very good points about him, which those who are less 
 acquainted with him, are not sufficiently apprised of, and I 
 have no doubt that you will find him a very useful instru- 
 ment to be employed on any hazardous or difficult service, 
 and that he will be perfectly under your guidance, as he 
 ought to be. Should the arrangement for the force to remain 
 for the present in the Levant, to co-operate with the Turks, 
 lead to there being only one or two ships of two decks on 
 that service, it may be most advisable that, from the local 
 and personal acquaintance Sir Sidney is possessed of with 
 the Turkish officers, he should be the senior officer; but I 
 have given him to understand, that if a large force should be
 
 192 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 thought necessary, his standing on the list will not admit of 
 it, there being so many Captains of distinguished merit who 
 are his seniors."^ 
 
 Lord Nelson protested against this appointment, and says 
 in a letter to Earl St. Vincent, December 31st, ^'/ do feel, 
 for I am a man, that it is impossible for me to serve in 
 these seas, with the squadron under a junior officer: — could 
 I have thought it ! — and from Earl Spencer ! — never, never 
 was I so astonished as your letter made me. As soon as I 
 can get hold of Troubridge, I shall send him to Egypt, to 
 endeavour to destroy the ships in Alexandria. If it can be 
 done, Troubridge will do it. The Swedish Knight (Sir Sidney 
 Smith) writes Sir William Hamilton, that he shall go to 
 Egypt, and take Captain Hood and his squadron under his 
 command. The Knight forgets the respect due to his superior 
 officer : he has no orders from you to take my ships away 
 from my command ; but it is all of a piece. Is it to be borne ? 
 Pray grant me your permission to retire, and I hope the 
 Vanguard will be allowed to convey me and my fi'iends. Sir 
 WiUiam and Lady Hamilton, to England.^'- Earl St. 
 Vincent tried to appease him, acknowledged the justice of 
 his remarks, expressed equal astonishment with himself, and 
 says, " I am not surprised at your feelings being outraged 
 at the bold attempt Sir Sidney Smith is making to wrest a 
 part of your squadron from you. I have received much the 
 same letter from him, as the one you describe to have been 
 addressed to Sir William Hamilton ; a copy of which, with 
 my answer, you have inclosed, and orders for you to take 
 him immediately under your command. I have informed 
 Lord Spencer of all these proceedings, and sent him copies 
 of the letters. The ascendance this gentleman has over all 
 his Majesty's Ministers is to me astonishing, and that they 
 should have sent him out after the strong objection I have 
 made to him, in a private letter to Mr. Nepean, passes my 
 understanding. For the sake of your country, and the 
 existence of its power in the Levant, moderate your feelings, 
 and continue in your command .... The sensations you 
 must have gone through before and since your departure 
 
 ' Nelson Papers. 
 
 ^ Letter Book, Disj)atches and Letter?, Vol. iii. p. 215.
 
 1799.'] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 193 
 
 from Naples, must have been very trying; nevertheless, I 
 trust the greatness of your mind will keep up the body, and 
 that you will not think of abandoning the Royal family you 
 have by your firmness and address preserved from the fate 
 of then- late royal relations in France. Employ Sir Sidney 
 Smith in any manner you think proper : knowing your mag- 
 nanimity, I am sure you will mortify him as little as possible, 
 consistently with what is due to the great characters senior 
 to him on the list, and his superiors in every sense of the 
 word. God bless you, my dear Lord, be assured no man 
 loves and esteems you more truly than your very affectionate, 
 
 " St. Vincent." 
 
 Lord Nelson announced to Sir Sidney Smith that he should 
 strictly comply with the instructions sent by Lord Grenville 
 to Sir Sidney's brother, J. Spencer Smith, minister at Con- 
 stantinople, as well as those of Earl Spencer, and Earl St. 
 Vincent ; and he immediately ordered Sir Sidney to proceed 
 to Alexandria, and take the command of the blockade of that 
 port. Nelson, however, wrote to Earl Spencer on the 1st 
 of January, 1799, and after communicating to his Lordship 
 all that had been done, concludes by requesting permission 
 to return to England for a few months, " to gather (as he 
 says) a little of that ease and quiet I have so long been a 
 stranger to." 
 
 In a letter to Captain Ball fi'om Palermo, January 31, 1799, 
 on board the Bellerophon, to which vessel he had removed 
 his flag, the Vanguard having been sent to Malta, Nelson 
 writes of Sir Sidney Smith thus : " Sir "Sidney Smith, from 
 a letter he wrote to Earl St. Vincent, off Malta, has given 
 great offence, having said that he presumed all the ships in 
 the Levant being junior to him, he had a right to take them 
 under his command. His Lordship has in consequence 
 given him a broad hint, and has taken him down handsomely ; 
 and to prevent any further mistakes of the kind, has ordered 
 Sir Sidney to put himself immediately under my command, 
 which I suppose the great Plenipo will not like. However, 
 he has brought this upon himself."^ 
 
 Lord Nelson became more and more dissatisfied with the 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 24". 
 VOL. I. O
 
 194 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 manners and conduct of Sir Sidney Smith, and experienced 
 much inconvenience from his acting in two different capacities 
 — as joint minister at the Porte^ with his brother, and as a 
 Captain in the squadron. " Your situation (says Nelson) as 
 joint minister at the Porte, makes it absolutely necessary 
 that I should know who writes to me — therefore, I must 
 direct you, whenever you have ministerial affairs to commu- 
 nicate, that it is done jointly with your respectable brother, 
 and not mix naval business with the other, for what may be 
 very proper language for a representative of Majesty, may 
 be veiy subversive of that discipline of respect from the 
 different ranks in our service. A Representative may dictate 
 to an Admiral — a Captain of a man-of-war would be censured 
 for the same thing ; therefore you will see the propriety of 
 my steering clear between the two situations. I have sent 
 you my orders, which your abilities as a sea-officer will lead 
 you punctually to execute. Not a ship more than the service 
 requires shall be kept on any particular station; and that 
 number must be left to my judgment, as an Admiral com- 
 manding the squadron, detached by the Commander-in-Chief 
 to the extent of the Black Sea. I shall of course keep up a 
 proper communication with the Turkish and Russian Ad- 
 mirals, which no Captain of a man-of-war, under my orders, 
 must interfere in."- 
 
 Notwithstanding this remonstrance, as it may fairly be 
 called, Sir Sidney Smith still continued to act independently 
 of his Commander, and drew up a form of passport,' and 
 avowed his intention to send into Alexandria, that all French 
 ships might pass to France ; upon which Nelson again wrote 
 to him : " Now, as this is in direct opposition to my opinion, 
 which is, never to suffer any one individual Frenchman to 
 quit Egypt — I must therefore strictly charge and command 
 yoti, never to give any French ship or man leave to quit 
 
 ' The connexion of joint minister with his brother at the Court of the Ottoman 
 empire was distinct and separate from the appointment given to Sir Sidney Smith 
 by the Admiralty. Two appointments united in the same person, given by depart- 
 ments wholly unconnected with each other, could not fail of being productive of 
 inconvenience and disorder. The embarrassment of such appointments was in no 
 degree lessened by the eminent characters, Earl St. Vincent and Lord Nelson, 
 with whom they were calculated to clash. 
 
 * Letter Book. 
 
 ^ Printed in Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 336, Note.
 
 1799] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 195 
 
 Egypt. And I must also desire that you will oppose by every 
 means in your power, any permission which maybe attempted 
 to be given by any foreigner, admiral, general, or other 
 person ; and you will acquaint those persons, that I shall not 
 pay the smallest attention to any such passport after your 
 notification ; and you are to put my orders in force, not on 
 any pretence to permit a single Frenchman to leave Egypt. 
 Of course you will give those orders to all the ships under 
 your command."^ To Earl St. Vincent he also wrote: " Sir 
 Sidney Smith has the blockade of Alexandria entrusted to 
 him. I send you copies of my letters to him ; for the victory 
 of the Nile would, in my opinion, be useless, if any ship or 
 Frenchman is suffered to return to Europe. I hope you will 
 approve of my conduct; for as a Captain to an Admiral, 
 either Sir Sidney Smith or myself must give way.^' To the 
 Hon. W. Wyndham he also wrote : " Captain Sir W. Sidney 
 Smith, who has the present command of the squadron off 
 Alexandria, I have reason to believe, thinks differently from 
 me, and will grant passports for the return of that part of the 
 French army, which God Almighty permits to remain, I 
 have, therefore, thought it highly proper to send Captain Sir 
 Sidney Smith the order of which 1 transmit a copy ; for I 
 consider it nothing short of madness to permit that band of 
 thieves to return to Europe. No ; to Egypt they went with 
 their own consent, and there they shall remain whilst Nelson 
 commands the detached squadron; for never, never will he 
 consent to the return of one ship or Frenchman."- 
 
 Among Nelson's letters I find the following from Sir Sidney 
 Smith to Lord Grenville, connected with this subject, and 
 bearing Sir Sidney Smith's autograph : — 
 
 " Tigre, off Alexandria, 6th March, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " I profit of the departure of the Culloden to acquaint your 
 Lordship of my having relieved Captain Troubridge upon 
 this station, in pursuance of Lord Nelson's orders. I shall 
 pursue the plan of operations his experience points out to 
 me, with this difference, that according to the measures 
 adopted on the result of the conferences at the Porte, we 
 
 ' Printed in Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 336, Note. 
 ' Letter Book. 
 
 e 2
 
 196 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 shall no longer keep the enemy dammed up in Egypt, but 
 allow them to evacuate the territory by (dl means, except that 
 of permission to retire with arms in their hands, at liberty to 
 use them elsewhere. 
 
 " Buonaparte in his secret instructions given to an agent 
 of his, says, * Si jamais Ton vous faisait la question Les 
 francais consentirent-ils a quitter J'Egypte? Pourquoi pas? 
 pourvu que les deux Empereurs fassent finir la revolte de 
 Passawan Oglu et abandonnent leur projet de se partager 
 la Turquie Europeenne, que quant a nous, nous ferons tout ce 
 qui pourroit etre favorable a I'Empire Ottoman et le mettre a 
 I'abri de ses ennemis, mais que le preliminaire de toute 
 negociation comme a tout accornmodement, c'est un Firman 
 qui fasse relacher les francais partout ou on les a arrete 
 surtout en Syrie.' 
 
 " To this I mean to answer him, by his courier, now on 
 board, (not Beauchamp)^ that the sense of this article of his 
 instructions intercepted being clear, I have only to assure 
 him of my readiness to listen to any reasonable proposition, 
 at the same time reminding him that his passage back to 
 France depends entirely on the British squadron cruising off 
 Alexandria, and that according to agreement with the Porte, 
 my passports alone are valahles with them and the Barbary 
 powers, for Si'itish prisoners of ivar. I mention this, thus 
 early to enable your Lordship to judge of probabilities in this 
 quarter, where every thing is as yet in embryo, dependent on 
 Turkish armies which may never be what they once pro- 
 mised to be. On n'attrape pas des M ouches avec du 
 Vinaigre ; ainsi je leur offra du Miel, and as it is not to 
 Buonaparte alone that I offer this pont d'or ; but by other chan- 
 nels indirectly to all individuals of his army, I hope to reach 
 by this means, those that are out of the reach of our shells ; 
 as to the latter I feel them a surer prey from all I hear. 
 " Your Lordship's 
 
 '^ Very obedient humble servant, 
 " W. Sidney Smith. 
 
 " The Right Hon. Lord Grenville, 
 "&c. &c. &c." 
 
 ' This man was suspected of being a spy ; he is stated to have been an astro- 
 nomer. (Campagnes d'Egypte et de Syrie, Vol. ii. p. 314.)
 
 1799'] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 197 
 
 In the following letter, addressed to Lady Hamilton", Earl 
 St. Vincent, among other matters, gives his opinion of Sir 
 Sidney Smith : — 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 "■ Your Ladyship's diverting description of S. S. S. is very 
 just. I remember him exactly the figure you have so ingeni- 
 ously delineated. It was unfortunate for him that our foolish 
 young women in England did not feel like your Ladyship, 
 for they really ran after him and turned his head. This, with 
 the very unaccountable influence he has continued to obtain 
 over Messrs. Pitt, Dundas, the Lords Spencer and Grenville, 
 of whom he has taken entire possession, insomuch that they 
 put unHmited confidence in all he utters, however extrava- 
 gant and incredible, has made him the important figure 
 he now exhibits. Talents, he certainly possesses, with a 
 sufficient degree of enterprise ; but his military merits ap- 
 pear to me rather problematical, and I must resort to a French 
 phrase, soi-disant, to designate his character. I trust, your 
 Admiral, who is in every sense of the word, a hero, will laugh 
 at this modern Mahomet, taking care to put a strong hand on 
 him when necessary. 
 
 " Spain has cut us oif from all communication with her, as 
 your Ladyship will see by the inclosed Pratique Report. 
 This I impute to the domineering and intriguing conduct of 
 the French Admiral Le Crosse, his suite, and the French 
 Consul at Cadiz, who, to do him justice, is a clever, though 
 wicked devil. The Spanish troops are in motion towards the 
 eastern frontier, under the ostensible pretext of attempting 
 to recover the island of Minorca; but, I believe, the real 
 object is, to secure the strong port of Figuera, and other im- 
 portant ones, on that frontier. 
 
 " General O'Hara has prepared apartments for your Lady- 
 ship and Sir William Hamilton, by building two additional 
 rooms, and you are sure to receive the most hearty welcome 
 and respectful attention from every individual of the garrison 
 and fleet whenever you are released from the tiying situation 
 your unexampled loyalty for their Sicilian Majesties has so 
 long detained you in ; that you may experience smooth seas
 
 198 LIl'E OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. VIII. 
 
 and pleasant gales during your sejovr on our element is the 
 fervent wish of your Ladyship's 
 
 " Truly affectionate humble servant, 
 
 "St. Vincent. 
 
 " Rosia House, Gibraltar, 
 "30th April, 1799." 
 
 Lord Nelson, however, was not insensible to the merits of 
 Sir Sidney Smith as a sea officer, nor was he backward in ac- 
 knowledging his boldness and gallantry. On the 24th July, 
 1799, he writes to him: "Yesterday brought us letters from 
 your worthy brother ; and we had the great pleasure of hearing 
 that your truly meritorious and wonderful exertions were in 
 a fair train for the extirpation of that horde of thieves who 
 went to Egypt with that arch thief Buonaparte.'' On the 
 25th, he writes to J. Spencer Smith, Esq. : " I thank you truly 
 for your letter of June 9th, containing an extract of one from 
 your brother, who has done so much at Acre. It is like his 
 former conduct; and I can assure you, no one admires his 
 gallantry and judgment more than myself." The siege of 
 Acre was raised the 21st of May, Buonaparte leaving all his 
 cannon and sick behind. Lord Nelson wrote to Sir Sidney 
 Smith from Palermo, August 20th : " I have received with the 
 truest satisfaction all your very interesting letters to July 16th. 
 The immense fatigue you have had in defending Acre against 
 such a chosen army of French villains, headed by that arch- 
 villain Buonaparte, has never been exceeded, and the bravery 
 shewn by you and your brave companions is such as to merit 
 every encomium which all the civilized world can bestow. 
 As an individual, and as an Admiral, will you accept of my 
 feeble tribute of praise and admiration, and make them ac- 
 ceptable to all those under your command." Again : " Be 
 assured, my dear Sir Sidne}^, of my perfect esteem and regard, 
 and do not let any one persuade you to the contrary. But 
 my character is, that I will not suffer the smallest tittle of 
 my command to be taken from me ; but with pleasure I give 
 way to my friends, among whom I beg you will allow me to 
 consider you, and that I am, with the truest esteem and 
 affection, your faithful humble servant. Nelson." To his 
 brother, Nelson wrote, October 30th : " Being now the Com-
 
 1799-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 199 
 
 manding Officer of the Mediterranean fleet, your brother has 
 already experienced, and will continue to do so, every mark 
 of my affectionate regard, both as an officer and a friend." 
 
 On the 9th of January, 1799, Lord Nelson had the high 
 gratification of procuring the liberation of some Mahometan 
 captives from slavery. After presenting to Lord Nelson the 
 tokens of regard from the Grand Siguier, and thus having 
 fulfilled the object of their mission, Kelim Eifendi and his 
 attendant officers were prevented from returning immediately 
 by the state of affairs in Naples, which would not permit of 
 the departure of a proper conveyance for them to Constan- 
 tinople. At length, the Bonne Citoyenne was appropriated 
 to this service, and Captain Nisbet was directed to take 
 charge of the vessel. As the Ambassador and his suite were 
 proceeding in a boat to go on board, they passed a Portuguese 
 vessel, the Principe Reale, in which were confined twenty- 
 five Moors and Turks, as slaves. They appealed to the 
 Ambassador for their liberation, and he applied to Lord 
 Nelson, who immediately wrote to the Portuguese Admiral, 
 the Marquis de Niza, and begged as a friend — as an Admiral 
 — as a favour to him, that he would give him the slaves. The 
 request was complied with, and their liberty thus procured. 
 The Ambassador received them, and they were taken to Con- 
 stantinople. 
 
 It would appear from the letters of Mr. Magra,^ that a spirit 
 of dissatisfaction prevailed among the Tunisians, which pro- 
 bably induced Lord Nelson, in March, 1799, to offer him- 
 self as a mediator between the Bey of Tunis, the Bashaw of 
 Tripoli, his Sicilian Majesty, and the Queen of Portugal. 
 
 On the 30th of May, Lord Nelson arrived at Palermo, and 
 finding that the Bey of Tunis had stopped several vessels 
 having his Lordship's passport, he again wrote to the British 
 Consul, and also to the Bey, in very spirited terms upon the 
 subject, at the same time renewing his offers of acting as me- 
 diator between the Bey, his Sicilian Majesty, and the Portu- 
 guese. Nelson was successful in his application to the Bey, 
 being ably supported by the Consul. He was no less suc- 
 cessful with the Bashaw of Tripoli, aided by Commodore 
 Campbell. 
 
 ' See Appendix, No. III.
 
 200 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Lord Nelson had frequent occasion to become mediator 
 and pacificator during these troublous times. The Turkish 
 Commander-in-chief was much esteemed by Nelson, and he 
 failed not to retain a lively sense of the Admiral's kindness, 
 as is shewn by several letters anxiously inquiring after his 
 health. About September, 1799^ an affray took place be- 
 tween some Turkish troops and some Sicilians, at a tavern at 
 Palermo, on which occasion several lives were lost, and a 
 general mutiny threatened. Nelson interfered, and arranged 
 the dispute. One man, Patrona Bey, was most active in his 
 endeavours to supplant Cadir Bey, and at length made him- 
 self so obnoxious, that the men rose upon him, and literally 
 cut him to pieces. Lord Nelson wrote to the Grand Siguier 
 his opinion of Cadir Bey, and his approval of his conduct, a 
 testimony of no little moment to the Turkish Commander in 
 his situation. In his letter to the Grand Signior, Lord Nelson 
 says, " Cadir Bey is with me every day ; and a better man 
 does not live in the world, or a better officer. He is my 
 brother/' 
 
 The affairs of Naples became worse and worse ; the nobles 
 endeavoured to negotiate a truce, or peace with the French, 
 and went so far as to offer to exclude the King from his 
 throne, and constitute Naples a Republic, under the protec- 
 tion of the French. Prince Pignatelli subsequently signed 
 an armistice with the French, without the King's name, which 
 called for the powerful censure of his Majesty. " I have 
 been (says the King) more surprised that you have acted in 
 this unwarrantable manner, as you had no power from me 
 for such negotiations. The instructions left with you were 
 very different. In concluding such a treaty, you may either 
 have forgotten you have a master, or have remembered it 
 only for the purpose of imposing on him the most scandalous 
 and disgraceful terms. You may suppose how much I am 
 incensed at finding the trust I had given you betrayed in 
 such a manner, and how indignant I feel against your un- 
 worthy advisers."^ 
 
 Prince Francesco Pignatelli was the Vicario-capitan- 
 generale, and entrusted with the government of Naples 
 during the King's absence. He appointed General Mack 
 
 ' Clarke and McxVi-thur, Vol. ii. p. 143.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 201 
 
 head of the miUtary department, while the duties of the civil 
 were to be conducted by deputies elected by the city. The 
 people had no confidence in Pignatelli, and organized a band 
 of militia to maintain public order, naming them the Civic 
 Guard. They did not acknowledge Pignatelli's power, inas- 
 much as the statutes of the kingdom declared that, in the 
 absence of the King, the royal power devolved to the two 
 bodies representing the nobility and the people, and not in a 
 Vicario-Generale. The Prince was, after many attempts, obliged 
 to render up his unconstitutional power ; and upon his 
 flight into Sicily, the Prince of Moliterno, and the Duke of 
 Roccaromana^ (one of Cardinal Ruffo's generals), were nomi- 
 nated Colonels ; and these appointments were agreeable to, 
 and adopted by the municipal body. Pepe says, these offi- 
 cers endeavoured as much as possible to restrain the fury 
 of the populace, and for some time kept them within certain 
 bounds ; and that their exertions would have been more effec- 
 tual but for the conduct of a small knot of wily priests and 
 mahgnant monks, satellites of the fallen regal government, 
 who, seeing the municipal authorities issuing orders without 
 the King's name being subscribed to them, mingled amongst 
 the lower orders, awaking within their bosom hatred and 
 frenzy towards the representatives elected by the city, against 
 whom they excited them to revolt. These emissaries, Pepe 
 adds, taxed all the nobility of the realm with Jacobinism, and 
 even succeeded in throwing suspicion upon IVIoliterno and 
 Roccaromana. 
 
 The following letter, from the Queen of Naples to Lady 
 Hamilton, refers to this period : — 
 
 " Palermo, January 19, 1799. 
 '' My dear Lady, 
 
 " I am more dead than alive. The reports made to Luigi, 
 by Pignatelh, the attitude taken by this vile nobility, prove 
 
 * Nelson had a very bad opinion of this man. In a letter to Captain Trou- 
 bridge, he says, "There is a person who has been a notorious rebel; but now 
 pretends to serve his King faithfully. If he should attempt to come even into 
 your presence, I earnestly request, that you wiU never voluntarily admit him to 
 your sight, much less speak to him ; for honour and loyalty, which you possess, 
 never ought to be contaminated with infamy and rebellion. His same is said 
 to be Roccai'omana."
 
 202 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VJII. 
 
 that the revolution is completed ; the people have joined with 
 the constituted authority, they have disarmed the infamous 
 troops, the castle, arsenal, &c. ; Mack has disappeared ; 
 Salandra, with 2,500 men, says he can do nothing, the 
 troops give up their arms to the people. Igurlo has been 
 dragged, wounded, to the tribunal of the infamous Senate, 
 and sent to the castle, which prove that the nobility direct 
 every thing. Three Colonels, Giardella, Bologna, and Beau- 
 mont, also brought to the tribunal — the two first released, 
 the third confined, Castel-a-Mare — Salerno already in revolu- 
 tion. I expect Calabria to follow their example to-morrow. 
 I am so unhappy, that I really prefer the French entering 
 and stripping these miserable creatures, rather than to see 
 one^s own subjects, vile animals and cowards, but rogues also 
 as they are, conduct themselves thus. The dinner is coun- 
 termanded. Alas ! my dear Lady, I am very unhappy. 
 God grant that the recoil may not be felt in Sicily ; but 
 Naples must be regained, and Sicily defended. It is quite 
 certain that some scoundrels are at the bottom of this plot, 
 it being fools only, knowing nothing, who have openly con- 
 sented to it. I am quite in despair. It would be a great 
 consolation to me, if I could see you, with the Chevalier, and 
 the hero Nelson, at eleven or twelve o'clock. It is necessary 
 to think seriously of saving us. Adieu. — Pity an upright 
 friend, a faithful ally, a tender mother and wife, but an un- 
 happy Queen. Adieu.^^ 
 
 On the 23rd of January, Naples was taken possession of 
 by the French ; and on the 27th, the Parthenopean (Vesu- 
 vian Nelson used to call it) Republic was established. 
 
 To Captain Ball Lord Nelson had entrusted the taking of 
 Malta from the French ; and as the King of Naples was the 
 legitimate Sovereign of Malta, he proposed, that upon its 
 surrender. Ball should become the Governor, for the King 
 of Naples and the King of England. " In case of the sur- 
 render of Malta (he says), I beg you will not do any thing 
 which can hurt the feelings of their Majesties. Unite their 
 flag with England's, if it cannot, from the disposition of the 
 islanders, fly alone."
 
 1799'] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 203 
 
 On the events of Naples, Captain Ball writes to Lady- 
 Hamilton thus : — 
 
 " Alexandria, ofiF Malta, February 5th, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 
 " I will not attempt to describe how much I feel flattered 
 by the attention with which I have been honoured by your 
 Ladyship and Sir William Hamilton, for which I am in a 
 great measure indebted to Lord Nelson's friendship. You 
 both feel such a regard for him, that you never lose an occa- 
 sion of proving it. I may be quoted as a strong instance. 
 What a fortunate circumstance it was to have the Vanguard 
 at Naples when you were obliged to quit your hospitable 
 mansion. I cannot express my astonishment and sorrow 
 when I first heard of the political revolution which the Jaco- 
 bins have effected. I hope the Sicilians will not catch the 
 infection : they are already spreading reports to prejudice 
 the people against the King ; they have propagated that the 
 first edict he issued, on his arrival at Palermo, was to restrict 
 shooting, and threatening severe punishment on any person 
 caught in particular districts. 
 
 "I wish the Lazzaroni would send all the traitors and 
 Jacobins to Nelson's Island, Bequier (Aboukir) Bay, or give 
 them to our friends, the Mamelouks and Bedouins. I am 
 sorry that a butcher is at the head of the Neapolitan mob, 
 as he may cause a great deal of blood to be shed. 
 
 " Lord Montgomery and Major Gordon have been on 
 board the Alexander. I am sorry their short stay will not 
 give me an occasion of proving my desire of being useful. 
 
 '' I am prevented writing to Sir William, and thanking him 
 for his interesting letter, which he did me the honour to send, 
 but I shall do it by the Vanguard. I cannot get the Mal- 
 tese to meet and transact business ; they oblige me to be 
 with them so much, that the fatigue has considerably im- 
 paired my health. However, it will soon be over. I beg 
 my best respects to Sir William. 
 
 •" I have the honour to be, Madam, 
 " With infinite respect, 
 " Your Ladyship's most obedient servant, 
 
 "Alexander James Ball.''
 
 204 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 The Earl St. Vincent bears his testimony also to the hos- 
 pitaUty of the British minister at Naples in the following 
 letter to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 «' My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " I cannot sufficiently thank you for sending me her Sici- 
 lian Majesty's most precious letter, the contents of which I 
 feel as becomes a good Royalist, and loyal subject ; and for 
 your goodness to Mrs. Lock, who, poor thing, merits a more 
 respectable situation than that of Consuless, She is cer- 
 tainly a very comely woman, and truly amiable ; the designa- 
 tion Sir William has in contemplation for him, will place 
 them in an honourable style, and I have no doubt, from the 
 protection they have at home, will lead to ministerial 
 character. 
 
 "You are very good to my old friend Darby, ^ who is a 
 good humoured blundering Irishman, and will make you 
 laugh in the midst of the pangs your Ladyship must suffer 
 for the destiny of the delightful city and country, to which 
 you have so long contributed a large portion of the gaiety 
 and charming society of Sir William's hospitable mansion. 
 For although I had not the good fortune to revisit Naples 
 after Sir William's return, all my travelling friends did ample 
 
 ' The officer here alluded to became Sir Henry D'Esterre Darby, an Admiral 
 of the Blue, and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He was a native 
 of Ireland, and the nephew of George Darby, Vice-Admu-al of the Red, and Rcar- 
 Admiral of Great Britain. With his uncle, Henry Darby served in the Channel 
 fleet as Lieutenant of the flag-ship Britannia, of 100 guns, from which he was 
 removed in 1781, to the Infernal, and sent on an expedition against the Cape of 
 Good Hope, in which, however, he was so unfortunate as to be taken prisoner by 
 the enemy, in Porto Praya. Having regained his liberty he was made Post 
 Captain in 1783, and upon the commencement of war with France, was again 
 actively employed in the Amphitrite, the Pomone, the Adamant, and the Belle- 
 rophon, in the latter with the Channel fleet under Earl St. Vincent. This vessel 
 was one dispatched by the Commander-in-chief to reinforce Sir Horatio Nelson 
 when off" Toulon, and was most actively opposed to L' Orient in the Battle of the 
 Nile. For his gallantry on this occasion he received the gold medal, and was 
 appointed to the Earl Spencer of 74 guns. He was employed in the blockade 
 of Cadiz under the command of Sir James Saumarez, and was with him in his 
 gallant attack off" Algeziras in 1801. He subsequently went to the West Indies, 
 and returned in 1802 the Commodore of a squadron, after the surrender of Tous- 
 saint to the French forces. In 1804 he attained the rank of Rear-Admiral, rose 
 to Vice-Admu-al in 1810, and in 1819 became full Admiral. He received the Order 
 of the Bath, May 20, 1820, and died an Admii-al of the Blue in April, 1823.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 205 
 
 justice to the liberality of the representatives of our Royal 
 Master and Mistress ; Mr. Preston was Charge when I was 
 at Naples with the Duke of Gloucester, and though a worthy 
 gentleman and since a pious bishop, he was certainly a dry 
 comedian. Have the goodness to commend me to the 
 Queen, continue to nurse my excellent friend Nelson, and 
 when I have the happiness to see Sir William and your 
 Ladyship here, I will pour the effusions of my heart upon 
 you both. 
 
 *' The Governor has added two rooms to the convent for 
 your accommodation, and Mrs. Gray, late Miss Whitbread, 
 wife to the Captain of the Ville de Paris, will contribute all 
 that this house affords for the entertainment of both. 
 
 *' God bless you, my dear Lady Hamilton, and be assured 
 no man respects and esteems you more truly, than 
 
 " Your Ladyship's 
 
 " Truly affectionate, 
 
 " St. Vincent." 
 
 " Rosia House, 
 
 " 27th February, 1799." 
 
 Mrs. Lock, mentioned in the preceding letter, carried 
 with her the following letter of introduction from Lady Eli- 
 zabeth Foster. 
 
 " Devonshire House, Feb. 8, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 "This letter will be given you by Mrs. C. Lock, and 
 whilst I request of you to shew every attention in your power 
 to Mr. and Mrs. Lock, whom you will find most uncom- 
 monly amiable and pleasing, and a very valuable acquisition 
 to you, forgive me if I cannot help avaihng myself of the 
 same opportunity to express to you the universal tribute of 
 praise and admiration which is paid to the very great courage 
 and feeling which you have shewn on the late melancholy 
 occasion. I feel most excessively anxious about the poor 
 Queen, the King, and their present situation. All England 
 takes part in their misfortunes, and their fate seems to in- 
 terest more than any event has done since the great dreadful 
 one at Paris. I pray God protect them. 
 
 " The Duchess (Devonshire) begs her best compliments to
 
 206 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIIT. 
 
 your Ladyship and Sir William Hamilton, to whom I beg to 
 add mine, and pray believe me, yours sincerely, 
 
 "Elizabeth Foster/^ 
 
 Among doubtless numerous letters of condolence upon 
 the state of affairs received by Lady Hamilton, I find the 
 following from Captain Manley Dixon, and Mr. Commis- 
 sioner Coffin : — 
 
 " Lion, off Alexandria, March 1, 1799. 
 
 " The arrival of Captain Troubridge announcing the dis- 
 agreeable predicament in which Sir William and you are in 
 from an unfortunate change in the affairs of Naples, I cannot 
 refrain, my dear Lady Hamilton from the pleasure of again 
 scribbling to you, although such an unlucky event has taken 
 place. The political hemisphere of the kingdom of Naples 
 has received such fatal stabs from French influence that you 
 would have been in constant fear and alarm had it been ever 
 procrastinated. I therefore feel happy that you have re- 
 moved without much difficulty or loss, apprehending that 
 Lord Nelson has taken every care of you possible. How- 
 ever, the inconvenience of a sudden flight from a country 
 where Sir William has lived for such a length of time, with 
 so much honour and respect, must be severely felt. I there- 
 fore most cordially condole with you on the necessity of such 
 a circumstance, and I trust and hope as I suppose you will 
 now visit Old England, you will have every possible conve- 
 nience to enable you to remove with pleasure and comfort, 
 I wish to God the Lion was the fortunate ship ; but I hear 
 the Zealous is most likely to have that honour. If so, I 
 must congratulate yovi, for the world cannot produce a better 
 fellow than Captain Hood. I beg my kindest regards to Sir 
 William and your good mother. I had a peep at a letter 
 from you to Hood, wherein I was concerned to see the me- 
 lancholy time you have had with the Royal family ; but 
 enough of this, and let me hasten to inform you my little 
 friend, interpreter and companion, John, is perfectly well. 
 He is now scribbling to you. He converses now very well 
 in English, and seems quite happy and reconciled. He is a 
 fine little fellow. I have been made happy in the receipt of
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 207 
 
 letters from my family. It Avas such a length of time and 
 our station here so extremely unpleasant and distant from 
 all civilized beings, that I ysas very unhappy, but now the 
 gloom is dispelled, and I take a new lease for any service 
 with pleasure. I have troubled your Ladyship with several 
 of my scrawls but know not whether you have received 
 them. 
 
 "The French are in statu quo, excepting with the happy 
 addition of the plague, scurvy, &c. 1 believe the country 
 will do them up effectually without gimpowder. 
 
 " I am given to understand the Lion is to go down when 
 Sir S. Smith arrives. With the best regards of my dear 
 boys, Manley and John, including mine to Sir William and 
 Mrs. Cadogan, I remain with the most perfect esteem and 
 regard, your Ladyship's most obedient 
 
 " And affectionate humble servant, 
 
 "Manley Dixon.^^ 
 
 At Cyprus, the damsels made a severe attack upon Manley, 
 kissing him coming out of Church. His remark was, that 
 he thought thern mad. 
 
 ' Captain Manley DLxon rose to the rank of Admiral of the Red, and died February 
 8th, 1837. He served in the American War, and commanded the Tobago in 1 783 on 
 the Jamaica station. He became Post Captain, Nov. 22, 1790, and upon the war 
 with Revolutionary France, he cruised off the coast of Ireland whence he was 
 removed into the Channel service. In the Mediterranean he commanded the Lion 
 a,64-gun ship, from which the above letter is dated, and he distinguished himself 
 on the 15th July, 1798, off Carthagena, in an attack upon four large Spanish 
 frigates. Captain Dixon captured a French corvette in 1799 conveying dispatches 
 from the Directory to Buonaparte, and was afterwards stationed off Malta at the 
 blockade of that island. He assisted in the taking of the Guillaume Tell, bearing 
 the tlag of Rear-Admu-al Decres, the last remaining ship of the French fleet at 
 the Battle of the Nile. The contest was a very severe one, for of 1000 men on 
 board this vessel 200 were reported to have been killed or wounded. She was 
 afterwards taken into the British navy and named the Malta. After this 
 action Captain Dixon was appointed to the Genereux, another of the Nile ships, 
 and was again employed in the blockade of Malta, and when Lord Keith went 
 to Egypt, Captain Dixon was stationed during his absence at Minorca. In 1803 
 he commanded the Sceptre of 74 guns, and afterwards joined the Channel fleet in 
 the Queen 98 guns. He was appointed Rear-Admiral on the 28th April 1808, 
 when he hoisted his flag in the Temeraire, and had a command in the Baltic. 
 Named Commander-in-chief at the Brazils in 1812, he proceeded thither in the 
 Montague, 74 gims, and remained in her until the close of the war. He was 
 made Vice- Admiral in 1813, and received the honour of Knight- Commander of 
 the Bath in 1819.
 
 208 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII, 
 
 "Arsenal, Mahon, 20th March, 1799. 
 
 ^' My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " During the remainder of my life I shall never forget the 
 many happy hours I had the honour of passing in your 
 mansion at Naples. Sad reverse of fortune ! Why did not 
 you and Sir William come away before ? My advice is to 
 leave Sicily the moment you can. 
 
 " Should you embark in the Thalia, my" godson, Lieutenant 
 Colquill will on every occasion do all in his power to make 
 your situation comfortable and happy. Let him be my re- 
 presentative while he remains at Palermo. 
 
 " Present me affectionately to Sir William and my dear 
 Lord Nelson, and believe me ever, your obliged and faithful, 
 
 "Isaac Coffin.^ 
 
 " Remember me to Noble if he is with you." 
 
 ' Commodore Coffin was descended from an ancient family settled in the 
 northern part of Devonshire. His direct ancestor had emigrated to North Ame- 
 rica, but became obnoxious to the Republicans, and was compelled in 177G to 
 return to England. Isaac Coffin was the son of Nathaniel Coffin, who filled the 
 office of the Cashier of the Customs of Boston, and was born May 16, 1759. 
 He entered the Navy in 1773, and was taken to sea by Lieutenant Hunter of the 
 Gaspee brig, at the recommendation of Admiral John Montague. His command- 
 ing officer has remarked that he never knew any young man acquire so much 
 nautical knowledge in so short a time, and he regretted losing him when removed 
 to another vessel, the Captain, on the Halifax station, where he was ordered to 
 the Romney, 50 guns, bearing the flag of Admiral Montague at Newfoundland. 
 In 1778 he was made a Lieutenant, and had the command of the Placentia cutter. 
 He was employed on vaiious services, and was wrecked on the coast of Labrador 
 in Le Pinson, by the negligence of the Master. He served in the London, 98 
 guns, in 1780, under Rear-Admiral Graves, then second in command on the 
 North American station, and in 1781 he was signal Lieutenant in an action off 
 Cape Henry, with Vice-Admu-al Arbuthnot. Having served some time on the 
 American station he proceeded to the West Indies, and finding Sir Samuel, after- 
 wards Lord Hood, about to sail in quest of the French fleet under the Count de 
 Grasse, he entered the Barfleur, 98 guns, as a volunteer. He participated in the 
 glories of this service, and in June 1782, was raised to the rank of Captain. 
 At the risk of his hfe he assisted in subduing a fire at St. John's, which broke out 
 whilst he was at Antigua, and received the thanks of the Legislative body for his 
 spu-ited exertions. Disappointed in his views by some unmerited treatment on 
 the part of the Admiralty, he in 1788 went to Flanders and entered into the 
 service of the Brabant Patriots. The case was as follows : — In 1786 Coffin 
 was appointed to the Thisbe frigate and ordered to take Lord Dorchester and 
 family to Quebec. He entered two of Lord Dorchester's sons on the ship's 
 book, and also lent his cook to Colonel Dundas, a Commissioner of Arae-
 
 1799-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 209 
 
 On the 14th of February, 1799? Lord Nelson was i-)romote(i 
 to be a Rear-Admiral of the Red_, and he shifted his flag 
 from the Vanguard to the Culloden on the 23rd of March. 
 
 In the month of February he was exceedingly anxious for the 
 safety of Messina, fearing it might fall into the hands of the 
 French, and thus give them possession of Sicily. He wrote 
 to the Marquis de Niza, the Hon. Charles Stuart, his Ex- 
 cellency Theodore OuschakofF, Vice-Admiral commanding the 
 Russian fleet before Corfu; his Excellency Abdul Cadir Bey, 
 Vice-Admiral commanding the Turkish fleet off Corfu; Cap- 
 tam Troubridge, Commodore Mitchell, and others, suggest- 
 ing means of protecting Messina. Sir Charles Stuart arrived 
 with 1000 troops, much to the delight of Lord Nelson and his 
 Sicilian Majesty. On the day of their arrival Earl St. Vin- 
 cent writes thus to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 ^' My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " I forwarded the letter your Ladyship committed to my 
 care, addressed to the Marquis di Circello, by a safe convey- 
 ance, and I have sent expresses to England via Lisbon, and 
 in a cutter directly from hence, to appi'ize our Government of 
 the critical state of the island of Sicily. I heartily hope 
 General Stuart will arrive in time to secure Messina, in which 
 
 rican Claims, contrary to the practice of the service. For these acts he was 
 bi'ought to a Court-martial, but as no intention to defraud His Majesty's Govern- 
 ment could be made to appear, and as it was also evident that the chai'ge had been 
 urged by private pique, he was only sentenced to be dismissed the Thisbe, and he 
 returned to England. Earl Howe, at that time First Lord of the Admiralty, dis- 
 approved rhe sentence for its leniency, as a false muster had been proved at the 
 Board of Admu-alty, and sti-uck liis name off the list of Post Captains, which was 
 afterwards declared by the twelve Judges to be illegal, the Admiralty not having 
 the power to set aside the verdict of a Court-martial. Captain Coffiu was there- 
 fore restored to his rank, recalled to his country in 1790, and appointed to the 
 Alligator. After visiting Sweden, Denmark, and Russia, he was employed in 
 the Channel service, and in 1794 was obliged to lay up for tlie recover)' of his 
 health. Upon his restoration he was sent to Corsica, and was Resident Commis- 
 sioner there until the evacuation of the island in 1796. He afterwards served at 
 Lisbon, at Port Mahon, and Nova Scotia. At Halifax he was ajipointed Resident 
 Commissioner of the Navy, and he held the same office at Sheerness until 1804, 
 when he was raised to the rank of Rear-Admiral. He was then appointed to the 
 harbour duty of Portsmouth, and raised to the dignity of a Baronet on the 
 19th May, 1804. He became Vice-Admiral, April 28, 1808, and a full Admiral 
 June 4th, 1814. He represented Ilchester in Parliament, and died Admiral of 
 the Red, and G. C H. July 23, 1339. 
 
 VOL„ I. P
 
 210 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 event, I have no doubt of keeping possession of the island, 
 unless the whole of the inhabitants determine to have a Repub- 
 lic. As the cutter had a fair wind for two days after she left 
 Gibraltar, and the weather has been fine since, I trust she will 
 have a quick passage, and there is no doubt of the duplicate 
 which went to Lisbon getting a speedy conveyance by a 
 packet. 
 
 '^ I feel most sensibly for your Royal friend, at whose feet 
 I beg you will lay 
 
 " Your very affectionate and faithful 
 
 ^' St. Vincent. 
 
 " Rosia House, Gibraltar, 
 "10th March, 1799. 
 
 " Say everything kind to Sir William Hamilton and to 
 Mrs. Lock for me. St. Vincent." 
 
 In March Lord Nelson received the freedom of the city of 
 Palermo, where he remained with the Neapolitan Royal 
 family, the British Minister and Lady Hamilton, who appears 
 to have been as attentive to the Navy there as at Naples. 
 Captain Ball writes to her Ladyship on the 23rd of February, 
 " I find that you fascinate all the Navy as much at Palermo 
 as yovi did at Naples. If we had many such advocates, every 
 body would be a candidate for our profession."^ 
 
 Lord Nelson ordered a blockade of Naples on the 28th of 
 March, and entrusted it to Captain Troubridge, directing him 
 to take Procida, to secure an anchorage. The following is 
 a translation of the Order relating to the blockade : — 
 
 " My Lord Admiral Nelson, 
 '^ In promising myself, with the aid of God, the happiest 
 success from the blockade of Naples, which a portion of the - 
 British squadron under your orders is about to undertake, I 
 and from which the same is likely to occur with respect to 
 the adjacent islands in the Gulf of Naples, I cannot refrain 
 from testifying to you, my acknowledgments of the aid you 
 have lent me in facilitating this expedition, which proves to 
 me how fully I may always rely upon the support and assist- 
 ance of my good friend and ally, the King of Great Britain, 
 
 ' Letters of Lord Nelson, Vol. i. ji. 237.
 
 1/99.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 211 
 
 as well as upon your excellent feelings in my favour, which I 
 have always experienced on every occasion. This necessary 
 duty acquitted, I now authorize you to retake possession of 
 the said islands in my Royal name, by means of the Com- 
 mander whom you have appointed as chief of this impoi'tant 
 expedition. The possession of all, or part of the said islands 
 being effected, I should wish that it should be followed up as 
 a military measure, by some of the portion of your Squadron, 
 destined for the blockade of Naples, and landing the same on 
 the islands, the English Commander could order my Royal 
 flag to be displayed, and the tricolor, and other Republican 
 symbols to be taken down, and ordering the respective inhabit- 
 ants to elect seven or eight individuals of those best aifected 
 to my crown, as a Committee for the preservation of good 
 order and the public peace, until I may be informed of the 
 state of things, and of the results of these proceedings, so that 
 I may establish in those islands the regular government that 
 I may believe best adapted to their circumstances ; expecting 
 that by your aid the said Commander will achieve for me the 
 occasion. For this purpose a detachment of my troops will 
 be sent to the Commander to garrison those of the islands he 
 may calculate upon securing by such military custody. 
 
 *^ I have very willingly acceded to the request made to me 
 by the excellent Chevalier Hamilton, to send with the Com- 
 mander appointed by you, the Judge {di Vicaria) Don Michel 
 de Curtis, who was Governor of the island of Procida until 
 the Revolution, and who, by his attachment to my crown, has 
 felt it his duty to follow me here. He is a subject who has 
 always conducted himself with zeal, capacity, and intelligence, 
 and I must speak highly of the department he has held ; and 
 as the island of Procida may be the most important point for 
 stationing that portion of the Squadron that you send for the 
 blockade of Naples, so I am persuaded that he may be of 
 great assistance to the English Commander, as well from his 
 knowledge of the places, as from knowing personally those 
 persons in Procida who may merit confidence. Curtis could 
 also be well employed In any commissions which the Com- 
 mander appointed by you may think fit to confide to him, as 
 well in the other islands, as in the kingdom of Naples, where, 
 knowing the people, he can with facility open communications 
 
 p 2
 
 212 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 and correspondence which might prove of the highest advan- 
 tage in future operations, which, under favour of Divine 
 Providence, as soon as we shall have landed a sufficient force, 
 we hope to undertake. Until, however, the landing of the 
 troops of my good allies, which I am daily expecting, is effected, 
 I beg you to reflect, whether it might not be advisable to 
 recommend the Commander of the expedition not to 
 pass into the interior of the Gulf of Naples with his 
 Squadron, except in case of the most urgent, absolute 
 necessity, in order to avoid exciting by such a demonstration, 
 the feelings of my faithful subjects in the capital to such a 
 degree that they might risk attempting the counter-revolution 
 too soon, before the landing of sufficient troops to sustain 
 them, and so become victims to their fidelity to me, which 
 would cause me infinite regret, both for the loss of so many 
 faithful subjects, and being totally unserviceable to me, 
 instead of waiting for the disembarkation of the troops to 
 retake Naples, and availing themselves of their manoeuvres in 
 the interior to chase the French from the capital, and suppress 
 the rebels to my crown. I submit this reflection, my Lord, 
 to your consideration, being persuaded that you will see the 
 importance of it, and that your prudence and profound judg- 
 ment will best decide the point, and furnish the Commander 
 with such instructions as will be best adapted to secure the 
 essential object. 
 
 "■ I also authorise the Commander Troubridge to hold 
 military possession of the said islands, and until I can re- 
 establish a regular Government, to act in all respects as he 
 may deem best for the reinstatement of order and security, 
 andbf reducing the rebels to obedience. And now, renewing 
 my protestations of sincere gratitude and high esteem, I pray 
 God to have you in his holy keeping. Palermo, March 30, 
 1799. 
 
 ^ rc// nan c/c . 
 
 At this time the Qiieen of Naples writes to Lady Hamil- 
 ton : —
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 213 
 
 '* My dear Lady, 
 
 "This is my letter for Curtis,' which I beg you to send; 
 and also I beg you, my dear Lady, to recommend to the brave 
 Troubridge the new Governor of Ischia, Vincenzo Mattel ; 
 his exterior is very repulsive, besides which he is detested, 
 having accused the Jacobins, a crime they will never pardon, 
 and the ramifications of their vengeance are wider spread than 
 you can easily imagine ; but he is a skilful, talented man, 
 much attached to the Crown, and I beg you to recommend 
 him. I will speak to the Masters themselves, to-day, for the 
 house of Montalto ; I spoke about it yesterday, for I interest 
 myself much in it. If I could talk with you a moment, it 
 could be arranged between us, as I desire only to gratify you 
 in it all. To-day I am going to the Convent, but to-morrow 
 morning, if you could come about noon, for a short time, we 
 could talk it over. I again pressed Capero last night for 
 provisions, but these people promise and do nothing. The 
 four armed chaloupes are ready, and they can have them, but 
 those for the mortars are not yet done. All these delays 
 annoy me ; it is no fault of mine, but here they have no idea 
 of any thing ; no government, nor order, nor care whatsoever 
 — they live only from day to day, and these leeches of dealers 
 that one must employ, although undoubtedly they plunder 
 the provisions, yet one gets them at any rate quicker, being 
 at first hand. Adieu, my very dear friend — keep yourself well, 
 rely on my friendship for life. A thousand compliments to 
 the Chevalier, and to our defender Nelson. 
 
 " Will you have the kindness to borrow for me again the 
 Moniteurs, that Gravina may read them.'^ 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I send you back the letter of our dear Admiral, with a 
 thousand thanks for having confided it to me. I am very 
 anxious to receive later news, and greatly desire to see him 
 soon again with us. I have no news. Procida holds out, 
 the English frigate has arrived there from Messina ; they have 
 sent a frigate of ours there, and four galliots, so that I hope they 
 will be able to defend themselves against that great scoundrel 
 Caracciolo. May I venture to ask you what news was 
 
 ' Don Michel de Curtis, Governor of the Island of Procida. See Order for 
 the Blockade of Naples, page 211, atite.
 
 214 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 brought by the Flottc with Captain Dixon, either as to the 
 French Squadron, or their troops. Adieu, my very dear 
 Lady, how much I wish I were Uving nearer you, that I 
 might sec you oftener, and assure you of my sincere and con- 
 stant friendship. 
 
 " A thousand comphraents to the dear Chevalier." 
 
 On the day following the date of the order for the blockade. 
 Lord Nelson had possession of all the islands in the bay of 
 Naples, and of all the Jacobin municipality, officers, &c. who 
 were prisoners on board the British ships of war. Captain 
 Troubridge wrote to Lord Nelson on the depravity of the 
 Republicans, and the necessity of sending an honest judge, 
 as it would be impossible to go on with such an increase of 
 villains upon his hands, unless some example should be made. 
 This request was complied with, and Captain Cockburn was 
 ordered to join Captain Troubridge with 200 troops, a judge, 
 and other civil officers, in La Minerve. The judge arrived, 
 but he was timid. Troubridge says of him, '^ The poorest 
 creature I ever saw ; frightened out of his senses, says seventy 
 families are concerned, and talks of it being necessary to have 
 a bishop to degrade the priests, before he can execute them. 
 I told him to hang them first, and if he did not think the 
 degradation of hanging sufficient, I would."^ 
 
 To Lady Hamilton on the same subject he writes : — 
 
 "April 13, (1799). 
 " My dear Madam, 
 
 " I am to thank you for your two very obliging letters. I 
 
 have given the old Judge all the wlwlesome advice I am master 
 
 of, and to-morrow he means to begin. You shall know how 
 
 he behaves. I feel highly honoured by her Majesty's notice ; 
 
 I wish I could serve them more essentially and quick. They 
 
 may rely on every exertion in my power. Communication 
 
 with Naples gets more difficult. The volumes of papers and 
 
 edicts the Queen expected to be collected by Gronata and 
 
 others were not continued, Lalo is not employed. Carac- 
 
 ciolo is President of the Marine ; I hope he has been forced to 
 
 accept of it. We shall hear more soon. By the French not 
 
 talking of any successes, I am convinced the Germans are 
 
 ' Nelson Papers, quoted in Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 333, Note.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 215 
 
 doing well. The want of information in this country, and 
 indolence of the people to get it, is beyond all conception. I 
 beg my best compliments to Sir William. Believe me, dear 
 Madam, 
 
 " Your ever obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 '*T. Troubridge. 
 '^ I forward your Ladyship a large packet of papers." 
 
 On the 5th of April, Lord Nelson ordered a salute to be 
 fired to celebrate the victories of the Austrians over the French. 
 An eccentric man, the Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry, 
 communicates intelligence of these battles in the following 
 letter to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "Venice, 28tli March, 1799. 
 
 "Hip! Hip! Hip! 
 
 ^' Huzza ! Huzza ! Huzza ! 
 
 *' For dearest Emma ! those doubly damn'd miscreants — 
 first as French, 2nd as Reps — have thrown doublets, and 
 within these few days been beat — aye, completely beaten twice. 
 
 " General Lusignan aiTived the night before last, at the 
 Golden Eagle at Padua, where I had been lounging away a 
 month among Greek and Latin professors. The General, 
 according to his age and dignity, was gone to bed tired, but 
 I saw his aide-de-camp, who like all others of his rank, pre- 
 ferred supper to sleep, just as my aides-de-camp, vulgarly 
 called chaplains, usually do after a journey of seventy or 
 eighty miles. 
 
 " This aide-de-camp speaking nothing but German, I sum- 
 moned my dragoman to interpret, and he told us he had met 
 Prince Charles's couriers going to Vienna with intelligence 
 that the French had attacked either his left or his right wing — 
 to us bishops it matters as little as if it had been the wing of 
 a fat capon — that Prince Charles had made a decisive man- 
 oeuvre, cut off this left or right wing from the rest of the body, 
 and totally defeated it, so that it was repassing the Rhine. 
 
 " So much for Buckingham, as Richard says. But yester- 
 day, at nine o'clock in the morning, just as I was mounting 
 my Rosinante to come off for Venice, amves an officer full 
 gallop from the army at Legnago, and proceeding to Vienna
 
 216 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 with an account that they had attacked and totally defeated 
 the French army, taken 5000 prisoners, who might better be 
 called deserters, and laid dead on the field 3000 more, and 
 were then in pursuit of the rest. And what is curious is^ that 
 on that very day, being myself at Este^ my servant cried out, 
 * My Lord, the French and Austrians are at it, for I hear the 
 cannonading;' and so indeed we did very distinctly. 
 
 *' Seventeen thousand Russians are now on this side Goritz, 
 but I cannot learn with certainty whether they embark at 
 Trieste for Ancona, or proceed by land for Rovigo and Fer- 
 rai'a. God grant them success wheresoever they go. In the 
 meantime, if you can get our dear, invaluable Queen to give 
 me a short introductory letter to Prince Charles, I have mat- 
 ters of great moment and characters of great importance to 
 communicate to him. 
 
 " Of the three demi-brigades with which I made acquaint- 
 ance during my nine months abode at Milan, there are not 
 ten privates who are not Royalists, and of the gens d'armes 
 who guarded me night and day, all the officers but one, a 
 mason by trade, and all the privates without exception, are 
 zealous Royalists, and execrate the Directory, and all these 
 universally advise the carrying the war into the south of 
 France, and especially to carry Louis XVIIL with one of the 
 armies, as above two-thirds of the Republican army would go 
 over to him. This was the general opinion, and such was the 
 sentiment of Colonel Marion, Commandant de la Place at 
 Ferrara, and now at Mantua, a natif of La Lorraine Allemande. 
 
 Sweet Emma, adieu. My direction is ' , Augsburg, 
 
 poste restante.' " 
 
 Lord Nelson wrote to Sir Charles Whitworth, at this time 
 British Minister at St. Petersburgh, acquainting his Excel- 
 lency that the blockade of La Valetta had been carried on at 
 no less expense than ;6l 5,000. a month ; that the garrison was 
 mutinous ; that scurvy prevailed among them to a great 
 degree^ and that they were in dreadful want of provisions. 
 It was therefore only needful for Russian troops to make their 
 appearance on the island to effect its immediate surrender. 
 Captain Ball, whose conduct had been so unexceptionable 
 and conciliatory towards the Maltese, that he had been uuani-
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 217 
 
 mously elected by the islanders their General and Chief, had 
 been ordered by Nelson to co-operate with the Russians. " If 
 9 or 10,000 troops (says Nelson) come to us, Naples will be 
 recovered in a week, and his Imperial Majesty will have the 
 glory of replacing a good Monarch and an amiable Queen on 
 their throne again/' 
 
 Nelson's conduct regarding Malta met with the approbation 
 of those who had the management of affairs at home. This 
 was communicated to him by Earl Spencer, to whom he 
 replied on the 6th of April, expressing an opinion on Malta, 
 which has been considered rather extraordinary. He writes, 
 " To say the truth, the possession of Malta, by England, 
 would be an useless and enormous expense ; yet any expense 
 should be incurred, rather than let it 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 the 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 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."^ 
 
 The following paper, entitled "^ Lord Viscount Nelson's 
 Thovights on Malta," and in the handwriting of Lady Hamil- 
 ton, apparently from dictation, may be interesting in this 
 place. It bears no date, but according to a letter in Su' H, 
 Nicolas's collection of Dispatches and Letters,- was written 
 to the Right Hon. Henry Addington, from Merton, December 
 4th, 1802:— 
 
 " ON MALTA. 
 
 " It must never belong to France. England does not want 
 it. If Russia will not guarantee Malta, then a new negotia- 
 tion must be set on foot, and we must hold fast until it is 
 settled. But if Russia will guarantee Malta, then it will 
 become a serious consideration in the new state of the Order, 
 ' Letter Book. = Vol. v. p. 36.
 
 218 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 whether it can be carried into effect. Malta is materially 
 changed since the Treaty of Amiens, by Spain having (in 
 breach of that Treaty) taken away a great part of that revenue 
 which was to support the expenses of the Order, and if one 
 power can do it, another can do the same, and the Order of 
 Malta, unable to maintain itself, falls of course. 
 
 " N.B. — It is easy to see from whose advice Spain has 
 acted ; other countries may follow the same advice. 
 
 " The Order of Malta cannot, in keeping the fortifications 
 in repair, ships, galleys, &c., be kept up for less than the 
 former revenue, and by the introduction of the new Langue, 
 the pride of the Spaniards will not allow them, nor even the 
 Italians, to enter into the Order ; and they brought a vast 
 accession of flowing wealth to the Order, which now will fail. 
 
 ^' Under these circumstances, it becomes a consideration 
 what can be done with it to accord to the spirit of the Treaty 
 of Amiens, that neither France nor England shall possess it. 
 
 " The King of the Two Sicilies is the acknowledged Lord 
 of the Island; even the Maltese, after the destruction of the 
 Order, in their addresses, style themselves his subjects ; there- 
 fore, on the face of the act, there could be no objection to 
 giving it to him ; but the consideration is how a weak State 
 can keep it out of the power of so powerful a one as France ; — 
 only, by guarantees that the King of the Two Sicilies shall 
 hold Malta on the same terms as the Order (if it is possible 
 that it shall always remain neutral), and tied up by the gua- 
 rantee that on no consideration of exchange of territory shall 
 it be given up. The Emperor of Russia having guaranteed 
 all the King of Naples' dominions last yeai', will not probably 
 object to do the same for Malta. It is so much the interest 
 of the King of the Two Sicilies to keep Malta fi*om France 
 (for he would lose Sicily if he gave it up), that I think him, 
 under guarantees, the most proper person to have it. France 
 could not object, by the spirit of the Treaty of Amiens, to its 
 being placed (the Order not being possible to be restored) 
 in the King of Naples' hands, under the same restrictions, 
 and this country would save 300,000 a year, and, by as far as 
 human faith and foresight can go, keep Malta out of the 
 hands of France. 
 
 " The King of Naples can wish for neither France or Eng- 
 land to possess Malta. By the first, he must lose Sicily ;
 
 I79i>.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 219 
 
 by the latter, he may be involved in a war about Malta, 
 should France and England go to war : and this, in my 
 opinion, could be the only rational inducement for the King 
 of Naples to pay the great expense of holding Malta. 
 
 *' If neither of these plans can be accomplished, we have no 
 choice but to keep Malta. 
 
 " Note — When I was instructed by Lord Grenville to 
 consider the Emperor of Russia as Grand Master of the Order, 
 in my correspondence with him on the situation of Malta, I 
 represented to him the tyranny of the Order over the in- 
 habitants, and presumed to recommend, in order that they 
 should be reconciled to the return of the Order, that he would 
 direct them to be assured that they should be eligible to be 
 elected to any office in the Island. He directly ordered his 
 Minister at Naples to go to Malta, and to assure this boon to 
 the inhabitants ; and Chevalier Italinski went and returned 
 in one of our ships. This, perhaps, considering the pride of 
 the Knights, was all that could be obtained. The Spaniards 
 already term the Maltese Langue, the shopkeeper Langue.'* 
 
 Captain Ball's duty was a very arduous, a very distressing, 
 and a very lengthened one. The Maltese were starving, and 
 he could obtain but very inefficient supplies for them. 
 Money could not be raised, and provisions were not to be 
 obtained. Captain Ball parted with the greatest portion 
 of his flour to supply their wants. At length the Queen of 
 Naples gave 7000 ounces to the relief of their necessities. 
 
 Coleridge justly observes,^ that although " the ver}^ exist- 
 ence of Naples and Sicily, as a nation, depended wholly and 
 exclusively on British support, though the Royal family 
 owed their personal safety to the British fleet, though not 
 only their dominions and their rank, but the liberty, and even 
 lives of Ferdinand and his family, were interwoven with our 
 success ; yet with an infatuation scarcely credible, the most 
 affecting representations of the distress of the besiegers, and 
 of the utter insecurity of Sicily, if the French remained pos- 
 sessors of Malta, were treated with neglect ; and the urgent 
 remonstrances for the permission of importing corn from 
 
 ' The Friend, Vol. iii. p. 332.
 
 220 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Messina, were answered only by sanguinary edicts precluding 
 all svipply. Sir Alexander Ball sent for his senior Lieutenant, 
 and gave him orders to proceed immediately to the Port of 
 Messina, and there to seize, and bring with him to Malta, 
 the ships laden with corn, of the number of which Sir Alex- 
 ander had received accurate information. These orders were 
 executed without delay, to the great delight of the ship- 
 owners and proprietors ; the necessity of raising the siege 
 was removed, and the author of the measure waited in calm- 
 ness for the consequences that might result to himself per- 
 sonally. But not a complaint, not a murmur proceeded from 
 the Court of Naples. The sole result was, that the Governor 
 of Malta became an especial object of its hatred, its fear, 
 and its respect." 
 
 The many operations now carrying on, and the great in- 
 crease of correspondence occasioned by them, led Nelson to 
 neglect his private affairs. Complaint of this appears to 
 have been made by Lady Nelson, as the following letter 
 seems to imply : — 
 
 " Palermo, April 10th, 1799. 
 " My dear Fanny, 
 *' Yesterday brought me your letters of December ; they had 
 been stopped in Italy, and now came by way of Venice. I 
 had three days ago received two of February 5th and 11th. 
 You must not think it possible for me to write even to you 
 so much as I used to do. In truth, I have such quantities of 
 writing public letters, that my private correspondence has 
 been, and must continue to be, greatly neglected. You would 
 by February have seen how unpleasant it would have been 
 had you followed any advice, which carried you from England 
 to a wandering sailor. I could, if you had come, only have 
 struck my flag, and carried you back again, for it would have 
 been impossible to have set up an establishment at either 
 Naples or Palermo. Nothing but the situation of affairs in 
 this country has kept me from England ; and if I have the 
 happiness of seeing their Sicilian Majesties safe on their 
 throne again, it is probable I shall yet be home in the 
 summer. Good Sir William, Lady Hamilton, and myself, 
 are the mainsprings of the machine, which manage what is
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 221 
 
 going on in this country. We are all bound to England when 
 we can quit our posts with propriety. 
 
 " As to my entering into the situation of affairs with Mr. 
 Suckling,^ and his numerous family : in the first place, I 
 never knew of his death till I read it in a magazine, and as yet 
 the other executors have never wrote me a line. However, if I 
 can be useful by acting to his family, I feel myself bound by 
 every tie of gratitude, to do it, and on that account I am not 
 sorry that he has disappointed the expectations of many that 
 he would have left me something considerable. I always 
 loved and respected my dear Uncle while living, and shall do 
 the same now he is dead. Josiah is now in full possession of 
 a noble frigate. He has sent to say that he is sensible of his 
 youthful folhes, and that he shall alter his whole conduct. 
 I sincerely wdsh he may, both for his and your sake. You 
 will not, I am sure, forget me to Mr. Hamilton when you 
 write, nor to our friends at Bristol. As to our dear Father, 
 say every thing which is kind, and also to my sister, and 
 Mr. Matcham, and believe me, 
 
 '• Your most affectionate 
 
 "Nelson." 
 
 He had also been troubled by some complaint made 
 against his step-son, which had called for a strong remon- 
 strance on the part of the Earl of St. Vincent, to whom he 
 writes from Palermo, June 5th : — " I hope her (Thalia) 
 Captain will improve, and do every thing we wish him." 
 
 The following letter bears reference to this matter : — 
 
 " Tbalia, May 4th, ofif Malta. 
 
 " Dear Father, 
 " I am sorry to find from Mr. Tyson's letter, that 
 you thought I was very imprudent in messing in the gun- 
 room, which 1 had not the least idea of doing, only until I 
 got to Palermo, where I could fit myself out. I have now 
 determined to do every thing in my power to deserve the 
 unmerited promotion which you have given me, and hope 
 
 ' William Suckling, Esq. Clerk of Foreign Entries, and afterwards Deputy 
 Collector Inwards of the Custom House. He died December 15, 1798, at the 
 age of 69 years, at Kentish Town, leaving Lord Nelson a legacy of ^""lOO. and 
 appointing him one of his executors. Lord Nelson signed powei-s of attornej', 
 and expressed to Mrs. Suckling his desire to fulfil the wishes of his uncle.
 
 222 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. VIII. 
 
 my endeavours for the future will always meet with your ap- 
 probation, as you are the only person on earth who has my 
 interest truly at heart, and I trust and hope my future con- 
 duct will effectually do away my former folly. I have been 
 off Lanosa, and have taken two vessels, by one of which I 
 shall send this letter to-morrow. Captain Ball has given 
 me another cruise off Lanosa, and I hope we shall take some- 
 thing more. 
 
 " And believe me, dear Father, 
 
 " Your affectionate son, 
 
 " J. NiSBET.'' 
 
 Sir Sidney Smith gave up the blockade of Alexandria, 
 and proceeded to the head-quarters of Buonaparte, at St. 
 Jean d'Acre, on the 7th of March ; and in April, three or 
 four frigates, and as many corvettes, made their escape from 
 Alexandria. In May, Lord Nelson received intelligence 
 that the French fleet, from Brest, had been seen off Oporto ; 
 and he thereupon determined to put to sea, conjecturing their 
 object to be to join the Spanish fleet, and act against Minorca 
 and Sicily. To act against the enemy efficiently, however, 
 it was necessary to reinforce his squadron, but he was unable 
 to sail until the 20th, when he departed for Maritimo, either 
 to obtain reinforcements there, or to proceed to Minorca, 
 should that appear to be the destination of the French fleet. 
 
 On the day preceding his departure. Lord Nelson calls to 
 remembrance the delightful attentions paid to him at Naples, 
 and to Lady Hamilton he writes thus : — ^' To tell you how 
 dreary and uncomfortable the Vanguard appears, is only 
 telling you what it is to go from the pleasantest society to a 
 solitary cell ; or, from the dearest friends, to no friends. I 
 am now perfectly the great man — not a creature near me. 
 From my heart I wish myself the little man again V'^ And 
 on the 20th : — " Many thanks to you and Sir William for 
 your kind notes. You will believe I did not sleep much, 
 with all my letters to read, &c. My letters from Lord St. 
 Vincent are May Gth. He says, ' We saw the Brest squadron 
 pass us yesterday, under an easy sail. I am making every 
 
 ' Letters of Lord Nelson, Vol. i. p. 9.
 
 J 799'] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 223 
 
 effort to get information to Lord Keith, who I have ordered 
 here to complete their water and provisions. I conjecture 
 the French squadron is bound for Malta and Alexandria, and 
 the Spanish fleet for the attack of Minorca.' 
 
 '^ I must leave you to judge whether the Earl will come to 
 us. I think he will: but, eiitre nous, Mr. Duckworth means 
 to leave me to my fate. I send you (under all circumstances) 
 his letter. Never mind ; if I can get my eleven sail together, 
 they shall not hurt me.''^ 
 
 At the same time Lady Hamilton received the following 
 from the Queen of Naples : — 
 
 " Palermo. May 19th, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " That God may be with our brave and virtuous Admiral 
 is my sincere prayer. Believe me I feel for the affliction you 
 must experience, and I shall see you to-moiTow with great 
 pleasure. Try to take some repose and sleep. Cardinal 
 Ruffo had to fight against Altamura for three days, but at 
 last he took it. A boat from Messina reports having heard 
 that the Russian squadron has embarked troops at Cala- 
 motta destined for us. Ruffo also writes that there are 119 
 sail, Russian and Turkish, in the Adriatic, but that appears 
 exaggerated to me. All my thoughts and wishes are with, 
 and for, our valorous Admiral ; and believe me, my dear dear 
 Emma, your sincere, attached, and eternally grateful friend. 
 A thousand compliments to our brave and worthy Che- 
 valier." 
 
 " Palermo, May 20th, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " A thousand thanks for the news ; let us hope for more 
 particulars in the course of the day. I also suffer through 
 the departure of our dear virtuous Admiral. I am obliged 
 to go to the convent, but will try to be home before night. 
 How I feel for you. We are on the eve of a very important 
 crisis. Entirely yours till death. 
 
 " A thousand compliments to the dear Chevalier." 
 
 " My deal' Lady, 
 " I thank you for your note, and am sorry to have incon- 
 venienced you. I keep you company, having a fever and pains 
 
 ' Ibid. Vol. i. p. 11.
 
 224 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL, [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 in my head. I beg you to inform me why Keith is come, 
 and what force he brings, and if the French and Spanish 
 squadron has left, and where it is. I hope my dear virtuous 
 Lord Nelson will not encounter any thing unpleasant. If 
 your health permits, my dear Emma, send me two lines as to 
 why Keith is come, and his force, and if the squadron has 
 left Brest. I am ill from a second attack of fever, but am, 
 until death, your attached and grateful friend. 
 
 "A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, and to our 
 hero Nelson. I shall be inconsolable should he be caused 
 any uneasiness. Adieu." 
 
 From the Letter Book,^ it appears that Lord Nelson 
 acquired his intelligence respecting the French fleet, by the 
 arrival of L'Espoir at Palermo, on the 12th; and among 
 his papers, there is the following letter from Evan Nepean, 
 Esq., Secretary to the Admiralty, to Sir Sidney Smith, which 
 appears to have been transmitted to his Lordship, by J, 
 Spencer Smith, Esq., Avho has marked it as "A copy secret 
 for Lord Nelson :"— 
 
 "Admii-alty Office, 4th May, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 "As it may happen that from some unforeseen event 
 you may be disappointed in receiving the information which 
 Lord Nelson is directed to forward to you of the saihng of the 
 enemy's fleet from Brest, my Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty have judged it proper, that I should inclose this 
 Dispatch to his Majesty's Minister at Constantinople, with 
 a desire that he may take the speediest method of conveying 
 it to you. 
 
 " By the advices received from Admiral Lord Bridport, 
 dated off Ushant, the 29th of last month, it appears that the 
 enemy's fleet had sailed from Brest on the morning of the 
 preceding day, unobserved, excepting by one of his fri- 
 gates ; and such were the circumstances of the state of the 
 weather at the moment, that the Commander of the frigate 
 could form no judgment of the extent of the force, nor of 
 the course it afterwards steered. According to the informa- 
 tion received by Lord Bridport from the Commanders of two 
 of his Majesty's ships which he had sent to reconnoitre the 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 352.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 225 
 
 Port of Brest on the preceding day, the enemy's force was 
 supposed to consist of 18 or 19 ships of the line at most, 
 and 8 or 10 frigates and sloops, but of this there is no abso- 
 lute certainty; as it is possible (if the object of the enemy 
 should be to pass the Straits), that this squadron may elude 
 the vigilance of Lord St. Vincent and proceed up the Medi- 
 terranean, it seems to be highly necessaiy that you should 
 take every proper measure of precaution against a surprise. 
 It is to be hoped, li'om his Lordship's activity and zeal, that 
 the enemy's squadron, even though it should pass the Straits, 
 will not be able to do any considerable mischief before his 
 Lordship will be in a situation to follow it ; but, however 
 that may be, there can be no doubt of the propriety of your 
 adopting the system of precaution herein recommended, 
 which may be done without interfering in any degree with 
 the execution of the important service committed to your 
 care. 
 
 '' I am. Sir, 
 
 " Your most humble servant, 
 
 *' Evan Nepean. 
 
 " To Captain Sir Sidney Smith, 
 Cominanding Officer of His Majesty's 
 Ships on the Coast of Egypt." 
 
 Nelson's usual activity manifested itself on this occasion, 
 and there are extant letters of the date of the 12th, addressed 
 to Rear- Admiral Duckworth, Captain Troubridge, Cap- 
 tain Ball, and the Earl of St. Vincent, on the subject, and 
 the arrangements necessary to be made. Nelson was veiy 
 uneasy lest there should be a battle fought during his 
 absence, and on the 13th, he wrote to Earl St. Vincent : 
 ^' Should you come upwards without a battle, I hope in that 
 case you will afford me an opportunity of joining you ; for 
 my heart would break to be near my Commander-in-chief, 
 and not assisting him in such a time. What a state I am in ! 
 If I go, I risk, and more than risk, Sicily, and what is now 
 safe on the Continent ; for we know, from experience, that 
 more depends on opinion than on acts themselves. As I 
 stay, my heart is breaking ; and, to mend the matter, I am 
 seriously unwell." 
 
 Nelson remained at ^L^ritimo until the 28th. He was much 
 
 VOL. I. Q
 
 226 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 out of health, and on the 26th wrote the following letter to 
 Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "May 26th, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " Many, many thanks for your letters, but as neither of 
 ours can go by post, we must trust to the mercy of a boat- 
 man, who cares not for our anxiety. I send you the passports 
 for the vessels, only tell me how I can be most useful and 
 that is enough — the thing is done. There is not a vessel in 
 sight, therefore I can send you nothing new. Pray do not 
 trouble yourself to send me fruit, for to say the truth, I have 
 no stomach for eating. May God Almighty bless you and 
 all my friends about you, and believe me amongst the most 
 faithful and affectionate of your friends, 
 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " I have no boat with me, therefore I cannot send again 
 till one comes." 
 
 The French fleet passed the Straits of Gibraltar. Earl 
 St. Vincent saw the Brest squadron on the 5th, and conjec- 
 tured it to be bound for Malta and Alexandria, and the 
 Spanish fleet for the attack on Minorca. Nelson determined 
 upon raising the blockade of Malta, and concentrating all his 
 forces off Maritimo. He, however, wrote to Captain Ball on 
 the 28th to countermand his orders of the 13th, and to direct 
 that the blockade should be recommenced with the Alexander, 
 Audacious, or Goliath, Bonne Citoyenne, Strombolo, and 
 Benjamin, and to prevent the escape of any French ships out 
 of Malta until the Russian ships should arrive. In a letter to 
 J. Spencer Smith, Esq. June 5th, he sums up the movements 
 of the fleet thus : " Briefly, on April the 25th, the French 
 fleet sailed from Brest; 19 of the line, frigates, &c. ; and 
 from Corunna and Ferrol five Spanish ships joined. They 
 passed the Gut on May 5th. On the 12th, they were seen 
 past Minorca, with their heads pointed for Toulon. Lord 
 St. Vincent left Gibraltar on the 8th, his force 20 sail of the 
 line. On the 15th, I have letters from the last off Minorca, 
 to say he was going to endeavour to prevent the junction. 
 This is the whole I know. I had for two days called the ships 
 off Malta, but they are returned to it again. Naples is also
 
 IJdO.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 22^ 
 
 completely cut off from all communication from sea. I have 
 been for many months expecting the 3000 Russian troops for 
 Malta, where I know the French General intended to try to 
 make off with the ships, and for the garrison to capitulate."^ 
 The state of Earl St. Vincent's health compelled him to 
 return home, which distressed Nelson greatly. He wrote to 
 his Commander-in-chief from Palermo, June 10 : " We have 
 a report that you are going home. This distresses us most 
 exceedingly, and myself in particular ; so much so, that I 
 have serious thoughts of retiring, if that event should take 
 place. But for the sake of our country, do not quit us at this 
 serious moment. I wish not to detract from the merit of 
 whoever may be your successor ; but it must take a length of 
 time, which I hope the war will not give, to be in any manner 
 a St. Vincent. We look up to you, as we have always found 
 you, as to our father, under whose fostering care we have 
 been led to fame. If, my dear Lord, I have any weight in 
 your friendship, let me entreat you to rouse the sleeping lion. 
 Give not up one particle of your authority to any one ; be 
 again our St. Vincent, and we shall be happy."" And again : 
 
 ''June 12, 1799, 9 o'clock at night. 
 
 '' My dear Lord, our St. Vincent ! 
 " What have we suffered in hearing of your illness, and of 
 your return to Mahon ! Let me entreat you to come to us 
 with a force fit to fight. We will search the French out, and 
 either in Leghorn, Espezia, or Naples, we will have at 
 them. We shall have so much pleasure in fighting under the 
 eye of our ever great and good Earl. If you are sick, I will 
 fag for you, and our dear Lady Hamilton will nurse you with 
 the most affectionate attention. Good Sir William will make 
 you laugh with his wit and inexhaustible pleasantry : we all 
 love you; come, then, to your sincere friends — let us get you 
 well ; it will be such a happiness to us all ; amongst the fore- 
 most to your attached, faithful and affectionate, 
 
 " Nelson.''3 
 
 The Earl, however, felt himself " incapable of any ser- 
 
 ' From a copy in the Nelson Papers. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 373. 
 "^ Tucker's Memoirs of Earl St. Yincentj Vol. i. p. 481. ' Ibid. 
 
 Q 2
 
 228 LIFE OP VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 vice/' and resigned his command to Lord Keith^ on the 16th 
 of June. The condition of affairs at Naples was such, that 
 
 ' ITie Hon. George Keith Elphinstone, afterwards Lord Keith, was the son 
 of Charles Lord Elphinstone, who died in January, 1799. He was bom in 
 174G, and entered the navy in 1762, under Captain Jervis, afterwards Earl St. 
 Vincent. After various services in India, China, and the Mediterranean, he rose 
 to be Post Captain in 1775, and served in America under Lord Howe. He was 
 at the reduction of Charlestown with Admiral Arbuthnot ; and on his return 
 from America was appointed to the Warwick, of 50 guns, in which he had as a 
 Midshipman his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, and captured a Dutch 
 man-of-war in 1781, whilst cruising in the Channel. He also, on the North 
 American station, in the next year, captured a large French frigate. Returning 
 to England, he remained unemployed from the Peace of 1783, representing 
 Stirlingshire in Parliament, until hostilities took place in France, in 1793, when he 
 was ordered to join Lord Hood in the Mediterranean. Off Toulon he landed 
 the troops at Fort La Malgue, and displayed much valour and ability. He was 
 in the action of the 1st of October, 1793, of the combined British, Spanish, and 
 Neapolitan forces, at the heights of Pharon, where the flower of the Eastern 
 army was destroyed. In the evacuation of Toulon, he also distinguished him- 
 self, and was rewarded with the Order of the Bath for his services. He became 
 Rear-Admiral of the Blue in 1 794 ; then of the White, and hoisted his flag in the 
 Barfleur, 98 guns, and was in the Channel Fleet. In the following year he went to 
 the Cape of Good Hope, which, after several attacks, was surrendered up to the 
 British. The Dutch made an attempt to regain possession in 179G, and a force 
 was brought for that object into Saldanha Bay ; a capitulation was, however, 
 entered into, and occupation maintained, unattended with the loss of human life, 
 and the Dutch squadi'on given up. For his services at the Cape, Sir G. K. 
 Elphinstone was, March 7th, 1797, advanced to the dignity of a Baron of the King- 
 dom of Ireland, by the title of Lord Keith ; and having been employed to super- 
 intend the proceedings relating to the mutiny at the Nore, he hoisted his flag on 
 board the Queen Charlotte, and sailed for the Channel. The retirement of Earl St. 
 Vincent from the command of this station, gave to Lord Keith the appointment 
 of Commander-in-chief, and he was also promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral 
 of the Red. He had the misfortune to lose his ship, the Queen Charlotte, one of 
 the finest in the service, by fire, in the Leghorn Roads, on the 17th of March, 
 1800. He was fortunately absent on shore at the time, when 600 brave fellows 
 unhappily perished. He now hoisted his flag on board the Audacious, and after- 
 wards the Minotaur, and sailed for Genoa to prevent the admission of supplies 
 to the French garrison, then under the command of General Massena. This 
 service was so effectually rendered, tiiat the French General was obliged to capi- 
 tulate to the Austrian army under General Melas. 
 
 In 1801, Lord Keith was made Admiral of the Blue, commanded on board the 
 Foudroyant, and was actively engaged against the French on the coast of Egypt. 
 Upon the surrender of the French army in Egypt, he was created a Peer of 
 Great Britain, received the thanks of Parliament, and the Freedom of the City 
 of London, with a sword of the value of 100 guineas. Upon the renewal of the 
 war with France, in 1803, Lord Keith was nominated to the command of all his 
 Majesty's ships in the North Sea, and in the English Channel, as far to the west-
 
 17S9.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 229 
 
 the King wrote to Lard Nelson on the 10th, describing its 
 state, and entreating him to proceed tliither with his squadron. 
 The Queen, through Lady Hamilton, urged his return, and he 
 acceded to theu' wishes. Nelson had removed to the Fou- 
 droyant on the 8th ; and on the 13th, the Hereditary Prince, 
 who had been placed at the head of the Generals, and 
 instructed to act according to the advice of Nelson, came on 
 board, when the squadron departed for Naples. 
 
 The following letters, from the Queen of Naples, were 
 written at this time : — 
 
 TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 "June lltb, 1799. 
 
 "My Lord, 
 " As a Queen, but still more as a mother, I urge the expe- 
 dition about to take place, upon you. It will be an additional 
 obligation to those we profess already to owe you. Notwith- 
 standing I have been so misunderstood there, I still regard the 
 ungrateful city, and solicit your forbearance. I hope that the 
 imposing force by sea, and their being surrounded on all sides, 
 will be sufficient, without shedding blood, to induce them to 
 return to their allegiance, for I would even spare my enemies. 
 {Cur Je desire que cela ne coute point de Sana, celui de mes 
 Ennemis meme, nv'etant precieux.) I beg you will favour 
 me with frequent news. I commend my son to you, who 
 feels happy and honoured by being on board your ship, 
 under your direction. Adieu, my Lord, It would have been 
 highly agreeable to me to have made the passage and voyage 
 with my son, but other duties oblige me to remain. I shall 
 not cease to offer my prayers to heaven for the success of 
 your enterprise, and your speedy return, that I may have the 
 pleasure of assuring you of my constant esteem, and of the 
 sincere and profound gratitude of your devoted friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 ward as Selsea-Bill, which appomtment he held until 1807. In 1812 he was 
 again appointed to the command of the Channel Fleet ; and in 1814 made a 
 Viscount of the United Kingdom. In the following year he laid the first stone 
 of the Southwark Bridge, from his connection, by marriage, it may be presumed, 
 with Hester Maria, eldest daughter and co-heiiess of Hemy Thrale, of Streatham, 
 the friend of Dr. Samuel Johnson, and Member of Parliament for Southward, 
 in 1768 and 1773. He died March 9, 1823, having then attained the rank of 
 Admiral of the Red and Grand Commander of the Order of the Bath.
 
 230 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. VIII. 
 
