LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNi; RIVERSIDE A /p ti A HISTOEY OF MALTA HISTORY OF MALTA DUKING THE PERIOD OF THE FRENCH AND BRITISH OCCUPATIONS, 1798—1815 BY THE LATE WILLIAM HARDMAN OF VALETTA EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY J. HOLLAND ROSE, Litt.D. (Cantab. LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO, 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA 1909 All rights reserved 143 PREFATORY NOTE BY THE LATE MR. HARDMAN This work makes no pretension to be anything more than a collection of English and foreign documents referring to events in the history of Malta which occurred during the years from 1792 to 1815. These documents, if presented in their entirety and without commentj unless Avhen absolutely necessary, will serve to remove misunderstandings, and will allow the student of history to form a correct appreciation of the action of Great Britain with regard to Malta during the memorable years 1798-1815 ; for they describe in a concrete form, not only the circumstances which led to the attack and capture of the Islands by the French Republic, but also the subsequent naval and military operations of the British and Maltese forces, aided by the Portuguese and Neapolitan allies, which resulted in Great Britain obtaining and securing the possession of Malta and its dependencies. Contemporary official documents, and other sources of information, having of late years become accessible to the public, both in London and Paris, they have materially aided the effort to elucidate certain controversial points, more particularly with reference to the capture of Valetta and the Three Cities from the French garrison. Owing to the want of such official information in the past authors have in many instances wandered from the truth. They have given their opinions or conjectures as history, influenced or biassed according to their nationality. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE Introduction ......... ix I. The Social Condition of the Maltese People at the Close op the Eighteenth Century .... 1 II. Bonaparte's Plan of Seizing Malta (1797) ... 7 III. Poussielgue's Report on his Mission to Malta . . 19 IV. The Preparations in France for the Expedition to Malta and Egypt 29 V. The Departure op the French Expedition and Arrival OFF Malta 32 VI. The British Preparations for the Conflict ... 35 VII. Attack and Capture of Malta by the French . . 44 VIII. The French Government op Malta .... 74 IX. The Intervention op the British Fleet . . . 107 X. The British Blockade — ms ...... 125 XI. The British Blockade — 1799 ...... 161 XII. The British Blockade — 1799 ...... 202 XIII. The British Blockade — 1799-1800 ..... 242 XIV. The British Blockade — isoo ...... 276 XV. The British Blockade up to the Capitulation of Valetta 307 XVI. Correspondence (from N'ovember isoo to July isoi) . . 336 XVII. Russia's Connexion with the Order of St. John . . 361 XVIII. The Preliminary Treaty of Peace between England AND France ........ 396 XIX. The Mission op the Maltese Deputies to England . 405 Vlll CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE XX. The Treaty op Amiens ....... 432 XXI. Discussions and Correspondence relating to Malta . 440 XXII. Discussions and Correspondence relating to Malta . 474 XXIII. The British Administration of Malta up to the soth May 1814 494 XXIV. A Retrospect and Comparison 535 APPENDICES I. The Financial Condition op the Order op St. John AND THE BeVENUE OF THE ISLANDS IN 1798 . . . 547 II. Report on the Revenue of Malta, with some Observa- tions ......... 550 III. General Vaubois' ' Journal op the Siege of Malta ' (Parts I— IV) 556 IV. Note by the late Mr. Hardman on Maltese Histories . 643 Index . 649 ILLUSTRATIONS Malta and Gozo (i803) VaLETTA (1803) Frontispiece To face p. 1 INTRODUCTION The late Mr. William Hardmaiij of Valetta, with most praiseworthy- zeal and assiduity collected the following series of documents relating to the fortunes of the island with which he had so long been asso- ciated. He also connected them by an explanatory narrative. Death supervened before he could entirely prepare them for the Press ; and his executors applied to the present editor to revise the whole of the MS., and add to it an Introduction and footnotes. The editor has felt it to be his duty to keep the narrative and general arrangement of the work, so far as Avas possible, in the state in which Mr. Hardman left it. At the same time he was empowered by the executors, in accordance with instructions left by the deceased, to curtail or amend the MS. where it was found necessary to do so. He has felt it necessary to restrict the narrative and documents at several points, especially where they covered ground that had already been traversed in other works, such as the 'Nelson Dispatches,' M. de la Jonquiere's '^Expedition d'Egypte,' the ' Paget Papers ' (in part), &c. But even in those cases he has retained enough of the MS. to form the continuous and ample description which Mr. Hardman desired to give to the world. The history of Malta in the eventful 3'ears 1798-1803 is of so much interest and importance in the career of Napoleon, and in the development of the British Empire, that it seems in every way de- sirable to present a detailed picture of the incidents which centred in the siege of Valetta, and in the diplomatic campaign of the years 1802-3, which resulted in the greatest war that Europe has ever known. Students of naval history will also be grateful to Mr. Hardman for throwing fuller light on the careers of Nelson and of his doughty lieutenants, Troubridge and Ball. The figures of Sir Charles Stuart, General Sir Thomas Graham (Lord Lynedoch), and others, also come out in sharper outline than before ; and the staunch- ness of the French defenders of Valetta, especially of General Vaubois and Rear-Admiral Villeneuve, has never been so clearly set forth. Finally, the questions connected with the fall of the Order of St. h 2 X A HISTORY OF MALTA John, the designs of the Czar Paul I on Malta, the fluctuating policy of Great Britain, and the censure which the Maltese have never ceased to bestow on her for her method of acquisition of the island, lend to the mass of documents here published an interest which ought to carry- many readers to the end of what is a complex but interesting story. At some points these documents do not give the wider light which is necessary for the full illumination of the Maltese question. The editor, therefore, seeks in this Introduction to present other aspects of it which are needful for a complete understanding of the issues that are involved. The fate of Malta depended, not on the Maltese, not on the Knights of St. John, but on the mighty forces that were set in motion by the will of Bonaparte, and were thwarted ultimately by the mistress of the seas. It will be well, then, to supplement the information given in the early chapters of this work by the following sketch of the salient points in the Oriental policy of Bonaparte. II In the course of the Italian campaign of 1797 the young con- queror struck southwards into the Papal States and occupied Ancona. There he gazed over the waters of the Adriatic, and pondered on the possibilities which might accrue from the possession of that excellent harbour. ' Ancona ' (so he wrote to the Directory at Paris, on February 10, 1797) 'is the only good port on the Adriatic on this side of Venice. It is, in all points of view, very essential for our dealings with Constantinople. Macedonia is only twenty-four hours from here.'^ In these sentences we have a sign of those plans which ripened into the Egyptian expedition of the following year. The eastward trend of the young warrior^s thoughts had always been strong* ever since the days when he conversed with the savant, Volney, author of ' Les Euines ' ; and now the fortune of war brought these glowing visions of Eastern conquest almost within the sphere of actualit3^ For along with that same letter he was able to forward to the Directory dispatches which had been taken from a Russian envoy passing through Ancona, addressed to the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St. John at Malta. He added that, if sent to the French ambassador at Constantinople, they might prove to be of great service.- The weakness of the Turkish Empire, and the desire of the new Czar, Paul I, to cultivate close relations with the Knights of St. John, were facts already known to the diplomatic world. And the strange chance which called the attention of Bonaparte to the importance of Malta, at the very time when he was meditating on ' Correspondance de Napoleon I, vol. ii. p. 318. ^ Ibid. For Bonaparte's description of this treaty, see the details given in chap, viii of this volume, taken from Carres, de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. le-i. INTRODUCTION xi the weakness of Turkey, probably led liim to focus his plans more clearly, and to suggest to him as their basis the island of Malta. Certain it is that from this time he thought more and more about the Orient, and therefore about Malta. (See Chapter II for details.) He bent his energies to the task of ending the campaign against Austria, and on terms not utterly repugnant to her, provided that France gained the Venetian fleet and the Ionian Isles (Corfu, Zante, &c.). His insistence on the latter condition was very marked during the long negotiations which preceded the Peace of Campo Formio (October 17, 1797). In the highly suggestive letter which, on the following day, he wrote to Talleyrand, Minister for Foreign Affairs under the French Directory, he laid stress on the importance of those islands for France, and on the need of having peace on the Continent in order to wage war more eif ectually against England. ' Let us concentrate all our activity on our navy, and destroy England. That done, Europe is at our feet.^^ Corfu, then, was a pawn in the great game which was to end in the destruction of ' the modern Carthage.' Malta was another pawn. It is the fate of points of vantage like these — and to them we may add Copenhagen, Gibraltar, Egypt, and Panama — to be bandied about in strifes in which they have no concern. If the Power that holds the key of a sea be strong, it can impose a toll on all who pass by. If it be weak, it falls a prey to stronger States which struggle for the mastery of that sea. The story, set forth in detail in this volume, centres, not in the interests of the Maltese, but in the world- policy of Bonaparte and Great Britain. That cyclone of colonial strife, far vaster than that of the age of Louis XIV, trended towards Calcutta ; but its starting-point was Valetta. Bonaparte soon came to see the essential importance of Malta, as the documents printed in this volume amply prove. Corfu sank to a secondary place in his thoughts ; and the mission of Poussielgue to Malta at the close of 1797 shows the forethought of the great commander in using beforehand all possible means for weakening the defence of the Knights of St. John. The official account of that mission here given amplifies our knowledge of the secret negotiations conducted by Poussielgue at Valetta which facilitated the French conquest in June 1798; and it must enhance our admiration of the manner in which Bonaparte put in practice the old adage : Divide et impera. Ill The policy of Great Britain, on the other hand, was tentative and halting. Perhaps this lay in the nature of things. The Cabinet of London had suffered terrible shocks. The monarchical coalition ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 392. xii A HISTORY OF MALTA of 1793 went to pieces in tlie spring of 1795. Spain and Prussia made peace with France^ and the former Power accepted the French alliance in the following year. This untoward event led to the evacuation of the Mediterranean by the British fleet in November 1796. This in its turn weakened the resistance of Austria to Bona- parte, and was alleged by that Power as part cause of her surrender to France in the autumn of 1797. And not only was England deprived of her allies : her own fighting power for some months declined owing to the mutinies at Spithead and the Nore. For- tunately the crisis soon passed ; and the victory at Camperdown restored the prestige of the islanders on the high seas. Nevertheless^ to a daring nature like Bonaparte's it seemed prac- ticable to keep the Union Jack out of the Mediterranean by threats of an invasion of Ireland. The naval forces of France, Holland, and Spain seemed equal to the task of covering* a landing in that island, in which case the British Ministry must concentrate all its efforts on the suppression of the national rising that would undoubtedly take place. Therefore, as soon as news of the great armament at Toulon came to the ears of Pitt and his colleagues, they naturally inferred that its objective was Ireland. The instructions sent on May 21 by Lord St. Vincent to Nelson, who was then in the Mediterranean scouting with three ships-of-the-line and five smaller vessels, pointed to the Neapolitan coast, or that of Spain (with a view to the conquest of Portugal) or of Ireland, as the aim of the French ; and in these conjectures he was fully warranted by the news which had reached him from the British Admiralty.^ Nelson was also bidden to exact supplies for his squadron (now to be strengthened by the addition of ten battleships) either from Tuscan, Neapolitan, Turkish, Maltese, or Austrian harbours. This is the only mention of Malta at this time in the British official dispatches ; and it is clear that the Pitt Cabinet did not in the least foresee Bonaparte's attack on Malta and Egypt. Here, then, as in so many parts of the Anglo-French struggle for empire, it was the active, far-seeing and ambitious statecraft of France which opened up new arenas of strife, while Britons followed, doubtfully at first, but in the long run doggedly. Bonaparte was unconsciously acting in the way in which Dupleix, Montcalm, and many others had acted. He precipitated a conflict which was ulti- mately to turn to the aggrandisement of the Sea Power. The information brought together by Mr. Hardman in Chapter VI of this volume shows the many speculations as to the destination of Bonaparte's armada, two of which, those of General Acton at Naples, and Mr. Udney, our consul at Florence, were correct. Very interest- ing is it to observe the motives which induced our Government, on or ' Nelson Dispatches, vol. iii. p. 26. INTRODUCTION xiii just before April 20, 1798, to order a part of Lord St. Vincent's fleet, cruising off Cadiz, to enter the Mediterranean. They sprang, not only from the appeals of the Neapolitan Court, which Mr. Hardman cites, but also from those of the Court of Vienna. The Hapsburgs were cut to the quick by the many insults heaped upon them by the French during the Congress of Rastadt and the carrj^ang out of the terms of peace. It was soon apparent that Austria intended to draw the sword at the first favourable opportunity, and that she was resolved to prevent by force the overthrow of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Naples), which seemed to be the natural sequel to the recent occupation of Rome by the French. On March 17, 1798, Thugut, the Austrian Chancellor, urged his ambassador in London, Count Stahremberg, to find out whether England would loyally support the Hapsburg Power against ^ a fierce nation irrevocably determined on the total subversion of Europe, and rapidly marching to that end ' ; also whether the British Grovernment would send a fleet into the Mediterranean, and would continue the struggle in the year 1799, if need arose. ^ England had no less interest than Austria in the preservation of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ; for, if the French overran the south of Italy, they could, with the help of the Sicilian Jacobins, conquer Sicily and dominate the whole of the Mediterranean. These disasters could be averted only by the operations of an Austrian army acting from the strong base, Venetia, and by the advent of a British fleet into the Mediterranean. The immediate aim in view, then, was the preservation of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ; but the appeal which the Emperor Francis II had made on March 9 to the Czar Paul, to mediate between France and the German States with respect to disputes then pending, opened up the prospect of a European league against France ; and the sending of a British fleet into the Mediterranean was a potent means of furthering its formation. This appears in the important dispatch of April 20, 1798, from Lord Grenville to Sir Morton Eden, British ambassador at Vienna. He urged that Austria and Prussia should be persuaded to lay aside their jealousies, should frame a plan of pacification for the Holy Roman Empire, and present it to France : Then (he continues), if the French accept it, Russia and Prussia will become bound to defend the neutrality of the Empire, and Austria be (sic) left at liberty to turn her attention to Italy. If they refuse it, there seems great ground to hope that the two Powers above named will concur in active measures against France, or will at least take upon them the ' F. 0. A.iistria, No. 51. I lay stress ou the dispatches in our Austrian archives, because Mr. Hardman relied chiefly on those of Naples ; and it is clear that the pro- mised help of Austria decided Pitt and Grenville to risk the sendiner of a fleet into the Mediterranean.. xiv A HISTORY OF MALTA defence of tlie Rhine while Austria acts in Italy. And as this course of events may lead immediately to the castes foederis of the new alliance, it will then become necessary immediately to settle the quotas of the different Powers. If Prussia and Russia charge themselves with the defences of the German frontier, Austria will find in Italy many resoui^ces of every sort for the maintenance of her anny.i Further particulars show that the movements of Austria all turned on the dispatch of a British fleet to the succour of Naples. This appears in the dispatch of Eden to Lord Grenville (May 7), describ- ing the answer of Francis II to Baptiste, a special envoy from Naples : The answer of the Emperor to M. Baptiste's instances was that he could not march an army in support of Naples till the [British] fleet arrived, but that then he would decidedly carry into execution the assui'- ances which he had given, if it became necessary : and that he would order special instructions to be given to Count Cobenzl,^ peremptorily to insist on the French withdrawing their troops from the Roman State, and on their ceasing to molest the Court of Naples.^ For reasons which need not be detailed here, Austria did not as yet draw the sword. The Czar Paul also for the present failed to make good his promises of armed support both by sea and land, and Prussia played a waiting game at Rastadt, with results that were profitable at the time but ruinous for the future. England alone made good her promises ; and hence came about the entry of a British fleet into the Mediterranean, with results startlingly different from those which Pitt and Grenville expected. They had in view the protection of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, or Ireland or Portugal. In point of fact their action led on to events which ensured the ruin of Bonaparte's Egyptian expedition and the expul- sion of the French from Malta. The reader who peruses the following documents with an eye to the wider issues of events and the subtle ironies of history will not fail to notice the more general causes of this wholly unexpected finale. It is clear that Bonaparte himself was too eager for the immediate start of his expedition. Secrecy doubtless was an impor- tant factor contributing to success, and personal and political motives also prescribed speed in sailing ; but it was perilous to risk so much until France, along Avith her allies, Spain, Holland, and the Genoese Republic, had gained a decided maritime supremacy over England. Such a supremacy might have been assured in a year or two ; and the conquest of Egypt and Malta might have developed into permanent possession. 1 F. O. Austria, No. 51. ^ Austrian envoy to the Congress of the Powers at Kastaclt. =* F. 0. Austria, No. 51. INTRODUCTION xv Instead of that, Bonaparte pushed on the preparations with a speed which in some respects impaired the efficiency of his armada.^ And what was even worse, the French Directory, not content with the plunder of Swiss cantonal treasuries and of Rome, wounded Austria in her German interests, and threatened the overthrow of the Neapolitan dynasty, with which the Hapsburgs were closely related.2 Thus, at the very time when the Directory should have obeyed Bonaparte's advice and concentrated their energies on their fleet, they irritated neighbouring States by raids and other provoca- tions, with the result that a new coalition against France began to be discussed, and England took the very step (albeit in the dark) which proved to be fatal to Bonaparte's designs. The Nemesis which waits on overweening pride and reckless action has rarely appeared in more singular guise than at this crisis ; for the British Government, though having in view only the security of Naples, Ireland, or Portugal, dispatched the admiral who was best fitted to ensure the ruin of Bonaparte's plans for the ascendancy of France in the Mediterranean and the Orient. IV It is impossible within the limits of this Introduction to discuss the details of the French attack upon Malta. Very noteworthy is the statement in Poussielgue's report (Chapter III) of the losses sus- tained by the Order of the Knights of St. John by the confiscation of its property in France, and still more so is his suggestion that the Court of Madrid, then allied to France, should be induced to take the same step towards its possessions in Spain. The plan of depleting the funds of the Order, so as to ensure its ruin, was to be carried out in Spain, with results which appeared in 1802-3 during the discussions with France relative to the future destinies of the island. The documents which follow show the Grand Master of the Knights, Hompesch, in a light far more favourable than usual ; and there seems good reason for agreeing with the conclusion of Mr. Hardman (at the end of Chapter VII, as also in Chapter XVII) , that the blame for the surrender of Valetta must rest, not upon Hompesch, but upon certain of the Knights, especially Bosredon de Ransijat, and those who acted with him. The behaviour of some renegade Knights who were with the French also contributed to the surrender ; but, as the documents abundantly prove, it was the uprising of the civil population which very largely led to that singular result. The hatred > See the chapter by Mr. H. W. Wilson (No. XX) in the Caini. Mod. History (vol. viii) on this point. ^ Maria Carolina, a daughter of Maria Theresa (and therefore a sister of Marie Antoinette), had married Ferdinand IV of Naples. xvi A HISTORY OF MALTA felt by the populace for the Knights was greater than their repugnance towards the French. When we consider the damning indictment brought against the Knights Hospitallers in Chapter I of this volume, we cannot be surprised at this. The vice, luxury, and greed of the quondam Crusaders were matters known to every islander ; the reputation of France as a liberator from oppression had not been wholly lost, even amidst the rapacious actions of the Directory and its satraps in Switzerland, Italy, and the Rhineland. Probably to the mass of the Maltese the policy of plunder then favoured at Paris was scarcely known. In any case the islanders at that time preferred the rule of the French to that of the Knights. The awakening was soon to come. But for the present the Maltese sided with the invaders, and must therefore bear the chief share of responsibility for the events which followed.^ The documents setting forth the administrative reforms and monetary exactions of the French sufficiently explain the dis- appointment and anger of the islanders at the new order of things now thrust upon them. The Arabic strain in the blood of the Maltese, together with their remoteness from the main current of European thought, predisposed them to superstition, as Bonaparte and his officers speedily observed. Yet little care was taken to avoid giving offence to the natives in this all-important particular. The plunder of the churches of Valetta and Citta Yecchia for the benefit of the army-chest and the making up of the sum of 500,000 francs, which was accorded to the officers on June 18 as a gratifica- tion d'emharqueme7it," would by itself have severely strained the allegiance of the islanders. But far more dangerous than this was the suppression of all monasteries, except one of each Order, and the sale of their buildings, lands, and possessions for the behoof of the new centralised administration. In the words of G-eneral Yaubois (quoted in Chapter X of this work), ^ Malta was nothing but a vast monastery ' ; and ' many persons lived on the gifts of the Order.' It was the sale of Carmelite and other monastic possessions at Citta Yecchia on September 2, 1798, which furnished the occasion for the revolt against French rule. It is indeed strange that the experience of the revolutionists in France itself, and still more in Italy, should not have taught them the need of caution in dealing with fervently Roman Catholic com- munities. Bonaparte, indeed, at a later time, showed far more > As I pointed out in my Life of Napoleon, vol. i. (p. 184, note), the British consul at Malta, Mr. Williams, believed that the Maltese had decided the surrender of Valetta. He wrote (June 30, 1798) : ' I do believe the Maltees (sic) have given the island to the French in order to get rid of the Knighthood' (F. 0. Malta No. 1). 2 Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 177. See, too, the Note sur Malte of General Vaubois, printed in Chapter X of this work, where he states that Bonaparte took away to Egypt all the money that was in the Maltese exchequer, and left behind only the silver taken from the churches. INTRODUCTION xvii statesmanlike restraint than other French commanders; but in 1798 his conduct at Malta was scarcely less provocative than that o£ the satraps of the Directory who wounded the feelings of the Romans, Swiss, and Rhinelanders. In all these quarters the seeds, which bore fruit in the anti-French reaction of the years 1798, 1799, were scattered broadcast.^ In Malta there were especial reasons why the reaction should come almost as quickly as was the case in Switzerland. Both peoples were naturally impatient of control by a foreigner ; and their surroundings encouraged them to a daring and activity which were impossible for dwellers in plains. The Maltese were fretted by a multitude of new regulations, some of which were singularly fussy. Apart from those which are quoted by Mr. Hardman, we may call attention to this one : 'As the divisional general controls the general police of the island and of the port (Valetta), no vessel may enter or leave except in pursuance of his order.'' - And, again, this : ' The general commanding the island will have solely the right to control and undertake the administration of the country.'