 TO LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 "Palermo, June 11th, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I hope that your dear health is good. I hve in a con- 
 stant state of anxiety for news, which may be expected every 
 hour, A speronara brought us the news. 1 send you the 
 original letter, for you and your husband to read, and then 
 return it to me this evening, early enough for me to dispatch 
 it to the King. It would appear by this, that a second Eng- 
 lish squadron had entered the Mediterranean. May it please 
 God that they should unite, and meet with the infamous Re- 
 publicans, and destroy them. I must give utterance to my 
 sentiments. Good night, my dear Lady ; take care of your 
 health, and confide in my constant friendship. Adieu." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "June 12th, 1799. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " By the King's order, and for his service, a small vessel 
 (of which I send you the name) is going with letters. It 
 ought to have left yesterday, and I was not a little surprised 
 to see it still here. It takes important answers to St. Elmo. 
 Pray recommend the poor Governor of Ischia to Foote^ — a 
 
 ' Captain, afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir Edward James Foote, This officer 
 was born in 1767, and in 1791 appointed Commander of the Atalante sloop, and 
 served in the West Indies. He returned to England in 1792, and upon the 
 breaking out of the war, was commissioned to the Thorn of 16 guns. In June, 
 1794, he was made a Post Captain. He assisted in the capture of a French 
 convoy in 1795, and was engaged in the following year in the destruction of 
 L'Ecuriel, near the Penmarks. He was in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 
 14th, 1797, and after the battle, appointed to the Seahorse, and cmised off the 
 coast of Ireland. He afterwards served in the Mediterranean, and took a French 
 frigate of 36 guns off the island of Pantellaria, This frigate had on board a 
 General of Division and his suite, together with passengers bound for Toulon, con- 
 veying an account of the capture of Malta by General Buonaparte. In 1799, he 
 was employed by Nelson in the blockade of Naples, and co-operated with the 
 land forces under Cardhial Ruffo. The capitulation which he had, with the Car- 
 dinal, entered into, for the delivery of the Castles of Nuovo and Uovo, being set 
 aside by Lord Nelson, the Captain published a vindication of his conduct, and es- 
 tablished his character for ability and integrity. Although Nelson repudiated the 
 treaty, he never disputed Captain Foote's zeal or honour. He suspected the 
 honesty of the Cardinal, conceived him to entertain designs hostile to the true 
 iaterests of his Sovereign, and denied his power to make terms with the rebels. 
 The following condensed account of Captain Foote's proceedings at this time will
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 231 
 
 great cabal is raised against him. I have this moment re- 
 ceived your letter, and hope that your resolution will prove 
 beneficial to your health. 1 very much wish to see you 
 again to-night, even alone, if the Admiral and your husband 
 are engaged. Adieu. I confide in your friendship in every 
 thing. Adieu. You shall have all you wish. We shall be 
 
 elucidate this svxbject : " On the 18th of June, 1799, having strengthened his little 
 squadron with several gun and mortar-boats, Captain Foote drew up before Castel 
 dell'Uovo; but, previously to attacking it, he dispatched Captain James Oswald, 
 of the Perseus, with a letter, proffering conditions to the French Commandant. 
 To this a magniloquent refusal was returned, ' Nous voulons la Rtpnhlique une 
 et indimsible : nous mourrerons pour elle. Voila voire reponse. Eloignez-vous, 
 ciioyen ; vite I vile .'' Captain Foote, in compliance wnth his instructions, com- 
 municated this offensive reply to Ruffo, and announced his intention of imme- 
 diately forcing the Frenchman to alter his note. In this the Cardinal appeared 
 heartily to concur ; but on the 19th Foote was sm-prised by a letter from his 
 Eminence, after the attack had actually commenced, requesting him to cease hos- 
 tilities, and not to recommence them while the flag of truce was fl3ang, as a nego- 
 tiation had taken place which was likely to end in a capitulation. Several hours 
 of vehement suspense followed this armistice, and in the evening Captain Foote, 
 whose patience was exhausted, sent an officer to remonstrate with the Cardinal, 
 and represent that the British were not wont to grant so long a suspension of 
 arms ; and he moreover insisted upon his right to be informed of what was going 
 on. The Cardinal replied, that Micheroux, the Russian IMiuister, conducted the 
 treaty, and referred the Captain to him for further particulars ; but Foote insisted 
 that he was only instructed to act with the Cardinal, as the man intrusted with the 
 King's interests. On the following morning, he received from his Eminence the 
 draft of a capitulation, already signed by him and the Russian General, with a 
 request that he would also affix his signature to the document. Captain Foote 
 did so, to avoid throwing any obstacle in the way of the Royal interests ; but at 
 the same time stated that he thought the terms rather favourable to the enemy." — 
 CNelson's Second Visit to Naples, by Captain W. H. Smyth. J In a severe gale in 
 July of 1799, off Leghorn, whither Captain Foote had been sent on a particular 
 service, his vessel, the Seahorse, was so disabled as to be obliged to be towed into 
 Leghorn mole, and in October sent to England for repairs. His Sicilian Majesty 
 presented Captain Foote mth a snuff-box, having the initials F.R. set in diamonds, 
 as a recognition of his sendees at Naples. In 1800, Captain Foote conveyed Sir 
 Richard Bickerton and General Sir Ralph Abercromby to the Mediterranean. In 
 1801, he was in attendance upon George III. and Queen Charlotte at Weymouth, 
 and he afterwards escorted 10 sail of East Indiamen to Calcutta. He returned 
 to England, having very successfully exerted himself on the Indian station in the 
 preservation of the stores and property in the Sensible frigate, which had been 
 wrecked, and he was put out of commission Oct. 4, 1802. Aug. 12, 1812, he 
 was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral, and was second in command at Ports- 
 mouth until 1815. He attained the rank of Vice-Admu-al, July 19, 1821, and 
 died May 1833, a Vice-Admu-al of the Red, and a Knight Commander of the 
 Bath.
 
 232 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. VIII. 
 
 OH board at break of day. I am very sad, but always your 
 friend." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 " Palermo, June 18th, 1799. 
 
 « My dear Lady, 
 " Returning from the convent, I heard the happy news 
 that the Castles^ were neai'ly taken, but that, though pardon 
 had been offered to the scoundrels, they still continued 
 fighting desperately at the palace, a portion of which they 
 have destroyed. Some of them then fled, and the people are 
 executing some of the remainder. What we need is a second 
 1st of August, an Aboukir, and our brave General. Let me 
 have good news of you. Take care of your health, for I am 
 very uneasy about it, and rely on the inviolable attachment 
 and gratitude of your sincere friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 " A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, and to the 
 valorous Admiral, to whom I wish all happiness and glory." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "June 24th, 1799. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " No letter from you, none from Naples, nor Procida. No 
 signs of life from the Cardinal- since the l7th. No letter 
 comes from Naples, nor Tschoudy, Micheroux, nor Dom 
 Scipio. I am convinced (the delay is) that we may be in- 
 formed all is done and finished. May it be for the best. I 
 calculate on your coming with the squadron, and on the firm- 
 ness of the Admiral. I have determined never to set my 
 foot in Naples again if things are settled dishonourably, or so 
 as to leave any fear of a relapse occurring subsequently. I 
 trust all to you. The last letters from Procida are of the 
 20th, but from Naples of the l7t^ij and that at such a critical 
 moment : they will astonish and distract the Cardinal, for 
 they know how guilty all the upper class is, and they fear the 
 effect of it. Nothing new here ; they say Malta is near sur- 
 rendering. Manfredini, who was not permitted to land in 
 the Imperial State, is returning back to Messina. The Grand 
 
 ' The castles of Nuovo and Uovo. ' Cardinal Ruffo.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 233 
 
 Duke has written, that they will not receive our Tuscan 
 minister in the Imperial States, which makes Serate despair. 
 They see a vessel off Messina, which I suppose to be the 
 Queen of Portugal, which is taking the poor ladies to Trieste. 
 They think Madame Victoire is dead ; by the letters of Cha- 
 teleux she was at the point of death. A Genoese arrived 
 says, that the French squadron is pursued by the English, 
 which would shew that they are at sea. This is all I know, 
 but I expect more interesting news from you. I earnestly 
 recommend our interests to your care. A thousand compli- 
 ments to the Chevalier, to the dear Admiral ; and believe me, 
 from my heart, for life, your attached and grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 to the same. 
 
 "June 25, 1799. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " I have just received your dear letter without date from 
 the ship, with the Chevalier's for the General.^ I send back 
 the same boat immediately, and wish it had wings to reach 
 you the sooner. The General writes the wishes of the King, 
 who incloses a note under his own hand for the dear Admiral, 
 I accede entirely to their wishes, but cannot refrain from 
 expressing my sentiments to you. The Cardinal wrote 
 nothing from the l7th to the 21st of this month, but to-day 
 he writes very shortly to the General, and not to us ; he says 
 little of the treaty, nothing of the operations, and names but 
 slightly the persons he has appointed, several of whom are 
 unworthy and doubtful, and cannot be allowed. The follow- 
 ing conditions ought to form the basis, in the King's opinion 
 and in mine, and we submit them to the excellent judgment 
 and heart of our dear Admiral Nelson : — 
 
 " The rebels can receive no more aid from the French, 
 either by land or sea ; they are therefore completely at the 
 mercy of their offended, betrayed, but merciful King ; he 
 offers them pardon repeatedly, but instead of accepting it, 
 they madly resist. The Commandant of the Castel delPOvo 
 replies to the written summons of the English Captain ver- 
 bally, and with great insolence driving the boat away. They 
 
 ' General Sir Jolin Acton, Baif.
 
 234 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 then sally out at night, and take some of our batteries, during 
 the armistice. What is to be done then ? To treat with such 
 villanous rebels is impossible, — it must be put an end to. 
 The sight of the brave English squadron is my hope. The 
 garrison must first quit St. Elmo, and be escorted by an envoy 
 (parUainentaire) to Marseilles or Toulon, and without any 
 baggage. The rebel patriots must lay down their arms, and 
 surrender at discretion to the pleasure of the King. Then, in 
 my opinion, an example should be made of some of the leaders 
 of the representatives, and the others to be transported under 
 pain of death if they return into the dominions of the King, 
 where a register will be kept of them ; and of this number 
 should be the Municipahsts, Chiefs of Brigade, the most 
 violent Clubbists, and seditious scribblers. No soldier who 
 has served shall ever be admitted into the army ; finally, a 
 rigorous severity, prompt and just. The females who have 
 distinguished themselves in the revolution to be treated in the 
 same way, and that without pity. There is no need of a 
 Cabinet Council (Giunta di Stato); it is not an undecided 
 cause, but a palpable, proved fact. Either these rascals will 
 surrender to the imposing force of the Admiral, or the troops 
 and corps must be united, drawn if necessary from abroad; 
 the frightened v/omen and children must be warned to quit, 
 and the two castles to be taken by force, the rules of war 
 being followed with respect to those who are taken with them, 
 and thus terminate a guilty and dangerous resistance. The 
 Cardinal ought not to make any appointment without first 
 naming it. The Sedile,^ the source of all the evils, which 
 first gave strength to the rebellion, and who have ruined the 
 kingdom and dethroned the King, shall be abolished for ever, 
 as well as the baronial privileges and jurisdiction, in order to 
 ameliorate the slavery of a faithful people who have replaced 
 their King upon the throne, from which treason, felony, and 
 the culpable indifference of the nobles had driven him. This 
 
 • An annual sitting or assembly of the Neapolitan nobility, at whicli they 
 discussed matters appertaining to their order and privileges. Every baron had 
 his particular chair in imitation of a tlu-one, the possession of which was a mark 
 of nobility. There were two Sedile, one for the city called Sedile or San Giu- 
 seppe, and the other for the provinces, called Sedile del' Pennine. They were 
 abolished by the King after his return ft-om Sicily.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 235 
 
 is not pleasant, but absolutely necessary, for without it the 
 King could not govern quietly his people for six months, who 
 hope for some recompense from his justice, after having done 
 every thing for him. Finally, my dear Lady, I recommend 
 Lord Nelson to treat Naples as if it were an Irish town in 
 rebellion similarly placed. One must not object to the 
 making France so much stronger by so many thousands of 
 rascals ; we shall be all the better. They merit being sent to 
 Africa or the Crimea. It is a charity to send tliem to France ; 
 they deserve to be branded, that others may not be deceived 
 by them. I recommend to you therefore, my dear Lady, the 
 greatest firmness, vigour, and severity ; our future tranquilhty 
 and position depend upon it — the faithful people desire it. I 
 solicit frequent news from you, for you cannot conceive the 
 anxiety I feel, and believe me for life your most tenderly 
 attached and grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 ^^A thousand compliments to the Chevalier and to our 
 hero Nelson.'^ 
 
 Upon receiving intelligence from Lord Keith respecting 
 the French fleet. Nelson returned to Palermo, landed the 
 Prince, troops, &c. and on the 16th June made for Maritimo, 
 having sixteen sail of the line, a fire-ship, a brig and a cutter. 
 He was also in expectation of being joined by the Alexander 
 and Goliath, and he wrote to Lord Keith to this effect, say- 
 ing, " Not one moment shall be lost in bringing them to 
 battle ; for I consider the best defence for his Sicilian 
 Majesty's dominions, is to place myself alongside the French." 
 On the ISth and 19th he wrote to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "June 18th, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " Since I sent off the vessel yesterday forenoon, and 
 dispatched the Telegraph brig to Lord St. Vincent, I have 
 received not the smallest information. This morning brought 
 us in sight of the Alexander and Goliath, and by noon they 
 will have joined me. As to my feelings, my dear Lady, I 
 know not how to express them ; but I know how to feel 
 them, for they have made me very unwell. Jefferson wants
 
 236 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 to give me castor oil ; but that will not smooth my anxious 
 mind. I long to be at the French fleet as much as ever a 
 Miss longed for a husband, but prudence stops me. Ought 
 I to risk giving the cursed French a chance of being mistress 
 of the Mediterranean for one hour ? I must have reinforce- 
 ments very soon. Ah ! Lord Keith, you have placed me in 
 a situation to lower me in the eyes of Europe ; they will say 
 this cried-up Nelson is afraid with eighteen ships to attack 
 twenty-two. The thought kills me. I know what I am equal 
 to, and what ships and men can do, and I declare to God if 
 no more ships could join me, that I would instantly search 
 out the French fleet, and fight them ; for, believe me, I have 
 no fear but that of being lowered in the opinion of those I 
 love and esteem. 
 
 " The Admiral, Troub ridge, and Campbell dined here yes- 
 terday. They all love you and Sir William, and charge me 
 to say so. Martin came after dinner, and amongst them they 
 told such things of Palermo ladies, that I was all astonish- 
 ment. 
 
 ^' I shall keep this letter open till Ball joins. Troubridge's 
 pilot and wife wished to be considered as prisoners. She is 
 a Jacobin, and threatened her husband to have him hanged 
 as a Royalist. When I can get a good cargo they shall be off. 
 Allen has left my new plain hat in the hat box. Pray send it ; 
 and I take the liberty of sending a cover to be washed, for I 
 am in the midst of dirt and filth. Poor Hardy is very un- 
 well, he and Tyson, they are taking yihysic. Pray say every- 
 thing kind for me to Mrs. Cadogan, Mr. Graeffer, the children, 
 Gibbs, Noble, &c. Emma is very well, and growing fat and 
 saucy : she goes to all parts of the ship at the different meal 
 times. She seems to prefer roast goose to all other things. 
 To the Queen you will, I am sure, say everything which is 
 proper. Answer for my attachment, and that I will fight in 
 defence of her crown and dominions whenever the proper time 
 arrives, and that the d — d French shall not get Sicily with 
 their fleet but through my heart's blood. May the God of 
 Heaven bless you, and be assured I am your faithful and 
 affectionate friend, 
 
 '' Nelson. 
 
 '' No boats remaining — Ball and Foley on board."
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 237 
 
 "June 19th, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " Sir William's packet came last night at ten o'clock, and 
 although the public news was good, it gave me great pain to 
 hear both Sir William and yourself were so very unwell. I 
 wrote Sir William yesterday that if you both thought the sea 
 air would do you good, I have plenty of room. I can make 
 for you private apartments, and I give you my honour the 
 sea is so smooth, that no glass was smoother. I am anxious 
 to hear of the French fleet's return to Toulon, for there they 
 will return, for we have no fleet to stop them. I should 
 instantly send one half the fleet under Duckworth, off" Malta, 
 which would secure its surrender, and with the other go to 
 Naples, that their Majesties may settle matters there, and 
 take off (if necessary, the head of) the Cardinal.^ Nothing in 
 sight. A fresh w^est w ind, quite cool. May God bless j^ou, 
 get well, and believe me ever your most affectionate friend, 
 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " Kind regards to Mrs. Cadogan, Graeffer and the children. 
 Wind fresh at west and cool." 
 
 Captain Ball, who had joined him in the Alexander, writes 
 upon the same sheet : — " My Lord Nelson's kindness allows 
 me to assure Sir William and Lady Hamilton of my unalter- 
 able esteem and regard. I am this moment come on board 
 of the Foudroyant, and I feel happy in having joined in time 
 to fight under his Lordship's banners. Lord Keith has given 
 us a hard task, but I feel sanguine that our dear friend will 
 be followed by fortune, which will crown him with additional 
 laurels. Foley sends his best regards. God bless you. 
 " Your ever obliged and devoted 
 
 "Alexander John Ball. 
 
 "Foudroyant, 18th June, 1799." 
 
 A dispatch from Lord Keith on the 20th induced Nelson 
 to return to Palermo, where he embarked the Hereditary 
 Prince, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and then made sail 
 for Naples. Arrived off" Ischia, he heard of the capitulation 
 for the surrender of the Castles of Uovo and Nuovo- — an- 
 
 ' Cardinal Ruffo. 
 
 • The Castel Nuovo was built by Charles of Anjou in the thirteenth century,
 
 238 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL. [CHAP; VIII. 
 
 nulled the signal of truce flying on the Castles, and on board 
 the Seahorse, Captain Foote, who, together with Cardinal 
 RufFo, and the Commanders of the Russian and Turkish forces 
 had entered into a capitulation on the 23rd. Nelson arrived 
 on the 24th, when from the absence of ships necessary to 
 convey the garrisons of the castles, and the Neapolitans who 
 had taken refuge in them, the conditions of the treaty had 
 not been carried into effect. The conditions of capitulation 
 were, that the persons and property of the garrisons and 
 Neapolitan refugees should be guaranteed, and that they 
 should, at their own option, either be sent to Toulon, or 
 remain at Naples without being molested either in their 
 persons or families. Nelson proposed to the Cardinal to 
 send in their joint names to the French and rebels, that the 
 arrival of the British fleet had completely destroyed the com- 
 pact, as would that of the French, if they had had the power 
 to come to Naples. Therefore that it should be fixed, that 
 in two hours the French should give possession of the Castle 
 of St. Elmo to his Sicilian Majesty's faithful subjects, and 
 the troops of his allies ; on which condition alone they should 
 be sent to France without the stipulation of their being 
 prisoners of war. That as to rebels and traitors, no power 
 on earth had a right to stand between their gracious King 
 and them : they must instantly throw themselves on the 
 clemency of their sovereign, for no other terms would be 
 allowed them : nor would the French be allowed even to 
 name them in any capitulation. If these terms were not 
 comphed with in the time above mentioned, viz. two hours 
 for the French, and instant submission on the part of the 
 rebels — such very favourable conditions would never again be 
 offered.^ This was read to, explained to, and rejected by Car- 
 dinal RufFo, who had been expressly commanded by the King 
 not to treat with the rebels. Nelson was, however, determined 
 that he would agree to no terms but those of unconditional 
 
 and communicated with the King's palace and the arsenal, sei ving as a place of 
 refuge for the Sovereign and Governors of Naples in times of civil war and insur- 
 rections. The Castel Uovo was erected by the Emperor Frederic II. Tliese castles 
 form the principal sea defence of the city ; possession of them was therefore of the 
 first importance. 
 
 ' From a copy in the State Paper Office and Order Book, printed in Dispatches 
 and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 384.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 239" 
 
 submission, and the garrisons and refugees were accordingly 
 removed from the Castles, and delivered over to the mercy of 
 the Sicilian Court. 
 
 The Republicans in these Castles held out in the expectation 
 of being relieved by the French fleet. Nelson deplored the 
 want of activity on the part of the Neapolitan Government. 
 In a letter to his Koyal Highness the Duke of Clarence, he 
 states that the King had ordered two Generals to be tried 
 for cowardice and treason, and that, if found guilty, they 
 should be hanged ; but he doubted their willingness to carry 
 such a sentence into effect ; but, if executed, that he should 
 have some hopes of having done some good there, feeling 
 that " to reward or punish, according to the merits of the 
 case, is the only foundation of good government." 
 
 The following document is important in illustration of 
 this proceeding. It consists of a copy of the Articles of Capi- 
 tulation, which had been given to the Queen of Naples, and 
 to each separate article her Majesty has affixed her obser- 
 vations. 
 
 " Capitulation of the Castles Nuovo and dell' 
 
 Ovo. 
 
 " Art. 1. — The Castles Nuovo and dell' Ovo shall be con- 
 signed to the Commanders of the troops of his Majesty, the 
 King of the Two Sicilies, and his Allies the King of England, 
 and the Emperors of the Russias, and of the Ottoman Porte, 
 together with the warlike stores and provisions and all the 
 artillery of every kind now in the magazines, inventories of 
 which shall be made by the respective Commissioners, after 
 the signing of the present Capitulation." 
 
 " Observation . — As to a capitulation with our own rebellious 
 subjects, who are without force, without hope of succour, 
 either by land or sea, with people, who, after the clemency 
 used towards them by their King and Father, in promising 
 them pardon, have fought like desperadoes, and now come to 
 terms from fear alone, I find that capitulating with rebels is 
 to dishonour oneself: one ought either to have attacked them 
 with all our forces, or to have lefl them for a more favourable 
 opportunity." 
 
 " Art. 2. — The troops, which compose the garrison, shall
 
 240 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 keep possession of the forts until the vessels hereafter men- 
 tioned, destined to transport the individuals who shall desire 
 to withdraw to Toulon, shall be ready to set sail : the evaeua- 
 tion shall not take place till the moment of embarkation." 
 
 " Obs. — This is real insolence ; the rebels speak with (treat) 
 their Sovereign as an equal, and with an air of having the 
 upper hand of him/^ 
 
 "Art. 3. — The garrisons shall go out with the Honours of 
 War, arms and baggage, drums beating, flags flying, matches 
 lighted , and each with two pieces of cannon : and they shall 
 deposit their arms on the shore." 
 
 " Obs. — This is a piece of infamy, and so absurd that I feel 
 repugnance in speaking of it. Honour to what ! To the 
 standard of rebellion ! This is so absurd that I know not 
 how any one could conceive it, much less subscribe (their 
 names) to it." 
 
 " Art. 4. — The persons, property, moveable and immove- 
 able, of every individual comprising the two garrisons, shall 
 be respected and guaranteed." 
 
 " Obs. — Meaning to say, that the guilty shall not even 
 suifer a slight trouble or privation, after so grave a guilt." 
 
 "Art. 5. — All these individuals shall have the power of 
 choosing whether they will embark on board the Parliamentary 
 vessels which shall be given them for transport to Toulon, or 
 remain at Naples, without either themselves or their families 
 being molested." 
 
 " Obs. — This article is such as to make me ask why any 
 troops have come, seeing that felons are allowed to go away 
 without being molested,, and are encouraged to make a fresh 
 and better combination on some other occasion, and to stimu- 
 late the ill-disposed in Sicily to do the same ; since there is 
 nothing to be lost and much to be gained." 
 
 " Art. 6. — The conditions inserted in the present Ca- 
 pitulation shall be common to all persons of both sexes 
 shut up within the forts." 
 
 " Obs. — The two sexes being expressly mentioned, proves 
 that they feel there are some guilty persons of both sexes. 
 The clause shews the fact." 
 
 "Art. 7- — The same conditions shall extend to all the 
 prisoners of the Republican army made by the troops of his
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 241 
 
 Majesty the King of the Two SiciHes, or by those of his AlHcs, 
 in the various encounters that have taken place before the 
 blockade of the Castles." 
 
 " Ols. — The same principle of full liberty and safety for 
 the felons of rebels, in order that they may take again to their 
 crimes with better success." 
 
 ''Art. 8. — The Signiors, the Archbishop of Salerno, De 
 Micheroux de Dillon, and the Bishop of Avellino, detained 
 in the forts, shall be given up to the Commandant of the fort 
 of St. Elmo, where they shall remain as hostages until notice 
 shall have been received from Toulon that the prisoners sent 
 thither have arrived." 
 
 " Ohs. — The absurdity of giving hostages, as if we were 
 the conquered — the guilty ; to depend on a handful of French 
 — to await their orders, renders Naples a vile French gar- 
 risoned town. Then the British fleet ought to treat it and re- 
 duce it to obedience, as it would Toulon, Brest or Rochfort." 
 
 ''Art. 9. — All the other hostages and prisoners of State 
 confined hi the castles, shall be set at liberty immediately 
 after the present Capitulation shall be signed." 
 
 " Ohs. — I would have no coming out ; but all should be 
 forced to regain their liberty with arms in their hands for 
 their own honour and the good of the kingdom and city.'' 
 
 "Art. 10. — All the Articles of this Capitulation shall 
 await their execution until it has been entirely approved of by 
 the Commandant of the fort of St. Elmo. 
 
 {Signed) "Cardinal Ruffo, Vicar- General. 
 
 "Kkr Kandy.i 
 " Scus Leggercie,^ 
 
 "E. J. FOOTE." 
 
 " Obs. — This is indeed the ne plus ultra of baseness — of 
 infamy ; they do not ask the approbation of their own Sove- 
 reign, against whose orders and instructions they act in dia- 
 
 ' This name is printed in Captain Foote's Vindication as Kerandy Neut 
 Prescaje. 
 
 ^ Printed by Captain Foote as Borien Kubuftuterre. The former was the 
 Russian, the latter the Turkish Commander. Captain Foote expresses his doubts 
 as to the names being correctly spelled. He was unable to decipher the signatures. 
 Those above are taken from the paper made for the Queen of Naples, and upon 
 which her Majesty's Observations are written. 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 242 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL. [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 metrical opposition, and the rebels ask for approval from a 
 small number of French. This shews the infamy (vileness) 
 of the rebels, and the inconceivable sort of stupidity or the 
 want of intelligence of those who subscribed (their names). 
 
 " This is such an infamous Treaty, that if by a miracle of 
 Providence some event does not arise to break and destroy it, 
 I reckon myself as lost and dishonoured, and I believe, that 
 at the risk of dying of malaria, of fatigue, of a gun-shot wound 
 from the rebels, the King on one side, and the Prince on the 
 other, they ought immediately to arm the provinces, to march 
 against the rebel city, and die under its ruins if any resistance 
 is offered ; but not continue to be the vile slaves of the French 
 scoundrels, and of their infamous emulators, the rebels. 
 
 " Such are my sentiments. This infamous Capitulation, if 
 it takes place, will afflict me far worse than the loss of the 
 kingdom, and will have far worse effects." 
 
 When Lord Nelson arrived in the Bay of Naples, accom- 
 panied, as before stated, by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, 
 who were selected as his interpreters, he being but imperfectly 
 versed in the Italian language, carrying full powers from the 
 King, and observing the flag of truce flying, he instantly 
 dispatched Troubridge and Ball to Cardinal Ruffo, to repre- 
 sent his opinions of this truce, and his determination not to 
 abide by it; but the Cardinal having been a subscribing 
 party to the capitulation, refused to interfere in the breaking 
 of the armistice, nor would he assist Lord Nelson with either 
 men or guns in the event of his determining upon offensive 
 operations. In Harrison's " Life of Nelson" some particulars 
 are given, which it appears proper here to insert. Cardinal 
 Ruffo expressed a desire to converse with Lord Nelson on 
 the subject, and he accordingly went on board. At this 
 interview it is said, " Sir William Hamilton interpreted 
 between Lord Nelson and Cardinal Ruffo, till he was almost 
 exhausted with fatigue. The dispute lasted about two hours, 
 and frequently ran veiy high ; the Cardinal, however, proved 
 more than a match for Sir William and his Lordship together 
 in volubility, though far from equal to either in true eloquence. 
 The venerable Sir William, at length vexed and wearied, 
 calmly seated himself, and requested his lady to assist their
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 243 
 
 honourable friend, who continued pacing the cabin with the 
 most determined perseverance, in conducting this war of 
 words. The pleasingly persuasive voice of her Ladyship, 
 delivering the manly sentiments of his Lordship, made no 
 impression on the Cardinal. He would not submit to reason, 
 nor his Lordship to any thing else : so that the lady was in 
 a fair way of becoming soon as desirous to desist as Sir 
 William had been before her, and for the same reason too, 
 if Lord Nelson had not suddenly put an end to the argu- 
 ment, by observing that, since he found an Admiral was no 
 match for a Cardinal in talking, he would try the effect of 
 writing. He wrote, therefore, the following opinion, which 
 he immediately delivered to Cardinal RufFo : — 
 
 " Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson, who arrived in the Bay of 
 Naples on the 24th of June, with the British fleet, found a 
 treaty entered into with the rebels ; which, he is of opinion, 
 ought not to be carried into execution, without the appro- 
 bation of his Sicihan Majesty — the Earl of St. Vincent — Lord 
 Keith."! 
 
 The interview thus terminated. Nelson had not in view 
 any design of punishing the rebels he was so anxious to 
 secure ; his wish extended only to the safe custody of them 
 until the King's pleasure should be known, and in this at 
 length the Cardinal acquiesced. On the 27th of June, there- 
 fore, the principal rebels were received on board the several 
 ships of the British squadron, and the remainder in polacres 
 under their care, when Captain Troubridge was directed to 
 land with troops in Naples, and cut down " the infamous 
 Tree of Anarchy," which was done, and it was burnt before 
 the King's palace. 
 
 Cardinal RufFo, Vicar-General of the Royalists, was states- 
 man, prelate, and general. He raised a large army of 
 Royalists in the provinces by the powcrfid operation of the 
 Catholic cause, and he headed in person what was called the 
 Christian army. Nelson had a bad opinion of the Cardinal, 
 and he wrote to Earl Spencer, August 1, 1799, the day on 
 which Naples was entirely liberated from French anarchy, 
 and the anniversary of the Battle of the Nile, that he had 
 received a letter from General Sir John Acton, which gave 
 ' Vol. ii. p. 100. 
 
 R 2
 
 244 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 reasons for continuing him at the head of affairs. ''My 
 opinion of him," he says, " has never altered. He is now 
 only Lieutenant-General of the kingdom ; with a Council of 
 eight, without whose consent nothing is valid : but, we know, 
 the head of every board must have weight. This man must 
 soon be removed ; for all about him have been, and are, so 
 corrupt, that there is nothing which may not be bought. 
 Acton and Belmonte seem to me the only uncorrupted men 
 in the kingdom." Lord Nelson used to call Ruffo, " The 
 Great Devil, who commanded the Christian army." On the 
 IGth of August he wrote to Rear- Admiral Duckworth, saying: 
 " In Naples every thing is quiet ; but the Cardinal appears 
 to be Avorking mischief against the King, and in support of 
 the nobles : sooner or later he must be removed, for his bad 
 conduct." M. de Graviere says of Ruffo that he was the son 
 of a Calabrian baron, had been ApostoUc Treasm'er to Pope 
 Pius VI., and had so scandalized Rome by his amours and 
 prodigality, that the Pope, to get rid of him, made him a 
 Cardinal. Acton fearing hira, had named him Vicar-General 
 of the kingdom, hoping that the King would ruin him by 
 entrusting the Calabrian expedition to his guidance.^ 
 
 The repudiation of the Treaty of Capitulation for the sur- 
 render of the castles of Nuovo and Uovo, has been considered 
 as an unwarrantable and unjustifiable exercise of authority. 
 Nelson's position was very peculiar, and perhaps his only 
 justification is to be found in the authority vested in him as 
 Commander-in-chief of the Sicilian navy. That he was 
 vested with extraordinary, if not unlimited powers by the 
 King of Naples, at whose urgent entreaty he had then come 
 to Naples, cannot be doubted — but the precise nature and 
 extent of these have never been stated. Sir N. Harris 
 Nicolas has, however, quoted from the Diary of Miss Knight, 
 to shew that Lord Nelson had a commission from the King, 
 and the letter of Ferdinand to Nelson in the possession of the 
 Right Hon. John Ullson Croker, a translation of which 
 is given by Sir Harris Nicolas in his Dispatches and Letters 
 
 (Vol. iii. p- 491. Appendix,) tends to shew the entire trust 
 
 % 
 
 ' Plunkett's Last Naval War, Vol. ii. p. 39. RiifFo celebrated mass in the 
 Church of San Januarius upon the entry of Joseph Buonaparte into Naples, Feb. 
 16, 180(3. He died at Naples, Dec. 13, 1827, in the 83rd year of his age.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NEL.SOX. 245 
 
 reposed in Nelson by the King, and his authority to ^' employ 
 actual and powerful force, to bring efficiently to their duty 
 the obstinate oppressors of my (Neapolitan) people, and 
 to extirpate, as is urgent, that nest of malefactors, you will be 
 obliged to put into execution every means which may best 
 tend to obtain that necessary end/' 
 
 That neither the King, nor the Queen, nor the Prime Mi- 
 nister Acton, were satisfied with the treaty, or disposed to 
 admit the conditions of it, is apparent from the letter of her 
 Majesty, of the 25 th June,^ in which the terms thought pro- 
 per on the occasion are very distinctly stated ; and as this 
 letter was written at Palermo, after having received intelligence 
 of a Treaty having been entered into, it is certainly clear that 
 RufFo was not authorized by the King to treat definitively 
 with the rebels. The Treaty, however, having been consented 
 to, and subscribed by, the Vicar- General of Naples, the 
 Russian, Turkish, and British Commanders, who may be 
 conceived by those who were in possession of the Castles, to 
 have been duly authorized to enter into such an engagement, 
 the propriety of Nelson's repudiation of it may fairly be 
 questioned. 
 
 Nelson's conduct and acts, it must be observed, met with the 
 unqualified approval of the King, which was marked in the 
 most decisive manner on the 13th of August, by creating him 
 Duke of Bronte," with an estate attached to it of the value of 
 £3000. per annum. 
 
 On the 15th of August Nelson wrote to his father from 
 Palermo : — 
 
 " My dear Father, 
 
 " His Sicilian Majesty having created me a Duke, by the 
 title of Bronte, to which he has attached a feud of, it is said, 
 about £3000. a year, to be at my disposal, I shall certainly 
 not omit this opportunity of being useful to my family, always 
 reserving a right to the possessor, of leaving one-third of the 
 income for the payment of legacies. It shall first go to you, 
 
 ' ' See page 233, ante. 
 
 * The Patent is printed in the Appendix to Vol. iii. Dispatches and Letters. 
 Nelson received his Sovereign's permission to accept the dignity on the 9th of 
 Jan. 1801.
 
 246 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 my dear father, and in succession to my elder brother, and 
 children male, William the same, Mrs. Bolton's boys, Mrs. 
 Matcham's, and my nearest relations. For your natural life, 
 the estate shall be taxed with £500. a year, but this is not 
 to be drawn into a precedent, that the next heir may expect 
 it. No, my honoured father, receive this small tribute as 
 a mark of gratitude to the best of parents from his most 
 dutiful son, 
 
 « Nelson."! 
 
 Although Nelson was created Duke of Bronte, he for a 
 long time held out from receiving this reward for his services. 
 For two or three days he withstood the entreaties of Sir 
 William and Lady Hamilton to accept such elevated dignity, 
 and the large emoluments annexed to it, fearful lest the purity 
 of his motives should become matter of suspicion. At the 
 solicitation of the Queen, however, aided by the powerful 
 persuasion of Lady Hamilton, he agreed to receive the honour 
 and aggrandizement, the bestowal of which certainly reflected 
 much credit on the Sovereign. An affectionate letter ac- 
 companied this well earned and splendid reward, and a letter 
 also from the Prince de Luzzi, acquainting him of his creation 
 as Duke of Bronte in Sicily. To the King and to the 
 Prince de Luzzi Nelson replied in appropriate expressions of 
 gratitude. The Queen had, upon the return of Lady Ha- 
 milton to Palermo, presented her with a rich gold chain, with 
 a miniature of herself set in diamonds, with the motto 
 " Eterna Gratitudine," and she now made further presents, 
 which were conveyed to her house whilst she was at the 
 palace with the Queen. They consisted of two coach loads 
 of magnificent dresses, a richly jewelled picture of the King 
 of the value of 1000 guineas, and another of the same value 
 for Sir William Hamilton. The presents on this occasion 
 to the Ambassador and his lady were valued at 6000 guineas. 
 The King made various presents also to Nelson's officers : 
 to Captain Hope for having embarked his Majesty and the 
 Prince Royal in his barge on the night of December 21, 
 1798, a valuable diamond ring; and rings and snuff-boxes 
 
 ' From an Autograph in the possession of James Young, Esq. of Wells in 
 Norfolk, printed in Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 441.
 
 1/99.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 247 
 
 were distributed to others by Nelson at the King's request. 
 Those to Captain Hood/ Captain Troubridge, and Captain 
 Hardy, were of great elegance and value. 
 
 ' Captain Samuel Hood was bom in November, 1762. He was second cousin 
 to Lords Hood and Bridport, and maintained the naval distinction of his family. 
 He entered the service as Midshipman, when 14 years of age, under the protection 
 of his relative. Lord Hood, and was in the battle between Admiral Keppel and 
 the Count D'Orvilliers in 1778. He acted as Lieutenant on board Lord Hood's 
 ship, the Barfleur, and went to the M'est Indies in 1 780, remaining there until 1782. 
 During this period he was in the action with Count de Grasse, off Martinique, in 
 that of the Chesapeake also, and in the actions between the two fleets at St. Kitt's on 
 the 25th and 26th January, 1782. After these actions, he was promoted to the rank 
 of Commander. Although appointed to the Renard, he preferred being as a volun- 
 teer for active service on board the Barfleur, and was in the celebrated actions of the 
 9th and 12th April, 1782. He was likewise at the capture of the French squadron 
 in the Mona Passage. Preliminaries of peace being signed. Captain Hood visited 
 France, and remained there until 1785, when, upon his return, he was appointed 
 to survey the coasts and harbours on the Halifax station. In 1788, he was made 
 Post Captain, and he returned from Halifax in the following year. In 1790 he 
 was appointed to the Juno, and proceeded to Jamaica and highly distinguished 
 himself by his humane exertions in saving three men from shipwreck. In this 
 exercise he incurred great danger, and the House of Assembly voted to him a 
 sword of the value of 1 00 guineas as an approval of his noble conduct. In 1793, 
 upon the breaking out of the war. Captain Hood was ordered to the Mediter- 
 ranean, and was dispatched to Malta, and upon his return to Toulon, not being 
 acquainted with the evacuation of that place, had a very narrow escape from 
 the enemy. He was at the reduction of Corsica, and distinguished himself 
 under the division commanded by Commodore Linzee. He was also at the taking 
 of Bastia and Cal\-i. He was one of the brave crew in the attack of Santa 
 Cruz, and with Captain Troubridge in that town, and took the extraordinary 
 message to the Governor by which the British obtained their release. In 
 1798, Captain Hood commanded the Zealous, was the first officer to descry the 
 French fleet at Aboukir, and shared in the glories of the Battle of the Nile. For 
 his services he received the thanks of Parliament, and a sword from the City of 
 London. Nelson, after the Battle of the Nile, left Hood with the command of a 
 squadron on the coast of Egypt. With this he blockaded Alexandria, performed 
 many important services, and received from the Grand Signior a handsome snuff- 
 box set with diamonds. In 1798, as above stated, he was with Nelson aiding in 
 the flight of the Royal family of Naples, and in the following year was at Pa- 
 lermo. He had the charge of the Castel Nuovo, and maintained the quiet of 
 Naples whUst St. Elmo was being besieged. The King of Naples conferred the 
 Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit upon him, and presented him with a snuff-box 
 set with diamonds. In'1800, Sir Samuel Hood was appointed to the Courageux, 
 74 guns, and was in the Channel fleet. He afterwards commanded the Venerable, 
 and escorted a valuable fleet of East Indiamen beyond the Cape de Verdes. He 
 afterwards joined Sir James Saumarez, and was at the battle off Algeziras. Of his 
 exertions on this occasion. Sir James Saumarez wrote : " Captain Hood's merits 
 are held in too high estimation to receive additional lustre fi-om any praises I can 
 bestow ; but I only do justice to my own feelings when I observe, that in no in-
 
 218 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. VIII. 
 
 Lord Nelson's intentions with regard to Bronte have been 
 expressed in a letter addressed to General Sir John Acton, 
 Bart. They were to make the people happy by not suffering 
 them to be oppressed, and to enrich the country by the im- 
 provements of agriculture. To carry out these laudable views 
 he appointed Mr. Graeffer as Governor. His character was 
 unimpeachable, and his knowledge of agricultural affairs com- 
 petent. It was, however, difficult to manage the estate, and 
 Nelson complained that some of the people who had hired 
 farms, had, contrary to his conditions, let them out to middle 
 men. It was desired also, that all Bronte cases should be 
 tried at Palermo ; to this he was exceedingly averse, as it was 
 repugnant to justice, and would be ruinous to those whose 
 happiness he so earnestly desired. 
 
 On the 27th of June Lord Nelson wrote to Evan Nepean, 
 Esq. Secretary to the Admiralty, congratulating their Lord- 
 ships on the possession of the city of Naples ; the castles of 
 Uovo and Nuovo he had taken possession of on the 26th. 
 Fort St. Elmo was not obtained from the French until the 
 1 2th of July. The prisoners were, however, given up to the 
 Neapolitan authorities on the 10th of July. In the siege of 
 the fort of St. Elmo, Captain Troubiidge particularly dis- 
 tinguished himself, and was created a Baronet on the 30th 
 of November for his services. On the 29th of June Lord 
 Nelson issued the following proclamation : — ^ 
 
 stance have I known superior bravery to that displayed by him on this occasion." 
 He received the thanks of Parliament, of the Admiralty, and of his Commander- 
 in-chief. In 1802, he was made a Commissioner for the Island of Trinidatl, and 
 was afterwards Commander-in-cliief on the Barbadoes and Leeward Island station. 
 Upon the breaking out of the war he captured the Islands of St. Lucia and To- 
 bago, and subsequently the Colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice. He was 
 also at the settlement of Surinam, and the reduction of Martinique, He received 
 the Order of the Bath for those glorious services, and returned to England in 
 1805, having received a service of plate of the value of 300 guineas from the 
 Legislative Assemblies, and a similar present from Barbadoes. He was now made 
 a Colonel of Marines, and in 1806 placed under the orders of Earl St. Vincent, and 
 appointed to watch the enemy off Rochfort. With the French squadron he was 
 engaged in a desperate battle, captured four frigates, and was wounded, and had his 
 right arm amputated. For this loss he received a pension of ^500. per annum. 
 He represented Westminster in Parliament. He died at Madi'as, December 24th, 
 1814, having attained the rank of Vice-Admii'al of the White. 
 ' From the Order Book.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 249 
 
 "Foudroyant, Naples Bay, 29th June, 1799. 
 
 " Horatio, Lord Nelson, Admiral of the British fleet in the 
 Bay of Naples, gives notice to all those who have served as 
 officers, civil or military, in the service of the infamous Nea- 
 politan Republic, that if, in the space of twenty-four hours 
 for those who are in the city of Naples, and forty-eight hours 
 for those who are within five miles of it, they do not give them- 
 selves up to the clemency of the King, to the officer com- 
 manding the castles of Uovo and Nuovo, that Lord Nelsoa 
 will consider them still as in rebellion, and enemies of his 
 
 Sicilian Majesty. 
 
 « Nelson."
 
 250 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 1799— 1800. 
 
 No event connected with Lord Nelson's career has excited 
 more attention, or procured for him more obloquy, than the 
 trial and execution of Francisco Caracciolo.^ It is essential, 
 therefore, to collect together and view the circumstances con- 
 nected with this transaction, in order to form an impartial and 
 unbiassed opinion as to his conduct on this occasion. 
 
 Caracciolo was of an ancient and noble family, and son of 
 Prince Caracciolo, the Viceroy of Sicily. He- entered as 
 a cadet, and rose to be a Commodore in the Neapohtan 
 Navy. He was engaged with honour to himself, in Lord 
 Hotham's action against the French, in March, 1795, at which 
 time he commanded the Tancredi, of 74 guns. The document 
 already printed," exhibits the great confidence reposed in him, 
 and that his fidelity and loyalty were in no degree suspected, 
 inasmuch as he was engaged to accompany the Royal family 
 from Naples in their flight to Palermo, in December, 1798. 
 Upon his arrival there, he remained with the Court until the 
 new Parthenopaean or Revolutionary Republic declared the 
 estates of those Neapolitans who did not return to Naples to 
 be forfeited. To avert this loss of his property, which, it is 
 said, was considerable, he solicited and obtained the per- 
 mission of the King to return, who at the same time warned 
 him to " beware of intermeddling with French pohtics ;'' and 
 added, " Avoid the snares of Republicans. I know I shall 
 recover the kingdom of Naples." This warning, connected 
 with the full persuasion of the restoration of the kingdom 
 expressed by his Sovereign, it might reasonably have been 
 
 ' This I presume to be the correct mode of spelling his name, as it accords with 
 his autograph, though it is more frequently written Caraccioli. 
 ^ See page 185, ante.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON'. 251 
 
 expected, would have made a strong impression upon him ; 
 yet, soon after his arrival at Naples, he is found serving 
 under the new Republic. 
 
 Lord Nelson, it must be remarked, did not entertain any 
 prejudices unfavourable to Caracciolo. Captain Troubridge 
 wrote to his Lordship (April 9, 1799), "I just learn that 
 Caraccioli has the honour to mount guard as a common soldiery 
 and was yesterday a sentinel at the palace ; he has refused 
 service. I believe they force every one to do duty as militia." 
 Again (April 13) : "I inclose your Lordship one of Carac- 
 cioli's letters, as head of the marine. I hope he has been forced 
 into this measure. This was intercepted at Capri. I have 
 another from Gaeta to Ponza, sent by that route, as he says 
 he cannot forward it by the Bay of Naples." And (April 19), 
 *' Caraccioli, I am assured by all the sailors, is not a Jacobin, 
 but forced to act as he does. They sign his name to printed 
 papers without his authority, as they have, in my opinion, the 
 Archbishop's.^' Lord Nelson wrote to the Earl Spencer, 
 April 26th : " Many of the principal Jacobins have fled, and 
 Caraccioli has resigned his situation as Head of the Marine. 
 This man was fool enough to quit his master when he thought 
 his case desperate ; yet, in his heart, I believe he is no Jaco- 
 bin. The fishermen, a few days ago, told him publicly, 
 ' We believe you are loyal, and sent by the King ; but much 
 as we love you, if we find you disloyal, you shall be among 
 the first to fall." '' To the Earl of St. Vincent, Lord Nelson 
 wrote (April 30) : " I believe nothing can prevent the people 
 of Naples from rising, and attempting the castle of St. 
 Elmo, where the Jacobins have retired, and our friend 
 Caraccioli amongst them." But on the 1st of May, Captain 
 Troubridge had altered his opinion, and wrote to Lord Nelson : 
 " Caraccioli, I am now satisfied, is a Jacobin. I inclose you 
 one of his letters. He came in the gun-boats to Castel a 
 Mare himself, and spirited up the Jacobins." Captain Foote, 
 then senior naval officer ofi" Naples, also wrote to Lord Nelson 
 (May 28th) : " Caraccioli threatens a second attack, with a 
 considerable addition of force." And on the 11th of June, 
 the same officer writes : " Caraccioli's gun-boats have for some 
 days past been firing at the town of Annunciata and the
 
 252 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. IX. 
 
 adjacent houses.*' Captain Foote also (in his « Vindication" 
 relating to the Capitulation of the Castles of Uovo and Nuovo), 
 states that on the 13th of June, the " Cardinal RufFo (or rather 
 the Russians) took the fort of Villerna and the bridge of 
 Madalena. Caracciolo's gun-boats annoyed them a good 
 deal, the weather preventing my approaching sufficiently close 
 with the frigates ; but if the galleys had been with me, I 
 should certainly have taken some of the gun-boats, or caused 
 them to retreat.' ' Caracciolo also commanded the RepubUcan 
 gun-boats that fired upon the Neapolitan frigate La Minerva, 
 as the charge upon which he was tried and condemned 
 exhibits. 
 
 The safety of Caracciolo has been considered by some as 
 having been guaranteed by the Capitulation entered into 
 between Cardinal Ruffo and the rebels ; but to admit this it 
 must be shewn that Caracciolo was actually within the castles 
 of Uovo or Nuovo at the time this engagement was entered 
 into. The Capitulation was signed June 23rd. He could not 
 have been in either of the castles at this time, as on the day 
 mentioned he wrote a letter to the Duke of Calviranno at Por- 
 tici from Calviranno, to which place he had fled, imploring the 
 interest of the Duke with Cardinal RufFo for his protection. 
 In this letter he strongly expressed his fears lest, under the 
 circumstances in which he was placed, violence on his life 
 might be committed by the brigands. He did not, however, 
 obtain either from the Duke or the Cardinal the assistance he 
 desired, and he therefore fled to the mountains, a reward 
 having been offered for his apprehension, and on the 29th of 
 June he was brought a prisoner, in the disguise of a peasant, 
 with his arms bound, on board the Foudroyant. His bonds 
 were removed by order of Captain Hardy ; he was offered 
 refreshment, but declined it ; and he was placed under the 
 charge of Lieutenant Parkinson, with two sentinels at his 
 door. The Neapolitan Royalists were loud in their menaces 
 against him — the traitor Caracciolo — and Captain Hardy had 
 some difficulty in protecting him from \dolence and insult. 
 Lieutenant Parsons, who was signal mate to Lord Nelson, 
 has in his " Nelsonian Reminiscences''^ given the following 
 
 ' Page 2.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 253 
 
 account of Caracciolo when brought on the poop of the Fou- 
 droyant, strongly guarded by marines. "He was a short, 
 thick-set man, of apparent strength, but haggard with misery 
 and want ; his clothing in wretched condition, but his coun- 
 tenance denoting stern resolution to endure that misery like a 
 man. He spoke a short sentence to me in pure English, as 
 if perfectly master of the language, and was shortly ushered 
 into our ward-room, where a Court was assembled of his own 
 officers, Count Thurn sitting as President.^' 
 
 No sooner was the circumstance of his apprehension made 
 known, but measures were taken to bring him to trial. Lord 
 Nelson issued his warrant to the Count de Thurn.^ It ran 
 thus : — 
 
 "to count thurn, commodore and commander of 
 
 "his SICILIAN majesty's FRIGATE LA MINERVA. 
 
 " By Horatio Lord Nelson, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 " Whereas Francisco Caracciolo, a Commodore in the ser- 
 vice of his Sicilian Majesty, has been taken, and stands 
 accused of rebellion against his lawful Sovereign, and for firing 
 at his colours hoisted on board his frigate the Minerva, under 
 your command, you are, therefore, hereby required and directed 
 to assemble five of the senior officers under your command, 
 yourself presiding, and proceed to inquire whether the crime 
 with which the said Francisco Caracciolo stands charged, can 
 be proved against him ; and if the charge is proved, you are 
 to report to me what punishment he ought to suffer. 
 
 " Given on board the Foudroyant, Naples Bay, the 29th 
 
 June, 1799. 
 
 " Nelson." 
 
 Doubts have been expressed as to the authority possessed 
 by Nelson to issue this warrant. If illegally given, Nelson's 
 conduct must unquestionably be condemned, and he woidd 
 be entitled to a much greater share of obloquy than has even 
 hitherto been attached to him for the part he took in this 
 transaction. This question may be considered under two 
 
 ' Count de Thurn was a German by birth, had entered the Sicilian isavy, and 
 rose to the rank of Commodore.
 
 254 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. IX. 
 
 heads : — 1st, Had Lord Nelson power to order a Court-martial 
 upon an officer in the SiciHan service ; and 2nd, If possessing 
 this power, was it not right that the trial so ordered should 
 have taken place on board a Sicilian, and not a British vessel ? 
 In reference to the Capitulation of the castles of Uovo and 
 Nuovo, it has been already seen that Nelson was vested with 
 authority as Commander-in-chief of the Sicilian squadron, 
 and that he possessed unlimited powers given to him by the 
 King, at whose especial request he had come to Naples. It 
 is true the powers have never been fully and circumstantially 
 expressed, but they must have been admitted and acknow- 
 ledo-ed, or Count de Thurn, the Commodore and Commander 
 of the Sicilian frigate La Minerva, would most assuredly have 
 declined to act upon the order given by Lord Nelson. These 
 circumstances appear to me to justify answering the first con- 
 sideration in the affirmative. With respect to the second, the 
 place in which the Court-martial ought to have been held, it 
 must be remarked the warrant itself is silent — it does not 
 express any particular place ; but it is dated from on board 
 the Foudroyant, and there Count de Thurn and five senior 
 officers of the Sicilian Navy assembled to execute the functions 
 they were called upon to perform. Whatever may have been 
 the feelings of ill will towards Caracciolo which are said to 
 have been entertained by the Sicilian Commodore, occasioned 
 by the former having fired upon the vessel of which the 
 Count was the Commander, it is exceedingly unjust, without 
 manifest proof, to charge him with vindictiveness, and argue 
 that it would so operate as to influence him in determining upon 
 the existence of a fellow creature. The Count's character has 
 never been impeached ; he has never appeared as a passionate 
 or malignant man ; but, on the contrary, he has been repre- 
 sented as a man of unblemished honour and integrity. Pain- 
 ful as the discharge of Count de Thurn's duty unquestionably 
 was, it is unlikely he should have the power of declining 
 to perform it. He was the senior officer, and to him the 
 order was issued. If Lord Nelson had the power and autho- 
 rity of Commander in-chief of the Sicilian squadron. Count 
 de Thurn had no other alternative than implicitly to obey his 
 commands.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 255 
 
 What reasons may have occasioned the trial to take place 
 on board a British ship, have not been detailed, nor is it 
 possible now to ascertain them ; but few persons would, I 
 conceive, argue that a different issue would have been the 
 result, had it been conducted on board La Minerva, or any- 
 other Sicilian vessel. The same officers would have tried the 
 case, as being the seniors to be obtained to form the Court, 
 and the decision would have been to the same effect. It is 
 difficult to conceive but that the trial on board a British man- 
 of-war might even be more favourable to Caracciolo than 
 otherwise. The trial proceeded, and Lieutenant Parsons 
 has given the following^ as his defence : " I am accused of 
 deserting my King in distress, and leaguing with his enemies. 
 The accusation is so far false, that the King deserted me 
 and all his faithful subjects. It is well known to you, gentle- 
 men, that our frontier was covered by an army under General 
 Mack, superior to the advancing enemy, and you are aware 
 that the sinews of war is money. The King collected every 
 thing that could be converted into specie, on pretence of 
 paying that army, embarked it in his Britannic Majesty^s ship 
 Vanguard, even to the enormous amount of 500 casks, and 
 fled with it to Palermo, there to riot in luxurious safety. 
 Who was then the traitor — the King or myself? After such 
 uncalled for, and, I must say, cowardly desertion by the 
 sovereign, Mack's army disbanded for want of pay, and the 
 French army occupied Naples. It is known to you, gentle- 
 men, that my patrimonial possessions lay in the city, and 
 that my family is large. If I had not succumbed to the 
 ruling power, my children would have been vagabonds in the 
 land of their fathers. Gentlemen, some of you are parents, 
 and I appeal to your feelings ; let each of you place yourselves 
 in my situation, and say how you would have acted ; but I 
 think my destruction is pre-determined, and this Court any 
 thing but a Court of Justice. If I am right, my blood be 
 upon your head, and those of your children !'' 
 
 If the preceding defence be substantially true, it must be 
 admitted that it serves in no degree to establish his innocence 
 
 ' Nelsonian Reminiscences, p. 3.
 
 256 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. IX. 
 
 of the charges brought against him, and for which he was 
 undergoing a trial, and the accusations against the King and 
 his conduct, and the character of the tribunal before which 
 he stood, were ill calculated to excite any favourable feeling on 
 his behalf. It does not appear from this statement that he 
 was desirous of calling any witnesses to aid his cause, but 
 that, on the contrary, he abandoned himself to the rigour of the 
 Court-martial. The Court was cleared : a little time was 
 necessary to deliberate upon the evidence; it was again 
 opened, and the unfortunate man received the following sen- 
 tence, delivered by Count de Thurn : — 
 
 *^ Admiral Prince Caracciolo, you have been unanimously 
 found guilty of the charges brought against you ; you have 
 repaid the high rank and honours conferred on you by a mild 
 and confiding Sovereign, with the blackest ingratitude. The 
 sentence of the Court is, that you shall be hanged by the neck 
 at the yard-arm of your own flag-ship, in two hours from this 
 time, and may God have mercy on your soul P' 
 
 To this Caracciolo said : " Hereafter, when you shall be 
 called to your great account, you will weep for this unjust 
 sentence in tears of blood. I take shame to myself in asking 
 any favour from such men ; but, if possible, I wish to be shot, 
 as becomes my rank, and not hung up like a felon and a 
 dog." 
 
 ^^ It is inadmissible," said Count Thurn, " and the Court 
 is hereby dissolved.'^^ 
 
 The following order was issued, directing the sentence to 
 be carried into effect. 
 
 ^' TO COMMODORE COUNT THURN, COMMANDER OF 
 HIS SICILIAN MAJESTY'8 SHIP, LA MINERVA. 
 
 " By Horatio Lord Nelson, &c. &c. &c. 
 " Whereas a Board of Naval Officers of his Sicilian Majesty 
 hath been assembled to try Francisco Caracciolo for rebellion 
 against his lawful Sovereign, and for firing at his Sicilian 
 Majesty's frigate. La Minerva. And whereas, the said Board 
 of Naval Officers have found the charge of rebeUion fully 
 
 ' Nelsonian Reminiscences, p. 4. ^ Ibid p. 5.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 257 
 
 proved against him, and have sentenced the said Caracciolo 
 to suffer death ; you are hereby required and directed to 
 cause the said sentence of death to be earned into execution 
 upon the said Francisco Caracciolo accordingly, by hanging 
 him at the fore-yard arm of his Sicilian Majesty's frigate La 
 Minerva, under your command, at five o'clock this evening ; 
 and to cause him to hang there until sunset, when you will 
 have his body cut down, and thrown into the sea. 
 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " Given on board the Foudroyant, 
 "Naples Bay, June 29th, 1799." 
 
 The trial occupied two hours ; the proceedings were con- 
 ducted in Italian ; the ward-room, in which it took place, 
 was open to any one who chose to enter. Caracciolo is said 
 to have been repeatedly asked questions best calculated to 
 clear his character ; but he failed to do so to the satisfaction 
 of the Court. On the contrary, it was proved that he had 
 abundant opportunities of escaping from the rebels, and that 
 he had not availed himself of them. His position was deeply 
 commiserated ; his rank, his character, his former services, 
 his advanced age, being about seventy, were all calculated to 
 excite compassion. Yet it was not to be forgotten that he an 
 officer, and of a noble family, possessing the confidence of his 
 Sovereign, sharing in the temporary exile of his Royal master, 
 quits him to save his property, and having by his return to 
 Naples accomplished this, submits to be enrolled against his 
 legitimate King, incites to, and joins in offensive operations, 
 directs a fire against the Minerva, Neapolitan frigate, and the 
 English ships, occasioning a loss of life among his Britannic 
 Majesty's subjects. His innocence on these points could not 
 be shewn ; he did not attempt to establish it, and he was 
 condemned. If the circumstances mentioned are not to be 
 regarded as traitorous, it is difficult to conceive what character 
 can be assigned to them. 
 
 The caption of the prisoner, the order for his trial, and the 
 execution of the sentence followed very quickly on each other; 
 the whole did not occupy more than twelve hours. Caracciolo 
 twice requested Lieutenant Parkinson to intercede with Lord 
 
 VOL. I. s
 
 258 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 Nelson in his behalf; first, that he should have another trial, 
 and secondly, that he might die by being shot, the disgrace 
 of hanging being dreadful to him. With neither of these 
 requests did Nelson comply. His answers were : " Caracciolo 
 has been fairly tried by the officers of his own country ; I 
 cannot interfere." And " Go, Sir, and attend to your duty." 
 Although Sir William and Lady Hamilton were both on 
 board the Foudroyant at this time. Nelson kept himself to his 
 apartment and saw none but British officers. Southey has 
 considered Lord Nelson blameable for not interfering on the 
 side of mercy. It must not be forgotten that among the 
 many jewels which compose the Hero's character, that of 
 humanity is one of the most conspicuous. To the influence 
 of Lady Hamilton, and to her devotion to the Royal cause, 
 her intimacy with the Royal family, and her hatred for all the 
 rebels to the Royal authority, has been attributed the haste 
 and determination in the trial and execution of Caracciolo ; 
 but although the power of Lady Hamilton over Lord Nelson 
 was unquestionably very great, even at this time, and at a 
 later period of his life to a still farther degree, yet in no in- 
 stance has it been found to operate against the performance 
 of his public duties, nor to detain him from rendering the 
 services he owed to his country. It would be unjust to the 
 memory of this great man to admit such accusations against 
 him without having the most distinct and irrefragable proofs of 
 their validity. How far Lord Nelson's interference on behalf 
 of Caracciolo might have operated against the King's interest 
 at this time, it is hardly possible to say, seeing that the 
 Royalists were very violent against all who had taken part 
 with the Jacobins. 
 
 Under these impressions, may not the execution of Ca- 
 racciolo be looked upon rather as a necessary measure to 
 discountenance rebellion, and suppress anarchy ; — as a 
 rigorous act of justice requisite under the circumstances — 
 not admitting of the exercise of that clemency which Nelson's 
 nature was disposed to exert, and which, we may reasonably 
 imagine, w^ould have been extended to one who had shared 
 with him in the dangers of war, had aided him in securing the 
 safety of the Royal family, and towards whom it was un-
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 259 
 
 likely for him to have entertained any personal ill-feeling or 
 vindictive spirit ? 
 
 In palliation of the haste and decision which marked the 
 proceedings, it may be fairly urged, that in the eyes of Nelson, 
 Caracciolo was a traitor — was found in arms — in open and 
 offensive rebellion against the cause of his Sovereign, who had 
 not only treated him with distinction/ but entrusted his own 
 person, as it were, to his care, and in yielding to his entreaties 
 to return to Naples to secure to himself the possession of his 
 property, had, at the same time warned him against the com- 
 mission of those offences in which he had indulged ; — that 
 Nelson could not look upon his crime but as one of the 
 blackest dye, and that in the state of things then existing, the 
 King being still absent at Palermo, it became necessary to 
 make a striking and immediate example, in consequence of a 
 departure from duty on the part of no less an officer than the 
 head of the Sicilian marine. 
 
 An able writer in the Westminster Review for January 
 1848, has well remarked upon the rapidity with which the 
 sentence against Caracciolo was carried into effect, that the 
 same course was pursued two years before, on the occasion 
 of the trial of the mutineers of the St. George, off Cadiz, when 
 Lord St. Vincent wrote to Nelson that had they been con- 
 victed, they would suffer on the same evening. The trial, 
 however, was not over until past sunset, and the sentence 
 could not therefore be carried into effect until the next day, 
 and that day, although Sunday, was approved and acted upon 
 for the execution. Vice-Admiral Thompson ventured to 
 remonstrate with Lord St. Vincent for having ordered an 
 execution on a Sunday, and the Earl in consequence de- 
 manded the immediate recall of that officer. 
 
 Of the Queen of Naples' letters to Lady Hamilton, the 
 
 ' In Han-ison's Life of Lord Nelson, it is said that " Caracciolo had received at 
 Palermo, the supreme command of the small remains of his Sicilian Majesty's fleet ; 
 that, on his departvire for Messina, he had been earnestly and most pathetically 
 conjm*ed by the Queen, while taking leave of her Majesty, to do everything in his 
 power for the promotion of the welfare of her little family ; that he had, soon 
 after, under pretence of assisting the Royalists in Calabria, abandoned his Sovereign, 
 and actually joined the Republicans with the force committed to his charge." — 
 Vol. ii. p. 104. 
 
 S 2
 
 260 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 following relate to this period, and they certainly do not display 
 the ferocity with which this illustrious personage is usually 
 charged : — 
 
 "July 2, 1799. 
 '^ My dear Lady, 
 
 " I received with great pleasure your kind and obliging 
 letters, three of Saturday and one of Friday, with the list of 
 the Jacobins who are some of the vilest we have had. I 
 have seen also the sad and merited end of the unfortunate 
 and mad -brained Caracciolo. I am sensible how much your 
 excellent heart must have suffered, which increases my sense 
 of gratitude to you. I observed your remarks and am very 
 grateful for them — from all that I see and learn the confusion 
 is very great in unfortunate and pitiable Naples. An effec- 
 tive land force for the maintenance of order was requisite, 
 but you, my good friends, have done wonders, and I am 
 truly sensible of all your efforts. This evening, whilst I 
 write to you, the Portuguese brig is arrived, with letters to 
 the 30th, and that of the dear Admiral to the King has de- 
 termined him, and he will leave to-morrow evening, which 
 causes me many tears, and will cost me more, the King not 
 thinking it advisable that I should go for the short time he 
 calculates upon remaining there ; however he goes to-morrow 
 evening — General Acton, Castelcicala, and Ascoli will accom- 
 pany him perhaps (/e priore?) and 1000 infantry and GOO 
 cavalry will march with Acton and Bourcard. The King 
 wishes to embark in his frigate accompanied by the Eng- 
 lish and the Portuguese brig. I shall remain solitary, offering 
 petitions to heaven for a glorious and successful issue, but 
 I am profoundly affected, and compare myself as I really 
 am with what I ought justly to be. It is now, my dear 
 Lady, that your friendship for me will be shewn by writing 
 to me, for all my correspondents seeing my inactivity and 
 fearing to compromise themselves remain silent — but I hope 
 my good friend Emma will not forget me, although banished 
 at Palermo. This will be an epoch in my life. Do not sup- 
 pose that any personal reason or caprice prevents my coming. 
 I have been influenced by several motives ; no one wishes 
 me to go, and I feared I might diminish the love and en- 
 thusiasm the King's presence will inspire, those sentiments
 
 I79i>-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 261 
 
 not being manifested towards me — in a word, many pru- 
 dential reasons have caused me to remain as a duty, although 
 a painful one. I shall continue to avail myself of your friend- 
 ship in sending my various letters to you, and telling the 
 parties to address their replies to me through you. I hope 
 that affairs with the Cardinal will be arranged, but I foresee 
 many storms, and then they will regret me. My heart is 
 full, and I shall have much to say. Adieu, my dear Lady; 
 pity me, do not forget me, but let me know, I conjure you, 
 all the news. Believe me, with all my heart, your very 
 attached and grateful friend for life, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 "A thousand compliments to the Chevalier and to the 
 hero Nelson : tell them that I commit our interest and glory 
 to them. I am grieved that I cannot personally thank them, 
 but that my gratitude is not the less lively and lasting be- 
 cause expressed at a distance." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 : "July 7, 1799. 
 
 '' My dear Lady, 
 
 " I owe you a thousand thousand thanks for your two 
 letters which I received late last night. I see in them the 
 dictates of your friendship. At the time I am writing this, 
 the King, I should think, will have reached Naples, because 
 the barque which left on the 5th, met him about forty miles 
 from Capri, which, thank God, consoles and quiets my feel- 
 ings, my attachment to his person, my zeal, my desire to do 
 the best, I may even say, my enthusiasm excite in me an 
 ardent desire to go to Naples, but I could not obtain permis- 
 sion, — my reason tells me it is for the best, Alas ! (although 
 not just) they would have imputed all the evils to me from a 
 spirit of revenge, in a word, the Neapolitan nation itself, and 
 the dominant party with growing strength would have clashed 
 with me. Should affaii's be adjusted, and the kingdom ob- 
 tain a position of tranquillity founded upon a surer basis, I 
 could return there as a stranger, absolutely abstaining from 
 mixmg in any state affairs, or if the factions retain power, I
 
 2G2 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL. [CHAP. IX. 
 
 could remain in Sicily, or retire somewhere into seclusion. 
 You have no idea, my dear Lady, how I am aifected — deeply 
 interested in saving Sicily and regaining the patrimony of 
 my children. I have never sufficiently exposed to you how 
 profoundly my mind is influenced by what has occurred to me. 
 The Cardinal's conduct is very equivocal, it will be really ne- 
 cessaiy to observe his proceedings ; he will either demand 
 leave to resign his post in a manner and at a moment when 
 it cannot be refused, or he will yield to all that may be pro- 
 posed to him in order to remain at the head of the Govern- 
 ment — in either case, I know what opinion to form of him, 
 and also for whom to tremble — but these reflections are use- 
 less. The King and his ministers will arrange all for the 
 best I hope. I thank you for kindly sending me my letters, 
 I am still resolved not to write to any one, although painful 
 to refrain. I wrote to Madame St. Marco several times be- 
 fore I left, to come to the coast of Naples, and also from 
 Palermo, but she never came. Notwithstanding all the 
 hatred she and her family have ever shewn towards me, none 
 have ever been imprisoned ; Manthone, Perusier, husband of 
 St. del Rocca, St. Angelo Pesacelli are all her friends. All 
 this compels me to silence, but if Madame de Santo Marco 
 is in any pecuniary difficulty, she may rely upon my aid 
 whilst she lives, but all ties of friendship are broken through 
 her conduct. Migliano is a fool, a vulgar courtier, either 
 royalist or republican, always poor ; she is a viper with an 
 infernal tongue, a woman who has always openly defamed 
 the Court and the Government, who after we quitted first ex- 
 hibited a diabolical character, and was one of the strongest 
 female pillars of the aristocratic rebellion, which dethroned 
 the King by expelling his Vicar-general before the coming of 
 the French ; in a word, my dear Lady, I unfortunately know 
 the Neapolitan nobility and all the classes well, and I shall 
 always say the same that there are but the Bourgeois, the 
 working and the lower class who are faithful and attached, 
 the latter are sometimes misled by their passions, but their 
 sentiments are good. These are the reasons why I have no 
 commission to trouble you with, for I have determined that 
 on returning to Naples I will live entirely secluded from 
 everybody. The experience of one and thirty yeai'S, during
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 263 
 
 which I have only lived to oblige others and to find myself at 
 last deserted, having produced an impression on me which 
 will never be obliterated. I am ready to return to Naples 
 the moment that the King wishes it. I make no objections, 
 but the plan I have formed these six months past, and my 
 reflections and convictions consequent upon what has oc- 
 curred, will undergo no change. I see that the Castle still 
 holds out. They must have some hope of assistance; I con- 
 jure j^ou not to allow a sous to be paid to Mejean,^ after such 
 an obstinate defence it would be really duping one, and it 
 makes one think that it is done in order to permit the Gene- 
 ralissimo Cisalpin to divide it with Mejean. I beg you to 
 prevent this folly and baseness, as the brave Admiral has al- 
 ready done with respect to the infamous armistice or capitu- 
 lation with our rebels. I have so much to say that I shall 
 never finish. My health suffers very much. We scarcely 
 suffer from the heat at Palermo on account of the evening 
 breeze. All my dear family are well. We go every day to a 
 { tricleum ?) to pray and carry the holy sacrament in proces- 
 sion to bless the sea, and pray for the King and Naples ; it 
 is all I can do, and I do it very willingly, for I am useless 
 for anything else. Adieu, my dear Lady, continue to let me 
 have news from you, they become especially interesting to 
 me now, and I trust in your fi:iendship not to forget me. I 
 beg you to restrain your benevolence, and think only of those 
 on whom real misfortunes have, or are promptly about to 
 fall. Poor Belmont has heard of the arrest of his brother, 
 he is much distressed by it, more on account of his brother's 
 culpability than any thing else ; every one we see is un- 
 fortunate which makes one very melancholy. Adieu, my 
 dear Lady, a thousand compliments to the Chevalier ; my 
 most sincere thanks and compliments to the dear Admiral, 
 how I wish to see you all again, and to assure you of the 
 constant, sincere, tender friendship, and the eternal grati- 
 tude of your sincere friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 " I beg you to tell Luchesi that I am highly satisfied with 
 the courage he alone displayed in writing to me, he in fact 
 
 ' The Brigadier Commandant of the Fort St. Elmo.
 
 264 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 does so daily, let him continue to do so, and give you his 
 long and sincere reports ; I hope he will never be com- 
 promised, I do not write to him, because of the determina- 
 tion I made. Adieu/' 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "Julys, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " You have entu-ely forgotten me these four or five days. 
 I have not had the least news since the death of Caracciolo. 
 I have heard nothing from Naples, although at the time they 
 last wrote they were about to attack St. Elmo. I remain 
 forgotten at Palermo. I wait prepared until the King, the 
 fountain of good and evil, shall be at Procida, until then I 
 shall continue in trouble and anxiety. Neither the Cardinal, 
 nor any one else writes — all will be, I hope, for the best. I 
 calculate that the King must have arrived to-day, and ar- 
 dently desire his prompt return, and especially that he will 
 not endanger his person by too much exposing himself, as 
 bad men are so numerous in Naples, and several may j^re- 
 sent themselves. Adieu, my dear Lady, do not entirely 
 forget me then in my banishment, and believe me for life 
 your eternal, sincei-e, and grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 " My compliments to the brave Admiral, and to the Che- 
 vaher." 
 
 On the 1 0th of July the King of Naples arrived in Naples 
 Bay, went on board the Foudroyant, where the Royal Standard 
 was hoisted, and his Majesty held his levees on the quarter- 
 deck of that ship. 
 
 The King was most enthusiastically received. Lord Nelson 
 wrote to Lord Keith of the manner in which he was welcomed 
 by the people, calling him by no other name than that of 
 father. He describes the scene as very affecting. This con- 
 duct, however, belonged to the more humble classes, that of 
 the nobility was of a different character, which Nelson styles 
 "infamous.^' The King witnessed from the deck of the
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 265 
 
 Foudroyant with great emotion, the lowering of the NeapoUtan 
 flag from the castle of St. Elmo on the third day after his 
 return to Naples, and threw his arms round the necks of 
 Lord Nelson, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, who were 
 with his Majesty at the time. 
 
 Lady Hamilton acquainted the Queen of Naples of that 
 which was passing at this time. Her Majesty writes : — 
 
 "July 15, 1799. 
 
 '* My dear Lady, 
 " I owe replies to four of your dear letters, for which I ren- 
 der you the sincerest thanks, both for the details of the arrival 
 of the King, and the particulars of the proofs of attachment 
 and joy manifested by his faithful people, and for the wish 
 expressed by you, my dear friend, that I had been there also. 
 I confess it would have been very gratifying to me, and would 
 perhaps have helped to soften recollections which can never 
 be effaced, but will always be a source of unhappiness ; how- 
 ever, that pleasure was denied me. I cannot sufficiently 
 express the degree of gratitude I feel towards your brave 
 nation, for the honourable capitulation effected ; it has greatly 
 excited me, as likewise the care and trouble taken by those 
 excellent Captains, the pupils of our hero, saviour, and friend. 
 Nelson. Never can we sufficiently testify om* gratitude due 
 to the good Troubridge, the brave Hallowell, and others, for 
 their essential services. I beg you, my dear Lady, to say to 
 our brave Admiral, that the gratitude and esteem I feel 
 towards him are inexpressible. Many thanks to all the brave 
 officers. My very sincere compliments to the brave Chevalier, 
 your dear husband. Adieu, my dear Lady ; believe that I 
 trust entirely in your friendship, and am for life your sincere 
 and grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 '' We have sung with great pomp a solemn Te Deum, which, 
 with a triple salvo from the little castles, and from the infantry 
 battaUon, was very effective ; finally, with a humble heart, I 
 have given thanks to God and our brave alhes. On my 
 return I found the English Captain with the flags, at which 
 I was greatly pleased, and thank you for it. The poor Cap- 
 tain could not speak Italian, and the interpreter Michelino
 
 266 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 has a very suspicious look to me ; they say he is a bad man. 
 I merely mention it to you. I have not time, my dear Lady, 
 to say more. Make my tender compliments to the Chevalier, 
 to the worthy Admiral, and believe me yours till death." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "July 18, 1799. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " I write to you by the Captain who brought me the flags 
 from St. Elmo yesterday, and as he is returning, I have begged 
 him to take under his especial convoy the vessel with all the 
 Sicilian Ministers on board, the honest Guidobaldi and several 
 NeapoKtans going to the Junta. There is a second polacca 
 with the wife of Farina and her children, and the daughter of 
 Donna Carolina, who, fearing the pirates, will feel themselves 
 safe under the protection of an Englishman. I have therefore 
 begged the Captain to take them under his charge, which he 
 has had the complaisance to do. How is your health, my 
 dear Lady ? you do not mention it, although you know how 
 interested I feel about it. I fear that you will suffer from the 
 heat on board ; inform me of all which concerns you, for my 
 heart is indeed deeply affected. Of the two French flags sent 
 here, one is in the cathedral of St. Rosalie, as a trophy, the 
 other is sent to Father Arcieri a la Guadagna. The two 
 Vesuvians, being rebels, I have had burnt by the hands of the 
 executioner at the four quarters, and the ashes thrown into 
 the sea, to produce an effect. We begin to feel the heat very 
 much. I imagine how much you must be engaged. I thank 
 you for what you sent me ; but you will see that frequently 
 for fancy I have prepared hundreds. God grant that all they 
 decide may be for the best, for on it depends future peace. 
 In idea I am continually with you there ; I acknowledge I 
 should have liked to witness the acclamations of the people. 
 As for my health, it is far from good ; I cannot sleep, I have 
 lost my appetite, I digest nothing ; I am therefore very weak. 
 Adieu, my dear Lady ; say to my hero, our dear Lord Nelson, 
 all that I feel, but am unable to express, of gratitude to him. 
 A thousand compliments to the Chevalier ; write everything 
 to me, and believe me for life your sincere, attached, and grate- 
 ful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte.^*
 
 17990 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 267 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "July 18, 1799. 
 '* My dear Lady, 
 
 ** I was much aflfected by your letter ; I am delighted to 
 hear that your headache had passed off, and that you were 
 better. I can understand how you must be incommoded on 
 boai'd ship, which increases my obligations to you for writing, 
 and for everything you do for me. I see with great pleasure 
 the constant demonstrations of attachment, fidelity, and loyalty 
 of the faithful people ; I never doubted that class, and I am 
 not mistaken. I observe what you say of Mej can's business; 
 I hope it will be brought to light, and everything exposed, so 
 that we may not have to do with any more traitors : we have 
 still to deal with several, and therefore I beg of you through 
 your husband and Lord Nelson to trace out all the ramifica- 
 tions, for otherwise, as soon as the King's back is turned, 
 they will be worse than before, as they will manage matters 
 more skilfully through their previous experience. I shall 
 reply to St. Marco some day ; my heart induces me to do it, 
 although the forgetfulness of my friends, including her, has, 
 I confess, much chagrined me. As to the matter in question, 
 1 am infinitely obliged for what you say ; I feel so much the 
 more interested from observing that it is destroying with grief 
 an honest man,^ whose feelings for the unfortunate individual, 
 mingled with the disgrace of having such infamous, ungrateful 
 relatives, are consuming and shortening the life of an honour- 
 able man ; which was the reason why, unknown to him, I 
 spoke to you about it ; but when I saw the man arrested, and 
 especially noticed to the King, I considered all Avas over, and 
 that he must submit to his punishment, which will be, in my 
 opinion, an imprisonment in the islands {maritimo pantel- 
 larla). 
 
 *« There being so many leaders, it would be necessary to 
 hang hundreds of them at least, before he could be justly 
 condemned, as he never fought against the King, nor has he 
 been a chief, nor published any of those infamous prints. I 
 have since been obliged to abandon him to his fate, and you 
 must treat him like the others. There is Montemileto, the 
 son of Cassano, who fought against the King ; Stighano, a 
 
 ' The Count de Belmont ?
 
 268 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 military turncoat (rccidive), is in the same case as Montemileto 
 (except that he has not such a bad wife) ; they should all be 
 punished alike, and I beg no particular favour may be shewn 
 to any. As to the others, the public might make very trouble- 
 some complaints, and ceries at this time, the motives influencing 
 the judgments and the pardons granted will be commented 
 upon, and their justice arraigned. I do not wish to be named 
 nor attacked, therefore I beg you to make no distinction at 
 all ; they must suffer their fate, with their numerous and still 
 more criminal companions, both male and female. I hope 
 that his honest and unfortunate brother (who would assuredly 
 have prevented my asking any favour for him, had he known 
 my intention), will sustain with firmness and constancy the 
 trying position in which the unworthy and dishonourable 
 conduct of his brother placed him. So a thousand thanks for 
 your trouble ; make my compliments to Lord Nelson about 
 it, and consider him amongst those for whom you need not 
 occupy yourself: I know the weight of your reasons. 
 
 '^ We have none of those heats here, from which I fear you 
 suffer so much on board. They are preparing fetes here for 
 the return of the King and for St. Rosahe. Adieu, my dear 
 Lady : take great care of yourself, and believe me, with a 
 thousand compliments to Lord Nelson and to the Chevaher, 
 your veiy sincere friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 to the same. 
 
 "July 18, 1799. 
 
 '^ My dear Lady, 
 " My first letter was finished when I received your second, 
 by which I find that you have seen the Duchess Corigliano. 
 I beg you to send her this letter from me. She is the only 
 one who has given proof of her attachment, which others of 
 her equals pretended for me, exceeding even what I expected, 
 therefore I shall ever feel grateful to her. The affair of 
 Micheroux is infamous ; perhaps they have divided the 150,000 
 ducats, but I hope they will not be given up to them after 
 allowing themselves to be so beaten ; but what I think 
 infinitely worse of is the four months armistice, which is
 
 1/99.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 269 
 
 enough to dishonour us, and lower us in the opinion of our 
 faithful allies, particularly at the present moment, when, 
 through the traitorous defection of the troops returning from 
 Rome, there is the greatest danger of their not remaining 
 faithful to our allies and friends, and it would be the height of 
 madness ; but this affair must be probed to the bottom, to 
 find the wilfully guilty party. If such things are attempted 
 again when once the King's back is turned, I would defeat 
 such a scheme by bringing it clearly to light, through the 
 power and union of those to whom similar commissions are 
 entrusted. All the rest is but the pretension of Micheroux, 
 giving himself the airs of a great man ; I have always doubted 
 him. I am suprised that Do Onorato has not shewn the 
 least interest or gratitude to the King or me ; I judge of him 
 accordingly. I am glad to see you are going to St. Elmo, 
 there is a superb view from it, and you will breathe a better 
 air. As you will see those ladies and gentlemen, and conduct 
 the transactions with them, I hope you will be satisfied with 
 the results, but as I have already written my sentiments to 
 you this morning, I will add no more, but that I hope the 
 Ministers will thoroughly investigate the affair, not allowing 
 themselves to be seduced by either tears or professions, or 
 by the wealth of the families of the guilty, and thus stop all 
 complaining. As to the poor blind uncle, the honest bishop, 
 and the honest lady the aunt, they are of small account, and 
 the brother will think no more of it, being too faithful a 
 servant of the King, and I give him up to the bad position 
 which his obstinacy and perverseness has brought him into : 
 however, silence upon that point. We shall see a hundred 
 at the gibbet before him, but if only fifty are executed he 
 cannot be in the number, as his offence is not similar. But 
 I will say no more, nor think further about him, and regret 
 having given you the least trouble about him. As for the 
 Cardinal, I do not know how he will finish, but he certainly 
 does not inspire me with any confidence : I believe he is 
 merely playing with all, so that when the King has left, he 
 may remain in possession of despotic powei'. All here are 
 satisfied with the retaking of Naples, and are preparing for 
 the fete of St. Rosalie. Adieu, my dear Lady, a thousand 
 compliments to Lord Nelson, and to the Chevalier, and
 
 270 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 believe me, my dear friend, ever your sincere, constant and 
 
 grateful 
 
 "Carolina. 
 
 '^^ I have been requested to forward to you these two letters. 
 Send me news, and rely on my eternal friendship/^ 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "July 19, 1799. 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 "The expedition of the 16th, and all that you have so 
 obligingly and kindly written to me about it, have greatly 
 interested me. I shall never be able to express to you how 
 sensible I am of all your kindness. I am delighted that you 
 went to see St. Elmo, and have taken some exercise, for I 
 fear that you are too closely confined for your health, but 
 the goodness of your heart sustains you, whilst it moves only 
 for the benefit and welfare of others. To-day it has been 
 excessively hot, and the heat begins to be oppressive. I hope 
 that Capua will soon surrender, that they may not have to be 
 exposed to the pernicious atmosphere which I dread for the 
 brave foreign troops and excellent officers, and our more than 
 brave Troubridge and Hallowell, those heroes of the Nile, 
 the pupils of our brave and virtuous Admiral — ever will they 
 be dear to me. The heat, want of sleep, and bad digestion 
 affect my health, but that will pass off. All my dear children 
 are well — I never go out except to some church or convent, 
 which, thank God, are all closed. I fear you also must suffer 
 much from the heat on board the vessel. They are making 
 great prepai'ations here for the fete of St. Rosalie, and the 
 return of the King. The great and memorable anniversary 
 of the 1st of August, which history will gratefully record, 
 especially interests my feelings. I send you a little painting 
 which a Sicilian brought me, it may please you, though un- 
 fortunately it is but a bad likeness. We know nothing of the 
 Russians whom Mouschkin Pouschkin^ says he expects every 
 moment, they are very backward, and do not come with the 
 alacrity of the English troops, who came to save Messina 
 and Sicily, which without them would have been lost — I 
 assure you I always remember that. The Cardinal is totally 
 inactive, if his intentions are not pure ; 1 still thank him for 
 
 ' The Russian minister. The Count was succeeded by the Chevalier Italinsky.
 
 1799.] LORB VISCOUNT NELSON. 2?! 
 
 his delicacy, and the justice he does me ; I own I still remain 
 undecided about him, and rather distnistful. I hear no more 
 said about Micheroux, I see many offices filled, and many 
 things done, which I pray God may all be for the best. 
 Adieu, my dear friend. A thousand compliments to your 
 dear husband, and to my virtuous brave hero, preserve all 
 your friendship for me, and believe me for life your very 
 
 attached and grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 to the same. 
 
 " July 20, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I have no news to-day, I think the tide is unfavourable, 
 but that shall not prevent my sending to you. We begin to 
 experience great heat, from which there is no escape but the 
 baths, which I have begun to take. We have literally nothing 
 new, but my thoughts are all concentrated upon what may 
 be passing on board the Foudroyant. I live very retired, and 
 scarcely ever go out. They are occupied here in preparing 
 fetes for the return of the King, and for St. Rosalie. I hope 
 your health, my dear Lady, is not affected by the extreme 
 heat. In thought I am always near you. I send you again 
 600 ducats (£86.) to bestow as your benevolent soul suggests 
 upon the unfortunate who need it, certain that it will be 
 dispensed appropriately, for I know your heart. A thousand 
 comphments to the Chevalier, to my valorous hero Nelson — 
 believe, my dear friends, in my tender, sincere attachment, 
 devotion, and gratitude till death. Adieu, dear friend, my 
 dear Emma, my brave Lady, believe me for ever your sincere 
 friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 TO THE same. 
 
 "July 26, 1799. 
 " My very dear Lady, 
 
 " I was so hurried yesterday, that I could only paitially 
 reply to your kind letter, I think you must suffer very much 
 from the heat on board. I appreciate all you do for me, and 
 thank you for it — believe me, my dear Lady, that if I w^erc 
 not already deeply attached to you, this would have bound 
 me for life, therefore you see how my gratitude increases
 
 272 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 towards you. It is now very hot here, but being the season 
 for it, we must bear it patiently. I feel very anxious for the 
 decision as to where I am to go ; and as respects the future, 
 I feel the necessity for the presence of the King at Naples 
 on the continent, more especially now that the Russians are 
 coming by land, and the fate of Italy is about to be decided 
 — but I feel an invincible repugnance to the place, and the 
 people who have treated me so unjustly, and this struggle 
 between my sentiments and ray reason tortures me. I shall 
 do wilUngly whatever is decreed, convinced that no combi- 
 nation of circumstances would make me happier than to be 
 able to retire with a sufficiency into another country, where 
 I had not been so calumniated, but as that is impossible, I 
 must be patient and submit. I therefore beg pardon for 
 having spoken of it to you. The affair of the squadron makes 
 me uneasy, I still recognise the character and heart of the 
 incomparable dear Lord Nelson, but I confess to you I do 
 not think the squadron will go to sea, particularly with the 
 Spaniards so near. I fear that they wish to draw out Lord 
 Keith with his squadron, and then suddenly and unawares 
 to him make for Genoa, Leghorn, Naples, or Palermo, and 
 with their force attempt a bad blow. Such is my opinion, 
 but I hope I may be mistaken — the withdrawal of St. Vin- 
 cent was a fatal mistake. I am persuaded that Lord Keith 
 was actuated by jealousy of the immortal glory which no 
 person or event can wrest from our dear and valorous Ad- 
 miral. Inform me, my dear Lady, I pray you, when they 
 think of returning, in order that I may be prepared without 
 delay to meet you — what shall I say to you, my dear Lady, 
 for all the obligations I am under, they are boundless, and 
 fixed in my grateful heart. Adieu, do not forget me. A 
 thousand compliments to your dear husband, and to our hero 
 Nelson, and believe me for hfe your very attached and sincere 
 friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 to the same. 
 
 "July 28, 1799. 
 
 " My very dear Lady and good friend, 
 ^' I seize every opportunity I have of writing to you, I feel 
 such great pleasure in doing so. I received your kind letter
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 273 
 
 of Thursday, and sincerely thank you for its contents, believe 
 me my attachment to you is unbounded, and will only cease 
 with life. Your assiduity in writing to me is highly gratifying, 
 and I shall always feiel grateful to you for it. I regret to see 
 that Scipione la Marra, an honest and faithful man, such as 
 I wish the King had more of about him, is being disgusted ; 
 the charge made against him by the Cardinal of his being a 
 spy, is really ridiculous ; but from the beginning of his journey 
 in Calabria he has held such notions, bringing them from 
 Naples, where the scoundrels invented them to cast odium 
 upon me, and do me injury, but which was done merely to 
 conceal their fear of their guilty practices being discovered. 
 He has sent away from Calabria, and discharged several 
 persons whom the King and the Government had sent him. 
 When a man fears a spy, it is a sign that there is something 
 doubtful existing. I confess that with whatever restrictions 
 he may be subjected to, if he remain and continue the Govern- 
 ment at the departure of the King I shall fear very much 
 for his projects and conduct. I much wish to see you again 
 at Palermo, to talk over several points which I cannot write 
 about. I look anxiously for the Foudroyant, which will 
 restore so many dear persons to me, and I beg you, my dear 
 L,ady, to communicate to Lord Nelson that my silence to him 
 results only from my feeling it to be impossible to express 
 to him the deep gratitude I feel for his heroic firmness 
 in not leaving us at such a critical moment. I am glad that 
 the honest Bishop of Caserta has come, and has been well 
 received by the King. I thank you, my dear friend, for the 
 assurances and consolations that you have given him, which is 
 another obligation to add to those I already owe you. I thank 
 you for the three designs you have sent me, it is a present 
 which has given me great pleasure ; they have been seen and 
 examined by every body in the antechamber, and have given 
 great satisfaction. I beg you to order for me all the paintings 
 on the subject of the Republic, as on the return of the King 
 I should like to purchase and make a collection of them ; 
 your kind attention has produced this wish. I was much 
 flattered by what you said in your last letter, and feel glad that 
 you render justice to a man whom I esteem, but the conduct 
 of all his family in this infamous Revolution renders the pro- 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 274 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 ject impossible, besides, our nobility must have a man who 
 can awe them ; that is essential, and further, a post forced 
 upon one in these times, is one of the greatest of misfortunes. 
 Duty and extreme attachment can alone induce services which 
 are rewarded with the ingi'atitude of the public, or, at least, its 
 injustice, — that is my opinion, but we will talk more of it 
 when I have the pleasure of seeing you. I am glad you were 
 satisfied with Custode, he is a man of spirit, activity, and 
 intelligence, but a man who must be restrained ; it was he who 
 took away all the papers and archives from Makan's house, 
 and if it had not been for the knave de Medici, we should 
 then have discovered the treason, and have been enabled to 
 prevent its horrid consequences ; but notwithstanding that, 
 Custode told the Secretary of it, and all the papers were 
 placed in our hands ; thus you see, he is skilful and zealous, 
 but capricious ; he was enchanted with your reception of him, 
 and has already written to me about it. I also recommend 
 Tschoudy to your notice, he is a brave loyal officer, attached 
 to the service ; when you return, I will shew you all his let- 
 ters, what he says of the Captains, &c. He can never finish 
 his eulogiums of Troubridge and Hallowell ; in a word, he is 
 delighted with the English. I send this evening a letter to 
 the King, and also to the General, from the unfortunate Pig- 
 natelli. The King, on his return from the retaking of Naples, 
 might, I think, grant pardon to him, and to Pepe and Mi- 
 gliano ; the three unfortunate beings have erred but are not 
 Jacobins, and they say that seven months disgrace, apparently 
 to please the Allies, ought to suffice. I solicit then a good 
 word for them from you, if the tutelary hero Nelson approves 
 it. General Pignatelli demands to be tried at Naples. I 
 think him an attached, devoted man, but think that he has 
 been bewildered by so many horrors. Pardon me, my dear 
 Lady, but you love to confer a benefit, it is a pleasure to you. 
 A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, to our dear, valo- 
 rous Lord, and believe me for life your attached and grateful 
 friend.'' 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "July 30, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I write to you by a trusty man, who is going to Naples, 
 Angelo di Cosenza. I sent him nearly a month since to Naples
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 275 
 
 to point out the subterranean and concealed ways of St. 
 Elmo, but he had the misfortune to be taken by a pirate, and 
 carried to CagHari, at the very time they were declaring for 
 us, so he was set free. He is a man of great courage, who 
 only desires to be serviceable to the King, and who knows all 
 the rascals in Naples. I venture to inclose you a letter, my 
 dear Lady, which, on the 1st of August, a day ever memorable 
 to me, you will present to our hero, the defender of Italy, the 
 liberator of the Two Sicihes, for which, as long as I live, I 
 shall feel sincerely grateful. I fear that your health, my dear, 
 dear Emma, will suffer from this heat and the confinement of 
 a vessel. I count the hours until I see you again, and oh ! 
 how many obligations to you docs not my grateful heart ac- 
 knowledge, your troubles for me I shall never forget. I beg 
 you to have the kindness to distribute the 1000 ducats 
 (£142. 6s. ^d-), which I send you, as you think best; there is 
 besides that Luciana who calls herself Fortunata, another 
 common woman, called Piete do Pesce, at the statue of San 
 Gennaro in Strada Nuova ; pardon these commissions, but 
 I know your excellent heart, and take advantage of it. My 
 health is but indifferent, on account of the heat and dis- 
 quietudes I meet with, but gradually I hope I shall recover 
 from them. Adieu, my dear Lady, I count the minutes until 
 I see you all again to assure you of my sentiments of gratitude 
 and friendship, which will continue as long as the life of your 
 sincere friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 " A thousand compliments to the Chevalier and to the dear 
 Admiral, I desire to see you all again very soon. 
 
 " I have received your kind lettei*, with all the inclosures 
 for Giambelli, I return you infinite thanks, my dear and ami- 
 able Lady, my gratitude will last for life, and I am ever 
 devoted to you." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 " My veiy dear Lady, 
 " You would scarcely believe how very desirous I felt to be 
 with you on the 1st of August, at table with our hero, and all 
 his fellow heroes, companions, and officers. I should have 
 
 T 2
 
 276 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 given so heartily the hip, hip, hip, that in spite of the cannon's 
 roar, my voice would have been heard, so deeply is my heart 
 penetrated. Indeed, I was very sorry to be absent. I was very 
 much displeased by the slight notice taken of the King by the 
 people on first seeing him, but there were compliments, verses, 
 sonnets, &c. but which do not dupe me now ; they have done 
 the same for Championet, and would do the same for Mac- 
 donald if he came with 6000 men. I know how to value such 
 illusions. This will probably meet you on the road; I am 
 impatient to see you again, and to thank you for your innu- 
 merable attentions. Adieu, my dear Lady, a thousand com- 
 pliments to our hero and to your dear husband, and believe 
 me always your sincere friend." 
 "Augusts, 1799." 
 
 Arrangements having been made for the safety of Naples, 
 Nelson sailed for Palermo, the King, his principal ministers. 
 Sir William and Lady Hamilton accompanying him per- 
 sonally to acquaint the Queen with what had taken place. 
 
 The following letter to Lady Hamilton gives some infor- 
 mation as to the proceedings of the mob at this time : — 
 
 " Dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " I am almost ashamed to trouble you again, but the 
 dreadful scenes of horror to which my poor friend was 
 witness yesterday, the confusion and impossibility to pass, 
 her late arrival from town where she at one time must 
 have remained hemmed in all night amidst everything 
 shocking, has so much alarmed me lest she should meet with 
 the same or greater danger to-day, as the Mole is so exces- 
 sively populous and full of unruly mob, that we shall es- 
 teem it a particular favour if your Ladyship, in presenting 
 our best respects to Lord Nelson, would request that he 
 would permit his boat to take us up here. My dear friend 
 Mrs. Bottalia has been under many fears lest the unfortu- 
 nate Mr. Martino may have fallen a victim last night, as 
 many innocent have done to the desire of plunder veiled 
 under the cloak of zeal for the royal cause — mobs do not 
 consider justice. From her principle of humanity she was 
 in the midst of those dangers. She had business in tawn,
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 277 
 
 and went to the Mole to send Joseph to the ship for MS, 
 papers of safety, and as he drives us, was obliged to wait 
 in all that mob for his return. Her late stay in Naples 
 alarmed me much, therefore I flatter myself your Ladyship 
 and Lord Nelson will pardon me this request that she may 
 not be in other danger. 
 
 " Your Ladyship's 
 " Most obedient and obliged humble servant, 
 
 "Wm. Compton. 
 
 "Posilipo, July 3, 1799. 
 
 " P. S. Santaleno, who claims merit from being the first 
 to set up the King's colours on this battery (where till last 
 night there has been a guard of twenty-five men, but then 
 ordered away by a notary public who has some authority, 
 not to go to assist in the siege but to save the expense), gave 
 me a memorial which he was anxious to present through Sir 
 WilHam and Lady Hamilton to Lord Nelson, to have that or 
 a new guard ; this neighbourhood being in great fear lest a 
 plundering banditti or a troop of Jacobins should come hither 
 to rob and murder, &c. as in Naples. I take the liberty to 
 inclose it to your Ladyship, who is the general patroness of 
 the distressed in these perilous times." 
 
 At this period much of the time of Lord Nelson, Sir William 
 and Lady Hamilton seems to have been taken up with 
 apologies and appeals to clemency from those who had either 
 aided the rebels or stood aloof under the distresses of 
 Naples. In the following letter, addressed to Mrs. Cadogan, 
 the mother of Lady Hamilton, the annoyance of these applica- 
 tions is alluded to : — 
 
 "Foudroyant, Naples, July 17, 1799. 
 " My dear Signora Madi'e, 
 " I cannot longer resist the pleasure it will give me to write 
 you a line, especially as I can tell you that Sir William is 
 grown very much better since his embarkation. Our dear 
 Lady is also, I can assure you, perfectly well ; but has her 
 time so much taken up with excuses from reljels, Jacobins, 
 and fools, that she is every day most heartily tired. Our 
 conversation is, as often as we are liberated from these teazers.
 
 278 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. IX. 
 
 of you and our other friends in the house at Palermo ; and I 
 hope we shall very soon return to see you. Till then recol- 
 lect that we are restoring happiness to the kingdom of Naples, 
 and doing good to millions. Remember me kindly to Graeffer 
 and the children. Tell them I hope they are much improved 
 in their dancing, and particularly in French, as I hear you 
 have taken a new master for them. Believe me we all long 
 to see you, and we will go and dine at the Colli from a dinner 
 of your ordering for us. Captain Troubridge goes against 
 Capua to-morrow, and I am sure he will very soon take it. 
 Mr. White goes with him as a volunteer. Harryman is made 
 a Colonel, and he now hopes Lady K. will have no objection 
 to his connection in her family — in short the poor man is 
 almost mad with anger. God bless you, my dear Madam, 
 and believe me ever your obliged and affectionate 
 
 "Nelson." 
 
 Lady Hamilton had unbounded influence through the 
 Queen with his Sicilian Majesty, and was repeatedly solicited 
 to become the medium of appeal to their Majesties for mer- 
 ciful consideration. The following letter from the officers of 
 the Leviathan will prove how notorious was her power : — 
 
 " Leviathan, Naples Bay, 17th July, 1799. 
 
 " Madam 1 
 
 "We, the undersigned officers of his Majesty's ship, the 
 Leviathan, having sought, but in vain, some means of alle- 
 viating the miseries of the unfortunate family of Peatti, who 
 are on board here ; have at length unanimously assured our- 
 selves that their most effectual deliverance would be obtained 
 if your Ladyship's interference could but be procured on their 
 behalf. The reason we venture to address ourselves to you 
 in particular is plain, because we have heard many instances 
 of your Ladyship's unbounded humanity, which we trust 
 will plead an excuse (more powerfully than any thing else 
 can) in our request, 'that your Ladyship will be pleased to 
 present his Sicilian Majesty with the inclosed petition.' 
 
 " We all feel ourselves deeply impressed with the horrid 
 crime of disaffection to one's lawful Sovereign, and the 
 miseries to one's country that must inevitably ensue; but
 
 1799] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 279 
 
 when we consider the frailty of human nature, how apt man- 
 kind are to be misguided, and above all, the sincere and 
 unfeigned repentance of the Peatti family, of which we have 
 been eye-witnesses, we have flattering hopes that, aided by 
 your Ladyship^s benevolence, they will have the good fortune 
 to experience their King's pardon. We have the honour to 
 subscribe oui-selves with the highest respect, 
 
 " Your Ladyship's most devoted humble servants, 
 
 " Richard Peacocke, 1st Lieut. 
 
 " E. Church, 2nd Lieut. 
 
 " C. M. Gregory, 3rd Lieut. 
 
 " M. Kelly, 4th Lieut. 
 
 "J. MoRELL, 5th Lieut. 
 
 " J. Broeskman, 6th Lieut. 
 
 " F, CoTTRELL, 7t'h Lieut. 
 
 " Geo. Holbrook, Master. 
 
 " Alex. Anderson, Surgeon.^^ 
 
 Lord Keith had, on the 27th of June, directed Lord Nelson 
 to send such ships as he could possibly spare off the island 
 of Minorca, an order he determined to disobey in conformity 
 to an opinion expressed by him in his letter to Earl Spencer, 
 July 13th, the day he received Lord Keith^s communication. 
 He says : '^ Should such an order come at this moment, it 
 would be a cause for some consideration, whether Minorca 
 is to be risked, or the two kingdoms of Naples and Sicily ? 
 I rather think my decision would be to risk the former.^' 
 Nelson had just dispatched a force to the siege of Capua and 
 Gaeta, and upon the accomplishment of those two objects, 
 he was wiUing to send eight or nine ships of the line to 
 Minorca. Upon his disobedience of orders he thus writes to 
 Earl Spencer : " I have done what I thought right ; others 
 may think differently ; but it will be my consolation that I 
 have gained a kingdom, seated a faithful ally of his Majesty 
 firmly on his throne, and restored happiness to milHons, 
 Do not think, my dear Lord, that my opinion is formed from 
 the arrangements of any one. No ; be it good, or be it bad, 
 it is all my own. It is natural I should wish the decision of 
 the Admiralty and my Commander-in-chief as speedily as
 
 280 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cilAP. IX. 
 
 possible." 1 The Secretary to the Admiralty communicated 
 to Lord Nelson their Lordships' disapproval of his conduct 
 in not obeying the orders of his Commander-in-chief, nor did 
 they approve his permitting 1000 seamen to form part of the 
 army destined to attack Capua, and take part in operations 
 at such a distance from the coast. 
 
 The date of the communication from the Admiralty above 
 alluded to, is August 20, 1799, and it is not a little remarkable 
 that on the same day another should emanate from the same 
 office assigning to him the duties of Commander-in chief in 
 the absence of Lord Keith, who was dispatched in search of 
 the combined fleet. In acknowledging the censure of the 
 Admiralty, he observes, in his letter to the Secretary of the 
 date of September 20th, at Palermo : " I am honoured with 
 your letter of August 20th, conveying to me their Lordships' 
 approbation of my conduct in having gone into the Bay of 
 Naples, for the purpose of endeavouring to bring his Sicilian 
 Majesty's affairs in that city to a happy conclusion, and of 
 my having landed a large body of men to reduce the Castle 
 of St. Elmo. I have also received their Lordships' disappro- 
 bation of my conduct in having sent a part of the crews of 
 the squadron against Capua, and their direction not to employ 
 them in like manner in future. And I also observe, and 
 with great pain, that their Lordships see no cause which 
 could justify my disobeying the orders of my commanding 
 officer. Lord Keith, or for leaving Minorca exposed to the 
 risk of being attacked. 
 
 " I have to request that you will have the goodness to 
 assure their Lordships that I knew, when I decided on those 
 important points, that perhaps my life, certainly my com- 
 mission, was at stake by my decision ; but, being firmly of 
 opinion, that the honour of my King and country, the dearest 
 object of my heart [were involved], and that to have deserted 
 the cause and person of his Majesty's faithful ally, his Sicilian 
 Majesty, would have been unworthy my name, and their 
 Lordships' former opinion of me, I determined at all risks to 
 support the honour of my gracious Sovereign and country, 
 and not to shelter myself under the letter of the law, which 
 
 ' Letter Book. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 409.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 281 
 
 I shall never do when put in competition with the public 
 service. 
 
 " I only wish to appeal to his Sicilian Majesty, Sir John 
 Acton, Bart., and his Excellency Sir William Hamilton, 
 whether they are not clearly of opinion, that if I had drawn 
 any part of the force, landed from the squadron, from the 
 shore, that Capua and Gaeta would at this moment have been 
 in the hands of the French, and who can say what evil con- 
 sequences might not have ensued from it ?"^ 
 
 On the following day he addresses Earl Spencer : — 
 
 " Palermo, September 21st, 1799. 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " As I have answered the Board on the subject of Mr. 
 Nepean^s letter of August 20th, I shall merely say a word to 
 you upon it. I am fitter by far to do the thing than describe 
 it, but common sense told me that Minorca could be in no 
 danger by my breach of orders ; and, my dear Lord, I only 
 wish that I had been placed in Lord Keith's situation, off 
 Cape dell Mell, I would have broke the orders like a piece of 
 glass : in that case the whole marine of the French would 
 have been annihilated, and all the fagging anxiety attending 
 the watching Brest would have been at an end; and had I 
 obeyed the letter of mine, Capua and Gaeta, the two keys of 
 the kingdom, would have been in the hands of the French 
 villains, although, I regret to say it, I do not believe any sea 
 officer knows the sea and land business of the Mediterranean 
 better than myself. I thank your Lordship for your kind- 
 ness to Troubridge : he highly merits whatever the bounty of 
 our gracious Sovereign is pleased to bestow. All the points 
 to which the Board has directed my attention have been fully 
 attended to. The three ships. Zealous, Majestic, and Go- 
 liath, are ready to sail the moment ships are sent to relieve 
 them; Alexander, Lion, certain, and perhaps Audacious, 
 must go to England; Thalia and Seahorse, frigates. Bull 
 Dog, San Leon, Bonne Citoyenne, are in a sad state ; The- 
 
 ' From the Autograph in the Admiralty, printed in Dispatches and Letters, 
 Vol. iv. p. 23.
 
 282 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 seu8 also, when she comes from the Levant, must go to 
 England. I wish not to have a ship more under my orders 
 than the ser^'ice requires ; but my opinion is, that those ships 
 are not fit to keep the sea the whole winter. I wish to bring the 
 business of Malta to a close, and should rejoice if it could be 
 done by the ships under my orders, and no vanity will keep 
 me from co-operating most cordially with the Russian Ad- 
 miral for the reduction of Malta ; and the whole arrangement 
 was made, and will continue, the moment the Russian troops 
 arrive from F. M. Suwarrow ; and to prevent all jealousy, it 
 was agreed that the flag of his Sicilian Majesty should 
 alone fly on the island, and in La Valetta, till the direction of 
 these three allied Courts were received, that all the shipping in 
 the port should not hoist any colours, but remain at the dis- 
 posal of the three Courts. I have seen that jealousy between 
 the Allies has served the cause of the French more than their 
 arms. 
 
 " When the Foudroyant returns, andTroubridge comes from 
 trying whether the French cannot be induced to quit Civita 
 Vecchia, I shall again try with all my might to urge the 
 King to go to Naples. The Queen joins Sir William and 
 Lady Hamilton most earnestly in this desire ; but his Majesty 
 would now fear to go to reside at Naples without foreign 
 troops ; in one respect, certainly, he has no good reason to 
 trust himself with Neapolitan troops ; but, on the other hand, 
 the capital is in such distress, for want of the money spent by 
 the Court, that the case is alarming, and riots may be expected, 
 and disgust to their Majesties may arise in the place of the 
 sincerest love and attachment, of which Mr. Thugot will not 
 fail to avail himself. If his Sicilian Majesty does not go to 
 Naples for a month to come, I shall go to Minorca, and arrange 
 a proper naval force for its protection. I hope to induce Sir 
 James St. Clair, or General Fox, to send 1200 men to either 
 Malta or the kingdom of Naples, at both which places a field 
 of glory is open. The taking of Malta would relieve us 
 greatly ; and if they go to Naples, we will get a force, and 
 take after Rome, Ancona. If I do not succeed at Minorca, 
 I shall probably visit Malta. Your Lordship may rely that 
 all the force entrusted to me shall be actively employed, and
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 283 
 
 for that reason it is no use employing any but ships fit for 
 service. 
 
 " I remain, dear Lord, 
 
 "Your obliged and faithful 
 
 " Nelson. 
 
 " Earl Spencer." 
 
 Capua and Gaeta surrendered to Captain Troubridge on 
 the 31st of July. 
 
 On the 19th of July Lord Nelson received another order 
 from Lord Keith of the date of the 9th, to send ships to 
 Minorca, which he also failed to obey, assigning to Lord 
 Keith as his reason for such neglect : " I believe the safety 
 of the kingdom of Naples depends, at the present moment, 
 on my detaining the squadron. I have no scruple in deciding 
 that it is better to save the kingdom of Naples and risk 
 Minorca, than to risk the kingdom of Naples to save Minorca." 
 
 He also wrote on the 19th to Evan Nepean, Esq. " I feel 
 the importance of the decision I have taken, and know I 
 subject myself to a trial for my conduct ; but I am so con- 
 fident of the uprightness of my intentions for his Majesty's 
 service, and for that of his Sicilian Majesty, which I consider 
 as the same, that, with all respect, I submit myself to the 
 judgment of my superiors. '^^ 
 
 Minorca he looked upon as menaced, but did not think it 
 would be attacked. 
 
 The junction of the French with the Spanish fleet was 
 effected, forming forty-thi'ee sail of the hue. They sailed 
 from Carthagena on the 29th of June, their object being 
 thought by some to be for the Tagus, and to carry Lisbon, 
 whilst others looked upon Ireland as the chief object of pursuit. 
 
 On the 22nd of July Lord Nelson ordered Rear-Admiral 
 Duckworth" to proceed with the Powerful, the Majestic, the 
 
 ' Autograph in the Admiralty. 
 
 * Sir John Thomas Duckworth was born at Leathcrhead in Surrey in 1747-8, 
 and entered the Navy in 1759 as a Midshipman under Captain Charles Fielding 
 in the Kent, 74 guns. This vessel in 1774, whUe saluting the Admii-al as she 
 was sailing out of Plymoutli Sound sustained a severe accident, by which about 
 fifty men were killed and wounded. It arose from some of the wadding of the 
 guns communicating with some powder in the ammunition chest on the poop, which 
 occasioned the aftermost magazine to blow up. The beams of the quarter-deck 
 were forced in, and various other injuries occasioned. The subject of this notice 
 was on board the ship at the time, and fortunately escaped iujiu-y. In 1770 he
 
 284 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 Vanguard, and the SAvallow corvette to Mahon, and together 
 with whatever vessels he might find there to take under his 
 
 was made a Lieutenant, and in 1771 he sailed with Captain Fielding to America 
 conveying troops. He remained at Halifax until 1779, when he was made a 
 Commander, and served on the West India station, being present at the action 
 with the Count d'Estaing off Grenada. In 1780 he was made a Post Captain, 
 and commissioned to the Terrible of 74 guns, which, however, he soon quitted 
 for the Princess Royal. He went to Jamaica, and returned to England with a 
 convoy. Upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary war in 1793, he was 
 appointed to the Orion, 74 guns, and attached to Lord Howe in the Channel 
 fleet. He was present in the celebrated battles of the 28th and 29th May, and 
 the 1st of June, 1794. On these occasions he greatly distinguished himself, and 
 received a gold medal and ribbon. In 1 795 he was with the Channel fleet looking 
 out for the French fleet, which from bad weather had been obliged to put back to 
 Brest. In 1796 he was in the West Indies, in command of the Leviathan, and 
 engaged in making capture of many vessels. He returned to England in 1797, and 
 in 1798, was again in the Channel fleet with Lord Bridport ; he afterwards joined 
 Earl St. Vincent in the Mediterranean, and with General Sir Charles Stuart 
 succeeded in the reduction of Minorca. He then returned to the Mediterranean, 
 and continued there until 1800. During this time he had been promoted to the 
 rank of Rear-Admiral of the White. In 1800 he fell in with a valuable Lima 
 convoy, which yielded him an excellent prize, and he then succeeded Vice- Admiral 
 Lord Hugh Seymour in the command of the Leeward Islands. In 1801 he com- 
 manded a squadron to seize upon the Swedish and Danish possessions in the West 
 Indies, and having succeeded in his enterprise, he received the honour of Knight 
 Companion of the Order of the Bath, and was also made a Colonel of Marines. 
 Upon the breaking out of hostilities in 1803 he was appointed Commander- 
 in-chief at Jamaica, and in 1804 he was raised to the rank of Vice- Admiral 
 of the Blue, and was succeeded in his command by Rear-Admiral Dacres. 
 The House of Assembly returned their thanks to Sir J. T. Duckworth for his 
 defence of the coast, and his protection of commerce, and presented him with a 
 sword. He was soon after appointed second in command in the Mediten-anean 
 fleet, hoisting his flag in the Superb, 74 guns, and was sent by Lord Collingwood 
 in quest of a French squadron. He obtained a signal victory, five sail of the line 
 having surrendered to him in less than two hours. For this exploit he received 
 the thanks of Parliament, the Freedom of the City of London, a sword valued 
 at 200 guineas, and a vase from the Patriotic Fund of the value of 400 guineas. 
 He was now appointed to the Royal George, of 110 guns, in the Mediterranean 
 fleet. He was detached by Lord Collingwood, and made the passage of the 
 Dardanelles, sending Captain Capel to Constantinople with dispatches for the 
 Sublime Porte. The Captain was however unable to get within four miles of the 
 city, and after much time spent in fruitless negotiation, Sir John Duckworth 
 determined upon re-passing the Dardanelles ; an undertaking of a most serious 
 and hazardous nature. Upon his return he was again second in command in the 
 Channel fleet, and in 1810 appointed Governor and Commander-in-chief at 
 Newfoundland, which he held until 1813, when a Baronetcy was conferred upon 
 him. In 1815 he was made Commander-in-chief at the port of Plymouth, where 
 he resided at the Admiralty House, and died on the 31st of August, 1817, aged 
 69 years. He was a Knight Commander of the Bath, and Admii-al of the 
 White.
 
 1799-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. " 285 
 
 protection the island of Minorca. On the 1st of August 
 Nel?on sent two more ships of the Une, the Bellerophon and 
 the Zealous, to Minorca. 
 
 Rear- Admiral Duckworth wrote thus to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " Though I have no news to relate, or the society of Prin- 
 cesses, whose beauties might be my theme, yet I have a 
 monitor which tells me your Ladyship and Sir William have 
 been kind and friendly ; therefore, sooner will I lay under the 
 charge of stupidity than negligence, and the weather is always 
 the topic when your brain is not very fertile. I must say it 
 is so intensely hot here, that it has melted the few I had, and 
 alas ! the sickly season seems to be spreading its ravages. I 
 hope neither you, or our good friend Lord Nelson have met 
 that evil in addition to Capua and the other anxieties you 
 have to combat with : but the French out of Tuscany and 
 Lucca, with Buonaparte, I hope, dished, all must go well, if 
 wx could receive good tidings from the fleet. The last we 
 know was, that on the 22nd ult. Lord Keith was at the back 
 of the Rock, and the combined fleets said to have sailed from 
 Cadiz on the 20th, and we are now on the tenter-hooks of 
 expectation for news from Gibraltar, which of course will 
 move as rapidly to Lord Nelson as in my power. Sad to tell, 
 our valuable friend, that great man, Lord St. Vincent, had 
 the enemies' fleet close under his nose for four days before 
 they got through the Gut, and I understand the whole 
 time from day-break to dark, he stood viewing them, as fixed 
 as a statue, the pictui-e of woe ! A lesson — ah ! a volume for 
 arrogant man ! God bless you, my dear Lady Hamilton ; say 
 all that is respectful and kind to Sir William, Assure Lord 
 Nelson of my respectful attachment. Don't forget me to 
 Mrs. Cadogan and Graefter, and be assured I am, 
 
 " Your Ladyship's 
 "■ obliged and affectionate friend, and 
 
 '^ faithful humble servant, 
 
 J. T. Duckworth. 
 
 " Leviathan, Port ^lahon, 
 " August 9, 1799."
 
 286 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. IX. 
 
 Lord Keith must have entertained a very high opinion of 
 Lord Nelson's judgment to have permitted the disobedience 
 of orders to pass by without animadversion. On the 1 2th 
 of July he gave his congratulations to Nelson on the happy 
 turn of affairs in Naples ; offered any ship he had to assist 
 him ; expressed the annoyance he felt at not meeting with 
 the French fleet, and in being burthened with Minorca, a 
 defenceless island. He says : " I give you many thanks for 
 your kind expressions towards me, and I have much comfort 
 in reflecting I have one of such a description so near me." 
 He desires to be remembered to Sir William Hamilton, and 
 begs him to advise the Neapolitans not to be too sanguine. 
 " Cowards (says he) are always cruel, and apostates the 
 most violent against their former friends, and too often the 
 least sincere. Give them fair words and little confidence." 
 
 On the 27th of June Leghorn^ was captured, and on the 
 
 ' The following letter from the Hon. W. Wyndham, Minister at Florencej to 
 Sir William Hamilton, gives information of this event : — 
 
 " Florence, 18th July, 1799. 
 " My dear Sir, 
 
 " I promised to do myself the honour of writing to you whenever there was any 
 interesting news to give you. This, which I at present send by express, I consider 
 to be of the utmost importance, both for the military operations and for commerce. 
 The Aretin (?) army entirely taking possession of the Mareamma(?) had advanced 
 a column to the Monte Nero, where they encamped with some artillery at about sLx 
 miles distant from Leghorn. On the 16th inst. the certedn news arrived of a large 
 body of Austrians, both horse and foot, being on their march from Modena towards 
 Tuscany. A courier being arrived to the French General commanding the troops 
 in Leghorn, notified to him the complete defeat of General Moreau near Carrag- 
 liano, and ordered him to evacuate Tuscany immediately, in consequence of which 
 the French General invited General La Villettes and the Municipality of Leghorn 
 to assemble at his house, and with La VUlettes and the Auditor AUiate, they signed 
 the capitulation, a copy of which I have the honour to inclose. 
 
 " The capitulation signed, the French General gave orders for the immediate 
 evacuation of the city of Leghorn, Pisa, Peschia, and I have the pleasure to inform 
 you that a few hom-s afterwards these places were evacuated, and Tuscany is now 
 entirely free. Lucca will probably be so to-morrow. Immediately on the evacua- 
 tion of the French troops, the infamous tree of liberty was thrown down, and the 
 arms of the French Republic, and those of the Republic who have followed the 
 French system. The joy of the people is beyond conception : they now hope to 
 see English ships and commerce return, and I beg leave to assure you. Sir, that you 
 would do a great charity to Tuscany, if you could encourage the English at 
 Palermo to send here their merchandize, and likewise some of which Tuscany is 
 in great want.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 287 
 
 following day Nelson received intelligence of the taking of 
 Capua, the garrison of which consisted of 2,817 regular troops, 
 by Captain Troubridge, and Captain Louis,i of the Minotaur, 
 
 " Mr. Udney sets off to-morrow for Leghorn, where the people have already 
 erected the British arms over his door ia triumph, and where he will be carried on 
 the backs of the people, who ai-e mad witli joy. Now, dear Sir, since the conduct 
 of the Aritans you must respect the Tuscans. I have given directions for the 
 security of some very valuable effects which I hear are in the house of Cav. 
 Spani at Leghorn, treasures of the Royal house of Naples, robbed by the French. 
 Macdonald is embarked with his troops for Genoa. God grant he may fall in 
 with some of our convoys or privateers. Mantua is about to fall, if it is not yet 
 fallen ; a breach is made, and the French have lost 800 men and four cannon 
 in a sortie ; besides the French Commandant is in and has 
 
 signified to General Wray that he will surrender as soon as decency will permit. 
 I have seen a letter from General Wray to the Commanding Officer of the 
 Austrians here, which says that he expects to have Mantua every day. The 
 Austrians and Russians are now immediately on the point of attacking Genoa, 
 which place they are determined to have at all events. It is a great pity we have 
 not a force there at this moment. Alexandria, though bombarded by the Russians 
 for some time, still holds out ; it is, however, expected to surrender daily. 
 
 " I can assure you. Sir, that the French power is at an end in Italy, Switzer- 
 land, &c. I wish I had time to give you more details, but I have thousands of 
 letters to write. Half the affairs of this Government ai-e tlirust into my hands, 
 and alone, without any secretary or assistant ; you must therefore pardon me, 
 and I conclude by assuring you. Sir, that I have the honour to be, with gi-eat 
 esteem and respect, 
 
 " Your obliged and obedient humble servant, 
 
 " W. Wyndham. 
 
 " Pray excuse my having used another hand to write to you, having much to 
 do, and many dispatches to write. My compliments to Lady Hamilton," 
 
 [The hand-writing of the scribe is so bad that it has been very difficult to make 
 out many words of the above.] 
 
 ' Sir Thomas Louis, Bart, was bom at Exeter in 1758, and served as Midship- 
 man before he had completed his twelfth year, in the Fly sloop of war, commanded 
 by Captain Graham, and removed thence to the Southampton Mgate, Captain 
 (afterwards Admiral) Macbride. He was made Lieutenant of the Bienfaisant in 
 1777, and was in the action with Count d'Orvilliers in 1778. In the following 
 year he became Fu'st Lieutenant, and joined the squadron under the command of 
 Rodney for the relief of Gibraltar. He was at the capture of a Spanish convoy, 
 and also of the Guipuscoana of 64 guns. He distinguished himself in the action 
 with Don Juan de Langara, and was appointed Prize Master of the Phoenis, one 
 of the finest ships ever buUt m Spain. He was afterwards at the taking of the 
 Comte d'Artois of 64 gmis, and shortly after of the Comtesse d'Artois, a French 
 privateer. In 1781 he was made Commander, and in 1782 he raised 5000 men 
 in Ireland, voted by the Irish Parliament for the use of Government. At the 
 conclusion of the American war in 1783, he was made a Post Cajjtain, and remained 
 on half pay until the commencemeut of the Revolutionary war in 1793. In 1794
 
 288 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 was sent on the 30th of July to the French Governor of Gaeta, 
 to communicate the terms of capitulation^ entered into between 
 Sir John Acton^ Nelson, and Girardon, General of Brigade, 
 the Commandant of Capua, for the surrender of Gaeta, with, 
 directions to embark the French garrison at that place. The 
 Governor, however, was indisposed to yield to this repre- 
 sentation, and on the 3rd of August Lord Nelson wrote to 
 Captain Louis : " You carried with you the treaty, and in two 
 hours after your arrival, and the capitulation was presented, 
 you was to take possession of the gates, and in twenty-four 
 hours the garrison were to be embarked, I am hurt and sur- 
 prised that the capitulation has not been complied with. It 
 shall be, and the Commander has agreed to it. I have not 
 read your paper inclosed. You will execute my orders, or 
 attack it. The fellow ought to be kicked for his impudence. 
 You will instantly take possession of the gates and the 
 fortress. "2 Before this letter arrived, the matter was settled, 
 and on the 4th August Nelson acknowledges the receipt of 
 the intelligence, saying, " There is no way of dealing with a 
 
 he was in the Channel fleet, commanding the Minotaur, 74 guns, and cruising off 
 the French coast. He afterwards sailed in Lord Howe's fleet, escorting the East 
 and West India convoys ; was then with Lord Bridport, and in 1797 joined Earl 
 St. Vincent. He was detached with Sir Horatio Nelson in 1798, and behaved 
 most gallantly at the Battle of the Nile. The City of London presented him 
 with a sword, and his native place, Exeter, voted to him the freedom of the city. 
 In 1799 he took possession of the Roman territory, and received from Ferdinand, 
 King of Naples, the Sicilian order of St. Ferdinand and Merit for his services on 
 this occasion. After a continued service in the Mediterranean, he was, in 1801, 
 sent to the coast of Egypt, and retired on half-pay in 1802. Upon the renewal 
 of the war he was again employed, being appointed to the Conqueror, 74 guns, 
 and was made a Rear-Admiral of the White, April 23, 1804. Appointed to the 
 Canopus in 1805, he again joined Nelson, and was engaged in the long pursuit 
 after the French fleet, but being sent on a sei'vice of importance to Tetuan Bay, 
 he was absent from the Battle of Trafalgar. Upon his return fi-om the Medi- 
 terranean, he fell in with Sir John Duckworth, and shai'cd in his glorious exploit 
 in the West Indies. For his bravery in this affair he received the thanks of 
 Parliament, the present of a vase valued at ^'300. from the Patriotic Fund, and on 
 the 29th March, 1806, was created a Baronet. He returned to the Mediterranean, 
 came to England, and was afterwards dispatched by Lord CoUingwood with a 
 small squadron off" the Dardanelles. He went through the Strait with Sir John 
 Duckworth, and afterwards proceeded to Alexandria, where he died from an 
 attack of inflammation of the bowels, terminating in mortification. May 17, 1807. 
 His remains were deposited beside those of Sir Ralph Abercrombie. 
 
 ' For Terms of Capitulation, see Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 428. 
 
 * Letter Book.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 289 
 
 Frenchman but to knock him down. To be civil to them is 
 only to be laughed at, when they ai'e enemies." Captain 
 Louis was also to assist in an attack on Civita Vecchia 
 with 500 marines and 600 Swiss, and to encourage the insur- 
 rection in the Roman States. Captain Troubridge was the 
 principal officer to effect this object ; he made terms with 
 the French General Grenier for the evacuation of the city of 
 Rome and Civita Vecchia, and the terms of capitulation 
 appeared in the London Gazette of November 16, 1799. 
 
 Captain Hoste was with Commodore Troubridge when 
 ordered to blockade Civita Vecchia, the principal sea- port 
 in the Pope's dominions, and he was astonished to find that 
 when summoned to surrender, the Governor not only entered 
 into treaty for the town which he commanded, but also for 
 Rome itself, in which place there was a garrison of 4000 men. 
 The Enghsh marines and a party of seamen took possession 
 of Civita Vecchia on the 28th of September, 1799, and the 
 Neapolitan troops on the part of the English at the same time 
 marched into Rome. Hoste significantly adds : " Thus was 
 the whole Roman state, with its capital, once mistress of the 
 world, taken by about 300 Englishmen. How much times 
 are altered since Juhus Csesar landed in Britain, and how 
 much have the Romans degenerated from their ancestors !"^ 
 
 On the 4 th of August Lord Nelson wrote to Lady Nelson, 
 and gave an account of the celebration of the Anniversary 
 of the Battle of the Nile at Naples. He says : "Thank God 
 all goes on well in Italy, and the kingdom of Naples is 
 liberated from thieves and murderers. But still, it has so 
 overthrown the fabric of a regular Government, that much 
 time and great care are necessary to keep the country quiet. 
 The 1st of August was celebrated here with as much respect 
 as our situation would admit. The King dined with me ; and 
 when his Majesty drank my health, a royal salute of twenty- 
 one guns was fired fi'om all his SiciUan Majesty's ships of 
 
 > Memoirs, Vol. i. p. 115. A Father McCormick, a very honest worthy Irish 
 priest, animated by great zeal in the support of the Royal cause, and almost an 
 idolater of Nelson for bis exertions, upon being introduced to him, prophetically 
 declared that his Lordship should take Rome by his ships. Unlikely as this then 
 appeared, and indeed almost preposterously absurd, it was nevertheless verified by 
 Captain Troubridge, who had conducted the operations, which led to the evacuation 
 of the Roman states by the French. 
 
 VOL. I. U
 
 290 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 war, and from all the Castles. In the evening there was a 
 general illumination. Amongst other representations, a large 
 vessel was fitted out like a Roman galley ; on its oars were 
 fixed lamps, and in the centre was erected a rostral column 
 with my name : at the stern were elevated two angels sup- 
 porting my picture. In short, my dear Fanny, the beauty 
 of the whole is beyond my powers of description. More 
 than 2000 variegated lamps were suspended round the vessel. 
 An orchestra was fitted up, and filled with the very best 
 musicians and singers. The piece of music was in a great 
 measure to celebrate my praise, describing their previous 
 distress, ' but Nelson came, the invincible Nelson, and they 
 were preserved, and again made happy.^ This must not 
 make you think me vain ; no, far, very far from it, I relate it 
 more from gratitude than vanity."^ 
 
 On the 5th of August Nelson gave Captain Troubridge 
 a broad red pendant, and made him Commodore of the 
 squadron in Naples Bay, and along the coast. Nelson arrived 
 at Palermo on the 8th, and landed with the Kingj who was 
 received with manifestations of great joy and loyalty. Whilst 
 the Royal family of Naples were on board his ship, Nelson 
 constantly refused to receive any money, or jewels, or recom- 
 pense in any way for the expenses incurred. He expected 
 the Admiralty would reimburse him. 
 
 On the 3rd of September a splendid fSte champetre was 
 given by their Sicilian Majesties to celebrate the recovery of 
 the kingdom of Naples. On this occasion a grand temple of 
 Fame was erected, in which were three figures, the size and 
 exact resemblance of life, beautifully modeled in wax. The 
 centre figure represented Admiral Lord Nelson, Duke of 
 Bronte, dressed in a full British uniform, as conducted by a 
 figure of Sir William Hamilton, to receive from the hand of 
 a third, resembling Lady Hamilton in the character of Victory, 
 the laurel wreath of triumph which adorned the hero's brow. 
 Before the steps of this temple, their Sicilian Majesties, with 
 all the Royal family, stood ready to receive the three illustrious 
 characters thus represented ; and, on their approach, after 
 publicly embracing them, the King, with his own hand, took 
 
 ' Clarke and McArthui-, Vol. ii. p. 208.
 
 ]7990 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 291 
 
 the laurel wreath from the wax figure, and placed it on the 
 head of the real hero, who wore it during the whole of the 
 entertainment. Sir William and his lady were also presented 
 with similar investments ; the Queen thus honouring her 
 Ladyship, and his Majesty Sir William. On the robe of the 
 figure of Victory were embroidered the names of all those 
 heroeSj in particular, who had fought at the Battle of the 
 Nile ; and on various Egyptian pyramids placed around the 
 several temples of the garden, were inscribed the names of 
 the most distinguished English, Neapolitan, Russian, and 
 Turkish heroes of the war, with appropriate verses to each. 
 Their Majesties received the company ; which consisted of 
 some of the principal nobihty of Naples as well as of Palermo, 
 with all the British, Russian, and Turkish officers of the 
 respective squadrons, Prince Leopold, their Majesty's 
 youngest surviving son, then nine years of age, who was 
 educating for the Navy, did the honours of the evening, in 
 his Midshipman's uniform : and all the three Princesses, as 
 well as the consort of the Hereditary Prince, and most other 
 ladies wore some ornament allusive to Lord Nelson and his 
 victories round their necks. The entertainment commenced 
 with a most brilliant and magnificent fire-work : representing 
 the English and French fleets at Aboukir, the ever-memorable 
 battle of the Nile, and the total defeat of the French ; termi- 
 nating with the explosion of L'Orient, and the blowing up of 
 the tri-coloured flag. The Queen, at this representation, said 
 to Cadir Bey, the Turkish Admiral : " On this day, last year, 
 we received from Lady Hamilton intelligence of this great 
 man's victory ; which not only saved your country and ours, 
 but all Europe !" After the fireworks a cantata was per- 
 formed, entitled "The Happy Concord." This piece, which 
 was written purposely on the occasion, expressed the general 
 joy for the deliverance of the Two Sicilies ; loyal wishes for 
 the prosperity of their Sovereigns, and the Royal family, as 
 well as for those of their worthy allies ; and particular 
 acknowledgments to the British hero. The music was 
 most excellent ; and all the Opera band, with Senesino at 
 their head, sung — " Rule Britannia !" and, " God save the 
 King !" in which they were joined by the whok assembly, 
 
 u 2
 
 292 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. IX. 
 
 who had been previously drilled to the English pronun- 
 ciation."^ 
 
 Lieutenant Parsons was one of the British officers present at 
 this fete, which was given at Colli, and he has written a lively 
 account of it.- He says, it was a "fairy scene presented by 
 the illuminated palace and the gardens, the assembled Royal 
 family, the great in rank, the bold in arms, with Italy's nut- 
 brown daughters, their lustrous black eyes, and raven tresses, 
 their elegant and voluptuous forms gliding through the mazy 
 dance ; and the whole presided over by the Genius of Taste, 
 whose attitudes were never equalled, and with a suavity of 
 manner, and a generous openness of mind and heart, where 
 selfishness, with all its unamiable concomitants, pride, envy, 
 and jealousy, would never dwell — I mean Emma, Lady 
 Hamilton/' The splendour of the attire of the Turkish 
 AdmJral and his suite, and the contemptuous gravity with 
 which they viewed the dancing, and the adoration bestowed 
 on the fair sex, seems highly to have amused the Lieutenant, 
 but some unpleasant rencontres between the Turks and the 
 Italians took place, and called for Nelson's interference to 
 settle their disputes. The Prince Leopold, Parsons says, 
 mounted the steps behind the statue of Nelson, on which he 
 placed a crown of laurel, richly inlaid with diamonds. The 
 band played, " See, the conquering hero comes." Lord Nel- 
 son's feelings were deeply touched, and his tears flowed copi- 
 ously down his weather-beaten cheeks, whilst on one knee he 
 received the young Prince, encircling him with his one arm, 
 the Prince at the same time embracing him, and calling him 
 the guardian angel of his Papa and his dominions. The 
 scene was deeply affecting to all present, and " many a coun- 
 tenance, that had looked with unconcern on the battle and 
 the breeze, now turned aside, ashamed of their womanly 
 weakness." 
 
 ' Harrison's Life of Nelson, Vol. ii. p. 162. 
 * Nelsonian Reminiscences, pp. 16 — 23.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 293 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1799— 1800. 
 
 On the 20th of August the following letter was written to 
 Lord Nelson, by which he became acting Commander-in- 
 chief in the Mediterranean. 
 
 "Admiralty Office, August 20, 1799. 
 "My Lord, 
 
 "I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty to inform your Lordship, that, from the circum- 
 stances of Lord St. Vincent's having returned to England 
 for the recovery of his health, and Lord Keith, with other 
 flag-officers, having quitted the Mediterranean in pursuit of 
 the combined fleets of the enemy, which are arrived at Brest, 
 your Lordship is become the senior officer of his Majesty's 
 ships in the Mediterranean ; and that, till the return of Lord 
 Keith, or some other your superior officer, you will have all 
 the important duties of that station to attend to. 
 
 " It is probable. Lord Keith will have left, for your Lord- 
 ship's information and guidance, such orders and instructions 
 as he may have received either from their Lordships, or from 
 Lord St. Vincent. But, lest his having quitted the station 
 unexpectedly should have prevented his doing so, their Lord- 
 ships think fit, that I should point out to you those objects 
 to which it will be necessary you should be particularly 
 attentive. 
 
 " Your Lordship is, on all occasions, to cultivate, to the 
 utmost of your power, the most perfect harmony and good 
 understanding with all his Majesty's allies : co-operating 
 cordially with, and assisting, as far as circumstances will 
 admit, their fleets and armies, and protecting their subjects : 
 for which purposes, you are, till the French shall be entirely 
 driven out of Italy, to keep such a part of your squadron as 
 may be found necessary on the coast of Genoa, to prevent
 
 294 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 them from receiving supplies, or to distress them in any other 
 way that may be found practicable. Your Lordship is also 
 to take such measures as shall to you appear most effectual 
 for the sjDeedy reduction of the town of Malta. 
 
 •' Your Lordship is to be particularly attentive to the pro- 
 tection of the island of Minorca, where you are to station 
 such a force as, from the information you may receive of the 
 intentions of the Spaniards to attack, and the preparations 
 they make for that purpose, you shall judge necessary. 
 
 " Your Lordship is to watch the motions of the ships 
 remaining in the port of Cadiz, stationing off that port a 
 sufficient force to blockade it, not only to prevent their ships 
 of war from putting to sea, and their merchant ships from 
 entering, but also to insure the safety of the convoys passing 
 to and from the Mediterranean. 
 
 '' Your Lordship is to be attentive to the trade of his 
 Majesty^s subjects, and that of his allies ; giving it every pro- 
 tection in your power, and appointing convoys from one port 
 to another, whenever other more essential services will admit 
 of it. 
 
 " As, from the great exertions of the ships under the orders 
 of Sir Sidney Smith, the French have been driven out of 
 Syi'ia, and as they will probably be very soon driven out of, 
 or entirely destroyed in Egypt ; it is their Lordships' com- 
 mands, that you do, whenever you shall be informed of this, 
 and that the services of Sir Sidney are no longer required on 
 that coast, call the ships away, and employ them on other 
 service. 
 
 " Having stated to your Lordship the different services to 
 which it is necessary to direct your attention, I have only to 
 add, that their Lordships have the greatest confidence in your 
 zeal and exertions to perform them, as far as the force under 
 your orders will admit. 
 
 "• I have the honour to be, 
 
 « My Lord, 
 " Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " Evan Nepean. 
 
 " Rear- Admii-al Lord Nelson, K.B. ) i, , ™ ,, 
 
 "Mediterranean; \ l^y the Phaeton.
 
 1799.] 
 
 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 
 
 295 
 
 Some idea of the extent of duty, and of the means to perform 
 it, may be estimated by the foregoing letter, and by the fol- 
 lowing memorandum of the disposition of the Squadron, and 
 the condition of the ships on the 21st of September : — 
 
 ** Disposition of the Squadron under the command of Lord 
 Nelson, the 2\st September, 1799. 
 
 [Original in the Admiralty.] 
 
 Le Tigre, 74 
 
 Theseus, 74 
 
 Cameleon, 18 
 
 Alexander, 74, very bad state 
 
 Audacious, 74, bad state 
 
 Lion, 64, very bad state 
 
 Success, 32 
 
 La Bonne Citoyenne, 20, bad state 
 
 El Corso, 16 
 
 Strombolo, bomb, 10, bad state 
 
 Culloden, 74 ^ 
 
 Minotaur, 74 
 
 Mutine, 18 
 
 Transfer, 14 | 
 
 Perseus, bomb, 20 ^ 
 
 Bellerophon, 74, bad state 
 
 Northumberland, 74 
 
 Seahorse, 38, to heave down, or go to England 
 
 Princess Charlotte, 36, not manned 
 
 Peterel, 16 
 
 San Leon, 14, bad state 
 
 . , ^ „» ( Not to be considered in force as a frigate 
 
 Alceste, 36 < ^ , ,»,,,, , 
 
 (^ from hence to Mahon ; nali manned. 
 
 Santa Dorotea, 34, — not known, very bad. 
 
 Santa Teresa, 34, — cruising off Genoa, to return to Mahon. 
 
 Courageux, 20, — not manned, at Mahon. 
 
 Leviathan, 74 
 
 Powerful, 74 
 
 Zealous, 74, must go to England 
 
 Majestic, 74, do. do. 
 
 Vanguard, 74 
 
 Goliath, 74, do. do. 
 
 Swdftsure, 74 
 
 La Minerve, 40 
 
 Emerald, 38, not known 
 
 Tlialia, 36, represented as very bad 
 
 Mennaid, 32 
 
 BuUdog, 14, represented as very bad 
 
 Earl St. Vincent, cutter 
 
 Fulminante, do. 
 
 ^ Gone to Sardinia to convey his Sardinian Majesty and 
 1^ family to Leghorn, or some part of the Continent. 
 
 Alliance, half manned, — at Palermo, to proceed to England. 
 
 On the coast of Egyjit, bad state. 
 
 >^ Blockading Malta. 
 
 Off Civita Vecchia, and if they do not succeed, to 
 return to Palermo. 
 
 > At Mahon. 
 
 gone with convoy 
 
 )■ At Gibraltar, and off Cadiz. 
 
 Foudroyant, 84
 
 296 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 " Portwjuese Squadron : 
 
 Princiiie Real, 92 ^ 
 
 AffonQO, 74 I 
 
 Rainha, 74 } Off Malta, blockading that island, — all very bad stat«. 
 
 St. Sebastian, 64 
 
 Benjamin, 18 J 
 
 Balloon, 14, — gone to join Commodore Troubridgc. 
 
 Any other ships on the station not known. 
 
 " Nelson." 
 
 On the 12th of September he wrote to Rear- Admiral Duck- 
 worth : " My mind is fixed that I will not keep one ship in 
 the Mediterranean which is not fit for any service. During 
 the winter those half fit drain us of all the stores, and render 
 us all useless." 
 
 On the 2nd of October the Phaeton brought him intelligence 
 of thirteen sail of the line of the enemy having been seen on 
 the 8th and 9th of September off Cape Ortegal, upon which 
 he immediately determined to proceed to Port Mahon, order- 
 ing Captain Troubridge to meet him there, and he directed 
 other vessels to proceed to Gibraltar. Whilst on his way to 
 Gibraltar, he met with the Bulldog, which relieved him of the 
 necessity of proceeding further, as he learnt that the vessels 
 seen had proved to be Spanish, and they got into Ferrol on 
 the 14th. 
 
 In October the Queen of Naples continued her corre- 
 spondence with Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "October 12, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I wish to know how you are, and also the Chevalier; I 
 hope the cow arrived last night in good condition, and that she 
 will prove serviceable. I am going to the Colli to attend the 
 Council, and to take leave of the King, as I am going to- 
 morrow with my children to the Bagaria,^ to try and regain 
 my health : the suffering I see on all sides affects me too 
 much. Pray let me have news of you, my dear friend, I am 
 quite impatient for it. Yesterday I was very feverish and 
 am really ill ; I fear that I shall never recover. Were it not 
 for my daughters I should wish to bid adieu to the world, and 
 
 * A country house.
 
 1799,] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 297 
 
 retire into a convent, there to terminate my days, a desire 
 prompted by the circumstances in which I am placed. 
 
 '* Our news are that Bourcard took possession of Rome 
 half an hour before the Austrians. Frolick was very much 
 piqued by it, but withdrew his troops ; he sent this bulletin 
 of good news to Bourcard, which I translate and communicate 
 to you, hoping it is true. Adieu, my very dear Lady ; take 
 care of yourself, be happy, and think of me. Do not forget 
 to send me news of yourself, they are always interesting to 
 me, and believe me for life your attached and grateful friend. 
 
 " A thousand compliments to the Chevalier and to Miss 
 Knight/' 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 "October 15, 1799. 
 *' My dear Lady, 
 
 " I hope you are not ill, but you give me no sign, even of 
 being alive, although I have heard that you see company, and 
 look well ; that is a comfort to me. Have you no news from 
 our hero ? They say here that the King talks of going to 
 Naples in the middle of November, and that I am to remain 
 here. I do not know if the first part is true, but the second 
 certainly is not, for I will positively go with him, being con- 
 vinced of the necessity of the Government being there, and 
 besides that, to please all my friends, who so much desire this 
 visit. I wish for nothing but good to result from it, but I 
 protest that I think his presence necessary. Were I king, I 
 should have been there long since, or, indeed, should never 
 have left, but should have risked and should certainly have 
 conquered. I shall be ready in three days to accompany him. 
 I promise you, that though I follow, yet I would never force 
 the King to go there, for the race of Ravillac and Damiens is 
 not extinct, but the contrary, and I do not wish to burthen 
 my feelings with such shocking apprehensions. I regret even 
 having urged his first visit, for being thirty-six days on board 
 ship, doing nothing of any utility or glory, seriously com- 
 promised him, but I am now ready to go with him whenever 
 he wishes it, even should he go in a polacca. This is a long 
 tirade by way of reply to the rumours cui'rent here. I know
 
 298 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 no news whatever. A thousand comphments to the Chevalier. 
 Keep yourself well, and believe me always your grateful 
 friend^ 
 
 "Charlotte." 
 
 In November Nelson received from the Grand Signior the 
 Order of the Crescent, the star of which was of diamonds, 
 in acknowledgment of his zeal for the prosperity of the 
 Sublime Porte. The respect paid to Nelson and the power 
 exercised by him was very great. He wrote to Evan Nepean, 
 Esq. on the 9th, and alluded to his extraordinary situation 
 ill this country. He says, " If I move, they think the 
 country in danger, and that they are abandoned. If my flag 
 is in a transport, they seem contented." On the l7th he re- 
 hoisted his flag on board the Foudroyant, but that ship 
 being required for Messina to take troops, &c. for Malta, she 
 sailed with the Culloden on the 25th, and Nelson shifted 
 his flag to the Amy transport. 
 
 Actively engaged as he was in the performance of his 
 varied duties, and corresponding with an unparalleled con- 
 stancy, it is surprising that a complaint to him should have 
 emanated from the Admiralty of his allowing a convoy to de- 
 part without dispatches. He replies to the Secretary of the 
 Admiralty, Nov. 26, 1799: *' As a junior Flag Officer, of 
 course, without those about me, as secretaries, interpreters, 
 &c. I have been thrown into a more extensive corres- 
 pondence than ever, perhaps, fell to the lot of any Admiral, 
 and into a political situation, I own, out of my sphere. It is 
 a fact, which it would not become me to boast of, but on the 
 present occasion, that I have never but three times put my 
 feet on the ground since December 1798, and except to the 
 Court, that till after 8 o'clock at night, I never relax from 
 business."^ His sensitive nature breaks out in a letter to 
 Earl Spencer, on the 28th November : " Do not, my dear 
 Lord (he says), let the Admiralty write harshly to me, — my 
 generous soul cannot bear it, being conscious it is entirely 
 unmerited." How pathetic too in his letter to Commissioner 
 Inglefield : " You must make allowances for a worn-out, 
 
 ' Adniii-alty Papers.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 299 
 
 blind, left-handed man/' And this too from one only forty- 
 one years of age, and all incurred by his great services ren- 
 dered to his country. 
 
 Towards the end of December Nelson received the present 
 of a gold-hilted sword and cane from the Presidents of Zante 
 for his liberation of that part of Greece, effected by the 
 Battle of the Nile, an offering which he most highly prized. 
 About the same time he also received another present from 
 the Grand Signior, of a drawing of the Battle of the Nile 
 and a portrait of himself. He was much gratified by this 
 attention, and writes, " The present is certainly curious, and 
 particularly in this point, that it assures me of the goodness 
 of his heart ; and a rare qualification for monarchs, that he 
 does not forget services rendered to him. A handful of 
 diamonds comes naturally from the hand of a great monarch, 
 but this drawing, made probably for the occasion, could 
 only come from an affectionate, amiable disposition."^ 
 
 The Lords of the Admiralty commanded Lord Keith on the 
 30th of November to resume the command in the Mediterra- 
 nean. Nelson's position, therefore, as acting Commander-in- 
 chief terminated on the 6th of January, 1800, on which day he 
 received the inteUigence, and again placed himself under the 
 orders of Lord Keith. He hoisted his flag on board the 
 Foudroyant on the 14th and on the 16th sailed for Palermo. 
 On the 20th he joined Lord Keith in the Leghorn Roads, 
 and sailed with him on the 25th. He again arrived at Pa- 
 lermo with Lord Keith on the 3rd of February, after which 
 they separated for Malta. At Messina, on the 13th, he 
 wrote the following to Lady Hamilton, and sent it through 
 Mr. Roche, who at the same time solicited Lady Hamilton's 
 good offices to obtain a passport for his housekeeper from 
 the Giunto of Naples. 
 
 " Feb. 13, 1800. 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " I do not send you any news or opinions as this letter 
 goes by post and may be opened, and as I wrote to you and 
 Sir William yesterday, nothing particular has occurred. We 
 are now off Messina with a fresh breeze and fair. Mr. 
 
 ' Letter to J. S. Smith, Esq. Letter Book.
 
 300 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 Roche has had the goodness to come on board. To say 
 how I miss your house and company would be saying little ; 
 but in truth you and Sir William have so spoiled me that 
 I am not happy anywhere else but with you, nor have I an 
 idea that I ever can be. All my newspapers are purloined at 
 Gibraltar, and I suspect a gentleman there has sent them 
 to Lord Keith, for they are all stars. I see in Lord Gren- 
 ville's note to Paris he concludes with saying, that the best 
 mode he can recommend for France to have a soUd peace 
 is to replace its ancient princes on the throne. 
 
 '' I am your truly faithful and affectionate, 
 
 "Bronte Nelson.^ 
 
 " You will make my kindest regards to Sir William and 
 to all the house, also duty to the Queen." 
 
 Lady Hamilton's influence with the Q,ueen brought upon 
 her applications of all kinds from all classes of society. The 
 Duchess of Sorrentino mentioned in the following letter 
 from Lord Minto, was recommended by Captain Blackwood 
 in the previous year. 
 
 "Vienna^ January 25th, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " I must first beg your good offices to deliver the inclosed 
 to the Queen. The generous pardon she has sent me, and 
 the gracious manner in which she conveyed it, with her own 
 hand, make my past offences appear more extraordinary, and 
 future ones of the same sort impossible. My sincere and 
 unfeigned attachment for so gracious a mistress can never 
 cease ; and there is nothing in the world that appears so de- 
 sirable to me as an opportunity of serving her. How happy 
 must the consciousness which you enjoy of having rendered 
 her essential services make you ? May I beg you to tell me 
 whether I may, in general, write confidentially, and with 
 
 ' TTiere are not many of Nelson's letters tlius signed. I believe that objections 
 were made in England to the precedence given to the Ducal Sicilian title over that 
 of the English Barony. Nelson's letter of introduction for Captain Hood to 
 his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, Nov. 9, 1799, was signed Bronte 
 Nelson, and other letters about the same time to Sir John Actoii» Mr. Fagan, the 
 Grand Vizir, and Lord Keith,
 
 ISOO.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 301 
 
 entire freedom, either to you or her Majesty, by Neapolitan 
 messengers. I am not sure whether I told you that I have 
 found here the most perfect and the most charming picture of 
 the Queen it is possible to imagine. She sat for it to Foyer, 
 an excellent painter, in the year 1790, at Vienna. It is a 
 charming thing merely as a work of art, but as a portrait, is 
 quite invaluable, at least to me. I never saw so perfect and 
 so fine a hkeness. He has caught that moment of intelligent 
 smile, of which I have seen you receive one, now and then, 
 that made me envy you. It is a miniature of a large size. 
 I found it in an unfinished state, and prevailed on him, 
 although he had long left off miniature on account of his eyes, 
 to finish it. I have not the least doubt that it is the best 
 picture ever done for her. I certainly never saw any so good. 
 It is nearly half-length, and has both hands in sight. I am 
 afraid to ask you about Lord Nelson, fearing that this letter 
 may find you in great affliction. If I understood Lord Nelson 
 right, he seemed determined not to serve under any other 
 than Lord St. Vincent. If he returns to England now, I 
 take it for granted that Sir William will not accompany him, 
 and that you will not leave the King and Queen until you 
 have seen them restored to Naples and Caserta. I do not 
 despair of partaking one day in that joyful sight ; for I trust 
 that before our return to England he may find leisure for 
 another visit to Italy. I am sorry to say I am still a 
 bachelor. I have been counting Lady Minto^s steps almost 
 every hour since the beginning of October. She was actually 
 at Yarmouth the 1st of December, and was still there on the 
 17th ; but I now hear by a messenger, come by the way of 
 the Mediterranean, that she was about to return to London in 
 despair, so that I must wait for spring. I hope you Avill have 
 received my letter by the Duchess of Sorrentino ; and I know 
 you and our Queen sufflciently, to be sure that she and her 
 infant will receive justice if it is due, and consolation if her 
 claims should be invalid. I must once more recommend this 
 pretty widow, and her orphan, to you most warmly. God 
 bless you, my dear Lady Hamilton, and believe me ever most 
 sincerely and truly, your affectionate and faithful, 
 
 '^MlNTO."
 
 302 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 HON. CAPTAIN BLACKWOOD TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 "Penelope, Leghorn Roadsj Jan. 4th, 1800. 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " My public letter, I trust, will sufficiently explain my 
 taking upon me to deviate so materially from my orders, a 
 step I was alone induced to take, from the idea that I should 
 be the first to communicate intelligence, which I believed 
 must be of consequence ; add to which, as the wind was 
 strong at N.E. when I sailed, I did not think that taking 
 Palermo in my way, would make much difference as to the 
 time of my arrival on my station. I must also confess to 
 your Lordship, that I did not wish to fall in with Lord Keith, 
 who would most probably have changed the good orders your 
 Lordship gave me. Under these circumstances I hope to 
 appear justified. 
 
 *' The very kind attentions I received from your Lordship, 
 as well as from Sir William and Lady Hamilton {an event 
 the more flattering from the little knowledge you had of me), 
 induces me to say, that if any arrangement should render 
 your Lordship's return to England necessary, nothing could 
 make me more happy than your Lordship's making use of 
 the Penelope. 
 
 " On the day of my departure from hence, I was applied 
 to, through the Consul, by Mr. Wyndham, to give a passage 
 to the Duchess of Sorrentino, who was thus far on her way 
 to Palermo, a request I was the more ready to comply with, 
 from her having letters to Sir William and Lady Hamilton, 
 as also from my knowledge of that lady in England. Fearing, 
 however, to trespass too much on your Lordship's indulgence, 
 by delaying to get on my station, I am obliged to put her 
 on shore at this place, which I regret much, as her arriving 
 soon at Palermo is of much consequence to her aflTairs. 
 
 '' I shall not trouble your Lordship with any detail re- 
 specting the Duchess of Sorrentino's views in Sicily, all of 
 which are sufficiently explained in her letters to Sir William 
 and Lady Hamilton. I have, therefore, only to request my 
 best compliments may be made to Sir William and Lady 
 Hamilton ; and with much respect and esteem, I have
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 303 
 
 the honour to be your Lordship's obliged and faithful 
 servant, 
 
 " Henry Blackwood/^^ 
 
 ' The Hon. Sir Henry Blackwood, Bart., K.C.B., G.C.H., was the sixth son 
 of Sir John Blackwood, and the Baroness Dufferin and Clanboye, born December 
 28th, 1770, and entered the Naval service at the early age of eleven years, being 
 in April, 1781, placed under the protection of Captain, afterwards Admiral 
 Macbride, in the Ai-tois. He was present at the action of Admiral Parker, at the 
 Dogger Bank, and also at the capture of the Pylades and Orestes, two Dutch 
 sloops of war. After various services, he was, in 1790, promoted to the rank of 
 Lieutenant, and employed in the Proserpine frigate. Upon the commencement 
 of hostilities with France, in 1793, he was appointed to the Active; but on the 
 application of the Hon. Captain Pakenham, in July of the same year, removed to 
 the Invincible, of 74 guns. Here, as First Lieutenant, he was in Lord Howe's 
 celebrated action, in which, opposed to the Juste, the Invincible demolished her 
 by the severity of her fire, so that she became an easy prey to the Queen Charlotte. 
 For this action he was made a Commander, and served in Lord Howe's fleet in 
 the Channel, in the Megsera fire-ship. In June of the same year, he was made a 
 Post Captain, and commanded the Nonsuch, guarding the mouth of the Humber. 
 In 1796, he was removed to the Brilliant, 28 guns, and went to the North Sea, 
 in which station, commanded by Lord Duncan, he remained neai-ly two years, 
 serving under Admiral Waldegrave, afterwards Lord Radstock. In July, 1798, 
 he maintained an unequal combat with two French frigates of 44 guns each. La 
 Vertu and La Regeneree, which lasted nearly six hours off the island of Teneriffe. 
 Earl St. Vincent designated it as an action "in which Captain Blackwood had 
 displayed great valour and judgment, and acquired great renown." In the 
 ensuing year he was appointed to the Penelope, 36 guns, and served on the 
 blockade of Havre de Grace and Cherbourg, when he quitted for the Mediter- 
 ranean, and saw a great deal of active service under Lord Nelson, Lord Keith, 
 Sir Sidney Smith, Sir Richard Bickerton, and other emment commanders. 
 When on the blockade of Malta, he was insti-umental in the capture of Le Guil- 
 laume Tell. In 1802, Earl St. Vincent gave Captain Blackwood the command 
 of the Euryalus, 36 guns ; and he served on the Irish station under Lord 
 Gardner and Admiral Drury, and then on the Boiilogne blockade, under Lord 
 Keith and Sir Thomas Louis, Bart. He afterwards traced the movements of the 
 combined fleets of France and Spain, under VUleneuve and Gravina, and watched 
 them into Cadiz, after their rencontre with Sir Robert Calder, off Cape Finisterre. 
 He made a quick passage to England, gave information to the Government, by 
 which they were induced to dispatch Lord Nelson, in 1805, to take the command 
 of the fleet, assembled before that place, under Admh-al CoUingwood. Nelson 
 gave Blackwood the command of the inshore squadi-on, five frigates and four 
 sloops, to watch the enemy. He offered him a line-of-battle ship, but Blackwood 
 preferred his Euryalus. Nelson kept up a constant communication of signals 
 with him up to the 20th of October, and then made this telegraph signal to him : 
 " I rely on you, that I do not miss the enemy." When Nelson took leave of 
 him, as he depai-ted from the Victory, where he remamed five hom-s and a half, 
 and did not quit until the enemy had commenced firing at Trafalgar, Nelson said 
 to him, " God bless you, Blackwood, — I shall never see you more !"
 
 304 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 On the 18thj off Cape Passaro in Sicily, he fell in with a 
 French squadron under Rear-Admiral Perree in Le Gene- 
 reux, 74 guns, one of the vessels that had escaped at the 
 Battle of the Nile. She was now captured without much 
 fighting, together with a frigate. The Genereux was carry- 
 ing troops from Toulon to the relief of Malta. The French 
 Admiral died on the following day of wounds he had re- 
 ceived from a broadside given by the Success. 
 
 After the battle, a severe gale came on, and Blackwood wrote some chai-ming 
 letters to his wife on the occasion, which may be seen in Blackwood's Magazine 
 for July, 1833, in which there is a memoir of this distinguished officer, and whence 
 the above particulars have been obtained. Lord Barham removed Captain 
 Blackwood from the Euryalus into the Ajax, 80 guns, and he was placed in the 
 Mediterranean under Lord Collingwood. This vessel was burnt, February 14th, 
 1807, from a fire which broke out in the bread-room, and had been caused by the 
 intoxication of the mate and steward. Of this event he wrote his wife a most 
 affecting account. Upon the destruction of his ship, he went as a volunteer in 
 the Royal George, where he assisted in passing the squadron between the forts of 
 Abydos and Sestos. The force possessed by Sir John Duckworth was unequal to 
 the purpose required at this time against the Turks, before Constantinople. Upon 
 Blackwood's return to England, Lord Mulgrave made him the offer of a Com- 
 missionership of the Navy Board, but he preferred a command, and had the 
 Warspite, 74 guns, in which he sailed to the North Sea, and remained until 1809, 
 when he joined the Channel Fleet, and afterwards Lord Collingwood, in the 
 Mediterranean. In 1810, he was engaged in a skirmish with six French sail of 
 the line, and several frigates, when the French Admiral thought it most prudent to 
 avoid the continuance of the fight, and returned to an anchorage. Sir Charles 
 Cotton had succeeded Lord Collingwood in this command, and he was now super- 
 seded by Lord Exmouth, with whom Blackwood remained until 1812, when his 
 ship needing rei)air, he returned to England. He afterwards went to the blockade 
 of the Scheldt, under Sir W. Young, and thence to the Channel Fleet, under Lord 
 Keith, in which he was present at the blockades of Brest and Rochfort. At the 
 close of 1813, he resigned the command of the Warspite, after a service in her of 
 six years ' duration. In 1814, His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence made 
 him Captain of the Fleet, and he brought over the crowned heads from France to 
 this country. On this occasion he was created a Baronet, and raised to the rank 
 of Rear-Admiral. He had also the charge of conveying Louis XVIII. back to 
 France, and was made Naval Aide-de-Camp to the Prince Regent, and afterwards 
 Groom of the Chamber, to which situation he was reappointed upon the accession 
 of WilUam IV. In 1819, he was appointed Commander-in-chief of the Naval 
 forces in the East Indies, and in assuming this command he was nearly wrecked 
 off Madeira. In 1827, the Duke of Clarence, then Lord High Admiral, gave 
 him the command at Chatham, which he held for three years, and was occupied 
 in the Experimental Squadron fitted out to ascertain the relative advantages of 
 round and square sterns. An attack of typhus fever, at Ballyliedy, the seat of 
 his elder brother, the Lord Dufferin, proved fatal to this gallant officer on the 
 1 7th of December, 1832, in the 62nd year of his age.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 30!> 
 
 The capture of Le Genereux is referred to in the following 
 extract from Lord Nelson's Journal : — 
 
 "Tuesday, February 11th, at half past 1 o'clock went on 
 board. Wind fresh at S.W.,bore away for the Faro of Mes- 
 sina. At 5, was joined by the Louisa brig, from England. 
 N.B. She was sent into Palermo, but I missed the opportu- 
 nity of sending any letters, to my great mortification.. Little 
 wind all night. 
 
 " Wednesday morning, about eight leagues from Palermo. 
 At 8, the wind came fresh from the eastward. The Admiral 
 beat to windward till 10, when we bore away for Maritime. 
 At 1, the signal that the Phaeton was going into port. Sent 
 my letters on board : two for Sir William (Hamilton), two 
 for my Lady (Hamilton). At 3, the wind came strong from 
 the westwai'd ; bore away for the Faro. In the night, chased 
 a ship, and spoke her. She sailed from Messina the day 
 before, bound for London. 
 
 " Thursday 13th. In the morning our signal to chase a 
 ship of the line. Spoke her, the Alphonso, bound for Mes- 
 sina. At 10, passing the Faro, Mr. Roche came on board. 
 Wrote a line to Lady Hamilton, but no news or opinions, 
 as they might be opened out of curiosity. Commodore 
 Campbell came on board for a moment, but it blowing very 
 hard, he was glad to get on shore again. In the evening, 
 L'Entreprenant cutter joined. Sent on board the Queen 
 Charlotte; had the pleasure of receiving letters from Sir 
 William and Lady Hamilton. N.B. The cutter sailed 
 directly for Corfu — not very civil. 
 
 "Friday, Feb. 14th. Fine weather. At 9 o'clock went 
 on board the Queen Charlotte. Lord Keith just got up. 
 Went into the breakfast- room. N.B. Every thing very dirty, 
 and the table-cloth not changed since we sailed. Got no in- 
 timations of Lord Keith's intentions about me. Came on 
 board very unwell. Had all the officers and midshipmen of 
 the ship, who were in the battle of this day, to dinner. Blew 
 fi-esh all night. At 12 laj^ to-.- Joined, the Audacious. 
 
 " Saturday 15th. At half-past 7 was close off St. Paul's. 
 Asked the Admiral, by signal, if I should lead into port. 
 Answer, — No. At 9, the Lion joined ; at 10, the Admiral 
 made the signal, that one sail of the line, and five frigates, 
 
 VOL. I. X
 
 306 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 enemies, bore S.S.E., which was either in La Valetta, or on 
 the other side the island. Carried all sail possible the whole 
 day and night. Wind very strong, and great rains. At dark, 
 off the eastward of the island. 
 
 '' Sunday morning, 16th. Nothing in sight. Very dirty 
 weather. At noon saw three sail of the line ; joined com- 
 pany — the Northumberland, Audacious, and El Corso. Very 
 bad weather all night. 
 
 "Monday l7th. At day-light nothing in sight. At 10 
 o'clock, Northumberland made the signal for the Queen 
 Charlotte, Lion, and Minorca, S. by W. Our distance at 
 noon from Malta, ten leagues, directly to leeward, therefore 
 nothing is oif La Valetta to prevent the entry of any vessel. 
 The Commander-in-chief knows best. Our poor troops are 
 tired and sea-sick. 
 
 *' Tuesday 18th. At day-light heard some guns, N. by W. 
 Bore away and made all haste ; saw the Alexander and four 
 sail of French ships. At 8, one of the French ships struck 
 to the Alexander. Made the Audacious signal to take pos- 
 session of the prize, a large corvette or Venetian frigate. 
 From 8 to noon in full chase of a French ship of the line, 
 and three frigates, coming fast up. Pray God we may get 
 alongside of them ; the event I leave to Providence. I think 
 if I can take one 74 by myself, I would retire, and give the 
 staff to more able hands. 1 o'clock, can see the line of 
 battle ship's upper ports ; but we are not coming up with 
 her so fast as we could wish. At 10 minutes past 4, p. m. 
 the Success frigate fired a broadside in raking the French 
 ship, and the Foudroyant fired two guns at her, on which she 
 fired two broadsides and struck her colours — proved to be Le 
 Genereux of 74 guns, Rear-Admiral Perree with 600 troops 
 on board for Malta. Thank God."" 
 
 Of the dinner alluded to on the 14th of February, to cele- 
 brate the Battle off Cape St. Vincent, Lieutenant Parsons 
 has given an account." He was a Midshipman on board the 
 
 ' The above constitutes almost the only portion of Diary, or Journal, amongst 
 this collection of papers. It is written on a single sheet of gilt edge letter paper, 
 which it nearly occupies. The pages are not numbered, so that it does not appear 
 to have been extracted from any regular series of observations. 
 
 ^ Nelsonian Reminiscences, p. 241.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 307 
 
 Barfleur on that memorable occasion, and Tom Allen, Lord 
 Nelson's favourite servant, was sent to deliver the invitation. 
 
 *' ' You (or as he in his Norfolk dialect pronounced it, yow) 
 are to dine with my Lord to-day.' 
 
 *' ' I cannot, Tom, for I have no clean shirt ; and we have 
 been so long cruising off Malta, that my messmates are in the 
 same plight.^ 
 
 " * But you must, for my Lord insists on meeting all those 
 that were at the battle of St. Vincent at dinner this day.' 
 
 ^' ' Make the best excuse you can for me, Tom, for I really 
 cannot go.' 
 
 " Away waddled Tom, very much like a heavy laden ship 
 before the wind, and the best excuse the simplicity of his 
 mind suggested was the truth. 
 