^ The Maltese might well inquire whether their last state was not worse than their first; for the rule of the French commander. General Vaubois, and his civilian advisers, was not less autocratic than that of the Grand Master of the Knights, and it certainly entailed heavier financial burdens than the islanders could bear. As may be seen by reference to Appendix I, in which Mr. Hardman has dealt with the finances of the Order of St. John, the condition of the island was most unsatisfactory after the year 1792, when the possessions of the Order in France were confiscated. That act swept away a revenue of about £50,000 a year. Incredible as it may seem, the revenues of the Order had fallen from £136,417 in 1788 to £34,663 14.s-. 2d. in 1798. This latter sum was altogether inadequate to support the extravagances of the Knights and the heavy charges entailed by the maintenance of a small navy and a first class fortress. Thus, the French entered upon a virtually bank- rupt possession ; and Bonaparte, probably not realising the extent of the financial difficulty and the poverty of the island, inaugurated a fiscal system which implied commercial activities of no mean order. His enactment of June 18, 1798 (No. 2,694 of the Correspondance) , provided for the establishment at the earliest possible time of a system of dues which should produce 720,000 francs (£28,800) a year. ^ It seems highly probable that Bonaparte became a Freemason at Malta. Mr. H. M. Broadley, in his History of Freemasonry in Malta (London, 1880), has proved that there was a lodge in Malta, and that de Rohan was a member. As Bonaparte was a Freemason after the Eastern expedition, and as thex'e was no lodge then in Egypt, it is nearly certain that he was initiated at Malta. But no proof of this can be alleged. " Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 170. 3 Ibid. p. 171. xviii A HISTORY OF MALTA This was a very hopeful estimate. It could have been ful- filled only in a time of peace and prosperity, and by the exercise of the most resolute economy. But the programme set before the new Government of Malta was no less ambitious than that which Bonaparte undertook in Egypt. It is clear that in both cases he far outran the resources of those new colonies. The letters which General Kleber sent to the Directory, after the departure of Bonaparte from Egypt, supply a curious commentary upon the state of affairs in Malta. On October 8, 1799, Kleber affirmed that there was a deficit of 10,000,000 francs, or more than a whole year's revenue ; and that the commander-in-chief had not left a sou behind in the exchequer.^ The effect of Napoleon's administrative energy, suddenly brought to bear on a poor and backward community, was almost as marked in Malta as in Egypt; and, speaking generally, one may say that his administrative triumphs were achieved in lands such as France, North Italy, and the Rhineland, where the natural resources were great and only needed skilful development ; but that his schemes were too vast and rigid, and their application too abrupt, to lead to success in the case of poor and stationary peoples. Certainly his first efforts, those in Malta and Egypt, had not the bene- ficent results which have often been claimed for them. He pointed out the way in which progress might be made ; but the pace which he set in the year 1798 was so rapid as to cause a breakdown. Moreover, he had not calculated on the effects soon to be pro- duced by the presence of Nelson. Quietly but irresistibly, as if it were the oncoming of an eclipse, the shadow of the Sea Power drew itself over Bonaparte's plans ; and even before the great seaman had ruined them at the Battle of the Nile, the three frigates, which by a series of strange mishaps failed to join him in Sicilian waters," had spread dismay among the French vessels sent from Malta to obtain provisions in Sicily or South Italy. The letter of Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely, of date July 21, 1798, quoted near the end of Chapter VIII of this volume, announcing the passage of Nelson's fleet through the Straits of Messina, and the mischief subsequently done by the three frigates, contains the significant sentence : ' Ainsi, environne d'ennemis, nous ne sommes pas sans inquietude sur les appro visionnements.' This sentence, and indeed the whole letter, deserve careful attention, as illustrating the influence of naval affairs on the tenure of Malta. Even ' Kleber et Menou en Egypte (Documeuts publies pour la Societe d'Histoire Contemporaine, par M. Fran9ois Rousseau, Paris, 1900), pp. 76-79; with a good note by M. Rousseau. " In my Napoleonic Studies, -pi). 350, .351, I have printed letters of Captain Hope (the senior officer of the three frigates), which explain how he came to miss Nelson off Sicily, and then again near Crete. The letters collected by Mr. Hardnian show that Captain Hope's cruise was far from useless. INTRODUCTION xix before the Battle of the Nile — that is, in the time when French ascendancy in the Mediterranean was only challenged and not yet shattered — the French governor of Malta felt his position most difficult. The dependence of that island on other lands for a large part of its supplies of food caused its fortunes to rise or fall according as friends or foes held the sea. Viewing the question more broadly, one may remark on the singular good fortune which enabled a comparatively weak body like the Knights of St. John to hold their own for so long in an essentially precarious position. Indeed, this can be explained only on the ground of the exceeding tolerance accorded to small and weak States in the old order of things in Europe — a tolerance which allowed the survival of a hundred or more little States or Free Cities in the plains of Germany, which were certain to disappear as soon as reverence for the ancien regime vanished. Similarly, it was respect for the Knights of St. John that had secured them from aggression in the Mediterranean wars, which, moreover, had of late turned mainly on the possession of Gibraltar, the Balearic Isles, and Corsica, or other points of vantage near to the coasts of Spain, France, or Northern Italy. All at once the will of Bonaparte turned the course of affairs towards the Orient, and forthwith the rule of the Knights of St. John collapsed as speedily as that of dozens of German princelings before the breath of the French Revolution. But the age-long immunity of the Knights from serious attack had almost hidden from them and their subjects the disagreeable truth that in reality they existed on suiferance, and that if any one of the "Western Powers of Europe sought to dominate the Levant it must almost of necessity seize Malta. A half-perception of this truth probably led the Grand Masters, first Rohan and then Hompesch, to seek the protection of Russia as a safeguard against possible pressure from the west.^ But, in view of the anti-British con- tentions of a later date, it is needful to point out that, up to the years 1798-1801, the native Maltese had had no recent experience of the irresistible effect of sea power on the fortunes of a small island. Since the decline of the Turkish navy they had been in no great danger, and now, of a sudden, Malta became one of the storm centres of the world. The tidings of a reverse sustained by Brueys^ fleet at Aboukir on August 1, 1798, were set forth in vague and not very reassuring terms by General Vaubois and Commissary Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely, in a proclamation to the garrison and citizens of Malta, dated August 29. It must be considered as a main cause of the rising of the Maltese at Citta Vecchia on September 2, though the ' See de la Jonquiere, V Expedition d'Egypte, vol, i. p. 637. XX A HISTORY OF MALTA sale of monastic property was the immediate occasion of the revolt. The Journal of General Vaubois published in the Appendices of this volume shows that the Maltese were encouraged to rise by the know- ledge that ^nous (i.e. les Fran^ais) serions longtems reduits a la faible garnison qui occupait la ville.^ The details of the rising of the Maltese on September 2, 1798, as given in Chapter IX, reflect great credit on the islanders for their dash and bravery, but the statements of Vaubois in his Journal show that the outbreak at Citta Vecchia was premature, and that, had the Maltese matured their plans, they might possibly have seized Valetta itself. It is also clear that quite early in their struggle they received no small help in munitions of war from Captain (afterwards Admiral) Sir James Saumarez during his short stay off the island ; and it is curious to note that, as happened at St. Jean d'Acre, most of the arms which were sent on shore came from the French prizes Avhich he was convoying to Gibraltar. But the first successes gained by the Maltese over isolated bodies of French in the open did not seriously compromise the position of Vaubois and his main force in Valetta. The Maltese naturally appealed to Great Britain and to Naples for help, but at that time the fate of the Neapolitan Bourbons was trembling in the balance. The dispatch of a single column of French veterans sufficed in the year 1799 to overturn that dynasty, and in the autumn of 1798 it dragged on its miserable existence for a few weeks solely by virtue of Nelson's victory at the Nile. To rely on Ferdinand IV of Naples was to lean upon the weakest of reeds, and the details supplied in Chapter X of this work show that the Maltese very early discovered the fact. In truth, the destiny of Malta depended on the larger question of the mastery of the Mediterranean. If Great Britain bad had suffi- ciently large naval forces to ensure a complete and continuous blockade of the island, the position of Vaubois would before long have been utterly untenable. The evidence on this topic contained in Chapter X may be reinforced from evidence which, by the kindness of Mr. A. M. Broadley, the editor has been able to pro- cure from a new source, namely, a letter from Rear- Admiral Villeneuve to Admiral Bruix, Minister of Marine at Paris. It is dated a Malte, a hord du Ghiillaume Tell (one of the two battleships which escaped from Aboukir), 22 Fructidor, An 6 (6th September 1798), and begins with the statement that that disaster was due to the want of proper equipment and the defective condition of the French ships. With respect to the present situation at Malta, he adds : ' On paroit desirer ici que cette division y reste ; mais si le gouvernement ne vient pas a son secours d'une maniere bien efficace INTRODUCTION xxi elle y sera bientot fort a charge. II m'est impossible de t'envoyer par cette occasion un etat de notre situation, mais ce sera par la premiere qui se presentera. Elle n'est pas satisfaisante . . .'^ Equally significant is the dispatch of Vaubois to the Directory, of 18th September 1798. In that urgent request for succour he very naturally painted his situation in the darkest colours (see Chapter X ad init.). He stated that he had only 2/200 men where- with to defend the long line of walls; but on December 21, 1798, he admitted that he had 3,822 present under arms, exclusive of 172 sick (see Chapter X ad fin.). We may also note in passing, as a sign of the singular discrepancies on these essential matters, that the Maltese credited the French with having 3,000 men, even after they (the Maltese) had inflicted on them the loss of 1,500 men, with only ten Maltese killed ! As to his provisions, Vaubois asserts that they were limited to bread and water. He adds that the heat had exhausted the soldiery, and that they urgently need reinforcements and provisions in order to maintain themselves in that ^position cruelle.^ Still more important is his statement near the beginning of his 'Note sur Malte ' (Chapter X), that if all the soil of the islands of Malta and Gozo were to produce grain, the crops would provide sufficient food for only one-third of the population. That there is exaggeration in this statement appears from the far more careful estimate of the French Commissary Doublet that the corn crops of the islands would not suffice to support one- third of the garrison and population. But this, again, proves that the defence of Malta depended mainly on food supply. In view of the urgent importance of this question for Great Britain in the event of war with naval Powers, the details presented in this volume acquire a new significance.- Up to that time there had never been, since the days of the old Roman Empire, a State so dependent for its very existence on food brought from over the sea, as Malta. When this fact is firmly grasped, it Avill be seen that the details of fighting along the walls of Valetta are less essential to the fate of that island than the unseen but irresistible agencies that make for mastery at sea. The reader who does not know the particulars of the naval war in the Mediterranean and of British policy at that time, might naturally infer that the return of Nelson after the Battle of the Nile to Sicilian waters was prompted by a resolve to blockade Malta. But it is quite clear that his return to Southern Italy resulted from the orders first issued to him by Lord St. Vincent (emanating, of course, from the British Government), which directed him to concern ' In Mr. Broadley's extra-illustrated edition of his work, Nelson's Hardy. ^ I have treated the larger question at issue in an essay, ' Britain's Food Supply in the Napoleonic Wars,' in my Napoleonic Studies (G. Bell & Sons). xxii A HISTORY OF MALTA himself with the defence of Naples against the expected inroad of the French from Rome. These instructions were doubtless repeated in 'most secret orders/ which reached him on August 16 off Aboukir.^ In truth the blockade of Malta formed no part of the original design of the British Ministry, simply because its capture by the French had not been anticipated. Not until October 3, the day after the receipt of the news of Nelson's victory at London, did the Ministry issue any orders respecting the blockade of Valetta. By that time the situation in the Mediterranean had become clearer. Yet (despite the friendly assurances of the Neapolitan Court regard- ing the future ownership of Malta) Lord Grenville penned the very suggestive and noteworthy sentence : ' His [Britannic] Majesty does not entertain any idea of acquiring the sovereignty of Malta to himself, or of any of the Venetian Islands.' - All that Great Britain desired at this time, and for many months afterwards, was the restoration of the status quo ante helium^ provided that there were sufficient safeguards for its maintenance both in Malta and else- where. The dispatch from the Admiralty to the Earl of St. Vincent, dated 3rd October 1798, specifies the following as the duties of the British squadron in the Mediterranean : — 1. 'The protection of the coasts of Sicily, Naples, and the Adriatic, and in the event of war being renewed in Italy, an active co- operation with the Austrian and N^eapolitan armies. 2. The cutting off of all communication between France and Egypt, that neither supplies nor reinforcements may be sent to the army at Alexandria. 3. ' The blocking up of Malta, so as to prevent provisions being sent into it. 4. ' The co-operating with the Turkish and Russian squadrons which are to be sent into the Archipelago.' Further instructions call attention to the first of these objects as the most important of all.^ It is clear, then, that the blockade of Malta was only a subsidiary aim of British naval policy ; and this fact, together with the comparative smallness of the force left to Nelson for the fulfilment of these extensive aims, explains the inadequacy of the measures which could at first be taken against the French garrison at Valetta. Nelson's ships at Naples urgently needed repair, and but for the work done by the Portuguese squadron,, together with the Alexander, Terpsichore, Bonne Citoyenne, and Incendiary, detached from Nelson's squadron, the place would have been open to a relieving squadron from Toulon or Marseilles. As * Nelson Dispatches, III. p. 105. ' Nearly the whole of this important dispatch is quoted in Chapter X of this work. As will presently appear, the British Ministry soon came to the decision to allow the Czar Paul I to have the predominant influence in Malta when it was recaptured from the French. See Dropmore Papers, TV. p. 419. * Clarke and McArthur, II. p. Ill (4vo. edit.). INTRODUCTION xxiii it was, however, the blockade was sufficiently close to prevent the arrival of any news, still less supplies, either from France or from Bonaparte himself. Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely in his letter of November 23, 1798, to the Directory states that they had heard nothing for five months. This is an exaggeration, as the Portuguese squadron did not close in on Malta till about September 20 ; but after that time the blockade was effective. Vaubois states in his letter of November 27 to the Directory that only one of the five avisos (dispatch-boats) sent off from Toulon to Valetta had reached its destination up to that date. The same letter, however, bears testimony to the valuable nelp given by the crews of the ships that sought refuge at Valetta after the Battle of Aboukir — the Guillaume Tell, Diane, and Justice. But for the arrival of these ships Vaubois confesses that he would not have been able to man ' I'ouvrage immense de la Cote Noire ' or the forts Manoel, Ricasoli, St. Elmo, and St. Ange. The letters published in Chapter XI (especially those of Villeneuve and Menard) show, however, that some small vessels were able to slip into Valetta during the storms and long nights of December 1798 — January 1799, and that the provisions wliich they brought to the garrison were of the utmost importance. Vaubois' 'Journal of the Siege of Valetta,' now printed for the first time in the Appendix to this volume, will be found to contain a mine of information on everything connected with that event. Very note- worthy is his statement (Part I) : ' L'insurrection des habitans fournit au General des moyens de subvenir aux frais de Thabillement de la troupe, a ceux des effets de casern em ent, a la solde, et aux depenses qu'exigoient les rafraichissemens qu'il se procurait malgre le blocus de Sardaigne et de Barbaric, en attendant que le gouverne- ment [fran9ais] pent \_sic] venir a son secours.' The last phrase of course refers only to the early days of the siege ; but the extract is of interest as showing that Vaubois derived some benefit from the revolt of the Maltese. He could now exact forced loans, &c., from the people of Valetta, and so meet expenses which could not have been defrayed by legal measures from an obedient populace. As regards the state of the besiegers, the most authentic account for the early part of the blockade of Valetta is probably that which is contained in their petition to the King of the Two Sicilies, which was handed to Nelson on October 25, to be forwarded to Naples (see Chapter X). The trust which the Maltese still felt in the govern- ment of Ferdinand IV, despite the fact that he had sent them no help and had shut the Sicilian ports against their vessels, is there pathetically expressed. They confess their ' extreme penury of munitions of war,' and mention gratefully the gift of 1,300 muskets and several barrels of powder from the squadron of Saumarez. What is even more noteworthy, they assert that, as most of the corn xxiv A HISTORY OF MALTA was in Valetta, at the disposal of the enemy's garrison, they them- selves are ' totally unprovided with the means of subsistence/ and beg that corn from Sicily may be furnished to them on credit,, as they have no money. Still more emphatic is the description of the hunger, penury, and despair of the Maltese at the end of January, after the failure of the plot for opening the gates of Valetta. The petition to Nelson, dated 26th January 1799 (see Chapter XI), shows that the islanders had been cowed by the stern reprisals of the French, and reduced to privation by the lack of provisions and stores. The sentence, ' Our desolation is complete and the urgency is inexpressible,' tells its own tale. As at that time Naples was in the hands of the French/ the fortunes of the Maltese turned almost entirely on the amount of succour procurable by means of the British naval forces, as appears in the further statement : ' Our only hope, my Lord, is in the protection of Your Excellency and the great Britannic nation.' In the letter of Vincenzo Borg to Captain Ball, dated 4th February 1799, comes the first suggestion that the island should be placed under British protection : ' La plus part de nous en tres-grand nombre se proteste ouvertement qu'il ne desire rien autant que de ne voir I'Isle dominee que par les Anglais et Maltais et gouvernee par le Commandant Ball.' The rest of the letter (Chapter XI) shows that fear of Russian schemes for the domination of the island played no small part in the formation of this desire. The abortive plot of January 1799, headed by Lorenzi, was to have led to the hoisting of the Russian colours ; but the islanders in general seem greatly to have disliked the thought of Russian ascendancy, rumours of which now began to circulate. Ball in his letter to Nelson, of date 4tli February 1799, states that the adherents of the Russians were merely a few persons who had previously held places under the Grand Master, Hompesch. Ball adds that he sought to attach the Maltese to the Neapolitan connexion, and whenever Valetta capitulated, he would grant a passage to Maltese deputies who desired to consult Lord Nelson. As is well known. Nelson was then strongly of opinion that Malta ought to belong to the King of Naples ; and he urged Captain Ball, who was then conducting the blockade, to do everything in his power, short of the use of actual force, to prevent a Russian squadron from doing anything which might invalidate the sovereign rights of His Sicilian Majesty. A most awkward situation would have arisen had the Russians arrived before instructions came to hand from Whitehall couched in a contrary sense. The question did not arise. ' See Camh. Mod. History, vol. viii. pp. 654, 655, INTRODUCTION xxv VI We must at this point retrace our steps in order to throw fuller light on the arrangements which had been framed between Great Britain and Russia respecting Malta; for the character of the Czar Paul was destined to exert a curious influence on the fate of Malta and the policy of the Great Powers. Already in this, the second year of his reign, his vain, impulsive, and passionate nature was beginning to be known. Nevertheless, the desire of the Pitt Cabinet to form a new coalition against France in order to set bounds to her aggressions in the Rhineland, Switzerland, and Italy led it to take steps for bringing Russia into the new league. This proved to be far from easy. The Czar plumed himself on reversing the policy of his mother, Catharine II, at all points. As she was warlike, he was resolved to be peaceful ; and but for the Eastern expedition of Bona- parte, it is probable that he would long have held aloof from the politics of the West. That event, hoAvever, and especially the seizure of Malta, completely altered his feelings. Sir Charles Whitworth, British ambassador at St. Petersburg, wrote to Lord Grenville on August 6, 1798: 'The loss of Malta has affected the Czar deeply.' ^ As has been shown, and will appear more in detail in Chapter XVII of this work, Paul I had framed a compact with the Order of St. John ; and it was natural that many of the expelled Knights should seek refuge in Russia and appeal to their august champion. They received a warm welcome. Patronage of so ancient and august an Order in the days of its misfortune was consonant with the Czar's chivalrous and fantastic nature. The Knights skilfully played upon his foibles. In the forged letter of 21st June, 1798, purporting to come from the bailli de Tigne, the Grand Master, Hompesch, was accused of cowardice and treason in surrendering Valetta to the French; and though de Tigne publicly repudiated the letter, the slanders were believed, especially in Russia, where the Knights had every reason for blackening the character of Hompesch in order to quicken the zeal of their imperial protector. The ruse was eminently successful. On November 13, 1798, the autocrat accepted the Grand Mastership of the Order, which the Knights in Russia had offered to him three weeks before ; and for some months its insignia were the most precious of decor- ations. He bestowed them on Whitworth, on Nelson, and on Lady Hamilton. Ill did it betide any courtier or diplomatist who seemed to slight the Order. The confiscation of the estates of the Order by Bavaria cost the envoy of that Electorate his post : he was summarily dismissed, and conducted to the frontier by the police in Foreign OflSce Kecords, Russia, No. 40. c2 xxvi A HISTORY OF MALTA the depth of winter. The Spanish ambassador was driven away with scarcely less of rigour. As Whitworth phrased it, 'The rock of Malta is that on which all the sufferers split.' ^ Even before the Czar's acceptance of the new dignity, Whitworth reported the fear of the autocrat that the British would keep Malta, and his desire for the re-establishment of the Order at Valetta.^ Those fears Avere groundless. The British Grovermnent inclined strongly towards the restoration of the status quo ante in Europe. Lord Grenville stated this decisively to Whitworth in a dispatch of November 16, 1798, and urged the need of framing a compact with Russia, Austria, and Prussia, ' the basis of which should be the employ- ment of their united efforts to reduce France within her ancient limits — an object of evident and pressing interest to the future tranquillity and independence of Europe.' All possible means were to be taken to induce Russia to act as a ' principal ' in the formation of this league ; and Whitworth was allowed a certain latitude in the choice of means, the end being more especially the deliverance of Holland, and parts of Germany, and Italy from French control.^ In truth, nothing* but the pressure of Russian diplomacy and Russian arms was likely at that juncture to end the vacillations of the Austrian and Prussian Courts.