 *^ ' Muster so-and-so has no clean shirt, and he coon't dine 
 with you to-day.' 
 
 *' * What ship was he in, Tom ?' 
 
 « ' The Barfleur.' 
 
 " * Then tell him to appear in my cabin in the one he now 
 has on, and he may send the first clean one that comes into 
 his possession for me to look at.' 
 
 Nelson then discussed with his Captain the position of 
 affairs, and afterwards proceeded to adorn himself with the 
 hard-won honours which were to decorate his person on this 
 gala day. The tune of the ' Roast Beef of Old England' 
 now struck on the young midshipman's ear, and he, being 
 the youngest, was singled out by Nelson to sit on his right, 
 and he took wine with him during the dinner. He after- 
 wards observed to him : * You entered the service at a very 
 early age, to have been in the action off Cape St. Vincent ?' 
 
 ^* ^ Eleven years, my Lord.' 
 
 " ^ Much too young,' muttered his Lordship. 
 
 " At this moment, honest Tom Allen pushed in his bullet 
 head with an eager gaze at his master, and after a little con- 
 sideration, approached the Admiral, saying, ' You will be ill 
 if you takes any more wine.' 
 
 *' ' You are perfectly right, Tom, and I thank you for the 
 hint. Hardy, do the honours. And, gentlemen, excuse me 
 for retiring, for my battered old hulk is very crazy, — indeed, 
 
 X 2
 
 308 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 not sea-worthy/ Thus was Lord Nelson led from the table 
 by his faithful servant, after drinking five glasses of wine." 
 
 The same officer has also given an account^ of the chase of 
 Le Genereux : — 
 
 " * Deck there ! the stranger is evidently a man-of-war —she 
 is a line-of-battle ship, my Lord, and going large on the star- 
 board tack/ 
 
 " ' Ah ! an enemy, Mr. Staines. I pray God it may be Le 
 Genereux. The signal for a general chase, Sir Ed'ard (the 
 Nelsonian pronunciation of Edward, addressed to Sir 
 Edward Berry), make the Foudroyant fly V 
 
 " Thus spoke the heroic Nelson ; and every exertion that 
 emulation could inspire was used to crowd the canvass, the 
 Northumberland taking the lead, with the flag-ship close on 
 her quarter. 
 
 " * This will not do, Sir Ed'ard ; it is certainly Le Gene- 
 reux, and to my flag-ship she can alone surrender. Sir Ed'ard, 
 we must and shall beat the Northumberland.' 
 
 " * I will do the utmost, my Lord ; get the engine to work on 
 the sails — hang butts of water to the stays — pipe the hammocks 
 down, and each man place shot in them — slack the stays, 
 knock up the wedges, and give the masts play — start off the 
 water, Mr. James, and pump the ship. The Foudroyant is 
 drawing a-head, and at last takes the lead in the chase. The 
 Admiral is working his fin (the stump of his right arm), do 
 not cross his hawse, I advise you.' 
 
 " The advice was good, for at that moment Nelson opened 
 furiously on the quarter-master at the conn. ' PU knock 
 you off your perch, you rascal, if you are so inattentive. Sir 
 Ed'ard, send your best quarter-master to the weather wheel.' 
 
 '"A strange sail a-head of the chase,' called the look out 
 man. 
 
 " ' Youngster to the mast head. What ! going without 
 
 your glass, and be d d to you ? Let me know what she 
 
 is immediately.' 
 
 '^ ' A sloop of war, or frigate, my Lord,' shouted the young 
 signal midshipman. 
 
 '^ ' Demand her number.' 
 
 ' Nelsonian Reminiscences, p. 12.
 
 ISOO.] LORD VISCOUA^T NELSON. 309 
 
 " ' The Success, my Lord.' 
 
 "'Captain Peardj signal to cut off the flying enemy — great 
 odds, though — thirty-two small guns to eighty large ones.' 
 
 "'The Success has hove to, athwart hawse of the Gene- 
 reux, and is firing her larboard broadside. The Frenchman 
 has hoisted his tri-colour with a Rear- Admiral's flag.' 
 
 " ' Bravo ! Success at her again !' 
 
 " ' She has wore round, my Lord, and firing her starboard 
 broadside. It has winged her, my Lord — her flying kites 
 are flying away altogether. The enemy is close on the Suc- 
 cess, who must receive her tremendous broadside.' The 
 Genereux opens her fire on her little enemy, and every per- 
 son stands aghast, afraid of the consequences. 'The smoke 
 clears away, and there is the Success, crippled, it is true, but 
 bull-dog like, bearing up after the enemy.' 
 
 " ' The signal for the Success to discontinue the action, and 
 come under my stern,' said Lord Nelson ; ' she has done 
 well for her size. Try a shot from the lower deck at her. 
 Sir Ed'ard.' 
 
 " ' It goes over her.' 
 
 " ' Beat to quarters, and fire coolly and deliberately at her 
 masts and yards.' 
 
 " Le Genereux at this moment opened her fire on the Foud- 
 royant, and a shot passed through the mizen-stay-sail, when 
 Lord Nelson, patting one of the youngsters on the head, 
 asked him jocularly how he relished the music ; and observing 
 something like alarm depicted on his countenance, consoled 
 him with the information, that Charles XII. ran away from 
 the first shot he heard, though afterwards he was called 
 'The Great,' and deserv'edly, from his bravery. 'I there- 
 fore,' said Lord Nelson, ' hope much from you in future.' 
 The Northumberland now opened her fire, and the tri-coloured 
 ensign came down amid the thunder of the English cannon. 
 A signal to discontinue firing was accordingly made, and Sir 
 Edward Berry ordered to board the prize. Very shortly. 
 Lieutenant Parsons says, he returned with Rear-Admiral 
 Perree's sword, who, he stated, was then dying on his quarter- 
 deck, with the loss of both legs, shot off by the raking broad- 
 sides of the little Success. This unfortunate Frenchman was 
 under the imputation of having broken his parole, and was
 
 310 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 considered lucky in having redeemed his honour by dying in 
 battle."! 
 
 The Admiral's flag was sent as a present from Nelson to 
 the young Prince Leopold. 
 
 On the 20th Nelson wrote off La Valetta :« — 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " Had you seen the Peer receive me, I know not what you 
 would have done ; but I can guess. But never mind. I 
 told him that I had made a vow, if I took the Genereux by 
 myself, it was my intention to strike my flag, to which he 
 made no answer. 
 
 " If I am well enough, I intend to write a letter to Prince 
 Leopold,^ and to send him the French Admiral's flag, which 
 I hope you will approve of, as it was taken on the coast of his 
 father's kingdom, and by as faithful a subject as any in his 
 dominions. 
 
 ^' I have had no communication with the shore ; there- 
 fore have seen neither Ball, Troubridge, nor Graham, nor 
 with the Lion ; when I have, I shall not forget all your mes- 
 sages, and little Jack. I only want to know your wishes, 
 that I may, at least, appear grateful, by attending to them. 
 My head aches dreadfully, and I have none here to give me 
 a moment's comfort. I send the packet to General Acton, 
 as I think it may go quicker, and he will be flattered by pre- 
 
 ' Nelsonian Reminiscences, p. 15. 
 
 ' Collection of Letters, Vol. i. p. 15. 
 
 ^ The Prince Leopold was educating for the Navy. The following letter, with- 
 out date, from the Queen of Naples to Lord Nelson is interesting : " Tliis letter 
 will be presented to you by a boy who is very dear to me ; I envy him the pleasure 
 he will have of seeing you. I am sorry that my iUness prevents my personally 
 expressing to you all the esteem and gratitude I feel for you. This child wishes 
 to serve in the Navy, I hope he will follow in your footsteps, and that one day he 
 may acquu-e a portion of your glory. My dear Leopold has expressed his regret 
 in a manner suiting his age, with tears, that he has not yet known so brave a man 
 as yourself, and to satisfy his ardent desire, I have sent him here, and he will tell 
 you how much I desire to be well, that I might myself assure you how grateful I 
 feel, that it is engraven on my heart, and will be ever preserved for so illustrious 
 a man. 
 
 " Believe that my gratitude and esteem for you, my valorous and glorious 
 General, will accompany me to the grave. 
 
 " Chaklotte."
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 311 
 
 senting the flag and letter to the Prince. Malta, I think, 
 will fall very soon, if those other corvettes do not get in. 
 " Your truly faithful and affectionate, 
 
 "Bront^ Nelson.^^ 
 
 Captain John Nicholson Inglefieldi addressed the following 
 congratulatory letter to Lord Nelson upon the taking of Le 
 Genereux : — 
 
 " Gibraltar, April 4th, 1800. 
 *' My dear Lord Duke, 
 
 '^ I trust you will believe how much I have been gratified 
 and rejoiced at your good fortune in taking the Genereux, 
 Sec. It is a common observation, that lucky officers should 
 always have a preference on command. As to myself, I never 
 could understand what good luck is ; but I know very well 
 what are the usual consequences of activity, vigilance, deci- 
 sion, and intrepidity, and that the officer who courts fortune 
 with these heroic qualities, is seldom disappointed; and of 
 course, when a Government has experienced the most solid 
 advantages from the successes of such an officer, it is wise to 
 employ him in preference to all other considerations or mo- 
 tives for employing any officer who has been what they call 
 unlucki/. 
 
 * TMs oflBcer was made Lieutenant in 1768, and Post Captain in 1780, being soon 
 after appointed to the Barfleur, bearing the flag of Sir Samuel, afterwards Lord 
 Hood. He went to the West Indies, and was in the action with the Count de Grasse. 
 He then accompanied Sir Samuel to America, returned to Barbadoes, and was 
 engaged in active and hazardous service. He was in the Centaur at the battle of 
 the 12th April, 1782, under Lord Rodney, and came home with the prizes under 
 the command of Rear- Admiral Graves, meeting with a most fearful storm, in 
 which he almost miraculously escaped death. (See an interesting account of this 
 dreadful scene in Marshall's Naval Biography, Vol. ii. p. 65, and Inglefield's Nar- 
 rative of the Loss of the Centaur, Lond. 1783, 8vo.) Being honourably acquitted 
 for the loss of his vessel, he was appointed to the Scipio, a guardship in the 
 Medway, and afterwards on the coast of Africa. At the reduction of Corsica, ho 
 commanded L'Aigle frigate, 36 guns, and assisted in drawing up the articles 
 of Capitulation of Bastia. He succeeded Sir Hyde Parker as Captain of the Me- 
 diterranean fleet, under the character of Adjutant-General of the Fleet, in 1794, 
 and returned to England with Lord Hood in the Victory. He was made Resident 
 Commissioner of the Navy at Corsica, at Malta, at Gibraltai-, and at Halifax, and 
 was placed on the list of retired Post Captains in 1799. He died at the age of 
 80, Jan. 30th, 1818.
 
 312 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 " This I hope will be delivered to your Lordship by Mr. 
 Susini, a Corsican officer ujion half pay, who is desirous of 
 paying his respects to your Lordship, being a near relation to 
 the late Mr. Peraldi. I beg your Lordship will accept of 
 my good wishes for your long life and perfect health, and 
 believe me to be, with the sincerest respect and esteem, 
 " My Lord Duke, 
 '^ Your Lordship's obedient and faithful humble servant, 
 
 " J. N. Inglefield." 
 
 On the 25th of February Lord Nelson wrote to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 *' Your letters by Girgenti are not yet come here. The 
 weather has been bad. Send them in charge to the Consul, 
 I fancy under cover to our friend Ball, and they will be safe. 
 Macaulay^ was to go over that way to Palermo, and it is the 
 only way I can send to you ; for by Lord Keith's order to 
 me, Palermo is no longer to be the rendezvous of our ships. 
 You will, I am sure, thank Miss Knight kindly for her high 
 and unmerited compliment — it is a little of a prophecy ; but 
 I wish not to trust Dame Fortune too long : she is a fickle 
 dame, and 1 am no courtier. I long to give it all up. Nine- 
 teen sail of the line, and four Admirals, is enough for one man ; 
 at the taking of sixteen I have borne my flag. My health 
 has been so bad, that yesterday I wrote a letter to Lord 
 Keith for two or three months leave of absence, to go to 
 Palermo, and rest quiet, but I found if I went at this moment 
 perhaps we might lose Malta, therefore for a very short time 
 I have given way, as I have often done to the public service ; 
 but I really want rest and a great deal of your kind care. 
 
 " Your obliged, affectionate, and sincere friend, 
 
 '' Bront£ Nelson." 
 
 Lord Keith now entrusted the command of the squadron 
 blockading La Valetta to Lord Nelson, and directed him to 
 
 ' Treasurer of Malta.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 313 
 
 adopt and prosecute the necessary measures for contributing 
 to the complete reduction of Malta ; but he was exhausted — 
 his health would not permit of his remaining there, and he 
 entreated Lord Keith to give the command to Captain Sir 
 Thomas Troubridge, and allow him to return to Palermo. 
 He accordingly returned to Palermo on the 16th of March. 
 
 We must now revert to the blockade of La Valetta, and 
 the attempt to drive the French force from Malta. In the 
 letters of Nelson previously referred to, it has been seen that 
 the British, Russian, and Neapolitan troops were conjointly 
 engaged to effect the reduction of Malta. The following 
 letter from Lord Grenville, a copy of which is among the 
 Nelson Correspondence now printed, will shew the nature of 
 the engagement having reference to the restoration of the 
 Order of St. John : — 
 
 "Downing Street, May 9th, 1799. 
 
 " My Lords, 
 
 " In consequence of an arrangement settled between his 
 Majesty and the Emperor of Russia, that in the event of the 
 reduction of Malta by his Majesty's fleet, acting singly, or in 
 conjunction with that of his allies, the island should be occu- 
 pied until the peace, by a garrison composed of British, 
 Russian, and Neapolitan troops, and that the island should 
 at the peace, or at such earlier period as may be arranged by 
 the mutual consent of the allies, be restored to the Order of 
 St. John of Jerusalem ; I have received the King's commands 
 to signify to your Lordship his Majesty's pleasure, that you 
 direct the officer commanding his Majesty's fleet in the Medi- 
 terranean, in the event of the surrender or reduction of the 
 island of Malta, to concert with the Commanders of the forces 
 of the Emperor of Russia, and of the King of Naples, the 
 necessary measures for garrisoning it in the manner before 
 stated. 
 
 " The King has in the present moment no disposable force 
 in the Mediterranean to apply to this specific purpose. But 
 his Majesty having taken steps for raising two Albanian 
 regiments, it is probable that they will be employed in con- 
 junction with such troops as the Emperor of Russia and the 
 King of Naples may appropriate to the object of garrisoning
 
 314 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. X. 
 
 Malta, or that they may replace a part of the present garrisons 
 of Minorca or Gibraltar, which might then be destined to that 
 service. But as in pursuance of the arrangement mentioned 
 in the preceding part of this letter, it is expedient that for 
 the purpose of shewing to all Europe the concert which pre- 
 vails, and the principles which have been firmly agreed upon 
 between the sovereigns concerned, a part of the garrison of 
 Malta should consist of troops in the King's pay, it is his 
 Majesty's pleasure that until the arrival of the Albanian 
 regiments, or of any other force destined for this particular 
 service, the Commander of his Majesty's fleet, at the period 
 of the surrender of Malta, should land such a small detach- 
 ment of seamen, or marines under proper officers, as can be 
 conveniently spEired from his Majesty's ships upon that 
 station, to form, a part, however small, of the garrison of 
 Malta, in conjunction with the troops of the Emperor of 
 Russia and the King of Naples, 
 
 «' I am, 
 
 «&c. &c. &c. 
 
 " Grenville. 
 
 " To the Lord's Commissioners 
 of the Admiralty, 
 &c. &c. &c." 
 
 The former Knights of Malta had rendered themselves very 
 unpopular with the Maltese, yet attempts at a counter-revo- 
 lution were evidently contemplated by them, as the subjoined 
 letter addressed by Lieutenant Vivion to Captain Alexander 
 John Ball will shew : — 
 
 " St. Antoine, 8th July, 1799. 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " On the 25th of June I did myself the honour of writing 
 to Admiral Lord Nelson and to yourself, since which, the 
 only particular circumstance that has occurred, I deem of 
 sufficient importance to merit a detail : — 
 
 " For several days after the occurrences which I mentioned 
 in the above letters, the minds of the inhabitants were worked 
 up to a degree of alarm that foreboded something very un- 
 pleasant, and a number of reports were in circulation of the 
 probability of a speedy counter-revolution, which it was hinted
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 315 
 
 would most likely take place on the 29th, the day of the 
 celebration of the feast of St. Paul, when all the Chiefs 
 would be assembled at Citta Vielle assisting at the religious 
 ceremonies. On the evening of the 28th the Captain of the 
 Port of St. Paul's came up to report to me the amval of three 
 Knights of Malta, two of them Grand Croix, in a sparonare. 
 They were from Trieste, but last from Messina. He had 
 allowed them to land, but immediately lodged them in the 
 Tower at St. Paul's, until he received orders how to proceed. 
 One of them (the Bailly Nevens) was almost the only Knight 
 who had been popular with the Maltese : he had commanded 
 the regiment of Chasseurs in the country, most of whom are 
 now acting as soldiers with us. From the existing circum- 
 stances, and a knowledge of the late Grand Master having a 
 strong party in the island, who were ready to act in any way 
 that could tend to restore him to his former government, 
 I did not hesitate one moment in determining to send them 
 out of the island without any loss of time, and in doing which 
 I had not a doubt but I should meet your wishes : I therefore 
 immediately sent the officer to St. Paul's again with orders 
 to take any papers the Knights might have brought, and to 
 send an armed sparonare to see them some leagues from the 
 island. In the course of a very few hours, I found that the 
 arrival of these persons had already caused a general move- 
 ment and confusion in the island, and the Captain of the Port, 
 the next morning, reported that during the few moments 
 they were between the boat and the tower, they had contrived 
 to distribute upwards of fifty crowns among the crowd who 
 were assembled there, telling them at the same time, ^ that 
 they had brought plenty of money, and that they would be 
 followed in a few days by some vessels laden with corn to 
 reheve their distresses.' Among their baggage was found 
 five or six thousand Maltese crowns ; these we did not touch. 
 Among their papers was the History of the Revolution of 
 Malta in 1798, in French, published at Trieste. I felt myself 
 in a very awkward situation, being obliged to act in so decisive 
 a manner; but have not a doubt by so doing, but that I 
 saved the island from becoming the scene of much greater 
 confusion than already existed, and perhaps from the efiusion 
 of much blood.
 
 316 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 " The above account I consider it my duty to make known 
 to you without loss of time. 
 
 " I remain with great esteem, 
 " Dear Sir, 
 " sincerely your obedient servant, 
 
 "J. ViVION. 
 
 " Alexander John Ball, Esq. 
 
 Commanding the British squadron, 
 off Malta." 
 
 On the 9th of July, Lord Grenville wrote to the Lords of 
 the Admiralty as follows : — 
 
 "Downing Street, 9th July, 1799. 
 " My Lords, 
 " In consequence of a communication which his Majesty 
 has received from Malta, and of others which have been trans- 
 mitted to me by your Lordships, I have received the King's 
 commands to apprize you, that if the island of Malta shall 
 surrender to any Naval force employed by his Majesty, and 
 acting either separately or in conjunction with those of the 
 Emperor of Russia and the King of Naples, it is the intention 
 of his Majesty and his Allies, that the island should be 
 restored to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, 
 who acknowledge the Emperor of Russia as Grand Master ; 
 and that the government of the said Order shall also be 
 restored, subject only to such regulations respecting its go- 
 vernment and constitution as may be established therein, in 
 consequence of any concert between his Majesty and the 
 Emperor of Russia and of the King of Naples. It is therefore 
 his Majesty's pleasure that you should give instructions con- 
 formably to this intention, to such of his Majesty's officers 
 as may be employed in that quarter, and that you should 
 direct them to regulate their language and conduct accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 " I am, &c. &c. &c., 
 
 " Grenville. 
 
 " To the Lords Commissioners 
 of the Admiralty, &;c. &c." 
 
 And. on the 11th, the Lords Commissioners transmitted 
 the following to Earl St. Vincent : —
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 3l7 
 
 " By the Commissioners for executing the Office of 
 Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 " The Right Honourable Lord Grenville, one of his Majes- 
 ty's principal Secretaries of State, having acquainted us by his 
 letter of yesterday's date, that in the event of the surrender 
 of the island of Malta to any Naval or Military forces em- 
 ployed by his Majesty, and acting either separately or in con- 
 junction with those of the Emperor of Russia and of the 
 King of Naples, it is the intention of his Majesty and his 
 Allies that the said island shall be restored to the Knights of 
 the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who acknowledge the 
 Emperor of Russia for their Grand Master ; and that the 
 government of the said Order shall also be restored, subject only 
 to such regulations respecting its government and constitution 
 as may be estabhshed therein, in consequence of any concert 
 between his Majesty and the Emperor of Russia and the 
 King of Naples, and his Lordship, having at the same time 
 signified his Majesty's pleasure that we should give Instruc- 
 tions, conformably to his said intention, to such of his 
 Majesty's officers as may be employed in that quarter, and 
 to direct them to regulate their language and conduct 
 accordingly — We do, in pursuance thereof, hereby require 
 and direct your Lordship, in the event of the surrender of the 
 island of Malta, as aforesaid, to give orders to the several 
 officers serving on boai'd his Majesty's fleet under your com- 
 mand, conformably to his Majesty's pleasure, signified as 
 above mentioned. 
 
 " Given under our hands the 11th July, 1799. 
 
 " J. Gambier. 
 
 " W. Young. 
 ^'R. Man, 
 
 The Earl of St. Vincent, K.B. 
 Admiral of the White, or the 
 Commanding officer for the 
 time being of his Majesty's ships and vessels, 
 Mediterranean. 
 
 '^ By command of their Lordships, 
 
 *' Evan Nepean."
 
 318 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 Mr. Dimdas wrote also to General Fox : — 
 
 "Downing Street, 17tli September, 1799. 
 " Sir, 
 
 '^ As there can exist very little doubt, under the present 
 circumstances, that the blockade of the island of Malta, and 
 the operations carrying on against the French garrison there, 
 will, in a short time, terminate in the surrender of that for- 
 tress, it becomes necessary that I should inform you, that the 
 said island is from that period to receive a garrison, to consist 
 (according to an agreement entered into between his Majesty 
 and the Emperor of Russia) of British, Russian, and Nea- 
 politan troops. 
 
 '' The further arrangements and intentions of his Majesty 
 and his Allies with respect to that island, will be explained 
 to you by the copies herewith inclosed, of two letters from 
 Lord Grenville to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
 At the time when the first of these letters was written, the state 
 of affairs in the Mediterranean would not have admitted of 
 our sending any British land forces there, and owing to some 
 difficulties that have occurred, the levy of the Albanian regi- 
 ments therein mentioned, has not yet taken place. The re- 
 inforcements which have lately been sent from this country 
 and Portugal to the Mediterranean, and the restoration of the 
 King of Naples to his dominions on the continent, will, how- 
 ever, it is conceived, enable you immediately on the expulsion 
 of the French from Malta, to send one or both, (if they can 
 be spared) of the British regiments in garrison at Messina, to 
 that island, for the purposes mentioned in Lord Grenville's 
 letter above mentioned ; but in case the situation of the 
 garrison of Minorca, from which these regiments have been 
 detached, will admit of only one being sent, you are, in that 
 case, to send the strongest and most fit for service of these 
 two corps. The appointment of a proper officer to command 
 this detachment is left to your choice ; but you will take care 
 to select one in whose judgment and discretion you can con- 
 fide, and to recommend to him to maintain and cultivate a good 
 understanding with the respective Commanding officers of 
 the Russiaai and Neapolitan troops, which may be stationed 
 at Malta, to co-operate with him in the defence of that island, 
 
 J
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 319 
 
 furnishing him at the same time with copies of Lord Gren- 
 ville's letters, in order that he may be perfectly apprized of 
 the object for which he is sent to that island, and of the in- 
 tentions of his Majesty and his Allies to restore it to the 
 Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of which the Emperor of 
 Russia is now the Grand Master, 
 
 " I am, Sir, 
 
 « &c. &c. &c. 
 
 " Henry Dundas. 
 
 " Lieut. -General The Hon. 
 Henry Fox, &c. &c." 
 
 Captain Ball, who had joined Lord Nelson off Maritime, 
 returned to Malta on the 8th, and on the l7th and 18th, 
 wrote to the Admiral as follows : — 
 
 "Alexander, oflf Malta, 17tliJuly, 1799. 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 *' I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship of my 
 an'ival here the 8th inst. with the ships under my command. 
 Captain Maling of La Bonne Citoyenne, informed me, that 
 there had not been any particular occurrence since he last 
 wrote to your Lordship. 
 
 " I inclose a letter from Lieutenant Vivion, whose conduct, 
 during my absence, merits my warmest commendation. The 
 late Grand Master has a strong party here, to counteract the 
 views of the Emperor of Russia ; he is protected by the Em- 
 peror of Germany, who is extremely jealous of Paul getting 
 himself elected Grand Master, to accelerate his plan of 
 possessing the sovereignty of Malta, and I have not a doubt 
 but the three Knights of Malta, mentioned by Lieutenant 
 Vivion, were sent here expressly to effect a counter-revolu- 
 tion. I intercepted some letters last Mai'ch, from the late 
 Grand Master, exciting his agents here to strengthen his 
 party by every possible means, and to assure them of the 
 protection of the Emperor of Germany. I immediately 
 arrested the principal agent, and sent him to the island of 
 Comino, after extorting a list of the persons concerned, some 
 of whom are the best families on the island, and who know 
 that I am acquainted with their attachment, and watch 
 narrowly their conduct ; they, therefoi'c, keep very quiet, and 
 I believe, many are now warm partisans of the English.
 
 320 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 "■ The Maltese, at present, are very obedient to the laws. 
 During my absence, a large body of men assembled in a 
 riotous manner, and insisted on the repeal of a law which the 
 Congress had passed ; their appearance was so formidable, 
 that Lieutenant Vivion thought it prudent to concede. Since 
 my arrival, the rebellious leaders have been arrested, and 
 sent to Barbary, to the great joy of the peaceable inhabitants, 
 and I trust it will prevent any further opposition to the laws 
 of the island. The French have a few friends in the country, 
 who are exciting the people to insurrection, but I am con- 
 vinced they will not succeed so long as we are enabled to pay 
 the Maltese armed peasants. 
 
 " The French garrison are lingering out in the hope of a 
 succour, but when they hear of his Sicilian Majesty being 
 restored to his dominions, and their fleet blockaded, I am of 
 opinion, the French soldiers will oblige General Vaubois to 
 capitulate. I send this by the Benjamin, as her provisions 
 are getting short. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 " My Lord, with the greatest respect, 
 " Your most obliged and very obedient servant, 
 
 "Alex. Jno. Ball. 
 
 " The Right Hon. Horatio Lord Nelson, K.B. 
 Rear-Aclmiral of the Red." 
 
 " Alexander, oflf Malta, 18th July, 1799. 
 
 « My Lord, 
 " I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that a 
 deserter is this moment come out of La Valetta, who corro- 
 borates the distressed state of the French garrison, and in 
 addition, he says, that there is very little water left on the 
 Cotonaro side, and that they get their supply from La Valetta. 
 General Vaubois has given order, to clear all the gardens of 
 vegetables, to prevent any water being used there. He like- 
 wise says the French soldiers will oblige General Vaubois to 
 capitulate upon the appearance of an additional force. 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 "My Lord, with the greatest respect, 
 " Your Lordship's most obedient servant, 
 
 "Alex. Jno. Ball. 
 
 "The Right Honourable, 
 Horatio Lord Nelson, KB."
 
 1799-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 321 
 
 On the 12th of August Nelson directed the Queen of 
 Portugal and the Saint Sebastian to strengthen Captain Ball's 
 force, and on the 14th, the Foudroyant also sailed for Malta, 
 in hopes of bringing the long-continued business to a con- 
 clusion. He says : *' You may send in an officer to talk to 
 Vaubois ; but I would not have you regularly summons him. 
 The gai'rison may be sent to France, having their arms, and 
 every colour of the place, and regimentals, without being pri- 
 soners of war. But this is only to be granted if it will save 
 fourteen days' labour; for the garrison never can be suc- 
 coured."! On the 16th, however, he wrote to Captain Hardy, 
 directing him " to embark the marines of the Foudroyant, 
 should they be landed, and to proceed to Cagliari in Sardinia, 
 to embark his Sardinian Majesty, and such other of the 
 Royal family, ministers, &c. as his Majesty may think proper 
 to take with him, and take them to Leghorn and land them 
 there, except you hear of the capture of Genoa by the Allied 
 armies. In that case, should his Majesty wish to be landed 
 at Genoa, you will proceed with him to that port/" 
 
 So varied was the duty on this station at this time, that not 
 a ship could be allowed to remain idle. Nelson was obliged in 
 August to send six sail of the line to Gibraltar, and to keep 
 four or five at Mahon, and he therefore sent the Marquis of 
 Niza to co-operate with Captain Ball. Ball had been already 
 named Chief of the island of Malta, by his Sicilian Majesty 
 (the sovereign of the island), at the request of Nelson, and by 
 the unanimous desire of the Maltese people, and Nelson had 
 given him secret orders and instructions for a cordial co-opera- 
 tion with the Russians, should they arrive as was expected. 
 The Lords of the Admiralty had communicated to Lord Nel- 
 son that the Government was favourable to the re-establish- 
 ment of the Order of St. John, and the better sort of people 
 at Malta knew that the Emperor of Russia was the Grand 
 Master of the Order. The Emperor was indeed very ambitious 
 of this honour. But the French still maintained possession 
 of Malta, and they could not be driven out without troops. 
 Nelson repeatedly made application to obtain them without 
 success. He was fearful it would be lost to us by the delay. 
 
 ' Letter Book. - Order Book. 
 
 VOL. I. Y
 
 322 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 The King of Naples sent 4000 ounces from his own funds, 
 for the relief of the islanders, bearing arms in the cause. 
 
 Captain Ball made repeated applications on the part of the 
 Maltese. The following letters were addressed to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 " Malta, 9th Oct. 1799. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 
 " Although I could not be personally with you on the birth- 
 day of his Grace de Bronte, my heart participated in all your 
 joys. I frequently reflected on the delight which you and 
 Sir William feel whenever you can give further proofs of 
 your esteem and friendship for his Grace. 
 
 " I have just received his letter, acquainting me with his 
 intention of collecting his squadron, and steering to interrupt 
 the enemy. I sincerely hope the cruise will re-establish his 
 health, which the bad air of Palermo did not agree with. I 
 suppose you will soon return to Naples. There caimot now 
 be any danger from Jacobinism. Thank God ! it is no longer 
 the rage, and that the Jacobins themselves begin to be 
 ashamed of it. 
 
 " Our scene at Malta will be very active. I hope soon we 
 shall succeed in compelling the French to surrender. I 
 write to Sir William to request he will once more stand forth 
 the benevolent friend of the Maltese, and if your Ladyship 
 will have the goodness to second his views and prevail on the 
 Queen to assist us, you will save thousands from misery and 
 death. 
 
 " I beg you to accept of my sincere good wishes, and that 
 you will believe me with infinite respect and esteem, my dear 
 Madam, 
 
 *^ Your Ladyship's most obliged, 
 
 "Alexander John Ball.'' 
 
 "Malta, 23rd Oct. 1799. 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " I had the pleasure of writing to you by the Transfer. 
 As 1 have experienced your goodness on a variety of occa- 
 sions, and know the pleasure you have in alleviating the mis- 
 fortunes of others, I most earnestly solicit your influence with
 
 1799-1 LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 323 
 
 her Sicilian Majesty to assist the Maltese. Sir William will 
 shew you my letter on the subject. If your Ladyship knew 
 half their sufferings I am sure you would be their warm ad- 
 vocate. I have more uneasiness and anxiety on their account 
 than I can describe, however, I hope yet all will end well, 
 and that we shall meet next year in dear Old England. I 
 hope you will soon get into your comfortable and hospitable 
 mansion at Naples, where Sir William can have the enjoy- 
 ments he has been accustomed to. I suppose by this time 
 his Grace of Bronte has joined j^ou. I wish he could be 
 j)i*evailed on to write less, because I am very apprehensive 
 he impairs his health by leaning so much. Pray inform me 
 of his state of health. I trust that Sir Thomas Troubridgc 
 will now forget what he considered his misfortune in the 
 Battle of the Nile, and which preyed much upon his mind. 
 I suppose the Palermo fetes are now over ; but when you get 
 to Naples you will have a fresh round to welcome your re- 
 turn, before which I hope you will re-establish your health 
 to enable jou to go through such hard service. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 " &c. &c. &.C. 
 
 "A. J. Ball." 
 
 The following is from the Queen of Naples to Lady 
 Hamilton, apparently at this time : — 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " The contents of your letter much affected me ; believe in 
 my attachment to you, assure the Chevalier and Lord Nelson 
 of my sincere and real feelings for them and the good cause. 
 Gallo is gone to Naples to treat of the affair of the subsidies, 
 I feel all the difficulty of it, but it is indispensable to us as 
 the efforts we make exceed our power. 1 have given the 
 letter of the good people of Gozo to the King. He will do 
 all that is possible to be done for them. I am going to return 
 in a few days. I expect to stay a night at Caserta, and to go 
 the day after to the city for three days, where I hope to see 
 you to assure you that I am for life your very attached and 
 grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 Y 2
 
 324 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 Nelson made a report to the Emperor of Russia, as Grand 
 Master of the Order, of the proceedings that had been taken, 
 to force the French to surrender : — 
 
 " Palermo, Odfbber 31st, 1799.' 
 
 « Sire, 
 
 " As Grand Master of the Order of Malta, I presume to de- 
 tail to your Majesty what has been done to prevent the 
 French from re-possessing themselves of the island, block- 
 ading them closely in La Valetta, and what means are now 
 pursuing to force them to surrender. 
 
 " On the 2nd of September, 1798, the inhabitants of Malta 
 rose against the French robbers, who having taken all the 
 money in the island, levied heavy contributions, and Vaubois, 
 as a last act of villany, said, ' As baptism was of no use, he 
 had sent for all the church plate.' 
 
 " On the 9th I received a letter from the Deputies of 
 the island, praying assistance to drive the French from 
 La Valetta. I immediately directed the Marquis de Niza, 
 with four sail of the line, to support the islanders. At 
 this time the crippled ships from Egypt were passing near it, 
 and 2000 stand of arms, complete with all the musket-ball 
 cartridges, were landed from them, and 200 barrels of 
 powder. 
 
 " On the 24th of October I relieved the Marquis from 
 that station, and having taken the island of Gozo, a measure 
 absolutely necessary in order to form the complete blockade 
 of La Valetta, the garrison of which at this time was com- 
 posed of 7000 French, including the seamen, and some few 
 Maltese. The inhabitants of the town about 30,000. The Mal- 
 tese in arms (volunteers) never exceeded 3000. I entrusted 
 the blockade to Captain Alexander John Ball, of the Alexander, 
 of 74 guns, an officer not only of the highest merit, but of the 
 most conciliating manners ; from that period to this time it 
 has fallen to my lot to arrange matters for the feeding 60,000 
 
 ' This letter has been printed with slight verbal alterations by Sir N. Harris 
 Nicolas in the fourth volume of " Dispatches and Letters," p. 78 ; but the con- 
 cluding portion is altogether omitted ; and it appears from the word {imperfect^, 
 placed by Sir II. Nicolas, never to have been entered into Lord Nelson's Letter 
 Book.
 
 1799-] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 325 
 
 people (the population of Malta and Gozo), and the annhig 
 of the peasantry, and what is the most difficult task of all, 
 that of keeping up harmony between the Deputies of the 
 island. Hunger, fatigue, and corruption, appeared several 
 times in the island, and amongst the Deputies. -The situa- 
 tion of Italy, and in particular the kingdom of Naples, often- 
 times reduced me to the greatest difficulties where to find 
 food. 
 
 "Their Sicilian Majesties, at different times, have given 
 more, I believe, than £40,000. in money and corn. The 
 blockade has, in the expense of keeping the ships destined 
 alone for this service, cost full £180,000. sterling. 
 
 '^ It has pleased God hitherto, to bless our endeavours to pre- 
 vent supplies getting to the French, except one frigate, and 
 two small vessels with a small portion of salt pi'ovisions. 
 
 ^' Your Majesty will have the goodness to observe, that 
 until it was known that you were elected Grand Master, 
 and that the Order was to be restored in Malta, I never 
 allowed an idea to go abroad that Great Britain had any 
 wish to keep it. I therefore directed his Sicihan Majesty's 
 flag to be hoisted ; as I am told, had the Order not been re- 
 stored, that he is the legitimate Sovereign of the island. 
 Never less than 500 men have been landed from the squadron, 
 which, although with the volunteers, not sufficient to com- 
 mence a siege, have yet kept post and batteries not more 
 than 400 yards from the works. The quarrels of the nobles, 
 and the misconduct of the chiefs, rendered it absolutely neces- 
 sary that some proper person should be placed at the head 
 of the island. His Sicilian Majesty, therefore, at the united 
 request of the whole island, named Captain Ball as their chief 
 director, and he will hold it until your Majesty, as Gi'and 
 Master, appoints a person to the office. 
 
 " Now the French are nearly expelled from Italy by the 
 valour and skill of your generals and army, all my thoughts 
 are turned towards placing the Grand Master, and the Order 
 of Malta, in security in La Valetta ; for which purpose I have 
 just been at Minorca, and arranged with the English General 
 a force of 2500 British troops, cannons, bombs, &c. for the 
 siege. I have written to your Majesty's Admiral, and his 
 Sicilian Majesty joins cordially in the good work of endea-
 
 326 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP, X. 
 
 vouring to drive the French from Malta. The laborious task 
 of keeping the Maltese quiet in Malta, through difficulties 
 which your Majesty will perfectly understand, has been prin- 
 cipally brought about by the goodness of her Majesty, the 
 Queen of Naples, who at one moment of distress sent Jj'JOOO., 
 belonging absolutely to herself and children, by the exertion 
 of Lady Hamilton, the wife of Sir William Hamilton, my 
 gracious Sovereign's Minister to the court of the Two Sici- 
 lies, whom your Majesty knows personally, and by the 
 bravery and conciliating manners of Captain Ball. If your 
 Majesty honours these two persons with the decoration of 
 the Order, I can answer, none ever more deserved the Cross, 
 and it will be grateful to the feehngs of your Majesty's most 
 faithful and devoted servant, 
 
 " Bront£ Nelson." 
 
 It was in the month of October that Nelson succeeded in 
 arranging with the English General for a force of 2500 
 British troops, &.c. ; and he also invited the co-operation of 
 the Russian Admiral, Ouschakoff, to whom he wrote thus : — 
 " Let us go together to Malta. Let us unite all our means 
 to place the Grand Master in La Valetta. Russia, England, 
 and Naples, are pledged to do it ; let it be our business to 
 redeem that pledge ; and ever believe me, with all the open- 
 ness of heart, your Excellency's most faithful brother in arms, 
 
 "Bronte Nelsotv."* 
 
 It was necessary also to urge the Marquis of Niza to remain 
 with the squadron, the Court being solicitous for its return. 
 On the 17th of November, Nelson learnt that 3000 Russians 
 would sail for Malta on that day, and that Chevalier Ita- 
 linsky, Minister of War for the Russian army and navy in 
 Italy, would be at Malta to issue a proclamation at the 
 proper time. The relief requisite for the Maltese was of such 
 magnitude, that the Ministers of England, Russia, and Na- 
 ples, agreed, that for the future each of the three powers should 
 find a sum of money for this purpose ; and on the 29th of 
 November, his Sicilian Majesty sent 8000 ounces as his 
 contribution. Nelson's anxieties were so great, that to ob- 
 
 ' Letter Book.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 327 
 
 viate the difficulties arising from want of resources, he 
 offered to pledge his estate of Bronte for 12,000 ounces, and 
 even to dispose of the Diamond Box, presented to him by the 
 Emperor of Russia, for the battle of the Nile. The Marquis 
 de Niza left the blockade of La Valetta, and on the 18th of 
 December Nelson wrote to him a very handsome letter in 
 acknowledgment of his services. The Russian Admiral had 
 not yet arrived, although he was to have sailed from Naples 
 Bay on the 1 7th of November. The year, however, expired, 
 the Russians had not appeared, and on the I4th of Januaiy, 
 1 800, Nelson received intelligence that the Russian troops 
 were ordered to Corfu, and that the Admiral could not there- 
 fore go to Malta. The King of Sicily, however, promised 
 2600 men. The state of wretchedness to which the Maltese 
 were reduced was most dreadful. Captain Sir Thomas Trou- 
 bridge says, "They were dying off fast for want.-'^ The 
 picture drawn by this distinguished officer of their destitution 
 is most deplorable. 
 
 When Lord Nelson resigned the command of the Medi- 
 terranean to Lord Keith, he gave in his General Report the 
 following distressing statement of the business at Malta: 
 "To get to Malta — which has kept for 16 months every ship 
 I could lay my hands on fully employed, and has, in truth, 
 almost broke my spirits for ever — I have been begging of his 
 Sicilian Majesty small supplies of money and corn to keep 
 the Maltese in anns, and barely to keep from starving the 
 poor inhabitants. Sicily has this year a very bad crop, and 
 the exportation of corn is prohibited. Both Graham and 
 Troubridge are in desperation at the prospect of a famine. 
 Vessels are here loading with corn for Malta ; but I can 
 neither get the Neapolitan men- of- war or merchant vessels to 
 move."^ 
 
 Lord Nelson's exertions, we have seen, had been uniformly 
 directed to promote Captain Ball's interests at Malta. He 
 had promoted his election as Chief of the loyal Maltese, and 
 had solicited for him the honour of a Knighthood of the 
 Order of St. John. To the letter of the 31st of October, 
 making this request to the Emperor on behalf of Captain Ball 
 and Lady Hamilton, he, on the 21st of December, received 
 ' Letter Book.
 
 328 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. X. 
 
 the following reply from the Emperor, written entirely in his 
 own autograph : — 
 
 THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 " Monsieur L'Amiral Due d'Abronte, Lord Nelson. J'ai 
 re^u votre Lettre du 31 Octobre. Je desire beaucoup que 
 I'Expedition que vous allez entreprendre centre Malthe reus- 
 cisse. Dans ce cas Le General Major Prince de Wolconsky 
 avec les trois Battaillons de Grenadiers^ sous ses ordres y 
 restera en garnisson en qualite de Commandant de Malthe 
 que sera gardi jusqu'au I'arrangement definitif, par les troupes 
 Kusses, Anglaises, et Napolitaines. 
 
 " C'est avec plaisir que j'accorde a votre demande La Croix 
 de Commandeur au Capitaine Ball, et celle de Chevalier a 
 Lady Hamilton que vous leur remittrez accompagnes du 
 Lettres de ma part. La prise de Malthe ajouterais encore un 
 Feston a la Couronne de Lauriers du Vainqueur d'Aboukir 
 sur cela je prie Dieu Monsieur Le Due d'Abronte, Lord 
 Nelson qu'il vous ait en sa sainte et digne garde. 
 
 " Du 21 Decembre, 1799, St. Petersbourg." 
 
 This letter was accompanied by one also from the Emperor, 
 addressed to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " Milady Hamilton ! 
 "Ayant appris avec une satisfaction particuliere la part 
 active que vous avez prise au maintien de la tranquillite et 
 du bon ordre parmi les habitans de Malthe. Nous avons 
 bien voulu vous donner une preuve de notre bienveillance en 
 vous decorant de la petite Croix de devotion de P Ordre de 
 St. Jean de Jerusalem, que vous trouverez ci-jointe. Sur ce 
 nous prions Dieu Milady Hamilton, qu'il vous ait en sa sainte 
 et digne garde. 
 
 « Paul. 
 
 " St. Petersbourg, du 21 Decembre, 1799." 
 
 ' These troops to assist in the recovery of Malta never arrived. Their exer- 
 tions were dii-ected to another purpose at Corfu.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 329 
 
 Nelson acknowledged these communications by the fol- 
 lowing : — 
 
 " Foudroyant, Malta, Feb. 26th, 1800. 
 
 « Sire, 
 
 " The gracious manner in which your Imperial Majesty has 
 complied with my request, has filled me with the greatest 
 gratitude, and I shall only again presume to say that the 
 Cross of Malta has never yet been worn by two persons who 
 have merited and will adorn it more than Lady Hamilton and 
 Captain Ball. They are equally sensible with me of your 
 Majesty's goodness. 
 
 " In the fulness of a grateful heart may I presume to lay 
 at your feet the sword of the French Admiral Perree, who I 
 had the good fortune to capture in the Genereux, 74 guns, 
 together with a large store ship, on the 18th instant, having 
 on board 2000 troops, with provisions and ammunition for 
 the relief of La Valetta. This capture will doubtless much 
 facilitate the fall of the place, and enable me to see the flag 
 of the Order flying in La Valetta, which, that it may soon do, 
 is the fervent prayer, and shall be the utmost exertion of, 
 "Your Imperial Majesty's 
 
 " Grateful servant, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 On the back of the copy of this letter Lady Hamilton has 
 written : — " Lord Whitworth, our then minister at St. Peters- 
 burgh, had the Emperor's orders to write home that I might 
 be permitted to wear the Order. I not only received the 
 Deputies from Malta, but in a few hours I sent off three 
 ships, laden with corn, and got ;67000. from the Queen, 
 and gave 500 ounces of my own to relieve them. Nelson 
 was out with his fleet at that time, looking for the French 
 fleet." 
 
 Sir Charles Whitworth also addressed Lord Nelson on this 
 subject : — 
 
 " St. Petersburgh, January 4th, 1800. 
 
 " My Lord, 
 " I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 Lordship's letter of the 1st of November, by a Neapolitan 
 courier ; and I have now the satisfaction to acquaint your
 
 330 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 Lordship, that his Imperial Majesty has been graciously 
 pleased to accede to your recommendation of Lady Hamilton 
 and of Captain Ball. Her Ladyship is named Dame Petite 
 Croix de I'Ordre de St. Jean de Jerusalem, and Captain Ball, 
 Commandeur Honoraire. I have, according to his Imperial 
 Majesty's desire, made his Majesty acquainted with such his 
 intention, requesting that his Majesty would be pleased to 
 allow Lady Hamilton and Captain Ball to accept and wear 
 the same. I should feel extremely happy could I flatter 
 myself with having been the least instrumental in furthering 
 the object of your Lordship's wishes ; and have the honour to 
 be, &c. 
 
 " Charles Wiiitworth."^ 
 
 To Captain Ball, Lord Nelson made known the honour on 
 the 25th of February, in the following terms : — " I have the 
 pleasure to announce to you that I am directed by his Impe- 
 rial Majesty, the Emperor of all the Russias, and Grand 
 Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, to present you 
 with his letter and the Grand Cross of the Order, and that 
 you have an Honorary Commanderie. This mark of the 
 Grand Master's sense of your zeal and ability, in the con- 
 ducting of the affairs in the island of Malta, cannot but give 
 me the very highest satisfaction, who so well know your gal- 
 lantry and excellent judgment. Whenever you do me the 
 honour of coming afloat, I shall present you with this distin- 
 guished mark of honour."- 
 
 Captain, or as he is now generally styled by Lord Nelson, 
 Governor Ball, wrote the following congratulatory letter to 
 Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " Malta, 27th February, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " I most sincerely congratulate your Ladyship on the dis- 
 tinguished mark of favour which his Imperial Majesty, the 
 Emperor of Russia, has been pleased to confer upon you in 
 creating you Chanoiness of the Order of St. John of Jerusa- 
 
 ' From autograph in Nelson Papers : Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. p. 192, 
 note. 
 
 = From an autograph letter in the possession of Sir W. Keith Ball, Bart., 
 printed in Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. p. 192.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 331 
 
 lem. He has been graciously pleased to confer upon me the 
 honour of Commander of the same Order, from which I derive 
 a double satisfaction. The first, in the honour of being your 
 brother and defender ; and secondly, from the consideration 
 of its being a token of regard of my invaluable friend and 
 patron, Lord Nelson. This memento will have the same 
 effect upon your Ladyship's mind. With what joy you must 
 have received the news of his Lordship's success in the 
 capture of the French Admiral's ship, the Gencreux, with a 
 corvette, and the dispersion of the rest of the enemy's squad- 
 ron bound to Malta, not one of which will ever attempt to make 
 for the destined port. We may truly call him a heaven-hovn. 
 Admiral, upon whom fortune smiles wherever he goes. We 
 have been carrying on the blockade of Malta sixteen months, 
 during which time the enemy never attempted to throw in 
 great succours until this month. His Lordship arrived off 
 here the day they were within a few leagues of the island, 
 captured the principal ships, and dispersed the rest, so that 
 not one has reached the port. I dined with his Lordship 
 yesterday, who is apparently in good health, but he complains 
 of indisposition and the necessity of repose. I do not think a 
 short stay here will hurt his health, particularly as his ship is 
 at anchor, and his mind not harassed. Troubridge and I 
 are extremely anxious that the French ships (Le Guillaume 
 Tell in particular), and the French garrison of La Valetta, 
 shall suiTender to him. I would not urge it if I were not 
 convinced that it will ultimately add both to his honour and 
 happiness. It will only be a sacrifice of a short time, after 
 which he may retire to enjoy the air and society of his good 
 friends at Palermo. What a gratification it would be to us 
 if you and Sir William could pay us a short visit. We could 
 make up a snug whist party every evening for Sir William, 
 but we should fall very short in our attempts to amuse you, 
 when we consider the multiplicity of engagements and amuse- 
 ments you have every day at Palermo. 
 
 " Troubridge is extremely ill, of a bilious complaint, which 
 will require time to get the better of. I write to Sir William 
 by this conveyance. I therefore only send my best respects 
 to Miss Knight and Mrs. Cadogan. I wish we could bring 
 about a match between the former lady and Captain Gould: he
 
 332 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. X. 
 
 has money enough for both, and she abilities. Adieu, my 
 dear lady and sister. May you live a thousand years ; but 
 at all events may you be supremely happy while you live, 
 prays your 
 
 " Obliged brother and friend, 
 
 "Alexander John Ball. 
 ^' Her Excellency Lady Hamilton, C.S.J. J. 
 " Is that right ? pray tell me how to address your letter/^ 
 
 Towards the close of 1799, Lord Wilham Bentinck com- 
 municated to Lord Nelson an account of the proceedings of 
 the army in Italy in the following letter : — 
 
 " Head Quarters, Tusia, Dee. 11th, 1799. 
 
 '' My Lord, 
 " It was only yesterday that I learnt from Mr. Jackson,^ 
 who is at Florence, that your Lordship still remained at 
 Palermo. The having been before informed that you had 
 sailed to Minorca, with which place there is scarcely any 
 communication, has prevented me from sending you the 
 account of the operations of the army of Italy, which both 
 "my duty and my inclination equally made me desirous of 
 doing. The battle of the 4th November, which took place 
 at Genola and Savegliano, and which terminated in the com- 
 plete defeat of the French army under the command of 
 Championet, with the loss of 4000 prisoners, was followed 
 immediately by the surrender of Coni on the 4th December, 
 and the total expulsion of the French from Piedmont. That 
 important and very strong fortress was taken after a bom- 
 bardment of twenty hours only, and the garrison consisting 
 of 2500 men, exclusive of 800 wounded from the late affairs, 
 were made prisoners of war. The enemy, however, still 
 occupy Genoa and the whole Riviere. The Austrian army 
 are now going into winter quarters. This is a brief account 
 of the termination of this very brilliant campaign. Fortunate 
 would it have been for the common cause if the affairs in 
 Switzerland had been as fortunately terminated. I think 
 it my duty to state to your Lordship the numerous complaints 
 which I for ever hear at the Austrian head-quarters respecting 
 
 ' Hon. Thoaias Jackson^ Minister at Turin.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 333 
 
 what is termed by them the inactivity of the British fleet. 
 I understand that several Austrian provision ships coming 
 from Leghorn have been taken by privateers cruising in the 
 Riviere. To these complaints it is impossible for me to give 
 any answer, and indeed would be difficult to persuade men 
 who fancy that the operations of an army and a fleet are 
 exactly similar, and that a squadron may be at all times, and 
 in all places, as stationary as a picquet of cavalry. It is 
 needless also for me to assure them, that your Lordship is 
 as well convinced as they can be of the advantage of pre- 
 venting provisions from coming to the French army by sea 
 into the Riviere, and that if supplies do arrive, it can be only 
 attributed to the want of means, or to the impossibility of 
 calling them off, and to no want of the desire of co-operation 
 or of exertions, either on the part of your Lordship, or of 
 that of the fleet. The present situation of the French army 
 must depend entirely upon the sea for support. The only 
 road by which the necessary supplies can come is by the sea- 
 shore from Nice, and I have been told, that in many places 
 it is hardly practicable. I have now only to add a piece of 
 news which, I am sorry to say has been confirmed, of the 
 departure of the Russians. The Marshal, with his whole 
 army, is on his march to Poland. I have the honour to be, 
 my Lord, your Lordship's 
 
 " Obedient humble servant, 
 
 " W. Bentinck." 
 
 At the commencement of 1800, Lord Minto (formerly Sir 
 Gilbert Elliot), the Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of 
 Vienna, had heard reports of Lord Nelson's intention to return 
 to England. It produced the following letter : — 
 
 "Vienna, 25th January, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lord Nelson, 
 ^^ I write in a moment of great anxiety, and hardly dare 
 ask you whether it is true that this part of the world, for 
 your sphere extends thus far, is going to lose you. If it is 
 so, we must not as Englishmen complain that England should 
 reclaim her share in you. I can only say, that wherever you 
 are, may pubhc glory and private happiness attend you.
 
 334 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 You are indeed rich in both. I must also say that my affec- 
 tion and admiration will follow you at home or abroad ; and 
 that I never think my voice so well employed, or so honour- 
 ably for myself as in expressing these sentiments. I shall 
 feel from my heart for all those you leave in Sicily, some of 
 whom cannot follow you, though others may hope to do so. 
 I have nothing interesting to tell you from hence beyond 
 what I have written to the Queen and Sir William, and 
 indeed, at this moment, I do not find myself in heart to do 
 more than express my affectionate devotion to you, and to 
 entreat that throughout life you will rank me amongst yom- 
 truest and warmest friends, a title which I am more proud 
 of than any which even his Majesty could give me. Pray 
 give me a confidential line on such points as you know are 
 •interesting to me, and believe me ever, 
 
 " My dear friend, 
 " Your most affectionate and faithful 
 
 " MiNTO." 
 
 Nelson wrote to Lord Minto on the 26th of February to 
 express the value he entertained for his friendship, and to tell 
 him of the capture of Le Genereux, one of the vessels that 
 escaped capture or destruction at Aboukir, and of the death 
 of the French Admiral Perree ; together with the taking of 
 the store-ship with 2000 troops, and provisions, and stores for 
 the relief of La Valetta. This, he says, made nineteen sail 
 of the line, and four Admirals that he had been at the capture 
 of during the war. " Ought I (says he) to trust Dame Fortune 
 any more ? her daughter may wish to step in and tear the 
 mother from me. I have in truth serious thoughts of giving 
 up active service — Greenwich Hospital seems a fit retreat 
 for me, after being evidently thought unfit to command in the 
 Mediterranean." In this letter he inveighs against the 
 neglect of the King in not going to Naples. " We have been, 
 (he says) and are, trying every thing to induce the King to 
 go to Naples, but hitherto in vain. I almost doubt Acton^s 
 sincerity as to wishing him, yet he appears as anxious as any 
 of us : the Junta of State are as bad as the Cardinal — all 
 are open to the foulest corruption, and the presence of a 
 Monarch was never more necessary to heal the disorders of
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 335 
 
 a kingdom. For some cause, which I do not understand, the 
 pardon and act of oblivion is not yet issued, although I know 
 it has been signed these three months ; the heads of a whole 
 kingdom cannot be cut off, be they ever such rascals.^^^ 
 
 Tyson, Lord Nelson's Secretary, was appointed Prize 
 Agent for the Genereux, as appears from the following letters 
 addressed by him to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "Audacious, on my passage to 
 Syracuse, 21st Feb. 1800. 
 
 *' Many thanks, my dear Lady Hamilton, for your kind 
 note inclosed in Lord Nelson's letter. You will, no doubt, 
 be surprised when you see this dated from the Audacious, 
 but I have left Lord Nelson. Be not alarmed, my Lady, it is 
 for my benefit, and only for a time, and that great and good 
 man proposed it, and I, of course, acquiesced. I send you 
 herewith many letters from him, and all under cover to General 
 Acton. His Lordship has explained the whole in his letters, 
 therefore it is needless for me to repeat it. However, it may 
 be needful to say that the Captains, who were at the capture 
 of the Genereux, have done me the honour to appoint me the 
 Prize Agent, which when it was understood by Lord K. 
 there were a number of black looks and orders given respecting 
 the prizes which I did not like ; therefore I went, and waited 
 on him, and told him the whole of the circumstances, and that 
 it was necessary for the benefit of the captors that / should 
 have the direction of the sales of them, and at the same time 
 I gave his brother and Secretary one half of the agency, which 
 brightened all up again, and now I am one of the best fellows 
 in the w^orld with him. I have got orders from him to the 
 officers at Mahon to purchase every thing she has got in, and 
 supply me with store-houses, &c. I almost regret that I had 
 not been born a Scotchman, and had not Lancashire produced 
 a Lady Hamilton, whom I am so proud of calling my country- 
 woman, I do not know, but I might hail from the North of 
 the Tweed. 
 
 " I have been keeping jubilee as well as you at Palermo on 
 the 18th instant ; while you were masking, I was congratulating 
 our good Lord Nelson on his having taken the fourth Admiral 
 
 ' Autograph in the Minto Papers. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. p. 194.
 
 336 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP, X. 
 
 this war, and twelve out of the thirteen ships that went to 
 Egypt. In a note T wrote to Captain Martin on the 16th 
 instant, I told him that Lord K. I supposed was come to reap 
 laurels at Malta. Little did I think then that Nelson should 
 snatch them to decorate his own brows with them from the 
 other that wants them so much, for Nelson had enough before. 
 I beg you will excuse my hasty scrawl, as it blows hard, and 
 we have just made Cape Passaro, and I hope to-night to get 
 on board the Genereux to proceed in her to Mahon. I 
 cannot now give you any particulars of the circumstances 
 attending the capture ; however, you have them, I know, from 
 our good Lord Nelson. 
 
 " God bless you all. If I have time I will write to Signora 
 Madre from Syracuse, and I beg you will believe me with 
 the greatest sincerity and truth, 
 
 " Your most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 "Jno. Tyson." 
 
 " Le Genereux, Port Mahon, 
 23rd March, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 "After some of the most severe gales of wind I have 
 experienced for many years, we arrived here on the 16th inst. 
 having split most of our sails, and \cvy near losing our masts. 
 The gale we had coming from Naples was nothing to the 
 one we had on the 9th of the month. We were obliged to 
 run 100 miles before the wind to save the masts, and the 
 sea breaking on board the ship on both sides ; fortunately 
 she was very tight in her bottom. This will, no doubt, put 
 you in mind of Allen on board the Vanguard, ^ while the 
 sticks stand,' &c. I am sorry to find this place so badly 
 stocked with every thing — no tea, coffee, sugar, or cheese to 
 be had, or indeed any thing fit to eat. I am exceedingly 
 anxious to hear of our invaluable Lord Nelson, as in his last 
 letter he mentions a return of the pain in his heart, of which 
 he suffered so much coming from Egypt. I hope he is 
 recovered again, and that you have heai'd from him lately 
 that he is so. Every day here seems a week, until I get back 
 again to him I shall not be easy. I am using all my efforts 
 to get the Genereux cleared, but she has such a quantity
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 337 
 
 of provisions and stores on board that I cannot get any store- 
 houses here to put them into, and I shall be obliged to land 
 them on the wharf, and sell off as well as I can. I have no 
 assistance from any one except the officers of the dock-yard. 
 Another expedition sailed from Toulon for Malta on the 5th 
 of this month. I hope and trust Lord Nelson will fall in with 
 them, and I doubt not the issue. The French have not one 
 ship of war of any description at Toulon ; at present only one 
 corvette which escaped us on the 18th of February. Should 
 an opportunity offer for this place, may I beg the favour of 
 your Ladyship to tell me all about Lord Nelson, my anxiety 
 is very great on his account. I feel more than I can express 
 about his health. 
 
 " The weather is so cold here, and not one square of glass 
 in our cabin windows, that I am half starved, and have been 
 in bed all day yesterday in a fever and sore throat. The 
 French rascals broke all the windows before we took pos- 
 session of her, and I cannot get a lodging on shore for money. 
 An English ship is going to Palermo in a few days, when I 
 will send you up what I can collect, as I know your city does 
 not produce much. May I also beg the favour of you to 
 desire Mrs. Cadogan's Secretary to tell me all the news of 
 Palermo, &c. My head is so bad at present that I am really 
 not able to write to them, and my throat is so sore that I can 
 only swallow liquids. If it continues I shall go to the hospital, 
 for we have no surgeon, or any attendance from other ships. 
 " I hope that good Sir William enjoys his health, to whom 
 I beg of you to make my respectful compliments, and that he 
 may long do so, as well as your Ladyship, Mrs. Cadogan, &c. 
 is the sincere wish of your Ladyship's most obedient and most 
 grateful servant, 
 
 " Jno. Tyson. 
 
 *' A kind of gaol fever has carried off a number of our men, 
 and we have two Lieutenants at the hospital, and about fifty 
 men with it, which makes me very anxious to get out of her." 
 
 On the 4th of Mai-ch, Nelson wrote to Lady Hamilton ; — 
 
 " March 4th, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 '' My health is in such a state, and to say the truth, an 
 
 VOL. I. Z
 
 338 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 uneasy mind at being taught my lesson like a school-boy, that 
 my DETERMINATION is made to leave Malta on the 
 15th morning of this month, on the first moment after the 
 wind comes favourable ; unless I am SURE that I shall get 
 hold of the French ships, — there my friends would have me 
 attend to the last sprig of laurel which will ever be plucked 
 by, my dear Lady, your faithful and affectionate, 
 
 " Bront^ AND Nelson. 
 
 " I beg my best regards to Sir William." 
 
 On the 10th, Lord Nelson quitted Malta, arrived at Pa- 
 lermo on the 16th, leaving Sir T. Troub ridge before La 
 Valetta, and upon his arrival, he wrote to him and complained 
 much of the state of his health, hoped for amendment, of 
 which he then could see but glimmering hopes, and thought 
 his career of public service at an end, unless the French fleet 
 should come into the Mediterranean, when nothing should 
 prevent his dying at his post. He attributed the affection 
 of the heart, of which he so frequently complained, to the 
 anxiety he experienced upon his return to Syracuse, in 1798. 
 
 Governor Ball wrote to Lady Hamilton on the day of Nel- 
 son's departure from Malta : — 
 
 " Malta, 10th March, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 
 " Our dear friend, Lord Nelson, has determined to return 
 to Palermo for a short time for the re-establishment of his 
 health. I was very desirous that he should prolong his stay, 
 but as I perceive he requires repose and the society of his 
 good friends at Palermo, I rejoice at his going, as the great 
 and important services he has rendered to all Europe who are 
 enemies to the French, entitle him to every honour and hap- 
 piness. We shall not meet such another — such rare qualities 
 seldom combine in one person. I never can expect to gain so 
 valuable and true a friend — such good fortune can only hap- 
 pen once in a man's life. His Lordship has been pleased to 
 give me a most flattering proof of your favourable opinion 
 of me, which I shall preserve as an invaluable deposit. 
 
 " My very best respects to Sir William Hamilton, I hope 
 for the pleasure of seeing you both before you embark for
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 339 
 
 England. I have the honour to be, with great respect, my 
 dear Madam, your Ladyship's most obliged, 
 
 " Alexander John Ball." 
 
 Captain Sir Thomas Troubridge felt severely the neglect of 
 the Neapolitan Court in regard to Malta. Pleasure seemed 
 wholly to absorb their time, and he thus addressed Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 " January 14th, 1800. 
 " Dear Madam, 
 
 " I am duly favoured with your Ladyship's letter of the 
 8th inst., and feel most completely happy at your promise to 
 play no more. Be assured I have not wi-itten to you from 
 any impertinent interference, but from a wish to warn you of 
 the ideas that were going about, which you could not hear of, 
 as no person can be indifferent to the construction put on 
 things which may appear to your Ladyship innocent, and I 
 make no doubt, done with the best intention — still your ene- 
 mies will, and do give things a different colouring. 
 
 ^' I will not trust to paper the business of the Singer, the 
 ill-natured turn it may get induced me to put your Ladyship 
 on your guard. I think it is gone to Pisa, and from thence 
 to London. You may not know that you have many ene- 
 mies, I therefore risk your displeasure by telling you. I am 
 much gratified you have taken it as I meant it — purely good. 
 You tell me I must write you all my wants. The Queen is 
 the only person who pushes things ; you must excuse me, I trust 
 nothing there, nor do I or ever shall I ask from the Court of 
 Naples any thing but for their service, and the just demands 
 I have on them. I feel their ill-treatment and deep intrigues 
 too much ever to forget or forgive them. I feel so conscious 
 I did not deserve it from them or their Ministers, nor can I 
 even thank them for the corn. Trabier, when he heard we had 
 taken the strong but necessary measures to oblige them to 
 comply with the treaty, writes to say, if they refuse to go^ 
 oblige them. Does the worthless traitor think he can deceive 
 me by his hackneyed villainy ; no, be assured not, I keep a 
 watchful eye on them all — they do not carry on their in- 
 trigues, even with the assistance of Mr. Tough,i unnoticed. 
 
 ' James Tough, Esq. Consul at Palermo. 
 z 2
 
 340 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 Lucky for the two miscreants they got notice to be off without 
 coming here. Certainly the Court has no right to account to 
 me for what they do — all I ask is, not to 'practise their intrigues 
 on me while I am serving them and serving them icell, with a 
 risk of half ruining myself by the sums I have sent different 
 ways to purchase corn, which I am not, or will not be benefited 
 by, though I take the risk of the sea and the enemy. I be- 
 lieve their Sicilian Majesties have never experienced as much 
 from their own subjects. I even turned to their Majesties' use 
 all I got at the islands, which certainly was the property of 
 the captors ; you may tell them I paid the advice boats which 
 used to go daily to Palermo, Salerno, &c. &c., and laid out 
 £500. out of my pocket from the first of my going to the 
 islands to my leaving Naples for Civita Vecchia, not counting 
 the expense of wines, &c. while I commanded at St. Elmo, 
 Capua, &c. The whole time I have been employed in their 
 cause I kept people in pay to procure information, and re- 
 warded many I thought deserved it agreeably to the Queen's 
 directions ; but they never offered to repay. I must also tell 
 you that I was chequed on the Culloden books w^hile on 
 shore, and shall lose my pay for that time. Had I been 
 serving my own Sovereign, I should have had immense al- 
 lowances — I had nothing. I even paid from my private purse 
 the feed of all the horses, a public table, ivood, cart-hire, intel- 
 ligence, spies, and a thousand other things which are too tedious 
 to relate. This will shew your Ladyship that I ever was a 
 great economist, or the sum would have been considerably 
 greater. Finally, I should have been a veiy rich man if I 
 had served George III. instead of the King of Naples. I 
 state these things, among the many, to shew you I am not 
 sore without cause. I pray your Ladyship to believe me, 
 your truly obliged and obedient humble servant, 
 
 ''T. Troubridge. 
 
 "With all I have stated I shall continue to serve them, 
 and use the same exertion I have always done in their cause. 
 I never suffer party to interfere with service. I beg my com- 
 pliments to Sir William. The new Admiral, I suppose, will 
 send us home — the new hands will serve them better, as they 
 will soon be all from the north, full of liberality and generosity, 
 as all Scots are, with some exceptions."
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 341 
 
 It is evident from this letter that the pleasures and occupa- 
 tions of the Court of Naples excited much dissatisfaction, 
 and Sir Thomas Troubridge, with manly zeal, did not hesi- 
 tate to address Lady Hamilton upon the reports prevalent in 
 regard to her conduct. So severely did this gallant officer 
 feel on the occasion, that he became seriously ill, and a fit of 
 jaundice was the consequence, from which he was suffering 
 greatly in March. He represented in the strongest terms to 
 Lord Nelson the condition in which they were left, and the 
 utter hopelessness of serving Malta unless assistance could be 
 rendered to them. Governor Ball, however, acted with great 
 boldness and promptitude, and finding all appeals fruitless, 
 seized upon the ships laden with corn, and thus relieved 
 the Maltese. General Sir John Acton made complaint to 
 Lord Nelson of the violence that had been committed in the 
 port of Girgenti by seizing and carrying off to Malta two 
 vessels loaded with corn ; and Nelson replied to the Minister, 
 Sir William Hamilton, by expressing his concern that ev^en 
 the appearance of the slightest disrespect should be offered 
 by any officers under his command to the flag of his Sicilian 
 Majesty ; but that the act was of the most absolute and im- 
 perious necessity, that either the island of Malta should have 
 been delivered up to the French, or that the King's orders 
 should be anticipated for those vessels carrying their cargoes 
 of corn into Malta. Lord Nelson, however, wrote to Sir 
 Thomas Troubridge that the measure of sending into a port 
 w^as strong ; but that at sea there could be no difficulty. He 
 hoped the urgency of the case would not happen again. The 
 following letter from Governor Ball to Mr. Macauley, the 
 Treasurer of Malta, who assisted Ball in obtaining supplies, 
 may here be added : — 
 
 "Malta, 22nd March, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Macauley, 
 ^' Many thanks to you, my dear friend, for your two letters 
 from Girgenti, and one from Palermo, dated the 14th inst., 
 which contain the most pleasing information. Be assured 
 that I will never forget the kind interest you take in my con- 
 cerns. I assure you that I miss you very much, and hope 
 your stay will be very short at Palermo. I request you to 
 return as soon as possible. You have the good wishes of all
 
 342 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 the Maltese who have a true sense of your disinterested zeal 
 in rendering them services and enlightening their minds. I 
 have had several petitioners for the place of Ingenieur et 
 Surintendant des grands Cherains in the room of Signior 
 Macoli ! but since I have explained that the only profit you 
 gained by your labour, was a good appetite, they all hope 
 you will return and enjoy the same many years, in which I 
 most sincerely join them. I send off to Count de Jutt 
 60,000 scudi ; everything goes on smooth, Caruana is coming 
 round, and behaves very well. I shall write to General Acton 
 a letter of thanks the 24th, and I shall send you a longer 
 letter. I rejoice sincerely that our worthy Italinsky^ has ob- 
 tained the distinguished honours he so much merits. I shall 
 write him a congratulatory letter in a day or two. I shall 
 attend to all you have said in your letters, which I consider 
 very essential. 
 
 " Pray let me know what Sir William Hamilton is deter- 
 mined on ; he is the most amiable and accomplished man I 
 know, and his heart is certainly one of the best in the world. 
 I wish he and her Ladyship would pay me a visit ; they are 
 an irreparable loss to me, for I am convinced that but for 
 their influence with their Sicilian Majesties and his Ministers, 
 the poor Maltese would have been starved, and my head 
 would have been sacrificed in their moment of despair. I 
 long to know Lord Nelson's determination ; it is impossible 
 that any person can feel more pure regard for him than I 
 do, for I have seen him in the hour of danger and difficulties, 
 and I never can forget his great and immortal traits. General 
 Graham will not allow my Maltese to make false attacks, all 
 I can urge will not do. I can perceive that he gives in to 
 Lord Keith's prejudices, as he relates and repeats whatever 
 is against our friends at Palermo. He does not do it to me, 
 knowing that my friendship revolts at it. Adieu, my dear 
 friend, believe me with sincere regard, yours, 
 
 "Alexander John Ball." 
 
 ' The Chevalier Italinsky was made second or corresponding Minister from the 
 Emperor of Russia to the Court of Palermo. Nelson had much regard for him 
 He succeeded Count Pouschkin as Minister at War for the Navy and Army in 
 Italy.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 343 
 
 Sir Thomas Troiibridge's opinion of the Neapolitans is 
 again shewn in the following letter to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " Malta, March 30th, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 " I have just received your very obliging letter from Pa- 
 lermo, desiring me to say whether I would have a pension in 
 this country or England. / have been so long here, and seen 
 so much of the Neapolitan Government, that I well know they 
 have no intention of doing anything. As I have before 
 written both Lord Nelson and your Ladyship to say I would 
 take nothing in this country. As for England, that is out of 
 the question. If the Queen has any intention and power to 
 do anything, a very moderate sum at my own disposal, given 
 at once, w^ould content me ; a large pension is out of the 
 question. I am still very ill, and confined to my cabin, and 
 have a prospect of returning to my country with a broken 
 constitution and my purse much lighter for serving the King 
 of Naples ; but, I thank God , uncontaminated in my princi- 
 ples. I am no stranger to Acton^s duplicity, but I will no 
 
 more trouble myself about the set. Adieu, and believe 
 
 me, dear Madam, 
 
 '* Your truly obliged and faithful friend, 
 
 « T. Troubridge." 
 
 At Palermo, Nelson met with Major Perkins Magra, the 
 British Consul at Tunis, whose ability and energy in the public 
 service he had always much admired, and he took the oppor- 
 tunity afforded by the Major's return, to write to the Dey of 
 Algiers, and claim the restitution of a vessel laden with corn 
 from Palermo to Malta, which had been seized.^ The Major 
 brought a letter of introduction to Lady Hamilton from 
 Governor Ball : — 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 
 " Major Magra will have the honour of presenting this to 
 
 your Ladyship, and of assuring you how much you are our 
 
 theme. I am sorry to hear that you have had a finger ache, 
 
 but I hope it was of short duration. I hear that you are very 
 
 ' See Appendix, No. III.
 
 344 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. X. 
 
 gay, and his Grace and Sir William in good health. The 
 Major possesses military talents, and appears to feel for our 
 very critical state, which he can detail fully to you. I never 
 can despond while under the auspicious flag of his Grace 
 de Bronte, and I do all I can to make every body feel as san- 
 guine. God bless your Ladyship. I have the honour to be, 
 with great respect, 
 
 " Your much obliged, 
 
 " Alexander John Ball. 
 
 " 7th November." 
 
 In January, 1800, Lord Keith placed the port of Genoa in 
 a state of blockade. The campaign in Italy was to open on 
 the 25th of February. 
 
 J
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 345 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 1800. 
 
 In March, 1800, Lord Nelson received intelligence by a 
 courier, from Constantinople, that the Ministers of England 
 and Russia, had refused to ratify a Convention entered into 
 between the Porte and the French General, to permit the 
 French array to return to Europe. This determination was 
 in accordance with the view Lord Nelson always entertained 
 on this subject, which now became one of no little uneasiness 
 to all parties concerned. From documents lately printed,^ 
 it appears that at El Arish, on the 24th of January, 1800, a 
 Convention was signed by Moustapha Rasched EfFendi, 
 Moustapha Reffichi Effendi, two commissioners appointed on 
 the part of the Grand Vizir, and by General Desaix, and 
 Monsieur Poussielgue, Commissioners appointed on the part of 
 General Kleber, by whom it had been agreed that the French 
 troops, then in Egypt, should evacuate that country, and be 
 allowed to return to France. Sir Sidney Smith has been very 
 generally considered as a principal agent, or contracting party 
 in this Convention ;" but it appears that the Commissioners 
 of the Grand Vizir, and of General Kleber, met on board the 
 Tigre (Sir Sidney Smith's ship), and that they agreed to refer 
 all disputed points to the opinion of Sir Sidney, reserving to 
 themselves the right of rejection or adoption. His signature 
 
 ' Mr. Barrow's Life and Correspondence of Sir Sidney Smith, Vol. i. p. 383, 
 and Vol. ii. p. 1 — 79. 
 
 ^ The Grand Vizir invested the Capitan Pasha and Sir Sidney Smith with full 
 powers to do whatever they might judge for the best, and had them both at tlie 
 same time invested with two fine pelisses, in the presence of aU the grandees and 
 
 banditti. See Letter of John Keith, Esq. to Tooke, Esq., June 27th, 1800, 
 
 in Barrow's Life of Sir W. Sidney Smith, Vol- i. p. 395.
 
 346 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 was not called for, nor given to any one point of the 
 Convention. 
 
 In a letter to Lord Nelson, dated from the Ottoman camp, 
 El Arish, January 30th, 1800, Sir Sidney Smith says : — 
 "Your Lordship will observe I have not signed it, the execu- 
 tion of most of the articles depending solely on the Ottoman 
 Government, and on the discipline which may be preserved 
 in the Turkish army. I have, hoM^ever, reserved to myself 
 that right of arbitration, which the confidence, both of the 
 Grand Vizir and General Kleber, most unequivocally ex- 
 pressed, may enable me to exercise ; and I have now only to 
 endeavour to prevent any untoward circumstances from again 
 causing the sword to be drawn in this quarter, after it has 
 been thus happily sheathed, by the moderation, humanity, 
 and sound policy of these two highly distinguished chiefs."^ 
 
 On the 8th of January, Lord Keith addressed a letter to 
 the French General Kleber, communicating to him that he 
 had received positive orders from his Majesty not to consent 
 to any capitulation with the French troops, which he, the 
 General, commanded in Egypt and Syria, at least unless 
 they laid down their arms, surrendered themselves prisoners 
 of war, and delivered up all the ships and stores of the port of 
 Alexandria to the Allied powers. Lord Keith was ignorant 
 of the order Lord Grenville had given to the Earl of Elgin, 
 our ambassador at the Porte, to permit the Convention to go 
 on, though not exactly upon the terms first proposed. Lord 
 Grenville thought the terms of capitulation too advantageous 
 to the French, and that Sir Sidney Smith was not authorized 
 to enter into, or give his sanction to such an agreement in his 
 Majesty's name. But as the Convention had been entered 
 into, and if annulled, the enemy's situation could not be re- 
 sumed as it before stood, his Majesty was unwilling to lower 
 the regard due to the public faith, and therefore directed his 
 officers to abstain from every act inconsistent with the 
 engagements to which Sir Sidney had erroneously given 
 the sanction of his name. The Ambassador at the Porte 
 was therefore left to settle with the Porte upon a form of 
 
 ' Barrow's Life of Sir W. Sidney Smith, Vol. ii, p. 7.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 347 
 
 passport, to be given in the name of his Majesty as an ally 
 of the Porte. By this means his Majesty took no part in 
 the treaty, but carefully abstained from offering any impedi- 
 ment to the execution of it.^ 
 
 Sir Sidney Smith was, it is evident, placed in an awkward 
 predicament, by the sanction he had given to the terms of 
 the Convention. His firm friend. Earl Spencer, then at the 
 head of the Admiralty, after receiving his explanations upon 
 the subject, wrote to him as follows : — " I shall satisfy my- 
 self with saying, in general, that your explanations and de- 
 fence are so far completely satisfactory to my mind, as to 
 prove that you have throughout acted in the manner which to 
 you appeared the best ; and, though I think you seem to have 
 been under an error, with respect to the continuation of your 
 power as a Plenipotentiary (an error, by the by, into which 
 I am not surprised that you were led by the communications 
 you received from Lord Elgin), and though I also differ con- 
 siderably with you in the opinion you seem to have formed 
 of the probable result of the return of Kleber's army into 
 France, I cannot help allowing, that you acted upon very 
 strong grounds, and that, upon the whole, if it were possible 
 that we here could have been in complete possession of all 
 those grounds, for the purpose of forming a determination on 
 the subject, the Convention of El Arish would most probably 
 have been carried into execution.^' 
 
 The receipt of Lord Keith's letter, and the refusal to ratify 
 the Convention, occasioned an immediate renewal of hostilities 
 on the 20th of March. The Turks were defeated, and much 
 blood was spilt. 
 
 Sir Sidney Smith, in a letter to Lord Keith, dated April 
 5th, 1800, says, that General Kleber, after having notified his 
 intention to renew hostilities, attacked the Vizir's advanced 
 posts, on the morning of the 20th of March, in the vicinity of 
 Cairo. The French opened a fire of sixty pieces of cannon 
 on the Turkish advanced posts ; the Turks advanced in 
 bodies of from 50 to 100 men, and skirmished with the 
 French line, which remained steady till these were either 
 
 ' Letter of Lord Grenville to Lord Elgin, March 28th, 1800. Life of Sir W. 
 Sidney Smith, VoL ii. p. 13.
 
 348 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP, XI. 
 
 killed or dispersed ; the whole Turkish army then advanced 
 in a tumultuous manner ; but when the French moved forward 
 in line, the whole multitude of Turks ran away, except a body 
 of them who had got into Cairo, and began a massacre of the 
 Christian inhabitants, which occasioned the fire of the French 
 in the citadel to open on the city.^ 
 
 General Kleber, assassinated by^ a Janissary sent from 
 Gaza, was succeeded in the command by General Abdallah 
 Menou, the chief of the Colonist party, who had turned Ma- 
 hometan to marry a pretty woman, and to become a Bey of 
 Egypt. 
 
 M. Thiers gives the following account of the assassination 
 of General Kleber : — '* A young man, a native of Aleppo, 
 named Suleiman, an extravagant fanatic, who had made the 
 pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, and studied at the mosque 
 of El Azhar, with intention of obtaining admission into 
 the body of the Doctors of the Faith, was journeying 
 in Palestine at the time when the remains of the army of the 
 Grand Vizir were passing through the country. His morbid 
 imagination was powerfully excited by the condition to which 
 he beheld his co-religionists reduced, and communication 
 with the Aga of the Janissaries tended still further to inflame 
 his fanaticism. He offered to assassinate ' the Sultan of the 
 French,^ as the General Kleber was called. For this purpose 
 he obtained a dromedary and a sum of money, repaired to 
 Gaza, crossed the desert, thence to Cairo, where he shut 
 himself up in the Great Mosque, devoted to students and 
 poor travellers. He communicated his design to the four 
 principal Sheiks belonging to this foundation, who endea- 
 voured to dissuade him from his terrible design ; but they 
 could not prevail with him to abandon it, nor did they give 
 intelligence respecting it to the French authorities, by which 
 it might have been guarded against or prevented. Suleiman 
 armed himself with a dagger, and followed his victim for several 
 days without being able to accomplish his purpose. He, how- 
 ever, at length penetrated into the garden of the head- 
 quarters, and then hid himself in a cistern. On the 14th of 
 June he appeared before Kleber, who was engaged with the 
 
 ' See Life of Sir W. Sidney Smith, Vol. i, p. 391. 
 
 J
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 349 
 
 architect of the army (Protaln), and determining upon the 
 repairs necessary to be effected in consequence of the mischief 
 done to the house by bombs and balls in the late contest. The 
 fanatic approached him, and, under the disguise of a begg-ar 
 soliciting alms, plunged his dagger several times into his 
 breast. Protain struck him, but was also assailed with the 
 assassin's dagger. The soldiers, alarmed by the cries, 
 hastened to the spot, and seized the murderer. Kleber soon 
 expired. The assassin was tried, confessed his crime, was 
 condemned, and impaled. The Sheiks, who had suffered 
 this tragical event to take place, w^ere beheaded " 
 
 The following is the character of Kleber as given by M. 
 Thiers : — " Kleber etait le plus bel homme de I'armee. Sa 
 grande taille, sa noble figure ou respirait toute la fierte de son 
 ame, sa bravoui'e a la fois audacieuse et calme, son intelligence 
 prompte et sure, en faisaient sur les champs de bataille le plus 
 imposant des capitaines. Son esprit etait brillant, original, 
 mais inculte. 11 lisait sans cesse et exclusivement, Plutarque 
 et Quinte-Curce : il y cherchait I'aliment des grandes ames, 
 I'histoire des heros de Fantiquite. II etait capricieux, indo- 
 cile et frondeur. On avait dit de lui qu'il ne voulait ni 
 commander ni obeir, et c'etait vrai. II obeit sous le general 
 Bonaparte, mais en murmurant ; il commanda quelquefois, 
 mais sous le nom d'autrui, sous le general Jourdan, par ex- 
 ample, prenant par une sorte d'inspiration le commandement 
 au milieu du feu, Pexercant en homme de guerre superieur, 
 et, apres la victoire, rentrant dans son role de lieutenant, 
 qu'il preferait a tout autre. Kleber etait licentieux dans ses 
 mceurs et son langage, mais integre, desinteresse, comme on 
 I'etait alors ; car la conquete du monde n'avait pas encore 
 corrompu les caracteres."^ 
 
 Of Menou, Thiers states : — '•' Menou etait tres-instruit, 
 brave de sa personne, enthousiaste de Pexpedition, mais inca- 
 pable de dinger une armee, et frappe de ridicule, parce qu'il 
 avait epouse une femme turque, et s'etait fait Mahometan 
 lui-meme. II se faisait appeler Abdallah Menou, ce qui 
 egayait les soldats, et diminuait beaucoup le respect dont un 
 commandant en chef a besoin d'etre entoure."- 
 
 ' Histoii-e du Coasulat et de I'Empire par M. Thiers, torn. ii. p. 69. 
 * Le meme, torn. ii. p. 78.
 
 350 LIFE OP VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 Lord Keith turned over the command of the Naval forces 
 on this station to Rear- Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, Bart., 
 on the 7th of September, with orders to co-operate with the 
 General commanding the land forces, and to carry into effect 
 the evacuation of the French army, by means of troop ships, 
 and the most serviceable transports. The evacuation effected. 
 Sir Sidney Smith returned to England the bearer of the 
 dispatches communicating the intelligence of the expulsion 
 of the French from Egypt. 
 
 Much correspondence took place between Lord Elgin and 
 Sir Sidney Smith, a portion of which will be found in the 
 Life of Sir Sidney Smith ; and a correspondence, also, I find 
 was cai'ried on between Lord Elgin and Lord Nelson, on the 
 subject, which I think it right here to insert, as it serves to make 
 the particulars of the Convention of El Arish more complete. 
 Among these papers are the following extracts from letters 
 of the Earl of Elgin to Sir Sidney Smith, which are marked 
 as Certified Extracts, and subscribed by W. Sidney Smith, 
 who has also appended the following note. '' His Lordship 
 recommended in the strongest manner that I would not take 
 the question out of the hands of the Turks. It will, how- 
 ever, be seen, that previous to the reception of this recom- 
 mendation, viz., on the 30th, I wrote the Note B.^^^ 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Lord Elgin to Sir Sidney Smith, 
 dated November 30th, 1799. 
 
 "It was my first object in coming here to communicate 
 very fully with you ; but as your brother received letters from 
 you immediately on my arrival, by which I found you were 
 apprized of every thing we knew at Constantinople, relative 
 to the correspondence established between the Grand Vizir 
 and the French General, and had actually sent Major 
 Bromley to the Turkish camp with your sentiments on the 
 Turkish letters you had intercepted, I contented myself with 
 one official letter by a Turkish messenger, to say that I had 
 made a point of your being a party with the Grand Vizir in 
 my capitulations to be entered into with the French troops, 
 and that I considered you, as commanding his Majesty's ships 
 
 ' This note is not among the papers in my possession.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 351 
 
 in those seas, fully authorized to give every protection to the 
 French who might quit Egypt in virtue of such capitulation. 
 
 These transactions would at any time call 
 
 for the most vigilant attention on our part, but the circum- 
 stances of the war in Europe unfortunately present fresh and 
 most urgent motives, which will, I am sure, appear to you as 
 having a particular connection with the operations in which 
 
 you are engaged In this melancholy state 
 
 of affairs, I feel myself doubly called upon to recommend 
 every possible means that can aid in forcing the French out 
 of Egypt, and prevent the loss on the part of the Turks, 
 which the French evidently aim at gaining. In this convic- 
 tion I have been with the Ottoman ministers. I have repre- 
 sented to them the inferences obviously arising out of the 
 reports made in France by Berthier and Buonaparte since 
 their return thither, inferences which prove that the posses- 
 sion of Egypt is considered and meant to be an object of 
 national importance.^' 
 
 Extract of another Letter from Lord Elgin to Sir Sidney 
 Smith, dated December 'Jth, 1799. 
 
 " I have assured the Government in your name, that they 
 may rely on your hearty co-operation. For my part, I have 
 grounds for saying, that whether considered as the means of 
 national grandeur, or as a focus of revolutionary principles, 
 the possession of Egypt is of greater value to the French 
 than any other conquest whatsoever, and that, either in your 
 capacity of Englishman, or as well wisher to the Ottoman 
 Empire, we are called upon to employ every possible effort 
 to drive them out; nor can it be necessary for me to advert 
 to any, as you have the advantage of personal communication 
 with the Grand Vizir." 
 
 Extract of another Letter from Lord Elgin to Sir Sidney 
 Smith, dated December I'Jth, 1799. 
 
 "Nothing can be beyond the immediate importance to us 
 of seeing Egypt recovered from the French ; but although I 
 cannot enter into details in writing, I beg to assure you the 
 mode of doing this involves the highest consideration of 
 general politics, and I point it out to you as a matter of the
 
 352 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [ciIAP. XI. 
 
 utmost consequence, that you should, at this conjuncture, 
 scrupulously avoid whatever may give suspicion or umbrage 
 to the Turkish Government, or take from them an occasion 
 of conducting this business in any way they think proper, 
 consistent with their engagements with us.'' 
 
 Extract of another Letter from Lord Elyin to Sir Sidney 
 Smithy dated December 22nd, 1799- 
 
 " I inclose you a copy of a letter I sent to you overland, 
 of the 17th instant. It was written at the very earnest re- 
 quest of the Ottoman Ministry, in consequence of represen- 
 tations they had received from the Grand Vizir, as well as the 
 resolutions they had taken here, and forwarded for the 
 guidance of the Grand Vizir in negociating the evacuation of 
 Egypt ; at any period it would be a galling sensation for a 
 Government to see a foreign power assuming the total 
 management of transactions with the enemy who had invaded 
 its territories." 
 
 The first of these extracts, November 30th, 1799, tends to 
 a certain extent to exculpate Sir Sidney Smith from the 
 charge of having exceeded his power ; as the Ambassador re- 
 garded him as being a party with the Grand Vizir in any 
 capitulation to be entered into with the French. 
 
 EARL OF ELGIN TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 " Constantinople, 15th January, 1800. 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 *' I am happy in an opportunity of returning your Lord- 
 ship my thanks for the letters I have within these few days 
 received from you, dated 29 October,^ 4 November,' and 8 and 
 9 December, they have all reached me nearly at the same 
 time. 
 
 " Nothing, my Lord, can contribute more effectually to 
 the success of the measures taken by this Government 
 against the common enemy, nor to the promotion of the in- 
 terests of Great Britain in this part of the world, than the 
 
 ' These Letters may be found in Sir N. Harris Nicolas's Dispatches and Letters 
 of Lord Nelson, Vol. iv.
 
 1799.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 353 
 
 hearty co-operation your Lordship has already so gloriously 
 afforded and now continues to promise. I have taken occa- 
 sion to communicate those assurances ; and I must do the 
 ministry of the Porte, and in particular, the Capitan Pasha, 
 the justice to say, that they very fairly and very handsomely 
 appreciate the services you have rendered them, and look up 
 to you with confidence for their main support. 
 
 " Your Lordship must know more recently than through 
 Constantinople, our latest intelligence from Egypt, which 
 states, that Sir Sidney Smith had been called to a meeting 
 with the Grand Vizir ; where the correspondence between 
 the Turkish and French commanders was taken into consi- 
 deration and where it was agreed to open conferences with 
 Deputies from the French army, in the hope of agreeing 
 upon the peaceable evacuation of Egypt. Sir Sidney had 
 gone to receive the Deputies on board the Tigre, but stress 
 of weather had prevented his succeeding in this attempt, and 
 it was in agitation by the Grand Vizir to receive the Depu- 
 ties at Gaza. It is added that Sir Sidney objected to this 
 management, and had represented, that the negotiations 
 should be on board his ship, off Alexandria. But as this 
 would be so far from the Turkish camp, of course, I should 
 imagine his plan will be over-ruled. 
 
 " Your Lordship will also know directly from Sir Sidney, 
 that the anxiety of the Porte to have the addition of some 
 smaller English vessels, particularly for watching the coast 
 of Egypt during the winter, is a very natural wish ; and 
 I should hope your Lordship will have it in your jDOwer to 
 gratify them. 
 
 " In general I am happy in being able to say, that as far 
 as my means of judging go, I see no reason to doubt the 
 sincerity and the disposition to act heartily, of this Govern- 
 ment. They are cordial with the Russians and with us. 
 
 '^ 1 have the honour to be, with the highest respect, 
 
 « My Lord, 
 " Your Lordship's most humble and obedient sen^ant, 
 
 " Elgin.'' 
 
 This letter is followed by one marked " private" of the 
 same date. 
 
 VOL. I. 2 A •
 
 354 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP, XI. 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 [Private.] " Constantinople, January 15, 1800. 
 
 ^' My dear Lord, 
 
 *'The communication with the coast of Egypt at this 
 season of the year is not such as leaves me the possibihty of 
 furnishing you any interesting details from hence, of the 
 operations there. Still I wish to God, I could have an hour's 
 conversation with your Lordship on matters there. Your in- 
 fluence from situation, character, and profession, are requi- 
 site to correct errors and to check some improper notions 
 which are gaining much with some of our friends and co- 
 operators. 
 
 " Sir Sidney Smith has, I am grieved to say, adopted a line 
 of conduct of late contrary to the wishes of our Govern- 
 ment, to the spirit of our present system, and to the position 
 in which he has already shewn that he can be so very useful. 
 He has assumed the character of Minister Plenipotentiary, 
 grounded upon his having had that nomination to enable 
 him to sign, with his brother, a treaty here last winter : he 
 continues this title without confirmation, instructions, or 
 powers from home. And he has exerted it upon different 
 occasions to exercise police in Cyprus and elsewhere ; a fact 
 literally without precedent in diplomatic history. This has 
 bi'ought upon our arms the utmost ill-will; it serves as an 
 apology for backwardness in the Turks, and has given occa- 
 sion to most unpleasant scenes in the Seraglio, where we 
 have of necessity enemies to our alliance. Sir Sidney has 
 next gone from the camp in despite of every feeling of a 
 Turk, to Jerusalem, shocked all their prejudices, and as his 
 favoured Catholics have on the occasion been profuse in 
 their jiresents to him, the Turks have made this display the 
 pretext for oppressing these poor people by new' contribu- 
 tions. 
 
 " Sir Sidney now attempts to take into his own hands the 
 negotiation for evacuating Egypt begun by the Commanders 
 of the Turkish and French armies, and proposes not only to 
 have it on board his own ship away from the Grand Vizir, 
 but also without any Turk of distinction as Plenipotentiary
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 355 
 
 with him. If your Lordship takes the trouble of perusing 
 the coiTespondence from the French camp, you will readily 
 perceive that the French, if they think seriously of evacuat- 
 ing Egypt, are too happy to engage us, as a principal party 
 in their negotiation, first in the hopes of securing on their 
 side the high notions of Sir Sidney, which alone, inde- 
 pendent of other considerations, is already a strong point 
 gained towards their being reconducted safe to France. 
 
 " Secondly, in the view of making this abandoning of 
 Egypt an obligation to us instead of one to the Turks, who 
 have nothing to repay an obligation of the sort. And 
 thirdly, in the intention of tying us down in regard to the 
 country they leave. On my arrival here I found this busi- 
 ness opening, and a demand was made to me for passports to 
 secure the safe return of the French who should agree with the 
 Tiarks to abandon Egypt. I answered instantly, that there 
 being British officers acting on the spot, they were the pro- 
 per persons to grant this security, and had consequently 
 powers to give the necessary passports. 
 
 ^' Since then I have again been called upon to interfere. 
 But, as it is highly discreditable to this Government that 
 foreign powers should be parties in stipulations to be made 
 with the French for evacuating its territory, I have uniformly 
 recommended to the Tm'ks that they should proceed by 
 themselves, the more so, as the spirit of my instructions 
 pointed out this line : and the Turks have plans in view on 
 this occasion, in which we cannot possibly take part, and 
 which would insure (what is so desirable) a continuation of 
 the war on their side. 
 
 " I have sent my private Secretary to the Grand Vizir's 
 army, and have by him put Sir Sidney in possession of every 
 thought I have on the subject. But this afternoon I liave 
 received the inclosed extract written by Sir Sidney to the 
 Turkish Government on the 15th of December, which re- 
 moves my hopes of conveying with efficacy my sentiments, 
 and my instructions to him. 
 
 " Professions of private feeling would be greatly displaced 
 in my correspondence with your Lordship, but I declare, 
 there exists not a man for whom I entertain a warmer pai'- 
 tiality than Sir Sidney Smith, nor whose conduct I could 
 
 2 A 2
 
 356 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 and have taken more conscientious care to support. It is 
 only after this, that I apply to your Lordship. 
 
 " I must add that General Koehler, whom I found here, with 
 a detachment of artillery and engineer officers sent out by 
 Government, is now going to remain with the Grand Vizir, 
 and consequently Sir Sidney will no longer have it exclu- 
 sively in his power to act as representing Great Britain. 
 
 *' From all these circumstances your Lordship will be able 
 to direct the orders to be forwarded to him. He has already 
 distinguished himself so eminently in his professional line, 
 and has so fine a field before him, that he certainly requires 
 nothing more than to have his duty pointed out to him. 
 
 "■ Believe me ever, with the highest veneration, 
 
 " Your Lordship's most sincerely and respectfully, 
 
 « Elgin.'' 
 
 Lord Nelson had, in a letter to the Earl of Elgin, of the 
 date of December 21st, l799j written: "I own my hope 
 yet is, that the Sublime Porte will never permit a single 
 Frenchman to quit Egypt ; and I own myself wicked enough 
 to wish them all to die in that country they chose to invade. 
 We have scoundrels of French enough in Europe without 
 them." And, '' I again take the liberty of repeating that it 
 is contrary to my opinion, allowing a single Frenchman from 
 Egypt to return during the war to France. It would be a 
 paper I never would subscribe to ; but I submit to the better 
 judgment of men." To his Excellency J. Spencer Smith 
 he also wrote, December 22nd : " I cannot bring myself to 
 believe they (the French) would entirely quit Egypt ; and, 
 if they would, I never would consent to one of them return- 
 ing to the continent of Europe during the war. I wish 
 them to perish in Egypt, and give a great lesson to the 
 world of the justice of the Almighty." To Sir Sidney 
 Smith, Nelson wrote, January 15th, 1800: "I have wrote 
 to Lord Keith, and home, that I did not give credit that 
 it was possible for you to give any passport for a single 
 Frenchman, much less the army, after my positive order of 
 March 18, 1799." 
 
 Lord Elgin addressed the following to Lord Nelson : —
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 357 
 
 " Constantinople, 18th Februarj', 1800. 
 ^' My Lord, 
 
 " I had the honour of addressing your Lordship on Satur- 
 day last, by a courier, despatched by the Russian IVIinister 
 to x\dmiral Ushakow. I now have an opportunity of writing 
 in consequence of an apphcation to your Lordship on the 
 part of the Porte for your assistance towards accomphshing 
 the terms of the capitulation contracted between the Grand 
 Vizir and General Kleber for the total evacuation of Egypt 
 by the French troops. 
 
 *' Your Lordship's former correspondence sufficiently as- 
 sures me how much you will join with me in regretting that 
 terms, so far beyond our expectation, have been granted to 
 the French. No hesitation, however, can exist in the im- 
 portance of the recovery of Egypt ; and your Lordship will 
 therefore, I doubt not, add to the essential services you have 
 uniformly rendered the Porte, by endeavouring to furnish 
 them the assistance they now require. 
 
 '' I must refer your Lordship to Sir Sidney Smith for all 
 details on the convention and embarkation. The Porte are 
 collecting as much shipping as they can procure here, to 
 send to Egypt. But from what I learn, this aid and the 
 French ships at Alexandria, said to be the three ships of war 
 and fifty transports, will, by no means, be sufficient for the 
 purpose. The intentions manifested by the French in their 
 first overtures with Sir Sidney Smith evidently prove their 
 anxiety to get possession of the ex- Venetian islands, and to 
 keep Malta, so that, from the proofs of perfidy which have 
 so peculiarly characterized this corps of troops in Egypt, it 
 becomes an object of most unremitting care to prevent their 
 availing themselves of any opening, they may acquire on 
 their passage, of betraying the trust reposed in them ; and I 
 rest in the fullest confidence that your Lordship's knowledge 
 of them, and your vigilance, will not only prevent such a 
 mischief, but effectually punish it if attempted on their part. 
 ^' I have the honour to be, with much respect, 
 " My Lord, your Lordship's 
 
 ^' Most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 « Elgin."
 
 358 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 This was replied to by Nelson on the 31st March. He says, 
 " I cannot help most sincerely regretting that ever any counte- 
 nance was given to the Turks to enter into such a treaty with 
 the French ; for I ever held it to be impossible to permit that 
 army to return to Europe, but as prisoners of war, and, in 
 that case, not to France, And was I Commander-in-chief, 
 even when the thing was done, I should have refused to ratify 
 any consent or approbation of Sir Sidney Smith, and would 
 have wrote to both the Grand Vizir and the French General, 
 the impossibility of permitting a vanquished army to be 
 placed by one Ally in a position to attack another Ally. In 
 doing this, I should have taken all means to have made the 
 Sublime Porte sensible of the necessity of the conduct Great 
 Britain was forced to, but I never should for a moment have 
 forgot my text — that at all risks of giving offence — not one 
 Frenchman should he allowed to quit Egypt J" 
 
 Nelson also wrote to the Capitan Pasha : " I cannot help 
 regretting, and with the deepest sorrow, that any such treaty 
 should have been entered into with the French invaders and 
 despoilers of the fairest provinces in the Ottoman empire, 
 more especially as I own I see not how it is possible to fulfil 
 the treaty ; for one Ally cannot have the power of getting rid 
 of an enemy's vanquished army, by sending them with arms 
 in their hands to fight against a friend. Could I have been 
 fortunate enough to have been either at the camp of the 
 Grand Vizir, or with your Excellency, it would have been 
 easy to convince you that no Ally could consent to receive 
 00,000 troops to fight against them. I regret in the extreme 
 that the Foreign Ministers at the Sublime Porte did not make 
 the proper representations of the impossibility of preventing 
 the return of such an army, but as prisoners of war, as must 
 be obvious to every capacity. But situated as I am at this 
 moment in the Mediterranean fleet, my station is only to obey 
 the orders of my Commander-in-chief." 
 
 Sir Sidney Smith addressed the following to Lord Nel- 
 son : — 
 
 "Tigre, off Rhodes, 16th June, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " I dispatch the Fanny with a mass of accumulated matter, 
 of information, such as it is, up to the present day, that we
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 359 
 
 are come to some point in the business. The Turks being 
 driven out of Egypt, as might well be expected, Murad Bey, 
 very glad they are gone, is allowed by the French to enjoy 
 tranquillity and neutrality. Kleber has offered to treat again, 
 being, of course, much more indifferent, at the same time that 
 it is by no means an indifferent thing to the Turks to recover 
 their province by negotiation, since they see they never can 
 recover it by force. The Vizir is, accordingly, very anxious 
 that I should come and give him such advice as shall pre- 
 vent him falling into any of the traps the French and the 
 Effendi together lay for him to infringe on the Treaty of the 
 Alliance, and throw Turkey under the French influence again. 
 The Capitan Pasha, who is of the original French party, has 
 Buonaparte's spy, Beauchamp, on board his ship with him, 
 intriguing off Alexandria, while Kleber, who is not likely to be 
 Beauchamp's dupe (calling him, as he is, an apostate priest), 
 is endeavouring to treat direct with Constantinople. I have 
 cut up this hitherto ; but I feel myself with my hands tied by 
 not being allowed to take decided steps and overrule all these 
 intrigues by speaking plain. I hope I shall have some specific 
 instructions soon. I hear there are some on the way, passing 
 an unmerited censure on me for having acted according 
 to Lord Elgin^s ' authorization ' to concert with the Vizir 
 every * arrangement that might be found eligible for rescuing 
 the Turkish provinces from the French troops, and prevent- 
 ing the latter from gaining time, which appeared to be their 
 object,' The word, unauthorized, cannot therefore be applied 
 to me; besides, imminent danger authorizes a man to do 
 whatever may be practicable to save a question from perdi- 
 tion, as I doubt not, your Lordship will admit, and this, I 
 assure you, my dear Lord, was precisely our case. I hear of 
 the Princess Charlotte on her way ; when she arrives, I shall 
 have some more light from your Lordship, as well as from a 
 greater distance ; the latter will come certainly with much 
 weight, but it cannot possibly be applicable to present cir- 
 cumstances. The only army in the empire being Djezzar's 
 rebellious one, unless Murad Bey's neutral one may be 
 called so — it is certainly the most efficient if it acts, and 
 I have written to engage the Porte to secure his alliance
 
 360 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL, [CIIAP. XI. 
 
 by making him feel safe. Ever, my dear Lord, year's 
 faithfully, 
 
 "W. Sidney Smith." 
 
 Lord Elgin consulted Lord Nelson upon this, and also some 
 other matters, as appears from the following letters, on the 
 backs of which Nelson has written drafts of his replies : — 
 
 THE EARL OF ELGIN TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 [Private.] "Constantinople, January 15th, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 
 " The extreme pressure of business at this moment induces 
 me to use a confidential hand to copy one of my private let- 
 ters to your Lordship. In addition to what I have already 
 written, I have still one circumstance (trifling in itself, though 
 attended with some little interest to me), to mention to your 
 Lordship. 
 
 " You know what rank the Capitan Pasha holds in this 
 country. He is, in fact, the Grand Vizir by sea. There 
 never was any treaty before the present ones with Turkey, 
 and of course the navigation of the Dardanelles being con- 
 fined almost to the Turks, the Capitan Pasha exacted and 
 received honours from all vessels which answered to his 
 superior rank. In our Treaty, as in that with Russia, reci- 
 procity is established in all salutes between our ships and 
 Turks, without any difference whatever. In regard to us, I 
 don't believe the Capitan Pasha would hesitate almost in giving 
 more than he receives, if it could be understood as an ex- 
 pression of respect, which he really shews on all occasions to 
 our navy. But he feels cruelly sore, when a little Russian 
 transport insists on the same number of guns from him that 
 it fires, and that within the Dardanelles. 
 
 " Now, my dear Lord, could you suggest to me any mode 
 in which I might attempt to procure this gratification from 
 the Russians ? The Capitan Pasha's rank has no analogy in 
 any other country, and having married a sister of the late 
 Sultan, he might, by a little stretch, be considered a Prince 
 of the Blood ; and that, by making the distinction personal.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 361 
 
 and adding that it bore some reference to the present con- 
 nections between the countries, would, I should conceive, be 
 easier adopted, and considered as a greater favour. This 
 suggestion, I have to entreat your Lordship to consider, as 
 entirely confidential, and for your own private opinion. I 
 have the honour to remain, my dear Lord, most sincerely and 
 respectfully yours, 
 
 « Elgin. 
 " Could your Lordship furnish me any cypher ?" 
 
 On the back of this Lord Nelson has sketched the following 
 reply :— 
 
 " Lord Keith may be fully equal to suggest some mode of 
 satisfying the Capitan Pasha, but to me it seems very difficult 
 to make the Russians give up any honour which has once 
 been granted them. With us, although there would be no 
 difference in returning a salute between an Admiral with his 
 flag at the main and a sloop of war, yet if a foreign merchant 
 ship should salute without making terms, (but an equality of 
 guns would never be allowed) an equal number of guns would 
 never be returned, nor do 1 conceive that our country would 
 expect an equal number of guns from the Capitan Pasha to 
 any of our merchant ships. My idea is, do as you would be 
 done by. 
 
 " B. N." 
 
 LORD ELGIN TO LORD NELSON. 
 [Private.] "Constantinople, January 15th, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " In addition to my other private letter of this date, I have 
 still a weight upon me which your Lordship may, I think, be 
 very effectual in removing. The Governments of Petersburg 
 and Constantinople are very cordial : nothing really, in my 
 judgment, can behave better than the latter does. But it is 
 not so with their agents ; and I am mortified to see that Cadir 
 Bey and the Turks under him, are returned with innumerable 
 complaints against the Russians. Can your Lordship soften 
 this conduct in the latter ? Can you convey to the Russians 
 the spirit of our union, and insure more cordiality, and fair- 
 ness in the behaviour of individuals ? It is a task worthy of
 
 362 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 your Lordship, and your superiority will enable you, I flatter 
 myself, to etFectuate it. 
 
 *' I perceive a strong alarm arising here from the expecta- 
 tion that Malta is to be put into the hands of the Russians. 
 I respect and obey every decision taken at home, and cer- 
 tainly I should not repine at any advantage given to that 
 nation. But in making this conquest, I trust your Lordship 
 will have in mind the effect which the possession of Malta 
 must inevitably produce on this Government, and that if the 
 cession is ultimately to be made to the Russians, our in- 
 fluence on the occasion may be exerted to calm the appre- 
 hensions of the Turks from it, both at present, and as far as 
 possible, in future. I venture to recommend these con- 
 siderations to your Lordship, as being of the very highest 
 political importance. I have the honour to be, with the 
 most sincere respect, your Lordship's most faithful humble 
 servant, 
 
 "Elgin." 
 
 Nelson's reply, sketched on the back of the preceding 
 letter, is as follows : — 
 
 " I am aware that all the Turkish naval officers thought 
 that Admiral Ouchakoff did not treat them kindly. Cadir 
 Bey submitted with a better grace than any of the others ; 
 but I have seen Ouchakoff" strike a Turkish Captain in joke 
 with his cane in such a way that an English officer would 
 have knocked any man of whatever rank down. The situation 
 of Malta, when taken, will be such that it cannot injure the 
 Turks. The order is only to make war on the Barbary 
 powers, but all this is better known to Lord Keith than to 
 
 '* B. N." 
 
 On the 20th of March Lord Nelson desired Sir Thomas 
 Troubridge to send him an account of the money he had 
 expended for the service of the King of Naples, and said that 
 if that Government did not pay him, he would give him an 
 order to draw bills for it. 
 
 On the 30th of March Captain Sir Edward Berry fell in 
 with the remaining ship that had escaped at the Battle of the 
 
 i
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 363 
 
 Nile, Le Guillaume Tell, 84 guns, which, after a very gallant 
 defence, surrendered to Sir Edward, who was slightly- 
 wounded in the foot. The French vessel was completely dis- 
 masted, and the Foudroyant dreadfully shattered. Captain 
 Manley Dixon forwarded the following detail to Sir Thomas 
 Troubridge : — 
 
 " Lion at sea, off Cape Passaro, 
 " 31st March, 1800. 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 " I have the honour to inform you that yesterday morning 
 at nine o'clock. Cape Passaro, bearing N. | E. distant seven 
 leagues, the French ship of war Le Guillaume Tell, of 86 guns, 
 and 1000 men, bearing the flag of Contre Amiral Decrez, 
 surrendered after a most gallant and obstinate defence of 
 three hours and a half, to his Majesty's ships Foudroyant, 
 Lion, and Penelope. 
 
 " To detail the particulars of this very important capture, 
 I have to inform you, that the signal rockets and cannonading 
 from our batteries at Malta the midnight preceding, with the 
 favourable strong southerly gale, together with the darkness 
 which succeeded the setting of the moon, convinced me the 
 enemy^s ships of war were attempting to effect an escape, and 
 which was immediately ascertained by that judicious and truly 
 valuable officer Captain Blackwood of the Penelope, who had 
 been stationed a few hours before between the Lion and 
 Valetta, for the pm-pose of observing closely the motions of 
 the enemy ; nearly at midnight an enemy's ship was descried 
 by him, when the Minorca was sent to inform me of it, giving 
 chase himself, apprising me by signal that the strange ships 
 seen were hauled to the wind on the starboard tack. I lost 
 not one moment in making the signal for the squadron to cut 
 or slip, and directed Captain Miller of the Minorca to run 
 down to the Foudroyant and Alexander with the intelligence, 
 and to repeat the signal. 
 
 " Under a press of canvass I gave chase until 5 a.m., solely 
 guided by the cannonading of the Penelope, and as a direction 
 to the squadron, a rocket and blue light were shewn every 
 half hour from the Lion. As the day broke, I found myself 
 in gun-shot of the chase, and the Penelope within musket-
 
 364 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 shot raking her, by the effects of whose well directed fire 
 during the night were shot away the main and mizen top- 
 masts, and main-yard : the enemy appeared in great confusion, 
 being reduced to his head sails going with the wind on the 
 quarter. 
 
 " The Lion was now close alongside, the yard arms of both 
 ships being just clear, when a destructive broadside of three 
 round shot in each gun was poured in, luffing up across the 
 bow, when the enemy's jib boom passed between the main 
 and mizen shrouds. After a short interval I had the pleasure 
 to see the boom carried away, and the ships disentangled, 
 maintaining a position across the bow, firing to great ad- 
 vantage. I was not in the least solicitous either to board or 
 to be boarded, as the enemy appeared of immense bulk, and 
 full of men, keeping up a prodigious fire of musketry, which 
 with the bow chasers, she could for a long time only use : I 
 found it absolutely necessary, if possible, to keep from the 
 broadside of this ship. After being engaged about fifty 
 minutes, the Foudroyant was seen under a press of canvass, 
 and soon passed, hailing the enemy to strike, which being 
 declined, a very heavy fire from both ships, broadside to 
 broadside, was most gallantly maintained, the Lion and 
 Penelope frequently in situations to do great execution ; in 
 short. Sir, after the hottest action that probably was ever 
 maintained by an enemy's ship opposed to those of his 
 Majesty's, and being totally dismasted, the French Admiral's 
 flag and colours were struck. 
 
 " I have not language to express the high sense of obligation 
 I feel myself under to Captain Blackwood for his prompt and 
 able conduct in leading the line-of-battle ships to the enemy, 
 for the gallantry and spirit so highly conspicuous in him, and 
 for his admirable management of the frigate ; to your discri- 
 minating judgment it is unnecessary to remark of what real 
 value and importance such an officer must ever be considered 
 to his Majesty's service. The termination of the battle must 
 be attributed to the spirited fire of the Foudroyant, whose 
 Captain, Sir Edward Berry, has justly added another laurel 
 to the many he has gained during the war. 
 
 " Captain Blackwood speaks in very high terms of the active 
 and gallant conduct of Captain Long of the Vincejo duiing
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 365 
 
 the night, and I beg to mention the services of Captains 
 Broughton and Miller. 
 
 " The crippled condition of the Lion and Foudroyant made 
 it necessary for me to direct Captain Blackwood to take 
 possession of the enemy, take him in tow, and proceed to 
 Syracuse. I received the greatest possible assistance from 
 Lieutenant Joseph Patey, senior officer of the Lion, and from 
 Mr. Spencer, the Master, who, together with the other officers 
 and ship^s company, shewed the most determined gallantry. 
 
 " Captains Sir Edward Berry and Blackwood have reported 
 to me the same gallant and anim.ated behaviour in the officers 
 and crews of their respective ships. 
 
 " I am sorry to say that the three ships have suffered much 
 in killed and wounded, and that of the enemy is prodigious, 
 being upwards of 200. 
 
 '' I refer you to the inclosed reports for further particulars as 
 to the state of his Majesty^s ships, and have the honour to 
 remain. Sir, your most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 "Manley Dixon. 
 
 " To Commodore Sir Thomas Troixbridge, Bart. 
 Commanding his Majesty's ships, 
 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 At the blockade of Malta. 
 
 " P.S. The Guillaume Tell is of the largest dimensions, 
 and carries 36-pounders on the lower gun deck, 24-pounder8 
 on the main deck, 12-pounders on the quarter deck, and 
 32-pound carronades on the poop."^ 
 
 In commimicating an account of this action to Lord 
 Nelson, Sir Edward Berry says : " I had but one wish this 
 morning — it was for you. And how we prayed for you, God 
 knows, and your sincere and faithful fi'iend, E. Berry." 
 
 Lord Nelson answered nobly : " I am sensible of your 
 kindness in wishing my presence at the finish of the Egyptian 
 fleet, but I have no cause for sorrow. The thing could not 
 be better done, and I would not, for all the world, rob you of 
 
 ' From a letter printed in the Naval Chronicle, Vol. iii. p. 508, it appears that 
 in this engagement the Foudroyant expended 162 barrels of powder, 1200 thirty- 
 two-pound shot, 1240 twenty-pound ditto, 100 eighteen -pound ditto, and 200 
 twelve-pound ditto.
 
 366 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 one particle of your well-earned laurels. Thank kindly for 
 me all my brave friends in the Foudroyant ; and whatever 
 fate awaits me, my attachment to them will never cease but 
 with my life. I am very anxious to get the official account, 
 and I keep the Perseus to send it off to Lord Keith. "^ He 
 concludes this letter thus : " My task is done, my health is 
 lost, and the orders of the great Earl St. Vincent are com- 
 pletely fulfilled — thanks, ten thousand thanks, to my brave 
 friends !" And in forwarding Sir Edward Berry's letter to 
 the Earl St. Vincent, he says : " I send you Sir Edward 
 Berry's letter, and am sure your Lordship will not be sparing 
 of promotion to the deserving. My friends wished me to be 
 present. I have no such wish ; for a something might have 
 been given me, which now cannot. Not for all the world 
 would I rob any man of a sprig of laurel — much less my 
 children of the Foudroyant ! I love her as a fond father, a 
 darling child, and glory in her deeds. I am vain enough to 
 feel the effects of my school. Lord Keith sending me nothing, 
 I have not, of course, a free communication. I have wrote 
 to him for permission to return to England, when you will 
 see a broken-hearted man. My spirit cannot submit patiently. 
 My complaint, which is principally a swelling of the heart, 
 is at times alarming to my friends, but not to, my dear Lord, 
 your obliged and faithful 
 
 "Bront^, Nelson of the Nile."- 
 
 On the 31st of March Governor Ball wrote to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 " My dear Chevaliere, 
 " Your Ladyship in reality condescends to treat me like a 
 brother, and I declare upon the faith of a Chevalier that I 
 will devote my time to prove myself deserving your confidence. 
 I shall hope to see you soon at Malta ; in the mean time I 
 am sure you will not allow our invaluable friend Lord Nelson 
 to fret at not being present at the capture of the last French 
 ship, composing the Egyptian fleet — it would not have added 
 
 ' Autograph in the possession of Lady Berry. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. 
 p. 220. 
 
 2 Letter Book.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 367 
 
 to the importance of the achievements he has already gained. 
 I have written to him and to your most estimable Sir William. 
 God protect your Ladyship, 
 
 " Ever your devoted and obliged 
 
 "Alexander John Ball. 
 
 "To her Excellency, 
 La Chevaliere Hamilton, 
 &c. &c. &c." 
 
 Having thus seen the entire destruction of the French fleet 
 in the Mediterranean, and obeyed the commands he had 
 received for their annihilation, Lord Nelson was anxious to 
 return home and recruit his health, which had been much 
 broken by the fatigue and anxieties he had experienced. He 
 wrote his wishes to Lord Keith, to Lord Minto, the Capitan 
 Pasha, and others, and expressed his satisfaction at the taking 
 or destroying of the whole thirteen sail of the line. He was, 
 however, detained longer than he had expected, and did not 
 reach London until the month of November. The flag of 
 the Guillaume Tell was presented by the Captains to Lord 
 Nelson, who transmitted it to the Lords of the Admiralty as 
 a trophy from the last of the squadron, who fought at the 
 Battle of the Nile. 
 
 Rear- Admiral Duckworth wrote the following congratulatory 
 letter : — 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 ^' Much as I lament not having had the honour of hearing 
 from you since November, yet I cannot think of departing 
 for the West Lidies without offering your Lordship my 
 warmest congratulations on you and your ship having com- 
 pleted the total destruction of the French fleet of the Nile, 
 and adding my further hope, that all your undertakings may 
 terminate wuth equal lustre. 
 
 " As I am not possessed of your Lordship's sentiments 
 about freight, but am and ever shall be of opinion that it 
 ought to be divided between us as prize-money, 1 think it just 
 to observe, that during the time your Loi'dship was in the 
 chief command, I received £288. 85 9d, two-thirds of which
 
 368 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 I consider as yours, to be balanced against the one-third of 
 what may have been paid to you ; I have also received from 
 Captains Hood, Blackwood and Oliver, for some trifling 
 prizes, as in succession : H. £14. 13s 3d, B. £36. lis Od, 
 O. £9. 7s 6d, for which I shall always be ready to account, 
 and I have, alas ! to call on your Lordship for a bet of fifty 
 guineas respecting the continuation of the war. 
 
 '^The near connexion Captain Nisbet bears to your Lord- 
 ship, must ever make me interested that no disgrace should 
 attach itself to him ; 1 therefore felt great concern to find on 
 his arrival, that he and his officers were at daggers drawn ; 
 the Surgeon above three months under an arrest, writing for 
 a Court-Martial on his Captain ; the First Lieutenant with 
 a string of complaints, which he signified his intention of 
 sending to your Lordship, that must (to say the least of them) 
 quite destroy Captain Nisbet's reputation; though on my 
 honour, I view much of them as invidious, and watching every 
 indiscretion of a young man of his years, when summed up 
 in the aggregate, few of us could bear; and his being in dis- 
 repute, has encouraged those around him to take liberties 
 they would not dared to have done with others, which being 
 naturally resented, but with an ill-regulated warmth, has 
 produced this dilemma, to which your Lordship's kind in- 
 tentions may have a little aided, by authorizing the First 
 Lieutenant to give him advice, which probably, from his 
 youth (for he otherwise seems a very good young man) may 
 have been so dictatorial as for his Captain to spurn it, a kind 
 of pride I cannot condemn entirely, and true it is, there is 
 much of human nature in it. In consequence, from viewing 
 the errors on both sides, I thought public investigation best 
 avoided, and after some labour brought it to a compromise, 
 and all is buried in oblivion, and the Surgeon released ; but 
 there cannot be a second opinion as to the necessity of the 
 parties being divided, and if I might suggest, I think (as the 
 state of the ship must cause her to be paid off), a few months 
 with Lady Nelson would ?ww correct his foibles. 
 
 " Accompanying this you have a list of prizes carried into 
 Lisbon, since Lord St. Vincent left the command. His Lord- 
 ship coming forward again will gladden your heart, as it doth 
 
 i
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 369 
 
 mine. God bless you, my dear Lord, and I have the honour 
 to be, with real respect and regard, your Lordship's 
 
 " Obliged, faithful and humble servant, 
 
 " J. T. Duckworth. 
 
 " Leviathan, Gibraltar, 
 June 17th, 1800." 
 
 On the 1st of April, the King of the Two Sicilies founded 
 the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit, and named as the 
 first three Knights Grand Commander, Lord Nelson, Field 
 Marshal Suwan-ow, and the Emperor Paul. It had been 
 originally intended by the King to give the Orders of Knight- 
 hood of St. Januarius to Lord Nelson and his Captains 
 Troubridge, Ball, Hood, Louis, and Hallowell; but being 
 Protestants, it was found to be contrary to the regulations of 
 the Order, and a new one was therefore instituted. From a 
 letter by Lord Nelson to Captain Ball, it appears he received 
 one of the Commanderies of the Order, with a present of 1000 
 ounces. Sir Thomas Troubridge also received a Com- 
 raanderie, and an annual pension of 1000 ounces. Captains 
 Hood and Hallowell had the Commanderie without any present 
 or pension. 
 
 The subjoined note from Lord Grenville to the Piince 
 Castelcicala, Sicilian Minister to the British Court, refers to 
 this Order, and Sir Thomas Troubridge's letter to Sir John 
 Acton, shews acceptance of the same. 
 
 LORD GRENVILLE TO THE PRINCE CASTELCICALA. 
 
 "■ Lord Grenville presents his compliments to the Prince 
 de Castelcicala, and has the honour to inform him that hav- 
 ing laid his note of the 10th of this month before the King, 
 his Majesty has been pleased to signify his pleasure to the 
 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Rear- Admiral 
 Lord Nelson should be allowed to accept and bear the Great 
 Cross of the Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, and that 
 Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bart, should be allowed to accept 
 the rank of Commander in the same Order. 
 
 " The King has had great satisfaction in complying with 
 these requests of his Sicilian Majesty, as they evince most 
 
 VOL. I. 2 b
 
 370 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 forcibly the sense which his SiciHan Majesty has been pleased 
 to entertain of the services of those two officers. 
 
 " Downing Street, 
 
 "November 11, 1800." 
 
 SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. TO SIR JOHN 
 ACTON, BART. 
 
 " Ville de Paris, in Torbay, 
 
 13th January, 1801. 
 
 « Sir, 
 " I was duly honoured with your letter and instructions 
 by Vice -Admiral Lord Nelson, relating to the Order of St. 
 Ferdinand and of Merit, which his Sicilian Majesty has done 
 me the honour to confer upon me. I should not have lost a 
 moment in returning my grateful acknowledgments to his 
 Majesty, but I was at a loss to learn (though I made appli- 
 cation) if my own Sovereign would admit of my accepting 
 the honour, those from the Emperor of Russia having been 
 refused. I now learn from Sir Isaac Heard, Principal Garter 
 King of Arms, that the King has directed a w^arrant to be 
 made out, and recorded in the Herald's Office, to enable me 
 to accept his Sicilian Majesty's gracious offer. I beg you. 
 Sir, to lay before his Majesty the grateful sense I entertain 
 of this mark of his royal favour, as well as for the pension 
 he has been pleased to bestow on me of ;£500. per annum, 
 as signified by Lord Nelson and Sir William Hamilton. I 
 feel I owe much to you, Sir, for the liberal support I received, 
 when employed on his Sicilian Majesty's service, and I beg 
 to assure you, I shall ever retain a grateful sense of it. I 
 have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, 
 
 " Your much obliged and most obedient servant, 
 
 "T. Troubridge. 
 
 "Sir John Acton, Bart. 
 
 Captain General, &c. &c. &c. 
 Palermo." 
 
 The Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit was extended in 
 1810 by the addition of a third to the previous classes of 
 Great Cross and Commander, being that of a smaller cross 
 of the Order, and medals also in gold and silver for non-com- 
 missioned officers, to which pensions were attached. This
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 371 
 
 was communicated by the Marquis di Circello to General 
 Stuart, Commander-in-chief of the British army in Sicily ; 
 and also the Naval Commander-in-chief in the Mediterra- 
 nean. 
 
 In April, Lord Nelson received reports that the Spanish 
 ships of war in the port of Palermo were preparing to put to 
 sea. He had rigidly observed the neutrality of the port ; 
 feeling, however, that the Spanish vessels ought not to be 
 permitted to go to sea, probably to continue in offensive 
 operations with the French against Great Britain, and perhaps 
 the Two Sicilies, he apprized Sir WiUiam Hamilton that if 
 their preparations were persisted in, he should feel it his duty 
 to attack them, even in the port of Palermo, an event he 
 hoped to avoid. He gave notice to the Commanding officer at 
 Mahon, to look out for the ships, as he understood they were 
 to take their route along the Barbary coast as far as Algiers. 
 These ships, however, effected their escape. 
 
 Nelson was anxious to return to Malta, and much de- 
 lighted to find the Foudroyant sufficiently repaired to take 
 him. Captain Dixon wrote to Lord Nelson on the 9th of 
 April, as follows : — 
 
 " Liou, at Syracuse, April 9, 1800. 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 '' I have the honour to inform you of the ready condition 
 of the Lion to proceed on service, and that I shall sail this 
 evening, if the wind permits, with two transports full of 
 French prisoners, for Malta. I inclose your Lordship a list 
 of them as correct as I can procure. 
 
 " The Foudroyant, which your Lordship will hear from 
 Sir Edward Berry, is almost ready to proceed where you 
 may direct, and in tolerable state, considering the bad 
 wounds in the lower masts. Guillaume Tell will be ready 
 in four or five days. 
 
 *' I have taken upon me to appoint Lieutenant Inglis of 
 the Penelope to command her : likewise the Boatswain and 
 Carpenter, and the Master of Bonne Citoyenne is removed 
 into her. I hope your Lordship will approve of this ; they 
 are careful and good officers, and the state of the prize re- 
 quires such. 
 
 2 B 2
 
 372 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 " We have many stories as to what has been stowed in 
 prizes in Valetta ; the French Admiral allowed there was 
 money in her, when he found she was entering in safety into 
 this port, and a Neapohtan says, he was at the stowing 
 away a number of brass cannon in the hold, and that in some, 
 money was stowed. As for the cannon I believe him, but not 
 a syllable of the latter. 
 
 " Our wounded in the two ships are doing very well. I 
 visited the hospital where the French are, yesterday, and had 
 the pleasure to find the French officers and surgeon fully 
 satisfied with their treatment, indeed I never saw a better 
 hospital. 
 
 " I condole with your Lordship most sensibly on the me- 
 lancholy fate which has attended the Charlotte.^ 
 
 *' I beg my best respects and compliments to Sir William 
 and Lady Hamilton, and the good mother, and have the 
 honour to remain with the highest esteem and respect, 
 '* Your Lordship's 
 " Most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 '' Manley Dixon." 
 
 Nelson sailed in the Foudroyant from Palermo on the 24th 
 of April, and reached Syracuse on the 30th. He sailed again 
 on the 3rd of May, and the next day anchored in St. Paul's 
 bay, Malta. Sir William Hamilton had been superseded and 
 succeeded in his post as Minister at Naples by the Hon. 
 Arthur Paget, and Sir William and Lady Hamilton accom- 
 panied Lord Nelson in the Foudroyant. Governor Ball 
 wrote to her Ladyship the following : — 
 
 " lath May, 1800. 
 '^ I congratulate you, my dear sister, on escaping all the 
 miseries of sea-sickness by remaining at anchor to-day. Our 
 dear and inestimable Lord has been harassed and fatigued 
 
 ' This fine vessel of 110 guns, was destroyed by fire, March 17, 1800. She 
 carried the flag of Lord Keith, and was dispatched by his Lordship to reconnoitre 
 the island of Cabrera, about 30 miles from Leghorn. The guns were shotted at 
 the time, and by their continual discharge, prevented boats approaching the ship 
 to render assistance. Lord Keith was fortunately on shore at the time it oc- 
 curred. The loss of life on the occasion was awfully great.
 
 ISOO.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 373 
 
 with anxiety. I am most thoroughly convinced that his 
 Lordship's spasm is brought on by anxiety of mind, I there- 
 fore rejoice at your being on board, as I am sure you will 
 exert your powers to keep up his spirits, and the worthy Sir 
 William will contribute much to it. 
 
 " I have sent his Lordship intelligence of 5000 troops being 
 expected here hourly ; it may induce him to stay a few days 
 longer. Whether or not, you have my ardent wish for pros- 
 perous gales and every blessing in this life. My very best 
 respects to Sir William and the ladies, and believe me with 
 every grateful sentiment, my dear sister, your affectionate 
 and obliged, 
 
 " Alexander John Ball. 
 
 "To the Right Hon. Lady Hamilton, 
 Dame Chevaliere of the Order of 
 St. John of Jerusalem." 
 
 « Malta, 26th May, 1800. 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " I desired Tyson to assure you that I should have written 
 a note to you to accompany the letter to my wife, but I had 
 not time. She will be much gratified in having an occasion 
 of personally expressing to you and Sir William how often I 
 have spoken of your goodness and friendship to me. 1 must 
 give you a little description of her : she has a strong mind, 
 great discernment and good judgment, with an excellent dis- 
 position. She is neither young nor handsome, but well 
 made, and what flatters me much is, the idea that she is now 
 more attached to me than the day of her marriage, fifteen 
 years ago. She has likewise presented me with an uncommonly 
 fine boy, affectionate and good. Next to my [heart] comes 
 our dear Bronte Nelson ; you and worthy Sir William will 
 I hope, keep up his spirits, and not let him fatigue himself 
 on deck. I sincerely hope your journey will be attended 
 with every possible advantage and satisfaction to youo God 
 bless and protect you both. My very best respects to Sir 
 William, Mrs. Cadogan, Mrs. Graeffer, and Miss Knight, 
 and believe me ever, my dear Lady, 
 
 •' Your very obliged brother Chevalier, 
 
 " Alexander John Ball."
 
 374 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 The following letters were addressed to Lady HamiltoD by 
 the Queen of Naples at this time : — 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " I was charmed with yom' attention in writing to me. 
 The sight of the Foudroyant gave me pain, although I have 
 every reason to hope that it will be but for a few days before 
 we take a sail together, which idea rejoices me, although it 
 will not be without some misgivings that I shall quit my 
 house and family ; but it is necessary. Adieu, my dear, dear 
 Emma and good lady ; preserve your attachment for me, and 
 believe me for life your sincere friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 " A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, and to our 
 dear hero. With what delight I shall see you all to-morrow." 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 •* My women will go with the rest of our numerous bag- 
 gage on board to-day at four o'clock, with your permission, 
 to arrange things. The plate and jewels will go on Monday 
 morning. I am penetrated with your kindness, but fear I 
 abuse it. Let me know the exact hour to go on board on 
 Monday, and rely on my eternal gratitude." 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " Here are all the jewels of an unfortunate family. A 
 packet of our personal things, a httle plate, and a box with 
 the linen and clothes ; in case of need I will send others on 
 board to-morrow for my children ; there are twelve persons 
 in family, which is a great many. I should wish for a moment 
 to-morrow to speak to you. A thousand compliments to our 
 liberator. Adieu. Beheve that nothing shall ever change 
 our principles, and that if the country is base, wx shall be 
 ever honest and true. Say so to our friend, liberator, and 
 saviour, Nelson, and believe me your sincere and grateful 
 friend for life." 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " Here is the packet for the frigate, for which I thank you 
 infinitely, and for every thing you do for me. I am very 
 
 i
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 375 
 
 grieved ; to such hearts as ours separation is a trial. I have 
 sent my valuables : to-morrow I will send on board the 
 Foudroyant what will be required for the voyage by sea and 
 land, with two of our women. Pardon these annoyances. 
 Castelcicala and a servant will come with us ; Luigi will sleep 
 above with Leopold, and Castelcicala below. His wife and 
 child will go, if you permit it, on board the other vessel. 
 Pardon so many wants, but I address my friend, my dear 
 Emma, and I shall be delighted to pass some days with you 
 to prove to you my constant and lasting friendship and gra- 
 titude. 
 
 "■ A thousand compliments to my hero, and to your hus- 
 band ; a thousand thanks to all three. Adieu." 
 
 The distress of the Royal* family at the prospect of losing 
 Sir William Hamilton, was very great. The Queen writes 
 thus : — 
 
 TO LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 "March 1, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 "I have been compelled by a painful affair to delay my 
 reply, and I write this, my dear friend, in great pain, which 
 I have had ever since I received your last letters. Do you 
 remember that on Tuesday evening I asked you if you had 
 received any letters, you told me no — my eyes filling with 
 tears, I was obliged to leave you. I wrote you that I was 
 dreadfully depressed, and inquired if you had any letters, but 
 hearing that you knew nothing, I hoped (as I still hope), 
 that the news might be false. I send you the substance of 
 my letter from Circello, the official one seems to me to con- 
 tain no more, but as this fatal packet from Paget appears to 
 hinge upon our not being left here without a Minister during 
 the absence of your husband, I think that it may yet be 
 remedied. I am in despair. I am excessively angry with 
 Circello for not having more strongly opposed it, and if you, 
 my good, honest, true friends, quit us, let them leave Keith 
 in the Mediterranean. We begin by losing you, our good 
 friends, then our hero Nelson, and finally, the friendship and
 
 376 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 alliance of England, for a young man, liable to misbehave 
 himself through the temptations of wrong-headed men, who 
 will induce him to abuse his power, will not be tolerated, and 
 troubles will arise from it. I grieve to cause you uneasiness, 
 my own is concealed but bitterly felt. I send you, my good 
 friend Emma, the original letter from Circello, do not let 
 Campbell see it, or know that you have seen it, and have the 
 kindness to send it back to me to-morrow morning that I may 
 reply to it. Suggest to me what should be done to prevent 
 this misfortune, as I regard it such, both for the State, and for 
 my feelings. A courier will leave for Vienna on Monday 
 evening, or Tuesday at noon, who could take letters for Lord 
 Minto. I will do whatever you counsel me. Adieu, my dear 
 friend, my dear Emma, do not afflict yourself. Tell the 
 Chevalier I have never felt until now how much I am attached 
 to him, how much I owe him, my eyes swim with tears, and 
 I must finish in begging you to suggest to me what to do, 
 and believe that all my life, happy or miserable, wherever it 
 may be, I shall be always your sincere, attached, tender, 
 grateful, devoted, sorrowful friend, 
 
 "Charlotte. 
 
 "A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, if he will 
 suggest what I could do, I am ready, whatever it may be." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " Your letters penetrate my heart, and afflict me extremely. 
 I am almost dead with grief. I am constantly thinking that 
 if the Chevalier were to renounce the idea of going to Eng- 
 land, so as not to quit us in this difficult moment, and that 
 instead, the King were to write, this storm might yet pass 
 over. I should very much wish that in the course of to- 
 morrow your health would allow of your coming to me with- 
 out inconvenience, with the Chevalier, or without him, as you 
 think best, to consider what is yet to be done. Adieu, my 
 dear Lady, my tender friend, my much beloved Emma, and 
 believe me, till death, your attached and sincere friend."
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 377 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 ** My dear Lady, 
 " I received last night your obliging letter, and the letters. 
 I shall take care that justice shall be done for the unfortunate 
 Duchess of Sori'entina, and her painful position alleviated: 
 to diminish the sufferings and remove the griefs of others, is, 
 alas, the only satisfaction I can experience. At your depar- 
 ture yesterday, a scene occurred, violent outcries demand- 
 ing your death, that you should be thrown out of window, 
 and calling upon your husband with complaints that you 
 had treated them contemptuously. It was very violent, 
 and doubtless your husband will receive complaints, which I 
 forewarn you of, that you may act accordingly. I am ex- 
 tremely low, having so many troubles, and but two things to 
 choose from, to go away, or die of grief, a most j)ainful termi- 
 nation ; and if you depart in the spring, my dear friend, and 
 leave me in this condition, be assured that even if your 
 friendship should induce you to return in November, your 
 friend would not be alive. Tell me what news you have of 
 our dear virtuous hero. Noble has communicated to Caparo^ 
 a letter from Mahon, of the 14th of February, not very en- 
 couraging. The abominable Paget is at Vienna; finally, all 
 this afflicts and distresses me, but, until death, I remain your 
 constant and grateful friend." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 '^ My dear friend, 
 " I much wish to know how you are in mind, body, and 
 estate, in which I feel so sincerely and tenderly interested. 
 The inevitable (fatal) Paget arrived at Naples on the 20th of 
 this month, as I am informed by letters, and he expects a 
 boat to come by sea ; the Court knows nothing about it. 
 Cardinal Chiaromonte was elected Pope on the 14th," which I 
 hope will cause no dissatisfaction at Rome, but tend to estab- 
 lish order and religion, both so necessary. Adieu, my dear 
 friend, your unhappy and constant friend for life. A thou- 
 
 * Prince Caparo, Secretary of State, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of 
 the kingdom in the room of Cardinal RufFo, who aspired to the Papacy, and had 
 left Naples for Venice. 
 
 2 March 14, 1800, and took the title of Pius VII.
 
 378 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 sand compliments to my hero and to the ChevaUcr. Your 
 true sincere friend to the grave." 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " How is your precious health and welfare, which interest 
 me so greatly -, — all that I see and hear makes me sorrow- 
 ful. My daughter Louisa has, in a few hours, lost her son at 
 six years of age, which deeply grieves her, and that is but 
 natural, but I envy the happy child, removed from this base 
 world. Of affairs, I know nothing but intrigue, cabals, tricks ; 
 it appears that war is decided upon, and my daughter writes 
 most urgently for me to go and see her. Adieu, my dear 
 Lady, what is that Paget doing, he keeps a long time incognito. 
 I wish he had never come. Adieu, my dearest Emma, my 
 good friend, continue your attachment to me, and believe in 
 mine, which will terminate only with life. 
 
 " My compliments to our hero Nelson, and to the Cheva- 
 lier." 
 
 On the 20th May, Lord Nelson quitted Malta for Palermo, 
 where he arrived only on the 31st, having promised to carry 
 the Queen to Leghorn. The state of the Foudroyant was 
 such as scarcely to admit of her being properly refitted but in 
 England, and Nelson wished to be permitted to take her 
 thither. He sailed for Leghorn on the 9th of June, having 
 on board the Queen, her three daughters, and the Prince 
 Leopold, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, Prince Castelcicala, 
 Miss Knight, and a great number of attendants, and arrived 
 on the 14th ; Nelson was exceedingly ill on the voyage. The 
 following interesting letter was addressed to him on the day 
 of their arrival : — 
 
 "■ My dear and respectable Lord Nelson. To the numerous 
 obligations which all Europe, and we particularly, have to you, 
 is to be added our gratitude for the care that you have taken 
 to transport mc and my dear children from Palermo to Leg- 
 horn, We return you our most sincere thanks, and pray you 
 may be quite sure that all you have done for us will be truly 
 engraved in our heart. Nothing I desire more than to have 
 frequent occasions to prove you our feelings, our everlasting
 
 /rem. /aA-rn-u> ^ / / J 
 
 
 ^t5ii»*^^ cJmle^ iei^ 
 
 -lecrDOicL
 
 180O.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 379 
 
 gratitude, and the great regard with which we are, and will 
 be till the last moment of our life, my respectable Lord 
 Nelson, 
 
 " Your very affectionate, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 • "Leopold. 
 
 " Cristina. 
 "Amelia. 
 " Antoinette.^ 
 
 " Off Leghorn, 14th June, 1800." 
 
 On the 4th of this month, being the birthday of his 
 Majesty George IIL the following interesting letters in Eng- 
 lish, were addressed to Lady Hamilton by the Royal family of 
 Naples : — 
 
 A MADAME, MADAME LE MILADY HAMILTON. 
 
 " My very dear, my Lady, 
 " Receive my very sincere vows, which I unite to those of 
 your great and brave nation, for the glory, prosperity, and 
 preservation of your good King. That Providence may pre- 
 serve him from all misfortunes, and increase his glory and 
 power. Over and above the sentiment of admiration and 
 inclination which has always attached me to your Soverain 
 and great nation, that of the most extensive, profound, and 
 true gratitude is added to it ; these united sentiments cause 
 in me an impression which I am not able to express, but 
 which I feel. May Heaven hearken to my vows. With all 
 that friendship which you have for me, please to take upon 
 yourself to be interpreter for me and my dear family to those 
 of your nation on this solemn day, and believe me, with my 
 dear family, and for life, 
 
 " Your sincere and grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 "To Sir William many compliments from me; it is he 
 who has nourished this happy union and friendship, for which 
 I shall be eternally grateful. To our brave and virtuous 
 Lord Nelson, and to all the heroes' of the Nile, my conipli- 
 
 ' See fac-simile.
 
 380 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 ments also. Please my dear my Lady, receive my compli- 
 ments on the birthday of your King, and be persuaded that 
 I form the most sincere vows for his glory, happiness, and 
 preservation. I am bound (more than ever, after all he has 
 done for us) to be profoundly attached to him and to all the 
 nation ; assure them, I beg of you, of my sentiments, and be 
 sure that my gratitude will be eternal. I am greatly obliged 
 to you and to my Lord, who have known how to maintain 
 this union, and have given it so many proofs of your friend- 
 ship. I don't mention all that we owe to our brave Admiral 
 Nelson — it would be too long, but assure him that I have for 
 him a profound esteem and gratitude. Accept, pray, the 
 assurances of that with which I am for life, 
 
 " Francis de Bourbon.'^ 
 
 *' I am charmed, my dear my Lady, that I am able to add 
 some words to Mamma's letters, to assure you of my most 
 sincere vows for the happiness and preservation of your good 
 King ; the attachment I have formed for him, and the gra- 
 titude we owe to him, will last for ever. It is a sentiment 
 too deeply impressed in my heart to be liable to any altera- 
 tions. Please to be persuaded of it, and to assure of it all 
 your nation that I infinitely esteem, and you in particular, 
 as equally my Lord and brave Admiral Nelson. Believe me, 
 that I am infinitely penetrated of all the friendship you have 
 for us, and of all the proofs you have given us on all occasions, 
 and be persuaded of mine, with which I am, 
 
 " Your grateful friend, 
 
 "Mary Clementina." 
 
 *' I wish the King long life, and infinite prosperity to him 
 and to the friendly nation. I hope the day will come, when 
 I may be able to associate to their triumphs. 
 
 " Leopold." 
 
 ^^ I am very glad, my dearest my Lady, to be able to 
 express to you in your proper language, my sentiments of
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 381 
 
 eternal gratitude for your noble King and valorous nation, 
 and you may be sure that I wish you always happy and 
 victorious. 
 
 " Maria Christina." 
 
 *^ My dearest my Lady. Having the pleasure to know the 
 English tongue, with it I tell you that I unite with all my 
 heart my vows to those of my dearest parents, and I wish for 
 your generous King and your brave nation all happiness, 
 being sure that a part of ours depends from yours. 
 
 "Maria Amelia." 
 
 " My dear my Lady, 
 " Surely my vows and my wishes for your King, and for 
 your brave nation are not unequal to those of our dearest 
 parents. I heartily wish for your and for our happiness, to 
 hear always of the happy successes of the faithful and brave 
 English. 
 
 " Marie Antoinette." 
 
 Although Lord Nelson airived in the Foudroyant on the 
 night of the 14th, the state of the weather was such as to 
 prevent a landing until the 16th, and Nelson's health at this 
 time was so bad that he writes Lord Spencer, he is confined 
 to his bed four days out of the seven. 
 
 On the 18th of June, Lord Nelson received the orders of 
 Lord Keith, acquainting him that the Imperial and French 
 armies had entered into a capitulation by which the Genoese 
 territories were to be evacuated, and Lord Nelson was directed 
 to proceed with all the ships at Leghorn to the Gulf of St. 
 Especia, to obtain possession of St. Maria, and other garrisons 
 in the bay, and on their evacuation by the Austrians to 
 bring off or destroy all the guns. This order. Lord Keith 
 stated, was not " a matter of caprice, but of actual duty and 
 necessity," and he added, " I must desire to be final." On the 
 next day, distracted with the state of affairs, the numerous 
 and important services to be carried out, and the want of 
 ships. Lord Keith directed that no line-of-battle ships should 
 be employed to take back the Queen to Palermo, if she deter-
 
 382 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 mined upon not proceeding to Vienna, and authorised Nelson 
 to strike his flag and proceed to England either by land, or 
 in the Princess Charlotte, or in the troop ship at Mahon, or 
 the Seahorse which was expected with Sir Richard Bickerton.^ 
 Lord Keith urged that the Queen should go to Vienna as 
 
 ' Sir Richard Hussey Bickerton, Bart, was the son of a distinguished Naval 
 officer, Rear- Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, whose patent of Baronetcy dates 
 May 19, 1778. He represented Rochester in Parliament, and died of an apoplectic 
 fit, Feb. 28, 1792. The subject of the present notice was born October 11, 1759, 
 and first served as a Midshipman on board the Marlborough, 74 guns, com- 
 manded by his father in 1771, whence he was removed in October, 1773, to the 
 Princess Augusta yacht, and afterwards into the Medway, 60 guns, the flag-ship 
 of Vice-Admiral Man, then Commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean. Here 
 he remained until 1776, when he was sent to Sir Thomas Rich of the Enterprise 
 frigate, 28 guns, and afterwards joined Captain Hyde Parker in the Invincible, 
 74 guns, and with him returned to England in 1777. He was now made a 
 Lieutenant, and appointed to the Prince George, whence he removed to the 
 Jupiter, commanded by Captain Middleton, afterwards Sir Charles Middleton, 
 Bart, and then Lord Barham, and First Lord of the Admiralty. In company 
 with the Medea frigate the Jupiter fell in with the Triton, and was engaged in a 
 smart action, in which Sir Richard Bickerton gained much approbation, and 
 was made a Master and Commander, and in 1779 appointed to the Swallow sloop 
 in the Channel service, in which he captured a large American privateer, the 
 Black Prince. In this vessel he was present at the taking of St. Eustatia in 1781. 
 He was now posted into the Gibraltar of 80 guns, and engaged with Lord Hood 
 against the Count de Grasse. He served in the Russel, and in the Terrible, and 
 in 1782 in the Amazon, which was paid off in that year. In 1787 he was again 
 in the West Indies, and brought home the West India fleet in 1790. Succeeding 
 to the Baronetcy in 1792, he was upon the commencement of the war in 1793 
 appointed to the Ruby, 64 guns, and afterwards to the Ramillies, and then joined 
 Lord Howe's squadron. After various minor services he was promoted in 1799 
 to be a Rear-Admiral of the Blue, and made second in command at Portsmouth." 
 In this year also he was appointed to the Swiftsure, and had the command of a 
 detached squadron under Lord Keith. He was employed in the blockade of 
 Cadiz for five months. He was then engaged on the blockade of Alexandria, 
 and superintended the embarkation of the French army upon the surrender of 
 that place. He received the thanks of Parliament, and the Capitan Pasha invested 
 him with the insignia of the Order of the Crescent for this service. In 1804 Sir 
 Richard Bickerton was made Rear-Admiral of the Red, and hoisted his flag as 
 second in command in the Mediterranean on board the Royal Sovereign. He 
 had the command in this station whilst Nelson was gone in pursuit of the combined 
 fleets. He returned to England from ill health in 1805, and was engaged from 
 1807 to 1812 as one of the Lords of the Admiralty, and he then succeeded Sir 
 Roger Curtis as Commander-in-chief at Portsmouth. He was made a Vice- 
 Admiral, November 9, 1805, and full Admiral, July 31, 1810. He received also 
 the Order of Knight Commander of the Bath in 1815, and succeeded Sir Richard 
 Onslow as Lieutenant-General of the Marines, Jan. 5, 1818. He diedAdmu-al of 
 the Red, in February, 1832.
 
 1800.J LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 383 
 
 speedily as possible. Lord Nelson sent off Captain Down- 
 man^ in the Dorothea with the Commander-in-chiePs instruc- 
 tions, and also the Alexander to the Gulf of Especia. In 
 the midst of all this confusion Nelson addressed the following 
 letter to his Holiness the Pope : — 
 
 " Leghorn, June 24th, 1800. 
 
 « Holy Father, 
 
 " As an individual, who, from his public situation has had 
 
 an opportunity of using his utmost exertions to assist in 
 
 bringing about the happy event of your Holiness's return to 
 
 Rome, I presume to offer my most sincere congratulations on 
 
 ' Captain Hugh Downman was a native of Devonshire, and born at Plymouth 
 about 1765, He entered the Navy as a Midshipman on board the Thetis in 
 October 1776, and joining the Arethusa in pursuit of the enemy off Ushant 
 was unfortunately wrecked. He remained a prisoner in France from March 1779 
 to January 1780, when he was exchanged, and afterwards served in the Emerald 
 and the Edgar, in the former with Captain Samuel Marshall, and in the latter 
 with the broad pendant of Commodore Hotham. He was engaged in the encounter 
 with the enemy off Gibraltar. In 1789 he sailed with Commodore Cornwallis to 
 the East Indies, and was made Lieutenant in 1790. In 1793 he was appointed 
 to the Alcide, 74 guns, and was present at the attack upon the tower and redoubt 
 of Formelli under Commodore Linzee, who upon being made Rear-Admiral, 
 named Downman as his Second Lieutenant on board the Windsor Castle, 98 guns. 
 He returned to England in the Victory with Lord Hood. In the battle off Cape 
 St. Vincent, in Feb. 1797, Lieutenant Downman was in the Victory, and after- 
 wards made Commander of the Speedy brig of 14 guns. He succeeded in taking 
 and destroying several privateers, and acquired great credit in a gallant action 
 with a brig of very superior force. The British Factory at Oporto presented him 
 with a piece of plate of the value of £bO. and he was appointed to the Santa 
 Dorothea frigate in 1798. He took several prizes, and was then ordered to the 
 blockade of Savona, and the fortress at length capitulated. He afterwards 
 destroyed the fortifications in the Gulf of Spezzia, and preserved the Gallery of 
 Florence from falling into the hands of the French, by receiving it on board his 
 ship, in which he conveyed the treasure to Sicily. The Grand Duke of Tuscany 
 acknowledged the importance of this service, and presented him with a diamond 
 ring. Victor Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, and the Duchess were also taken to Sicily 
 by Captain Downman, and made suitable presents for his attention to them. In 
 1801 he was in Egypt, and received the Turkish Order of the Crescent for his 
 exertions, after which he was removed into the Caesar, 84 guns, with Sir James 
 Saumarez, Bart., and in the following year paid off. Sir James, in 1804, again 
 selected him for his Captain on the Guernsey station, where he commanded in the 
 Diomede for fourteen months. He was afterwards at the reduction of the Cape 
 of Good Hope with Sir Home Popham, and returned to England with the dis- 
 patches. He was then sent to the Rio de la Plata, was at the capture of Monte 
 Video, and in 1807 put out of commission. He is now living, and an Admiral of 
 the Blue.
 
 384 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 this occasion ; and with my most fervent wishes and prayers 
 that your residence may be blessed with health and every 
 comfort this world can afford. 
 
 " Yom- Holiness will, I am sure, forgive my mentioning a 
 circumstance, which, although at the time it was spoken 
 appeared impossible, yet the fact did happen. Father 
 ^I'Cormick, a friar, coming to the house of Sir William 
 Hamilton, in September, 17^8, to congratulate me on the 
 Battle of the Nile, said, (as can be testified,) ' What you have 
 done is great, but you will do a greater thing — you will take 
 Rome with your ships.' And although I do not believe that 
 the father had the gift of prophecy, yet his guess was so 
 extraordinaiy, and has turned out so exactly, that I could not 
 in my conscience avoid telling your Holiness of it. I will 
 now only trespass on your time, by assuring your Holiness 
 with what respect 1 am your most obedient servant, 
 
 "Bront^ Nelson of the Nile.^'^ 
 
 When it was ascertained that the Foudroyant was not to 
 proceed with Nelson to England, but to go to Minorca to 
 refit, the barge's crew manifested their deep attachment to 
 him, by offering themselves to go as his boat's crew, in any 
 ship or vessel, or in any way that might be pleasing to him. 
 He was truly beloved by all under his command. 
 
 On the 11th of July he struck his flag, and proceeded to 
 Vienna on his way to England. 
 
 Upon the arrival of Lord Nelson with the Queen, Prince, 
 Princesses, &c. on the 16th of June, the Governor of Leghorn 
 first conducted them to the cathedral, and afterwards to the 
 palace, where the Royal family took up their residence. 
 Lord Nelson, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, &c. were 
 accommodated at the British Consul's. On landing, the 
 Queen presented to Nelson a rich picture of the King, on the 
 back of which were her own initials in diamonds, inclosed 
 with branches of oak and laurels intertwining each other, 
 composed of diamonds and emeralds. Sir William Hamilton 
 received a gold snuff-box, with a picture of the King and 
 Queen, in diamonds ; and Lady Hamilton, a diamond neck- 
 
 ' Printed from an autograph draft in the Nelson Papers ; Dispatches and 
 Letters, Vol. iv. p. 259.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 385 
 
 lace, with cyphers of all the children's names, ornamented by 
 their respective hair. 
 
 TO LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 "Leghorn, June 17th, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " Allow me to inquire after your health, and that of our 
 respected and dear Admiral, and your husband. I should 
 like to see you every day to dine with me : bring also Miss 
 Knight some day, and the Captains commanding, as our dear 
 Admiral may please, ours of the brave Foudroyant among the 
 first, I wished to present you with some slight marks of my 
 gratitude when we separated. I felt I should like to see you 
 in a necklace, combining the names of my four children, with 
 their mother's, in the expression of gratitude equally felt by 
 all, and which will only cease with life. I shall send you the 
 trifling remembrances shortly ; hoping to see you again very 
 soon, and to express by word of mouth that I am your ever 
 grateful friend, 
 
 " Charlotte." 
 
 Writing to Sir John Acton, Nelson says, " I only wish for 
 opportunities of proving to their Majesties my desire to shew 
 ray gratitude for the numerous favours, honours, and mag- 
 nificent presents, they have heaped upon me." 
 
 The Queen of Naples makes reference to Lord Nelson's 
 possession of the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit, in the 
 following letter to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " How is your health ? Have you recovered from the fatigue 
 you have undergone. I have learnt with pleasure that the 
 new order decorates our hero ; never were fidelity or merit so 
 proved : others may try to equal them, but never can they be 
 surpassed, for what he has done for the public service and 
 for us is infinite. I sent yesterday Ferari on board, and all 
 you have had the kindness to say and do for us I am 
 acquainted with. To-morrow, Tuesday, if you will allow us, 
 we wdll send all our boxes and baggage to the Alexander, 
 and will send a man with them. On Thursday morning all 
 will go on board the Foudroyant, and if they lifl anchor 
 
 VOL. I. 2 c
 
 386 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI- 
 
 sooner we will go aboard the vessel, which has already raised 
 her anchor at S o'clock ; if not, and they think it better not 
 to lose the favourable wind, we will go sooner. I am filled 
 with gratitude for all your marks of friendship. Adieu. 
 A thousand compliments to our hero, to Sir William, and 
 believe me through life, with the sincerest affection, your 
 constant friend. On board we shall be always together 
 I hope." 
 
 When they had been about a month at Leghorn, an insur- 
 rection of the people occurred, their exasperation against the 
 French, whose army was now only twenty-four miles distant, 
 being very great. The populace appeared determined to secure 
 the persons of the Queen and Royal Family, and to detain 
 Nelson also, that he might lead them against their enemies. 
 With much difficulty, Sir William, and Lady Hamilton, and 
 Lord Nelson, could make their way to the palace, where, 
 from a balcony, Lady Hamilton, being able to speak in 
 Italian, addressed the assembled multitude. According to 
 an account in Harrison's Life of Nelson,^ her Ladyship began 
 by remonstrating with them on the impropriety of thus vio- 
 lently surrounding an amiable and illustrious Queen, and her 
 Royal offspring, whose powerful and sovereign protector was 
 in a distant country, with weapons of war in their hands ; 
 and positively declared, that Lord Nelson would not hold the 
 smallest communication with them, unless every man demon- 
 strated the rectitude of his intentions by immediately return- 
 ing his arms to the public arsenal. This was acquiesced in, 
 and the Queen and Royal family took advantage of the 
 opportunity thus created to get on board the Alexander, in 
 which ship, after the departure of the Foudroyant, Nelson's 
 flag had been hoisted. The next day her Majesty landed, 
 and then set off for Florence and Ancona, from which place 
 Nelson wrote a letter to Sir John Acton, as appears from the 
 following reply : — 
 
 " Palermo, October 15th, 1800. 
 
 "My dear Sir, 
 " I return you my best thanks for your kind letter of the 
 22nd, from Ancona, and the news of our most excellent 
 
 ' Vol. ii. p. 248.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 387 
 
 Queen. I see, praises to God, that her Majesty Is safe at 
 last, after so many most disagreeable incidents, and of the 
 worst kind. Thank God she is gone from that most horrid 
 place of Italy, and surely amved at Trieste, most likely in 
 Vienna since a week, according to our wishes and reckoning. 
 I hope, my Lord, that you are not the worse for this trouble- 
 some and painful journey. 
 
 " What your Lordship is pleased to tell me of the behaviour 
 of the French, in the confines between the Cisalpine and Roman 
 states, agrees with the general and perseverated manner of be- 
 traying everywhere as their interest directs them. A new 
 convention is entered on between the Austrians and French 
 Generals in Italy, with the date of the 31st of July. By this 
 a line is settled of a demarcation from a post between Fano 
 and Passaro, in the sea coast, to the Apennines by St. Marino 
 and thence straight to the frontiers of Tuscany. This line is 
 not to be passed by any corps of the two armies. The for- 
 tress of St. Leo and Urbino are to be guarded by the Aus- 
 trians, for the security of the line, and their communication 
 with Tuscany. The Pope's states, and the kingdom of 
 Naples, seems to be secured from an invasion during the 
 present armistice ; but we are in this likewise to depend on 
 French faith. 
 
 " I hope to hear soon your happy arrival at Vienna. I beg 
 Sir William and Lady Hamilton to accept here the assurance 
 of my best wishes and cordial compliments. 
 
 '* I have the honour to be, 
 ''&c. &c. 
 
 *' J. Acton." 
 
 Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and Miss Knight, accom- 
 panied Lord Nelson on the following day, the 1 7th of July. 
 On the road every where, Lord Nelson was received in the 
 most distinguished manner. Also at Florence, Ancona, and 
 at Trieste, whither they had proceeded in two Russian 
 frigates. They then departed for Vienna, accompanied by 
 the British Vice-Consul, Mr. Anderson. Arrived at Vienna, 
 the British Ambassador, Lord Minto, publicly presented Lord 
 Nelson and Sir William Hamilton to their Imperial Majesties, 
 
 2 c 2
 
 388 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 and Lady Hamilton was presented by Lady Minto. Mr. 
 Oliver, an English linguist, well acquainted with the German 
 language, and long known to Sir William Hamilton, was 
 engaged to accompany Lord Nelson, Sir William and Lady 
 Hamilton, on their journey to England. The course was 
 quite triumphal ; every where rejoicings took place ; the 
 theatres were obliged to be visited, and the excitement proved 
 as detrimental to Sir William's health as it was beneficial in 
 recruiting that of Lord Nelson. The flattering, not to say 
 enthusiastic, manner in which he was every where received ; 
 the high personal regard bestowed upon him by all classes, 
 high and low, could not but exhilarate his spirits, and thus 
 cheering his mind, give tone to his body. The change of 
 climate also invigorated him, and the absence of care, in his 
 profession, all contributed to his improvement, which indeed 
 was effected to such a degree, that upon his arrival in England 
 his health might fairly be said to be perfectly re-established. 
 
 It would occupy too much space to detail the receptions he 
 met with in his progress, but it may briefly be stated, that 
 the Prince and Princess Esterhazy entertained him for four 
 days in a style of royal splendour, at the palace ofEisenstadt, 
 where 100 grenadiers, not one of whom was below six feet 
 in height, constantly waited at table. Sumptuous dinners, 
 and other entertainments, concerts, balls, &c. evinced the 
 attention paid by the Prince and Princess Esterhazy, to their 
 distinguished guests. At one of the concerts Haydn^ directed, 
 and it is said that the performance of his immortal oratorio, the 
 Creation, was executed on the occasion. The Archduke Albert 
 also entertained them in a most splendid manner. Count Bath- 
 yany gave an aquatic fete on the Danube, within a mile of 
 Vienna, in honour of Nelson, and experiments upon vessels, 
 constructed by the Count for opposing the strength of the tor- 
 rent of that river, were made on the occasion. The benevolent 
 Jew, Arnstein, banker at Vienna, vied with the Royal and 
 noble persons in their reception of Nelson ; and the Queen of 
 Naples insisted upon paying all expenses incurred by him and 
 his companions during their stay at Vienna, which was, at the 
 request of Her Majesty, prolonged to as longtime as possible. 
 
 ' Haydn was Maestro di Capella to Prince Esterhazy, from 1761 to his decease 
 in 1809. The Creation was composed in his 65th year, and produced in 1798.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 389 
 
 The following was written to Lady Hamilton at this 
 time : — 
 
 '^ My dear, dear Lady, ever shall I be the same to you. 
 I shall go to-morrow into the city for you about three o'clock. 
 If you will come to ray apartments we shall be alone. If 
 that time should be inconvenient to you, come on Thursday 
 morning to Schonbrun, or on Wednesday for the day. I 
 shall have so much to say to you, and to our friend Nelson. 
 I see clouds lowering, and fear approaching events. I am 
 prepared for all. On Saturday I go to Baden, and hoped to 
 have seen you there, but your letter disappoints me. Your 
 departure afflicts me. It is not easy to replace such friends 
 as you ; but I must hope to see you again at Naples. Adieu. 
 Your sincere and grateful friend till death. 
 
 "A thousand compliments to the Chevalier, and to the 
 hero — to you every thing." 
 
 Upon their departure, the Queen offered to Lady Hamil- 
 ton an annuity of £1000. per annum, which, however, Sir 
 William would not allow her to accept. Arriving at Prague, 
 similar honours to those already received awaited the hero. 
 The Ai'chduke Charles, nephew to the Queen of Naples, had 
 written to his Aunt, and solicited a visit from his Lordship 
 on his way to Dresden, and the interview between these 
 distinguished warriors was highly satisfactory. A grand 
 entertainment was given, verses were composed on the oc- 
 casion, and the city was illuminated. To avoid the dan- 
 gerous passes, and rough roads of Peterswald, Lord Nelson 
 adopted a circuitous route, made a very agreeable fresh-water 
 voyage, and in two days reached Dresden, where Mr. Elliot 
 was British Minister. Prince Xavier, the brother of the 
 Elector of Saxony, here visited Nelson. The celebrated 
 Dresden Gallery was thrown open for his inspection, 
 and his friends, and they remained eight days in the 
 city, admiring its costly beauties, and receiving entertain- 
 ments at the Court ; and when they took their departure, 
 gondolas magnificently fitted up were in readiness to convey 
 them to Hamburgh. The shores were lined with multitudes 
 to catch a glimpse of the distinguished travellers. They 
 landed at Magdeburgh, where the King of Prussia had
 
 390 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 ordered a guard of honour to receive them. At Hamburgh 
 like honours awaited them, and all bodies appeared to vie v^^ith 
 each other in the splendour of their entertainments. The 
 English merchants invited Lord Nelson and his friends to a 
 grand fete, at which he lost one of the large diamonds from 
 the hilt of the sword given to him by the King of Naples. 
 It could not be recovered, and the merchants were desirous of 
 replacing it by another at the expense of £800., but Nelson 
 would not accept a gift on such an occasion. Many anec- 
 dotes, illustrative of personal respect and admiration, have 
 been related as proceeding from persons in private life at 
 Hamburgh, which do like honour to those by whom they were 
 offered, and to him to whom they were presented. It was here 
 that Lord Nelson formed acquaintance with the celebrated 
 General Dumouriez, almost the only Frenchman for whom he 
 entertained an esteem, so great was his prejudice against that 
 nation, arising from the horror with which he contemplated 
 the events which had attended the French Revolution. 
 
 On the 6th of November he reached Yarmouth. The 
 weather was stormy, and some difficulty experienced in land- 
 ing, the pilot fearing to make the attempt, and was only in- 
 duced to undertake it by a glass of spirits, and the determi- 
 nation of Nelson. He had no sooner entered the carriage 
 waiting on the beach to receive him and his friends, than the 
 horses were taken from it, and he was dragged to the 
 Wrestlers Inn. Every distinction was paid to Lord Nelson by 
 the Admiral Dickson ; the flags were hoisted on all the ships 
 in the harbour, and the Mayor and Corporation waited on him 
 to present the Freedom of the town, which had been pre- 
 viously voted to him. The troops paraded before the inn, 
 and their bands saluted him with appropriate music. Lord 
 Nelson, accompanied by the Corporation, went in procession 
 to the church, and there offered up thanks to Almighty God 
 upon his safe return to his country. He was attended by all 
 the naval officers on shore, as well as the principal inhabit- 
 ants. At night the town was illuminated, bonfires were 
 kindled, and other modes, usual in rejoicings, were put in 
 requisition. On the following day he was escorted to the end 
 of the town by the volunteer cavalry. 
 