^ In short, the Czar had to be coaxed in order to induce or compel those Powers to adopt measures which Pitt and Grenville believed to be essential for the preservation of the European system. To acquiesce in the Czar's plans respecting Malta seemed to be the readiest means of infusing a steady driving-power into his policy. On December 13, the day after the public proclamation of the Emperor Paul as Grand Master, Whitworth reported to Grenville that 'the views of His Imperial Majesty on the subject of the re- organisation of the Order are perfectly conformable to those of His [Britannic] Majesty.' And on December 24, after an interview with the Czar, he reported that the autocrat expressed his resolve to restore peace to Europe on the basis described above. For that purpose Russia would form an alliance with England, and would engage to furnish 45,000 men for the support of Prussia, and 8,000 for the succour of Naples. Further, he (Paul) would spare ' neither arguments nor threats ' to compel Austria ' to do her duty.' Corfu was to be inde- pendent, but under the protection of Turkey, with which Power Russia was then in alliance. As to Malta (proceeded Whitworth), the Emperor Paul saw ' no impropriety in the island being garrisoned by Neapolitan troops, should it fall into the hands of the Allies, and should that manner [sic] be found most convenient, but merely as a Depot, and subject to the dispositions which may be taken by the ' F. 0. Russia, No. 41. See too Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 144-46. * P. O. Russia, No. 41. Whitworth to Grenville, October 3, 1798. » Ibid. * See the Camh. Mod. History, vol. viii. pp. 643-45. INTRODUCTION xxvii Allies^ as well with regard to the government of the island as to the reorganisation of the Order.' In a postscript he added that the Emperor Paul desired to see Malta garrisoned by Russian, British, and Neapolitan troops, and that his ardour respecting the Order of St. John was unabated. This last arrangement respecting Malta was embodied in the treaty which Whitworth signed with the Russian Chancellor on December 29, 1798.1 On January 2, 1799, Whitworth reported that Russia would send 3,000 troops via the Black Sea and the Dardanelles in order to assist in the siege of Valetta ; but six days later he expressed his surprise that an officer high in the Russian service had been appointed to command at Malta. When he pointed this out to the Chancellor, the latter replied that the phrase should have been 'to command the Russian troops at Malta.' ^ The British Government evidently suspected that Russia's designs were to gain absolute possession of Malta; but on January 25, Whitworth assured Grenville that any suspicion of that nature was ' unwarrantable.' On March 5 he qualified this expression, and admitted that the recognition of the Czar as Grand Master would be hazardous. On April 16 he urged Grenville to do so, as the Czar must be humoured. If Malta fell into the hands of the British, he said, the situation would be most difficult. Never- theless it would be well to recognise Paul as Grand Master owing to his keen susceptibility on that topic. With all his rashness on points of detail, Paul was cautious on larger matters. Not until April 30, when the British ratification of the convention of December 29 arrived, was the order given to the Russian forces to begin their march westward.'^ I have now cited enough evidence to show that the Maltese question entered largely into the motives which led Russia to declare war against France, and commence the ever-memorable campaign of Suvoroff in Italy and S-svitzerland, and, somewhat later, the ill-concerted efforts of the Anglo-Russian forces in Holland. These events, in their turn, were to aifect the future of Malta, as the sequel will show. VII While the British Government, for diplomatic reasons, was about to consign Malta to the Knights and to their imperial Grand Master, public opinion began to run strongly in a contrary direction. The first definite suggestion from a British official that Malta ought to belong to Great Britain came from Captain Ball, in his letter of 9th February 1799, to Lord Nelson (see Chapter XI). He pointed out that the 1 F. 0. Russia, No. 41. For the general terms of the treaty, see Camh. Mod. History, vol. viii. pp. 648, 649. 2 F. 0. Russia, No. 42. ' Ibid. xxviii A HISTORY OF MALTA Maltese alone could never be strong enough to defend their islands, and that the cost of a garrison of 2,000 British soldiers would amply be repaid by the advantages which the island conferred on the navy and commerce of Great Britain. On the following day he commented on the extreme penury of the Maltese levies, and the need of taking them into our pay, as they disliked and distrusted the Neapolitan Government, and were inspirited when Ball allowed them to hoist British colours by the side of those of Naples, The recent flight of the Neapolitan Bourbons to Palermo, where they owed their protection and mainten- ance almost solely to Nelson's squadron, added point to these represent- ations. It was inevitable in this state of things that the Maltese should look for help either to Great Britain or to Russia ; and their distrust of the Czar Paul, as Grand Master of the Order of St. John, strongly inclined them to look solely to Nelson and his Government. This appears in the petition and the covering letter of 31st March 1799 (see Chapter XII), which begged the British admiral, in the event of the King of Naples approving, to set forth the desire of the Maltese for the sovereignty of Britain. It is noteworthy that Vincenzo Borg and others who afterwards opposed Captain Ball signed this petition along with the deputies and notables of the island. This decision was doubtless due to the necessities of the Maltese as well as to their dislike of Russia. It may be taken as certain that Captain Ball had not influenced this decision, which bears every mark of spontaneity. On or before April 6, 1799, the Congress of Maltese deputies urged that the island should belong to Great Britain, and sent a petition to the King of the Two Sicilies to that effect. Equally noteworthy is the statement of Captain Ball, in his letter of 12th April 1799, to Lord Nelson, that the Maltese wished to have no connexion whatever with the Order of St. John, and, above all, to live at peace with Turkey and the Barbary States. Nevertheless, so weak and disheartened were the Maltese troops at that time that Ball expressed his satisfaction at the news that Russian troops were coming to help in the reduction of Valetta. He believed, and very naturally, that the French garrison, reduced as it was to miserable straits by sickness and want of food (see Vaubois' letters of this date in the Appendix, Part II) , would seize the opportunity to compel Vaubois to surrender. YIII But now the whole situation was suddenly to change owing to the operation of causes far remote yet potently effective. On April 25, 1799, the French Admiral Bruix managed to elude the vigilance of Hood (now Lord Bridport) at Brest ; and though he failed to rally the Spanish squadron held in Cadiz by the bold INTRODUCTION xxix seamanship of Lord Keith, yet his entrance into the Mediterranean carried perplexity and dismay to the scattered British squadrons at Minorca, Naples, Palermo, and Malta. Fortunately the Earl of St. Vincent, who started in pursuit, was as efficient a leader as Bruix was incompetent. The French admiral, crippled by the incompetence of his crews both in seamanship and gunnery (witness the failure of his ships to hit an Algerian corsair in 900 rounds ! ^), succeeded in achieving the impossible. Having every advantage in numbers and position, he failed to take a single British ship ; and his only feat was that of relieving the wants of the French garrison then besieged by the Austrians at Genoa. Even after his junction with sixteen Spanish ships at Cartagena on June 29, he did nothing more than retrace his steps, enter the Atlantic, and cast anchor at Cadiz, whence, on July 21, he made sail for Brest. The inner reasons for this ludicrous failure do not concern us here ; but if we can picture Nelson in the place of Bruix, we can imagine the results that would have accrued — Duckworth's squadron snapped up at Port Mahon ; the British ships driven off from, or caught, either at Naples or Valetta, and the ascendancy of the enemy in the Mediterranean summarily ended. Even as it was, the promenade of Bruix into the Mediterranean altered the whole state of affairs at Malta. The documents quoted in Chapter XII of this volume are unfortunately somewhat scanty, owing to the enforced withdrawal of that excellent correspondent. Captain Ball, from his station off Valetta ; but even those which are there given will enable the discerning reader to appreciate the advan- tages reaped by the beleaguered garrison in regaining for several days the command of the sea and replenishing their scanty supplies. During the gales of February 1799, a French frigate and smaller vessels had managed to slip in ; and Vaubois states in his letter of February 17, 1799, that they brought in supplies for some months (see his Part II of Journal in Appendix). Other letters of the besieged, however, state that these ships brought comparatively little except a large consignment of putrid salt meat. This is scarcely credible. As appears from Lieutenant Vivion's letter of May 31, 1799, the French managed to send five or six Maltese speroneras over to the coast of Sicily, and also captured several boats belonging to the besiegers. Evidently the departure of Captain Ball for the purpose of effecting the much-needed concentration of force was a turning-point in the siege, which must otherwise have come to a speedy end. The dissensions which broke out among the Maltese at this time further complicated the situation, and it speaks well for Lieutenant ^ Mahna, Influence of Sea Power on the French Revolution and Empire, vol. i. p. 307, note. -XXX A HISTORY OF MALTA Vivion^ who took the place of Captain Ball, that he managed to keep the semblance of order among the discouraged besiegers, and to save the lives of some of the native leaders who were accused, and perhaps rightly, of treachery. Why the French did not attempt a sortie at this time it is difficult to say. But the letter of Vaubois to Yilleneuve of November 21, 1799, shows that the local conditions did not favour a sortie (see the letter in Vaubois' ' Journal of the Siege,' Part III, in Appendix) . Further, the French were too weak in numbers to risk anj^hing. It is also possible that they were during that time (June — July 1799) ready to mutiny (as Vivion was informed), or else they expected Bruix to appear and utterly discomfit the besiegers. This last supposition acquired credibility from the report that they were busy in making good the defects of their ships, the Gruillaume Tell, &c., which apparently were not then in a condition to risk the chance of meeting a British squadron. However that may be, it is certain that the garrison of Valetta, both soldiers and sailors, lost their chance of routing the besiegers and of putting to sea with their squadron. Thus Vivion was able to hold on ; and the siege was ultimately pressed forward once more, though under conditions which indefinitely postponed a capitulation. The only means of overpowering the brave Vaubois was that suggested by Captain Ball to Colonel Thomas Graham (afterwards Lord Lynedoch), who then commanded the British troops holding the citadel of Messina. It was that he should come with some 1,100 British soldiers and infuse vigour into the attack. Colonel Graham warmly favoured the scheme, but had to refer it to his superior at Port Mahon. Owing to perplexing changes in that command, long delays took place, as will appear by reference to Chapter XII. Thus was lost a good opportunity of attacking the French with vigour while they were depressed by the failure of Bruix to bring them succour. There is one curious episode which finds no place among the papers collected by Mr. Hardman, namely, that the Maltese sent to Captain Ball an urgent request that he would become their governor. The letter of August 3, 1799, in which he named this affair to William Augustus Miles, has not been recovered, but the letter which Miles sent in reply on September 20, 1799, shows that Ball acted with great self-restraint and delicacy of feeling. I quote the following passages : — It may be youi' duty to acquiesce in the prayer in consideration that it represents the desire of almost an entire people. With respect to Sicily and its monster of a King — for he is everything but a man — the less you have to do with his Court and Government the better. I do not suppose that Malta will be in any way under the control of His Neapolitan Majesty. You will have a difficult card to play with the [Maltese] Congress, of which you are a President, if France, now that Bonaparte is no longer INTRODUCTION xxxi formidable to the Turk, should make her peace with the Porte. Should any private agreement with the Court of Petersburg hereafter appear, by which it has been stipulated by our Cabinet to cede Malta to the Emperor Paul, I feel no difficulty in saying that, if the public virtue of this country bears any proportion to the delinquency of such an arrangement, the Minister will be impeached. . . .1 That a Russian fleet should enter the Mediterranean, tii defence of Turkish interests, was strange enough ; but it could not have been prevented at that time. The action of the Russians at Corfu and on the neighbouring coasts, especially the Cattaro, soon revealed the presence of wider plans, which proved ultimately to be as formidable to the Turkish Empire as the Oriental policy of Bonaparte had been. In face of the warnings which Captain Ball had sent to Lord Nelson of the immense value of Malta to Great Britain, it is difficult to see why the latter should have expressed an opinion exactly the contrary in his letter, dated Palermo, the 6th April 1799, to Earl Spencer, First Lord of the Admiralty " : ... 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. . . . The poor islanders have been so grievously oppressed by the Order that many times we have 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.^ This extraordinary pronouncement must, of course, be viewed in relation to the events of that time, when Minorca was once more in our hands, and was deemed by Nelson a far better base of operations against Toulon than Malta. The reduction of the French army in Egypt was also thought to be merely a matter of time, as proved to be the case. Still, even when full allowance is made, the statement quoted above must be considered as most extraordinary. Certainly it must have produced an impression at the Admiralty, and therefore, presumably, on the Pitt Ministry.^ The need of Russian support, both at Naples, in North Italy, and in Holland, served to keep the British Government true to the con- vention of December 29, 1798, as the documents quoted in Chapter XII abundantly prove. It is therefore practically certain that, if the Emperor Paul had been faithful to his allies and had remained on the throne, the island would have passed into his hands. All the evidence seems to show that, so long as the Anglo-Russo-Austrian ^ Correspondence of W. A. Miles on the French Revolution, vol. ii. pp. 299-301. " Nelson Dispatches, vol. iii. p. 315. •* At that time Nelson urgently wished for the arrival of the 10,000 Russian troops now promised to assist in the recovery of Naples (see his letter of April 5 to Whitworth, in Nelson Dispatches, vol. iii. p. 314). ■* Nelson altered his views, and on June 28, 1803, pronounced Malta ' a most important outwork to India' {Nelson Dispatches, vol. v. p. 507). xxxii A HISTORY OF MALTA Alliance held good, this would have been the solution of the Maltese problem. As a matter of fact, the Russian force, which was at Naples in the autumn of 1799, did nothing towards the fulfilment of Nelson's hope that it Avould very materially help in the reduction of Valetta ; and it is interesting to observe that the British admiral twice referred to Bonaparte's escape from Alexandria to Corsica, and thence to Frejus, as being directly due to the failure of the Russians to dis- charge their part of the onerous duties off Malta, which therefore fell upon the small British squadron and prevented the patrolling of the sea between Malta and Cape Bon, wliich would otherwise have been carried out.^ So much, then, depended on the loyal and punctual fulfilment of the expectations wliich Nelson and the British Government placed in Russia, for which they were ready to waive their own pretensions and those of the Neapolitan Bourbons respecting Malta. IX Meanwhile Vaubois had fortunately been quiescent at Yaletta. The hardships of the siege had reduced the number of Maltese blockading the fortress to 1,500, though 1,000 more might, it was thought, be relied on to help in case of an assault. When the 30th and 89th Regiments, under the command of Brigadier-General Sir Thomas Graham, landed in Malta on December 10, the British forces amounted to 800 regular troops and 400 marines — so Colonel Lindenthal reported to General Fox on that day (see Chapter XII). He considered the defences of Yaletta to be so strong as to render an assault quite impracticable. He added : ' I do not suppose there will ever be sent here an army provided with the necessary artillery, stores, and provisions requisite for a regular siege.' It is clear, then, that the fortress was as strong as ever, despite the puny efforts of the besiegers ; and Lindenthal expected that famine alone would compel the French to surrender. He estimated that this might happen in two or three months ; but, as the event proved, Yaubois, thanks to the cessation of the blockade in part of May and June, had been able to lay in stores sufficient to defy the blockaders for nine months from that date. Lindenthal frankly recognised the excellence of the work done by the Maltese ; but his report can leave no doubt on the mind of every unprejudiced reader that the fate of Yaletta depended on an effective and rigorous blockade kept up both by land and sea. A perusal of Chapters XII and XIII will also show that, had not the Marquis de Niza disobeyed the orders from Lisbon and continued with the squadron off Yaletta, the siege would have been ineffective. As it was, he held on and gave the services of several ' Nelson Dispatches, vol. iv. pp. 145, 153. INTRODUCTION xxxiu marines of his squadron on shore — a matter of the utmost moment in the anxious weeks before Graham's contingent arrived. It is worth noting that Captain Ball, in his letter of September 3, 1799, to Nelson, estimated the total number of armed Maltese fit for duty at 1,500, but of these only 600 were fit to take part in an attack. As the French were also depressed by dearth and sickness, the whole affair speedily assumed the aspect of a stalemate. It is needless to dwell on the details of the siege during the close of the year 1799 and the early part of 1800. The acute distress borne by the Maltese, the eager efforts of Ball and Troubridge to induce Nelson, then at Palermo, to press the Neapolitan Govern- ment to send supplies of corn, the difficulties in which that admiral found himself placed owing to the lack of the stipulated pecuniary succour from London, the failure of the Russians to co-operate, and the grave risk attending Graham's force in case Vaubois attempted a sortie — all this, and much besides, receives valuable illustration from the dispatches cited in this volume. Among them, perhaps the most important, as bearing directly on the siege of Malta, are the reports of Brigadier-General Graham to his superior, General Fox, at Minorca, of date December 28, 1799, and of Lieutenant-Colonel Lindenthal, of December 31, 1799 (see Chapter XIII). It will be more suitable to refer here to the wider questions connected with the naval supremacy in the Mediterranean, on which the fate of Malta almost entirely depended. The diffusion of the naval strength of Great Britain over that sea had for some time prevented the needed concentration of effort at Malta ; but on February 5 Keith and Nelson were able to set sail from Palermo with 1,200 Neapolitan troops, and on the 15th they cast anchor at Marsa Scirocco, the bay on the east side of Malta, and landed the troops. Scarcely was this operation completed before Nelson was called off by the exciting news that a French relief expedition had been sighted off the west of Sicily. As the documents cited by Mr. Hardman are somewhat scanty at this point, it will be well to call attention here to the extraordinary good fortune of Nelson. He had not been at Malta since October 1798, and now immediately on his arrival, which was largely due to Keith's orders, the French ships were reported. As Ball wrote with some bitterness to Lady Hamilton: ' We have been carrying on the blockade of Malta sixteen months, during which time the enemy never attempted to throw in great succours. His Lordship arrived off here the day they were within a few leagues of the island, captured the principal ships, dispersed the rest, so that not one has reached the port [Valetta] .' If we look into details. Nelson's good fortune appears in even stronger colours ; for while his ship, the Foudroyant, had a long stern chase of the chief French ship Le Genereux, the British frigate Success appeared, cut in in front of the latter, and as she came on raked her heavily, mortally xxxiv A HISTORY OF MALTA wounding her commander. Rear- Admiral Perree. Le Genereux struck her colours after the second shot from the Foudroyant, the Northumberland being now near at hand. One of the French trans- ports was afterwards captured, but the rest of their squadron made off to the north.i As they were conveying about 4,000 French troops to Valetta, the thwarting of this effort was the decisive event of the whole siege. This appears very forcibly in the despairing terms in which Vaubois wrote to the Minister of War on the 3rd of March 1800 : ' Voila done Malte compromis, et le fruit de dixhuit mois de siege et de blocus peutetre perdu sans resource ' ( ' Journal du Siege de Malte/ Part III, in Appendix of this volume). The rest of the letter is written in a sentimental and unmanly spirit, that contrasts most unfavourably with the firm and decided tones in which Admiral Villeneuve referred to the same event in his letter of March 4, quoted at length in Chapter XIV. The first thought of the admiral seems to have been to make ready the fine battleship, Guillaume Tell, in the hope that she might fight her way through to Toulon, and carry the necessary news concerning the critical state of the garrison. Meanwhile the condition of the besiegers also caused grave con- cern to their commanders. The documents quoted in Chapter XIII show how precarious was the position of Sir Thomas Graham and his motley forces. It was not materially improved by the arrival of 1,200 untrustworthy Neapolitans. A sortie of the French, if strengthened by the arrival of 4,000 fresh troops, must have reduced Graham to the necessity of embarking in haste in face of a victorious enemy, or even of surrendering. His letters cited near the end of Chapter XIII of this work prove that that officer, who showed his dauntless will and power of swift resolve at Barossa in March 1811, was far from easy in his mind, even after the capture of Le Genereux and one of her consorts. His letter of February 24, 1800, to General Fox, commanding in Minorca, gives some interesting details of that event, his own forecast of the future, and his evident reliance on help from the Russians (then at Corfu) or from England. After the failure of the effort made by Le Genereux, desertions from Valetta became for a few days more frequent. In the account of the siege given in ' Les Victoires et les Conquetes de TArmee fran9aise ' (vol. xiii. p. 142), it is stated that at this time prices ruled as follows in the beleaguered city — a fowl, 16 francs ; a rabbit, 12 francs ; an egg, 20 sous ; a lettuce, 18 sous ; a rat, 40 sous ; and fish, 6 francs the pound. Typhus was raging among the troops, and there were few means of combating this deadly foe or of restoring to health the sick in the hospitals ; but the scarcity must have been to some extent relieved by the French corvette which managed to elude Nelson^s blockade on March 4. ^ Jurien de la Graviere, Guerres maritimes (Paris, two vols.), vol. i. pp. 314-16; Mahan, Life of Nelson, vol. ii. pp. 27-32 ; James, Naval History, vol. ii. pp. 438-40. INTRODUCTION xxxv The besiegers were beset by perplexities of diverse kinds. The progress of the Austrians in the north-west of Italy, and the evident need of supporting them in the blockade of Greneral Massena's force at Genoa, compelled Lord Keith, as commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, to turn his attention to that quarter. The Russian squadron under Admiral Ouchakoff, which ought to have assisted the Austrians in the blockade of Genoa, had retired to Corfu, and there was little hope that it would do anything for the Allies. A problem of a very exceptional order now confronted Keith. If he went to Genoa, he must leave the blockade of Malta to Nelson ; and it was notorious that the infatuation of that brave seaman for Lady Hamilton was clouding his vision, sapping his energies, and turning his thoughts to the present abode of the siren — Palermo. This was, in part, the reason why Keith ordered that Syracuse, and not Palermo, should be the rendezvous for the ships blockading Malta ; and this decision, also called for by geographical con- siderations, was deeply resented by Nelson. Keith had to content himself with giving precise orders to this eifect, and on February 25, just before he set sail from Malta, he wrote to Sir William Hamilton the follo"vving hitherto unpublished letter : — [Off Malta] 25 Feh. 1800. Dear Sir W[illiabi], — I am still here, and I hardly know how to quit it, Lord Nelson and Troubridge are so unwell. The French know the fate of the intended succoui', and desert, some every day ; tliej^ are preparing their ships to push out. Had we a thousand straightforward men we should have it [Valetta] presently ; they are sickly and discontented. Anything which may come for nie should go to Leghorn, where I ought to have been ere now, but we cannot do all we wish, and I do all I can. Assure the Royal Family their commands will honor me at all times, remember me to oui' fi'iends at Palermo, and make my best regards acceptable to Lady Hamilton. — Ever yours, Keith. i As has been shown by Mr. Allardyce in the ' Life of Lord Keith,' and by Captain Mahan in the ' Life of Nelson,' the behaviour of the commander-in-chief to his brilliant second in command was as con- siderate as possible ; but it must be admitted that the conduct of Nelson was peevish and unmanly. After his success in capturing' Le Genereuz he seems to have relapsed into a kind of torpor, which would have had serious consequences but for the unremitting attention to duty of his subordinates, Troubridge and Ball. A French corvette managed to slip into Valetta on the night of March 4-5 — a fact partly attributable, perhaps, to slight repairs needed by the Foudroyant. There is a suggestion of reproach in Ball's letter of ^ From Mr. A. M. Broadley's collection of MSS. xxxvi A HISTORY OF MALTA March 5, 1800^ announcing tliat event (Chapter XIV). It is also clear from the dispatch of Villeneuve which follows, that the arrival of that corvette enabled the garrison to hold out for three months longer than had previously been deemed possible. The general situation also called for the utmost watchfulness and energy on the part of the blockaders. There were good grounds for believing that the great Franco-Spanish fleet at Brest would find means to elude their blockaders during the gales of February or March, and make a raid into the Mediterranean, with results more effective than in the previous year. Bruix had every reason for striving to restore French ascendancy in that sea. The French army in Egypt needed succour, the garrison of Valetta was nearing the end of its resources, and Massena was beleaguered in Genoa by the Austrians. Further, the British fleet was widely dispersed, owdng to the need of guarding Minorca, of helping in the siege of Glenoa, of closely watching Valetta, and of intercepting supplies from France to Egypt. On the squadrons detailed for these very diverse duties the great fleet of Bruix might have fallen with crushing eifect. This was the chief concern of the besiegers of Valetta. Vaubois was fast losing his striking-power ; but Bruix, had he got away from Brest, might have overpowered the squadron which formed the only base of Graham's operations, and reduced that officer to surrender. It is clear that Nelson felt the strain of this unseen and therefore doubly terrible menace. ' The French ships here ' (wrote Nelson off Valetta on February 25 to Hamilton) ' are preparing for sea ; the Brest fleet. Lord Keith says, may be daily expected ; and with all this I am very unwell.