 At Ipswich, in Suffolk, hke honours attended him — the
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 391 
 
 horses were taken from his carriage, and he was dragged a 
 mile into the town, and three miles out upon quitting it. 
 On the road to London many marks of respect were displayed, 
 and on the 9th he arrived and proceeded to Nerot's Hotel, 
 King Street, St. James's, where he found his venerable father 
 and Lady Nelson. By the former he was received with the 
 fond attachment he always evinced towards his beloved son ; 
 by the latter his reception is reported to have been " extremely 
 cold and mortifying to his feelings." The reports of his 
 intimacy with Lady Hamilton had doubtless reached his 
 wife's ears, and may be considered as accounting for her 
 conduct, and the manifest neglect of not meeting him at 
 Yarmouth. Such neglect was ill calculated to restore the 
 affections of a husband, should they unfortunately have been 
 lost, of which, however, at this time Lady Nelson had not 
 probably conclusive evidence. What followed needs not to 
 be here detailed, their estrangement became greater and 
 greater, until at length they parted for ever.^ 
 
 In the evening of the day of his arrival in London, Lord 
 Nelson visited Earl Spencer, and on the 10th, the 9th falling 
 on a Sunday, he was a guest at the Installation dinner of the 
 Lord Mayor of London in the Guildhall. On his road thither, 
 upon reaching Ludgate Hill, he was recognised, the horses 
 were taken from his carriage, and he was triumphantly drawn 
 to the feast, where he received the sword,^ voted by the city, 
 to him. A triumphal arch had been erected, under which he 
 stood during this ceremony, and after an appropriate address 
 from Richard Clark, Esq. the Chamberlain, he addressed the 
 Corporation, saying, " With this very sword I hope soon to 
 aid in reducing our implacable and inveterate enemy to proper 
 and due limits ; without which this country can neither hope 
 for, nor expect a solid, honorable and permanent peace." On 
 the 20th he took his seat in the House of Lords. 
 
 Return to England seems at once to have accomplished 
 Nelson's recovery, for on the day of his landing at Yarmouth 
 he wrote to the Lords of the Admiralty to announce his 
 arrival, that his health was perfectly re-estabHshed, and that 
 
 ' See Supplementary Chapters, " Lady Hamilton" and " Horatia Nelson." 
 ' This was of a very costly description, the handle heing of solid gold, covered 
 with blue enamel and studded with diamonds. The guard of it was supported by 
 anchors, with the representation of a crocodile as emblematical of the Nile.
 
 392 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 it was his wish to serve immediately. He hoped that his 
 necessary journey by land from the Mediterranean would not 
 be considered as a wish to be a moment out of active service. 
 
 It was not long ere Nelson was again employed, for in his 
 letter to Hercules Ross,^ Esq. of the 21st of November, he 
 says : " This place of London but ill suits my disposition. 
 However, till the war is finished, I shall not be much from 
 my proper element. The San Josef is to be my flag-ship." 
 
 In the month of December he lost his old friend Com- 
 modore Locker, Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital. 
 In a letter to his son, he describes him as " a man whom to 
 know was to love, and those who only heard of him honoured. 
 The greatest consolation (he observes) to us, his friends who 
 remain, is, that he has left a character for honour and honesty 
 which none can surpass, and very, very few attain. That the 
 posterity of the righteous will prosper we are taught to be- 
 lieve ; and on no occasion can it be more truly verified than 
 from my dear much lamented friend ; and that it may be 
 realized in you, and your sister, and brothers, is the fervent 
 prayer of, my dear John, your afflicted friend, Nelson.^^ 
 
 He paid respect to the memory of his early friend by 
 attending his remains to the grave. The following letter to 
 Lady Hamilton relates to this event : — 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " It is now six o'clock, and I dread the fatigue of this day, 
 being not of the best spirits, and believe me when I say that 
 I regret that I am not the person to be attended upon at this 
 funeral, for although I have had my days of glory, yet I find 
 this world so full of jealousies and envy that I see but a very 
 faint gleam of future comfort. I shall come to Grosvenor 
 Square" on my return from this melancholy procession, and 
 hope to find in the smiles of my friends some alleviation for 
 the cold looks and cruel words of my enemies. May God 
 bless you, my dear Lady, and believe me ever your unal- 
 terable 
 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " Saturday Morning." 
 
 ' The uncle of Captain Colquhoun, and with whom Nelson became acquainted 
 in the West Indies. He was a merchant at Jamaica. 
 
 * The residence of William Beckford, Esq. where Sir William and Lady 
 Hamilton were residing.
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 393 
 
 On the 5th of September Governor Ball ^vrote to Lord 
 Nelson an account of the surrender of the long blockaded 
 La Valetta, and in his letter refers to a correspondence with 
 Major-General Pigot. The following is the only portion that 
 appears to have been preserved, and the inefficacy of the 
 application therein made is obvious from the succeeding letter 
 of the 27th. 
 
 GOVERNOR BALL TO MAJOR-GENERAL PIGOT. 
 
 " St. Antonio, 1st September, 1800. 
 
 "Sir, 
 
 " In the conference which I had the honour of having with 
 you on the subject of my right to sign any capitulation to 
 which the French may be reduced, you informed me, that 
 your instructions do not admit of my interference. I there- 
 fore conceive it my duty, officially, to give my reasons for 
 claiming a right, as chief of this island, to be consulted, and 
 to sanction the terms to which the enemy may be obhged 
 to submit. 
 
 '^ When the troops of different nations co-operate, it has 
 been customary, for the commander of each national force to 
 sign the capitulation. A recent instance occurred last year. 
 The combined forces besieging St. Elmo were commanded by 
 the Duke de Salandra, a General in his Sicilian Majesty's 
 service, but the commanders of the British, Russian, and 
 Turkish troops joined their signatures to that capitulation, 
 which was the result of their joint efforts. 
 
 '^I consider the Maltese a distinct corps, who have be- 
 sieged La Valetta twelve months, with unexampled braveiy 
 and perseverance, without the aid of foreign troops ; at pre- 
 sent they have three thousand troops, who occupy the ad- 
 vanced posts, and three thousand militia enrolled ready to act. 
 They have been lately maintained at the joint expense of the 
 Courts of England, Russia, and Naples, and if I am not al- 
 lowed as their chief to sign the capitulation alluded to, I am 
 apprehensive it will give much offence to the two latter 
 Courts, as well as the Maltese, who conceive that both in a 
 civil and military point of view, they are entitled to an im- 
 portant voice. 
 
 " You were pleased to inform me, that in the event of the sm*-
 
 394 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 render of La Valetta, you have orders to hoist British colours 
 only, in that garrison ; in answer, I beg leave to acquaint you, 
 that when Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson commanded in the 
 Mediterranean, I received orders from him to hoist the co- 
 lours of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, whenever I 
 enter La Valetta, in conformity to an agreement between 
 the Ministers of the Courts of England, Russia, and Naples, 
 since which I have been lately informed by the Honourable 
 Mr. Paget, the British Minister at Palermo, that he has not 
 received counter orders. If there be any objection to the 
 execution of that order, I trust there will not be to the hoist- 
 ing his SiciHan Majesty's colours with those of his Britannic 
 Majesty. I shall only trespass one observation in support 
 of his Sicilian Majesty's continued right of the sovereignty 
 of this island. In June 1798, the French invaded this 
 island, without any previous declaration of war, and reduced 
 the inhabitants to capitulate, three months after which, the 
 Maltese in the country, who are three-fourths of the popula- 
 tion of the island, revolted and besieged the French in La 
 Valetta, and the adjacent posts ; they then sent a deputation 
 to his Sicilian Majesty to renew their acknowledgments to 
 him as their lawful sovereign, and to solicit his aid to expel 
 the French, in which his Majesty was pleased to acquiesce, 
 and from that period has contributed in troops, money, and 
 ammunition to their support. It will be therefore presumed 
 that the English come here as an ally to his Sicilian Majesty, 
 and cannot intend to dispossess him of the sovereignty of 
 this island by assuming an exclusive right to hoist British 
 colours in La Valetta. I beg leave to express, Sir, the satis- 
 faction I feel, in having to discuss such subjects with an 
 officer of your rank and character, as I am confident, you 
 will avoid as much as possible, giving offence to the Allies of 
 his Britannic Majesty. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 *' With the most perfect esteem, 
 
 « Sir, 
 " Your most obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 "Alexander John Ball. 
 
 " Major-General Pigot, 
 
 Commanding the Allied forces in 
 the island of Malta."
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 395 
 
 GOVERNOR BALL TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 " Malta, 27th September, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 
 " I had the pleasure of writing to your Lordship the 5 th 
 instant, on the surrender of La Valetta, and sent copies of 
 my correspondence with Major-Generai Pigot on the subject 
 of my right to sign the capitulation, and my orders to hoist 
 the colours of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, both of 
 which he would not allow, as his order from Sir R. Aber- 
 cromby directed the contrary. General Pigot has conducted 
 himself towards me in a manner highly Indelicate and unbe- 
 coming. I have been treated and considered as Chief or 
 Governor of this Island by your Lordship, Lord Keith, and 
 Sir R. Abercromby, but General Pigot in the first standing 
 orders has placed me in rank below the Town-Major, who is 
 a Captain in the army. I send you the printed articles re- 
 specting me. All the officers of the army have spoken with 
 indignation of the treatment, and pay me the utmost respect 
 and attention ; I have not remonstrated with the General, 
 but I believe he has been spoken to by Martin,^ since which 
 he has directed a guard to be turned out for me. I continue 
 giving the General every aid, and do not allow his insult to 
 affect the public operation, and I am sure that he is now 
 satisfied that my assistance is absolutely necessary to him. 
 We dine together, and keep up an appai'ent cordiality. I tell 
 your Lordship in confidence, what in a short time will be 
 publicly known, that the General is the most unpopular man 
 that ever commanded a garrison. I have the satisfaction to 
 acquaint your Lordship that the Maltese give me daily addi- 
 tional proofs of their confidence and obedience to my orders. 
 A large party had shewn a disposition to punish the Jaco- 
 bins in the manner they were treated at Naples, but there 
 has not been the smallest irregularity committed. The people 
 are happy and contented, and the English in general observe 
 that La Valetta and its port, are among the very few places 
 which have exceeded their expectations ; it is certainly a very 
 interesting spot. 
 
 " Honest Tyson Is here, who will write to your Lordship. 
 
 * Now Admiral Sir George Martin.
 
 396 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 I hear Lord Keith is going to England, he is displeased with 
 the Admiralty and has desired to be recalled — we all pray 
 that your Lordship may succeed him. I long to hear of 
 your arrival in England in good health, as I have been ap- 
 prehensive that you would suffer from the land journey. I 
 hope the welcome and grateful acclamations of the ministers 
 and people of England, with the sight of your family, will 
 restore your spirits and cheerfulness. I request your Lord- 
 ship to indulge me with a line, telling me how your health 
 is, I will not trouble you to say more, knowing how very 
 much your time will be taken up. 
 
 " Martin is here ; Blackwood is going to Alexandria ; 
 Peard is waiting for orders. We have heard unfavourable 
 reports of Sir William Hamilton's health, which I hope you 
 will be able to contradict ; we hear that Lady Hamilton re- 
 mains with the Queen at Vienna. I have not yet received 
 orders from General Acton on the subject of the English 
 colours hoisted here ; but I hear he is highly offended at it. 
 It has been insinuated that I stickle too much for the Sicilian 
 interest, because the Sicihan flag was hoisted at St. Antoine, 
 and because I have officially represented the orders I had 
 from your Lordship on the subject of the colours ; I am so 
 truly disgusted, and am so sensible of the little recompense 
 which I shall get for my anxious labours and loss of prize- 
 money, that I would have retired to my ship, were I not as- 
 sured that there would have been a convulsion among the 
 Maltese. Adieu, my dear Lord, may God ever bless and 
 protect you, prays 
 
 "Your ever obliged and devoted, 
 
 "Alexander John Ball. 
 
 " The Alexander has been hove down at Minorca, and in 
 a fortnight will be up here, one of the best ships in the Me- 
 diterranean, which will secure me for the war.^^ 
 
 The following one is without date : — 
 
 "" Colonel Fardillo, who commands the Neapolitan troops 
 here, applied to sign the capitulation, but was refused. 
 General Vaubois told Martin that his garrison have only con- 
 sumed seven months whole allowance of rations in two
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 397 
 
 years. Your Lordship will read Captain Martin's account of 
 the capture of La Dianne ; we have great hopes La Justice 
 will share the same fate. 
 
 "A. J. Ball. 
 
 " P.S. I have just received a letter from General Graham,^ 
 who conducted the business of the capitulation, saying that 
 General Vaubois objected to my signing as chief of the Mal- 
 tese. Major- General Pigot and 1 conduct business with 
 great harmony. I have not had. the slightest reason to be 
 dissatisfied with him, he is very reserved, but I think he is a 
 very friendly man. 
 
 «A. J. B.» 
 
 At the surrender of La Valetta by the French, the British 
 found 800 pieces of ordnance mounted on the fortifications ; 
 the number required to mount the whole was estimated at 
 1150. The scarcity, and consequent dearness of provisions 
 was awful, and not less than 20,000 persons are said to have 
 died from privations and hardships, in the course of two 
 years. The capitulation was signed on the 5th of September, 
 1800, by General Vaubois and Admiral Villeneuve on the 
 part of the French, and by Major- General Pigot and Commo- 
 dore Martin on that of the English. The garrison was 
 to march out with the honours of war as far as the sea- 
 shore, where they were to ground their arms, and be embarked 
 for Marseilles, there to remain prisoners until exchanged. 
 The blockade had continued two years and two days. During 
 this period, Captain Ball's services had been most valuable. 
 Mr. Coleridge has borne his testimony to their excellence. 
 He states that " the purity and strict propriety of his conduct, 
 which precluded rather than silenced calumny, the evenness 
 of his temper, and his attentive and affectionate manners in 
 private life, greatly aided and increased his public utility ."- 
 
 At the Peace of Amiens in 1802, it was, after much diffi- 
 culty, arranged that Malta should be restored to the Knights 
 of St. John, and be independent as formerly, and that a 
 Maltese langue should be established — neither French nor 
 English langue adopted. Upon the ratification of this treaty, 
 
 ' The late Lord Lynedoch. 
 * The Friend, Vol. iii. p. 283.
 
 398 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 the British troops were to quit possession in three months ; 
 but the conditions of the treaty were not comphed with from 
 the events which occurred, and which rendered the restoration 
 of the island incompatible with the security of our Indian 
 possessions. Malta formed afterwards the head-quarters of 
 the English army in the Mediterranean, and was found to be 
 of great importance to the welfare of our fleet and to the 
 maintenance of commerce. The plague in 1813 occasioned 
 the deaths of 4668 persons, and the place became deserted. 
 In the following year it was definitively arranged with France 
 and the Allied powers, that Malta should, with the concur- 
 rence of Sicily, be united to Great Britain, and the Maltese 
 thus came under the protection of a great Naval power, which 
 is unquestionably essential to their safety and well-being. 
 The Order of St. John still exists, but its revenues are in- 
 significant. At Ferrara there is a Grand Master and a few 
 Knights. 
 
 The Queen of Naples addressed the following to Lady 
 Hamilton after their departure from Vienna : — 
 
 " Schonbrun, October 17, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 '' This letter which I send you by a courier is the first I 
 have written since your departure. I received a letter from 
 you from Prague, by Madame Robemirchi. I am aware that 
 you have been in Saxony, but have received no letters from 
 you during your stay there. I hope and trust that this will find 
 you safely arrived in England and the Chevalier also, and both 
 in good health — and that our valorous hero Nelson may be 
 esteemed, cherished, known and applauded, as his character 
 and great actions deserve. You see Malta is taken, and the 
 French driven out, that is well, but the King, and all of us, 
 are much mortified, that in the capitulation there was no re- 
 presentative of ours there, although we had troops, ammu- 
 nition, artillery, and positive rights in the island. The only 
 flag flying was the English — our being so completely duped 
 is the subject of laughter here, and the injury is so much 
 the more painful coming from a friend, otherwise it would 
 be nothing. — We are so much the friends of England that 
 we are pleased that great friendly power should hold a post
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 399 
 
 overlooking Sicily, but the neglect of the forms, and the 
 slights shewn to us after so much care, confidence, cordi- 
 ality, assistance, and the enormous expenses we have been 
 put to, are very painful to think of, that is the truth. Oh ! 
 how often have I thought if my friends had been there, this 
 would not have happened. My health varies, sometimes 
 better, sometimes worse, but I am never entirely well ; my dear 
 children are all well, the rest as usual. The day of your 
 departure from Vienna was fatal for me, for the Emperor on 
 that day returned with that most disgraceful armistice, signed ; 
 thus your departure which afflicted me, was also the precursor 
 of most unfortunate events. I have received a courier from 
 St. Petersburg, Belmont has arrived there in good health, and 
 is satisfied; they have given him the order of St. Andrew, 
 and there where they see and know him, they at least render 
 him that justice, which was refused him elsewhere through 
 prejudice. My daughter-in-law, thank God, is quite well, 
 she has sent me the portrait of her little Ferdinand, who is 
 very pretty, and she is naturally very delighted. The Sici- 
 lians are making preparations for several fetes, and appear 
 quite contented. At Naples, bills for twenty-four millions 
 are gone in, and the paper is at jyar. The King, with his 
 usual frankness and generosity, has charged himself with 
 that debt; I hope his subjects will acknowledge it. Adieu, 
 my dear Lady, salute the Chevalier and my hero Nelson in 
 my name, and believe me, whether near or distant, your 
 grateful friend for life. 
 
 "Charlotte." 
 
 " October 23, 1800. 
 
 *' My dear Lady and tender Friend, 
 '* I was affected to tears at our separation, and by your 
 attachment, of which you have given me so many proofs 
 even to the last moment. That heaven may bless and make 
 you happy is the wish of my heart. May I soon have the 
 consolation of seeing you again at Naples. I repeat what 
 I have already said, that at all times and places, and under 
 all circumstances, Emma, dear Emma, shall be my friend and 
 sister, and this sentiment will remain unchanged. Receive 
 my thanks once more for all you have done, and for the sin-
 
 400 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. XI. 
 
 cere friendship you have shewn me — let me hear from you, 
 I will manage to let you hear from me. Take care of your 
 health. My compliments and assurances of friendship and 
 gratitude to the Chevalier, a thousand thousand thanks to 
 the hero Nelson, the recollection of whom my heart will ever 
 retain. Adieu ! that heaven may accord you all you desire 
 is the heartfelt wish of your devoted and attached mother 
 and friend, 
 
 " Charlotte. 
 
 " Inclosed is the letter for the Queen and the honest Cas- 
 telcicala. By one of our couriers I will send you letters, or 
 Circello at Castelajo, and Lady Spencer in England, and be- 
 Heve me your grateful and ever sincere friend. Adieu." 
 
 The following letter from the Marquis de Niza must have 
 been very gratifying to the feelings of Nelson who enter- 
 tained great and deserved regard for the Admiral : — 
 
 " Lisbon, the llth of December, 1800. 
 
 '^ Dear Duke and Brother, 
 " I beg your pardon if I disturb you for a moment, but 
 my sincere attachment to you does not permit me to be silent 
 for longer time. 
 
 *' I had, my dear friend, the greatest pleasure seeing in 
 the public papers the brilliant manner in which you have 
 been received in England. You deserve all that, and I am 
 sure that your name, virtues, and quality, will be for ever 
 respected in all parts of the globe. Believe me, my Lord, 
 it is my heart which speaks and not the flattery, you do know 
 me well to believe me, and I hope you will be persuaded of 
 my sincere attachment with which I will be always, 
 " My Lord, 
 " Your most humble servant, 
 
 "and attached friend, 
 
 "E. NizA." 
 
 That Nelson, so popular as he was with the service, and with 
 all other classes of society, should have been eagerly sought 
 after, and feasted, is not to be wondered at. Earl St. Vincent 
 was fearful of its consequences, and wrote to him thus : —
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 401 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " I wish you had done with this city feasting, for there 
 is much risk of illness in going out of smoking hot rooms 
 into the damp putrid air of London streets . 
 
 " They never can intend to place your Lordship under the 
 command of Vice-Admiral Dickson ; and in case of a great 
 fleet acting in the Baltic, Sir Hyde Parker, who is in posses- 
 sion of all the information, acquired during the last preparation 
 for a Russian war, must, I conceive, be appointed to the com- 
 mand of it. 
 
 " Yours most truly, 
 
 '' St. Vincent. 
 
 • "Torr Abbey, December 15th, 1800." 
 
 Sir William Hamilton, upon his return to England, having 
 been Minister at Naples for the period of thirty-six years, 
 made application for a pension for his long services, and re- 
 muneration for various losses he had sustained. Lord Nelson 
 appears to have assisted him in the arrangement of the par- 
 ticulars of his claim, as is shewn by the following statement 
 in Lord Nelson^s handwriting : — 
 
 "Facts. 
 
 '^ Four years past Sir William Hamilton had permission to 
 come to England to settle his private affairs, and would have 
 come with all his effects if the embroiled state of Italy, and 
 the arrival of the King's fleet in the Mediterranean, had not 
 made him determine, whatever inconvenience he might suffer, 
 to remain at his post. In October, 1798, part of Sir Wil- 
 liam's valuable effects were sent home in the Colossus. By 
 the accident which happened to that ship he suffered a loss of 
 several thousand pounds. In December of the same year, 
 except some pictures and vases which Lord Nelson had placed 
 on board a transport, the whole of Sir William's effects at 
 Naples were lost; for although much might have been saved ^ 
 had his thoughts been only turned towards his own property, 
 yet self was absorbed in attending to the preservation of a 
 whole Royal family, therefore not an atom of furniture was 
 removed, excepting one couch, no, not even a bed. It can 
 readily be conceived what mounting of such a house (as 
 
 VOL. I. 2d
 
 402 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 every person who has travelled in this country, and all other 
 nations, can testify) must have cost. On Sir William's arrival 
 at Palermo, although the Queen did more than could be ex- 
 pected, it became necessary to arrange a new establishment 
 consistent with his public character, and from the emigrated 
 English of Naples and Tuscany, with many other persons of 
 high rank in the world, together with the constant communi- 
 cation with the Navy, necessarily brought on a very heavy 
 expense, for there was no house for those persons to resort 
 to, but the British Minister's. The settling this new establish- 
 ment, together with the closing the accounts on his being 
 superseded, cost, by bills drawn upon London, £13,213., 
 between August 1799 and June 1800, besides all losses, which 
 cannot be estimated less than £10,000. sterling." 
 
 What the precise recompense sought for was to be, does 
 not immediately appear from the preceding statement, which 
 bears relation only to pecuniary amount, but some idea of it 
 may be gathered from the following letters from Mr. Williams 
 and Mr. Beckford. Lord Nelson's visit to Fonthill, in the month 
 of December, was probably occasioned by the negotiation 
 alluded to in this correspondence : — 
 
 MR. WILLIAMS TO SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON. 
 
 " Grosvenor Square, November 15th, 1800. 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " As you seemed desirous I should give you in writing the 
 outline of the proposition I yesterday had the honour to 
 make regarding the subject Mr. Beckford had commissioned 
 me to converse with you on, that all misunderstanding on a 
 matter of such importance might be avoided, I will endeavour 
 to state it to you as concisely as possible. 
 
 " Mr. Beckford is well acquainted with the just reasons 
 you have to expect a consideration from Government in 
 recompense for your long and meritorious services, as well as 
 for the very heavy expenses you must have incurred in con- 
 sequence of the unusual difficulties of your situation. And 
 as Administration, from the great pressure of the times, and 
 the number of claims they must have on them, may not find 
 it convenient to accord with your expectations, as to making 
 a provision beyond the distinguished mark of favour you will
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 403 
 
 no doubt receive from his Majesty, Mr. Beckford has autho- 
 rized me to say, if a Peerage should be offered, and you 
 could arrange it so that the grant may be made to yourself, 
 with remainder to Mr. Beckford and his heirs, that he would 
 in case of Government, secure to you an annuity for life of 
 whatever sum the consideration Government may make shall 
 fall short of your expectations, with an adequate reversion to 
 Lady Hamilton for her life. This, Sir, is the substance of 
 what I had the honour to communicate to you ; and it seems 
 quite unnecessary for me to state any arguments in support 
 of the just claims Mr. Beckford also has on his country, inde- 
 pendent of the services rendered in the late trying crisis, by 
 the respectable corps of volunteers he has raised, and wholly 
 armed, clothed, and supported ; you are not unacquainted 
 that he has always given his influence to Administration, by 
 the return of two Members to Parliament, which he will have 
 no difficulty of continuing, provided a favourable disposition 
 should be manifested towards him. 
 
 " I have the honom* to be, dear Sir, 
 
 " Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 "Nicholas Williams/* 
 
 MR. beckford to LADY HAMILTON. 
 
 " Monday night, 10 o'clock, November 24th, 1800. 
 
 '^ My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 '^ In our addresses to superior beings it is quite in vain to 
 flatter or dissemble ; I cannot help, therefore, bluntly telling 
 you that you have many worse things to get over than our 
 November fogs. The intellectual fog we labour under in this 
 phlegmatic country is the very devil. If any raj's can dissi- 
 pate this gloom, your's will ; but you must shine steadily, 
 rise early, set late, and keep above the horizon, almost with- 
 out relaxation, till we have animated the dull clod. The 
 gracious reception of the letter for the Queen, and the un- 
 gracious silence observed upon it ever since, are strange cir- 
 cumstances ; but I have done wondering at any thing from 
 that quarter. Your interview with D.^ holds forth some 
 hope. I agree with you in thinking him the best of the 
 tribe. The Chevalier whom Sir William fancies his friend, and 
 
 ' The Right Hon. Henry Dundas, one of the Secretaries of State. 
 
 2 D 2
 
 404 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI. 
 
 who has decidedly proved my enemy, is of a colder and 
 blacker composition ; but what miracles the spirit of Scotti- 
 cism may work, even upon this du'e composition, I cannot 
 answer. How unaccountable that there should be the smallest 
 difficulty in the business, so energetically ready as I am to 
 come forward with something solid in exchange for a mere 
 vapour, I can scarcely persuade myself that any of these 
 satrajDS, however callous, however obdurate, would stand 
 plump in Sir William's way, or that the King, if properly 
 informed upon the subject, would allow cold water to be 
 poured upon so reasonable a proposal, because I happen to be 
 distantly, and I hope very distantly, interested in its success. 
 We shall see, and they shall see and hear too, if they are de- 
 termined to put knives and ratsbane under my pillow, when- 
 ever I attempt at any stage of this troublesome existence to 
 lay down my head. A fine fuss to be sure about their parch- 
 ments and patents, which bankers, and the offspring of Jew 
 brokers, have been suffered to purchase, and which have been 
 scattered about with such profusion, that should that pesti- 
 lence, a revolution, follow in due course, the famine now 
 hovering at our door, not a tailor would be unprovided with 
 measures from the ci-devant glorious materials. And really 
 at the rate our world is whirling at, I should not be surprised 
 at its making a dead stop at the dreadful point of ruin and 
 insurrection ; therefore, what madness, what intoxication, 
 to pause so wearisomely in this affair, and not close with the 
 proposal cheerfully, and with a good grace. I long to hear 
 the result of your conversation with the best of the tribe. 
 We must not give up easily : if baffled one day, rise again the 
 next, and pursue your object with those omnipotent looks, 
 words, and gestures, with which heaven has gifted you. By 
 such perseverant efforts, and by such alone, we shall obtain 
 justice and comfort for Sir William, in despite of the ungene- 
 rous bandy-legged crooked policy which prevails, I am sorry 
 to say, in our highest departments. In all our manoeuvres 
 we shall be actively assisted by Mr. Williams, with whose 
 hearty zeal and native ability you are now acquainted, and 
 who, I am inexpressibly happy to learn, has executed the 
 commission with which I entrusted him, so much to your 
 and Sir William's satisfaction. Pray tell Lord Nelson, that
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 405 
 
 though dead to the world in general, and to almost all its 
 great and small characters, I am perfectly alive to his tran- 
 scendent merit, and feel towards him those sentiments of 
 grateful admiration which glow in the heart of every genuine 
 Briton. I exist in the hopes of seeing Fonthill honoured by 
 his victorious presence, and if his engagements permit, his 
 accompanying you here ; we shall enjoy a few comfortable 
 days of repose, uncontaminated by the sight and prattle of 
 drawing-room parasites. Now, my dear Lady, though you 
 must be pretty well tired with my long scribbilation, I am 
 writing by the dim light of candles, with portentous snuffs, 
 and the driving showers have almost lulled me and all my 
 projects and speculations asleep. That light alone, which 
 beams from your image, ever before my fancy like a vision 
 of the Madonna della Gloria, keeps my eyes sufficiently open 
 to subscribe myself with tolerable distinctness, 
 
 ^' Your most truly affectionate 
 
 " W. B. 
 " My kind compliments to your mother, whom I shall 
 rejoice to see at Fonthill." 
 
 The application to the Government, I believe, terminated 
 by the grant of a pension of £1200. jyer annum, on the Irish 
 establishment, which was to terminate at the decease of Sir 
 William, no provision being made for his widow. It was 
 therefore enjoyed by Sir William only for the short period of 
 two years. ^ 
 
 Lord Nelson remained but a short time in London ere he 
 accepted the invitation from Mr. Beckford to visit him at 
 Fonthill. He travelled with Sir William and Lady Hamilton ; 
 and on his approach to Salisbury, the Yeomanry Cavalry were 
 out to meet and escort him at the distance of twelve miles, 
 on the verge of the county, headed by Captain Windham, 
 M.P. Lord Nelson was, upon his arrival in Salisbury, con- 
 ducted to the Council House, which was guarded by a corps 
 of the Royal North British Dragoons. Here he received the 
 Freedom of the Cit}', in an oak box, with a silver plate, on 
 
 ' For further particulars relating to Sir William Hamilton, see Supplementary 
 Chapter, " Lady Hamilton."
 
 406 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XI, 
 
 which was inscribed the resolution passed by the Corporation. 
 In the crowd that had assembled before the Council House, 
 Lord Nelson recognized a sailor who had fought at the 
 Battle of the Nile, called him forward, expressed the satisfac- 
 tion he felt at meeting one who had stood with him in the 
 dangers of that celebrated day, and dismissed him with a 
 handsome present. He also perceived another man loudly 
 huzzaing, who had been with him at the time he underwent 
 the amputation of his arm. He beckoned him to approach, 
 and also made him a present, upon which, on withdrawing, 
 the man took from his bosom a piece of lace, which he had 
 torn from the shirt sleeve of the amputated arm, and declared 
 he should preserve it to the latest period of his life, as a token 
 in memory of his gallant commander. Lord Nelson departed 
 from Salisbury amidst the most enthusiastic cheering, and left 
 £20. to be distributed among the poor. 
 
 At Fonthill, Lord Nelson and his companions were re- 
 ceived by the Volunteers, with their band of music, playing 
 " Rule Britannia ;" and upon arriving at the door of the 
 house, a feu de joie was fired, and " God save the King" 
 played. After dinner. Lady Hamilton and Banti (together 
 with other eminent vocal and instrumental performers), exe- 
 cuted some fine pieces of music, with great charms of voice 
 and Italian sensibility. Nelson arrived on the 20th of De- 
 cember, and on the 23rd the festivities were transferred from 
 the mansion to the Abbey. ^ A dinner of the most splendid 
 character was given, on occasion of which an extraordinary 
 profusion of plate was displayed. Mr. Wyatt, the architect, 
 and Mr. Benjamin West, the President of the Royal Academy, 
 were among the guests on this festive occasion. 
 
 In the gallery of the Abbey, after the repast, the company 
 assembled, and Lady Hamilton enchanted them with one 
 of her remarkable personations, that of Agrippina bearing 
 the ashes of Germanicus, in a golden urn, and as pre- 
 senting herself before the Roman people, with the design of 
 exciting them to revenge the death of her husband, who, 
 
 ' A Plate of the Reception of Lord Nelson at Fonthill Abbey is given in the 
 Gentleman's Magazine for 1810. Part L
 
 1800.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 407 
 
 after having been declared joint Emperor by Tiberius, fell a 
 victim to his envy, and is supposed to have been poisoned by 
 his order at the head of the forces which he was leading 
 against the rebelhous Ai'menians. A writer in the Gentle- 
 man^s Magazine, and a visitor on the occasion, says, " Lady 
 Hamilton displayed with truth and energy, every gesture, 
 attitude, and expression of countenance, which could be con- 
 ceived in Agrippina herself, best calculated to have moved 
 the passions of the Romans in behalf of their favourite 
 general. The action of her head, of her hands and arms, in 
 the various positions of the urn, in her manner of presenting 
 it to the Romans, or of raising it up to the gods in the act of 
 supplication, was most classically graceful. Every change of 
 dress, principally of the head, to suit the different situations 
 in which she successively presented herself, was performed 
 instantaneously, with the most perfect ease, and without re- 
 tiring, or scarcely turning aside a moment from the spec- 
 tators. In the last scene of this beautiful piece of pantomime, 
 she appeared with a young lady of the company, who was to 
 personate a daughter. Her action in this part was so per- 
 fectly just and natural, and so pathetically addressed to the 
 spectators, as to draw tears from several of the company. It 
 may be questioned whether this scene, without theatrical 
 assistance of other characters and appropriate circumstances, 
 could possibly be represented with more effect."^ 
 
 • Gentleman's Magazine, April, 1801, p. 298.
 
 408 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 1801. 
 
 The year 1801 commenced by Nelson's appointment on 
 the 1st of January to be Vice- Admiral of the Blue, and to 
 join the Earl of St. Vincent, in the Channel fleet. The San 
 Josef, which had been boarded by him and taken in the 
 action of the 14th of February, 1797, had been selected 
 as his flag-ship, and, as it appears by the following most 
 kind and interesting letter, by the Commander-in-chief him- 
 self:— 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " Now that your ceremonies and presentations are nearly 
 gone through, allow me to congratulate you on your safe 
 return to a grateful country, and to add, that not having been 
 acquainted with your views, or whether the state of your 
 health would admit of your serving in those seas during the 
 winter months, T have constantly kept the San Josef in my 
 mind's eye for you, as the most appropriate ship in all re- 
 spects, and to this effect I continued to keep the Namur in 
 the squadron until pretty far in the last month, although her 
 beams were in danger of slipping from the clamps, and the 
 ship tumbling all to pieces ; at the same time, I endeavoured 
 to impress Lord Spencer with a just opinion that her ship's 
 company having behaved in the most coi'rect manner during 
 the whole time of tumult and sedition at home and abroad, 
 they ought to be an exception from a wise general principle, 
 and to continue serving together, and I recommended in the 
 most earnest manner that they should form the basis of the 
 San Josef crew ; that Captain Lukin would do justice to her 
 in the equipment, and give her up like a saint to any flag 
 officer who might fall in love wirh her, keeping your name 
 and pretensions out of sight. To the builder and other clock
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 409 
 
 officers at Plymouth, I held out an idea that I intended to fix 
 upon her for my flag, with a view to have her better finished 
 and fitted than ordinary. Remember me in the kindest man- 
 ner to Lady Nelson ; say everything proper to Sir William 
 and Lady Hamilton, and be assured, I am yours, most truly, 
 
 "St. Vincent. 
 
 " Torr Abbey, 
 irtli Nov. 1800. 
 
 " My carcass is very crazy, the mind active as ever. 
 
 « St. Vt.^' 
 
 Nelson nominated Hardy as his Captain, and, according 
 to the Naval Chronicle,^ the whole fleet cheered when the 
 Admiral's flag was hoisted. 
 
 Nelson having returned to London, remained there until 
 Januarj'^ the 13th, when he departed for Plymouth, accom- 
 panied by his brother, the Rev. William Nelson." His pro- 
 gress is now fully described in an almost daily series of letters 
 addressed to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "Axminster, January 14th, 1801, 
 8 o'clock. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " We set off from Southampton at eight o'clock this morn- 
 ing, and got to Mr. Rose's^ at half past nine, but found him 
 gone to London, therefore, I had my trouble for nothing but 
 the pleasure of tiying to serve my brother. Anxiety for 
 friends left, and various workings of my imagination, gave 
 me one of those severe pains of the heart that all the windows 
 were obliged to be put down, the carriage stopped, and the 
 perspiration was so strong that I never was wetter, and yet 
 dead with cold. However, it is gone off, and here I am, and 
 while I live, your atfectionate, 
 
 "Nelson. 
 
 > Vol. V. p. 94. 
 
 * For the domestic particulars connected with Lord Nelson's departure from 
 London, see Supplementary Chapters. 
 
 ^ Afterwards the Rt. Hon. Sir George Rose, of the Treasury.
 
 410 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. XII. 
 
 " I find the same crowds and applauses that you for ever 
 join in. Make my best regards to Sir William, the Duke,i 
 Mr. Beckford, and tell Lord William Gordon his last verses 
 are perfectly true. My brother sends his regards." 
 
 [Plymouth.] "January 17th, 1801, Five o'clock. 
 
 " I write through Mr. Nepean^ that this letter 
 may get to you on Sunday. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 *' I am this moment arrived, and truly melancholy. I feel 
 as if no friend was near me. How different ! We left Ax- 
 minster yesterday morning at eight. At Honiton, I visited 
 Captain Westcott's^ mother — poor thing, except from the 
 bounty of Government and Lloyd's, in very low circum- 
 stances. The brother is a tailor, but had they been chimney- 
 sweepers it was my duty to shew them respect. Being 
 dragged out of the town we broke down half-way between 
 that place and Exeter, at five miles from which we were met 
 by the Devon Cavalry Volunteers, and escorted into the town, 
 through which we were dragged to the hotel, where the Foot 
 Volunteers met us. The rest of the parade was exactly Uke 
 Sahsbury. At half-past four arrived at Torr Abbey. The 
 Earl* received me with much apparent cordiality, and we 
 parted this morning good friends ; but not a word of prize- 
 money, which I certainly will not give up. I will write you 
 fully to-morrow, but the post is almost gone. May God 
 bless my dear friend, and believe me ever your 
 
 "Nelson. 
 
 " Best regards to Sir William." 
 
 ' His Grace the Duke of Queensberry. 
 
 ^ One of the Secretaries of the Admiralty. 
 
 ^ Captain Westcott was killed at the Battle of the Nile. See Note, page 136, 
 ante. 
 
 * St. Vincent, who had at this time a law-suit with Nelson regarding some 
 prize-money.
 
 18X)1.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 411 
 
 " Plymoutli Dock, January 21st, 1801. 
 *' My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " It is a dreadful rainy day, and the ship cannot be got out 
 of the harbour, therefore, letters will certainly find me here 
 till Monday ; that is, you may safely write till Saturday. I 
 have not got, I assure you, scarcely a comfort about me, ex- 
 cept the two chairs which you ordered of Mr. Foxhall. I 
 have wrote her [Lady N.] a letter of truths about my outfit. 
 You ought to have received a letter on Sunday ; it was put 
 under cover to Mr. Nepean, and was with him on Sunday 
 morning, with one for her. I well knew your friendly anxiety 
 about my arrival, and I had no other way of your getting a 
 letter on Sunday. Poor Nile was bought at a large dog shop 
 in Holborn ; Mr. Davison was with me. Those active dogs 
 will not do for the house ; if he is not found, and you buy 
 another, get a more domestic animal. I sincerely hope that 
 your very serious cold will soon be better. I am so much 
 interested in your health and happiness, that pray tell me all. 
 You have had a large party. Do Ladies J. Halliday and 
 Rodney take after their amiable mamma? With my best 
 regards to Sir William, the Duke, Mrs. Dennis, &c. &c. 
 believe me, as ever, my dear Lady, your fast and unalterable 
 friend, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " Pray send me the last lines wrote by Lord William Gor- 
 don, and ' Henry's anchor fixed in 's heart.^ '' 
 
 In Tucker's Memoirs of the Earl of St. Vincent^ is printed 
 a congratulatory letter (dated Plymouth Dock, Jan. 20th, 
 1801), from Lord Nelson to the Earl upon his birthday, 
 in which he says : — " May this day, my dear Lord, which 
 I am told is your birthday, come round as often as life is 
 comfortable, and may your days be comfortable, for many, 
 many years. Almost my only ungratified wish is, to see you 
 alongside the French Admiral, and myself supporting you in 
 the San Josef. We may be beat, but I am confident the 
 'Vol. u. p. 172.
 
 412 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XIL 
 
 world will believe we could not help it. I called on Trou- 
 bridge's sister this day, and I find I have given great offence 
 in not going to the Long Room last night ; but my promise 
 is solemnly made not to go to an assembly till a Peace/' 
 
 I am happy to be able to print the Earl's reply to this 
 letter : — 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 
 " A thousand thanks for your recollection, of my having, 
 yesterday, lived sixty-six years ; and your wishes, that the 
 small remainder of my days may be well spent in your com- 
 pany, in defending our country against the host of foes which 
 threaten its destruction ; for, entre nous, Prussia has actually 
 signed the League, and America will, if Jefferson is elected 
 President. 
 
 '^A little personal attention to the ladies of Plymouth 
 Storehouse and Dock, will do away any unfavourable impres- 
 sion fi-om their disappointment on Monday night, and you 
 know how to tickle them. 
 
 " Yours, my dear Lord, most truly, 
 
 "St. Vincent. 
 " All here send their kindest wishes. 
 
 " Ton- Abbey, 
 
 21st Jan. 1801." 
 
 On the same day, he received the following from the Earl 
 Spencer,^ relating to the ship he was likely to go to sea 
 with : — 
 
 [Private.'] 
 
 '' My dear Lord, 
 
 "I only at present can acknowledge your letter of the 
 17th, and express my satisfaction at your being again afloat. 
 
 ^' I shall be able soon to write on the subject of ships ; but 
 I can say thus far to-day upon it, that it is by no means in 
 contemplation for you to be put into the Windsor Castle, 
 which was only mentioned cursorily one day in conversation 
 
 ' At this time First Lord of the Admii-alty.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 413 
 
 with Sir Hyde^ as hems; one of the three-deckers which 
 draws the least water. The Formidable is not of that de- 
 scription. As to troops, you know the objections in the way, 
 and they certainly appear to be insurmountable. 
 
 " Yours, my dear Lord, 
 
 " Very faithfully, 
 
 " Spencer. 
 
 " Admiralty, 
 
 21st June, 1801." 
 
 Earl St. Vincent had also had a communication on the 
 subject with the First Lord of the Admiralty, and wrote 
 Nelson thus : — 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 
 " I rejoice that the San Josef is found to answer so well. 
 I have a long letter from Lord Spencer this morning touching 
 Baltic arrangements, in which you are described as second in 
 command, but not a word of the San Josef. The moment I 
 receive orders to take you and her under command, directions 
 shall be dispatched for you and her to come hither. 
 
 " Remember me kindly to your brother and Captain 
 Hardy, and be assured I am yours most truly, 
 
 ^' St. Vincent. 
 
 "23rdJan. 1801. 
 
 " All here desire to be particularly remembered. St. Vt." 
 
 Lord Nelson was at Exeter on the 21st, and received the 
 freedom of the city. In reply to the address of the Recorder, 
 he is reported to have said : — " Whatever merit may have 
 been attributed to him in the action of the Nile, it was only 
 for having executed the orders intrusted to him ; that those 
 orders came to him from his Commander-in-chief, who had 
 received them from the Lords of the Admiralty. They were 
 very concise : it was to take, burn, sink, and destroy the 
 French fleet wherever he should meet them. He had only 
 been the instrument employed to effect this service." He 
 assured those around him, from his own knowledge, *' that 
 
 1 Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Bart., the Commander-in-chief in the Baltic. See 
 Note, page 72 a)ite.
 
 414 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 to this war, however burdensome it may have been consi- 
 dered, we owed the blessings we now experienced, in the en- 
 joyment of our hberties, laws, and religion ; and, although 
 we might one day hope to be at peace with France, we must 
 ever be at war with French principles." 
 
 He visited Earl St. Vincent at Torr Abbey, the seat of 
 George Gary, Esq., and returned to Plymouth on the 24th, 
 upon which day the freedom of that city was voted to him by 
 the Corporation in a silver box. 
 
 His impatience to have his ship in readiness began to mani- 
 fest itself as on former occasions, and he writes to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 "Jan. 24th, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " No orders to man my San Josef; therefore, instead of 
 being paid this day as I wished, it will be Monday. They 
 file not so active at the Admiralty as I am. Your letters of 
 Thursday are this moment arrived, for which I sincerely 
 thank you. I will, if possible, write to Admiral Man, who 
 has the regulation of appointing Lieutenants, requesting him 
 to give Mr. Champion a good frigate. If I could take him I 
 would on your recommendation. This day has made me a 
 freeman of Plymouth. I will send you the address to- 
 morrow, as my frank will not send free of postage the Exeter 
 occurrence and Plymouth. Miss Troubridge is our friend's 
 sister, about fifty-five, pitted with the small-pox, and deafer 
 by far than Sir Thos. T. Respect to him, and his having pre- 
 pared his house for me made it proper. Mrs. K. I met in her 
 walk, but should have called, as she is a near relation of hers, 
 and known to me for eighteen years. Write to Brixham, as I 
 directed, to the care of Troubridge, and if any alteration 
 should take place respecting myself, I will write him what to 
 do with my letters. May the heavens bless and preserve my 
 dearest friend, and give her every comfort this world can 
 afford, is the sincere prayer of your faithful and affectionate, 
 
 ^'Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " Send the letter to Admiral Man, and give it to Mr. 
 Champion."
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 415 
 
 In the envelope franked of this date, which probably con- 
 tained the addresses alluded to, is the following interesting 
 message to Lord Holland. 
 
 " Tell Lord Holland I was sorry not to have called, but 
 you know my intentions, and how sensible I am of his good- 
 ness to me when I was last in England, and although in the 
 way of wishing well in our dear countiy, we may think 
 differently, yet I am sure we both love her equally, and would 
 lay down our lives, if necessary, to save her from being 
 humbled by France." 
 
 The Mayor of Plymouth addressed the following to Lord 
 Nelson : — 
 
 " Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, 
 
 ^^The Mayor and Aldermen having unanimously resolved 
 to request your Lordship's acceptance of the Freedom of this 
 ancient and respectable Borough, have delegated to us, a part 
 of the Corporate body, the honour of presenting it to you. 
 
 " We cannot omit the opportunity thus afforded us of 
 stating that we feel in common with all other his Majesty's 
 loyal and faithful subjects, the magnitude and importance of 
 that most signal victory which was obtained over our enemies 
 by the fleet commanded by your Lordship, a victory which 
 when viewed amidst the numerous splendid naval achieve- 
 ments by which this country, and more particularly the 
 present war has been distinguished, is, in many of its circum- 
 stances, unparalleled and unrivalled, and which may be con- 
 sidered as a most happy result of wise and prompt orders by 
 the Commander, and of skilful and gallant execution by his 
 brave officers and seamen. 
 
 " We see with no small confidence and pleasure that you 
 are again going into active service, and we doubt not you will 
 seize every opportunity of adding to that fame you have 
 already so justly acquired, and of entitling yourself to the 
 increasing gratitude of your country. 
 
 " I feel myself particularly gratified that it is my province 
 to have the honour of conveying to your Lordship this mark
 
 416 T.IFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 of our respect, and of the sentiments by which it is dictated 
 and accompanied. 
 
 "Plymouth, 24th January, 1801." 
 
 The following were addressed to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 "January 25th, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " If you'll believe me, nothing can give me so much pleasure 
 as your truly kind and friendly letters, and where friendship 
 is of so strong a cast as ours, it is no easy matter to shake it 
 — mine is as fixed as Mount Etna, and as warm in the inside 
 as that mountain. The Audacious (Gould') will be paid otf 
 to-morrow, and he bears the talking of Miss Knight with 
 good humour. He has inquired where she lives. He is not 
 grown much wiser since we left him, or he never would have 
 wished to leave such a ship and* ship's company. I am quite 
 vexed not to have orders for completing the San Josef's 
 complement of men, or to proceed to sea, therefore I shall 
 certainly not be at Torbay on Wednesday. I shall write to 
 Troubridge this day to send me your letter, which I look 
 for as constantly and with more anxiety than my dinner. 
 * * * What dreadful weather we have got : a deep snow. 
 I wish I was just setting off for Bronte. I should then be 
 happy. As I cannot now sail before Thursday, you may 
 direct your letter on Tuesday to me at Plymouth, and if ever 
 so ready will not sail till the post is arrived. On Wednesday 
 direct to Brixham as I mentioned before, and believe me as 
 evei', yours, &c. &c. 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 ' Sh' Davidge Gould was a Post Captain of the date of March 25th, 1789. 
 He was in the Leeward Islands during the Spanish and Russian armaments, and 
 at the commencement of the Revolutionary war was appointed to the Cyclops, 
 and was at the reduction of Corsica. He was afterwards in Vice-Admiral 
 Hotham's fleet, and engaged in his two actions. He was then appointed to the 
 Audacious, 74 guns, and joined Sir Horatio Nelson in 1798, distinguishing 
 himself at the Battle of the Nile. He assisted in the blockade of Malta, and was 
 at the capture of Le Genereus in 1800. In the following year he was appointed 
 to the Majestic, and attached to the Channel Fleet. He afterwards went to the 
 West Indies, and upon his return was paid off at Plymouth. The Windsor Castle 
 of 98 guns was stationed off Brest in the years 1804 and 1805, and commanded 
 by Captain Gould. He was made G.C.B., having reached the rank of Rear-Ad- 
 miral in 1807, and Vice-Admiral in 1810. He died Admiral of the Red, and 
 Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, April 23rd, 1847.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT, NELSON. 417 
 
 " My brother is as vexed as I am, and fears he shall lose 
 his trip to Torbay. I should have lived on board before, but 
 as the ship will be paid to-moiTOW, I hope to get on board on 
 Tuesday. I hate Plymouth. I shall write every day." 
 
 "January 26th, 1801. 
 
 " I have no orders, and can have none before Wednesday, 
 therefore sooner than Thursday or Friday the ship cannot 
 move. I have told my brother of your intentions of giving 
 him a paste.^ He proposes, if no orders arrive very soon, to 
 leave me, when I shall instantly return on boai'd. I feel no 
 loss in not going to these balls and assemblies. My thoughts 
 are very differently engaged. I know nothing of my des- 
 tination more than I did when in London, but the papers 
 and reports of my being to be put in a bad ship which, 
 although I can hardly credit, fills me with sorrow, which 
 joined to my private feelings, makes me this day ready to 
 burst every moment into tears. I will try and write to 
 the Duke^ to-morrow ; this day I could not if millions lay in 
 my way. * * * * 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 "January, 27th 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 " I have got so dreadful a cold in my good eye, that it is all 
 I can do to see a word I write, and I am anxious and uneasy 
 till you can tell me some news of our dear Queen. Her 
 situation at this distressing time fills me with apprehension. 
 I pray God she may get well through it. Troubridge will 
 send me your letter to morrow. Hardy was with me this 
 morning, and I delivered him your regards. * * * I cannot, 
 my dear friend, see a word, therefore must finish, and only 
 beg you to believe me to be, &c. &c. 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " I dine quiet at home with an old purser, seventy years 
 of age. I refuse all invites except the Commissioner and 
 Admiral — these I x;annot get off." 
 
 ' Medallion of Lady Hamilton commonly used as a seal. 
 * Duke of Queensberry. 
 VOL. I. 2 E
 
 418 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 "January 28th, 1801. 
 
 " What a fool I was, my dear Lady Hamilton, to direct 
 that your cheering letters should be directed for Brixham. 
 I feel this day truly miserable in not having them, and I fear 
 they will not come till to-morrow^s post. What a blockhead 
 to believe that any person is so active as myself. I have this 
 day got my orders to put myself under Lord St. Vincent's 
 command, but as no order is arrived to man the ship, it must 
 be Friday night or Saturday morning before she can sail for 
 Torbay. Direct my letters now to Brixham. My eye is very 
 bad. I have had the Physician of the Fleet to examine it ; 
 he has directed me not to write (and yet I am forced this very 
 day to write to Lord Spencer, St. Vincent, Davison about my 
 lawsuit, Troubridge, Mr. Locker, &c.), not to eat any thing but 
 the most simple food, not to touch wine or porter, to sit in a 
 dark room, to have green shades for my eyes (will you, my dear 
 friend, make me one or two, nobody else shall), and to bathe 
 them in cold water every hour. I fear it is the writing has 
 brought this complaint. My eye is like blood, and the film 
 so extended, that I only see from the corner farthest from my 
 nose. What a fuss about my complaints ; but being so far 
 from my sincere friend I have leisure to brood over them. * * * 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " I will try and write the Duke a line. My brother in- 
 tended to have gone off to-morrow afternoon, but this half 
 order may stop him."i 
 
 On the 28th of January Lord Nelson acknowledged the 
 receipt of the order of the 2Gth from the Lords of the Ad- 
 miralty to put himself under the command of the Earl of St. 
 Vincent, and he communicated the receipt of it to his Com- 
 mander-in-chief on the same day. 
 
 On the 29th he again wrote to Lady Hamilton, and it 
 
 ' This letter was printed in the Collection of Nelson's Letters to Lady 
 Hamilton, Vol. i. p. 20, and has been reprinted by Sir N. Harris Nicolas in the 
 Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. p. 279. The Duke referred to was the Duke of 
 Queensberry, not Hamilton as conjectured by Sir H. Nicolas. The Physician of 
 the Fleet was the late Dr. Trotter.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 419 
 
 would appear that reports of his too great intimacy with her 
 Ladyship were beginning to spread about : — 
 
 "January 29th, 1801. 
 
 " I have this moment, my dear Lady, received your truly 
 kind letter sent to Brixham on Monday, and also yours of 
 Tuesday, which I shall reply to in rotation. You may tell 
 Lord Abercorn that his eleve, Mr. Sotheby, if he comes in 
 my way, may be sure of my assistance. The lad really, 
 without a compliment to parental feelings, deserves it, but 
 you can answer there is not the smallest probability of my 
 going to the Mediterranean. Mr. S. is quite right that 
 through the medium of your influence is the surest way to 
 get my interest. It is true, and it will ever be whilst you 
 hold your present conduct, for you never ask any thing that 
 does not do honour to your feelings, as the best woman, as 
 far as my knowledge goes, that ever lived, and it must do me 
 honour the complying with them. My dear Lady, old D. 
 is a chattering old fool. What w^ould the world say if you 
 flirted it away with every coxcomb ; all would despise you as 
 they now envy you, for what can they say, only that you are 
 kind and good to an old friend with one arm, a broken head, 
 and no teeth. The good must love you, and I trust I am 
 amongst the foremost, if not the very first. The Princess C. 
 is not very wise, and, my dear friend, if you were to set your 
 understanding against her, she would fall, and she ought to 
 know by this time, that to gain my good will is not to neglect 
 you. 
 
 " I have this day orders to be completed to my complement 
 of men, and could you think it possible, with the very worst 
 men in this port, not one seaman. Do the superiors think 
 that my name is a host of strength, or do they wish to see 
 the San Josef only equal to other ships, but Hardy and 
 myself will work, and have her superior. — Nelson shall be 
 first. Let jealousy, cabal, and art, &c. &c. &c. If the present 
 gale abates, that the people can be got on board to-morrow, 
 she shall sail on Saturday for Torbay, therefore my brother 
 has consented to stay with me. The Physician has just been 
 with me, and has enjoined me not to touch wine, and yesterday 
 
 2 E 2
 
 420 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 not even porter went near my mouth to my great mortification. 
 He recommends, if I had time, an operation, but all must 
 wait till a peace. With kindest regards to Sir William, 
 believe me ever, your faithful 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 On this day the San Josef anchored at Torbay, whence he 
 wrote the following : — 
 
 "San Josef, Torbay, February 1, 1801. 
 
 "My dear Lady, 
 " The San Josef left Plymouth yesterday at 1 o'clock, and 
 anchored here at 8 this morning, where I found an order 
 to hoist my flag in the St. George, as Lord Spencer says I 
 must go forth as the Champion of England in the North, and 
 my San Josef is to be held by Captain Wolseley,^ of the St. 
 George, till my return, when I hope to have a knock at the 
 Republicans. In this instance they have behaved handsome 
 — could not be better. 1 trust I shall soon be at Portsmouth, 
 and every endeavour of mine shall be used to come to town 
 for three days, and perhaps you and Sir William may like to 
 see Portsmouth. Captain Darby is just come in ; he desires 
 me to say everything which is kind, and that he wishes he 
 could see you instead of your picture, which I have hand- 
 somely framed and glazed. The post is waiting, and I have 
 been two hours pulling from Lord St. Vincent's house. It 
 
 ' William Wolseley was descended from an ancient family in StafFordshire, and 
 obtained the rank of Post Captain, September 14, 1782. Upon the commence- 
 ment of the Revolutionary war, he was appointed to the Lowestoffe, and served 
 under Lord Hood in the Mediterranean. He was, dispatched with Commodore 
 Linzee's squadron to co-operate with General Paoli in the reduction of Corsica. 
 He distinguished himself at the attack on St. Fiorenzo, and at the taking of Calvi. 
 Upon his return to England, he was employed in Ireland in the impress service, 
 after which he commanded the Terrible of 74 guns, in the Channel fleet. After 
 accompanying Sir Borlase Warren in the expedition against the French coast, he 
 joined Vice- Admiral Dickson's squadron, destined for Copenhagen. He was after- 
 wards Commander of the St. George, of 98 guns, and then the San Josef. He 
 was made a Rear-Admiral, April 23, 1804, a Vice-Admiral, October 25, 1809, 
 and full Admiral, August 12, 1819. He died Admiral of the Red, June 7, 1842.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 421 
 
 is blowing fresh. May the heavens bless you and yours, is 
 the fervent prayer of your unalterable and faithful 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 '^ Best regards to Sir William. Instead of under cover, 
 direct as follows : — Lord Nelson, &c. &c. to the care of Sir 
 Thomas Troubridge, Bart., Erixham, Devon, which will give 
 them to me four hours sooner.'' 
 
 " San Josef, February 2nd, 1801. 
 
 f * * * I live entirely on board, as the ship is, by Hardy's 
 excellent arrangements, more comfortable than [any] other 
 ship I have seen. I wish from my heart I could have Sir 
 William and you on board, then indeed, I should be truly 
 happy. I have this moment received your letter of Saturday, 
 and my brother is sorry you have not been well, but thanks 
 you for having sent for Charlotte.^ I rejoice to hear you say 
 you are better ; only recollect the old nurse's advice : " nurse 
 a cold, starve a fever ;" therefore pray be sure and nurse 
 yourself. If I was Sir William you should not get out of 
 bed for a week, nor out of the house for a fortnight. You 
 ought to follow my advice, as you know how exactly I follow 
 yours when I am sick. Ever yours, 
 
 '^Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 *' The Earl is determined, Davison writes me, to carry on 
 the law- suit, and is dreadfully angry with him for the part he 
 has taken. He would have been glad to have left me without 
 a friend, well knowing my ignorance of money matters." 
 
 «' San Josef, February 4th, 1801. 
 
 " What a pretty piece of history ! letting out the French 
 squadron. I was laughed [at] by some wise ones in power, 
 when I said if I was a French Admiral I would come out in 
 spite of all the English fleet, as they kept close into Brest, 
 and I would be ovi^side of them before morning. Your dear 
 kind letters of Monday, are just come on board in a shore 
 
 ' Lord Nelsoo's niece, afterwards Lady Bridport.
 
 422 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 boat, and I shall try and get mine ashore, but it is barely 
 possible. Beheve me yours, &c. 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 «< Make my respects to Sir William, the Duke, and Lord 
 W. Gordon." 
 
 "February 5th, 1801. 
 
 « # * * # \Ye are here all in a bustle from this French 
 squadron having got to sea. So much for our sharp look out.'' 
 
 Prior to Lord Nelson sailing, Mr. Davison paid his Lord- 
 ship a visit, and was the bearer of the following to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 '" San Josef, February 8th, 1801. 
 
 *' My dear Lady, 
 " Mr. Davison demands the privilege of carrying back an 
 answer to your kind letter, and I am sure he will be very 
 punctual in the delivery. I am not in very good spirits, and 
 except that our Country demands all our services and abilities 
 to bring about an honourable peace, nothing should prevent 
 my being the bearer of my own letter. But, my dear friend, 
 1 know you are so true and loyal an Englishwoman, that you 
 would hate those who would not stand forth in defence of 
 our King, Laws, Religion, and all which is dear to us. 
 It is your sex that make us go forth, and seem to tell us, 
 * None but the brave deserve the fair,' and if we fall, we still 
 live in the hearts of those females who are dear to us. It is 
 your sex that rewards us, it is your sex who cherish our 
 memories. 
 
 " I hope one day to see you in peace, before I set out for 
 Bronte, which I am resolved to do. Darby's is one of the 
 ships sent after the French squadron, I shall, therefore, give 
 the print to Hardy. I think they might come by the mail- 
 coach as a parcel, wrapt up round a stick — any print shop 
 will give you one — and direct it as my letters. The coach 
 stops for parcels at the White Bear, I believe, Piccadilly. 
 Pray have you got my picture from Mr. Head's. I hope 
 Mr. Brydon has executed the frames to your satisfaction; 
 the bill he is directed to send to me : only tell me how I can
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 423 
 
 be useful to you and Sir William, and believe [me] nothing 
 could give me more pleasure, being with the greatest truth, 
 my dear Lady, your most obliged and affectionate friend, 
 
 '^Nelson and Bronte.'' 
 
 '^I am told, the moment the St. George arrives, that I am 
 to be tumbled out of this ship, as the Ville de Paris is going 
 to Plymouth to be paid, and the Earl will hoist his flag here, 
 and if I am as fortunate in getting a fresh painted cabin 
 (which is probable) I shall be knocked up ; at all events, I 
 shall be made very uncomfortable by this hurry. It has been 
 very good and friendly of Mr. Davison to travel upwards of 
 200 miles to make me a visit. I rather think the great Earl 
 will not much like his not having called on him, but the man- 
 ner of speaking of Mr. Davison from his friendship to me in 
 the matter of the law-suit. Lord St. Vincent states to my 
 Sohcitors as offensive to him. Why should it, only that Mr. 
 Davison wishes that I should have justice done me, and not 
 to be overpowered by weight of interest and money. Once 
 more, God bless you and Sir William. 
 
 "N. & B. 
 
 " Sir Isaac Heard has gazetted Troubridge's, Hood's. &c. 
 honours ; but has not gazetted mine, and he has the King's 
 order for mine as much as the others.''^ 
 
 "Feb. 9th, 1801. 
 
 ^' * * * The St. George is just arrived, but it blows so 
 strong, and such a heavy sea, that my things cannot be moved, 
 and yet I believe the Earl will order his flag to fly here, which 
 is as much as to say turn out. You cannot think how dirty 
 the St. George is compared to my own San Josef, and pro- 
 bably her inside is worse than her outside appearance. Hardy 
 is just come on board. The ship is not fitted for a flag — 
 her decks leaky, and is truly uncomfortable, but it suits 
 exactly my present feelings. 
 
 «N. &B." 
 
 ' This has been printed in the Collection of Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton, 
 Vol. i. p. 23, and also by Sir N. H. Nicolas, Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. 
 p. 284. The Order referred to is that of St. Ferdinand and Merit.
 
 424 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [cHAP. XII. 
 
 "Feb. 11th, 1801. 
 
 « * * * I am sorry Mr. Pitt is out. I think him the 
 
 greatest Minister this country ever had, and the honestest 
 
 man. 
 
 « N. & B." 
 
 "Feb. 12, 1801. 
 
 «****! suppose all this new Ministry will bring about 
 a peace, or a more vigorous prosecution of the war. If the 
 former, I shall very soon go to Bronte, and it is odd I have 
 never heard from GraefFer,^ nor indeed have I wrote. * * The 
 Earl is gone to London to consult, I suppose, with the new 
 Administration. Do not forget me ; consider I am a miserable 
 fellow shut up in wood. I cannot get on board the St. 
 George, the sea is so very high. 
 
 This letter makes allusion to the change of administration 
 when the Hon. Henry Addington became First Lord of the 
 Treasury, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Earl St. 
 Vincent, First Lord of the Admiralty. Although Mr. Ad- 
 dington received the King's commands to form an adminis- 
 tration on the 31st of January, the new Ministers did not 
 enter upon office, in consequence of the King's illness, until 
 the 14th of March. The arrangements were, however, made, 
 and Lord Nelson wrote to the Earl of St. Vincent on the 
 occasion : " I feel (he says) all your kind expressions, and in 
 return I have only to assure you, that I never will ask you for 
 what my judgment may tell me is an improper thing. My sole 
 object, and to which all my exertions and abilities tend, is to 
 bring this long war to an honourable termination ; to accom- 
 plish which, we must all pull in the collar, and as we have 
 got such a driver who will make the lazy ones pull as much 
 as the willing, I doubt not but we shall get safely, speedily, 
 and honourably to our journey's end. With every kind wish, 
 both as a friend and an Englishman, for your ministerial 
 prosperity, believe me, as ever, my dear Lord, your obliged 
 and affectionate, 
 
 ''Nelson and Bronte.'"^ 
 
 ' His Steward for the Bronte estate. 
 » Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 259.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 425 
 
 The correspondence with Lady Hamilton continues : — 
 
 "Feb. 14, 1801. 
 
 « * * * It continues to blow so hard, and the sea is so 
 very high, that I scarcely expect the possibility of getting a 
 boat with this weather. She would be lost in an instant. 
 The sea has come over the San Josef's forecastle, and in my 
 after-cabin the motion is so great that I cannot sit down. 
 We have only to trust to our cables, for the sea is breaking 
 against the rocks mountains high. Since Friday noon not 
 a boat has been out ; but in fair or foul weather, at sea or on 
 shore I am for ever yours, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte.^^ 
 
 " Friday night, 9 o'clock (Feb. 14th, 1801). 
 jf: * * * * * 
 
 "I never intend, if I can help it, to set my foot out of the 
 ship, but she is so completely uncomfortable, you can have 
 no conception how miserable she is by Hardy's account. He 
 has been on board two days, endeavouring to make my place 
 a little decent, but it is neither wind nor water tight. I 
 cannot get on board, it blows so very hard, and a heavy 
 sea ; all our topmasts struck, and every thing as close as 
 possible. The boat which went to Brixham cannot get off, 
 therefore, if your letters had not been directed to Sir Thomas 
 Troubridge, I should not have had them. Troubridge is my 
 guest during the absence of the Ville de Paris. He always 
 says, now comes the fourth and old toast. I. All our 
 friends. 2. The King. 3. Success to the Fleet ; and though 
 last, not least. Lady Hamilton. Then they do as they please. 
 I am certainly much better for leaving off wine. I drink 
 nothing but water at dinner, and a little wine and water after 
 dinner. I believe it has saved me from illness. The smell 
 of the paint is gone. Your attached 
 
 " Nelson and Bronte.'^ 
 
 "February 15th, 1801. 
 
 '^My dear amiable friend, could you have seen the boat 
 leave the ship I am siue your heai-t would have sunk within 
 you. I would not have given sixpence for the lives of the
 
 426 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 nine men. A tremendous wave broke, and missed upsetting 
 the boat by a miracle. Oh, God ! how my heart jumped to 
 see them safe. Then they got safe on shore, and I had given 
 a two pound note to cheer up the poor fellows when they 
 landed, but I was so anxious to send a letter for you. I 
 knew it was impossible for any boat to come oif to us since 
 Friday noon, when the boat carried your letters, inclosed for 
 Nepean, and she still remains on shore. The gale abates very 
 little, if any thing, and it is truly fortunate that our fleet is 
 not in port, or some accident would most probably happen : 
 but both St. George and this ship have new cables, which is 
 all we have to trust to ; but I have no fear ; I can take all 
 the care which human foresight can, and then we must trust 
 to Providence, who keeps a look out for Poor Jack. 
 
 ^' I cannot, my dear friend, afford to buy the three pictures 
 of the Battle of the Nile, or I should like very much to have 
 them, and Mr. Brydon cannot afford to trust me one year ; 
 if he could, perhaps I could manage it. I have desired my 
 brother to examine the four numbers of the tickets I bought 
 with Gibbs. I hope he has told you, I dare say in the office. 
 Here are the numbers of the tickets my agents have bought 
 for the ensuing lottery. I hope we shall be successful. I 
 hope you always kiss my god-child^ for me. 
 
 " Monday Morning. It is a little more moderate, and we 
 are going to send a boat, but at present none can get to us, 
 and therefore I send this letter to say that we are in being. 
 I hope in the afternoon to be able to get letters, and if pos- 
 sible answer them. Kiss my god-child for me ; bless it, and 
 believe me ever yours, 
 
 " Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 "Monday night, (February 16th, 1801). 
 
 ^* My dearest friend, I have read all your letters over and 
 over. My brother has a bluntness, and a want of fine feel- 
 ings, which we are not used to ; but he means nothing. I dare 
 say somebody had told him in the street, a squadron of seven 
 sail had gone after the enemy, and they naturally concluded I 
 was sent. To say the truth, had I been Lord Spencer, 1 
 should have detached one Nelson as a much more likely man 
 
 ' Horatia Nelson. See Supplementary Chapters.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 427 
 
 to come up with the enemy, and to beat them, than the man 
 they have sent — Sir Robert Calder ;^ but I am destined for 
 the north, unless the MediteiTanean command should become 
 vacant, in that case I should reahze a fortune, gain honour, 
 and if you come out, not return to England for some years ; 
 but Lord Keith, I believe, loves the good things on that 
 station too well. Supposing that was to happen, which is 
 not likely, I would take an oath never to sleep out of the 
 ship, unless absolutely forced by the impossibility of getting 
 on board, but at present there is no prospect of my getting 
 money. Our friend Troubridge is to be a Lord of the Admi- 
 ralty, and I have a sharp eye, and almost think I see it. No, 
 poor fellow, I hope I do him injustice ; he cannot surely forget 
 my kindness to him. When I am at sea, I shall send my 
 packets through him. Whenever I get to Portsmouth, I 
 shal^ ask for thi-ee days leave of absence ; but time must be 
 allowed for the answer ; and if another Admiral is arrived to 
 take the charge of the ships, which maybe assembled. 
 
 " Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 " My dear friend, the gale is coming on again, but I am 
 going to send our letters on shore. I have no expectation of 
 farther communication this day — to morrow, I hope it may 
 be better. I send you the numbers of the tickets bought 
 for the next lottery, 2951, 9308, 42002, 50416, they are 
 quarters. I have not put in for the diamond, I cannot afford 
 it, but never mind, diamonds do not constitute happiness. I 
 expect Troubridge will be ordered to London to-day, he will, 
 of course, call upon you. I dare not longer defer sending 
 my letter as the wind and sea increases. Tell Sir William I 
 hope his Treasury business is settled to his satisfaction. 
 Compliments to Lord William and the Duke. 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 "Tuesday Night. 
 
 " I have, my dear friend, burnt the memorandums of my 
 will, and have not yet wrote a word beyond the paper I sent 
 you.2 Do you approve of that as far as it goes ? I know 
 
 ' See page 86 ante. 
 
 ' See Supplementaiy Chapter, " Horatia Nelson."
 
 428 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XIT. 
 
 that for your advantage it must be left in trust, as a wife can 
 have no property except it be made over by her husband. I 
 am not clear how far it is right that a husband should be a 
 trustee, I rather think not. In the next place, would you 
 like the diamonds to be sold, for I do not see how diamonds 
 can be in trust, and if they are not, and Sir William was not 
 to leave them to you, his heirs would have right to them ; in 
 short, it would be giving the legacy to him and his heirs. 
 However, I will do as you please, or if you leave the matter 
 to me, I will do it to the best of my abilities and judgment. 
 The star I shall leave to you, not in trust, nobody would 
 take that memento of friendship, affection, and esteem from 
 you. May curses light on them if they did. The King's 
 sword should go with the Dukedom and estate of Bronte ; 
 the aigrette also to my heirs, as a memento that I once 
 gained a victory.^ Do you approve ? You are the friepd I 
 consult, for I know you have my interest at heart. 
 
 " I have received the greatest benefit in leaving off wine ; 
 my sight of the one eye is certainly much improved, and my 
 general state of health better. The boat which carried your 
 letters this morning has not been able to get on board again, 
 and it now blows and such a heavy sea, that there is no pros- 
 pect of getting letters to-morrow, but I shall try hard. When 
 you write to the Queen, you say I am sure, every thing which 
 is proper for me. 
 
 " Wednesday morning. — A little more moderate ; am going 
 to send the letters, and hope to be able to get yours and an- 
 swer. God bless you. 
 
 «N. & B." 
 
 "St. George, February 19, 1801. 
 '' I have this moment got my orders to put myself under 
 Sir Hyde Parker's orders, and suppose I shall be ordered 
 
 ' Among Lady Hamilton's papers there is the following receipt : — " Received 
 this 22nd day of February, 1806, of the Right Honourable Emma Lady Ha- 
 milton, the following articles belonging to the late Lord Viscount Nelson, viz. : 
 the diamond aigrette, presented to his Lordship by the Grand Signior ; the sword 
 presented to him by the Captains who fought at the Battle of the Nile ; the 
 diamond sword, presented to him by the King of the Two Sicilies, and the collar 
 of the Order of the Bath. 
 
 "Nelson."
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 429 
 
 to Portsmouth to-morrow or next day, and then I will try- 
 hard to get to London for three days. 
 
 "N. & B.'' 
 
 Nelson hoisted his flag on board the St. George on the 
 12th; but he was unable from the state of the weather to 
 go himself until the 19th. He wTote a second letter on 
 the 19th :— 
 
 " St. George, Monday night. 
 
 " My dearest friend, here 1 am fixed in my new habitation, 
 which it is my firm intention never to sleep out of except 
 from dire necessity, till the campaign is over, except when I 
 may get three days leave to go to London to settle many of 
 my private affairs, and I hardly think it will be refused me. 
 I have this moment my orders to go to Portsmouth, and 
 expect to be there to-morrow noon. 
 
 «N. & B." 
 
 On the 20th he wrote to Earl St. Vincent, and stated that 
 he should have to request either public or private leave for 
 three days, to settle some very important matters for him- 
 self. 
 
 The following letter was addressed to Lady Hamilton by 
 the Rev. William (afterwards Earl) Nelson : — 
 
 " February 19, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 " For I must call you by that name, and I feel myself 
 highly honoured in being permitted to do it, I cannot find 
 words to express the grief I feel in leaving London and such 
 amiable society as yours, indeed I have been scarcely able to 
 speak a word the whole journey. Your image and voice are 
 constantly before my imagination, and I can think of nothing 
 else. I never knew what it was to part with a friend before, 
 and it is no wonder that my good, my great, my virtuous, 
 my beloved brother should be so much attached to your 
 Ladyship, after so long a friendship, when I feel so much 
 after so short an acquaintance. May it continue unabated 
 to the latest period of our lives ! I hope it will not be long 
 before we shall all meet ao;ain.
 
 430 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 ^' We are now at an inn, thirty miles from London, and 
 have just finished our mutton chop. Mrs. Nelson, who 
 thinks of you and loves you all as much as I do, has this 
 moment given us a toast, ' Sir William and Lady Hamilton, 
 and Lord Nelson — God bless them ;' to which I answer, 
 amen and amen. We shall pursue our journey to-morrow 
 morning, and hope to reach home by dinner. We beg to 
 join in kindest regards and good wishes to Sir William. 
 '* I remain your grateful and affectionate friend, 
 
 "William Nelson." 
 
 Nelson wrote again on the 22nd to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " St. George, Spithead, 8 o'clock, February 22nd, 1801. 
 
 " I am just going on shore to call on the Admiral and 
 Commissioner, and shall be on board as soon as possible. 
 
 " Noon. — On board again ; have received your truly com- 
 forting letters. In doing what 1 wish, you win my heart for 
 ever. I am all soul and sensibility ; a fine thread will lead 
 me, but with my life I would resist a cable from dragging 
 me. I hope very soon to get a few days leave of absence, 
 but Sir Hyde [Parker] does not come down till next Mon- 
 day or Tuesday, but IVoubridge can tell you. I have been 
 pressed to dine ashore by the Admiral, an old man of eighty, 
 with an old wife dressed old ewe lamb fashion. Admiral 
 Holloway,^ an acquaintance of twenty-five years, wanted me 
 
 ' John Holloway was a native of Wells, in Somersetshire, and went to sea in 
 1760, at the age of thirteen, in the Antelope, 50 guns. Captain Webb, and after- 
 wards sailed in her with Captain, afterwards Lord Graves, to Newfoundland. He 
 subsequently served under Sir Hugh Palliser, Admiral Durell, and Commodore, 
 afterwards Viscount Hood. He was made a Lieutenant in 1771, and stationed 
 in a guard-ship at Portsmouth, then in the Perseus with Captain Elphinstone, 
 afterwards Lord Keith, and with Comm.dore, afterwards Lord Hotham. He was 
 made a Commander by Admiral Parker, and in 1780 a Post Captain, and was en- 
 gaged in the encounters between Sir George Rodney and M. le Comte de 
 Guichen. In a voyage to North America, his ship, the Vengeance, suffered 
 severely from a tempest, and he narrowly escaped being lost. He returned to 
 England in 1781 with the prizes taken at St. Eustatia. In 1782, he sailed for 
 the relief of Gibraltar, under Lord Howe, and captured a transport under very 
 difficult circumstances. He also distinguished himself in the action with the 
 combined Spanish and French fleets. In 1787, his acquaintance with Lord 
 Nelson commenced, when the latter commanded the Eoreas in the Leeward 
 Islands, Captain Holloway then having the command of the Solebay. Here, too, 
 he formed an intimacy with His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, who
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 431 
 
 to dine with him as to-day, or Wednesday. He has a wife 
 and four children, with not a farthing to give them. Sir 
 Charles Saxton, the Commissioner, an acquaintance of near 
 thirty years, was also very pressing ; but I will dine no where. 
 
 " N. & B." 
 
 On the 23rd he received from the Earl of St. Vincent leave 
 of absence, and immediately quitted the St. George for Lon- 
 don, for three days. On the 26th, he was directed to embark 
 Lieut. -Colonel the Hon. William Stewart,^ with a detachment, 
 consisting of the 49th Regiment, about 760 men, under 
 Lieut.-Colonel Brock, with a rifle corps of 100 men, under 
 Captain Sidney Beckwith, and was to proceed with his 
 squadron to Yarmouth, whither Admiral Sir Hyde Parker 
 had gone. On the 27th he wrote the following to Lady 
 Hamilton : — 
 
 " Portsmouth, February 27th, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest friend, 
 "' Parting from such a friend is literally tearing one's own 
 flesh ; but the remembrance will keep up our spirits till we 
 meet. I arrived here before noon, and have had my hands 
 full of business. To-morrow we embark troops. I will write 
 you a long letter to-night, and send it under cover to Trou- 
 
 highly respected him. He then served during the Russian and Spanish arma- 
 ments, in the Princess Royal, and in the Britannia, at the commencement of the 
 French war in 1/93. He was with Admiral Hotham in his two engagements in 
 1795, and was especially noticed for his bravery and ability. Dining the mutiny 
 at Spithead, in 1797, he commanded the Duke, and was one of the officers turned 
 on shore from his strict adherence to discipline. He afterwards was in the St. 
 George, 98 guns. On the 14th of Februai-y, 1799, he was raised to the rank of a 
 Rear- Admiral, and soon after appointed assistant Port Admiral at Portsmouth, in 
 which station he remained until the suspension of hostilities in 1801. Upon the 
 renewal of the war, he resumed his duties at this port ; and on Api-il 23rd, 1804, 
 he became Vice- Admiral, and hoisted his flag under Lord Keith. In 1807, he 
 was made Governor of Newfoundland, and Commander-in-chief on that station, 
 October 25th, 1809, he was made full Admiral of the Blue, lived to be an Admiral 
 of the Red, dying June 26th, 1826. 
 
 ' Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. William Stewart, was the son of the Earl of Gallo- 
 way, and afterwards Lieut. -General the Hon. Sir William Stewart, G.C.B. He 
 distinguished himself at the battles of Albuera, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nive, and 
 Orthes, and died in January 1827. He wrote an excellent account of all the pro- 
 ceedings relating to the Battle of Copenhagen, which was printed in Clarke and 
 McArthm-'s Life of Nelson, and also in the Dispatches and Letters, edited by Sii* 
 N. Harris Nicolas.
 
 432 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 bridge ; therefore you will have it on Sunday. Hardy, 
 Parker,^ and Fremantle, desire their remembran<3es. 
 
 '' N. & B." 
 
 The preceding letter was written upon the day of his 
 arrival, and Lieut.-Colonel Stewart especially remarked his 
 activity. His ship, the St. George, had then on board a 
 number of caulkers and painters, preparing her for sea, and 
 they were detained, and obliged to proceed with the vessel to 
 St. Helens. 
 
 Captain Thesiger, afterwards Sir Frederick Thesiger," was 
 introduced to Lord Nelson, and recommended by the Earl of 
 St. Vincent in the following letter : — 
 
 "My dear Lord, 
 " Permit me to introduce Captain Thesiger to your 
 acquaintance and good offices. He is an officer of great merit, 
 and has distinguished himself both in our service and that of 
 Russia, and you will have the goodness either to receive him 
 into the St. George, or order him to be properly attended 
 to in any other ship of the squadron now at Spithead. 
 Captain Cuming,"' of the Russell, will, on my account, shew 
 
 ' Captain Edward Thomborougli Parker. 
 
 * Captain Sir Frederick Thesiger was originally in the service of the Honour- 
 able East India Company, and afterwards entered the Navy. He served as a 
 Lieutenant on board the Formidable, in the fleet under the command of Lord 
 Rodney, who received him upon the recommendation of Sir Charles Douglas as a 
 correct reporter of signals. He was therefore appointed Aide-de-camp to the 
 Commander. He also served under Admiral Pigot, and accompanied Sir Charles 
 Douglas to America, where he remained until the Peace in 1783. When hostili- 
 ties broke out between Russia and Sweden, Captain Thesiger entered the Russian 
 service, and fought under its flag with merited success, and was rewarded by re- 
 ceiving the Russian Order of St. George. He quitted the Russian service upon the death 
 of the Empress Catherine, and arrived in England just as the Northern Confederacy 
 began to be formed, and was sent by the Earl Spencer on board the Excellent, 
 and introduced to Sir Hyde Parker and Lord Nelson. In the attack on Copen- 
 hagen he was found of great service ; and upon his return to England, on the esta- 
 blishment of peace with Denmeu-k, was raised to the rank of Post Captain ; 
 and Sii- Thomas Troubridge, when one of the Lords of the Admiralty, obtained 
 for him the appointment of British Agent for Prisoners of War, at Portsmouth, 
 in which office he died, August 26th, 1805. 
 
 ' William Cuming, a native of Devonshire, made Commander in 1795, and 
 posted into the Victory by the Earl of St. Vincent, Oct. 13, 1797. He com- 
 manded the Russell in 1801, and accompanied the expedition to Copenhagen. He 
 was afterwEu-ds placed under Sir James Saumarez and Sir Robert Calder. He 
 was made a Rear-Admiiul July 19, 1821, and died June 20, 1824.
 
 ISOl.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 433 
 
 him every possible regard ; but as he is not mounted, being 
 only an acting Captain, Tyler,' Foley," or Frcman tie, ''will, either 
 
 ' Sir Charles Tyler's commission as Post Captain bears date September 21, 
 1790; and upon the breaking out of the war in 1793, he was appointed to the 
 Meleager, and served at Toulon, and at the reduction of Corsica. Successful in 
 his attempts to raise the prize La Mint-rve, of 40 guns, the command of that 
 vessel was given to him, and she was named the St. Fiorenzo. In the autumn of 
 1794, he was removed into the Diadera, of G4 guns, and formed part of Admiral 
 Hotham's squadron, in the partial action in 1795. In L'Aigle, in 179G, he cap- 
 tured many of the enemy's privateers, but being sent with dispatches to Su* Ho- 
 ratio Nelson at Tunis, he was wrecked, lost ail his property, and sustained nu- 
 merous hardships. He afterwards served in the Channel Fleet, commanding the 
 Warrior, of 74 guns, and accompanied Sir Hyde Parker to the Baltic, and was 
 afterwards at the blockade of Cadiz. He sailed with a squadron to the West 
 Indies, in 1802 ; and upon the renewal of hostilities with France, in 1803, 
 commanded a district of Sea Fencibles, after which he was appointed to the 
 Tonuant, and in this vessel was severely wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar. In 
 April, 1808, he was made a Rear-Admiral, and appointed second in command at 
 Portsmouth. He afterwards served in the Tagus with Sir Charles Cotton ; and 
 in 1812 was made Commander-in-chief at the Cape of Good Hope. He was made 
 a Knight Commander of the Bath, in January, 1815, and a Knight Grand Cross 
 of the same order in January, 1833. He died an Admiral of the White, in 1835. 
 
 ^ This officer, Nelson's Flag Captain at Copenhagen, was one of Nelson's Cap- 
 tains at the Battle of the Nile, and was held in great regard by his Admiral. He 
 was a native of Pembrokeshire, and descended from the noble house of Foley. He 
 was a Lieutenant on board the Prince George, of 98 guns, the flag-ship of Ad- 
 miral Digby, when His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence was a midshipman 
 in that ship. His commission as a Post Captain is dated September 21, 1790; 
 and at the breaking out of the war in 1793, he commanded the St. George, the 
 flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Gell, whom he accompanied to the Mediterranean. 
 He was with a division of Lord Hood's fleet detached to Genoa ; and upon the 
 return of Rear-Admiral Gell to England, from ill health. Sir Hyde Parker hoisted 
 his flag in the St. George. He was in Lord Hotham's action in 1795, and with 
 Lord St. Vincent, February 14th, 1797, where he distinguished himself, com- 
 manding the Britannia. After this he was appointed to the Gohath, and formed 
 part of Nelson's squadron in the Mediterranean. He led the fleet into action on 
 the glorious 1st of August, and by his skill and inti-epidity contributed greatly to 
 the honours of that day. When Nelson left for Naples, he entrusted to Captains 
 Foley and Hood the guarding of the coast of Egypt. Foley returned to England in 
 1799, was appointed to the Elephant, of 74 guns, and joined the Channel Fleet. 
 His vessel received the flag of Lord Nelson, at the attack on Copenliagen. He 
 retui'ned from the Baltic with Su* Charles Pole, and the Elephant was soon after 
 put out of commission. In October, 1807, he was made a Colonel of Marines, 
 and he attained the rank of Reair-Admiral in April, 1808. In 1811 he was 
 appointed Commander-in-chief in the Downs, which he held during the war. He 
 was made a Vice-Admu-al, August 12th, 1812, a Knight Commander of the Bath, 
 January 2, 1815, and a Grand Cross of the same Order, May 6, 1820. He 
 received Gold Medals for the battles of Cape St. Vincent and tlie Nile ; attained 
 the rank of Admiral of the White, and died January 9, 1833. 
 
 * See note, p. 99, ante. 
 VOL. I. 2 F
 
 434 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 of them, do the needful. That all honour and glory may 
 attend you in this, and every other career, is the fervent wish 
 of your very affectionate 
 
 " St. Vincent. 
 
 "Admiralty, February 29th, 1801." 
 
 Lord St. Vincent wrote also on the 2nd of March : — 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " Troubridge has full powers to provide for Mr. Morrison. 
 With many thanks for the spur you have given to the move- 
 ment of ships at Spithead, believe me to be, 
 
 " Yours most affectionately, 
 
 *' St. Vincent. 
 
 " Admiralty, March 2nd, 1801." 
 
 Lord Nelson's letters to Lady Hamilton in the month of 
 March are numerous : — 
 
 "March 1st, 1801, 8 o'clock. Morning. 
 
 ^' My dearest Friend, 
 ^' Fearing it may not be possible to get a boat on shore in 
 the afternoon, as it has the appearance of blowing hard, I 
 send this line to apprize you of it, that no little ruffle might 
 take place in your dear, good, and exalted mind, only always 
 rely that I will never omit an opportunity of writing ; there- 
 fore, if at any time vessels should come from the fleet without 
 letters, you may be sure that it is unknown to me, which may 
 happen from my being detached ; but I hope not from the 
 same cause as Lord Keith's — not telling me. I must beg 
 that my friend will not be sick, or grieve too much, for a 
 temporary, but unavoidable absence of a few weeks. Recol- 
 lect, all my exertions are to bring about a peace. You read, 
 of course, my brother's letter ; and if you like to have Mrs. 
 Nelson up, say that I will pay their lodgings, and then you 
 can have as much of her company as you please; but 
 Reverend Sir you will find a great bore at times, therefore 
 he ought to amuse himself all the mornings, and not always 
 to dine with you, as Sir William may not like it. They can 
 twice or thrice a week have a beef steak at home, for some 
 people may say bye and bye that Sir William maintains the 
 family of the Nelsons, which would vex me. I am brushing
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 435 
 
 these folks up, and I do not find that activity which my mind 
 carries M^th it. It would not be possible, I fear, for you and 
 Sir William, to give me a visit at Yarmouth ; it should be no 
 expense to him. To-morrow, if we can get our ship's com- 
 pany paid to-day, we are off for the Downs. 
 
 '^ Ever yours, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte.'* 
 
 " St. George, thick fog off Dungeness, 8 in the Morning. 
 March 3rd, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, the fog has been so very thick since 
 our sailing yesterday noon, that it may truly be said we have 
 got thus far blindfolded ; and if it continues, I fear we shall 
 not be able to get into the Downs this day, and I shall be 
 deprived of my greatest pleasure, the receiving of your 
 kind and affectionate letters. This expedition cannot last 
 more than two months, therefore ' Cheer up, fair Emma.'^ 
 I have got on board a Colonel Stewart, brother to Lord 
 Garlics, a very good active young man. He commands the 
 corps of troops we have on board. I have also a Captain 
 Thesiger on board ; he was in the Russian service, and is now 
 a volunteer. 
 
 " Eleven o'clock. I have wrote to my brother about Mrs. 
 Nelson's coming to London, and that I will willingly pay the 
 expense, therefore, I am sure, if you like to ask her, she will 
 take her old lodgings, and be happy to be with you. She 
 can walk without fear of being run away with, and I have 
 recommended my brother to amuse himself in the mornings, 
 and to dine at home two or three times a week. 
 
 " Two o'clock. Can just see the land, and expect to be at an 
 anchor by three, when Hardy goes on shore with my excuses 
 to the Admiral. I hope to sail at day -light in the morning 
 for Yarmouth, and to be there on Thursday. I must be 
 upon deck, but ever yours, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " Half-past two. Just anchored, and as probably I shall 
 not be able to send again on shore, Hardy carries this.'' 
 
 ' An allusion to Miss Knight's song. See Supplementary Chapter. 
 
 2 F 2
 
 436 T.,IFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 " St. George, March 4th, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lady, 
 
 " Do try and persuade Sir William to come with you, and 
 make me a visit. The change of air will do you good, and I 
 will try to make it pleasant to you both. We will have none 
 but sailors near us. Tyler's ship has been foolishly ashore all 
 night, but she is afloat again. Do pray, for charity's sake, 
 come and see your old and attached friend, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 *' Just getting under sail, shall be at Yarmouth, I hope, 
 to-morrow night." 
 
 " St. George at sea, March 6th, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, how tiresome and alone I feel at not 
 having the pleasure of receiving your dear, kind, friendly, and 
 intelligent letters. I literally feel as a fish out of water. 
 Calms and foul winds have already prolonged our passage, 
 from what is often done in fourteen hours to three days, 
 and yet no appearance of our arrival this day. It now snows 
 and rains, and nearly calm. All day yesterday I was em- 
 ployed about a very necessary thing ; and I assure you it 
 gave me pleasure, instead of pain, the reflection that I was 
 providing for a dear friend. I have given you, by will, 
 iJ.SOOO., and three diamond boxes, and the King of Naples's 
 picture in trust, to be at your disposal, so that it is absolutely 
 your own. By the codicil, I have given you the money 
 owing me by Sir William, likewise in trust. The trustees 
 are, Mr. Ryder, a very eminent law man, and Mr. Davison ; 
 they will be my executors. If you like any body else, say so, 
 and it shall be done. The star I have given you to wear for 
 my sake. You must not think, my dearest friend, that this 
 necessary act hastens our departure, but it is a right and 
 proper measure. 
 
 " Hdlf-past eight. Just anchored in the sea, thick as mud. 
 
 " Noon. Under sail, steering for Yarmouth, but cannot 
 arrive before 5 o'clock, 
 
 " Three o'clock Sight of Yarmouth. 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 "N. &B. 
 
 " I am wet through and cold.'^
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 437 
 
 " 10 o'clock, March 6th, l&Ol, at night. 
 " My dearest Friend, 
 
 *^ I have received, I dare say, all your kind letters and 
 newspapers. No one else sends me any thing. I am sorry 
 you are not well, nor can my mind be at rest, although I am 
 obliged to keep up an appearance of alacrity. Nothing shall 
 make me go on shore to any amusement or dinner. In the 
 morning, if very fine, I shall go to make my bow to the 
 Commander-in-chief, but have asked some sailor folks to 
 dinner, Oiu' expedition must be very short. I don^t think 
 at most more than six weeks, probably not half so long. And 
 if necessity should call me to England, I will come directly. 
 I hope Mrs. Nelson will soon be with you ; write to her, she 
 will come. I have just received a letter from my brother to 
 say he will be at Yarmouth on Monday, then I will make a 
 point of it. Lord St, Vincent, I see, has carried his false 
 suit against his own Secretary, and I suppose I shall be cast, 
 but try it 1 will. How infamous against poor Nelson ! every 
 body, except you, tears him to pieces, nor has he but only you, 
 as a disinterested friend, that he can unbosom to. 
 
 " Just going to bed with much rheumatism, 
 " Ever yours, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 ^^ March 7. I am just going on shore with Hardy to pay 
 my formal visit, therefore I cany these letters, I hope Sir 
 Hyde will be pushed on to sail. The sooner we go the less 
 resistance, and, oh heavens grant it, the sooner I, your Nelson, 
 will return." 
 
 " St. George, March 7th, 9 o'clock, 
 " Never, my dearest friend, say, ' do my letters bore you ?^ — 
 no, they are the comfort of my life, the only real comfort I 
 feel. I received your affectionate letter by Davison, and the 
 profile. He said, you would give him another; do, if you 
 please, for he knows well our attachment, and he did a thing 
 to-day which pleased me, as he knew how it would distress 
 me even to be on board when his wnfe came to visit the ship. 
 He told me he had told her, for which she has brought some 
 Miss with her, that it must not interfere in his visit to me.
 
 438 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 and that she must not ask to come on board the St. George. 
 He dined here to-day, and Hardy took me aside to say that 
 Davison had asked him to take his wife and Miss to see one 
 of the ships, and as I had promised Davison to take a walk 
 with him in the morning to stretch my legs, I desired Hardy 
 to take a boat, fetch her afloat, shew her the St. George, and 
 land them again. I could not do less, and I hope you think 
 so. Davison said, * I know your determination about women, 
 therefore I would not ask the favour of you/ Sir Hyde 
 wanted me to dine with him to-day or to-morrow — my answer 
 was, ' My ship is my home.' Kiss my god-child for me, 
 and ever believe me, 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 " Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 " Shall I offer Sir William a sum of money for Madame 
 Le Brun's picture of you?^ But I fear he would think it a 
 rub off like Mr. Beckford, but I would explain that to him, 
 as I would not take such a dirty method of being paid. By 
 what waggon did you send the china ? Yesterday I tasted, 
 for the first time, your cordials — the very finest noyeau — I 
 told Davison I opened it for him as he was a particular friend. 
 I am going to call on the Mayor, that is right. Admiral 
 Dickson- has bought an estate in Norfolk, I have not yet seen 
 him. 
 
 « N. & B." 
 
 ' A copy of this picture in enamel by Bone was bequeathed by Sir William 
 Hamilton to Lord Nelson. It is now in the possession of Lord Northwick, who 
 informs me that Sir William often complained of the extravagant price he had 
 paid to the French lady for her portrait, and also of Emma's scruples on having 
 afterwards prevailed upon her to clothe her fine form under a tiger's skin, which 
 not only spoilt the picture, but was the dearest skin he had ever heard of, as it 
 cost him £\00\ 
 
 ^ Admiral William Dickson entered the Navy at an early age, and was made a 
 Lieutenant, December 31, 1755. He was made a Post Captain, May 2, 1766, 
 aj)pointed to the Jersey, 60 guns, and placed in the Mediterranean station. 
 Li 1777 he commanded the Greyhound frigate, and served on the American 
 station, after which he went to the West Indies, and returned in 1781. He after- 
 wards was appointed to the Samjison, and to the Standard, the latter a guard- 
 ship at Plymouth. On the 1st of February, 1793, he was made a Rear- Admiral of 
 the Blue, and on the 12th of April, 1794, of the White, and in July following 
 Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and in June, 1795, of tlie White. He was raised to 
 the rank of fidl Admiral, February 14, 1799, and succeeded Lord Duncan as 
 Commander-in-chief of the North Sea fleet. He died at Norwich in 1803.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 439 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 *' I have wrote a letter to Sir William. Reports say we 
 are to sail on Friday. May God [send] us soon back and 
 victoriousj then how happy we shall be. 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 " N. & B." 
 
 " St. George, March 10th, 1801. 
 
 " Your letter, my dearest Friend, of yesterday, that is of 
 Sunday, gave me infinite satisfaction. The Commander-in- 
 chief has his orders, but I dare say it will be two or three 
 days before he is off. I long to go that I may the sooner 
 return. Troubridge will, I am sure, take care of all our 
 packets, only every day or two make newspapers, letters, &c. in 
 one packet, for the more packages, the more liable to be lost, 
 and I would not have a line of yours lost. What can Sir 
 William mean by wanting you to launch out into expense 
 and extravagance ? He that used to think that a little candle- 
 light, and iced water would ruin him, to want to set off at 
 £10,000. a year, for a less sum would not afford concerts and 
 the style of living equal to it. Suppose you had set off in 
 this way, what would he not have said ? My brother and 
 Mr. Rolfe, a cousin of mine, are on board — the former is 
 prying, and a little of a bore. I suppose I shall lose my 
 cause against Lord St. Vincent, I have only justice, honour, 
 and the custom of the service on my side ; he has partiality ^ 
 power, money, and rascality on his, but we are good friends, 
 and I have the highest opinion of his Naval ability. You 
 know, my dear Emma, that I would not detract from the 
 merit of my greatest enemies. No, I am above that. You 
 will have Mrs. Nelson with you. She will be company, and 
 the little woman's tongue never lays still — she is a cheerful 
 companion. You cannot write me too much, or too par- 
 ticularly. 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 " Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 " St. George, March 11th, 1801. 
 " My dearest Friend, 
 " After the receipt of this letter you must send me no more
 
 440 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XIF. 
 
 letters but through Troubridge, for I suppose we shall be off 
 on Friday at furthest. Soon, very soon, I hope to return. 
 You say, my dear friend, why don't I put my Chief forward ? 
 He has put me in front of the battle, and Nelson will he first. 
 I could say much, but I will not make your dear mind uneasy ; 
 the St. George will stamp an additional ray of glory to 
 England's fame if your Nelson survives, and that Almighty 
 Providence, who has hitherto protected me in all dangers, 
 and covered my head in the day of battle, will still, if it be 
 his pleasure, support and assist me. In spite of all malice, 
 every thing relative to the god-child I leave to your manage- 
 ment, and in perfect confidence in your goodness — therefore 
 my mind is easy about her. 
 
 « N. & B."i 
 
 "St. George, 9 o'clock, 11th March. 
 
 " My dearest friend, 
 " I am glad Mrs. Nelson is with you ; say how much I 
 am obliged. I have directed, this night, Davison to give her 
 £100. to pay expenses. Pray what has Christie done about 
 your picture ? I have no letter from him. How can any 
 man sell your resemblance ? To buy it many would fly. As 
 for the original no price is adequate to her merits, those of 
 her dear mind and heart, if possible, exceed her beauty. 
 My brother is gone on shore, and if the weather is moderate, 
 we are off at daylight. Unless vessels are left by Sir Hyde 
 Parker, I have directed all my letters to be returned to No. 
 23, Piccadilly, so take care they get into your possession. 
 
 " N. & B." 
 
 The following is from Sir William Hamilton : — 
 
 "Piccadilly, 12th March, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " A thousand thanks for your kind letter which I received 
 yesterday, and which I immediately committed to the flames, 
 for although I agree perfectly with your Lordship in opinion 
 
 ' This letter has been imperfectly printed in the Collection of Letters, Vol. i. 
 p. 32, and also by Sir N. H. Nicolas in the Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. 
 p. 291.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSOX. 441 
 
 as to the character of the person who was the chief subject 
 of your letter, I would not have it fall into other hands by 
 any accident. Mons. Gleichen, the Danish Minister, was at 
 Paris, and a chattering lady was impudent enough to say to 
 him in company at table : ' Mons. Gleichen on dit que votre 
 Roi est une Tite,' a head, but a wrong one, according to the 
 French expression, and he answered very properly in two 
 words, ' Couronvte, Madame.' 
 
 " After having assured you that Emma is growing better 
 in health every day, I shall refer you as to the small talk of 
 the town to her letter. According to the best of my infor- 
 mation, the King is really recovered, but in a very weak state, 
 but going to-day or to-morrow to Kew or Windsor for the 
 air. Mr. Swinburn has just left me, and told me that his 
 friend, Mr. Pelham, had seen the King, found him quite 
 composed, but very pale and feeble. The opposite party, that 
 would set us all in confusion, still insist that he is out of his 
 senses, and incapable as a child of any business. To be sure 
 the physicians will take care not to let him be loaded with 
 too much at present ; but I have no doubt of his being able, 
 and that he will sign what is necessary, and before competent 
 witnesses, to carry on the affairs of State, and probably 
 appoint a sort of Commission to pass Bills, &c. until he 
 recovers strength to do it himself. I rejoice with you that 
 things have taken this turn. The King has not yet seen the 
 Prince, nay, refused to see him yet, although he has seen 
 some of his brothers, the Dukes of York and Kent, who are 
 said to be quite in opposition to the Prince. I believe your 
 Lordship may depend upon all I have written upon this most 
 interesting subject. 
 
 " It is quite beyond all expectation that I have found so 
 many of my fine vases: fortunately some cases of the worst 
 were taken by mistake on board the Colossus, where I thought 
 the eight best cases were gone. I flatter mj'self my minis- 
 terial business was finished by the late Ministers, and although 
 I have been advised to apply to Lord Hawkesbury, I cer- 
 tainly will not until I am certain that Lord Grenville had not 
 finished my business as he promised. Adieu, my very dear 
 Lord. We rejoiced to hear from Davison that your health 
 was so good when he left you. God send you a continuance
 
 442 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CIIAP. XII. 
 
 of it, and of every success, and bring you back safe to your 
 friends, who know your value. Your Lordship's ever obliged 
 and attached friend, 
 
 " Wm. Hamilton." 
 
 To Lady Hamilton Nelson again writes : — 
 
 "St. George, March 13th, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, 
 " I see, I feel what the call of duty to our country makes 
 me suffer, but we must recollect, which is the only comfort 
 I can know, the reflection at some future day of what we have 
 both suffered in the cause of our country. You have sent 
 your dearest friend, and I have left mine. The conduct of 
 the Roman matron : Return with your shield or upoji it ; so 
 it shall be my study to distinguish myself, that your heart 
 shall leap for joy when my name is mentioned. I know, I 
 see, that I am not to be supported in the way I ought, but 
 the St. George is beginning to prepare this day for battle, 
 and she shall be true to herself. Murray,^ who fortunately 
 
 • Captain George Murray, a native of Chichester^ descended from an honour- 
 able family, entered the Navy, at eleven years of age, in the Niger, under 
 Captain Francis Banks, with whom he sailed in the Mediterranean. He was 
 afterwards with Admiral Ommaney on the Newfoundland station, and in the 
 American war put under the command of Sir Peter Parker in the Bristol. In 
 this vessel he had abundant opportunities for the display of his bravery. He was 
 in the encounter between Lord Howe and Count d'Estaing. Neglected by Lord 
 Howe upon his return to England, but protected by Admiral Montague, Lord 
 Sandwich promoted him to be Lieutenant, and he was appointed to the Arethusa, 
 which was wrecked off Ushant in 1779. He was made prisoner of war, and taken 
 into France, Being exchanged, he was, in 1781, appointed as First Lieutenant to 
 the Monmouth, of 64 guns, and sailed with Captain Alms in an expedition under 
 Commodore Johnstone to the Cape of Good Hope and the East Indies. He was 
 engaged in the actions with Admiral SufFrein and Su- Edward Hughes, displaying 
 the most gallant conduct. He was in consequence made a Master and Com- 
 mander, and became Post Captain in 1782. At the breaking out of the war with 
 France in 1793, he commanded the Triton, and afterwards La Nymphe, and was 
 in Sir J. B. "Warren's engagement, April 23, 1794 ; also with Lord Bridport off 
 L'Orient, June 23, 1793; then with Sir John Jervis in the Mediterranean, and 
 in the action off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797, being in the Colossus on that 
 occasion, which vessel was lost in her voyage to England after the battle. Ac- 
 quitted of any misconduct connected with the loss of his ship, he was now appointed 
 to the Achille, and served in the Channel, and was afterwards engaged in 
 sounding the Belts upon the approaching rupture with Russia, Sweden, and Den- 
 mark. Removed into the Edgar, under Lord Nelson, he led the van of the fleet 
 into action at Copenhagen. His conduct on this occasion secui-ed for him the
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 443 
 
 joined since we sailed, is my supporter, and desires me to tell 
 you that he never will desert me. He sees, as do every one, 
 what is meant to disgrace me, but that is impossible. Even 
 the Captain of the Fleet sent me word that it was not his 
 doing, for that Sir Hyde Parker had run his pen through all 
 that could do me credit, or give me support ; but never mind. 
 Nelson will be first if he lives, and you shall partake of all 
 his glory. Our breeze is fresh, what our Neapolitan Prin- 
 cesses would say fresh gales. But quick, quick, quick, and let 
 Nelson return. 
 
 March lAth. Both yesterday and to-day six years I was 
 in action in the Agamemnon. 
 
 March \6th. All yesterday was such a dreadful nasty day 
 — snow, frost, sleet, strong breezes, that I could not put pen 
 to paper. Before you receive this all will be over with Den- 
 mark — either your Nelson will be safe, and Sir Hyde Parker 
 a victor, or he, your own Nelson, will be laid low. In case 
 of the latter, I have this day added another codicil to my will, 
 and given you my pelisse.^ I must try and copy my will, 
 therefore you must excuse my writing, for if any accident 
 was to happen to the ship, I have no will but one made some 
 years ago, when I had nothing. Well, my task is done, and 
 
 affectionate regard and esteem of his Commander. In 1803 he was again with 
 Nelson at his own request, and as Captain of the Fleet. Murray had scruples in 
 accepting this honourable post, as the nature of the service frequently produced 
 disagreement between the Admiral and Captain, and he was unwilling to hazard 
 any thing which might diminish the regard and respect he entertained for Lord 
 Nelson. The Admiral coincided with his Captain in opinion, but assured him 
 that on whatever service he might be called, or whatever measure he might be 
 directed to carry into execution, he never should forget the intimacy which sub- 
 sisted between them ; and even, should anything go contraiy to his wishes, he 
 would wave the rank of Admiral, and explain, or expostulate with him as his 
 FiHend Murray. His Lordship also desired that the same frankness of conduct 
 might be shewn towards him, as Nelson, and not as the Commander-in-chief 
 (Naval Chronicle, Vol. xviii. p. 189). Upon his return to England in 1804, 
 Captain Murray was raised to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue, and in 1805 
 to that of the \Miite. The death of his father-in-law compelled ^Murray to be 
 absent from Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar ; he afterwards took the com- 
 mand of a fleet at Monte Video. He attained the rank of Vice-Admiral of tlie 
 Red, was a Knight Commander of the Bath from January 1815, and died at 
 Chichester, February 28, 1819, aged GO years. 
 ^ Presented to him by the Grand Signior.
 
 444 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 I shall inclose the original and send it to the care of Mr. 
 Davison by the first opportunity, and I shall send this letter 
 on board the London, that it may go when any vessel goes 
 for England, for I do not expect to be told any more than 
 Lord Keith told me. I know nothing but by common 
 report. Sir Hyde has not told me officially a thing. I am sorry 
 enough to be sent on such an expedition, but nothing can, 
 I trust, degrade, do what they will; reports say we are to 
 anchor before we get to Cronenburg Castle,^ that our 
 Minister at Copenhagen may negotiate. What nonsense. 
 How much better could we negotiate was our fleet off Copen- 
 hagen, and the Danish Minister would seriously reflect how 
 he brought the fire of England on his Master's fleet and 
 capital ; but to keep us out of sight is to seduce Denmark 
 into a war, which I, as an Englishman, wish to prevent, by 
 making that coxcomb Prince see our machines ; every good 
 in the cause of humanity, and of honour to our country must 
 arise by spirited conduct, and every ill to both from our 
 delicacy. If they are the plans of Ministers, they are weak 
 in the extreme, and very different to what I understood from 
 Mr. Pitt. If they originate with Sir Hyde, it makes him, in 
 
 my mind, as but never mind, your Nelson's plans are 
 
 bold and decisive — all on the great scale. I hate your pen 
 and ink men ; a fleet of British ships of war are the best 
 negotiators in Europe, they always speak to be understood, 
 and generally gain their point, their arguments carry con- 
 viction to the breasts of our enemies. 
 
 " Yours, 
 '^ Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " Wednesday night or Thursday we shall be off Copen- 
 hagen if ?t'e please. As I said eight days and all will be 
 finished, but it was my way and not his." 
 
 ' Nelson, in a letter to A. Davison, Esq. expresses the same opinion, though 
 in a somewhat different manner : " I hear we are likely to anchor outside Cronen- 
 burg Castle, instead of Copenhagen, which would give weight to our negotiation : 
 a Danish Minister would think twice before he would put his name to war with 
 England, when the next moment he would probably see his Master's fleet in 
 flames, and his capital in ruins ; but ' out of sight out of mind' is an old saying. 
 The Dane should see our flag waving every moment he lifted up his head."
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 445 
 
 " March 17th, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, 
 " I send you a memorandum of what I have given you. I 
 have had no communication yet with my Commander-in- 
 chief. Lord Spencer placed him here, and has completely 
 thrown me in the background — that Lord St. Vincent writes 
 Admiral Dickson, so now I guess that Lord St. Vincent 
 recommended Sir Hyde Parker in the strongest manner, 
 because he wanted to get rid of him. They all hate me and 
 treat me ill. I cannot, my dear friend, recall to my mind 
 any one real act of kindness, but all of unkindness. But 
 never mind, we will be happy in spite of all they can do, 
 if it pleases God. Why we are not this day off Copenhagen 
 I cannot guess — our wind is fair, but a frigate is just sent 
 away by the Commander-in-chief, perhaps to say we are 
 coming, that they may be prepared, or to attempt to frighten 
 at a distance — paltry the last, and foolish the first — but 
 mine is all guess. I have not communicated with a creature 
 out of the ship since I left Yarmouth, they see, I suppose, it 
 is not for their interest. 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte." 
 
 " St. George, off the Scaw, March 19th, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, 
 " I have bought your picture,^ for I could not bear it 
 should be put up at auction, and if it had cost me 300 drops 
 of blood I would have given it with pleasure. I think the 
 picture had better be delivered to Mr. Davison packed up, 
 and I have charged him not to mention it, or to shew it to 
 any soul breathing. I design it always to hang in my bed- 
 chamber, and if I die it is yours. After w^e get into the Baltic 
 it may be very dangerous writing, for if the vessel is taken, 
 which is very probable, my correspondence will certainly be 
 published, therefore I shall never sign my name in future. 
 Heavens bless you. Send my letter and order to Mr. Christie- 
 directly. 
 
 ' By Madame Le Brun. 
 
 * The respected auctioneer in King Street, St. James's.
 
 446 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 The following is from the Rev. William Nelson : — 
 
 " Hilborough, near Brandon, March 19th, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " There is only one person and one thing we can all think 
 of at present, and we must heartily pray God to receive him 
 into His gracious and Almighty protection, to preserve him, 
 as He has hitherto done, from the perils of the seas, and from 
 the efforts of the enemy, that he may return in safety to enjoy 
 the blessings of his native land. 
 
 " I am in great hopes the Danes will give in without a 
 battle, there was such a report brought to me to-day, which 
 it seems came from Yarmouth, that a cutter had been 
 dispatched to recall the fleet. I dare say there was no foun- 
 dation for it, though I should not be very much surprised at 
 it, as my brother told me there was certainly a party in this 
 country which wished to prevent its sailing at all, and wanted 
 to try conciliatory measures once more. 'Tis all one to me 
 what they do, provided our great Hero returns safe. 
 
 " I beg to return your Ladyship my best thanks for your 
 intention of speaking to Mr. Greville^ and the Bishop in my 
 favour. You will write to me the moment you have any news 
 from the fleet. I will write to Mrs. Nelson to-morrow. I 
 beg my compliments to Sir William, and I am your ever 
 affectionate and faithful friend, 
 
 "W. Nelson." 
 
 It is reported that prior to Lord Nelson^s departure for 
 Copenhagen, while at the house of Mr. Alexander Davison, 
 in St. James's Square, transacting his own private affairs, 
 he alluded to what he knew he would do, had he the chief 
 command on this occasion, and observing that his knowledge 
 of the Cattegat was rather imperfect, he desired a chart to be 
 sent for from Faden's at Charing Cross. This done, he 
 observed that Government could spare only twelve ships for 
 the pui'pose, and after examining the Chart a very few minutes, 
 he marked upon it the situation for those twelve ships, exactly 
 as they were afterwards placed on that memorable occasion. 
 This anecdote is given, upon the authority of Mr. Davison, 
 
 ' The Hon. C. F. Greville, Sir William Hamilton's nephew.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 447 
 
 as a proof of Nelson's wonderful promptness and decision, as 
 well as of his ardent zeal for the service of his country. 
 
 To Lady Hamilton again : — 
 
 " My dearest Friend, we are now eighteen miles from Cro- 
 nenburg Castle, and if the wind is fair to-morrow, and the 
 Danes hostile, you shall have more reason than ever to glory 
 in the name of your ever faithful friend, 
 
 " Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " 8 o'clock, March 20th, 1801. 
 
 " Best remembrances to Sir William and all friends." 
 
 " St. George, at Anchor, 18 miles from Cronenburg, 
 March 21, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, the wind and weather prevents us 
 from giving peace to Denmark for one day, which I am sorry 
 for, as the coxcomb Prince wants to be brought to his senses, 
 and to the true interest of his country. If the neutrality was 
 acknowledged by us, as they wish it, Denmark would have 
 much less trade with any trading Powers than at present ; 
 Russian, Prussian, Imperial, even Neapolitan flags would be 
 used, and Denmark, from having at this time half the trade 
 of France, would be reduced to a sixth part of it, therefore, 
 it is really a great advantage to Denmark to abandon the 
 wishes of Russia, and to try to lower her naval power in the 
 Baltic. If she does not, in a very few years the Baltic will 
 change its name to the Russian Sea. Suppose this Prince is 
 obstinate, and says, * War with England, let us lower her,' 
 (and, of course, aggrandise Russia), a moment's reflection, (if, 
 indeed, he is capable of reflecting, which I doubt, for I have 
 seen him —he is very like Prince Esterhazy's son, that is, he 
 was twenty years back), would tell him, ' I lose all my posses- 
 sions in the East and West Indies, all my subjects' property 
 to an immense amount, my subjects can have no trade. 
 What will Russia lose? nothing. What can I gain? onli/ a. 
 name in having assisted in lowei'hig the pride of England, 
 and do I not at the same moment raise the pride of Russia?' 
 Yes, but I will for a moment suppose this gentleman-fool 
 still violent. ' Oh, if we beat England, she shall repay all
 
 448 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 the value of our ships, colonics, and expenses/ Suppose, 
 Mr. Foolham, you and your dirty tribe beat England, where 
 the devil do you think we can find money to pay you. Our 
 seamen will spew it up to please you. Yes, Yes, the only 
 chance of getting money from England is to let her be suc- 
 cessful, then some day we may save you from Russia. Will 
 that Power allow you to cramp her trade with Sound Dues, 
 which you claim as masters of that narrow sea, yet at the 
 same moment you want to lower and to take away the rights 
 of England as sovereign of her seas ? However, I Avill sup- 
 pose you as victorious as your most sanguine hopes could 
 wish you ; you will have lost perhaps a million sterling, you will 
 have not one-fourth of the trade you had before this gloriovs 
 campaign, you will lose your great revenue, for, farewell 
 Sound Dues, and will you, Mr. Prince, have gained any 
 thing but real enemies? As Paddy says, you will have gained 
 a loss, and such a loss as must lose your country. These 
 ideas, my sensible friend, the vicinity of Denmark naturally 
 gives rise to, and I let them out to you as one of the most 
 sensible women of the age, and if I was to add, of men too, 
 I should be more correct. You will not, my dear friend, at 
 this moment, consider these true thoughts of your worth can 
 be with a view of adulation, for it is very possible they may 
 be the last words ever wrote to you by your old, faithful, and 
 most affectionate friend, till death, 
 
 " Nelson and Bronte. 
 
 " Your heart, my friend, may feel too much on reading 
 this. Pray do not let it, for my mind is tranquil and calm, 
 ready and willing to stand in the breach to defend my country, 
 and to risk whatever fate may await me in that post of honour, 
 but never mind, perhaps I may laughing come back, God^s 
 will be done. Amen, Amen." 
 
 " St. George, March 23, 1801. 
 '^ My dearest friend, 
 
 "Now we are sure of fighting. I am sent for. When it was a 
 joke I was kept in the background ; to-morrow will I hope be a 
 proud day for England — to have it so, no exertion shall be want- 
 ing from your most attached and affectionate friend, till death, 
 
 "Nelson and Bronte."
 
 1801.J LORD VISCOUNT NELSON 449 
 
 " Elephant, at anchor 6 miles from Cronenburg, 
 "March 26th, 1801. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, this afternoon I left the St. George 
 for a few days, as she draws too much water for the service 
 it is intended I should perform, and our friend Foley has 
 been so good as to receive me for a few days. I have the faith- 
 ful representation of you with me, for as I cannot have the 
 pleasure of looking at the original, it makes me happy even 
 looking at the picture of the very dearest and best friend I have 
 in the world. You know I am more bigoted to your picture 
 than ever a Neapolitan was to St. Januarius, and look upon 
 you as my guardian angel, and God, I trust, will make you 
 so to me. His will be done. Sir Hyde Parker has by this 
 time found out the worth of your Nelson, and that he is a 
 useful sort of man on a pinch ; therefore, if he ever has 
 thought unkindly of me, I freely forgive him. Nelson must 
 stand amongst the first, or he must fall. I have received, my 
 dear good amiable friend, all your letters, except those by the 
 Parson (his brother), up to the 18th, and I received those 
 which arrived at Yarmouth after I sailed. Such friendly 
 letters I always burn, although it goes to my heart. We 
 are waiting for a wind to pass Cronenburg. I long for it to 
 arrive, for the sooner this business is over the sooner we shall 
 meet. 
 
 " March 28ih. — You will get all my letters by the Kite, 
 who carried over Mr. Vansittart, they are all under cover to 
 Sir Thomas Troubridge. 1 wrote you the night before we 
 sailed, hkewise under cover to Troubridge, but being obliged 
 put the packet on board the Agincourt, Captain Ryves.* 
 
 ' George Frederick Ryves was a native of Dorsctsliire, and descended fi-om a 
 family that had sustained great losses by their adherence to the Stuarts. He was 
 born September 8, 1758, and educated at Harrow School. In 1771 he entered 
 the Navy as a Midshipman in the Kent, of 74 guns, commanded by the Hon. 
 Charles Fielding. He commanded a tender in the West Indies at the com- 
 mencement of the American War, and took many prizes, and afterwards served 
 as a Lieutenant in the tlag-ship of Yice-Admiral Arbutlinot, the Europe, of 64 
 guns. He nearly suffered shipwreck in the Pacific store-sliip, on her way to Long 
 Island, and was, in 1780, placed in the Fox frigate as First Lieutenant, and served 
 on the Jamaica station. At the Peace, he made a tour in France, Switzerland, &c. 
 In 1788 he was appointed to the Aiu-ora, and in 1793 to the Aretlmsa, and cruised 
 on the coast of France. In this year he was made a Commander, appointed 
 to the Bull Dog, went to the West Indies, and distinguished himself at the 
 VOL. I. 2 G
 
 450 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL [CHAP. XII. 
 
 In the packet was a letter for Mr. Davison, desiring him to 
 send to Mrs. Nelson £100. 
 
 " I would not have our good friend Lord William [Gordon] 
 in too great a hurry with his songs ; I beg we may deserve 
 them first. We have the mortification to want a wind. We 
 see the Danes amusing themselves with preparations to resist 
 us, but with God's blessing, the devil himself cannot stop us. 
 
 '^^ March SOt/t, half-past Jive. — The fleet is now under sail, 
 steering for Cronenburg. I have this moment made the 
 signal for my division, ten sail of the line, and if old Strieker, 
 for that is the Governor's name, attempts to strike me, I shall 
 try who can strike the hardest blow. Your friend Nelson 
 will acquit himself as he has been used to do, and the bless- 
 ing of God will attend him. To Him do I submit myself in 
 the day of battle, and he has hitherto always supported me. 
 
 " There is a little boy that you begged Foley to take ; he 
 was in the Lion, but for drawing a knife was dismissed from 
 her. I have made him come into the cabin, down on his 
 knees, touch your picture with his hand and then kiss it, a 
 Neapolitan custom. 
 
 '* I have hardly time to tell you that the Aide-de-camp of 
 the Prince Royal of Denmark has been on board Sir Hyde 
 Parker, a young coxcomb, about 23. In writing a note in 
 the Admiral's cabin, the pen was bad. He called out, " Ad- 
 miral, if your guns are no better than your pens, you may 
 as well return to England.' On asking who commanded the 
 different ships, among others he was told Lord Nelson, he 
 exclaimed, ' What is he here, I would give a hundred guineas 
 to see him ; then I suppose it is no joke if he is come.' He 
 
 taking of St. Lucia. In 1798 he was advanced to Post rank, and appointed 
 to the Medea frigate, and in 1800 to the Agincourt of 64 guns, with Sir Charles 
 M. Pole. Upon his return from Newfoundland he took General Graham to 
 Egypt, and was presented with the Gold Medal of the Order of the Crescent by the 
 Grand Signior. He was with Lord Keith at the taking of Corfu, and then pro- 
 ceeded to the Madalena islands, of which he made a survey without assistance. 
 In 1803 he was appointed to the Gibraltar and sent to Naples to attend upon the 
 King. His MS. chart of the Madalena and Barelino islands was presented to 
 Lord Nelson, who gratefully acknowledged its accm-acy. Paid off in 1804 he did 
 not obtain further employment until 1810, when he was put on the Baltic station 
 in the Africa of 64 guns, and blockaded Copenhagen. After this he was put on 
 half-pay, and having attained the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue, he died May 
 20th, 1826.
 
 1801.] LORD VISCOUNT NELSON. 451 
 
 said, * Aye, you will pass Cronenburg, that we expect, but 
 we are well prepared at Copenhagen, there you will find 
 a hard nut to crack.' I must have done, for breakfast is 
 waiting, and I never give up a meal for a little fighting. 
 " Yours, 
 
 ^' Nelson and Bbonte.^^ 
 
 Monarch 
 
 Mosse. 
 
 Bellona . 
 
 Thompson. 
 
 Elephant 
 
 Foley. 
 
 Ardent . 
 
 Bertie. 
 
 Isis 
 
 Walker. 
 
 Polyphemus 
 
 Law-ford. 
 
 Aganaemnon 
 
 Farncomb. 
 
 Defiance . 
 
 Rear-Admiral Graves, Capt. Rotaliik 
 
 Russell . 
 
 Cuming. 
 
 Glatton . 
 
 Bligh. 
 
 The Rev. William Nelson again writes to Lady Hamilton : — 
 
 " HUborough, March 27th, 1801. 
 " My dear Lady Hamilton, 
 
 " I have this moment received your bit of paper, and also 
 the miserable little morsel of my better half, and I may well 
 say, pshaw ! but as I am a poor forlorn hermit, I must even 
 take what the charitable and humane will bestow upon me, 
 and as you are so good as to give me something eveiy day, 
 I must not repine, but look forward to the happy day when 
 my penance and pilgrimage will be at an end, when I shall 
 make up for all my present mortifications diu-ing my widow- 
 hood. As this is Friday, I am now going to church to pray 
 for you all, and also for the safety of our much loved Hero 
 and Lord. I shall be heartily glad whenever we can say peace, 
 and our great Lord safe home ; I hope the treaty between 
 France and Naples, will not affect his property and title at 
 Bronte. 
 
 " Just returned from church, and I have read over your 
 yesterday's and to-day's letter twenty times, and the more 
 I read the more I admire your whole conduct ; how ami- 
 able does your attention to good Sir William appear, no 
 words can do justice to your merit, but he deserves every 
 thing from you, and I am sure he feels your love and at- 
 tention to him, as he ought ; I shall be most happy to shake 
 
 2 G 2
 
 452 LIFE OF VICE-ADMIRAL NELSON. [CHAP. XII. 
 
 him by the hand. Pray God when we meet it may be with 
 cheerful hearts for the welfare of our great hero. If he comes 
 home safe this time, I sincerely hope he will give it up, un- 
 less he can have the chief command where he likes, I would 
 have him second to none. Adieu. God bless and prosper 
 you, is the fervent prayer of your 
 
 " Sincere and affectionate friend, 
 
 "William Nelson." 
 
 The last letter, previous to the Battle of Copenhagen, is as 
 follows : — 
 
 " Elephant, March 30th, off Copenhagen, 
 " 9 o'clock at Night. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, 
 '' We this morning passed the fancied tremendous fortress 
 of Cronenburg, mounted with 270 pieces of cannon. More 
 powder and shot, I believe, never were thrown away, for not 
 one shot struck a single ship of the British fleet. Some of 
 our ships fired ; but the Elephant did not return a single shot. 
 I hope to reserve them for a better occasion. I have just 
 been reconnoitring the Danish line of defence. It looks 
 formidable to those who are children at war, but to my judg- 
 ment, with ten sail of the line I think I can annihilate them ; 
 at all events, I hope to be allowed to try. I am not very 
 well, and tired, but Foley is very good to me. I have much 
 to do here, exactly what you said in London. May God, 
 whom I worship, protect and send me victorious. Amen, if 
 it be His good pleasure. May the Heavens bless you. My 
 best regards to Sir William. I hope his pictures have sold 
 well. Recommend to Lord William not to make songs about 
 us, for fear we should not deserve his good opinion. Once 
 more, adieu, and may God bless you shall be my last word."
 
 APPENDIX.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 No. T. 
 
 BATTLE OF THE NILE. 
 
 Translation of the Account of the Battle of the Nile written by 
 the Adjutant of the French Rear-Admiral Blanquet. 
 
 The first day of August, 1/98, wind N.N.W. light breezes and 
 fair -weather ; the 2nd division of the fleet sent a party of men on 
 shore to dig wells ; and every ship in the fleet sent 25 men, to 
 protect the workmen from the continual attacks of the Bedouins, 
 and vagabonds of the Egyptian country. At 2 p.m. the Heureux 
 made the signal for 12 sail W.N.W. which we could easily distinguish 
 from the mast-heads to be ships of war ; the signal was then made 
 for all the boats, workmen, and guards to repair on board their 
 ships, which was only obeyed by a few : at 3 o'clock, the Admiral 
 not having any doubt but that the ships in sight were the enemy, 
 ordered the hammocks to be stowed for action, and directed the 
 Alert and Railleur brigs of war to reconnoitre the enemy, which we 
 soon perceived were steering for Bequier Bay, under a crowd of 
 canvass, but without observing any order of sailing : at 4 o'clock 
 we saw over Port Aboukir two ships, i apparently waiting to join 
 the squadron ; without doubt they had been sent to look into the 
 port of Alexandria; we likewise saw a brig with the 12 sail, so 
 they were now 14 sail and a brig. The Alert then began to put 
 the Admiral's orders into execution ; viz. to stand towards the 
 enemy until nearly within gun-shot ; then to manoeuvre, and 
 endeavour to draw them towards the outer shoal, lying off the 
 island ; but the English Admiral had, no doubt, experienced pilots 
 on board, as he did not pay any attention to the brig's track, but 
 allowed her to go away, hauling well round all the danger. At this 
 time a small country boat, dispatched from Alexandria to Rosetta, 
 voluntarily bore down to the English brig, which took possession of 
 her, notwithstanding the repeated efforts of the Alert to prevent it, 
 by firing a great many shot at the boat. At 5 o'clock the enemy 
 ' These were the Alexander and Swiftsure.
 
 456 APPENDIX. 
 
 came to the wind in succession : this manoeuvre convinced us they 
 intended attacking us that evening. The Admiral got the top- 
 gallant-yard across, but soon after made the signal that he intended 
 engaging the enemy at anchor ; convinced, without a doubt, that 
 he had not seamen enough for engaging under sail (for he wanted 
 at least 200 good seamen for each ship) ; after this signal, each 
 ought to have sent a stream cable to the ship astern of her, and to 
 have made a hawser fast to the cable, about 20 fathoms in the 
 water, and passed on the opposite to that intended as a spring ; 
 this was not generally executed : orders were then given to let go 
 another bower anchor ; and the broadsides of the ships were then 
 brought to bear upon the enemy, having the ships' heads N.E.from 
 the island of Bequier, forming a line about 1300 fathoms N.W. and 
 S.E. each with an anchor out S.S.E. ; ^ past 5 o'clock, one of the 
 enemy's ships,^ that was steering to get to windward of the head- 
 most of the line, ran on the reef E.N.E. of the island; she had 
 immediate assistance from the brig, and got afloat in the morning ; 
 the battery on the island opened a fiie on the enemy, and their 
 shells fell a-head of the second ship of the line ; ^past 5, the head- 
 most ships of our line, being within gun-shot of the English, the 
 Admiral made the signal to engage, which was not obeyed until the 
 enemy came within pistol-shot, and just doubling us. The action 
 then became very warm ; Le Conquerant began to fire, then 
 Le Guerrier, Le Spartiate, L'Aquilon, Le People Souverain, and 
 Le Franklin: G o'clock, Le Serieuse frigate, and L'Herculebomb, cut 
 their cables and got under weigh, to avoid the enemy's fire ; they 
 got on shore : Le Serieuse caught fire, and had part of her masts 
 burnt ; L'Artemise was obliged to get under weigh, and likewise 
 got on shore ; the two frigates sent their ship's company on board 
 the different line-of-battle ships. The sloops of war, two bombs, 
 and several transports, that were with the fleet, were more successful, 
 as they got under weigh and reached the anchorage of Port Aboukir. 
 All the van were attacked on both sides by the enemy, who ranged 
 close along our line ; they had each an anchor out astern, which 
 facilitated their motions, and enabled them to place themselves in 
 the most advantageous positions : J past 6, Le Franklin opened a 
 fire from her starboard side upon the enemy ; f past 6, she 
 was engaged on both sides : L'Orient, at the same time, began 
 firing from her starboard guns ; and at 7, Le Tonnant opened her 
 fire. All the ships, from Le Guerrier to Le Tonnant, were now 
 engaged against a superior force ; this only redoubled the ardour of 
 the French, who kept up a very heavy fire. At 8 o'clock, the ship^ 
 * Culloden, ^ Bellerophon.
 
 APPENDIX. 457 
 
 which was engaging L'Orient on the starboard quarter, notwith- 
 standing her advantageous position, was dismasted, and so roughly 
 treated, that she cut her cables, and drove rather far from the line ; 
 this event gave Le Franklin hopes that L'Orient would now be able 
 to assist her, by attacking one of the ships opposed to her ; but at 
 this very moment the two shipsi that had been observed astern of the 
 fleet, and were quite fresh, steered right for the centre ; one of 
 them anchored on L'Orient's starboard bow, the other cut the line 
 astern of L'Orient, and anchored on her larboard quarter ; the action 
 in this place then became very warm. Admiral de Brueys, who at 
 this time had been slightly wounded in the head and arm, very 
 soon received a shot in the belly, which very nearly cut him in two, 
 he desired not to be carried below, but to be left to die on deck : 
 he only lived a quarter of an hour. Rear-Admiral Blanquet, as well 
 as his Aide-de-camp, were unacquainted with this melancholy event 
 until the action was nearly over. Admiral Blanquet received a 
 severe wound in the face, which knocked him down ; he was carried 
 off the deck senseless : ^ past 8, Le Peuple Souverain drove to lee- 
 ward of the line, and anchored a cable's length abreast of L'Orient : 
 it was not known what unfortunate event occasioned this ; the 
 vacant space she made placed Le Franklin in a most unfortunate 
 position, and it became very critical, from the manoeuvre of one of 
 the enemy's fi'esh ships,^ wiiich had been to the assistance of one 
 of their ships on shore ; she anchored athwart Le Franklin's bow, 
 and commenced a very heavy raking fire : ^ past 8, the action was 
 general, from Le Guerrier to Le Mercure. 
 
 The death of Admiral de Brueys, and the severe wounds of Admiral 
 Blanquet, must have deeply affected the people who fought under 
 them ; but it added to their ardour for revenge, and the action con- 
 tinued with great obstinacy on both sides. At nine o'clock the 
 ships in the van slackened their fire, and soon after totally ceased ; 
 and, with infinite sorrow, we supposed they bad surrendered : 
 they were dismasted soon after the action began, and so much, 
 damaged, it is to be presumed, that they could not hold out any 
 longer against an enemy so superior, by her advantageous position, 
 in placing several ships against one : j past 9, L'Orient caught 
 fire in the cabin, and it soon afterwards broke out upon the poop ; 
 every effort was made to extinguish it, but without effect, and very 
 soon it was so considerable, that there were no hopes of saving the 
 ship ; I past 9 Citizen Gillet, Flag Captain of Le Franklin, was 
 severely wounded, and carried off deck ; | past 9 the arm chest, 
 filled with musket cartridges, blew up and set fire to several places 
 ' Alexander and Swiftsure. - Leander.
 
 458 APPENDIX. 
 
 on the poop and quartei* deck, but was fortunately extinguished ; 
 her situation, however, was very desperate, surrounded by enemies, 
 and only 80 fathoms to windward of L'Orient, entirely on fire ; 
 there could not be any expectation, but either falling a prey to the 
 enemy or flames : 10 o'clock, the main and mizen masts fell, and 
 all her guns on the main deck were dismounted; | past 10 Le 
 Tonnant cut her cables, to avoid the fire of L'Orient. The 
 English ship that was on L'Orient's larboard quarter, as soon as 
 she had done firing at her, brought her broadside to bear upon Le 
 Tonnant's bow, and kept up a very raking fire. L'lleureuxand 
 Le Mercure conceived that they ought likewise to cut their cables ; 
 this manoeuvre created so much confusion amongst the rear ships, 
 that they fired into each other, and did considerable damage. Le 
 Tonnant anchored a-head of Le Guillaume Tell, Le Genereux, and Le 
 Timoleon ; the other two ships got on shore; the ship^ that engaged 
 Le Tonnant on her bow cut her cable, all her rigging and sails were 
 cut to pieces, and she drove down and anchored astern of the English 
 ship (Majestic) that had been engaging L'Heureux and Le Mercure, 
 before they changed their position. Those of L'Etat Major and ship's 
 company of L'Orient, who had escaped death, convinced of the impos- 
 sibility of extinguishing the fire, which had got down to the middle 
 gun-deck, endeavoured to save themselves. Rear-Admiral Gantheaume 
 saved himself in a boat, and went on board the Salamine, from thence 
 to Aboukir and Alexandria. The Adjutant-general Moutard, though 
 badly wounded, swam to the ship^ nearest L'Orient, which proved 
 to be English. Commodore Casa Bianca and his son, only ten 
 years of age, who during the action gave proofs of bravery and 
 intelligence far above his years, were not so fortunate ; they were in 
 the water on the wreck of L'Orient's masts, not being able to swim, 
 seeking each other, until f past 10, when the ship blew up, and 
 put an end to their hopes and fears. The explosion was dreadful, 
 and spread the fire all round to a considerable distance ; Le Frank- 
 lin's decks were covered with red hot seam-pieces of timber and 
 rope on fire ; she was on fire the fourth time, but luckily got it 
 under. Immediately after this tremendous explosion, the action 
 ceased everywhere, and was succeeded by a most profound silence ; 
 the sky was darkened by thick clouds of black smoke, which seemed 
 to threaten the destruction of both fleets, it was a quarter of an hour 
 before the ships' companies recovered from the stupor they were 
 thrown into. Towards 11 o'clock Le Franklin, anxious to preserve 
 the trust confided to her, recommenced the action with a few of her 
 
 ' Alexander. ^ Alexander.
 
 APPENDIX. 459 
 
 lower deck guns, all the rest were dismounted ; two-thirds of the 
 ship's company were killed, and those who remained much fatigued; 
 she was surrounded by enemy's ships, who mowed down the men 
 every broadside: ^ past 11, leaving only three lower-deck guns 
 that could defend the honour of the flag, it became necessary to 
 put an end to so disproportionate a struggle, and Citizen Martinet, 
 Captain of a frigate, ordered the colours to be struck. The action 
 in the rear of the fleet was very trifling until f past 11, when it 
 became very warm ; three of the enemy's ships were engaging them, 
 and two very near : Le Tonnant, already badly treated, was nearest 
 the ships engaged, returned a very brisk fire ; about three o'clock 
 in the morning she was dismasted, and obliged to cut her cables a 
 second time, and not having any more anchors, she drove on shore. 
 Le GuillaumeTell, Le Genereux, and LeTimoleon shifted their bertha, 
 and anchored further down out of gun-shot ; those vessels were not 
 much damaged : ^ past 3 o'clock the action ceased throughout the 
 line. Early in the morning the frigate La Justice got under weigh, 
 and made several small tacks to keep near Le Guillaume Tell. At 9 
 o'clock anchored an English ship,^ having got under weigh, and 
 making short tacks to prevent her getting away ; at 6 o'clock two 
 English ships" joined those which had been engaging the rear, and 
 began firing on L'Heureux and Le Mercure, which were agi'ound : 
 the former soon struck, and the latter followed the example, as they 
 could not bring their broadsides to bear upon the enemy : ^ past 
 6 o'clock the ship's crew of L'Artemise frigate quitted her, and set 
 her on fire ; at 8 o'clock, she blew up. The enemy, without doubt, 
 had received great damage in their masts and yards, as they did 
 not get under weigh to attack the remains of the French fleet. The 
 French flag was flying ou boai;^ four ships of the line and two 
 frigates ;^ this division made the most of their time, and at f past 10 
 Le Guillaume Tell, Le Genereux, La Diane, and La Justice were under 
 weigh, and formed in line of battle ; the English ship that was 
 under sail stood towards her fleet, fearing that she might be cut off"; 
 two other enemy's ships'* were immediately under weigh to assist 
 her. At noon Le Timoleon, which was probably not in a state to put 
 to sea, steered right for the shore under her foresail, and when she 
 struck the ground her foremast fell : the French division joined the 
 enemy's ships, which ranged along their line on opposite tacks 
 within pistol shot, and received their broadsides, which they 
 
 ' Zealous. 2 xheseus and Goliath. 
 
 ' Timoleon, Tonnant, Genlreux, and Guillaume Tell, with the Diana, and La 
 Justice. 
 
 ■• Audacious and Leander,
 
 460 APPENDIX. 
 
 returned ; they then each continued their route ; the division was 
 in sight at sunset : nothing remarkahle happened during the night 
 of the 2nd ; on the 3rd, in the morning, the French colours were 
 flying in Le Tonnant and Le Timoleon. The EngUsh Admiral sent a 
 cartel to the former to know if she was struck, and on being 
 answered in the negative, directed two ships^ to go against her; 
 when they got within shot of her she struck, it being impossible to 
 defend her any longer. Le Tonnant having struck, Le Timoleon was 
 aground too near in for any ship to approach her ; in the night of 
 the 2nd they sent the greatest part of her ship's company on shore, 
 and at noon the next day they quitted her and set her on fire. 
 
 Thus ends the journal of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of August, which 
 will ever be remembered with the deepest sorrow by those Frenchmen 
 who possess good hearts, and by all those true republicans who 
 survived this melancholy disaster. 
 
 Account of the Battle of the Nile, as given by M. Vivant Denon 
 in his Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt : — 
 
 On the morning of the 31st of July, 1798, the French were mas- 
 ters of Egypt, Corfu, and Malta ; thirty vessels of the line united 
 these possessions with France, and rendered the whole one empire ; 
 England, meanwhile, was only cruising in the Mediterranean with 
 numerous fleets, for which she could not find even provisions but 
 with much difficulty, and at a prodigious expense. 
 
 Buonaparte, feeling all the advantage of this situation, was de- 
 sirous, in order to preserve it, that the fleet should enter the port of 
 Alexandria ; he offered a reward of two thousand sequinss for the 
 discovery of means of bringing this about, and a passage into the 
 old port was found. The evil genius of France, however, advised 
 and persuaded the Admiral to shut himself up at Aboukir, and 
 thus, in one day, to change the result of a long series of successes. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 31st, chance led M. Denon and his com- 
 panion to the convent of Aboo-mandhur, which terminates a 
 pleasant promenade from Raschid,^ along the borders of the Nile. 
 
 1 Theseus and Leander. 
 
 ' A Turkish sequin is worth about nine shillings sterling. 
 
 •' Raschid, more commonly called Rosetta, was the prettiest town in Egypt, 
 and a favourite place of retreat in the summer. Twenty years since it had 
 upwards of 30,000 houses, and the remains display a superiority in their style of 
 buildhig. The town is now deserted and in decay.
 
 APPENDIX. 461 
 
 A little farther, there is a tower of Arabic construction. It stands 
 in the middle of a large plain ; and overlooks, on the one side, a 
 yellow desert, of vast extent, terminated by the sea. When, how- 
 ever, the mind is saddened by this prospect, it can sooth itself by 
 turning to all that nature has to display, of verdure, riches and 
 abundance ; the plains of the Delta, covered with rice-fields, and 
 sugar grounds, and intersected by innun-»erable canals, that ter- 
 minate in the Nile, which river, at this part of its course, is alwavs 
 covered with barks, moving in every direction. 
 
 Arrived at this tower, they perceived, at the distance of seven 
 leagues, twenty sail enter the bay of Aboukir. These vessels 
 arrived, formed a hne of battle, and attacked the fleet of the French, 
 almost in the same moment. They heard the discharge of the first 
 cannon at five o'clock. Soon after this, the smoke concealed the 
 two fleets from their sight ; but when it became dark they were 
 able to distinguish better, though they were too far off" to under- 
 stand what was passing. The danger they ran of being made 
 prisoners by the smallest party of Bedouins could not distract the 
 anxious attention they paid to an event of so great interest. The 
 rolling and redoubled noise of the cannon was continual ; they saw 
 that the battle was terrible ; and that it was sustained on both 
 sides with equal obstinacy. On returning to Raschid, they went 
 on the roofs of their houses : towards ten o'clock, a strong burst of 
 light shewed a fire to have taken place in the fleet ; at the same 
 minute a dreadful explosion ensued, and then as profound a silence. 
 At 11 o'clock, a slow fire recommenced ; at midnight, the battle 
 was completely renewed ; but at two o'clock in the morning it 
 again ceased. At daybreak, the cannonade began once more. At 
 nine o'clock a second vessel blew up. At ten, four ships, i the only 
 ones that remained entire, which they recognised to be French, 
 (and which at that moment they believed to be victors, because 
 they were neither attacked nor followed) withdrew from the scene 
 of action, under crowded sail. 
 
 M. Denon passed his time on the top of the tower of Aboo-mand- 
 hur, incessantly examining the bay with his telescope. Three days 
 passed before he learned the real event of the first and second of 
 August. The begaz" shut up, and the communication with Alex- 
 andria intercepted, at length, however, made him fully aware, that 
 circumstances had changed against the French ; that, separated 
 from the mother country, they were become colonists, who, till 
 
 ' Le Guillaume Tell, Le Gc-nercux, La Diane, and La Justice. 
 ^ Bar of the river.
 
 462 APPENDIX. 
 
 peace should arrive, were to exist by their own exertions, and by 
 their own resources ; in a word, he learned that the English fleet 
 had doubled the French line, not sufliciently supported by the 
 island which should have defended it ; that the enemy taking the 
 vessels of the latter one by one, by means of his double line, had 
 rendered half its strength useless, leaving it only a spectator of the 
 destruction of the other; that it was L'Orieiit which had blown 
 up at ten o'clock, on the night of the thirty-first of July, and the 
 Hercules which had followed the next morning ; that the com- 
 manders of the ships, the William Tell, and the Generous, and of 
 the frigates, the Diana and the Justice, seeing the rest in the power 
 of the enemy, had taken advantage of his weariness, aud escaped. 
 He learned, in short, that the first of August had broken the fabric 
 of the power and glory of France ; that, destroying her fleet, it had 
 bestowed the empire of the Mediterranean on her enemies. 
 
 The situation of the French was now entirely changed. Under 
 the possibility of being attacked, it was become necessary to pre- 
 pare for defence. 
 
 Since the loss of the fleet, the troops that were at Raschid, had 
 been scattered among castles and batteries in little garrisons ; it 
 had become necessary, in order to maintain a communication 
 between the two cities, to establish a caravan between Alexandria 
 and Raschid, by way of Aboukir, and soldiers were employed to 
 protect these caravans from the Arabs ; there remained, therefore, 
 too small a number of troops at this latter place, to defend it in 
 case of an attack. Under these circumstances, it was proposed to 
 form a militia of the travellers, the speculators, the useless, fickle, 
 wandering, and irresolute men who had arrived at Alexandria, or 
 already returned from Cairo ; a large list, including amphibia, who, 
 corrupted by the campaigns of Italy, and having heard that the 
 harvests of Egypt were the most abundant in the world, had thought 
 that such a country must have fortunes ready made for the first 
 possessors ; epicures and debauchees who, with minds fascinated by 
 Savary's account, had set out from Paris, in search of new pleasures 
 at Cairo, speculators who came to supply the army, to feel the 
 pulses of trade, aud import and sell at high prices, whatever the 
 colony could want : meanwhile, the Beys had withdrawn all their 
 money and magnificence from Cairo ; the populace had pillaged the 
 houses; Buonaparte did not want contractors ; and the merchant 
 ships were blockaded by the English ; misfortunes which, to the 
 eyes of these travellers, threw a gloom over all Egypt. 
 
 Confounded at finding themselves* prisoners, disappointed in 
 their projects, and obliged to concur in the defence and improve-
 
 APPENDIX. 463 
 
 ment of a place which they found would only promote the prosperity 
 of the whole empire of France, they sent home the most melancholy 
 recitals. These recitals, intercepted by the English, contributed to 
 deceive the nation with respect to our condition. The English 
 pleased themselves with believing that we were dying with hunger ; 
 sent back our prisoners, that they might hasten the period of our 
 destruction ; printed in their Gazettes that half our army was iu 
 the hospitals ; that half the others were employed in leading the 
 blind remainder : and all this time. Upper Egypt was supplying us 
 with abundance of the best wheat, and the Lower with the finest 
 rice ; the sugar of the country was sold for half the price of sugar in 
 France ; the numberless herds of buffaloes, oxen, sheep and goats, 
 as well of the cultivators as of the Arab pastors, sufficiently supplied 
 the great increase of consumption at the very moment of the inva- 
 sion, and promised abundance, and superfluity for the future ; and 
 for the luxury of the table, we could add every kind of poultry, fish, 
 game, vegetables, and fruits. Such then were the objects of the 
 first necessity which offered to her detractors ; detractors who 
 wanted gold to supply the illusions they had indulged, and who 
 not finding gold, saw nothing about them but burning sands, fleas, 
 and gnats, dogs which disturbed their sleep, intractable husbands, 
 and veiled women, who shewed nothing but the eternal neck ! 
 
 The French Dispatches alluded to by M. Denon were those from 
 Kleber, Poussielgue, &c. which were picked up by the British, and 
 sent to England ; a duplicate reached France. M. Thiers pictures 
 the statements made in them as gross exaggerations, the General 
 looking at every thing in the most unfavourable aspect, whilst 
 General Menou, on the contrary, viewed every thing in the brightest 
 colours, and held the French to be invincible in Egypt. (See 
 "Histoire du Consulat et de I'Empire," Tom. ii. Liv. v. p. 15.)
 
 464 APPENDIX. 
 
 No. II. 
 
 A?'ticles of Capiti(Iatio7i of Malta. 
 
 Article I. — The Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem 
 shall give up the city and forts of Malta to the French army ; at 
 the same time renouncing in favour of the French Republic all right 
 of property and sovereignty over that island, together with those of 
 Goza and Cumino. 
 
 Article II. — The French Republic shall employ all its credit at 
 the Congress of Rastadt, to procure a principality for the Grand 
 Master equivalent to the one he gives up ; and the said Republic 
 engages to pay him in the mean time an annual pension of three 
 hundred thousand French livres, besides two annats of the pension 
 by way of indemnification for his personals. He shall also be 
 treated with the usual military honours during the whole of his 
 stay in Malta. 
 
 Article III. — The French Knights of the Order of St. John of 
 Jerusalem actually resident in Malta, if acknowledged as such by 
 the Commander-in-chief, shall be permitted to return to their own 
 country, and their residence in Malta shall be considered in the 
 same light as if they inhabited France, The French Repubhc will 
 likewise use its influence with the Cisalpine, Ligurian, Roman, and 
 Helvetian Republics, that this third article may remain in force for 
 the Knights of those several nations. 
 
 Article IV. — The French Republic shall make over an annual 
 pension of seven hundred French livres to each Knight now resident 
 in Malta; and one thousand livres to those whose ages exceed 
 sixty years. It shall also endeavour to induce the Cisalpine, Li- 
 gurian, Roman, and Helvetian Republics, to grant the same pension 
 to the Knights of their respective countries. 
 
 Article V. — The French Republic shall employ its credit with the 
 different powers, that the Knights of each nation may be allowed to 
 exercise their right over the property of the Order of Malta situated 
 in their dominions. 
 
 Article VI.— The Knights shall not be deprived of their private 
 property either in Malta or in Goza. 
 
 Article VII.— The inhabitants of the islands of Malta and Goza 
 shall be allowed, the same as before, the free exercise of the Catholic,
 
 APPENDIX. 465 
 
 Apostolical, and Roman religion : their privileges and property 
 shall likewise remain inviolate, and they shall not be subject to any 
 extraordinary taxes. 
 
 Article VIII. — All civil acts passed during the government of the 
 Order shall still remain valid. 
 
 Done and concluded on board the Orient, off Malta, the 24th 
 Prairial, the Gth year of the French republic (12th June, 1798.) 
 The Commander Bosredon de Ransijat (who had 
 
 forsaken the order). 
 The Bailiff Marie Testa Ferrata, "] 
 Doctor Jean Nies Muscat, I ,, ^^, , 
 
 Doctor Benoit Schembri, f ^^^ Maltese. 
 
 Counsellor Bonani, J 
 
 The Bailiff De Turin Frisoni, without prejudice to 
 the right of dominion which belongs to my Sovereign, 
 the King of the Two Sicilies. 
 Chev, Philippe Amat, the Spanish Charge-d'aflfaires.* 
 
 No. III. 
 TUNISIAN AFFAIRS. 
 
 In reference to the Battle of the Nile and its effects at Tunis, 
 Major Perkins Magra, the British Consul, addressed the following 
 letter to Sir Horatio Nelson : — 
 
 "to sir HORATIO NELSON, K.B, 
 
 "Tunis, October, 1798. 
 " Sir, 
 
 "After congratulating you on the very splendid victory you have 
 obtained, and the very important service you have thereby rendered 
 to your country at this critical period of its history, I beg to acquaint 
 you, that Captain Nisbet, with part of the crew of L'Aigle sailed hence, 
 in a neutral vessel the beginning of last month in quest of you, 
 since which no accounts have been received of him, though it was 
 expected the vessel would have returned here before this. 
 
 "This Government consider England as their saviour, from a full 
 persuasion of the intentions of the French, in the progress of their 
 
 ' BoisgeBn's History of Malta, Vol. ii. p. 94-96. 
 VOL. I. 2 H
 
 466 APPENDIX. 
 
 plans against them, and as interest and apprehension are the only 
 principles that operate on their minds, it is difficult to say, whether 
 their exasperation against them, or their present enthusiastic 
 attachment to England is at the highest pitch, 
 
 "A chouse arrived here a few days since with a firman from the 
 Grand Seignior to apprise the Bey of what had passed in the East, 
 and prepare him to follow his example towards France, having given 
 orders to stop all their vessels and subjects in the Ottoman ports. 
 
 *' As we have had no intelligence from Europe since the l/th of 
 July, we are ignorant of the detail of your victory, and only generally 
 know, by the Turkish couriers, that you have taken and destroyed 
 the whole of the French squadron. They also state that Buona- 
 parte's array has been entirely cut off ; but of this we are in hourly 
 expectation of the particulars, as an express by dromedaries has been 
 established to Alexandria, and they will perform the journey in ten 
 or twelve days. 
 
 " As you will certainly be in possession of better and more detailed 
 information, than I can have the honour to offer to you, of the 
 present situation of Malta, and of the desire of the inhabitants, to 
 throw that island into the hands of Great Britain, I shall limit 
 myself to mentioning, that they have sent several persons here, to 
 negotiate for provisions, having nothing left but wheat and oil, and 
 are entirely without fuel, but they have not succeeded in getting 
 relief from the Bey. 
 
 " P. M." 
 
 This letter was succeeded by several others giving to Nelson much 
 information, of which it will be seen he availed himself, to the 
 honour and advantage of his country. 
 
 "to admiral sir HORATIO NELSON. 
 
 " Tunis, 27th November, 1798. 
 " Sir, - 
 
 " Rais Azis, Captain of a cruiser in the Bey's service, was sent 
 three or four months since with the passports of the different Con- 
 suls to bring away from Malta a xebeque that had been taken from 
 this State by the Maltese and repurchased. On his return here a 
 few days since, he acquainted the Bey, that in coming out of Malta 
 he was brought to by an English man-of-war, and when carried on 
 board the flag-ship, that the Admiral spit in his face, abused him, 
 took his koran from his cincture, after which he was sent forward, 
 where he was nearlys tarved, and even refused water — that a person 
 who brought him a drink was punished for so doing. That on his
 
 APPENDIX. 467 
 
 representing that he was forced out of Malta by the French, and 
 would never have attempted his voyage without the passports of the 
 different Consuls of Tunis, and shewing that which he had received 
 from the English, the Admiral tore it to pieces, and loaded the 
 Consul with every opprobrious epithet. Further, that he was removed 
 to another ship, where he was kept between decks, and when he 
 attempted to come up to get a little fresh air, he was ill-used and 
 turned down. That some of the people with him were so much 
 exhausted for want of food, that their lives were in danger. 
 
 "The Bey's Minister informed me that he had represented this 
 with a degree of passion, accompanied by tears, that carried a con- 
 viction of its truth. 
 
 '• I heard patiently the end of this ridiculous detail, and gave the 
 following answer : that the whole of the Rais's deposition was 
 fabricated at Tunis in the French fendue. It was exactly their 
 language and not a word of it true, except his being stopped in 
 coming out of Malta, probably without leave. That he had every 
 reason to expect and submit to this detention as the port was at 
 present blockaded by an English squadron, and that I was as yet 
 ignorant what further motives of suspicion of conduct on the Rais's 
 part might have occasioned his detention, after being examined. 
 
 " The Minister's reply to this was, that the Rais from his arrival 
 to his reaching the palace had had no communication with the 
 French; and mine that I would pledge myself to prove that he had, 
 and that his own ill humour, for the loss of some things, of which 
 he complained, had made him the dupe of the French and an instru- 
 ment of propagating such falsehoods. 
 
 *' I desired that he might be sent to me to be examined, which 
 was compUed with ; and he was accompanied by the Bey's principal 
 naval commander and several officers, in whose presence he con- 
 firmed all that he had represented at the palace, and seemed to have 
 such particular pleasure in repeating the abuse that he alleged had 
 been laid on me at the squadron, that it was with great difficulty 
 the dragoman was prevailed on to interpret it, and clearly evinced 
 by whom he had been tutored since his landing here. 
 
 " I have since dined with the Minister and brought him again on 
 this subject, and am glad to find that he seems to have the same 
 sentiments now with me of the Rais's narrative. 
 
 " Two Moor passengers were also sent to me, to deliver notes of 
 their effects that had been taken from them ; but they add that they 
 were promised to have them restored. 
 
 "Absurd as this tale is, I conceive it my duty to report it to you, 
 
 2 H 2
 
 466 APPENDIX. 
 
 that should you think it worth youi- while to have the Rais punished, 
 by making it a question with the Bey, it is in your power to do it, 
 
 "I have the honour to be, &c. 
 "P. M. 
 
 " P.S. I have been requested in a particular manner by the 
 Minister, to beg that the Rais's koran may be returned to him if it 
 can be found, none of them go to sea without this, and much more 
 anxiety from superstitious reasons would be suffered from the loss of 
 this, than for any real property." 
 
 " TO SIR HORATIO NELSON. 
 
 " Tunis, 2ad December, 1798. 
 " Sir, 
 
 " I was so very desirous of having the honour of a personal 
 Interview with you, from the impossibility of writing on the subjects 
 which excited that desire, particularly by the present precarious 
 conveyances to Europe, that I had eagerly seized the offer that was 
 made to me of one of the Bey's vessels to go to you, when I heard you 
 were oflF Malta ; but on the morning that this arrangement had taken 
 place, and while I was still sitting with the Bey's Minister, informa- 
 tion was brought to him of two sailors who had landed from a 
 Ragusee vessel, having died of the plague, and under this situation 
 of the country, I could not think of going to the squadron. The 
 Bey was equally anxious as myself, that I should have executed this 
 design, but from different motives. 
 
 "It is far from being unpleasant to me to observe that his Ex- 
 cellency now feels a great degree of jealousy at the inattention of 
 our nation, and from his former conduct I have not endeavoured by 
 any means to appease it yet. He is in a situation to bend to us, 
 and would gladly now make any sacrifices to cultivate the friendship 
 of Great Britain for his future protection, which he foresees he will 
 stand in need of again from having so lately experienced it. I ought 
 to know their character here, and shall not neglect to manage this 
 present state of disposition. 
 
 ■'The Bey's situation is I believe the most trying that lie ever 
 found himself in — struggling against that little policy that governs 
 all his conduct, and which prevents his following an ardent desire 
 to join in the war against the French, and endeavouring also to 
 insinuate in their minds the opinion that when he adopts that 
 measure, that it may be one of necessity, and inevitable on his part 
 in order to moderate the future resentment that he fears, but more 
 especially at this moment, from the extraordinary idea that Buona-
 
 APPENDIX. 469 
 
 parte's progress against the Turk has raised not only in his Excel- 
 lency's mind, but generally throughout this country, and without 
 calculating the practicabihty of events, he conceives it one of no 
 difficulty, knowing that he is on the same side of the water with him, 
 that he might pay him a visit — were he at the Cape of Good Hope, 
 it would by no means allay this apprehension, and until that army be 
 destroyed or wasted away, he will avoid if he can the war, for he 
 knows that you have demolished the means of transporting another 
 to their coast. 
 
 "A further inducement to his seeking as much delay as he can, 
 is to see in whose hands Malta will remain, well knowing that if in 
 those of a powerful nation, he must lie at their mercy, and I look 
 forward to the day that it shall be ours, with the most fervent hope 
 of its putting a period to such scenes of unexampled cruelty as I 
 have unfortunately been obliged to be witness to here lately. 
 
 "You are now, Sir, perfectly master of the Bey's situation, and 
 I will only add, as I have accustomed myself to predict what his 
 conduct will be under any given circumstances, that he will not be 
 able to resist the first advantage that falls in his way; and that he 
 will inevitably be drawn into the war, but should I be disappointed 
 in this expectation, and you should think any other benefit than 
 destroying his future connexion with France, and preventing every 
 possibility of supplies from him at present, could be derived from 
 it, I am persuaded it would be in your powder to lead him into it, 
 when you please ; and I pledge myself that it shall be done without 
 disturbing the friendship that subsists between Great Britain and 
 his Excellency at present. 
 
 "I am told that there is a report abroad, that the Bey had 
 granted provisions for Malta. You may rely on my assurance. Sir, 
 that he uniformly refused his consent ; but I found on inquiry, that 
 a few bullocks were smuggled off in a small bark last summer, and 
 I had the most positive assurance that they should have nothing 
 from hence. On the contrary Tripoli has done every thing for 
 them that it could. I had the honour to acquaint you with this in 
 my letter of the 30th of September. 
 
 " Cnptain Tyler was obliged to leave the launch of L'Aigle at 
 the Bey's arsenal. I desired them to remember that it was not a 
 present, and it is consequently at your disposal. 
 
 " 1 have the satisfaction to acquaint you that his Majesty's 
 affairs continue on the best possible footing here. 
 
 " P. M." 
 
 " The following paragraph was in the above letter :— 
 
 " There is something frank in the Bey's sentiments respecting us.
 
 470 APPENDIX. 
 
 wliich I had from a person in his confidence, ' If tlie English are 
 dissatisfied with me, if we were even to quarrel, they are a generous 
 nation ; but with a nation of traitors I can never be secure.' " 
 
 "to sir HORATIO NELSON, K.B. 
 
 " Tunis, 7th December, 1798. 
 « Sir, 
 
 " I have the honour to acquaint you that an event has occurred 
 that I conceive has sufficiently entangled tlie Bey, as I expected, 
 and we shall have him with us in efiect now as well as inclination. 
 
 " One of his Excellency's cruisers brought in three days since an 
 Imperial vessel from Toulon for Malta, loaded with salt provisions 
 and wine. After two days deliberation, he has condemned her, and 
 made slaves of the crew ; but he does not allow that he is at war 
 with the French, however I wall take upon myself to promise that he 
 will be. This provision was off'ered to me at a moderate price for 
 the use of his Majesty's squadron, but notwithstanding it was so 
 very advantageous, I was afraid to meddle with it, from the great 
 uncertainty and unfrequency of opportunities to communicate 
 either with the squadron or Leghorn." 
 
 " TO REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, K.B. 
 
 Tunis, 10th January, 1799. 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " I am happy at this opportunity of congratulating your Lordship 
 on receiving those honours, that you have so highly earned and so 
 justly merit from your King and country. 
 
 "On the 1 6th of last month, a Genoese vessel was brought in 
 here by one of the Bey's cruisers, on board of which was 
 M. Lacombe St. Michel, late French Ambassador at the Court 
 of Naples, and about eighty-five French of all descriptions of 
 principle, from the inveterate Jacobin to the hunted emigrant. 
 The vessel was seized and the crew immediately condemned to 
 slavery. 
 
 " As I attached myself to Sir William Hamilton's passport from 
 its greater extent, your Lordship's only calling upon the Com- 
 manders of His Majesty's ships, I have addressed to Sir William 
 the occurrences in this business, which I have left open if you think 
 them worth your perusal, and request you will do me the favour to 
 forward them. 
 
 "The spontaneous acknowledgment M. Lacombe makes in his 
 letter of the treatment the prisoners of war have received from the
 
 APPENDIX. 4/1 
 
 Commanders of his Majesty's ships, was a trait highly recommen- 
 datory of him to me, as I am as much surprised at an act of justice 
 from a repubhcan, as I should be at one of commiseration or 
 humanity from the people of this country. 
 
 "It is a particular satisfaction to me to have procured that 
 respect to British protection that it deserves, and a day of triumph 
 to me in the causeof humanity whenever I can rescue a captive from 
 the hands of these people. 
 
 "I have also the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship that the Bey 
 after seizing all the French property and papers here, and collecting 
 and imprisoning the subjects of that country, even every person that 
 has been known to wear the national cockade, as well as a privateer 
 that was in the bay, cut down their flag-staff at Tunis on the 4th 
 inst. These precautions prevented any tumult, as the French were 
 removed out of the reach of the populace before it fell. A few days 
 before this event took place, a brig arrived from Toulon, carrying 
 an English jack at the foretop, with an engineer and forty-five 
 artificers, and two pontoons on board, for clearing the harbour of the 
 Goletta. The Bey has set them to work, and promised when they 
 have finished that they shall have liberty to depart. 
 
 " His Excellency has desired me to acquaint your Lordship, that 
 you may command any supplies from his dominions that you may 
 stand in need of for his Majesty's sei'vice. 
 
 " I beg to remind your Lordship that I have my family at Naples, 
 in case of danger threatening that country, and I hope my zeal in 
 the King's service, and confinement here, which separates me from 
 them at this moment, will entitle them to succour. 
 
 " I am extremely anxious to have a personal interview with your 
 Lordship on some points that have occurred here, could I know 
 when you are ofi", or at Malta. 
 
 "I have the honour to be, 
 
 " P. M." 
 
 Major Magraalso wrote to the Right Hon. Sir WiUiara Hamilton, 
 K.B. 
 
 " Tunis, 10th January, 1799. 
 " Sir, 
 " I have the honour to acquaint you that M. Lacombe St. ^lichel, 
 late Ambassador from France to the Court of Naples was brought in 
 here on the 1 6th of last month by a cruiser of this state. The 
 vessel was immediately condemned and the Genoese crew and 
 passengers made slaves, though M. Lacombe was left at liberty to
 
 4/2 APPENDIX. 
 
 freight another and continue his voyage. He seemed, or was taught 
 to be flattered, from the custom of this country, ■where there is no 
 such thing as a small favour, and nothing ever granted, except by 
 reiterated importunity, that the Bey would in the end, restore the 
 vessel and captives to him, who had given him the most positive 
 assurances of protection, and he even under this belief restrained 
 the master of the vessel from flying from the cruiser, and which he 
 was in a situation to have escaped. This naturally made him 
 desirous of being the author of their redemption, as well as other 
 political motives, that withheld him from seeking any other influence. 
 M. Lacombe found himself deceived, and the Bey having at the end 
 often days definitively destroyed all hope, he turned, I believe, with 
 some reluctance to me ; for he was far from thinking, that France 
 had lost all consideration here, and that he was so near the brink of 
 war. You will see, Sir, by the copies of his letters, which I have 
 the honour to inclose, that I excitec' in his mind, the proper senti- 
 ments of English generosity, obtained that respect for your pro- 
 tection that it deserved, and became afterwards myself in the hour 
 of danger, his protector from a new enemy, as war was declared by 
 the Bey against France on the 4th inst. and the w^hole of that nation 
 here, its adherents, everything under its protection, of all ages and sex, 
 even those that had ever worn their cockade, -were seized as well as 
 their property, and made slaves of, and which would have been the 
 fate of these also, had I not secured their freedom before that war took 
 place. I am particularly flattered by the very gracious manner in 
 which the Bey received my interposition and accorded my request, 
 for it was beyond the limits of demand, and really from all custom of 
 nations, nothing protected in the vessel, but the Legation : the rest 
 had simply the passports of a Government at war with this state 
 and to all intents and purposes captives. 
 