^ . . . The first moment which offers with credit to myself I shall assuredly give you my company. . . . Lord Keith is commander-in-chief, and I have not been kindly treated.' That Nelson, in the face of the facts above described, should have longed to get away from Malta to be with the Hamiltons at Palermo, is highly discreditable. Troubridge begged him most urgently not to leave his duty at Malta until the place and the three ships of Bruix's fleet sheltering there alike surrendered to him.- But all was in vain. On March 10 he sailed on the Foudroyant to Palermo. Fortunately his flagship returned to her proper station in time to take part in the chase of the Guillaume Tell. As Graham had foretold, the French ships in Valetta had long been preparing to escape, and now one of the finest ships in their Navy came forth to fight her way to Toulon. Shortly before mid- night of March 30, Rear- Admiral Decres and Captain Saulnier slipped out of Valetta harbour on that 80-gun ship. She was soon sighted ^ Those who saw him at this time describe his indisposition as of the mental, not of the bodily, order. " Mahan, Life of Nelson, vol. ii. p. 29 ; also Clarke and McArthur, pp. 246, 247, 253. Ou March 31 he wrote to the Pasha of Egypt that there was no cause for alarm even if Bruix entered the Mediterranean; but this was not his real belief (see ibid. p. 246). INTRODUCTION xxxvii by H.M.S. Penelope (36 guns), which gave chase and several times raked her from astern, finally damaging her topmasts and sails so that H.M.S. Lion (64) and Foudroyant (80) were able successively to bear up and finally overpower the defence, Avhich will ever rank among the most brilliant ever made against superior force. It after- wards transpired that the Guillaume Tell carried 1,220 men — a number in excess of her rating.^ This fact, together with the desperate nature of the defence, shows the determination of the crcAv to reach France. That Vaubois and Decres overmanned the ship in order to lessen the number of mouths in Valetta appears decisively from the interesting dispatch of Villeneuve of March 4, 1800, cited in Chapter XIV, and that of Vaubois of April 2, cited in the Appendix, Part IV, of his ' Journal of the Siege.' The account of the conflict given in Chapter XIV from the log of the Foudroyant, and the ofllcial report of Captain Dixon, of H.M.S. Lion, will be found the most circumstantial ever published. The critical situation of the besiegers on land may be seen in the long letter written by Sir Thomas Graham to Sir William Hamilton, of May 19, 1800 (see Chapter XIV), in the hope that he would speedily lay it before the authorities in London. At that time the Hamiltons (it is needful to use the plural) were being recalled home in thinly veiled disgrace j^ and it does not appear that Sir William took any special means of forwarding the letter home. As is well knoAvn, Nelson withdrew from Malta in order to escort the King and Queen of Naples and the Hamiltons from Palermo to Leghorn (June 10-15, 1800), and thereby materially weakened the strength of the blockade at Valetta. By great good fortune no serious effort was made by the French at that time to relieve the fortress ; but, as we shall see, a French brig got in on June 8. As Nelson acted in direct contravention of the orders of his superior. Lord Keith, we can imagine the annoyance of the latter at this dereliction of duty. It finds expression in his letter, dated Leghorn, July 16, 1800, in the following unpunctuated sentence: 'The Queen, Nelson and left Florence two or three days ago, after embarking and landing repeatedly. I was so displeased by the withdrawing of the Ships from Malta and with other proceedings that Her Majesty did not take any notice of me latterally [stc] which had no effect on my attention to her Rank, what a clamour to [?] letting in the Ships to Malta will occasion, I assure you nothing has given me more real ^ James, vol. ii. p. 443 (edit, of 1902), says only 919 men; but the official reports in Clarke and McArtlmr (pp. 249, 251) give 1,220 men, and a loss of 200 to the Guillaume Tell. The discrepancy is explained by the resolve formed at the court-martial of March 1, 1800, cited in Chapter XIV of this work, to send away the sick and all who were useless to the defence of Valetta. Some of the British reports assign to her 86 guns j but six of these were probably carronades mounted on the upper deck. " See Lord Grenville to Paget {Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 237, 238) ; also ibid. pp. 246-48, for Hamilton's intrigues against Paget at Palermo. xxxviii A HISTORY OF MALTA concern, it was so near exhausted.' ^ The last statement refers to the successful blockade-running accomplished by the brig La Marguerite, which entered Valetta under close pursuit by the Penelope on June 8. As was pointed out by Villeneuve in his letter of June 14, this event caused great joy among the besieged, as it assured to them a supply of provisions for three months longer. That this incident resulted from Nelson's anxiety for the safety of Their Sicilian Majesties and Lady Hamilton can scarcely be denied. This was the opinion of Lord Keith, who was best qualified to pass judgment. He gave it as follows in his letter of July 23 to Paget : ' Had not Nelson quitted it [Malta] and taken the ships off the station it would have fallen about this time.' ^ In view of the documents printed in this volume, the conclusion is inevitable that Nelson was responsible for the pro- longation of the siege by two months. We may hazard the statement that, had any other officer than Nelson behaved as he did, the result must have been a sharp censure. The letters of Villeneuve and Yaubois, of the months June and July [?] 1800 (see Chapters XIV., XV, and Vaubois' ' Journal du Siege de Malte,' Part IV), prove conclusively that the defence of Valetta turned essentially on the question of food supply. ' Recevons de quoi subsister, et Malte est a la Republique.' Such is the burden of the letters and appeals of Vaubois.^ Even after the arrival of La Marguerite and two smaller vessels, the garrison stood in urgent need of flour, biscuits, oil, lard, rice, beans, and, to a less extent, of wine and brandy. At that season of calms and short nights it was unlikely that the vigilance of the British cruisers would again be eluded; but both officers pressed for the dispatch of isolated vessels or feluccas, as one of them might possibly slip in if several were sent. At that time dysentery, scrofula, and verminous disorders were weakening the garrison, which could scarcely subsist on bread and water, and needed better nutriment to withstand the wear and tear of the siege. The letters of Vaubois in his Journal give a terrible description of the misery of the populace of Valetta. Meanwhile, the presence of the Franco-Spanish fleet of forty-eight sail of the line at Brest (blockaded though it was by the Earl of St. Vincent with from twenty-four to thirty sail of the line) had been paralysing the energies of British officials. On July 23, Keith ^ Paget Papers, vol. i. p. 253. See, too, his letter of June 20 at Genoa : ' I must go to Leghorn ... to be bored by Lord Nelson for permission to take the Queen [back] to Palermo and princes and princesses to all parts of the globe : to every request I have said my duty to the Nation forbids it.' Nelson's conduct appears the worse in the light of his admission to Troubridge on May 22 (see Nelson Dispatches, vol. iv. p. 239), that the Northumberland was the only really effective ship of the line off Valetta. Keith's statement as to ships getting into Valetta is incorrect ; only one brig, La Marguerite, got in. ^ See Villeneuve's letter of June 18, 1800 (Chapter XIV). " Paget Papers, vol. i. p. 256. ^ Letter of July 18, 1800, to the Commissaire ordonnateur de Marine a Toulon. See Jourrud du Siege, Part IV, in Appendix. INTRODUCTION xxxix complained to Paget that the British Admiralty was so entirely occupied with the blockade of Brest as to forget Mediterranean affairs.! Still more deadening was the influence of that fleet upon General Fox^ commanding the British forces in Minorca. He was so beset by scruples and fears as not to allow any men to be removed from that island. Keith wrote from Genoa on June 20 to Paget : ' There are 14,000 men on Minorca which cannot be used by reason there is no general, and Fox has not the nerves to send a man on.' ^ In this particular case Keith was referring to his proposed attempt to hold Genoa by a British force, despite its having been ceded to the French by the precipitate action of Melas in the Convention of June 15. But these words are also applicable to the previous action of Fox with regard to Malta. Either from fear of officials at home, or from nervous apprehensions about Bruix, he declined to allow any of his troops to proceed to Malta, though he could well have spared enough to have decided the fate of Valetta. Not until the arrival of Sir Ralph Abercromby did the 2nd Battalion of the 35th Regiment set sail from Minorca, namely, on the 23rd of June. The arrival of this succour enabled the besiegers to press the French more closely and hasten the surrender, as is evident from the letters of Vaubois and Villeneuve to the Minister of Marine, cited in the middle of Chapter XV. Among other items of interest is the fact that the besiegers' batteries were now brought up so as to sweep the Marsamuscet, or Quarantine Harbour, where the garrison had previously been able to procure fish. But the tightening of the blockade by land would have been of little avail had not the British ships been able to cruise close inshore, or even to anchor, during* the calms or light airs of the summer weather. The difficulty of blockade-running now became insuperable. Two or three feluccas were caught by the British cruisers ; and it is said that in all ten small vessels were dispatched from French ports to the relief of Valetta without success. Villeneuve, foreseeing the end drawing near, took the magnanimous resolve of saving to the Republic the two fine frigates. La Diane and La Justice, which now were the sole survivors of the disaster of Aboukir. The letters in Avhich he announced his determination, and the arguments whereby he overcame the reluc- tance of Vaubois, will serve to raise the esteem which students of history have long felt for one of the most valiant, and certainly the ' This should have absolved Keith from the censure of Captain Mahan {Life of Nelson, vol. ii. p. 38), that he (Keith) was too nervous and preoccupied about what the Brest fleet might do. Captain Mahan, in his Influence of Sea Poiver on the French Revolution and Empire, vol. i. pp. 366-70), gives an excellent account of the blockade of Brest, first by Lord Bridport, and then by his far more efficient successor, the Earl of St. Vincent. In point of fact, the whole naval situation, and therefore the fate of Malta, turned on the blockade of Brest, as was the case in 1803-5. ^ Paget Papers, vol. i. p. 232. d xl A HISTORY OF MALTA most unfortunate, of French admirals. The result was the escape of La Justice and the capture of La Diane, which was towed back dis- masted within view of Valetta. This further misfortune (and the uncertainty for the present whether La Justice had escaped) probably weighed heavily on the garrison, and the council of war held on September 2 decided on negotiating with a view to surrender. It is, however, to be observed that among their reasons for taking this step the want of food was first and foremost. It is there also stated that, as the besiegers had taken the precaution of keeping possession of all the corn in the country districts, a sortie would be useless. General Pigot, in his letter of September 5, 1800 (see Chapter XV), asserts that the capitulation was accelerated by Graham's refusal to allow any more Maltese to be sent out from Valetta by Vaubois' orders. There is no mention whatever of any damage done to the fortifications by the besiegers. The conclusion is therefore inevitable that, as a fortress, Valetta was still absolutely intact. The garrison surrendered, on Septem- ber 4, owing to the privations which they had undergone and the near approach of absolute famine. And as Signor Miege has pointed out, if Vaubois had had to feed all the Maltese (as he must have done if they had remained loyal to the French connexion), the sur- render to the British fleet must have taken place far earlier. It was most fortunate for him that the Maltese did revolt. They did no damage to his fortifications, and enabled him to husband his food supply. In truth, no one can peruse the evidence (much of which is now for the first time published) without perceiving the fact that Valetta fell, not because of the bombardment and demonstrations made against it on land, but because of the constricting grip of the British Navy, especially during the summer months of 1800. An apology is due to students of naval history for insistence on this fact, which ought to be obvious in the case of a small island dependent on foreign food ; but, inasmuch as it has been denied by some of the Maltese, Mr. Hardman resolved to establish it beyond reach of cavil by reference to the final court of appeal, viz. the documents of besiegers and besieged. That this has now been done must be clear to any person who will take the trouble to peruse the dispatches contained in this volume. The evidence is of interest, however, for far wider reasons. It throws light on the careers of distinguished men — Nelson, Keith, Sir Thomas Graham, Sir Alexander Ball, Sir Thomas Troubridge, Sir William Hamilton, and the Hon. A. Paget. It tends to deprive Nelson of the credit which, on very slender grounds, was accorded to him, of having directly brought about the fall of Malta. Except in so far as his victory at the Nile was an indispensable preliminary to its capture, he deserves very little credit. It has been amply shown INTRODUCTION xli that his connexion with Lady Hamilton^ his pique against Keith, and his excessive deference to the King and Queen of Naples, betrayed him into acts of disobedience to his superior^ which com- promised the efficiency of the blockade and tended to prolong the defence of Vaubois. The care and forethought of Keith, on the contrary, appear in a very favourable light; and too much praise cannot be accorded to Ball, Troubridge, and Grraham, as also to Lieutenant Yivion for the courage and energy which he displayed at the time when the besiegers^ fortunes were at their lowest. Respecting the services of Captain Ball, Alexander Macaulay wrote to a friend on June 24, 1800 : 'Until he resigned the military command to General Graham, who came here from Messina with two English regiments about four months ago, he blocked up a garrison of veterans in one of the strongest fortresses of Europe with only the ill-disciplined, half -naked, but faithful Maltese/ ^ This judgment leaves out of count the fact which we now know, that the French had no good reason for making sorties. It is noteworthy that, after the surrender of Genoa, and after Nelson's withdrawal to Leghorn, Ancona, and Vienna (where his behaviour inexpressibly pained all his friends and admirers), ^ the blockade gained in consistency and vigour. Further, the conduct of General Fox, commanding the British troops at Minorca, was weak and dilatory. Had he possessed the courage to spare two more regiments from his garrison, possibly Valetta might have been taken by assault in the month of July, when the garrison was enfeebled by privations and disease. As it is, the honours on land certainly rested with Vaubois and his brave garrison. It is somewhat singular that every historian of this period has sung the praises of Massena for his fine defence of Genoa during two months, while few have noticed the far more remarkable exploit of Vaubois in holding out at Valetta for fully two years. All things considered, his defence ought to reckon among the most memorable on record. The most brilliant episode of all was the attempted escape of the Guillmcme Tell, and thereafter that of the frigates La Diane and La Justice. Seeing that they had been cooped up in harbour for eighteen months or more, those attempts shed glory on the French Navy, and on Admirals Villeneuve and Decres, who adopted that heroic resolve. XI The Maltese have always felt sore because their levies assisting in the blockade of Valetta were in no Avise recognised in the nego- tiations for the surrender. But it is proved conclusively by the 1 C. O. R. Malta No. 1. Fitzharris, son of the Earl of Malmesbury, wrote at Vienna : ' Lord Nelson and the Hamiltons dined here the other day : it is disgusting to see her Avith him ' (Earl of Malmesbury's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 24). d2 xlii A HISTORY OF MALTA documents given in Chapter XV that General Vaubois would on no account have recognised them or their governor, Captain Ball.^ The latter had been appointed to the governorship by the suzerain, the King of Naples, and by the Congress of the Maltese. But the French recognised neither of these authorities in the present question. It is therefore incorrect to state, as is sometimes done, that the Maltese made a free gift of the island to Great Britain. True, the Maltese Congress made that offer, when the fortunes of the besiegers were at a low ebb ; but the whole question turned on the possession of Valetta, and as has been shown, that fortress fell to the British navy and to a less extent to the land forces. Besides, as the sequel will show, the independence of Malta was impossible so soon as three great Powers (France, Great Britain, and Russia) discerned its strategic importance. For the present we note that there was good reason why Great Britain should reconsider its resolve to admit the sovereignty of the King of Naples. His mainland possessions were now practically at the mercy of the French, and it was natural that he should come to terms with them. His weak and indolent nature, and the proneness of his Queen towards intrigue (she was at that time bargaining with the Hapsburgs in Vienna), rendered it highly probable that he would barter away to the First Consul his sovereignty over Malta as the price of his security at Naples. In fact, he came to terms with the French in the armistice of February 17, 1801, agreeing to close his ports to British ships, a provision which was ratified in the Treaty of Florence, of March 28, 1801. Russia was unable to do anything for Naples. It is well known that her plenipotentiary, Kalicheff, went to Paris in order to secure the interests of Sardinia and Naples. The Czar hoped to gain this boon by offering to the First Consul that France and Russia should pledge themselves never to make peace with England until Malta were handed over to Russia. Talleyrand waived this matter aside, and hastily pressed terms of peace on Naples, which made that kingdom a mere satrapy of France. The relations of Russia to Malta now claim attention. As has been stated above, and will appear more fully in Chapter XVII of this work, the Czar had in November 1798 accepted the Grand Mastership of the Order of St. John, which the Knights had most unjustly forced Hompesch to resign. Thereafter the affairs of the Order held the first place in the thoughts of the Czar, and all diplomatists and favourites had to humour this latest whim of that most untrustworthy of rulers. ^ The British Government seems to me to have acted very shabbily in refusing to allow to the Maltese levies a share in the prize-money. See Captain Ball's letter of 6th March 1801 (Chap. xvi.). INTRODUCTION xliii The dispatches and secret letters printed in the new volume of the ' Dropmore Papers ' (MSS. of J. B, Fortescue^ Esq.) show that our Ministers held to the compact of December 1798, whereby Malta was to be occupied during the war against France by British^ Russian, and Neapolitan troops conjointly. The Pitt Ministry was also still bent on reinstating the Order of St. John. Nevertheless, Dundas in his letter to Grenville of April 20, 1800, added the significant words : ' I hope in God you will be able to make such an arrange- ment with Russia as may secure to us, as a naval Power, all the advantages which Malta possesses. ... To France its value is in- calculable.' ^ Grrenville evidently thought less highly of Malta, for in his reply of April 23 he expressed a doubt whether it was of much importance either to England or to France, seeing that a naval tear between the two Powers was not likely to occur again in the Levant. Minorca, he added, was of far higher value to us. He concluded thus : ' As for arrangements with Russia I own that I despair, and when you read the dispatches you will probably do likewise, of being able to conclude anything with that Court just now, but especially on the very point on which the Emperor is most sore. My opinion therefore clearly is to leave the thing as it is : to satisfy ourselves with the advantage of having Malta rather in the hands of Russia than of France ; and not to attempt to open any fresh negotiations at St. Petersburg' on the subject.' ~ Matters were left in that state. The Russian troops did not sail from Naples to Malta, as was expected ; and the events of the Marengo campaign led to their recall to Corfvi and the abandonment of the King of Naples by the Czar. The Anglo-Russian convention was therefore of no effect, owing to the peevish and perverse action of Paul I. On October 17 Grenville wrote to Paget, our envoy at the Neapolitan Court, then at Palermo : ^ The Russian troops and ships, wherever employed, have been withdrawn, the Emperor's forces have in no degree contributed to the reduction of the Island of Malta, nor has he during the present campaign afforded to the Allies the smallest aid against the common enemy.' ^ A few days later the rupture with Russia was complete : and it is well known that the offer to cede Malta to the Czar, which Bonaparte skilfully made in July 1800, contributed materially to this event. The facts connected with the British expedition into the Baltic under Parker and Nelson, the assassination of the Czar Paul, and the accession of his son, Alexander I (March 1801), do not concern us here, save in so far as they brought to power a ruler who was far from hostile to Great Britain, and felt less concern about the ' Dropmore Pampers, vol. vi. p. 199. " Ibid. p. 200. This refutes the statement of Alison (chap, xxxiii), that 'it was easy to anticipate that the English Cabinet would not readily part with that important fortress.' ^ Paget Papers, vol. i. p. 274. xliv A HISTORY OF MALTA possession of Malta. As is shown near the end of Chapter XVII of this work, Alexander I accorded his protection to the Order of St. John, but in other respects his cool treatment of the Maltese question Avas in signal contrast to the captious fussiness of his father. It is, therefore, not surprising that the opinions of the British Government also underwent a change. The Addington Ministry, which succeeded that of Pitt in March 1801, soon proved to be weak in its handling of foreign affairs ; but there are signs which show that, for some time at least, it intended to retain Malta. As will be seen by reference to Chapter XVI of tlais volume, the long dispatch of May 14, 1801, sent by Lord Hobart, Minister for War and the Colonies, to Mr. Charles Cameron, the Civil Commissioner for Malta, who succeeded Captain Ball, seems to imply that the British Govern- ment had at that time resolved to retain the island. The Neapolitan troops had retired, and it ought to have been possible to persuade the Czar, Alexander I, to waive his claim to protect the Knights of St. John. His policy was at very many points in direct opposition to that of his father. He cared little for expansion in the Medi- terranean. Moreover, his interest in the projected reforms of the social and political system of Russia,^ and his championship of the interests of the German princes against Bonaparte's interventions, should have afforded the means to bind him to England, and acquiesce in her retention of Malta. The recent publication of Volume VI of the ' Dropmore Papers ' enables us to see the views of some of our officers and diplomatists respecting Malta. As will further appear by reference to the docu- ments published in this volume. Sir Charles Stuart felt very keenly the need of retaining Malta ; and we now know that his refusal to comply with the instructions issued to him in the early spring of 1800, for allowing' the Russians to garrison it conjointly with British and Neapolitan troops, led to the resignation of his command in the Mediterranean, and to the refusal of the Rt. Hon. Henry Dundas, Minister at War, to employ him again, at least for the present ('Dropmore Papers,' vol. vi. p. 207) . Dundas, as we have seen already, felt strongly on the question of retaining a hold upon Malta ; and Grenville, who at first valued Minorca more than Malta, seems to have come round owing to letters which he received from General Graham at Malta, the Earl of Carysfort at Berlin, and William Wickham at Vienna, urging on him the extreme importance of holding that island {ibid. vol. vi. pp. 248, 249, 371, 421, 430) . The last-named, in his letter of January 21, 1801, said: 'With Malta in your hands, you will still be gods even at Vienna, in spite of Buonaparte. It opens a prospect at Vienna which, in the present state of things, has no bounds.' The Earl of Carysfort also wrote (November 1, 1800) that to hand ' See the Memoirs of Prince Czartoryslii, I. pp. 272-79 (Eng. edit.). INTRODUCTION xlv Malta over to the Order, which would be equivalent to ceding it to Russia, would be ' a serious misfortune to all Europe.' Grenville appears to have been convinced by these arguments, for he sharply criticised the Preliminary Treaty of London, assented to by the Addington Cabinet on October 1, 1801, largely because we gave up both Minorca and Malta, and thereby yielded to France complete predominance in the Mediterranean. Dundas certainly wanted to keep Malta. Indeed, as the rupture with Russia had annulled the Anglo-Russian convention of December 29, 1798, the members of the Pitt Cabinet were perfectly free to press for the retention of the island by the Power which had almost singly effected its reduction. The opinion of Pitt is not easy to fathom. He felt himself in honour bound to support his successors, so far as he conscientiously could ; and his speech in Parliament was in com- plete contrast to that of G-renville. Pitt sought to persuade members that the gain of Ceylon, Trinidad, and Mysore (the last-named was a question which did not directly concern France) was more g-lorious than that of Canada and Florida by the Seven Years' War. He, however, admitted that the giving up of Malta Avas a very regrettable fact. It seems probable, then, that the continuance of the Pitt Ministry in power would have implied the retention of Malta. We may also observe that, had the news of the surrender of General Menou in Egypt arrived in London two days earlier (namely, on September 30), even the Addington Cabinet might have felt an accession of confidence sufficient to empower it to make that a sine qua non of peace. ^ The last claims to be surrendered by the Addington Ministry were those relating to Malta and Tobago. The evidence contained in the British Archives (C.O.R. Malta No. 4.) shows that the Cabinet considered several plans for the adjustment of the Maltese Question. Among the Projects for a Maltese constitu- tion is an undated one by Prince Alexander Vorontzoif (Woronzow), somewhat on the lines finally adopted, which was handed in to our ambassador, Sir John Borlase Warren, at St. Petersburg. Signs are not wanting that the final plan of reinstating the Order of St. John was due to more general considerations. This is stated in the British Foreign Office dispatch of September 17, 1801, to Lord St. Helens at St. Petersburg (F.O. Russia, No. 49) : — ' The future situation of the Island of Malta has given rise, as might be expected, to much discussion ; but the importance of endeavouring to secure by a general peace the integrity of the Turkish Empire and of the Kingdoms of Portugal and Naples have {sic) induced His Majesty to consent to withdraw the British forces from that Island and to agree that it should be placed in a state of independence either on {sic) Great ' For some details of the negotiations which led up to the Preliminary Treaty, see Rose, Life of Napoleon I, vol. i. chap. xiii. ad init. xlvi A HISTOKY OF MALTA Britain or France, provided the French Government would consent to a suitable arrangement for the East and West Indies.' Thus British interests at Malta were sacrificed to the wider considerations just noticed, which were deemed to further the cause of peace and national security. Certain it is that in giving way on Malta this pacific Cabinet left the door open for disputes which were the final cause of the war of 1803. There is every reason to believe that a firm attitude towards Napoleon in 1801 would at least have pro- longed the time of peace. XII The British Government soon began to feel concern respecting Malta. For in the instructions issued on October 27, 1801, to the Marquis Cornwallis, on whom devolved the task of reducing the Preliminaries of London to the definitive treaty signed at Amiens on March 27, 1802, Article V runs as follows : — The Fourth Article [of the Preliminaries of Peace] respecting Malta is of the greatest importance and will demand your most serious attention. It is hereby stipulated that the island shall be restored to the Order of St. John ; but that, to render it independent of either of the contracting parties, it shall be placed under the guaranty and protection of a third Power. The first point which it will be necessary to determine is — Where is the Order, and who are to be considered as composing it ? We are ready to acknowledge as the Order those Knights who, in consequence of the Declaration of the 28th of August last of the Emperor of Russia, shall proceed to the election of a Grand Master, and the person so elected as Grand Master. As a consequence of this acknowledgment the island should be considered as under the protection and guaranty of the Emperor of Russia. Although the supreme authority both civil and military must necessarily be vested in the Order, it appears to be highly just and expedient that the condition of the natives and inhabitants of Malta should be meliorated [si'c], and that for this pui'pose admission to the Order and such privileges and immunities should be granted and secured to them, as may not be inconsistent with or derogatory from, the supreme authority of the Knights. With respect to the defence and security of the island, it is indispensable that a garinson, to be composed in part at least of the troops of the Emperor of Russia or of some other Power, should be provided. In order to defray the expense of such a garrison, the most practicable and equitable mode appears to be that of opening the ports of Malta to the commerce and navigation of all nations on their paying equal duties, and that the amount of those duties should be applied, in the first instance, to the payment of the expenses of the gan'ison.^ This document, which has not been printed before, is of value as ' F. O. France, No. 59. INTRODUCTION xlvii showing that the British Government had resolved to safeguard the interests of the Maltese, even before it received the long and urgent ' Representation ' drawn up by them and handed in to Commissioner Cameron on October 19, 1801. It is noteworthy that the first impression produced on the Maltese by the news of the rein- statement of the Order of St. John was that this would be but a stepping-stone to the acquisition of the island by France. Their ' Representation ' to Mr. Cameron (printed in Chapter XIX ad init.) is well worthy of attention as showing their attachment to Great Britain and their keen forecast of the probable course of events should they be handed over once more to a weak and discredited Order.^ The services of the Maltese levies are ludicrously overestimated in this document, as those of the British fleet and land forces are belittled ; but in other respects the Maltese shrewdly interpreted the action of France, and showed how easily she could dispose of a guarantee which any third Power might give. This document may have opened the eyes of the somewhat purblind statesmen and officials at Downing Street. That the Maltese deputies knew very well the paramount importance of the services rendered by the British fleet and soldiery appears in the following sentence of their letter of April 2, 1802, to Lord Hobart, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies : ' In transmitting to our descendants the story of our Revolution, we shall tell them that without the assistance of Great Britain our ruin would have been inevitable.' ^ Had all the Maltese, at that time and at a later date, been as frank in acknow- ledging their indebtedness to Great Britain, much of the friction which has since occurred would have been averted. On the other hand, it is difficult, except on the score of political expediency, to justify the action of the British Government in handing over to the Order of St. John a population which detested that Order and demanded to be part of the British Empire. The Maltese very naturally resented such conduct ; but it may be pleaded in excuse of the Addington Cabinet that the First Consul showed himself most exacting on this point, while the Czar Alexander would have been offended by any other solution of the difficulty. There had been signs of a possible Franco-Russian entente. Thus, as had happened so often of late, Malta was sacrificed to the wider diplomatic questions of that time.^ ^ The Porte took the same view. In F. O. Turkey, No. 35, is a dispatch of Lord Elgin, our ambassador at Constantinople, to Lord Hawkesbury, which contains similar statements : ' The Porte considers her interests and tranquillity secure [i.e. in Egypt] while England possesses Malta ; but not so after our abandoning it.' He adds that, as Turkey had sworn perpetual peace with the Order of St. John, it now had no raison d'etre. ^ See chap, xix of this work ; also Papers relative to the Discussion with France in 1802 and 1803 (Papers presented to Parliament 1803), p. 325. ^ See The Cormvallis Correspondence, vol. iii, Paget Papers, vol. ii. ad init. and Rose, Life of Napoleon I, vol. i. pp. 333-40, for these questions. xlviii A HISTORY OF MALTA Nevertheless, the efforts of the Maltese to procure some alleviation of their lot were not wholly fruitless. The British Government resisted the effort of the Czar to exclude commoners from the pro- posed Maltese Langue. Article X, section 3, of the Treaty of Amiens contained the following provision : ' No proofs of nobility shall be necessary for the admission of Knights into the said Langue ; they shall be competent to hold every office and to hold every privilege in the like manner as the Knights of the other Langues.' The documents collected by Mr. Hardman in Chapters XXI, XXII, show more fully than has been done before the perverse policy of the Czar Alexander at this time and during the disputes respecting Malta in 1802-3. In the first place, his punctiliousness about the affairs of the Order of St. John enhanced the difficulties of a settle- ment, and that, too, though the British Government had offered that he should undertake the defence of the island. For a time in the summer of 1801 he favoured the proposal ; but on the resignation of his Minister, Count Panin, he veered round and declared that a Russian garrison at Malta would be expensive and compromising. The offer itself, however, is a proof that the Cabinet of St. James sincerely desired a complete and lasting settlement of the Maltese Question on terms favourable to Russia ; and the strife that ensued may be traced to the vacillations of Alexander, not to the Addington Ministry.^ Other things besides the shifts and turns of the young Czar gave cause for alarm. Even before the signature of the Peace of Amiens, rumours flew about that Bonaparte meant to acquire Malta. Italinsky, the Russian envoy at the Neapolitan Court, reported on February 20, 1802, ^that the first Consul was known to be set on securing complete supremacy in the Mediterranean and juggling the English out of Malta, as a preliminary to the re-conquest of Egypt and the driving them out of India.^ These reports gained in credibility when Bonaparte dispatched Colonel Sebastiani on a mission to the Levant and published his very threatening report in extenso in the Moniteur. When we further remember that much of the property of that Order on the Continent had been sequestrated before the Peace of Amiens, that the Spanish Government shortly afterwards con- fiscated its lands in Spain, and that Russia and Prussia withheld their guarantees to the terms of that treaty respecting Malta (though that guarantee was required by the terms of Article X of the treaty), we see that on technical grounds the British Government had a good case for not withdrawing its troops. The real reason for that course of conduct was that the recent acquisitions of France, namely. Piedmont, Parma, Piacenza, and Elba, not to speak of the control of Switzerland by the French and their refusal to evacuate the fortresses of Holland, constituted a most serious menace to the safety of Great Britain. M. Coquelle in his ^ Paget Papers, vol. ii. p. 24. ^ Ibid. p. 42. INTRODUCTION xlix work, 'Napoleon and England/ which is founded on a careful study of the French archives, has pointed out the importance of securing the actual neutrality of the Dutch Republic. His argument would have acquired more strength had he pointed out that a French expedition set sail from Brest for the East Indies on March 6, 1803, which touched at the Cape of Good Hope, and Avas instructed (so we now know) to use that Dutch possession as a point d'appm in case of a rupture with England.^ The secret instructions issued by the First Consul to the commander of the expedition. General Decaen, prove that measures were to be undertaken in India in order to strengthen French interests, with a view to an ultimate conflict with England ; and the date, September 1804, is referred to in this connexion as one that might witness the outbreak of war. These plans were unknown to the British Government ; but it is clear that the departure of the French expedition to India aroused its anxiety respecting the means of communicating with the Orient. Lord Whitworth, British ambassador at Paris, mentioned that event in his dispatches of March 24 and 31, 1803, to Lord Hawkesbury ; and it is significant that in his reply of April 4 (which contained the British proposal for the retention of Malta, as a counterpoise to the gains of France in Italy) Lord Hawkesbury stated that the whole question must now be brought to a definite issue. There was every reason why the British Government should seek to clear up a situa- tion which Avas becoming more dangerous than open war. If Bonaparte were allowed to keep his hold on Holland, to strengthen his grip on Italy, to fortify Elba, to threaten the reconquest of Egypt and the Ionian Isles, and to mature his plans for India (what- ever they might be), he Avould in that case soon be able to contest with England the mastery of the high seas, to drive her from the Mediterranean, and to take up once more the Oriental designs which had been interrupted by Nelson's victory at the Nile. The researches of M. Coquelle have throAvn light on the interest- ing condition of affairs at the end of March and beginning of April. He shows that on March 28 the French ambassador, General Andreossy, handed to Lord Hawkesbury, Minister for Foreign Aifairs in the Addington Cabinet, a note demanding the cession of Malta to Naples, a weak State Avhich France could at all times coerce and overbear. Andreossy thereupon informed the First Consul and Talleyrand in letters, which will be found quoted in Chapter XX, that the British Ministry, though distressed by the late demand, still desired peace, and that it rested Avith him, the First Consul, to assure its continuance. In Andreossy's letter of April 4 to Bonaparte occurs a phrase Avhich Mr. Hardman did not cite, but Avhich deserves ' For the actions of Decaen at Cape Town, see my article in the Eng. Historical Rev. of January 1900.— J. H. R. 1 A HISTORY OF MALTA quotation: 'Everybody [in England] wants peace. By preserving the peace of Europe you will crush this country without appealing to the arbitrament of the mailed fist/ ^ This was so. Bonaparte only had to wait in order to gain an accession of strength which, if wisely wielded, must overbear Great Britain when the fit time came for throwing down the gauntlet. That he resolved to do so can admit of little doubt. ^ His plans of aggrandisement in Europe, especially the control which he kept over the maritime resources of Holland and Italy, revealed the presence of grandiose designs which could not but be perilous for the Island Power. Let us seek to realise the position of England at that juncture. She had recently evacuated the Cape of Good Hope and Egypt, and therefore had no means of barring the road eastwards to the First Consul save by holding on to Malta. If that island went to a moribund Order, or to the weak and vacillating Government at Naples, its independence would never be worth a month^s purchase ; and when the tricolour floated at Valetta, there was nothing to prevent the re- occupation of Egypt by the French. By this time everyone had come to see the importance of Malta. Nelson, revising the strange opinion as to its uselessness which he had earlier expressed, now termed it ' a most important outwork to India.' ^ That phrase was repeated by Ministers in Parliament, who grounded their determination to keep Malta on the urgent danger to which Egypt was exposed by the openly avowed designs of Bonaparte.^ In this connexion it should be noticed that the French Govern- ment had recognised the reasonableness of the British demand for territorial compensation as a set-off to the great gains of France in recent months. It had used the following terms : ' Cependant on reconnoit que les grands evenemens survenus en Europe, et les changemens arrives dans les limites des grands Etats du Continent peuvent autoriser une partie des demandes du Gouvernement Britannique.' '" The only question, then, was — What land should Great Britain acquire as ' compensation ' ? She claimed Malta, because her interests in the Orient were seriously menaced. Bonaparte resisted, and accepted war rather than alloAv Malta to be the com- pensation. The inference is inevitable, that he had determined on schemes which would be checked or thwarted by the sovereignty of Great Britain at Valetta. ' Coquelle, op. cit. p. 56 (Eng. edit.). ^ See inter alia the able articles by Professor Philippson in the Revue Historique for March, June 1901. '^ Nelson Dispatches, vol. v. p. 507. ^ Alison, chap, xxxvi (pp. 279 et seq. in 9th edit. 1854). •'' O. Browning, England and Napoleon, p. 7; Lord Hawkesbury to Lord Whitworth, November 14, 1802. See, too, pp. 73, 121, 149, 161, 163, 170, for proofs that the British Government never ceased to press the First Consul to give effect to the principle of compensation as formally admitted by him. INTRODUCTION XIII The Foreign Office Records for the months May- July, 1803, reveal the complexity of the Maltese Question. For, on the news of the rupture, the Emperor of Russia offered to arbitrate on that matter. As I have shown in my ^Life of Napoleon I' (cli. xviii), the British Government viewed his action with some suspicion, and decided to accept his mediation only if it concerned all the causes in dispute — a condition which he accepted and Napoleon refused. That Alexander strongly desired to have a voice in the disposal of Malta appears in his insistence on its abandonment by England during the discussions for an Anglo-Russian alliance in the spring and summer of 1805. The Pitt Ministry decided at all costs ' to preserve the rock which is the cause of all existing difficulties.' ^ This fact, among many others, proves that the fate of Malta was essentially an international question, and that England had to reckon not only with France, but also with Russia. Her title to Malta was not decided solely by the events of the years 1798— 1803 : in the main it turned on the fortunes of the Great War. The pressing need of British help felt by Alexander in 1812 furnished the opportunity for eliminating the Russian claims. Those of Napoleon lapsed with his fall. It is needless to review the facts which find their place in the last chapter of Mr. Hardman's work. As is well known, the years of Napoleon's Continental System (1806—13) formed a time of great prosperity for Malta. It became one of the points di'ap'pui for the Sea Power in its struggle against the master of the Continent. Heligoland, the Channel Islands, Portugal, Cadiz, Sicily, Malta, and for a time Ischia and Corfu, were stations from which British com- merce carried on its Avar of pin-pricks against the Continental System; and even the mighty will and energy of Napoleon failed to keep the Continent hermetically sealed against the efforts of enter- prising seamen ever striving at these diverse points to puncture that tense and artificial System. There was something of retributive justice in the events of these years, which poured back into Malta the wealth of which Bonaparte and Vaubois had drained her in 1798-1800. The collapse of Napoleon's power in 1813-14 brought about the return of more normal conditions ; and in the meantime Russia had recognised the complete sovereignty of Great Britain in Malta. By the treaty of alliance with her in 1812, the Czar, Alexander I, surrendered all his pretensions to the championship of the Order of St. John at Malta. Here, again, we may notice that this resulted ' ^Memoirs of Prince Czartoryski,' vol. ii. ch. viii, also p. 186 (Eng. edit.). lii A HISTORY OF MALTA from his rupture with Napoleon, which in its turn was mainly due to the acute friction brought about by the Continental System. In the end, then, Malta came to England. It is not very re- assuring to recollect that she might have acquired it outright in 1801-2 by that best of all titles, the almost universal assent and desire of the islanders themselves. Whether a firm handling of the Maltese problem at that time might have postponed, or even averted, war with Napoleon in 1803 it is futile to inquire. What is certain is that the vacillation of British policy on that topic brought about a situation in which the rupture was well-nigh impossible to avoid. The excess of the evil finally brought about the solution which was most natural ; but that fact does not justify the Adding-ton Cabinet for its weak treatment of the matter in the years 1801-2. The statistics published in Mr. Hardman's last chapter sufficiently illustrate the material progress of the Maltese in the long years of peace which followed after Waterloo. In this connexion it should be remembered that the naval demonstration of Lord Exmouth at Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers, together with the bombardment of the last-named city on August 27, 1816, dealt a blow to slavery in the Barbary States from which it never recovered. On that one day England did more to free the Mediterranean from the Barbary rovers than the Knights of St. John had done, or indeed could have done, in their whole career. The influence of this expedition on Medi- terranean commerce, and therefore on the prosperity of Malta, can scarcely be overrated. Many narratives of travellers might be cited in proof of the benefits resulting from British rule in the ensuing period ; l)ut I limit myself to short extracts from the work of Friedrich von Raumer, 'Italy and the Italians' (Eng. edit., Lond., two vols., 1840). The evidence of that cultured and much-travelled German may be taken as that of an unprejudiced witness. Visiting Valetta in the middle of August 1839, he thus records his impressions, in contrast with Sicily and North Italy, which he had recently left : Owing to the cii'cumstanee that England obtained possession of the island, it has become an intermediate point between the East and the West, and the opposition formerly kept up has been changed into a cordial accommodation. Look at those tall, fair, ruddy descendants of Gennans, striding with stately step ; they appear like a totally different race of men, a race destined to command. . . . The greatest activity prevails in every branch of agi'iculture ; thus, at Syracuse, I had Maltese potatoes set before me, professedly because Sicily produces no good ones ! Wherever the English come, idleness is driven away ; but then they bring political views and parties along with them. Thoughtless, passive obedience cannot maintain itself as the sole foundation of human society ; among a variety of new eri'ors are also developed new and grand truths, and while the one assumes, or at least strives to gain, a higher position INTRODUCTION liii the whole at last moves upward. Hence at this moment in Malta so many questions concei^ning the rights of the inhabitants, municipal regulations, appointment of natives and foreigners, grants of taxes, &c. Many may wish to consider the English as merely a voluntarily admitted garrison of their fortress, but in other respects to maintain complete independence. England can and will neither grant everything nor refuse everything : without England, Malta would retrograde in every respect. I have traversed the city in all directions. It is I'egular, clean, full of signs of activity, and of (apparently) increasing pi-osperity, only street beggary prevails to the same extent as in Italy. Subsequent events, namely, the disputes concerning Syria and Egypt, the Crimean Wai', and the opening of the Suez Canal, enhanced the value of Malta to Great Britain, and served to confirm the decision which was rendered inevitable by the events of the years 1798-1812. So soon as the mighty will of Bonaparte re- opened the Eastern Question in a novel and acute phase, the fate of the island was certain to link it with the naval Power that could gain command of the Mediterranean. As has been shown in this Introduction, British Ministers came slowly and reluctantly to this resolve. In the years 1800-1, Pitt and Grenville, Addington and Hawkesbury, regarded the Egyptian Question as settled, and looked with equanimity to the re-establishment of the Order of St. John under the suzerainty of the Czar or (finally) under the guarantee of the Great Powers. A careful survey of the events of the years 1802-3 must convince every unprejudiced student that it was the renewal of Bonaparte's schemes in the Mediterranean lands and in India which brought the Addington Cabinet to the determination to hold on to Malta as an ' outwork of India.' In a very real sense, then, it was the First Consul who compelled us to keep the Union Jack flying at Valetta. In that vast and complex game Malta was a serviceable pawn, able to do much within a restricted area, but always at the mercy of the heavier pieces, and fated ultimately to fall to the Queen of the Sea. It only remains to thank Sir John Knox Laughton and Mr. William Carr for their valuable help and advice respecting this Introduction, and Mr. A. M. Broadley for permission to reproduce the contemporary map of Malta and plan of Valetta which are in his possession. J. HOLLAND ROSE. December, 1908. liv Abbreviations used in the References to the chief Works QUOTED in this YoLUME. Alison Alison, Sir A., ' History of Europe during the French Revolution/ 10 vols. (Edinburgh, 1833-42). Arch. Nat Archives Nationales, Paris. Azopardi .... Azopardi, Giomale della Presa di Malta. Botta C.G. G. Botta,'Storia d'ltalia' (1789-1814) 4 vols. (Paris, 1832). Brit. Mus. Add.MSS. British Museum, Additional Manuscripts (MS. Department). C. O. R Colonial Office Records. Corres. de Nap. I . ' Correspondance de Napoleon I,' 32 vols. (Paris, 1859-1870). De la Jonquiere "^ C. E. L. M. de T. de la Jonquiere, ' L'Expedition d'Egypte,' (or ' Jonquiere ') ) 3 vols. (Paris, 1899). Dropmore Papers . Report on the MSS. of J. B. Portescue, Esq., preserved at Dropmore, 6 vols. (London, 1892-1908; Historical MSS. Coniniission). F. O. R Foreign Office Records. James W.James, 'The Naval History of Great Britain' (1793-1820), 6 vols. (London, 1902). Mahan Capt. A. T. Mahan, ' Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire,' 2 vols. (London, 1893). Miege Miege, ' History of Malta.' M. P. L Malta Public Library (MSS. preserved in). Paget Papers, The . Diplomatic and other Correspondence of the Right Hon. Sir A. Paget, G.C.B., 1794-1807, 2 vols. (London, 1896). Pettigrew .... Pettigrew, T. J., ' Memoirs of the Life of Lord Nelson,' 2nd edit., 2 vols. (London, 1849). Rose, ' Life of Nap.' Rose, J. H., ' Life of Napoleon I,' 3rd edit., 2 vols. (London, 1903). Thiers L. A. Thiers, 'Histoire de la Revolution Fran9aise' (translated by F. Shoberi) 5 vols. (London, 1881). CHAPTER I THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE MALTESE PEOPLE AT THE CLOSE OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY [Note. — The narrative of this chapter and the following chapters is that of Mr. Hardman. The foot notes are also his, except in cases where the editor's initials (J. H. R.) are added.] Before referring to the object of the French expedition to the East, there are two points in connexion with the capture of Malta which it is necessary should be defined, inasmuch as they both materially contributed to the result, namely, the social and moral condition of the inhabitants, and the financial difficulties of the Government, culminating in 1792, when, by an edict of the French Convention, the Order of St. John was abolished within the borders of France, and its territorial possessions therein were confiscated. With regard to the social and moral condition of the inhabitants during the latter period of the Knights' rule : it is not surprising that the arrogance, tyranny, and oppression of this nobility had created such discontent that it finally rendered the islands an easy prey to the ambitious designs of Bonaparte. The development of these characteristics in the members of the Order was due to the fact that Mohammedism had become no longer