 "M. Lacombe having freighted a vessel to go to Toulon, before 
 he applied to me, the rest of the passengers discovered their com- 
 plexion, and it appeared that there were not above twenty of the 
 number that dared return to France. On being informed of this, I 
 had a further incitement in the cause of humanity, and have defeated 
 any attempt to force the master to pass the port of Genoa in the 
 one they are now gone, which I concerted with the Bey and explained 
 my motive. 
 
 " The only passport to which I could attach the right of inter- 
 ference, was yours. Sir, and I availed myself of '' prions tons ceux 
 qui sont a prier" as applying to all nations in amity with the Crown, 
 and of course comprising the Bey. His Excellency expected some- 
 thing more, that it should be addressed to Princes and States. I
 
 APPENDIX. 473 
 
 assured him I was confident that the passport was given in good 
 faith, and expectation of its procuring the protection of all his 
 Majesty's friends. He asked me if I would state this in writing. 
 I answered, willingly. He then replied, I see you are just and con- 
 fident in your demand, and I only desire an authenticated copy of 
 the passport and I now deliver up the whole to you. 
 
 *'My intention was to bring Count Pouschin's passport forward 
 also, which was particularly strong, from being addressed to the 
 Ottomans, and which the Bey desired me to authenticate a copy of, 
 for him. 
 
 *' I obtained also from his Excellency, contrary to his custom, a 
 passport for the Barbary States on their leaving this country. 
 
 "M. Lacombe desired a personal interview at my house, accom- 
 panied by a second person on each side, when he confirmed what 
 had before been insinuated to me, of his having, at the risk of his 
 head, saved the garrison of Rierport from being fuzileed, when he 
 was representative with the army, and that it gave him a claim on 
 my country, on which he lavished the most boundless praise for its 
 generosity. 
 
 "P.M." 
 
 " TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. 
 
 " Tunis, 12th January, 1799 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " A calculation by any former scale of judgment or experience, 
 does not seem to answer for the latter end of this extraordinary 
 century. I have learnt at last to cease anticipating any thing that 
 is pleasant, and would gladly check an anticipation of the annoy- 
 ances that seem to be dealt in such large portions lately to our race. 
 At the moment that I conceived you had reached the best of all 
 shelters that is left in this world from the storms that are abroad, I 
 was informed by your passport for the excommunicated member of 
 your corps that you were still at Naples. 
 
 "I have been living in scenes for some time past, not much cal- 
 culated to strengthen nerves, that have been rasped and worn to 
 the quick, by a journey now of some length, and not in the 
 smoothest I'oads of life, and often wish for the relief of the corner of 
 your hospitable gallery and the quiet rubber of whist, or the jovial 
 round of swicken, but the course of things in this best of all possible 
 worlds, has so ordained it, that I am to act a whimsical part here, 
 and instead of having my head taken off, after two months quarrel- 
 ling and vexation, 1 was taken into great favour, as I am told from
 
 474 APPENDIX. 
 
 the best cause (a conviction that I was right), and as I have been 
 permitted to exercise it for the benefit of the most unfortunate part 
 of mankind, I am consoled in a situation that it is not every man 
 could bear with composure; but we do not know our strength till 
 we are tried. 
 
 " I had the pleasure to introduce to the Bey in his bed-chamber 
 the other morning Lady Hamilton's head. It was the seal affixed 
 to Lord Nelson's passport for M. Lacombe, and remarked to his 
 Excellency that ladies among us were never refused any thing they 
 desired. I beg you will make my respects to her Ladyship, and 
 tell her that the Bey thought her a powerful advocate. 
 
 " M. Lacombe has had a pretty thorough fright, and I believe, 
 few men would be proof against that passion, with Barbary slavery 
 staring him in the face. He seems to bave forgot in his letter to 
 date the last year of the Republic. He will have reason to remem- 
 ber British generosity in his distress, and I hope we shall teach 
 them humanity, and civilize them again some day or other. I have 
 troubled you with the detail of this event as it concerns you, and 
 does credit to our country. 
 
 " I am told when he was presented he kissed the Bey's hand. It 
 is a supple nation in adversity. They are completely taken in here, 
 and till the guards were at their doors to seize them, it would not 
 have been possible to have persuaded any individual here, or even 
 in France, that the Bey would have declared war against the great 
 Republic. By this surprise they have lost all their property, and 
 are deprived of every little consolation, that the situation of some 
 deserve. The Bey spares nothing that has ever been connected 
 with them ; but his Excellency has been so good as to let me 
 release any from slavery who have not incurred it by their 
 principles, and the English colours have lately done what there is 
 no example of in this country — protected in cases of slavery against 
 the Bey. 
 
 * ' Melemeli from his situation has had an active share in the 
 affairs lately, and has increased my opinion of him by his humanity 
 — but I had a right to expect even this extraordinary trait from him, 
 from his unimpaired gratitude for your goodness to him, if gratitude 
 be the parent of all virtues. 
 
 " You will now know the author of two anonymous French letters . 
 Though the cause has passed away, my motive was good and well 
 meant at the time, and among the singular things of these days, 
 the Bey has prayed for some time past, for success to his Sicilian 
 Majesty's arms. 
 
 " I neither hear from England,,nor do I know which way to write
 
 APPENDIX. 475 
 
 there. Nothing comes near us, but those brought by misfortune, 
 and we were four months at one time without any news from Europe, 
 and now three without an opportunity to write there. It is an 
 excellent school for patience, if I were not too old to be heartily 
 tired of schools of every sort. You may naturally conceive my 
 anxiety about my family under this ignorance and removed from 
 their assistance ; but I rely on your protection for them. You 
 will see what a figure our little State will make soon, in cutting off 
 the supplies to Malta. We have taken two days since a xebeque 
 with their dispatches from thence for France. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 "to the right HON. LORD NELSON. 
 
 "Tunis, January 17th, 1799. 
 ** My Lord, 
 
 " A few days since, an armed vessel with fifty men from Malta 
 with dispatches for France, put in here. She was immediately 
 taken possession of, and fortunately before they had time to sink 
 their letters. The Bey having permitted me to examine them, I 
 have found some of so intei'esting a nature, that I have thought it 
 my duty to hire a bark on purpose to send copies of the most 
 material to your Lordship. His Excellency has laid me under the 
 most solemn promise of secresy that I will never mention but to 
 our own Government, that he had confided these papers to me. 
 His motive for this I have not yet penetrated to my satisfaction. 
 
 " The dispatch of M. Vaubois in cypher naturally attracted the 
 greatest attention, and every possible effort to decipher it, and 
 which has been effected beyond my most sanguine hopes of its 
 practicability, from the separation as well as blending of words. I 
 have subjoined in the translation the first two lines of the original, 
 in case any more in this character should fall into your hands, as 
 from them a decipher may be formed. 
 
 "The letter No. 2, is the latest and most interesting that I have 
 yet met with, but not to lose time I shall send off what I have 
 ready and go on with my examination, and if I discover anything 
 more of importance shall have the honour to forward it. The 
 originals as well as all papers of this natui'e that may fall into the 
 Bey's hands are to be sent to Constantinople. In addition to these 
 details of genei'al want, the Captain's information is, that they 
 had but two ounces of rice a day each individual. 
 
 " Barbara, on his examination before the Bey, not knowing that 
 his passport might fall into his Excellency's hands and discover him, 
 affected being an idiot, and as the wit of this country is coarse, he 
 has not only been sent to the works, but a larger burthen allotted
 
 4/6 APPENDIX. 
 
 to hitn, as a fool can only be affected by real corporal oppressiou. 
 I have extracted what is material from the general return of the 
 Garrison for your Lordship's information. 
 
 " In addition to the preparations at Toulon for the relief of Malta, 
 I learn by the master of a vessel loaded with charcoal from Mar- 
 seilles for that place, chased in here two days since by an English 
 brig, and afterwards lost near Cape Carthage, that ten more vessels 
 were ready to follow him. They are to seize strong north-west 
 winds, when they conceive the squadron cannot keep its station. 
 
 " Baccari, an Algerine Jew, who has been some time at Marseilles, 
 has been more useful and enterprising than even the French them- 
 selves in this sort of business. I shall write to Algiers about him. 
 
 " This moment the master of a Ragusee vessel who put in here on 
 his passage to the Levant, five days from Genoa, informs me that at 
 that port five fast sailing vessels were also loaded with provisions 
 for Malta. 
 
 " This country may no\A', my Lord, be turned to essential use. It 
 will be a powerful check against the relief of Malta, as they will 
 get few merchantmen to run the risk of slavery, and if forced into 
 the service which was the case of the Imperial vessel brought in 
 here, they will naturally seek the first opportunity to deliver them- 
 selves up to us if there be any thing near them. It is material that 
 I should have the honour of an hour's conversation with your Lord- 
 ship on the subject of this State, that we may derive all the assistance 
 we can from them ; and if you are off Malta it may be easy. 
 
 "It is upwards of three months that we have had an opportunity 
 of writing to Europe, and two letters which I had sent to the coast 
 to be forwarded to your Lordship have been returned to me ; from 
 the vessels having declined proceeding on their voyage. 
 
 " The reports that have reached this country have occasioned me 
 the greatest distress about my family at Naples ; and if I get no 
 intelligence of them soon, I shall be utterly incapable of doing my 
 duty. I entreat your Lordship to think of them in time. I have 
 besides much at stake there, and not in circumstances to bear its 
 loss. The situation of affairs when I returned, rendered it impos- 
 sible to bring my family with me. It is well known that I came 
 here in opposition to the Bey's reiterated interdiction and menaces. 
 It was even with reluctance that I brought a servant, exposed to 
 share what I had reason to expect, from a haughty and intemperate 
 man. Government may some day know what I have undergone, 
 but as it ended in my reaching an unusual degree of influence, 
 which has enabled me to do so much in acts of humanity, that I 
 am reconciled to my second exile.
 
 APPENDIX. 4/7 
 
 " From the situation of Italy I have no means to communicate to 
 his Majesty's Ministers the declaration of war of this State against 
 France. It is some months since I have written, and may be 
 thought from appearances negligent, which I believe I do not 
 deserve. If your Lordship would do me the favour when you 
 write, to say that I have transmitted to you the material occurrences 
 here connected with his Majesty's service I should be obliged. 
 
 "P. M. 
 
 " P.S. In the instant that I was dispatching my letters an 
 aviso arrived here from General Stuart, and as I have more confidence 
 in this conveyance, than the one I was to employ, I have taken 
 upon myself to give the Captain an order to go to your Lordship, 
 as it is of little importance whether Tripoli receives the notification 
 of Minorca a week sooner or later. 
 
 "The French xebeque taken with dispatches is already well 
 manned and at sea under French colours. I could have wished to 
 have got a few hats and French cockades for the crew, as I form great 
 expectations that she will, by not being suspected as a corsair, make 
 a good stroke on the business she is going on, and at least, bring 
 us some useful intelligence. These people are really enterprising, 
 and in a few days we shall have a very formidable force at sea for 
 this country. I have requested their first attention to Cagliari, 
 Genoa, Toulon and Marseilles. His Excellency has entered into 
 the war most cordially, I every day discover new traits of his firm- 
 ness iu the cause, and rancour against the French. Your Lordship 
 may depend on everything he can do to assist your views, and 
 his services strike me as of the utmost importance, in your present 
 object of Malta. 
 
 " Your Lordship will scarce believe that in the last year I issued 
 passports to ninety-six cruisers, a thing without example in the 
 history of this country. We have out now by my notes only nine. 
 " His Excellency has asked me to entreat your Lordship to open 
 an intercourse with him. I before mentioued that he was jealous 
 of us, but he is come on so well, that I to-day assured him, that he 
 might depend on our cordiality, and by the little attention now 
 of a letter to him from your Lordship, you may turn him entirely 
 to your views. He says your frigates have often been to Algiers, 
 and Tripoli, and never come near him. Though he appears to 
 place the highest coniidence in me from having made some 
 tolerable good guesses^ he could be won to anything by this 
 attention on your Lordship's part. The country is free from all 
 contagious illness, and I have recommended getting some stock 
 together in case you should want it, as well as for Minorca.
 
 478 APPENDIX. 
 
 " I am so struck with the importance now of Malta falling into 
 your Lordship's hands, that I am extremely anxious to turn this 
 State to the greatest use, in cutting off its supplies. My only 
 apprehension is just at this moment, from the great preparations, 
 the favourable weather, and a determination, I am told in them to 
 sacrifice nine vessels in ten to carry their point. Their orders are, 
 if they miss Malta to push for Alexandria. 
 
 " We have further intelligence last night, of many more vessels 
 being taken up at Genoa for the purpose. I should not hesitate 
 going to wait on your Lordship by this vessel, but from my desire 
 to see the present armament off, and that she is not armed, and my 
 being taken at this moment might prejudice our affairs here. 
 
 " His Excellency is very desirous of a suspension of hostilities 
 with the Portuguese during his war with France. This was one of 
 my former objects for going to your Lordship. At the period it 
 was proposed to me, I answered his Excellency that it could not be 
 done without he desisted for the same time cruising against Naples 
 and Tuscany, for I confess that I was glad to see that the Portuguese 
 checked his depredations, particularly on the former. The business 
 is now different, and his request is certainly natural and fair when 
 he enters into our service. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 " TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 "Tunis, 13th February, 1799. 
 "My Lord, 
 
 '* I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship, that a few 
 days since, a courier arrived from Tripoli, with dispatches that had 
 been sent from Malta and Cairo to their Consul here, to be forwarded 
 to France, was intercepted by the vigilance of the Bey's guards, 
 and his Excellency immediately permitted me to peruse them. 
 
 " Great part of those from Malta, were duplicates of those we saw 
 before, with the addition of a few events subsequent to that period. 
 In these papers the different statements of their remaining quantity 
 of provisions, are so much at variance and so remote from each 
 other, that one would suppose those who made the returns did it 
 by guess. The highest says they have corn for twenty months, the 
 lowest makes it sufficient only for eight. 
 
 " We further discover that half a million of livres in specie had been 
 lodged at the disposal of the French Consul at Tunis, to employ in 
 procuring provisions by bribery and every other means that that sum 
 could be employed in to accomplish that important object. Two or
 
 APPENDIX. 4/9 
 
 three days previous to the declaration of war, an Algerine Jew began 
 payment of a further sum of 60,000 Spanish dollai's to the French 
 Consul for the same purpose. That no money was to be had at 
 Malta to pay the troops, and that they had therefore sent drafts on 
 the National Treasury to their Consul at Tripoli, to the amount of 
 80,500 livres, which could not either be negociated there, and it 
 •was desired not knowing of the war with Tunis, that it might be 
 borrowed from the fund established here. 
 
 " That a Jew of the name of Costa taken in the xebeque with 
 their first dispatches, and now a slave here, had been sent to 
 Cagliari, with a considerable credit from Pousielgue and Matty of 
 Malta, to buy provisions with ten per cent, commission. 
 
 " They desire that all vessels that can be hired at Tunis, may be 
 sent to Tripoli to take in provisions at places appointed, and no 
 expense or efforts to be spared. 
 
 '* That two of Baccary the Algerine Jew's vessels had arrived 
 from Marseilles, that eight more were ready, and all had the Dey's 
 passports, their dependence was on the winter and blowing weather. 
 
 " Buonaparte in his letter to their Consul at Tripoli (of which 
 he desires him to send a copy to the Directory), says that his army 
 was without loss, and without sickness, and himself perfectly well : 
 desires him to send a courier each decade, with all the news and 
 gazettes he can procure, as well as letters he may have for him, to 
 Derne by sea, and from thence to traverse the deserts. Desires 
 him to draw on him, and not to be deterred by any expense from 
 the execution of this order. 
 
 " We have also a copy of his letter to the Basha of Tripoli. 
 The Basha's long answer to him and assurances that all his couriers 
 and every thing he had was at his service. Another letter also 
 from the Basha to Renaud de St. Jean d'Augeli, a prostration of 
 flattery and promises of every assistance for the support of Malta ; 
 and adds, that the French Consul had been received by him, with 
 more honour and marks of distinction than had ever been shewn to 
 that of any Christian power. 
 
 " Berthier in a private letter to his mistress, curses the country 
 and climate, and says that he will leave Buonaparte soon and return 
 to France. 
 
 " I believe I have given your Lordship nearly the substance of 
 these dispatches. The letter of instructions respecting the lights, I 
 have had copied, as material to their being defeated. 
 
 *' I have recommended the courier being stopped here for some
 
 480 APPENDIX. 
 
 time, in hope of further information falling into our hands before it 
 be known that there are orders to intercept them. 
 
 " We here see the present importance of the Basha of Tripoli in 
 their affairs in Egypt and Malta ; particularly as he says, that not- 
 withstanding the orders of the Porte, he will not declare war against 
 France ; but I am persuaded he will be compelled, and should he, 
 we have nothing to expect from him but treachery, for he is by nature 
 formed for his present alliance and attachment to the French, and 
 one would even conclude that his native principles had received 
 some improvement in the Jacobin school of Robespierre, as he 
 reached his present situation by the usual path of those monsters ; 
 the mnrder of his elder brother, the deposition of the second, and 
 from common report, by poisoning his father. 
 
 "It is very material to me to be informed when ports are block- 
 aded, or any increase of our enemies by declarations of war, for my 
 government here. War is said to have been declared against 
 Genoa, bnt I have it merely from the report of the place. 
 
 "P. S. \7th Feb. — A Genoese vessel sent from Marseilles by 
 Baccary, having got into Malta and discharged her cargo, was 
 taken by a cruiser of this State on her return, and carried into 
 Susa, but having the Dey of Algiers' passport, she has been set at 
 liberty by the Bey. I have examined the master and find that five 
 vessels in all had got in. One with corn, one with wine and 
 brandy, and three with salt provisions, and some merchandise — 
 before the last arrived, they had no medicines left for their hos- 
 pital, and the number of their sick increasing fast, and that they 
 had began to fuzileer the inhabitants, and intended to clear the 
 town of them. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 "to lord nelson. 
 
 "Tunis, March 3rd. 
 " My Lord, 
 " I have the honour to send you herewith eighteen dispatches 
 that were found on board a French vessel from Malta bound to 
 France, and carried into Susa by one of the cruisers of this State. 
 It was with great difliculty that I prevailed on the Bey to permit me 
 to send the originals, to obtain which I have given the most solemn 
 promise that they shall be restored to him, and also that I would 
 send a person expressly to deliver them to your Lordship. His 
 Excellency has marked and numbered them all, and I rely on your
 
 APPENDIX. 481 
 
 Lordship putting it in my power to restore them again, as soon as 
 you conveniently can. One anxiety of the Bey's to get them back, 
 independent of his obHgation to send them to the Grand Signior, 
 is to possess a proof of the Basha of Tripoli's perfidy, with whom 
 he is on the verge of war. 
 
 "These people have such quick alternations of hot and cold fits, 
 that it is difficult to manage them. Nothing would have so good an 
 eifect, as I have already had the honour to mention to your Lord- 
 ship as writing a letter to the Bey, and thanking him now for the 
 service he has already done, by the interception of all the dispatches, 
 and recommending his arming to cut off the supplies of Malta. 
 
 *' I despaired to obtain more than the reading of these letters. 
 His Excellency thought it sufficient, as I could inform you of their 
 contents. Their importance struck me so forcibly, that I con- 
 ceived nothing but copies, which there was not time to make, or 
 the originals would be of any use, and I remained to-day at the 
 palace from seven in the morning, till twelve, rallied after three 
 refusals, and to my great satisfaction at last carried my point. 
 
 "The idea sometimes comes across them, of the consequence of 
 being abandoned by Great Britain, and I confess, I was surprised 
 that his Excellency should remark to me so contrary to the custom 
 of these princes, who conceive themselves the first and most 
 powerful in the world, that ' though France in her marine is 
 almost weakened to nothing, it requires no great force to do us 
 essential mischief, I have nothing to resist a large ship.' I was 
 not displeased to hear these sentiments, and represented the 
 increased necessity for the reduction of IMalta, and I hope con- 
 vinced him that he is full as much interested in wresting it from 
 the hands of the French, as we can be. I have made him perceive 
 that Great Britain having the three points of Gibraltar, Minorca, and 
 Malta, that the southern part of France and all Italy, with our 
 dominion at sea, must lie at our mercy, from the entire annihilation 
 of their commerce, and the necessaries of life being cut off, and in 
 that rests his security, as the French will never forgive him ; but I 
 cannot remove from his mind the apprehension that in case of our 
 succeeding, that Malta is to be transferred to another Power. 
 
 " I have thus followed up with unremitting ardour, n;y solicita- 
 tions to get all his cruisers out, from my anxiety to get the ports 
 watched from whence their provisions are drawn, and on this side 
 to intercept their dispatches ; all this a single letter from your 
 Lordship will completely effect. I shew the Rais's when they come 
 for their passports, one important passage to guard, vie. between 
 Cape Bon and Mazara, as well as betwixt Sardinia- and Bizerta. I 
 
 VOL. I. 2 I
 
 482 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 observe all the vessels coming from Malta gain immediately the 
 Barbary shore, as the cruisers never remain on their own coast. 
 From Europe they run down Corsica and Sardinia and make 
 Bizerta. 
 
 " I hope General Stuart will use his influence with Algiers to 
 the same end. I am sorry at this moment we have nobody near the 
 Dey to urge him, but a Jew, which of all animals in Barbary is the 
 least calculated for that purpose. 
 
 " I am the man in the world probably that would be the most 
 gratified in seeing these States annihilated, and of all others him 
 who has the most reluctance in calling on their assistance. I do 
 it now against a people full as savage as themselves, and that I hate 
 most ; and my doing it at all, is a very strong proof to my mind of 
 the fallacy of all human philosophy, and the strongest I shall ever 
 be able to give of my zeal in the King's service. 
 
 " It is a corroding anxiety to my mind, to be witness to the 
 treatment of their captives, and to see a whole people, without 
 exception to a man, who would think it a shameful and ignominious 
 act, to treat one of them with lenity, or not to devise every art in 
 his power to increase his sufferings. Among these unhappy 
 wretches here is a man (with his family), who informs me he was 
 active in your Lordship's service when you put into St. Pietro's 
 last year, in providing you with the refreshments you wanted. He 
 was Secretary to the English Vice-Consul there, his name Rocco 
 Rombi. If he was serviceable, as he says, and your Lordship 
 should recollect him, a word from you to the Bey would obtain his 
 liberty, as his Excellency would refuse you nothing. For my part 
 I am obliged to desist, as I have had the satisfaction of taking from 
 their hands since my return forty-nine of one sort or other, which 
 is a thing without example, as I have had nothing to oflfer in return. 
 " M. Massel the bearer is a French emigrant; who brought me a 
 letter of recommendation five years since from the late Viceroy of 
 Corsica. He has been nine years out of France, and I believe as 
 great an enemy to the present Government of that country as 
 exists. I beg your Lordship's protection for him in case the present 
 situation of afi^airs in Sicily should render it necessary, while he 
 may remain there. 
 
 " The settled plan of the French of doing every possible injury to 
 the works of Malta, when matters reach extremities, as they promise 
 in these dispatches, is not a new piece of information to me, I had 
 it some months since from good authority, but taking it at that 
 time for their usual rhodomontade, I erased it from the first letter 
 I had the honour to write to you in October last.
 
 APPENDIX. 483 
 
 " From France we hear that every effort will be made to save 
 Malta and recover Minorca. 
 
 " The Basha of Tripoli three or four days previous to his declara- 
 tion of war, received a present from his good friends at Malta, of 
 a cutter, 8000 Spanish dollars, that they had scraped together, and 
 some of the sacramental silver vessels spoiled from the churches. 
 The day he declared war he permitted a Tartan to depart with sixty 
 bullocks, and now promises to renew his assistance as soon as the 
 chouse returns to Constantinople. 
 
 " P. M." 
 
 "to the right HON. SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. 
 
 " Tunis, 3rd March, 1799. 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " Having some papers of importance to convey to Lord Nelson, 
 which you will of course see, should you be at Palermo ; I have 
 been obliged to dispatch a person on purpose in whom I could 
 confide, that in case of being in real danger at sea, be may throw 
 the packet overboard. To this end I have sent a M. Massel, who 
 five years since brought me a letter of recommendation from your 
 friend the late Viceroy of Corsica, and I therefore take the liberty 
 of recommending him to your protection. 
 
 " I have the honour to inclose you a memorial for his Sicilian 
 Majesty, from a poor priest in captivity here, and am sure I need 
 not add any thing on my part to engage you in an act of humanity. 
 It is horrible to see from one thousand to eleven hundred of his 
 Sicilian Majesty's subjects in the wretched situation they are in 
 here, but if there were any degrees of comparison in this country, 
 I should say that an example which I believe, will be represented to 
 you and Lord Nelson, to request your interposition with the Bey 
 in one of the crudest. 
 
 " We are still in ignorance of the history of Naples, and my 
 anxiety about my family would be insupportable, did I not receive 
 some relief from the intense application I have been engaged in for 
 some time, and an inevitable necessity of submitting to my detention 
 here. When I proposed to the Bey to go to their assistance some 
 time since, his entreaties and remonstrances to turn me from it 
 were such that there was no getting over them. Now I could go 
 without any disorder ensuing in our affairs here, if I had a con- 
 veyance that would not expose me to the danger of being taken at 
 a moment that I may be turned to some use in his Majesty's 
 service, and that such an event would be of some inconvenience to 
 
 2 I 2
 
 484 APPENDIX. 
 
 it, by the necessity of having a fresh man here to transact our 
 business with his Excellency. 
 
 " I am not perfectly at ease from the French accounts of the 
 strength of their party in Sicily. I have seen some strong things 
 on this subject ; and can only hope they are unfounded. 
 
 " It is very unfortunate that the coup miscarried at Malta, as 
 all further co-operation within the ramparts is now hopeless, and I 
 should conclude a new plan of operations will be thought expedient. 
 The rapid increase of their sick may soon weaken the garrison 
 sufficiently to render an assault so little hazardous, as to encourage 
 the attempt. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 Lord Nelson acknowledged the receipt of the preceding letters 
 addressed to him by the following : — 
 
 "to PERKINS MAGRA, ESQ. CONSUL AT TUNIS. 
 
 " Palermo, February, 1799. 
 "Sir, 
 
 " I have been favoured with your several highly interesting 
 letters, which you have had the goodness to send off Malta, together 
 with the important papers relative to the situation of the French in 
 the town of Valetta ; and give me leave to say, that your arduous 
 task in keeping the Bey in good humour, and inducing him to act 
 with vigour against the common enemy, deserves more praise and 
 approbation than it is in my power to bestow ; and I hope it will be 
 properly noticed by our superiors in England. 
 
 " In the present situation of this island, it is to be wished that a 
 truce could be made between his Sicilian Majesty and the Bey ; 
 and I have offered to send any person, authorized by his Sicilian 
 Majesty, in an English ship. The Bey has been misinformed that I 
 have sent any ship to either Algiers or Tripoli. You will have the 
 goodness to assure his Highness, that he is the first person that I 
 have sent a ship too. The Venetian Republic being formed, 
 renders the situation of this island the more dangerous ; and, if the 
 French get here, to a certainty they will endeavour to destroy 
 Tunis and Algiers. This, with submission to your better judgment, 
 should be pressed upon the Bey and his Ministers. 
 
 "Mrs. Magra and your family are here; Lady Hamilton is so 
 good to them, that in truth they require nothing from me ; but, 
 whenever they think it right to go to Tunis, a ship-of-war shall 
 convey them. Respecting the purchasing the cargo of provisions
 
 APPENDIX. 485 
 
 destined for Malta, probably, although it might be bought cheap, 
 yet many of the articles might not suit our ships' companies. 
 Therefore, however desirable, I cannot ask you to purchase any such 
 cargo for us. I have very great hopes that our affairs at Malta 
 will soon be brought to a close, by the surrender of the town ; and 
 I have sent two bomb-ships to Egypt to endeavour to destroy the 
 transports in Alexandria, and if we succeed in this matter, I shall 
 have a very respectable force in Sicily. As I expect the Marquis de 
 Niza, the Portuguese Admiral, here every day, I hope he will send a 
 person to talk with the Bey relative to a truce during the war of 
 France, equally desirable to both parties. 
 
 "Nelson."! 
 
 The following was the letter addressed to the Bey : — 
 
 " Vanguard, Palermo, 15th March, 1/99. 
 " Sir, 
 
 " I have received through the hands of Mr. Magra, his Britannic 
 Majesty's Consul at Tunis, the very interesting letters from the 
 French at Malta ; for which I beg leave to thank your Highnes?, 
 and return them by a vessel I have fitted out for that express 
 purpose. The infamous conduct of the French during the whole 
 war, which it has wantonly waged against all religion and civil 
 order, has at last called down the vengeance of all true Mussul- 
 men, and your Highness, I am sure, will agree with me, that 
 Divine Providence never will permit those infidels to God to go 
 unpunished. The conduct of your Highness reflects upon you the 
 very highest honour ; and, if any State has failed to exert its 
 utmost abilities against the enemies of God and his holy Prophet, 
 I rely with confidence they will be your enemies, as they will be of 
 all good men. 
 
 "Your Highness is not, I am sure, insensible, that, although I 
 have a squadron of Portuguese ships under my orders, I have, 
 daring the whole time they have been under my command, prevented 
 their cruising against the vessels of war of your Highness ; and 
 further, that all the ^Mussulman slaves who were in their ships, 
 have been sent to Constantinople. For at this moment all war 
 should cease, and all the world should join in endeavouring to 
 extirpate from off the face of the earth this race of murderers, 
 oppressors, and unbelievers. 
 
 "This necessarily brings to mind the unfortunate situation of 
 his Sicilian Majesty — a Prince, who became an object for plunder 
 in the same manner as the rich provinces of Egypt, from a belief 
 
 ' From the Letter Book. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 274.
 
 486 APPENDIX. 
 
 of tbeir inability to resist this horde of thieves. The perspicuity of 
 your Highness's judgment will point out the necessity of all 
 Powers at war with the French, uniting cordially together for 
 their destruction. I beg leave, therefore, to offer the Victor of the 
 Nile as a mediator for peace or truce during the war, between your 
 Highness and his Sicilian Majesty. If your Highness will favour 
 me with your ideas upon this very important subject, I shall feel 
 happy, and am confident the great Monarch, whom I have tbe 
 honour of serving, will have real satisfaction in having his faithful 
 servant the instrument by which peace should be restored between 
 your Highness and his Sicilian Majesty. 
 
 " I have the honour to remain, 
 
 "&c. &c. &c. 
 
 " Nelson."! 
 
 And to Perkins Magra, Esq. : — 
 
 " Palermo, March 15th, 1799. 
 " Dear Sir, 
 " I have received with real pleasure all your very interesting and 
 important letters, from the beginning of January to March 3rd ; 
 the great difficulty which I am sure you must have had to keep the 
 Bey always steady to our interest, reflects the highest credit on 
 your judgment and zeal, and will I hope meet with its proper 
 reward from our superiors in England. I send you a letter, 
 written the very beginning of February,^ the impossibility of sending 
 it by a ship of war, has prevented my finishing it, or your reception 
 of it. I have wrote a letter to the Bey, which I send under a 
 flying seal, the papers are also returned, and I cannot be sufii- 
 ciently thankful for the perusal of them. As I have given notice to 
 your family of this opportunity, they will tell you all the chit-chat 
 of the place ; from the Continent, we know of the very serious 
 insurrection in Flanders, where the French are entirely driven out ; 
 in Holland, are likewise insurrections ; but I send you the latest 
 papers I have, and Mr. Wyndham's two last letters. The letters 
 you will have the goodness to return by this vessel. As writing is 
 truly a very serious operation to me, you must excuse the shortness 
 of my letter, but believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged servant, 
 
 " Nelson."3 
 
 ' From the Letter Book. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 294. 
 ^ See the preceding letter. 
 
 ' From an Autograph in tlie possession of the Rev. Thomas Wilkinson. Dis- 
 patches and Letters, Vol. iii. p. 295.
 
 APPENDIX. 487 
 
 Major Magra's continued zeal in behalf of the Maltese, will be 
 apparent from a letter to Captain Ball, and the subsequent ones to 
 Lord Nelson : — 
 
 **TO CAPTAIN BALL, COMMANDING THE BLOCKADE OF MALTA. 
 
 " Tunis, 3rd March, 1799. 
 " Sir, 
 
 " I return you many thanks for the account of the operations at 
 Malta which you had the goodness to send me. I lament most 
 sincerely the miscarriage of a plan so well concerted for success, and 
 much fear now from what has since fallen into my hands, that all 
 further hope of a co-operation within the ramparts is entirely at an 
 end. 
 
 " The papers which I send to-day by a messenger to Lord Nelson, 
 I think will induce a change in your plan of operations. 
 
 " There could be no difficulty in procuring you corn for St. 
 Paul's, but the people to whom I have spoken, are unwilling to 
 undertake it without convoy, and I confess for both sides, I think 
 it the surest method ; but how could they carry the cotton they 
 receive in payment to Spain without passports from high authority ? 
 
 " I am extremely anxious to go to Lord Nelson for a day or two, 
 if I could get away. I could be ready at an hour's warning, if any 
 of your small cruisers called in here, by which I might escape 
 quarantine. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 " TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 " Tunis, 6th March, 1799. 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " Having been informed after I had despatched M. Massel, that a 
 brig, a felucca and speranaro with English passports, had been 
 brought in here, I sent an express to stop his sailing till I had had 
 an explanation with the Bey, and I am sorry to inform your Lord- 
 ship that it has not terminated to my satisfaction. 
 
 " I have obtained with difficulty, and not without great warmth, 
 the restoration of the speranaro and ten jNIaltese, furnished with Cap- 
 tain Ball's passport ; also the liberty of five Corsican officers pen- 
 sionaries of England, and a Russian Captain, passengers in the 
 felucca, who have been stripped naked by the crew of the corsair, 
 and treated according to custom in the most cruel manner. 
 
 " The brigantine. Nostra Signora delle Grazie Simoni de Cesare,
 
 488 APPENDIX. 
 
 master, the crew and passengers amounting to twenty- three persons 
 is refused to be given up, though protected as I am informed by a 
 passport from Consul Tough, with your Lordship's approbation and 
 signature to carry a cargo of corn and other provisions to Malta. 
 The supercargo, Benedetto Balducci, writes fully to the Cavaliero 
 Forcella of Palermo. This passport has been concealed by the 
 Rais. 
 
 "As the Bey pretends that your Lordship has no right to give 
 passports to his enemies, I am persuaded you will think it expedient 
 to explain yourself to him on this subject, and I hope, tx 
 earliest opportunity to send some body to demand a suitable repara- 
 tion for the violence and ill treatment of these people, and to deliver 
 the brig and crew from their present situation. 
 
 " Count Pouschin I conclude, will also, if your Lordship will have 
 the goodness to mention to him the circumstance of the felucca, 
 with a Russian passport which has been destroyed, take some step 
 to deliver the unfortunate crew from captivity. 
 
 " It is as difficult to get the prey from the clutches of these 
 people when they have got hold of it, right or wrong, as it would 
 from the claws of a tiger," 
 
 "to lord nelson. 
 
 " Tunis, 8th March, 1799. 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " Though I sent to stop the vessel for Palermo, till I had an 
 audience with the Bey, she got away in the night, before my 
 messenger reached the Goletta, and I have therefore the honour to 
 inclose my letter of the 6th, that was destined to go by her. 
 
 " On the following day, though the festival of the Ramadam, when 
 no business whatever is done, I waited till the Bey retired from public, 
 and requested an audience. Their own evident anxiety about the 
 business of the prizes, I conceived would induce his Excellency to 
 comply, and I was not deceived. 
 
 " I had been informed from the most certain authority, that 
 though the Bey, according to custom, supported in public the con- 
 duct of the Rais who brought in the prizes, that he had in private 
 given them the most severe reprimand, and his displeasure would 
 have been extended greater lengths, if it had not been restrained by 
 the policy of Barbary, of never openly placing themselves in the 
 wrong, in a contention with a Christian power; and it is an invaria- 
 ble system with them, to defend the first error by the commission 
 of others, and by every other possible act of violence, that you may
 
 APPENDIX. 489 
 
 be satisfied alone, with getting out of their hands, and relinquishing 
 your property. 
 
 " Your Lordship probably not being intimately acquainted with 
 the character of these governments, may not immediately see through 
 the cunning of the Bey's objects, in desiring me to send you a 
 minute of his discourse to me on my audience of the 7th, which I 
 have the honour to inclose by his express desire. 
 
 " The present afforded him an opportunity of explaining his 
 grievances, and shewing his jealousy of the neglect, that he conceives 
 has been offered to him. He imagines that the detention of the 
 brig will induce you to send some body here, and that his com- 
 pliance to restore the vessel and crew may be courted, instead of 
 yielding to the demand I have made ; also that the importance of 
 his friendship and assistance, should be understood during the 
 blockade of Malta, and hereafter, when in our hands, as well as 
 Minorca for provisions ; and lastly, that his complaints should reach 
 his Majesty through your Lordship. 
 
 " I will not presume to say that I am positively right in penetra- 
 ting all his views ; but by the anxious desire he has shewn of my 
 sending you these minutes, I am under the fullest persuasion what 
 I have mentioned make a part. 
 
 " However desirous I may be myself of seeing somebody here 
 from your Lordship, that I may be instructed in some points, in 
 order to my drawing in the service by the right cords, instead of 
 being left to my own devices, ingenuousness calls upon me to 
 declare that the Bey's first object is to draw some confidential per- 
 son from you, and it may possibly produce some good to his 
 Majesty's service. 
 
 " On the above-mentioned audience, his Excellency dismissed all 
 his attendants, except his Minister, and his late Ambassador to 
 England, and at a moment that he seemed disposed to give up the 
 vessel, he asked their sentiments, and they both opposed it. The latter 
 in the evening reminded me not to neglect sending the Bey's dis- 
 course to your Lordship. A positive fact is, that he is doing a thing 
 that he cannot resist, from a strong prepossession of carrying his 
 point, and at the same time is afraid of the consequences of his expe- 
 riment, and wants somebody from your Lordship with whom he may 
 explain it away and extricate himself, for bis Excellency is certainly 
 in a situation to yield to us, and will not contend any point to 
 extremities, and I have observed to those w^ho I know will repeat it 
 to him, that your Lordship's measures are quick and decisive, and 
 that I fear his present experiment will draw him into difficulties. 
 
 " As his Excellency does not admit your Lordship's right to give
 
 490 APPENDIX. 
 
 passports for the vessels and property of his enemies, it is unfortu- 
 nate if you have a firman to that end from the Grand Signior, that 
 it was not signified to him either by the Porte or your Lordship. 
 Till this difficulty be removed, all cargoes for Malta might be shipped 
 in an English name, and the crews called Anglo-Maltese, but you 
 may employ twenty Neapolitan vessels if necessary, by an arrange- 
 ment with the Bey. 
 
 " In order to remove as much inconvenience as possible from his 
 Majesty's subjects, and to aiford as much protection to foreigners as 
 can be given, when they navigate with British passports, there is much 
 circumspection required in the nature of such passports ; first, that 
 thtre be some uniform appearance of a seal or stamp, which these 
 people are particularly attentive to, for the slightest dissimilarity of 
 two from the same person falling into their hands, gives them an 
 opportunity to indulge their favourite turn for litigation, and there 
 is no rank or situation, that shelters a person who falls into their 
 power from very ill treatment while this is pending. 
 
 " Passengers should always have separate passports, and no person 
 whatever expose himself to meet with these robbers without one. 
 
 *' They seem lately by indiscriminate and extreme severity, to 
 wish to establish a terror of them, and it is high time that the 
 powers of Europe should think of putting a stop to depredations 
 that are increasing to such general inconvenience. The Rais now 
 have orders to bring in every thing they meet with, to try if they can 
 make good prizes of them here. If they even be given up after- 
 wards, it is not without being first plundered of everything that 
 can be carried off. For my part, with the most ardent desire to 
 serve his Majesty any where that I can be useful, I fear that I cannot 
 longer support my situation here, from the excessive cruelties that I 
 am obliged to be witness to, and being the daily refuge of the unfor- 
 tunate. There only remains the consideration whether the Bey has 
 not the right from treaty to stop this vessel. As an Ally he subjects 
 himself to general reproach from throwing difficulties in the way of 
 operations, that he should be equally zealous in assisting, I have 
 said this to his Excellency, and used every argument that occurred, 
 even to asking him what he conceived his situation would be with 
 the French (who will never forgive him), should Malta remain in 
 their hands. But he thinks he can explain his conduct away, and 
 seems determined to draw your Lordship's attention to him. 
 
 " The Bey is by far the best reasouer, and the most politic man 
 in his dominions, and an accomplished disciple of Machiavel, with- 
 out ever having heard of such a person or his works. He has 
 remarked that integrity in politics is perfect nonsense ; that the
 
 APPKNDIX. 491 
 
 cleverest person is he who can deceive with the best address, and 
 who stops at nothing to carry his point. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 " Minute of his Excellency, the Bey's observations to his 
 Majesty's Consul at Tunis, in his audience the 7th March, on his 
 demanding the restitution of the cargo, crew, and brig, Nostra Sig- 
 nora della Grazie, under Neapolitan colours, and a passport from 
 Admiral Lord Nelson, brought in here by one of the cruisers of this 
 State. 
 
 " His Excellency informed me that no power in amity with him, 
 could claim the right of giving passports for the vessels and sub- 
 jects of his enemies. Did I think that he could give a passport to the 
 enemies of Great Britain, and that it would be respected ? Were this 
 admissible, it would be in your power to put an end to my making 
 reprisals, for you have the same right to give such passports. Indeed 
 you are the only person I can know, who brought me a letter of 
 evidence from your King, and there is only the difFei'ence of title of 
 Agent or Ambassador. Why should I therefore pay more respect to 
 this passport signed by his Majesty's Ambassador to the King of 
 Naples and to the Admiral, than to yours ? (His Excellency shewed 
 me Consul Tough's passport, with Lord Nelson's approbation and 
 signature, which he conceived was Sir William Hamilton's.) That 
 if such passports could be given, he might leave off cruising against 
 them. 
 
 " That his Excellency had lately given a very strong proof of his 
 respect for English protections, by having restored upwards of an 
 hundred persons, brought in here by his cruisers. 
 
 " That if he had been applied to for passports for three or four 
 Neapolitan vessels for the service of his Britannic Majesty to carry 
 provisions to Malta, he would have granted them. It was right 
 that we should think of his interest, as well as our own. 
 
 "That in the present case of the brig loaded with provisions for 
 the EngMsh part of Malta, it appeared by the bills of lading, that 
 she was freighted and loaded by Neapolitans. It was a commercial 
 transaction seeking a profit, and the property of his enemies. I will 
 send the vessel if you choose it, to Malta, and sell it and her cargo, 
 that they may not be disappointed. 
 
 "That the armament that took these prizes, had cost him 40,000 
 piastres, and if they were all given up from having English pass- 
 ports, that expense must fall on him. *I have restored you eighteen 
 slaves and the sparanaro.' 
 
 " That when Admiral Waldegrave took the French ships at the
 
 4.92 APPENDIX. 
 
 Goleta, the French Envoy endeavoured, by every possible means, to 
 induce him to decLire war against England, made offers to a very 
 considerable amount,^ and also warlike stores of every sort, as well 
 as officers and men to assist him. That he resisted all this, though 
 we had violated the neutrality of his port. That he did not wish to 
 seek embroils. 
 
 " That we have brought a squadron of the ships of his enemy, 
 the Portuguese, into this sea, which had taken two of his cruisers. 
 It is true the Rais had been set at liberty, but instead of restoring 
 his subjects to him, they had been sent to Algiers, as if he was not 
 as worthy of this respect as the Prince to whom they were sent, and 
 whose subjects they were not. 
 
 " That a great deal of the property of his subjects had been taken 
 from them by our cruisers. That he had sent an Ambassador to 
 England to represent and claim this. That it had been promised to 
 be restored, and that the Consul would be instructed to settle this 
 business, but no farther notice was taken of it, and he conceived 
 that I never wrote to my Court to represent these matters. For- 
 merly there were not these difficulties, every thing went on well. 
 
 "That a vessel coming from Marseilles with his own flag, and the 
 property of his subjects had been taken by a privateer off Gibraltar, 
 and ordered by the Governor of that place to be restored above ten 
 months since. That this vessel neither appeared, though it was well 
 known that she was lying rotting near Leghorn. That I had often 
 informed him that I had written by every vessel that had gone from 
 hence since the month of July last, but they saw nothing yet of her 
 or their effects. ' You must not therefore be surprised if I follow 
 your slow example in complying with demands of justice and 
 redress.' 
 
 " The Bey desired me to acquaint Lord Nelson with all that he 
 had said, and request his Lordship to send some person to arrange 
 the business of the vessel detained here with his passport, in expec- 
 tation ef which he would suspend the sale of her cargo. 
 
 •'I followed the Bey through his discourse, and answered each 
 article. 
 
 " P. M." 
 "to lord nelson. 
 
 " Tunis, 9tli March. 
 
 " My Lord, 
 " Being at Bardo to-day, the Bey sent twice to me, to desire I 
 would wait till he retired to his private apartment, as he had 
 something of importance to communicate to your Lordship. 
 
 ' 400,000 Spanish dollars to his Excellency, and 50,000 to his Minister.
 
 APPENDIX. 493 
 
 " His Excellency informed me that he had received two couriers 
 from his agent at Tripoli to acquaint him, that a French corvette of 
 twenty guns had arrived there from Alexandria. That an officer had 
 landed, and had a private conference with the Basha, which was 
 supposed to be to induce him to open a communication by Derne 
 to Cairo. For my part, I conceive from other reports, that it is to 
 concert a retreat for Buonaparte to Tripoli, which could be rendered 
 practicable by the Basha only, and there is no doubt, I believe, of 
 his falling into the measure. The Bey is certainly apprehen- 
 sive of something, and it must be of some importance, to induce 
 him to go to his present expense. All his field artillery, which is 
 formidable for Barbary, is ready to take the field. He is also 
 forming a strong body of Militia, and what is extraordinary, gives 
 them pay, and the citizens even are ordered to prrctise daily firing 
 at a mark. 
 
 " As his Excellency is on very bad terms with the Basha of 
 Tripoli, and knows him to be treacherous enough to assist Buona- 
 parte's retreat, which is the only thing that can render such a 
 desperate measure practicable, I feel fully persuaded that this is 
 his present apprehension, and the cause of his preparations. 
 
 " Two French officers arrived there some time since by land from 
 Cairo, probably to prove the practicability of the passage of the 
 army ; but certainly to negociate something with the Basha. 
 
 " I beg your Lordship will examine the Corsicans who go to 
 Palermo, that proper notice may be taken of the manner in which 
 they have been treated under the character of British subjects." 
 
 "to lord nelson. 
 
 " Tunis, 16th March, 1/99. 
 " My Lord, 
 *' On being informed that the Bey had sent the supercargo, mas- 
 ter and crew of the brig to the public works without discrimination, 
 I went to Bardo, and requested the Bey would give me a private 
 audience when his public business was over. 
 
 " I informed his Excellency that I did not return to him on the 
 subject of the brig, as his Majesty's Consul, as I had already stated 
 every thing I could possibly say in my public character, and now 
 waited on him as a private individual desirous of preventing any 
 misunderstanding between two Powers, who for their common in- 
 terest ought to draw together in a cause that should naturally unite 
 them. I then asked his Excellency what he conceived would be
 
 494 APPENDIX. 
 
 the sentiments of his AlUes and of all those who should hear it, 
 that instead of assisting in that cause, he had taken a most ungene- 
 rous advantage, and stopped the food of the people who were 
 fighting for us. That whoever advised hira to the measure was 
 certainly an enemy to his honour. His Excellency heard me with 
 the greatest patience, and told me that I had placed the affair in a 
 new point of view to him. I requested him then to consider it, 
 and I would wait upon him the next day, and take his definitive 
 answer. His Excellency replied no — let your speranaro sail first, 
 send the news I have given you to the Admiral, and when she is 
 gone come to me. 
 
 " I should infer from this, that my conjectures have been founded, 
 and that his intention is to restore the vessel after the sailing of the 
 speranaro. But we may be deceived in this. The Bey and his Minister 
 are acting from different motives. His Excellency the dupe of the 
 artifice, that by stopping the vessel he will draw somebody from 
 your Lordship, in the hope of getting his grievances redressed, par- 
 ticularly a prize at Lungune, which has been decreed to be restored 
 to him a year since, and which J am really ashamed has not yet 
 appeai-ed. The Minister with the hope that by producing a mis- 
 understanding, the property may remain in his hands, as he is 
 unfortunately proprietor of the corsairs who took it, and a man of 
 the most inordinate avarice and inflexible obstinacy. 
 
 " It is unfortunate for our public affairs that his Excellency is so 
 much influenced by this person, ten thousand times his inferior in 
 understanding, particularly as he has a turn for never leading him 
 into a good action. We must excuse it here, as it often happens 
 among the civilized part of mankind, that sensible men are governed 
 by blockheads. When I can get his Excellency entirely to myself, 
 I am sure to carry my point, but his favourite watches me so close, 
 that he lets this happen as seldom as possible, and has been lately 
 endeavouring to produce a coolness between the Bey and me, of 
 which I have apprized his Excellency. When I found matters 
 taking an unfavourable turn, I endeavoured to reduce the evil as 
 much as I could, and requested the Bey to give up to me Padre 
 Greek, the bearer, his nephew, and another Maltese, which he com- 
 plied with. 
 
 " It is impossible that these people who sailed under the confidence 
 of your Lordship's passport, can be left in their cruel situation. 
 The bearer who has experienced but the mildest part of it before 
 they were sent to the works, will give you a description sufficiently 
 affecting to excite your interposition. A remonstrance from your 
 Lordship against this conduct, I should hope would effect their
 
 APPENDIX. 495 
 
 liberty and the surrender of tlieir property, and which should be 
 written in Italian. This step in my humble opinion should precede 
 all others. 
 
 " Their invariable system is to take every advantage they can, 
 insensible of the restraints of honour, justice or humanity, and it is 
 nothing but the strong arm of England that reaches so near them 
 at present, that renders them less frequent lately respecting our- 
 selves. Their friendship is fear, and though they hate us all, we 
 are at this moment their dearest friends. 
 
 " I am this instant informed of two feluccas with Captain Ball's 
 passports, having been met with by a corsair, one of which was run 
 down and the other brought in here. I shall have the honour to 
 inclose farther particulars of this. 
 
 " As I cannot pretend to judge what your Lordship's sentiments 
 aay be respecting an infidelity of this nature in his Majesty's Ally, 
 or what consideration you may annex to the Bey's services or use 
 now, or in the supply of provisions hereafter, I have thought it my 
 duty to apprize you first, what I conceive to be his views, and 
 secondly of the character you have to treat with ; and can only add, 
 as the business rests now entirely with your Lordship, that should 
 you conceive you have a right to carry matters to any length, should 
 his Excellency be obstinate in defence of the honour of your pass- 
 ports, that you will put me quite out of the question. Indeed my 
 escape from this country in case of a necessity that would excite 
 suspicion would be very difiicult, but I could easily manage that of 
 the rest of his Majesty's subjects here, and I should be exceedingly 
 mortified to be the smallest impediment to your asserting his Ma- 
 jesty's rights and honour. 
 
 " P. M." 
 
 " TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON. 
 
 "Tunis, 17th March, 1799. 
 " Dear Sir, 
 " I have the honour to acquaint you that a felucca with a Russian 
 and Turkish passport was despatched from Otranto to Corfu by the 
 inhabitants of Apulia, to testify their fidelity to their Sovereign, 
 and to request such succour as might enable them to defend that part 
 of his Sicilian Majesty's dominions. Don Gennaro della Gatta was 
 charged with this mission. Five Corsicans, pensionaries of Eng- 
 land, who were residing at Barletta when the troubles commenced 
 at Naples, took their passages in this vessel, w hich was met with 
 half a league distant from Corfu by a corsair and brought in here. 
 They have suflfered everything that you can imagine that could be
 
 496 APPENDIX. 
 
 inflicted by these remorseless robbers, and have lost all they had 
 with them, and even their persons stripped to nakedness. 
 
 "Not being able to obtain that redress that I had a right in my 
 duty to demand, for persons identified by passports as British sub- 
 jects, after long and unavailing application, I desisted from going 
 any more to the palace, and assigned this reason to the Minister for 
 thus withdrawing, and can only recommend them to you. Sir, as 
 men who have suffered much, and who are real objects of com- 
 miseration. As their pensions are under your direction, I have the 
 honour to inclose a note of the expense 1 have been at for them, 
 which was for necessaries barely sufficient for their voyage to Paler- 
 mo. Captain Colunna is from illness obliged to remain behind, and 
 requests you will have the goodness to order his salary to be paid 
 here. The rest of their unfortunate fellow- suflferers, particularly 
 Don Gennaro della Gatta, can be released only by being claimed by 
 his Sicilian Majesty from the granters of the passport, which the 
 Rais of the corsair according to custom has destroyed, and a certi- 
 ficate sent from them to the Bey. 
 
 "Candour, however, obliges me to say, vexed as I am, that the 
 Bey is exceedingly exasperated at this event, and has imprisoned 
 the Rais and crew of the corsair, and even bastinadoed some of 
 them to make them deliver up their plunder, but to no effect. This 
 shameful conduct towards peoplewhom they have restored to freedom 
 under the consideration of being British subjects, requires at least 
 a sharp reprimand and compulsion to pay their losses ; but I know 
 not enough of the situation of our affairs to judge whether it be a 
 moment for chastisement or temporising. 
 
 " M. Corbara, one of the Corsicans, will give you a very curious 
 account of his being obliged to pass malgre lui in Apulia, for the 
 Prince Royal of Sicily, and at the same time a proof of the enthu- 
 siastic attachment of the people of that country to their Sovereign. 
 
 " P. S. — 1 have the honour to inclose the notes of the losses of the 
 Corsicans. They have conducted themselves here with the greatest 
 patience and submission, and even reluctance to put Government to 
 any expense on their account. Their miserable pensions will cer- 
 tainly not be able to replace what they have lost, or bear the stop- 
 page of the expense I have been at for them. If you think. Sir, it 
 would be allowed by Government I will charge it, or probably the 
 charge might pass better from you, Sir ; otherwise I shall wilhngly 
 be at the expense myself from the wretchedness of their situation, 
 and the extreme modesty they have shewn, under trying distress, in 
 their application to me for relief. Their accounts that have been
 
 APPENDIX. 497 
 
 brought to me amount to 523 piastres, or about ^35 sterling, and 
 I believe there is still something more. 
 
 " The conclusive part of their memoir contains an account of M. 
 Corbara being taken for the Prince Royal. 
 
 " I have been requested to trouble you with the inclosed letters 
 for his Sicihan Majesty. How can I refuse it from the wretched 
 authors ? 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 " TO LORD NELSON. 
 
 "Tunis, 20th March, 1799. 
 " My Lord, 
 "I had the extreme mortification to hear two days since, not- 
 withstanding the promise that was made to me, to leave the vessel, 
 cargo and crew heretofore mentioneid, merely in arrest till your 
 Lordship's answer should arrive, that they have distributed some of 
 the captives, and destined one of them, a boy, as a present to Algiers. 
 I confess this looks very unlike their intention of restoi'ing them, and 
 I know not what to ascribe this sudden change of conduct to, if it be 
 not from the arrival of a courier from Algiers, the day before this 
 took place, as my letters to-day from thence inform me that the 
 Bey had refused to let us have any provisions from Minorca, unless 
 two prizes that were lately taken from his Jew subjects were restored. 
 Moreover, that a privateer of Gibraltar having put into Oran, and a 
 dispute ai'ising between some of the crew and the people of the coun- 
 try, a Moor was killed, in consequence of which the whole ship's com- 
 pany were seized and sent prisoners to Algiers, that Captain Hope 
 after a short conference with the Bey,- had carried off all the Eng- 
 lish vessels empty, and had gone to Lord St. Vincent. As there is 
 a constant intercourse and confederacy in conduct between the two 
 States, I should apprehend the Bey may be influenced by the let- 
 ters he has received from thence and may become more intractable. 
 Another event immediately succeeded this, which was an order to 
 stop all cruisers fi'om going out to sea, after his Excellency had 
 been at the expense of arming six of his largest. On hearing this [ 
 went to the palace to-day, to discover if possible the cause of this 
 change of conduct. The Minister informed me that affairs in this 
 sea seemed to be in such confusion, that the Bey had forbid any 
 more crusiers going out, till matters were explained and put upon a 
 footing that would present misunderstandings, that we in particular 
 should feel much inconvenience from this, as their small cruisers were 
 much more useful in intercepting the intercourse with Malta, than 
 
 VOL. I. 2 K
 
 496 APPENDIX. 
 
 our large ships could be, which are seen at a distance and more 
 easily shunned. That I might judge of their use by their already 
 having in their two months war above two hundred French slaves. 
 
 *• It did not require any great depth of penetration to understand 
 him, and I am convinced this is by no means the reason, but that a 
 principal motive is that they are alarmed at the intelligence they 
 have had from France of all the forces they can scrape together at 
 Toulon, being ready to come out to make a descent somewhere, and 
 also that seeing the temper of Algiers, and that the Bey has slack- 
 ened in his zeal in the war, even to letting all the French out of 
 confinement, his Excellency is shaping his conduct by him. 
 
 " As uniformity of conduct, is the last thing I should ever expect 
 here, I must naturally expect they will veer round again, and shall try 
 what can be done with their two passions (fear and interest), as 
 they have no more, and one of them so sensibly awakened, that the 
 other must turn them towards us, and if my health and spirits hold 
 out, I hope to be enabled to give your Lordship better accounts 
 soon, for I cannot bear the idea of letting them snap in my hand in 
 this manner, after getting them so well forward. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 "to lord nelson, 
 
 " Tunis, 23rd March, 1799. 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " I feel the liveliest sensations of gratitude, from the honour of 
 your Lordship's letter of the 1 .5th iust. and learning therefrom that 
 my family is under your protection : my mind is now at ease, and I 
 shall resist better the harassing life I lead in reasoning with mules. 
 I must get these people well hooked before I can trust my family 
 here. Every body thought the other day by his Minister's conduct 
 respecting the prizes with your Lordship's passports, that the Bey 
 would be drawn into a rupture ; and I do believe such an event 
 would produce a revolution in his country. 
 
 " I am also highly obliged by your Lordship's handsome expres- 
 sions respecting my humble efforts, to be as useful as I can in the 
 King's service, and for the political communications you have 
 honoured me with. By the opening an intercourse with us, my arm 
 is strengthened, and I hope I shall get on well, if these people can 
 be turned to any use. 
 
 " By my preceding letters your Lordship will be informed of the 
 situation of affairs on the arrival of L'Entreprenant, and her arrival 
 had nearly brought matters to a serious misunderstanding. 
 
 " Half an hour after her appearance in the bay, I set oflf for the
 
 APPENDIX. 499 
 
 Goletta, in order to prevent her falling into quarantine, if it were 
 desirable. I found Lieutenant Sweney bad been at the castle with 
 your Lordship's dispatches, and was refused leave by the Aga to 
 proceed to Tunis. On my arrival there, the Aga also informed me 
 that I could not go off to the cutter. I consequently sent a person 
 to Lieutenant Sweney to desire him to withdraw. He acted with 
 the greatest judgment, by throwing an officer on shore with your 
 Lordship's packet, made sail at night and lay under Zirabra till the 
 next day. 
 
 '' Just as I had set out from the Goletta, a messenger arrived 
 from the Bey, with orders for the boat to be permitted to pass, and 
 salute the Commander if he landed : but I persevered in not going 
 off after the insult of being stopped, and returned to Tunis. In 
 the morning I sent my dragoman to the palace, and he found the 
 Court in the utmost consternation at this measure. 
 
 " I had informed them repeatedly some time since on my being 
 stopped at the Goletta, that if it ever happened again, 1 should pur- 
 sue the conduct which I have now executed. It was a trial betwixt 
 his Excellency and me. On his part to make me demand a passport 
 whenever I chose to go off to the bay, that he might be apprized of 
 my motions ; and on mine a determination coute qici coute not to 
 submit to this disgraceful innovation, though I know that I landed 
 a prisoner in this country till their claims on England are satisfied. 
 
 " I left his Excellency in the consternation that I was informed 
 he was in till near 12 o'clock the next day, when I waited on 
 him and remained two hours, carried all my points, and came off 
 victorious, and have now established such regulations that not a mo- 
 ment's further impediment can happen to the service, and it is a par- 
 ticular satisfaction to me that by all this business, not the least 
 time whatever has been lost, for had I got off to the cutter, I could 
 not have reached Tunis till the next morning, or the Bey, till the 
 hour I was with his Excellency. 
 
 " Whenever your Lordship in future may have occasion to send 
 any ship here, that is not to be exposed to quarantine, a letter may 
 be thrown on shore for me, and the Aga of the Goletta, has orders to 
 forward it by a fleet horse immediately, and I will either go myself 
 or send my messenger to receive your Lordship's commands. If the 
 ship may be subjected to quarantine, orders are given to the Aga to 
 allow an officer to pass the instant she anchors, without waiting for 
 the Bey's permission, and if I go down myself to go off, no further 
 impediment can happen. My quarrel and measures have produced 
 these regulations, so well calculated to expedite the service in future. 
 
 "On the arrival of any of your Lordship's squadron, if a jack be
 
 500 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 hoisted at the main-top, and a gun fired, I will answer it with a 
 red ensign, as the most conspicuous from my flag-staff, and which 
 may be seen from the bay. Two guns if the vessel be not to be 
 put in quarantine, will enable me to take the necessary precautions. 
 I submit this to your Lordship, merely for the first occasion that 
 you may have to send here, after which I shall be obedient to such 
 regulations as you may be pleased to honour me with. To prevent 
 delay when I have finished my business with the Bey, I have trou- 
 bled your Lordship with these little details, though necessary to 
 report to you. 
 
 " The morning after the arrival of the cutter, I delivered into 
 his Excellency's hands your Lordship's letter. He made me trans- 
 late it to him, was much pleased and very gracious. When we had 
 gone through all the news I asked his Excellency how soon I could 
 be honoured with his answer. He replied that it was an object of 
 importance, in which his interest was greatly involved, and which 
 required mature consideration, that in the way that I knew his 
 time was filled up with indispensable duties, he could not give it in 
 less than two days. I sent again to-day, represented the necessity 
 in time of war of accelerating the service, and proposed a conference 
 with himself and his most trusty counsellors. His Excellency has 
 appointed Monday morning, and I have made notes of the heads of a 
 discourse to his Excellency, and if I do not deceive myself by over 
 sanguineness, I hope he will be induced to comply with your prin- 
 cipal proposition, but under terms that may at present I fear be 
 extravagant to a preclusion, or the secondary as a mark of good 
 will and disposition of compliance with your Lordship's wishes. 
 
 "P. M." 
 
 Lord Nelson wrote from Palermo to Perkins Magra, Esq. April 
 14th, 1/99, stating that matters were in a train for restoring a 
 peace or a truce during the war, so that neither himself nor the 
 Bey should be covering enemy's property. He inveighs against 
 the cruelty of taking provisions sent by Sicily to succour the Mal- 
 tese, and desires the Consul to exert his ability on this point. His 
 Lordship also on the Slst of May wishes that he was Commander- 
 in-chief for one day in the Mediterranean, that he might represent 
 the high opinion he entertained of Major Magra's proper and manly 
 conduct with the Bey of Tunis, and distinctly states that the 
 passports he had granted were not to cover merchants or vessels of 
 war from any attack of the Bey's cruisers, but had been given with 
 a solemn assurance, that the vessel was bona fide carrying pro- 
 visions and dispatches for the support of those who were fighting
 
 APPENDIX. 501 
 
 the enemies of bis Highness as well as those of the King- of Eng- 
 land and his Sicilian Majesty. His conduct he declares to have 
 been firm, open, and generous. He offers to be instrumental in 
 making a fair and honourable truce with liis Highness and Portugal, 
 and insists upon his passports being respected ; he gives this his 
 determination as that of a British Admiral, and concludes by assur- 
 ing the Consul that his Highness has been advised by him to think 
 right, and to hate the French. 
 
 On the 2nd of June, Lord Nelson wrote to the Bey of Tunis to 
 the same effect.' 
 
 ' Dispatches and Letters of Lord Nelson, Vol. iii. pp. 328, 369, 371, 382. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 G. N.IHMAN, PRINTtU, MAIDEN LANE, COVENT GARDEN.
 
 LIBRARY OF 
 ^ AUSTRALIAN TRAVELS, &.c. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY T. AND W. BOONE, 
 
 29, NEW BOND STREET. 
 
 Now ready, in 2 vols. 8vo. with numerous Plates, some coloured, 
 
 NARRATIVE OF AN EXPEDITION 
 
 INTO 
 
 CENTRAI. AUSTRAI.IA, 
 
 BY ORDER OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT, 
 
 During the Years 1844, 5, 6, 
 
 IVith Notices of the Colony of South Australia. 
 
 BY CAPTAIN CHARLES STURT, 
 
 Late 39th Regt. 
 
 Colonial Treasurer, and 
 
 Author op "Two Expeditions into Southern Australia." 
 
 The character of the far interior of Australia had long been a most interesiting 
 geographical problem, many imagining the centre to be occupied by a large inland 
 sea, others conjecturing that it was an arid desert, which opinion was further 
 strengthened by Mr. Eyre's unsuccessful endeavour to penetrate higher than the 29th 
 degree of latitude in his expedition during the years 1840 and 1. Captain Sturt, so 
 appropriately denominated the " Father of Australian Discovery," in consequence of 
 being the first traveller to explore the rivers Murray, Murrumbidgee, Bogan, and 
 Castlereagh, volunteered to conduct a party into the interior to determine this impor- 
 tant question. With the approbation of Lord Stanley, the Colonial Minister, he 
 accordingly started in the year 1844, and, after a series of unparalleled privations, 
 succeeded in reaching the centre of the Continent in a line direct north of Adelaide. 
 The journal of this perilous Expedition gives an account of the remarkable Stony 
 Desert, the bed of Lake Torrens, descriptions of the Natives and their villages, and 
 the discovery of several small rivers, &c. ; added to which, his observations and col- 
 lections on the Natural History have since been arranged by R. Brown, Esq. and 
 J. Gould, Esq. in the form of an Appendix. 
 
 " The details of this romantic and perilous Expedition are replete with interest. 
 From the numerous and lengthened expeditions he has undertaken, and the general 
 intelligence and scientific skill he brings to bear upon the question, we know of no 
 recent traveller in Australia whose opinions are entitled to more weight. — The portion 
 of the work which refers to the Colony of South Australia is particularly valuable to 
 intending emigrants." — Morning Herald.
 
 2 Published by T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. 
 
 JOURNALS OF EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY 
 
 IN 
 
 NORTH-'WISST AHB "W^STEKN iLUSTRAIiIA, 
 
 DURING THE YEARS 1837, 1838, and 1839, 
 
 Under the Authority of her Majesty's Government. 
 
 With Observations on the Agricultural and Commercial Capabilities and Prospects 
 of several newly-explored fertile Regions, including 
 
 AUSTRALIND, 
 
 and on the Moral and Physical Condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. ^c. 
 By GEORGE GREY, Esa., late Captain 83rd Regt. 
 
 FORMERLY GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, NOW GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 With Two large Maps by J. Arrowsmith, and numerous Illustrations, 
 some coloured, in 2 vols. 8t;o. 
 
 " It is not with the slightest hope of satisfying curiosity, or to anticipate the interest 
 which the public in general, and geographers especially, always feel in enterprises of 
 this nature, but merely to give such a sketch of the principal features of the expedition 
 as may serve to direct those who are desirous of obtaining information respecting a 
 portion of this remarkable country — hitherto only visited by Tasman, Dampier, Baudin, 
 and King, and never before, we believe, penetrated by an European — to look forward 
 to the detailed journals of tlie spirited officers who had the conduct of the expedition." 
 
 From Geographical Transactions. 
 
 A great portion of the country described in this Journal has never before been visited 
 by any European. The Eastern coast of Short's Bay was for the first time seen and 
 explored during the progress of these expeditions. 
 
 " We have rarely seen a more interesting book ; it is full of splendid description and 
 startling personal adventure; written in a plain, manly, unafiected style." — Examiner. 
 
 " It is impossible to have perused these highly interesting and important volumes 
 without being inspired with feelings of warm admiration for the indomitable perseve- 
 rance and heroical self-devotion of their gallant and enterprising author. Setting 
 aside the vastly important results of Captain Grey's several expeditions, it is hardly 
 possible to conceive narratives of more stirring interest than those of which his volumes 
 are for the most part composed." — United Service Gazette. 
 
 " We have not read such a work of I'ravels for many years ; it unites the interest of 
 a romance with the permanent qualities of an historical and scientific treatise." — Atlas. 
 
 " We recommend our readers to the volumes of Captain Grey, assuring them they 
 will derive both amusement and instruction from the perusal." — Times. 
 
 " This is a work deserving high praise. As a book of Travels it is one of the most 
 interesting we remember to have met with." — Westminster Review. 
 
 " A book which should be in every lending library and book-club." 
 
 Englishman's Magazine. 
 " The contents of these interesting volumes will richly repay an attentive perusal." 
 
 Emigration Gazette. 
 "These narratives are replete with interest, and blend information and amusement 
 in a very happy manner.'" — Australian Magazine.
 
 Published by T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. 3 
 
 Just published, in 1 vol. Svo. with Plates and Woodcuts, 
 
 JOURNAL 
 
 OF AN 
 
 OVEIII.ANB EXFEDITIOIV IN AUSTRAI.IA, 
 
 FROM 
 
 IVIORETON "BATZ TO FORT ESSINGTON, 
 
 A distance of upwards of 3000 miles. 
 
 BY DR. LUDWIG LEICHHARDT. 
 
 N.B. A large 3 sheet Map of the Route by J. Arrowsmith is published, and to be 
 had separately in a Case, price 9^. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 " A work of unquestionable merit and utility, and its author's name will justly stand 
 high upon the honourable list of able and enterprising men, whose courage, perseve- 
 rance, and literary abilities have contributed so largely to our knowledge of the 
 geography and productions of our distant southern colonies." — Slackwood's Mag. 
 
 " For the courage with which this lengthened and perilous journey was undertaken, 
 the skill with which it was directed, and the perseverance witli which it was performed, 
 it is almost unrivalled in the annals of exploring enterprise. It richly deserves 
 attention." — Britannia. 
 
 " The narrative in which he relates the results of this remarkable journey, and the 
 extraordinary fatigues and privations endured by himself and his fellow travellers, is 
 not merely valuable for its facts, but full of absorbing interest as a journal of perilous 
 adventures." — Atlas. 
 
 '' The volume before us comprises the narrative of one of the most remarkable 
 enterprises ever planned by man's sagacity and executed by man's courage and 
 endurance. To our minds there is in every point of view an inexpressible charm in 
 such a book as this. It not merely narrates to us the opening of a new material world 
 for human enterprise and scientific investigation, but it makes more clearly known to 
 us the wondrous powers and capacities of human nature. We recommend it to our 
 readers as a work scarcely less remarkable for the extraordinary enterprise recorded in 
 it, than for the simplicity and modesty with which it is related." — Morning Herald. 
 
 " The result of his enterprise was thoroughly successful. It has added not a little 
 to our existing stock of knowledge in the various departments of natural history, and 
 has made discovery in districts before untrodden, of an almost boundless extent of fertile 
 country." — Examiner, 
 
 " The most striking feature in theexpedition is its successful accomplishment, which 
 is of itself sufficient to place Dr. L. in the first rank of travellers. How much Dr. L. 
 has added to geographical discovery can only be felt by an examination of the admirable 
 maps which accompany the volume. Tiiese have been deduced on a large scale from 
 the traveller's sketches by Mr. Arrowsmith, and engraved with a distinctness of execu* 
 tion, and a brief fulness of descriptive remark which leave nothing to be desired.'' 
 
 Spectator.
 
 4 Published by T. & W. Boone, 29, Nerc Bond Street. 
 
 Lately published, in 2 vols. 8ro. cloth, with 8 Maps and Charts, and 57 Illustrations. 
 
 BV COMMAND OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY. 
 
 BISCOVEXIIES IN iLUSXRAI.IiL 
 
 OF THE 
 
 VICTORIA, ADELAIDE, ALBERT, AND FITZROY RIVERS, 
 
 AND EXPEDITIONS INTO THE INTERIOR; 
 
 DURING THE 
 
 VOYAGE OF H.M. S. BEAGLE, 
 
 BETWEEN THE YEARS 1837 AND 1843 : ALSO 
 
 A NARRATIVE OF THE VISITS OF H.M.S. BRITOMART, 
 
 COMMANDER OWEN STANLEY, R.N., F.R.S. 
 
 TO THE ISLANDS IN THE ARAFURA SEA. 
 
 BY CAPT. J. LORT STOKES, R.N. 
 
 " The whole narrative is so captivating, that we expect to find the work as much in 
 demand at circulating libraries as at institutions of graver pretensions." — Colon. Gaz. 
 
 " We have to thank Capt. Stokes for a most valuable work, one that will place his 
 name by the side of Vancouver, Tasman, Dampier, and Cook." — Neiu Quar. Revieio. 
 
 " The science of Navigation owes a deep debt to Captain Stokes. The information 
 contained in tlie present volumes must render them an invaluable companion to any 
 ship performing a voyage to that partol'the world." — Foreign Quarterly Ri^view. 
 
 '' Every part of it is full of matter, both for the general and scientific reader. With 
 the acts of tlirowing the lead, taking angles, &c. lively anecdotes and pleasing ideas 
 are constantly associated, so that we very much doubt whetlier any reader will lay 
 aside the book, large as it is, witiiout regret. In some parts you have all the breath- 
 less excitement of a voyage 'jf discovery, and sail up new rivers, and explore new 
 lands, while elsewhere your thoughts are directed to the tracks of commerce and 
 political speculation. Altogether tlie work is a charming specimen of nautical litera- 
 ture, written in a pure, flexible, terse, and elegant style, and bespeaks everywhere in the 
 author a mind endued with very high moral and intellectual qualities." — Eraser's Mag. 
 
 " Wliile these volumes must prove of great value to the maritime profession, to the 
 geographer, and to emigrants, they cannot fail to be perused with interest by readers 
 in general." — Athenceum, 
 
 " We cannot, in noticing these two ably written and interesting volumes, insist too 
 strongly upon their importance alike to the mariner, the geographer, and the general 
 reader. The author is a man of considerable merit, a shrewd observer of men and 
 things, and who was fitted by nature and inclination to conduct these I'esearches into 
 the vast unknown continent whither he proceeded with enterprise and spirit. These 
 volumes contain a fund of interesting matter, and we warmly recommend this valua- 
 ble addition to our literary and scientilic stores to the attention of the public." 
 
 Sentinel. 
 
 " The contents of these volumes, rich, varied and full of interest, will be their best 
 recommendation. For scientific accuracy, they will be highly valued by the geographer 
 and navigator, while they will be read fur mere amusement by the public at large." 
 
 Sunday Times.
 
 Published by T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. 
 
 THE EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO. 
 
 By Permission of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
 Now ready, in 2 vols. 8vo. with niiinerous Maps, Plates, and Woodcuts, 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SURVIVING VOVAGE OF H.WI.S. FI.V, 
 
 UNDER THE COMMAND OF 
 
 CAPTAIN BLACKWOOD, R.N. 
 IN TORRES STRAIT, NEW GUINEA, AND OTHER ISLANDS 
 
 IN THE EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO ; 
 
 TOGETHER 
 
 WITH AN EXCURSION INTO THE INTERIOR 
 
 OF THE 
 
 EASTERN PART OE THE ISLAND OF JAVA, 
 
 DURING THE YEARS 1842 TO 1846. 
 
 BY J. BEETE JUKES, M. A. 
 
 NATURALIST TO THE EXPEDITION. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 " We must congratulate Mr. Jukes on the value of his publication. Scientific 
 without being abstruse, and picturesque without being extravagant, he has made bis 
 volumes a striliing and graceful addition to our knowledge of countries highly interest- 
 ing in themselves, and assuming hourly importance in the eyes of the people of 
 England. " — Blackieood' s Magazine. 
 
 " To transcribe the title-page of this book is sufficient to attract public curiosity 
 towards it — to peruse tlie book itself is to be rewarded with the knowledge of a mass 
 of information in which complete confidence can be reposed, for, from the first page 
 to the last, it is apparent that the main object with Mr. Jukes is to tell all that he 
 knows and believes to be true, rather thau to win favour from his readers by his 
 manner of telling it. Tliere is not a pretty phrase, an exaggeration, nor an invention 
 in the two volumes of Mr. Jukes ; all is plain unadorned fact, and because it is so, is 
 deserving, not merely of perusal, but of study. Such are the recommendations of Mr. 
 Jukes' pages to the public, and all who desire to see truth united with novelty will 
 peruse them." — Morning Herald- 
 
 " Mr. Jukes has been most judicious in his selection of topics whereon to 
 dwell in his narrative, and he describes with great vivacity and picturesque power. 
 There is much novelty and freshness in his book, and much valuable inlbrmation." 
 
 Daily Neics. 
 " There are very few pages in the work which are not readable and entertaining." 
 
 Morning Post. 
 " Captain Blackwood having waived his right of authorship, the narrative of the 
 voyage has been undertaken by Mr. Jukes, favourably known by an agreeable and 
 informing book on Newfoundland, nor will the present work detract from his reputa- 
 tion. The narrative is well planned, pleasantly written, and full of matter." 
 
 Spectator. 
 '' A great deal was seen, and Geography, Topography, Geology, Natural History, 
 Ethnology, Philology, and Commerce may all be benefited by the work before us." 
 
 Literary Gazette. 
 " Mr. Jukes has performed his portion of the work with great ability, sparing no 
 pains in the working up of his abundant material, so as to make it a book of science, 
 as well as a book of amusement." — Critic. 
 
 " Although a professed man of science, he has described what he saw in a lucid and 
 untechnical manner, so that his work will be found interesting to the ordinary 
 reader, while it is equally valuable to the scientific. The amount of information con- 
 veyed is very great." — Midland Herald.
 
 6 Published by T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. 
 
 In 2 vols. 8vo. with Maps and numerous Plates, 
 
 JOURNALS OF EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY 
 
 INTO 
 
 CX:NTRA.I. AUSTRAI.IA, 
 
 ANB 
 
 OVERLAND FROM ADELAIDE TO KING GEORGE'S SOUND, 
 
 In the Years 1840-1; 
 
 Sent hy the Colonists of South Australia, 
 
 WITH THE SANCTION AND SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT: 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Aborigines, and the state 
 of their relations ^rith Europeans. 
 
 BY EDWARD JOHN EYRE, 
 
 HESIDENT MAGISTRATE, MtTRRAY RIVER, NOW LIEUT.-GOVERNOR OF NEW BEALAND. 
 
 *^* The Founder's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society was awarded 
 to Mr. Eyre for the discovery of Lake Torrens, and explorations of far greater 
 extent in Australia than any other traveller, a large portion never having been 
 previously traversed hy civilized man. 
 
 '' His narrative of what he did and overcame, is more like the stirring stories of 
 Park and Bruce than the tame and bookish diffuseness of modern travellers. 
 Nothing short of a perusal of the volumes can enable our readers to appreciate this 
 book." — Spectator. 
 
 " We might easily extract much more from Mr. Eyre's volumes of interest to the 
 
 reader, but our limits circumscribe us. We therefore bid farewell to them, with the 
 
 recommendation to the public, not to overlook a work which, though it records 
 
 the failure of a great enterprize, is yet full of matter, which proclaims it of value." 
 
 Atlas. 
 
 " Mr. Eyre writes with the plain unaffected earnestness of the best of the old 
 
 travellers." — Examiner. 
 
 " An intensely interesting book." — Tablet. 
 
 " We must now close these interesting volumes, not, however, without expressing 
 our high approval both of the matter they contain, and of the manner of their com- 
 pilation. We rise from the perusal of them with a feeling similar to that which 
 follows the enjoyment of a pleasant work of fiction," — Critic.
 
 Published by T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. 
 
 In 1 vol. 8vo. cloth, with large Map by Arrowsmith, and numerous Illustrations, 
 
 SOUTH iLUSTRAI.IA AND ITS MINES, 
 
 With an Historical Sketch of the Colony, under its several Adminis- 
 trations, to the Period of Captain Grey's Departure. 
 
 By FRANCIS DUTTON. 
 
 " The best work which has yet issued from the press, descriptive of the resources 
 and management of this thriving colony." — Mining Journal. 
 
 " We have here a well-timed book. South Australia and its Mines are now objects 
 of great interest ; and Mr. Button's plain, unadorned recital, contains just what the 
 intending emigrant, or the mercantile inquirer, will rejoice at having placed within 
 his reach." — Colonial Gazette. 
 
 COI.ONIZATION; 
 
 PARTICULARLY IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA, 
 
 With some Remarks on Small Farms and Over Population. 
 
 By MAJOR-GENERAL SIR CHARLES JAMES NAPIER, K.C.B. 
 
 Author of" The Colonies ; particularly the Ionian Islands " 
 
 In 1 vol. 8vo. price 7s. boards. 
 
 " We earnestly recommend the book to all who feel an interest in the welfare of the 
 people." — Sun. 
 
 In ] vol. post Bvo. price 5s. 6d. 
 
 HINTS FOR AUSTRAI.IAN ElVIIGRANTS, 
 
 ■WITH 
 
 ENGRAVINGS AND EXPLANATORY DESCRIPTIONS 
 OF THE WATER RAISING WHEELS, 
 
 AND MODES OF IRRIGATING LAND IN SYRIA, EGYPT, SOUTH AMERICA, ETC. 
 
 BY PETER CUNNINGHAM, 
 
 SURGEON, R.N. 
 
 Author of '' Two Years in Neio South Wales," Sfc. 
 
 " The mere name of Mr. Cunningham affords an ample guarantee for the value of 
 any work to which it may be prefixed; and, " to all whom it may concern," we can 
 confidently recommend this remarkably neat little volume as replete with practical 
 information. Its numerous illustrative engravings in wood are executed in a very 
 superior style." — Naval and Military Gazette, October 23rd, 1841.
 
 8 Published by T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. 
 
 In 1 vol. 8vo. Map and Plates, cloth, price 125. 
 
 AUSTRAI.IiL, 
 
 FROM PORT MACQUARIE TO MORETON BAY, 
 
 TVITH 
 
 Descriptions of the Natives, their Manners and Customs, the Geology^ 
 
 Natural Productions, Fertility, and Resources of that Region. 
 
 First explored and surveyed by order of the Colonial Goyemment. 
 
 BY CLEMENT HODGKINSON. 
 
 " The work before our consideration contains certain details connected with the 
 portion of Australia, described in it, which will prove of first-rate importance to the 
 colonist and emigrant, since they are evidently derived from practical experience. 
 Throughout this unpretending little work we trace great honesty of purpose, and a 
 disposition to state no more than the bare facts as they presented themselves." 
 
 New Quarterly Review. 
 
 Just published, in 2 vols. 8i'o. with a large Map, 
 
 AN HISTORICAL, 
 POLITICAL AND STATISTICAL ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
 
 By CHARLES PRIDHAM, Esq. 
 
 AUTHOR OP 
 " THE MAUKITIUS AND ITS DEPENDENCIES." 

 
 DATE DUE 
 
 f , c '' 
 
 H. ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 |DA87, 1 N4P5 1849. v-l 
 iPettigrew, Thomas Joseph, 
 
 179 1-1865. 
 Memoirs of the life of Vice 
 
 Admiral Lord Viscount 
 
 NIVERSITY OF CA , RIVERSIDE LIBRARY 
 
 1SITY OF CA 
 
 llllllll 
 
 3 1210 01058 7838
 
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