the dreaded enemy of the Christian Powers. By the close of the eighteenth century Turkey was no longer a formidable Sea Power, and after the destruction of the Algerian, Tunisian, and Tripolitan corsairs, the fleet of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem was, according to Doublet, used only for caiTying treasui'e collected from their vai'ious bailiwicks, extend- ing from Lisbon to Syracuse. Their cruising area had also been restricted by France, and the Venetian Republic. France had found it necessary to adopt this measure, owing to retaliation which had been exercised against her subjects resident in Turkish tenitory, for acts committed by the Order ; which resulted in a prohibition to the latter, from making captures within two leagues of Ottoman territory.' Cruising in the Adriatic was likewise interdicted. Instead, therefore, of recounting feats of daring. Doublet goes on to say : B n 2 A HISTORY OF MALTA ' It was deeds of gallantry, of hunting, or of sport, which upon their return they had to relate/ ^ Consequently the necessity of maintaining the Order as a Military Power and barrier to Mussulman aggression, which had been required during the Middle Ages for the safety of Christendom, no longer existed. With their raison d'etre gone, the three hundred Knights led a life of idleness which afforded them time, opportunity, and free scope for the gratification of their unbridled passions. Their vows of chastity and obedience were completely ignored. , In considering the various causes which contributed to the ruin ' of the Order, a distinction must be drawn between the people and the Knights. With a celibate Order, recruited from, and supported I entirely by foreigners, there could not possibly be any amalgamation ' between the two classes. Thus, at the close of the eighteenth century, there existed in Malta an oligarchy, despotic and arrogant in the extreme, without the slightest sympathy for the ruled, with nothing ! to their credit but the military reputation which their valiant prede- cessors of the sixteenth century had bequeathed them. Furthermore, the immorality of the Knights now placed an impassable barrier to any assimilation between the governing and governed classes. The secretary of the last Grand Master stigmatised the Knights in the following words ^ : — They made no seci^t of keeping mistresses, generally married women and mothers of a family, a practice which became so general, that neither age, nor ministers of the Gospel [.sic], dissolute like the I'est, blushed at the fact. Instances were known to have happened where a Maltese maiTied to an attractive wife had been exiled, owing to the influence of rich and immoral Knights, and if the banishment of husbands, on account of their wives, or of fathers on account of their daughters, was not more frequent, it was not because these crimes of seduction were few, but fi"om dread of the consequences which would sui*ely follow any resistance, owing to the protection which the Government afforded the Knights. This picture of depravity does not appear to have been exaggerated, for within six years after the emancipation of the Maltese from this terrible condition of slavery and thraldom, the poet and essayist, S. T. Coleridge, who had been private secretary to Sir Alexander John Ball, the first British Governor or Commissioner of Malta, made the following lamentable statement: — The very existence for so many generations of an Order of lay celibates in that Island, who abandoned even the outward shows of adherence to their I vow of chastity, must have had pernicious effects on the moi'als of the inhabitants. But when it is considered too, that the Knights of Malta had ' See the description of the habits of the Knights and their neglect of their lands in Malta, in a ' Report on Malta,' of June 16, 1800, in the Dropmore Papers, vol. vi. pp. 248, 249— J. H. R. ^ Doublet, Memoires, p. 14. THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF TPIE MALTESE 3 been for the last fifty years or more a set of idlers, generally illiterate, for they thought literature no part of a soldier's excellence ; and yet effeminate, for they were soldiers in name only ; when it is considered that they were, moreover, all of them aliens, who looked upon themselves, not merely of a supei'ior rank to the native Nobles, but as beings of a different race (I had almost said species) from the Maltese collectively ; and finally that these naen possessed exclusively the government of the Island, it may be safely concluded that they were little better than a perpetual influenza, relaxing and diseasing the hearts of all the families within their sphere of influence. Hence the peasantry, who fortunately were below their reach, notwithstand- ing the more than childish ignorance in which they were kept by their priests, yet compared with the middle and higher classes, were in mind and body as ordinary men compared with dwarfs. Every Knight attached himself to some family as their patron and friend, and to him the honour of a sister, or a daughter, was sacrificed as a matter of course. But why should I disguise the truth ? Alas ! in nine instances out of ten, this patron was the common paramour of every female in the family .1 Whether Doublet's assertion, that the immorality ascribed to the Knights in their latter degenerate days had extended to the priest- hood, is correct or not, must remain in doubt ; but the fact remains, that within a few weeks after Bishop Labini took possession of the diocese, one of his first acts, if not the first, was to fulminate an * Edict against Cohabitation of Women with Priests.' Bishop Labini, a native of Bitonto, near Bari, landed in Malta on the 7th September 1780, and on the 29th of the following month the edict in question was issued. Nor does this step appear to have been sufficient to suppress the evil, for His Grace, on the 25th October 1784, by a second edict on the same subject, had to 'express his sorrow that his former orders had not been faithfully observed, and called for an immediate and exact obedience to his spiritual commands, under the threat of increased pains and penalties.' ' Bosredon Ransijat, treasurer of the Order, gives his testimony on this subject in the following words : ' The Maltese shut their eyes to the seductions of their wives and daughters, but this applied only to the citizens, not to the country people, who kept themselves free from this corruption.' ^ The evidence of Lieutenant Anderson, of the 40th Regiment, quartered in Malta from November 1800 to November 1801, is to the same effect: Though all ranks of people are devotees, and minutely attentive to the Chui'ch ordinances, yet chastity does not appear to maintain its due rank among their virtues. It certainly is not to be found in the Island, while prostitution, fi'om the familiar and open manner in which it is canned on, both by married as well as single women, and with the knowledge of their 1 Coleridge, The Friend, p. 352, 2 jf^lta Public Library, MSS. 261. ■"* B. Ransijat, Journal da Siege de Malfe (Paris, 1801), p. 83. B 2 4 A HISTORY OF MALTA husbands and relations, is not, unless attended with some peculiar degree of enormity, considered as a ci-ime.^ Or again^ Dr. Davy, in his work entitled ' Notes and Observations on the Ionian Islands and Malta/ published in 1842, whose residence of eleven years (1824-35) made him fully conversant with the history of the islands during the early part of last century, says : - I have seen an ' M.S.' \_sic] written by an individual of the name of Doublet which was in the possession of the late Sir F. Ponsonby, then Governor of Malta, 1827-1836, and from this account, the Knights appear then (1798) to have been, with a few exceptions, completely sunk in pi-ofligacy and dissi- pation, and to have lost very much even the sense of shame, and what I have heard related by old persons who reviemher their doings, was much in accordance. Other authorities may be mentioned, such as Miege,^ who says : ' The expulsion of the Order left in Malta a great number of natural children, the result of adulterous intercourse, and the licentious lives of the Knights '; and Dr. Gauci,^ who adds : ' For in later times Valetta became a brothel, nor did a family remain which was not dishonoured.' These facts are fully confirmed in the petition prepared for presentation to the British throne by the Maltese deputies, dated the 22nd October 1801 (hereafter referred to), wherein they protest against the re-establishment of the Order in the island, pleading, among- other reasons, ' that their families might be saved from dishonour or ruin, whenever the caprice of a Knight had selected his victim.' Justification of the people's dread of the restoration of the Order to the possession of Malta is eloquently given by Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Stuart, commander-in-chief of the British military forces in the Mediterranean, as well as by General Graham, when relinquishi^ig* his command in Malta, fourteen days after the fall of Valetta, both dis- patches being addressed to the Minister for War, the Right Honourable H. Dundas. The former, under date of the 22nd April 1800, writes : * . . . My feelings of honour and humanity render it impossible for me to obey the particular instructions concerning the introduction of a Russian force (preparatory to the restoration of the Ordei-), for after having been a witness to the long and arduous effort of the Maltese, in con- junction with Captain Ball and the Navy, to reduce the French, I could not engage their services by such fallacious hopes, and afterwards prove instrumental in replacing them under the tyranny of the most corrupt, hypocritical and cowardly vagrants that ever were fostered, or what is worse, rivetting their chains by subjecting all they held dear to the oppression of a despotic sovereign.^ ^ Anderson, Journal Secret Expedition, p. 183. ' Davy, op. cit. vol. i. p. 40. ^ Miege, History of Malta, vol. iii. p. 172. * Gauci, Capture of Malta by the French, p. 13. ^ Colonial Office Records, Malta, No. 1. * As I pointed out in the Introduction, Stuart's refusal to obey this order cost him his command in the Mediterranean. See Dundas's letter of April 25, 1800, in Di-opmore- Papers, vol. vi. p. 207. — J. H. R. THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE MALTESE 5 Whilst Gi'aham, under date of the 19th September 1800, says : ^ . . . There cannot be a doubt in the mind of anyone who has had the opportunity or the inclination of inquiiy, that a very con- siderable part of the richer Maltese favoured the French invasion. The same causes which have all over Europe (Britain excepted) inclined that middling class to destroy the galling distinctions which the aiTogance of a tyi-annical nobility had created, operated in a much stronger degree in Malta than elsewhere. Every Knight was a sovei-eign and tyrant, their oppressions were mutually supported for the honour of the Order, and the idleness and the luxury in w hich so many young men were destined to spend their days by this monastic institution, naturally led to the severest outrages against the feeling and honour of every family in a country where the climate and character seem to have made jealousy an universal chai-acteristic. No man's wife or daughter could be defended against the attacks of these pi-ivileged despoilers, those of independent spirit and circumstances were found to bow to the strong hand of powei", while an universal depravity of morals pervaded the remainder, who sought their own advancement in the prostitution of their nearest relations. This is noticed as one, and the strongest, among many causes of discontent, which that separation of classes occasioned in Malta, and is more than sufficient to account for a numei'ous party in favour of the French, or of any change. With regard to the arrogance of the Knights, it may be mentioned that the inhabitants were prohibited from promenading on the two Baraccas, except on one day in the year, and if attending the opera house, built by Grand Master Manoel, they were, according to Poussielgue's report, relegated to back seats, - Referring to this prohibition of promenading in public places, Regnaud St. Jean d'Angely (the civil governor), in his speech delivered on the occasion of celebrating the French national festival on the 14th July 1798, made the following remark: 'The free use of the public promenades was prohibited to you, and your insolent and despotic rulers punished the pacific citizen who transgressed, but who now can tread the same pavement on which your former Rulers paraded their presumptuous pride.' ^ To the sufferings of an oppressed people, as already described, there must be added that of the despotic power which, for a long time previously, the Grand Master and the Order had usurped and exercised, reducing the people to a condition of servitude and degradation which could scarcely be paralleled in Europe. Accord- ing to Bosredon Ransijat, than whom no better authority could be cited, corruption had permeated all branches of the Order, chiefly through briefs, pecuniary grants, and appointments to lucrative posts or benefices. ^ Colonial Office Records, Malta, No. 1. 2 De la Jonquicre, VExped. d'Egypte, vol. i. p. 127. "* Azopardi, Presa di Malta, p. 57. 6 A HISTORY OF MALTA Briefs were originally intended to procm-e a dispensation in the administration of the law, in cases where unforeseen cii'cumstances rendered it impracticable, but such eventually were granted by the Gi^and Masters to their favourites and partisans as rewards for their past services or to purchase them for the future. By the abuse of this prerogative. Knights were dispensed fi-om the obligation of residing in convent ! ! others from the necessity of attending a portion, if not all, of the Carova7ie,^ others from the obligation of paying the fee to the Treasury when acquir- ing a Comvienda, others again from the loss of seniority, when so liable for misdemeanours committed, in a word to dispense from the fulfilment of their various duties, provided they showed submission and subserviency to the authority who distributed these gifts directly, or through favoui-ites. Moreover, by means of such briefs, pensions were charged on Commende, to the great injury of futui*e occupants. Pecuniary grants and appoint- ments to lucrative posts, although in many instances provided for by statute, were only intended to be enjoyed by those who had deserved well of the Oi'der, but as in process of time opportunities for testing their valoui* and sacrifice in the defence of Christianity against the Turks became less frequent, so gi*adually what had been intended for the reward of viz'tue, became the patrimony of intrigue and baseness. Although niles and regulations existed in the statutes of the Order to moderate the abuse of absolute power, yet towards the close of the eighteenth century they had become obsolete and of no effect, in fact the Grand Master had not only become law maker, but had also usurped the prerogatives of the Council, and nominated the judges, who thus became his servants, disposing of the pi'operty and lives in accoi'dance with the will of their patron. In civil appeal cases it was feasible for the appellant to obtain fixjm the Grand Master a third trial, provided he was pi-otected,' and in the event of the decision being again unfavor- able, to procui'e such a delay of time in its execution, that justice virtually miscarried. . . . A debtor, provided he possessed the protection ' of a Knight in authority, could obtain by petition a delay of five years in the presentation of any suit by his creditors, at the expiration of which tenn it could be extended for an indefinite number of similar periods. At a meeting of creditors, those who were so protected ' could obtain by an express order fi'om the Gi'and Master the entire payment of their claim, leaving the balance to be divided among the remainder. When to all these circumstances there was to be added that of the jealousy which existed between the various ' Langues,' - we have the conditions ready to hand for a catastrophe which not even the maintenance of its financial resources in a flourishing state could prevent. ' i.e. sailings on board of the squadrons of the Order, of which the statute required fonr, for all Knights desirous of becoming eligible to a commandery. ^ The Langues were the divisions of the members of the Order according to nations. —J. H. R. CHAPTER II Bonaparte's plan of seizing malta (1797) The French military successes in Italy, and tte propaganda of Republican ideas, had no slight influence in directing political affairs in Malta, where so large a number of the Knights were French, culminating at last in sedition and intrigue. During the early months of 1797, the Republican party in Malta, which for some time had been in existence, acquired additional strength, both in the number and influence of its adherents. Traitorous Knights and disaffected Maltese joined in the conspiracy. Vassallo,^ the Maltese historian, states that amongst the former there were Ransijat, Bordonenche, Fay, St. Priest, and Toussard; whilst among the Maltese there were Caruson, Eynaud, Poussielgue (captain of the port), Guido, Doublet, Vassalli, and Vincent Barbara, with many others. ^ Capefigue ^ adds Picault de Mornas, an ex-Knight of the Order, and captain in the Engineers, who had deserted and joined Bonaparte two years previously. The suspicions of the Maltese Government having been aroused, Vassalli and Vincent Barbara, who took a leading part in the events which followed (as will hereafter be seen), were arrested, and arraigned on the charge of high treason.* The investigation which followed disclosed the fact that many members of the Order were implicated, and it was consequently thought advisable to quash further pro- ceedings, and be satisfied with the banishment of several of the accused.^ It would appear that Vincent Barbara, upon landing in Italy, made his way to Milan, and there reported to Bonaparte the unsettled state of Malta, the disaffection of many of the Knights to the existing government, and the desire of many of the inhabitants to welcome French intervention, for on the 26th May 1797, Bonaparte, as the result of the information he had received, wrote to the Executive Directory as follows : — » Vassallo, pp. 728, 730. * De la Jonquiere, I'Exped. d'Egypte, vol. i. pp. 598, 599. ^ Capefigne, I'Europe pendant le Consulat et I'Empire, vol. i. p. 65. * De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 599. * Vassallo, p. 730. 7 8 A HISTOKY OF MALTA ' The Island of Malta for us is of great iinpoi'tance — the Grand Master is dying, and it would appear that a Gennan will be his successor. It would require from 500,000 to 600,000 francs to place a Spaniard in his place. Is it impossible to induce the Prince of the Peace ^ to occupy him- self in this matter, which is most important? Valetta has 37,000 inhabi- tants extremely well disposed towards the French — there are no more English in the Mediteri*anean.2 Why should not our fleet (or that of Spain), on its way to the Atlantic, pass in that direction, and capture it ? The Knights are only 500, and the I'egiment of the Order counts only 600 men. If we do not adopt these means, Malta will fall into the hands of the King of Naples. This small island is priceless for us.' ^ Bonaparte's prediction with regard to the approaching demise of the Grand Master, as reported in his dispatch to the Executive Directory from Milan, under date of the 26th May, was verified. De Kohan died on the 13th July, and a German in the person of Ferdinand Hompesch, Bailiff of Brandenburg and Minister for Germany, was elected as his successor in the magistracy of Malta. This election took place on the 17th July, when Hompesch, knowing too well from what direction danger threatened his Order, addressed the following propitiatory letter to the French Government : — [Translation.] Malta, the 17th July 1797.* Citizen Directors, — I perform a duty in acquainting you with the death of the Grand Master Emmanuele de Rohan, and that the suffi*ages of all the Nations (Langues) which compose the Order of Malta have unanimously, in the election of his successor, been declared in my favour. I have had the flattering satisfaction of seeing all classes of the Maltese Nation displaying the sincerest joy, and lavishing upon me, in a spirit of universal emulation, the most touching marks of their love and fidelity. Nothing further is required, Citizen Directors, to complete my extreme happiness, than the possession of a proof, that you will participate in these feelings towards me, and will accept with interest my assui^ance and promise, to imitate and excel, if it be possible, my Predecessors in their attachment and due deference to the French Nation, and [desire] for the prosperity of her commerce — for I am persuaded, that on your side you will desire to treat the Government which has been confided to me, with that equity, loyalty, and kindness, which characterises the French Republic. I have desired Monsieur Cibon, our charge d'affaires with you. Citizen Directors, to have the honour of presenting you this letter. I beg you will favourably receive him on all occasions when the needs of our service may ^ The statesman Godoy, styled the Prince of the Peace, directed Spanish affairs ; he was very Gallophile. Spain was allied to France. — J. H. R. ^ It should be remembered that, owing to the declaration of war by Spain against England, the British fleet in the Mediterranean was withdrawn from that sea in November 1796, and Corsica was evacuated. — J. H. R. ^ Correspondance de Nap. J, vol. iii. p. 65. * Archives Nationales, Paris. BONAPARTE'S PLAN OF SEIZING MALTA 9 require him to appeal in my name to yoiu" justice and support. My gi*atitude will equal the profound respect -wath which I am, &c. (Signed) Ferdinand Hompesch. Immediately after HompescVs election he was made aware that France had cast her eyes upon Malta, as the following incident proves. Upon receipt of Bonaparte's letter of the 26th May, addressed to the Executive Directory, that body readily acquiesced in his views ; but before proceeding to extremities it made an effort to obtain it by barter; for on the 16th August 1797, the British Minister at Vienna, Sir Morton Eden, informed Lord Grenville^ that General Herbenstein, the Minister of the Order at Vienna, when delivering to him a letter from the new Grand Master (Hompesch) , to be forwarded to King George III, had stated that he had been charged to communicate to him for Lord Grenville's information, that the Grand Master had received intelligence from France of its being the inten- tion of the French Directory to propose to the Order to exchange the island of Malta for some other island in the Mediterranean. ^ In what spirit Hompesch's letter of the 1 7th July, announcing his election, was received by the Executive Directory, may be further gathered from Talleyrand's dispatch dated two months later, namely, on the 23rd September, quoted later on. The entry of this Minister on the scene, and its importance on the events which followed, make it necessary to refer to the role which he undertook in advocating the conquest of Malta and Egypt. In subsequent years, much con- troversy arose in France as to who was responsible for engaging the nation in an expedition which ended so disastrously. Whilst the moral responsibility no doubt rested upon the Executive Directory, then composed of Barras, Rewbel, La Revelliere-Lepaux, Merlin, and Fran9ois de Neufchateau, it would appear that the initiative must be placed to the charge of Bonaparte and Talleyrand, and that the accusation made by the member, Briot, at a meeting of the 'Five Hundred,' held on the 29th August 1799, denouncing the latter 'as having been its principal promoter, instigator, and supreme dictator,' must be held partly justified.^ It should be remembered that Talleyrand during his stay in America had seen sufficient to encourage him in the belief that France had sadly neglected her colonies, and in the then distracted condition of his native country he considered a panacea for many ^ William Wyndham Grenville was cousin of Pitt and was born in the same year, 1759. He became joint Paymaster of the Forces. In 1789 he was Speaker of the House of Commons for a short time, after which he was raised to the Peerage, and in 1791 became Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Pitt Cabinet, a post which he held till its resignation early in 1801. He died in 1834. — J. H. R. ^ Foreign Office Records, Austria, 50. ^ De la Jonquiere, Exped. d'Egypte, vol. i. p. 9. See the Introduction to this work for other pi-oofs of Bonaparte's interest in Malta during his stay at Ancona early in 1797. — J. H. R. 10 A HISTORY OF MALTA evils might be found in colonisation. Immediately upon his return from exile he was elected a member and appointed secretary of the National Institute, and upon the 3rd July 1797 delivered a lecture therein, ' On the Advantages to be derived from Colonial Expansion/ which made a profound impression, not only in Government circles, but also upon the general public. An interval of comparative political calm reigned at this time, owing to Bonaparte's utter defeat of the Austrian armies and the negotiations for peace between these two nations which followed, commencing with the preliminary Treaty of Leoben, signed on the 18th April, and the subsequent definitive Treaty of Campo Formio, concluded on the 17th October. The sequel to Talleyrand's lecture was his appointment, thirteen days later, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in succession to Delacroix (16th July 1797). As soon as the news of Talleyrand's nomination to the direction of foreign affairs reached Bonaparte, then at Milan, he felt assured of that Minister's support in the project of colonisation which he entertained — a project which would not only gratify Talleyrand by the acquisition of an important colony, but would also, by threaten- ing England in one of her most vulnerable points, coincide with the aspirations of the Directory. Accordingly, on the 16th August he wrote to the Government : ^ ' The time is not far distant when we shall find that the only way to destroy England is by occupying Egypt.' Fearing a resumption of hostilities on the part of Austria, not- withstanding the preliminaries of peace signed at Leoben, Bonaparte on the 4th August ordered Admiral Brueys to move up with his fleet from Corfu to Venice as promptly as possible, promising to see him soon after his arrival.' Meanwhile he transferred his head- quarters to Passeriano, to be near at hand to Venice, and not far from Udine, where the peace negotiations with Austria would for the future be conducted.^ To Bonaparte's dispatch of the 16th August, which would reach the Directory about the 21st, Talleyrand replied on the 23rd : * ' The Directory approves your action with regard to the occupation of Zante, Corfu, and Cephalonia ' ; adding : ' Nothing is more important to us than obtaining a good footing in Albania, Greece, Macedonia, and other provinces of the Turkish Empire in Europe, and other shores washed by the Mediterranean, particularly Egypt, which some day may be of great utility to us.' The first conference at Udine was held on the 31st August, but owing to the subsequent removal of Carnot and Barthelemy, and the ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iii. p. 235. ■' Admiral Brueys was destined to command the French fleet sailing to Eg}-pt, and to perish at the Battle of the Nile. — J. H. R. •' De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 28. Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iii. p. 221. ■• De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 30. BONAPARTE'S PLAN OF SEIZING MALTA 11 substitution of Merlin and Fran9ois de Neufchateau in the Directory (the result of the coup d'etat of the 18th Fructidor — the 4th Sep- tember), the French Government became more exacting in their terms. During the consequent delay which followed, as well as in that which was occurring at Lille in the negotiations with England, Bonaparte on the 13th September addressed Talleyrand as follows, repeating what he had written to the Directory on the 26th May ; — Passeriano, 13^^ September 1797.^ . . . Why should we not take possession of Malta ? Admii-al Brueys might easily anchor there and capture it ; 400 Knights, and at the most a regiment of 500 men, are the only defence of Valetta. The inhabitants, more than 100,000 (!) in number, are all for us, and are very disgusted with their Knights, who ai-e dying of hunger. I have purposely confiscated all their pioperty in Italy. With the Islands of St. Pierre (ceded to us by Saixlinia), Malta, Coi-fu, &c., we shall be masters of the Mediterranean. If when a treaty of peace is concluded with England we have to sui-render the Cape of Good Hope, we ought to take Egypt.3 That country has never belonged to a European Power, the Venetians have had a ceitain prepondei-ance there for many centuries, but such has only been precarious. We might leave this with 25,000 men, taken from Northern Italy, escorted by eight or ten Venetian ships of the line, or frigates, and possess ourselves of it. Egypt no longer belongs to the Grand Signor ; I desire. Citizen Minister, that you will make inquiries and inform me what effect an expedition to Egypt might have at the Porte. Admiral Brueys reached Venice on the 6th September, and from the correspondence which passed it is evident that Bonaparte was most anxious to obtain a personal interview with the admiral. The conferences then being held at Udine, however, prevented Bonaparte leaving Passeriano, and accordingly on the 17th September he invited Brueys to join him there, 'if only for thirty-six hours.' ^ From the following extract from a dispatch of Brueys to the Minister of Marine and Colonies, dated Venice, the 3rd October 1797, it would appear that this interview took place on the 21st and 22nd September, when the petite expedition (projected capture of Malta), based upon Barbara's (the Maltese) information, was dis- cussed. The dispatch says : ' The last letter that I wrote to you was dated from Head Quarters at Passeriano, where I passed two days at the solicitation of General Bonaparte ; I left Venice on the 4th Complementaire (20th September 1797), at night.' Barbara was then taken on board the fleet pending developments, and in order that he should possess an official position, he was subsequently appointed to the two-decker Dubois (taken from the Venetians), under Captain ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iii. p. 293. - This sentence is a proof that Bonaparte resolved that France should dominate at least one of the highways to India. — J. H. R. '■* Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iii. p. 307. 12 A HISTORY OF MALTA Le Joille, with the rank of ' Enseigne de Vaisseau.' ^ On the 23rd. September, Admiral Brueys with his fleet sailed for Corfu, where he arrived on or about the 12th November, having had orders to call at Ragusa en route. ^ To Bonaparte's dispatch of the 13th September Talleyrand replied on the 23rd as follows^ : — . . . The Directory approves of your ideas with regard to Malta. Since that Oi'der has elected Monsieur de Hompesch as Gi'and Master the suspicions of the Directory are confinned, based upon previous infoi'mation, that Austria is desirous of gaining possession of that Island. She is anxious to become a maritime Power in the Mediteri'anean ; it was for that purpose that, at the preliminaries at Leoben, she demanded before all else that portion of the Italian coast. Again, her haste to possess herself of Dalmatia, all which is further proved by her avidity in taking Ragusa. Besides all this, the Neapolitan Government is entirely under her influence.* Malta for her would have a double advantage, it would serve to attract to her all the products of Sicily. It is not only on commercial grounds that she is desii'ous of retinng from the centre of Italy towards its coast line, but in view of contemplated conquests ; she is in truth aii'anging the means of attack on Turkish territoiy where Albania and Bosnia join her own, so that in concert with Russia she coidd attack these said provinces in the rear in the event of the Russian fleet entering the Ai'chipelago.^ It is to our interests that such maritime extension on the part of Austria be stopped, and the Directory accordingly desires that you will take the necessary steps to prevent Malta falling into her hands. With regard to Egypt, your views in this respect are grand, and their utility must be recognised. I shall wi*ite to you more fully on this subject later on. , . . Egypt as a colony would soon compensate for the loss of the Antilles ^ and open a road to us for obtaining the trade of India. This dispatch of Talleyrand's crossed another of the same date (23rd September) from Bonaparte, still at Passeriano, addressed to the Directory, worded as follows'': — . . . Finally, if we have peace (with Austna) your Fleet in leaving the AdHatic on its return to Fi-ance might cany some troops, and in passing place 2,000 as a ganrison in Malta, an island which sooner or later will fall into the hands of the English if we are so foolish as not to anticipate them. ... I demand, therefore, that you issue an official order authoHsing me to cultivate the correspondence that I already possess with Malta, and that I may, when I consider the time pi-opitious, captui'e it and place a gaiTison therein.' 1 Arch. Nat. BB'' 115; Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 262. ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iii. p. 328 ; Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 50. ^ Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 36. ■• Maria Carolina, consort of the King of Naples, M'as both aunt and mother-in-law of Francis II of Austria. — J. H. R. * This would have revived the Austro-Russian schemes of 1787-1790 for the partition of Turkey.— J. H. R. I Captured by the British in 1794. ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iii. p. 331. BONAPARTE'S PLAN OF SEIZING INIALTA 13 On the 27th September, Talleyrand gave Bonaparte more explicit instructions with regard to Malta, as follows ^ : — The Directory considers it necessary that I should write to you in more positive terms regarding your proposal to acquire Malta. It is advisable to anticipate the action of Austria, England, and Russia on this point. From recent information which has come into possession of the Directory it confiiTns their opinion, which they have had for a long time, that this island has become a nest for Austrian, Russian, and English intrigue, and being govei-ned by an Austrian Grand Master is on the eve of falling under the power of the Emperor and his allies. The possession of this island, joined to that of Istria and Dalmatia, would make Austria a maritime Power capable of causing anxiety to Fi-ance and the Cisalpine Republic, of which latter it is easy to believe she could not be other than her enemy. Malta from its geographical position would give her the means of troubling the navigation of the entire Mediteii'anean. There is also the danger that this island might fall into the possession of the English and the Russians. After due consideration the Directory gives you full power to put into execution the plan you have proposed in your dispatch of the 13th September, and authorises you to convey to Admiral Brueys the necessary orders to obtain possession of Malta with the object of pi^e venting Austria acquiring it, as she has done in the case of Ragusa. Her appropriation of Ragusa gives us a legitimate right to possess ourselves of Malta. . . . I enclose some letters of the greatest importance, which had better be forwarded in advance by a sure and certain route to Malta. You will understand that it is necessary to prepare public opinion there for any change which may take place. And on the 8th October he added : I am sending you thi^ee letters which it will be advisable to forward to Malta on successive occasions ; they are intended to facilitate the expedition which you have projected.^ Talleyrand's instructions of the 27th September were confirmed by the Directory on the 3rd October, to the following effect^ : — The details contained. Citizen General, in your letter of the 23rd September, and the copy of that which you had written to Rear- Admiral Braeys on the 22nd September, have satisfied the Government. You will have already received instructions relative to the necessity of seeing that the Island of Malta should not be occupied by the English, or any other of the enemies of the Republic. All your ari^ngements and views are approved, and the orders which you ask for are being given to the Minister of Marine. The treaty of peace with Austria having at last been signed at Campo Formic on the 17th October, Bonaparte dispatched his step-son, Eugene de Beauharnais, on the following day to Venice, ^ Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 39. " Bonaparte, Lettres inedites, vol. ii. p. 282 ; Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 38, ^ Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 37. 14 A HISTORY OF MALTA with orders to sail at once after Brueys with two letters, dated the 6th and 18th October, containing instructions regarding the 'petite expeditio7i or capture of Malta. ^ Beauharnais sailed from Venice in the brig Alerte on the 20th October, but having been delayed by contrary winds, it was not until the 12th November that he reached Brueys at Corfu. Soon after the receipt of Bonaparte's instructions Brueys dispatched the frigates La Justice and L'Artemise, with Barbara on board, on a special mission to Malta, which was to coincide with that of Poussielgue, hereafter referred to.^ The dispatch from the Directory of the 3rd October was followed by a second, dated the 21st October, as follows : — 'Clause 21. . . . With regard to the Island of Malta, you will have received orders to take the necessary steps, so that it may not be possessed by any other Power than France. You have informed Citizen Bottot that this possession is to be bought at a price. The Executive Directory attaches great value to its acquisition, and trusts that you will not allow it to escape you.' ^ Being thus empowered by the Directory to enter into corre- spondence with the disaffected in Malta, Bonaparte deemed it expedient to dispatch a special messenger, bearer of the treasonable correspondence, and selected for this purpose Monsieur E. Poussielgue, first secretary to the French Legation at Genoa. Poussielgue had come under the favourable notice of Bonaparte whilst at Passeriano, owing to his work entitled ' The History of the Revolution of Genoa,' and this had called from the latter, not only an eulogistic letter, dated the 9th September 1797, but an order for 500 copies of his work, which were to be distributed over Europe. Poussielgue's instructions were dated the 12th November, and the object of his mission is clearly defined in Bonaparte's dispatch to the Directory, under the same date, as follows :'...! have sent Citizen Poussielgue to Malta under the pretext of inspecting and reporting upon the various seaports of the Levant, but in reality to complete our arrangements for the project we have in view regarding that island.' * A similar letter of the same date was addressed to Citizen Caruson, French consul in Malta, by Bonaparte, and copies of both transmitted to Talleyrand on the 14th November. At the interview between Bonaparte and Brueys at Passeriano, already referred to, details were gone into with regard to this projected coup de main on Malta, which was described as the petite expedition,^ and on the 14th November Bonaparte further wrote to Brueys from Milan : ^ Corresp. de Nap. I, vol. iii. p. 393, " Jonquiere, vol. i. pp. 50, 137. =* Arch. Nat. AF III. 473. •• Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 50. ^ Ibid. p. 138. Brueys informed the Minister of Marine on the 26th December that * he knew Malta well, having during his thirty-two years of service visited the Island on fifteen different occasions.' BONAPARTE'S PLAN OF SEIZING MALTA 15 ' I have sent a diplomatic agent to Malta. The 6th demi- "brigade, 1,600 strong, sails to-morrow to join you at Corfu. This will enable you to embark 3,000 men for the 'petite expedition, and I will forward you the express orders later on by one of my aides-de- camp' On the 19th December, Brueys, still at Corfu, acknowledged the receipt of this dispatch. He now informed Bonaparte ' that Vincent Barbara had been sent to Malta ' — that is, at the same time that Poussielgue was expected to arrive. The dispatch ran as follows : — Corfu, \9th December 1797.1 I have received on the 19th by the frigate Sensible the letter which you did me the honour to write under date of the 14th ultim^o. I have been waiting to receive funds for payment of the crews, now five months overdue, and for the purchase of victuals, as I am di'iven to the last extremity in obtaining food for the fleet. . . . The Venetian fleet is in the same condition. . . . At this moment there remain but two months' provisions for the French fleet, which I reserve as precious as my eyes, so as to be enabled to undertake any entei'prise which you may order. In the meanwhile you write under the impi'ession that I am abundantly provided with all to undertake the petite expedition [the capture of Malta], proceeding thence to the Isles of Saint Peter, and from there to Brest. All this is very brilliant, but the means are wanting, and whilst waiting for such, the time is passing, the remaining victuals are being consumed, and the winter season, favourable to effect the junction you desire, flies. ... I have sent La Justice and L' Artemise to cruise off Malta. They will land at that poi-t the Maltese of whom I have spoken to you [Barbara], but under the pretext of obtaining from our Consul some infoitnation regarding the corsaii's which are cruising in those waters. . . . They will then sail for the south of Sardinia, where it has been reported to me that English corsairs have been seen. On their return to Coifu they will call at Malta to re-embark the man in question, who will be able to give me intelligence as to the disposition of the people. Three days previously Brueys acquainted the Minister of Marine of his action in a dispatch, of which the following is an extract : — J'ai expedie La Justice et L' Artemise pour Tunis ; ma lettre au Consul et mes instructions dont je vous envoie copie, vous instruiront de Tobjet de leur mission. Je remplis aussi celui d'etre prevenu de I'arrivee des ennemis s'ils envoyoient des forces dans ces parages et de faire mettre d Malte un homme qui peut nous etre fort utile. ^ " In due course La Justice and L' Artemise returned to Corfu, the former bringing another Maltese, whose name is not given, but who is described by Brueys as ' a hot-headed patriot who has abandoned wife, children, and profession in order to offer his services to the French.' 3 ^ Ihid. vol. i. p. 137. ^ Arch. Nat. BB^ 115. ^ Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 144. 16 A HISTORY OF MALTA La Justice was again dispatched to Malta, bearing the following letter to Monsieur Caruson, the French consular agent at Malta : — [Translation.] On board the Chnllaume Tell, at Corfu, 24!th January 1798. Citizen, — Captain Villeneuve, with the frigate La Justice, is again leaving this to cruise in your waters. He will anchor at Malta to inquire whether the English corsairs are still there, and whether a prize they have captured, laden with wheat, has been taken into that port. He has handed me the letter which you wi*ote to me, under date of the 22nd December last, and I have read with pleasure that you have rendered to him all the service which was in your power. I have with me hei'e thirty vessels of war of all sizes, and have need of sailors to make them equally useful if you can collect a few ; you can place them on board La Justice, and by so doing you will render me a service. It appears to me that, as such aid has been given to the English corsairs, you have an equal right to obtain the same for us. You will be good enough to infonn me of all interesting news which may come to your knowledge. Greeting and fraternity, (Signed) Brueys. From this cruise La Justice returned to Corfu, bringing with her two prizes which she had captured — namely, the Cornish Hero of sixteen guns and the Forticne of twenty guns, both British privateers. It is not clear whether Barbara rejoined Brueys on this voyage or the previous one, but in either case he was on board the Dubois when the fleet next sailed from Corfu for Malta. ^ Brueys, despairing of receiving the necessary funds to revictual his fleet at Corfu, where he had been detained since September 1797, decided at last, upon his own responsibility, to return to Toulon, and accordingly, on the 24th February 1798, he set sail from Corfu, arriving off Malta on the 3rd March. Anxious to carry out the views of Bonaparte (if it were possible) he communicated with the island, and the day preceding his arrival, prepared the following letter for Consul Caruson : — [Translation.] On board the Guillaume Tell at sea, ^nd March 1798. I have only time to write you one word, my dear Consul, to tell you that the Venetian vessels, which I am taking with me to France, are so badly equipped, that I had no sooner left Corfu than I was signalled that they were leaking, and that repairs were urgently required to their steering apparatus, masts, and yards, and to such an extent that in passing ^ Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 144. BONAPARTE'S PLAN OF SEIZING MALTA 17 by this Island I have ordered the Frontin, which is very badly leaking, to enter the harbour, in order that she may as promptly as possible be put in such a condition as to be able to follow me. I am convinced that you will give all the assistance which depends upon you. The Venetian vessels are badly manned, and I am unable to make up for this deficiency from my own ships for fear of meeting a superior enemy. If it is possible for you to procure me some sailors, you will render a great service to the nation. I do not enter the harbour with the fleet in order that there should be no fear that I wish to infringe the rights of neutrality. I shall, therefore, wait cruising in the vicinity until the Frontin is repaired, which, I trust, will not occupy more than two days. And I shall not enter the port unless compelled, or unless you think I might do so without exciting suspicion. Greeting and fraternity, (Signed) Bbueys. However feasible the capture of Malta by a coup de main appeared to be on paper, it was found to be altogether impracticable ; and in justification of his conduct, Bnieys, on the 11th March 1798, addressed the following dispatch to Bonaparte, which will be found in the volume of M. de la Jonquiere (vol. i. p. 261). ^ [Translation.] On board the Guillaume Tell, nth March 1798. General, — . . . On the 3rd of March I steered for the city of Valetta, anchoring the Frontin and a dispatch vessel off the port, where I with the fleet defiled in line of battle. The weather was superb, and I was near enough, without the aid of glasses, to distinguish the infinite number of people on the ramparts and at the windows. Nothing decisive, therefore, could be done, and I therefore deemed it wise to respond to the tokens of friendship which were made to me, to maintain secrecy, and to give every proof that I had no other object in appearing before Malta than to wait for the completion of the repairs necessaiy to the Frontin. My appearance has had this good result, that it has calmed the apprehensions of the Knights with regard to France ; it has convinced me that our partisans in the Island are numerous, and has made me feel certain that France may become mistress of this important port, should it be the intention of the DirectoiT to capture it. The two Maltese are now on boaixi my ship, one of them is the individual you mentioned [Barbara], the other a warm patriot, who bi'oke through the quarantine barriers in order to join the Justice on her first voyage to Malta (December 1797), and has abandoned wife and family and his ti-ade in order that he might offer his services to the French. I have left a third officer on shore at Malta as an invalid, whose family is at Corfu, and I believe he will be of service to us. My secret is unknown, except to the Chief of Division, Le Joille, Captain Saunier, commanding the Frontin, and the two Maltese. * Owing to its length I am compelled to omit the first part. — J. H. R. 18 A HISTORY OF MALTA After proposing to Bonaparte that the two Maltese should be sent on to Paris to be interrogated, Brueys closes his report as follows : ' All the fleet believe that I have only remained off the port waiting for the repaira of the Front in to be completed. The Knights must now, therefore, remain under the impression of complete security, and a surprise might at some time be made with success, and if attacked by a force of 4,000 men with means we might capture it by assault, should it be necessary.' To allay the suspicions and alarm of the Grand Master, which the arrival of so formidable a squadron had excited, Brueys, on the 4th March, sent a letter to the French Consul Caruson, in which he declared that he came to Malta merely because the ship Frontim, had sprung a leak, and that the French Government intended to remain on the best of terms with the Order of St. John. Brueys then proceeded on his voyage, and arrived with his fleet at Toulon on the 2nd April, to learn that the contemplated invasion of England had been abandoned, and that active preparations were being made for an expedition, the objective being the capture of Malta and the occupation of Egypt ; but its destination in the meanwhile was to be kept a profound secret. CHAPTER III POUSSIELGUE's report on his mission to MALTA PoussiELGUE, in addition to high administrative qualities and poli- tical knowledge, which subsequently secured for him the appoint- ment of ' Comptroller of the Funds and Administrator-General of the Finances of the French Army in Egypt,' had the good fortune to be related to the captain of the port in Malta, of the same name, which circumstance was of great service to him in securing the success of his mission. Being well supplied with money, he enter- tained, and spent it lavishly, during his eighteen days' stay in the island (24th December 1797 to 11th January 1798).i Caruson reported Poussielgue's arrival in Malta to Bonaparte in the following letter, dated the 25th December 1797 : — [Ti*anslation.] The citizen Poussielgue, first secretai'y to the legation at Genoa, ai'rived in this city yesterday, and has delivei-ed to me the letter dated Milan, the 12th November last, with which you liave honoured me. The duty you have deigned to accord me is flattering in the extreme, and I shall not be better able to justify the confidence you place in me, than by displaying the sincei^est zeal (which has always animated me in matters concerning our Republic ) in assisting citizen Poussielgue to the best of my ability and knowledge in all which concerns his mission. On the day of his ai-rival I introduced him to members of this Government, by whom he was favorably received. . . ." On the 11th January 1798, Poussielgue left Malta for Italy, and on the 8th of the following month forwarded to Bonaparte from Milan the following report ^ : — ' Capefigue, V Europe pendant le Consulat etV Empire, vol. i. chap. iii. p. 65; Harden- berg, vol. v. pp. 457-60. "' Jonquiere, I'Expedition d'Egypfe, vol. i. p. 73. ' As this report has been published almost in full in M. de la Jonquiere's work, I' Expedition, d'Egypte, vol. i. pp. 126 et seq., I have kept only the most important parts. — J. H. R. 19 c2 20 A HISTORY OF MALTA Milan le 20 Pluviose an VI (8 Fevrier 1798). CiTOYEN Gt^tiiXL, — Je suis arrive a Malte le 4 Nivose dernier (24 Deer.) ; c'etait la veille des fetes de Noel, le grand-maitre se pi-eparait a renouveler toutes les ceremonies d'etiquette autrefois en usage et que ses predecesseurs avaient laissees tomber en desuetude. Pendant dix-huit jours que j'ai demeure a Malte, j'ai eu I'occasion de voir toutes ces ceremonies, qui par leur puei*ilite ont etonne meme les Chevaliers de TOrdre ; ils n'en avaient plus de souvenir. II y a en ce moment, a Malte environ six cents Chevaliers dont les deux tiers sont Fran^ais. En general les Fran9ais composaient la moitie de rOrdre ; presque tons sont a Malte. Ce sont les chevaliers fran9ais qui ont elu le nouveau grand-maitre Hompesch. II leur avait promis, lorsqu'il briguait I'election de leur continuer les secours que Rohan leur donnait. II leurtient parole et la plus grande partie des places del'Ordre est occupee par des Fran^ais. . . . Le grand-maitre est tres-populaire et genereux. II se montre souvent au peuple, et lui jette de I'argent. II est extreme- ment poli et affable avec tout le monde et, quoique d'ailleurs ses connais- sances soient tres bomees, il juge bien et a su se concilier I'estime et I'amour des Chevaliera de toutes les langues, comme du peuple. II joint a ces qualites celle d'etre discret et de ne point laisser penetrer son secret. Jusqu'a present on ne connait personne qui ait exclusivement sa confiance ou qui puisse se flatter d'exercer sur son esprit une influence etrangere. Enfin pendant mon sejour a Malte je n'en ai entendu dii-e que du bien et par les Maltais et par les Chevaliers fran9ais et eti-angers, et par les aris- toci'ates et par les democrates, et j'ai ete le temoin de I'empressement avec lequel le peuple pour jouir un instant du plaisir de le voir, venait de tons les points de I'ile environner son Palais. On ne pent avoir une conduite plus politique et mieux entendue que celle du grand-maitre relativement aux circonstances dans lesquelles il se trouve place. Le Conseil de I'Ordre est entierement devoue au grand-maitre, quoiqu'il n'y ait que deux voix ; mais il a la proposition exclusive de toutes les graces, de tous les emplois, et cet prerogative le rend un des princes les plus absolus de I'Eiu'ope, surtout depuis que les langues de France sont tombees entierement a la charge de I'Ordre. Parmi les trois a quatre cents Chevaliera fran^ais qui sont a Malte on n'en pent compter que quinze a vingt qui soient amis ou tres disposes a le devenir de la Republique fran9aise et de son gouvernement. Les autres sont tous des royalistes inabordables. Ils ne s'occupent qu'a denigi«er le Directoire et les Conseils et meme les annees. Cependant les Chevaliers patriotes pensent qu'aujourd'hui le plus gi-and nombre, fi-appe de I'eclat de la Republique regrette interieurement de s'etre I'ange dans le parti contraire et reviendrait, s'il n'etait retenu par une fausse honte a avouer et def endi'e les principes qu'il a si longtemps nies et combattus : si I'existence de ces Chevaliers est actuellement entierement a la chai-ge de I'Ordi'e, en com- pensation I'Ordre n'a pas de defenseui'S plus zeles et plus devoues, parce qu'ils sont convaincus que, si I'Ordre cessait d'etre il ne leur resterait aucune ressource. Le grand-maitre le sait et compte beaucoup sur eux pour la defense de la place si elle doit etre attaquee. Les Chevaliers des autres nations comptent fort peu a Malte parceque la plupai-t n'y resident pas. Ils sont, en general, assez indifferents sur la Revolution fran^aise. La^ POUSSIELGUE'S REPORT ON HIS MISSION TO MALTA 21 classe aisee des Maltais et les marins sont secretement les ennemia de rOrdre de Malte ; les premiers parce qu'ils sont exclus de toute participa- tion au gouvemement, un Maltais ne jxjuvant etre Chevalier de Malte ; les seconds par rapport au systeme de guerre contre les Barbaresques qui est r essence du gouvernement de Malte, systeme qui prive leur pavilion de I'avantage de pouvoir commercer et qui a I'inconvenient bien plus grave de les exposer toute leiu* vie a tomber dans un esclavage pire que la mort. II n'y a pas de pays oil Taristocratie et le despotisme se f assent plus sentir qu'a Malte. Tout homme qui apres une certaine heiu'e du soil', est rencontre sans lumiere dans les nies de Malte est mis en prison. Aller sans lumiere est un pi'ivilege qui n'appartient qu'aux Chevaliei*s. A la comedie les dix a douze premiers bancs du parterre du cote de la scene sont exclusivement destines aux Chevaliei's, aucun Maltais ne pent s'y placer, quand meme ils seraient vides. II faut que les Maltais se conten- tent des dix a douze bancs de derriere, oii ils se trouvent confondus avec les laquais. Ensuite, Tinfluence de cette an'stocratie se fait sentir dans la society et surtout dans les tribunaux, soit dans les causes civiles, soit dans les affaii'es ci'iminelles. Le gi-and-maitre a meme le droit bien abusif de suspendre le cours de justice lorsque par extraordinaire les decisions des tribunaux ne sont point conformes a ses desii's. II y a une noblesse a Malte. Le gi-and-maitre fait des Nobles et des Barons poiir avoir de I'argent et pour s'attacher les principales families ; mais comme ces nobles n'acquierent aucun pi'ivilege snv les autres Maltais et qu'ils continuent a etre exclus de I'Ordi'e de Malte ils en deviennent d'autant plus les ennemis qu'etant plus pres des distinctions, leur amour- propre souffre davantage d'en etre prive. En arrivant a Malte j'ai trouve qu'on y etait fort inquiet sur les projets de la Republique fran9aise. Quelques joui'naux de Paris et de Milan annon^aient que la France allait s'emparer de Malte ; deux fregates fran^aises venaient de mouiller pendant quelques jours dans son port; enfin ma presence inattendue etaient [sic] autant de cii-constances propres a alarmer dans un petit pays oii depuis le commencement de la guerre on s'est toujours imagine etre le point de mire de toute I'Europe. J'ai ete voir le grand-maitre le lendemain de mon aiTivee et ensuite des baillis, des commandeui's et des chevaliers poui' qui j'avais des lettres de recom- mandation. Le gi-and-maitre m'a re9u avec beaucoup de politesse, mais avec beaucoup de reserve. Les autres m'ont re9u avec curiosite. J'ai aussi beaucoup vu de membres de I'Ordre chez mon cousin Capitaine du Port de Malte ou Ton trouve a peu pres la seule societe qui soit a Malte. Les patriotes s'y voient le matin, les aristocrates le soir. Tous ont le desir de rentrer en France, mais a I'exception de douze a quinze patriotes et de quelques aristocrates modei-es, il n'en est aucun qui puisse vaincre assez sa haine ou sa prevention contre la Republique pour qu'il soit facile de le determiner a acheter sa rehabilitation par quelque service important. Je n'ai pas tarde apres avoir sonde le terrain a faii-e sur I'objet de ma mission quelques ouvertui'es aux personnes qui j'ai reconnues etre les patriotes les plus energiques, et en meme temps les mieux instruits. Ces ouvertures ont ete revues avec enthousiasme. Nous avons recherche, examine et discute pendant dix a douze seances differentes les moyens de parvenir le plus promptement et avec le moins d'inconvenients a la reunion de Malte a la France. 22 A HISTORY OF MALTA Le resultat de ces conferences a ete de reconnaitre qu'il n'y a pas un instant h perdre pour operer d'une maniere quelconque cette i-eunion afin que Malte ne passe pas a une autre puissance. II est evident pour le grand-maitre, pour les chevaliers et poui' les Maltais, que les moyens qui alimentaient I'Ordre manquent de toutes parts, et qu'ainsi on ne pent se dissimuler sa dissolution prochaine. II ne serait pas etonnant que dans cet etat de choses, le grra,nd-maitre pendant qu'il est encore assez fort pour obtenir des conditions avantageuses, ne negociat seci-etement la cession de son ile a I'AngleteiTe ou a la Russie ou au roi de Naples. Les dispositions des Chevaliers et des habitants sont assez prononcees contre les Anglais pour esperer qu'on s'opposera avec succes pendant quelques moments a toutes les tentatives qu'ils ont tente la voie des negocia- tions, ils ont envoye expres un certain Chevalier de Sade qui a fait ouvertement des propositions, et au grand-maitre et a quelques-uns des principaux oflBciers de I'Oi^re ; on n'a pas voulu les ecouter et de Sade est parti sans avoir rien obtenu.i On n'a rien a redouter de la Russie a cause de son eloignement. L'Empereui*2 est celui qui donne le plus de craintes, d'abord parce que la possession de Malte rendrait a ses possessions dans I'Adriatique toute la valeur que leur otent les iles que nous nous sommes reservees ; ensuite parce que I'Empereur aurait plus de moyens que toute autre puissance de dedommager le grand-maitre, qui est Allemand, et d'en faire consentir en sa faveur a une i^esignation qu'il faut qu'il fasse tot ou tard. " Les Maltais sont plus disposes en faveur des Fi'an9ais que de toute autre nation ; mais il ne faut pas attendre d'eux qu'ils favorisent un coup de main ; on pent, tout au plus, compter sur leur inertie si les Fi-an^ais attaquent Malte. II faut absolument renoncer a avoir dans la ville ou dans I'ile un parti soit panni les Chevaliers, soit pai-mi le peuple, qui veuille agir d'intelligence avec les Fran^ais pour livrer Malte, parce que I'Ordre est trop sur ses gardes pour que personne veuille se compromettre. D'ailleurs le grand-maitre a trop bien su gagner tons les coeurs pour n'etre pas sur-le-champ instruit de tout pi^ojet qui pourrait se diriger contre lui. Malgre le peu de forces qu'a I'Ordre, elles sont, avec I'esprit de surveillance dont on ne s'ecarte pas un moment, plus que suffisantes poxir empecher toute sui-prise et pour resister a une attacque a force ouverte jusqu'a TaiTivee d'un secours eti^anger. Si une enterprise a force ouverte ou par surprise echoue nous nous couvidrons de honte aux yeux de toute I'Europe et nous porterons avec I'Angleterre le fardeau de la haine des nations qui nait tou jours de la violation du droit des gens, quand le succes ne la justifie pas. II sera probablement plus facile d'obtenir Malte par negociation que par force. II sera encore plus sur, d'employer simultanement ces deux moyens. Pour reussir dans cette negociation il faut commencer par enlever au grand-maitre tout espoir de soutenir I'Ordre ; a cet effet, il serait facile d'engager la Cour d'Espagne a prendre les biens de I'Ordre de Malte et a les affecter aux besoins de I'Espagne.^ Ces biens fonneraient une ' Elliot, while acting as British Governor of Corsica, sent de Sade (see Jonquiere vol.J. p. 657).— J. H. E. ' i.e. Francis II, of Austria. — J. H. R. ^ This was done by Spain after the Peace of Amiens. — J. H. R. POUSSIELGUE'S REPORT ON HIS MISSION TO MALTA 23 hypotheque propre a remonter le credit de cette cour. Mais si I'Espagne avait des scmpules trop difficiles a vaincre, ils sei^aient bientot enleves en for^ant le Pape a supprimer d'un coup de plume I'Ordre de Malte, suppression qui entrerait dans les intei"ets de tous les princes de I'Europe qui, chacun chez soi, convoitent les biens de TOixire de Malte. En meme temps qu'on serait pi-et a negocier en Espagne et a Rome, le Directoire Executif enveiTait un Ministre Plenipotentiaire a Malte pour resider publiquement aupres du grand-maitre, et traiter secretement avec lui de la cession de Malte, soit par ecbange avec une autre ile dont on lui abandonnerait la jouissance et la souverainete, sa vie dui-ant, avec reversibilite a la Republique Pran^aise ; soit pour une somme d'argent ; soit pour toutes les deux, car le gi-and-maitre tient a ce qu'il parait a regner, et, d'un autre cote, il a grand besoin d'argent, car il est fort endette. On amenera aisement le grand-maitre a une negociation. 1 En lui faisant entrevoir la suppression de I'Ordi^e et la perte de tous ses revenus ; 2 en lui demontrant, ce qui est facile aujourd'hui, qu'aucune puissance ne peut lui offrir un dedommagement aussi avantageux et aussi solide que celui que la France lui donnera ; que I'Angleterre peut lui f aire des offres ti-es-brillantes, mais qu'elle ne les efFectuerait pas, des qu'elle serait Maitresse de Malte, ou que meme il ne dependrait pas d'elle de les effectuer, en supposant que, pour la premiere fois, elle fut loyale dans ses promesses ; que la Russie ne peut donner que de I'argent ; que I'Empereur dans I'etat actuel des affaires de 1' Allemagne ne pourrait disposer d'aucune souverainete en echange de Malte, ou que, s'il en disposait, rien ne garantirait cette disposition en faveur du gi'ande-maitre. J'ai examine les differentes moyens de s'emparer de Malte par surprise, et par force. Par surprise, ceLa ne se pourrait qu'avec des intelligences dans la ville, et Ton regarde comme impossible d'en pratiquer dans tous les points ou il en faudi^ait, meme dans un seul. Les plus determines patriotes repugnent a ce moyen ; ils ont du courage, mais trop d'honneur pour jamais employer ce qu'ils appellent la trahison. D'ailleurs comme je I'ai observe plus haut, il n'y a qu'une quinzaine de patriotes qui aient du pouvoir et parmi eux il n'y en a que trois ou quatre qui aient de I'energie. Ils se sont cependant pretes avec grace a examiner si la surprise etait possible ou facile. II y a plusieurs manieres qu'on pourrait tenter ensemble ou separement. La premiere serait de s'emparer a la tombee du jour de la porte d'entree ordinaire de la ville sur le port. II faudrait avoir dans le port deux vaisseaux et deux fregates qui auraient a bord 1,500 hommes de troupes. La porte n'est gardee ordinairement que par 15 a 20 soldats. Je suppose qu'on en mette 30 ou 40 par exces de precaution lorsqu'on verra des vaisseaux fran^ais dans le port. On sera tres attentif, pendant les cinq ou six premiers jours ; on se relachei^a ensuite, et il sera facile a 10 a 12 hommes a I'aide d'une rixe excitee, de s'emparer inopinement de la porte, d'empecher qu'on ne la ferme et de donner le temps aux troupes des vaisseaux d'arriver. II est vi^i qu'il faut reussir, sans cela les vaisseaux et les hommes seraient h, I'instant foudroyes par les nombi*euses batteries du chateau Saint-Ange sur lesquelles la meche est toujours allumee. Mais si Ton peut etre maitre de la porte, on est maitre de la ville, et quand on a la ville, on est maitre de I'ile. La ville renferme les gi^eniers a ble, une partie des poudres, I'arsenal, le Tresor, le grand-maitre et presque tous les 24 A HISTORY OF MALTA Chevaliers. Une fois maitre de la ville, on ferait des ofFres avantageuses aux Maltais, aux Chevaliers memes qui occuperaient tous les postes, et il n'est pas douteux qu'ils ne se rendissent. Dans tous les cas, il faudrait faire soutenir les 1,500 hommes par une escadre qui niouillei*ait dans le port de Marsa-Musciet. Ces 1,500 hommes s'empareraient facilement du chateau Saint-Elme, et de toutes les fortifications qui sont a I'ouest, et que la ville domine. Le second moyen serait d'escalader pendant la nuit la fortification qui est entre le chateau Saint-Elme, et I'endroit de la Marine, ou Ton commu- nique avec les batiments en quarantaine. Ce moyen parait plus sur d'abord parce qu'il s'emploierait dans une nuit obscure et les vaisseaux seraient moins exposes ; ensuite parce que tout vaisseau de gueri-e etant tenu de faire quarantaine, ce serait un grand obstacle au premier pro jet de surprendre la porte, tandis que, dans ce projet-ci les vaisseaux se trouvei-aient places tout pres du lieu qu'il s'agirait d'escalader. II ne faudrait gagner que deux ou trois gardes de la Sante, ce qui ne serait point difficile. Dans cet endroit, le rempart n'a plus de 12 a 15 pieds d'elevation a cause de decombres qui sont au bas et qui touchent a la mer. On aurait des echelles ou d'autres machines toutes pretes dans les vaisseaux. Trente hommes parvenus sur ce rempart y protegeraient I'arrivee des autres. L'autre moyen (et c'est celui des hommes de I'art, qui pensent, qu'il serait trop difficile de s'emparer de la ville, et que, quand on en serait maitre, on n'aurait encoi*e rien gagne) l'autre moyen dis-je, serait d'attaquer a la fois et la fort de Ricasoli, et le chateau Saint-Elme, de faire a cet efPet un debarquement de 4 a 5,000 hommes dans le port de Marsa-Scirocco, qui s'empareraient d'abord de la villa Cottonera, et attaqueraient ensuite le fort Ricasoli. Si on parvenait a s'emparer de ce fort et du chateau Saint-Elme, on serait maitre de Malte, parce qu'il ne poui-rait y entrer aucun secours. Mais, pour employer ce dernier moyen, il faut agir a force ouvex'te. II serait temps d'y songer lorsqu'on verrait trainer en longueiu* la negociation entamee avec le grand-maitre, ou qu'on verrait I'impossibilite absolue de reussir dans cette negociation. L'Ordre de Malte, par lui-meme, ne pent pas resister plus longtemps a une attaque reguliere ; il manque de moyens, et surtout d'hommes, car on est generalement persuade que les Maltais ne se battraient pas pour le defendre. Voici les f oix;es actuelles : 200 hommes formant la garde du grand-maitre ; ils sont caseraes au chateau Saint-Elme ; chaque jour, il y en a 30 de garde, savoir : 16 au Palais du grand-maitre, 4 a la Douane, et 10 au chateau Saint-Elme. 450 hommes composant le regiment de Malte ; il foumit chaque jour 42 hommes de garde aux portes ; il y a une reserve de 24 hommes ; il foumit aussi la garde des prisons, du qu artier et de quelques autres postes ; il y a une compagnie de ce regiment qui est caserne e au chateau Saint- Ange. 300 hommes du corps des galeres ; il y en a chaque jour 20 de garde au palais du general des galeres. 300 soldats des vaisseaux ; ils sont casernes a I'ile ou cite Victorieuse. on ^ T>' 1- ") II y a une fondation pour I'entretien de 80 hommes aux Kicasoh C on i. j • j \. j on T71 J. Tir .. 1 r oO hommes de garnison dans chacun de 80 „ au Fort Manoel \ , , " J ces forts. POUSSIELGUE'S REPORT ON HIS MISSION TO MALTA 25 800 hommes de chasseui's qui ne font de service que dans les cas extraordinaires ; ils sont habilles, mais ne sont payes que quand ils servent. Ils restent a la campagne. C'estdonc en tout 2,210 hommes. II faut y ajouter la garde nationale, ou milice, qu'on e value a 10,000 hommes. Elle ne fait point de service, et elle est tres peu exercee. Parmi tous ces hommes, il n'y a qu'un tres petit nombre d'artilleurs tres mal insti'uits et presque point d'officiers. La force principale de Malte, est renfermee dans les 3 a 400 Chevaliers fi-an9ais. Eux seuls provoqueront et soutiendront la i-esistance, d'abord parce qu'ils sont Fran^ais et qu'ainsi ils sont braves, ensuite parce que, n' ay ant pas d'autre refuge que Malte, ils se battront en desesperes pour empecher qu'on ne [la] leiir enleve. La preuve que les Fi-an^ais sont a Malte en nombre bien plus considerable que les autres nations, c'est que le Tresor a paye en argent comptant, pour les tables de tous les Chevaliers qui se sont trouves a Malte pendant I'annee dul" Mai 1796 au 1" Mai 1797 (V.S.) 18,267 ecus dont 10,777 pour les trois langues Fran^aises, et 7,490 seulement pour toutes les auti-es langues. Malte est approvisionee en gi-ains pour* huit mois. II y avait dans les fosses au 1*' Janvier 1798 (V.S.) 31,468 salmes de ble, ce qui fait environ 80,000 quintaux, on avait consommee en Decembre 1797 3,946 salmes. Au moment oii je suis parti, on manquait totalement de bois et on ne savait comment en faire venir a cause des corsaii*es barbaresques. On y etait reduit a chauffer les fours publics avec des debris de vieui vaisseaux. On ne manque ni de poudre ni d'eau, mais on manque d'artillerie et de boulets de calibre. Tous les patriotes qui j'ai vus a Malte pensent que, si Ton veut s'emparer de Malte, soit par force, soit par negociation, le premier obstacle le plus fort qu'il faille ecarter, ce sont les Chevaliers fran^ais ; qu'il faut renoncer a leur faire acheter leur I'entree en France par des services, tels que celui de livrer Malte, surtout sans aucune gai'^ntie prealable de ce que Ton ferait pour eux ensuite ; que le moyen le plus simple et le seul qu'il convienne peut-etre d'employer est de les faire rentrer en France, par vm decret qui, en statuant definitivement sur les reclamations de I'Ordre de Malte, confirmerait la confiscation sans indemnite des biens de I'Ordre, et declarei*ait en meme temps que les Chevaliers de Malte, attendu leur aflBliation a un Oixire et a une puissance ^ti-angere anterieurement a la Revolution, ayant des lors suivant 1' esprit et le texte meme de la Constitu- tion, cesse d'etre Fran^ais ne seront point consideres comme emigres, mais seulement comme etrangers, et pourront a ce titre seul rentrer en France, et y jouir des biens qu'ils y possedaient. Si le Drrectoire executif ne pouvait obtenir ce decret special, il trouvei'ait, autant que je puis m'en souvenir, dans les lois existantes des moyens d'y suppleer. L'effet ne serait pas aussi prompt, mais il suffirait, avec le desir qu'ont les Chevaliers de rentrer, et leur habi- tude de ne doubter de rien, pour les determiner a prendi-e sur-le- champ le chemin de la France. Si le Directoire se determinait a employer la negociation vis-a-vis du grand-maitre, ce serait un grand moyen a mettre en avant que de laisser transpirer que la rentree des Chevaliei's fran9ais en France, et dans leurs biens, serait une des conditions. On intei-esserait ainsi tous ces Chevaliers a la reussite de la negociation 26 A HISTORY OF MALTA et peut-etre a se prononcer d'une maniere plus precise encore s'ils voyaient le grand-maitre peu dispose a I'accepter. Pendant mon sejoui' a Malte, j'ai fait des promesses, j'ai seme des espei-ances, et en meme temps sans trop m'ouvrir pour ne pas me compro- mettre. J'ai repandu que le Directoire executif etait instruit des demarches de la Russie et de I'AngleteiTe ; qu'il ne les voyait pas sans inquietude ; que jusqu'a present les Chevaliers de Malte Fran^ais n'etaient pas absolument exclus de leur patrie comme emigres, puisqu'on avait toujours diifere de statuer definitivement sur leur sort ; que pour disposer les deux conseils et le Directoire a les traiter favorablement et a accelerer le moment de leur renti*ee en France, il fallait qu'ils temoignassent leui^ attachement au nouveau gouvemement par des services evidents ; que c'etait a eux de veiller a ce que les Anglais, ennemis de la Fi'ance et de tous les Fran^ais, quelles que soient leurs opinions, ne s'emparassent pas d'un point aussi impoi*tant que Test Malte pour la France, et que si le sort de cette ile etait de cesser d'etre independante, c'etait a eux Fran9ais h preparer les voies, de la faire reunir a la Fiance, plutot qu'a toute autre puissance. J'ai chai'ge les deux ou tix)is apoti^es que j'avais inities dans le secret de ma mission de repandi-e cette doctrine ; plusieurs aristocrates I'avaient re9ue avec ti^nsport et deja la propageaient. Je suis persuade que I'eifet en aurait ete tres prompt si le rapport fait au Conseil des Cinq Cents par le depute Laloi sur les reclamations des Chevaliers de Malte et le Decret d'Ordre du jour qui en a 6te la suite n'etaient aiTives en meme temps que moi et n'avaient beaucoup attenue I'effet de mes belles pi'omesses. Malte est tellement fortifiee qu'avec tres peu d'homm^es et de moyens on peut resister assez longtemps, et ce n'est point absolument chimere que de regarder cette impoi-tante forteresse comme plus qu'a moitie conquise si on parvient a en eloigner les quatre cents Fi^an^ais sur lesquels on se repose principalement du soin de la defendre. Get avis est celui des patriotes de toutes les nouances que j'ai vus a Malte ; ils different d'opinion en toute autre chose, mais en cela ils sont d'accord et ils pensent qu'il est plus sur, plus facile et plus prompt de les faire sortir de Malte que de les gagner meme avec I'appat de leur interet, parce que, se trouvant reunis en espece de corps, il est presque impossible d'en changer I'esprit, quoique chaque individu isolement puisse faire des vceux conformes a nos desirs. Peu de joui's avant mon depai-t de Malte, le bruit s'est repandu qu'une flotte de quarante vaisseaux Anglais etait entree dans la Mediterranee, et qu'elle laissait entrevoir que son objet 6tait de s'emparer des iles de Minorque et de Majorque.^ Le grand-maitre a tenu un conseil secret et s'est enferme pendant plusieurs heures avec le directeur de I'artillerie. On a presume qu'il avait donne I'ordre de mettre sur-le-champ Tile en etat de defense contre I'Angleterre. . . . Ensuite, sous les rapports politiques, celui qui possede Malte est le maitre absolu du commerce de la Mediterranee. Cette ile a les poi-ts les plus beaux et les plus surs qui existent ; elle en a beaucoup de tres grands et pour tous les vents. Ses fortifications la rendent imprenable meme ^ This report was false. Nelson was not detached from Lord St. Vincent's fleet blockading Cadiz until May 2, 1798. He appeared off Toulon on May 17. Minorca was captured by the British several weeks after the date of Poussielgue'a report (Feb. 8, 1798).— J. H. R. POUSSIELGUE'S REPORT ON HIS MISSION TO MALTA 27 entre les mains d'une puissance de second ordre. C'est un autre Gib- raltar. Tous ces avantages et tant d'autres sur lesquels je crois inutile de m'etendre, me persuadent, et je le dis sans hesiter, que I'acquisition de Malte pour la Fi-ance serait un des plus grands avantages qu'elle aurait retires de la gueiTe. II n'y a done pas a balancer pour tenter tous les moyens de I'avoir. S'il faut faire des sacrifices pecuniaires, soit en faveur du grand-maitre, soit en faveur des Chevaliers, il ne faut pas qu'ils effi^yent. Bevenus du grand-mmtre : 205,000 ecus de Malte,i dont 90,000 en biens-fonds a Malte, 85,000 du produit de la douane, 25,000 d'impots sui' le vin, 5,000 du pixjduit des lots et ventes. Biens nationaux : Les revenus en biens-fonds, de I'eveche, des canoni- cats, des divers ordi-es religieux ; s'elevent a 108,000 ecus. Les Palais et immeubles divers, possedes par I'Ordre a Malte, peuvent foumii* un loyer de 100,000 ecus. En y ajoutant les 90,000 ecus de i-ente du gi^nd-maitre, le total des revenus en biens-fonds atteint 298,000 ecus, soit 715,200 livi'es tournois, representant, 'un capital de plus de 15 millions.' On doit y ajouter ; les richesses des eglises, valant de 4 a 500,000 francs ; le materiel naval (2 Vaisseaux, dont un en constniction, 2 Fregates, quelques galeres et galiotes) le materiel de I'arsenal ; Tai'tillei-ie etc. L'ile n'etait assu- jettie qu'a un petit nombre d'impots indirectes (di'oits de douane et autres) rendant annuellement 100 a 115,000 ecus (soit de 240 a 250,000 f I'ancs) . Ce revenu serait susceptible d'accroissement entre les mains des FrauQais. Quant a la situation financiere de I'Ordre, en voici le bilan, avant la Bevolntion. Becetfes : Revenus des biens de I'Ordi-e en France 580,406 ecus, en Espagne 271,454, en Italie 235,324, en Portugal 91,876, en Allemagne 40,954, en Baviere 2,156, en Pologne 6,016, a Malte 86,500. Total 1,315,296 ecus, ou 3,156,710 livi^es tournois. Depenses: 1,261,860 ecus, ou 3,028,464 livres tournois. II y avait done, un excedant annuel de 128,246 livres. Mais depuis la Revolution, I'Ordre a perdu tous ses revenus de France, une grande pai'tie de ceux d' Allemagne et d'ltalie ; il doit subvenir a I'entretien des Chevaliers fran^ais, prives de leurs commanderies, aussi peut-on e valuer le deficit annuel a 2 millions environ. II est impossible que cet etat de choses subsiste longtemps. Quelques ressources extra- ordinaires peuvent bien soutenir I'Ordre pendant encore un an ; mais il faut qu'ensuite il s'aneantisse sous son pi-opre poids, et c'est a Malte une verite evidente pour les Maltais, comme pour tous les Chevaliers. . . . J'ai deja parle plus haut, des bases d'une negociation avec le grand-maitre. En voici d'autres qui pourraient convenir davantage puisqu'elles couteraient moins ; ce serait de profiter de I'afEaire de Rome pour negocier en meme temps avec Naples et avec le grand-maitre des dedommagements a donner a I'un pour sa suzerainete et a I'autre pour sa souverainete de l'ile de Malte. Le roi de Naples veut avoir Benevent - qui est enclave dans ses etats. Non seulement on pourrait lui donner Benevent, mais encore d'autres portions des etats du Pape a sa convenance, moyennant qu'il cederait a la ' A Maltese crown was worth nearly two shillings. — J. H. R. ^ A papal fief enclaved in the kingdom of Naples. — J. H. R. 28 A HISTORY OF MALTA France ses droits de suzerainete sur Malte et qu'il assignerait au gi'and- maitre une principaute en propriety dans la Sicile et lui donnei-ait en toute souverainete et sa vie durant, ce qui lui appartient dans I'ile d'Elbe. Poussielgue then suggests other ways for gaining over the Grand Master and the Knights, especially by inducing Spain to confiscate the possessions of the Order in her territory, and so reducing the Order to complete weakness, in which state the Knights would listen to the overtures from Paris. ^ This report of Poussielgue would reach Paris a few days before the return of Bonaparte to that city from his visit of inspection of the northern coast of France, whence he arrived on the 23rd February — and from its importance would be of the greatest service at the deliberations of the Directory, which took place on the 1st and 2nd of the following month, when it was decided to abandon the expedition to England, and to prepare for that of Malta and Egypt. ^ It is worth noting that this act of confiscation by the Spanish Government after the Peace of Amiens was one of the events which convinced the British Ministry that the existing arrangements for Malta were impracticable. — J. H. R. CHAPTER IV THE PREPAEATIONS IN FRANCE FOR THE EXPEDITION TO MALTA AND EGYPT It is unnecessary to describe here the policy of the French Republic towards the Papacy and Switzerland. The causes of dispute with those States were comparatively slight, and it is now generally recognised that financial motives played no small share in prompting the occupation of Rome and of the Swiss cantons, which took place in the early part of the year 1798. By the Treaty of Tolentino (19th February 1797) the papal treasury had been drained of a sum of £1,200,000, and a further sum of £160,000 had been subsequently exacted. Now, on the occupation of Rome by the French, large sums were levied on the wealthy families and on clerical and monastic property ; and Berthier, when sent by Bonaparte to Rome on this mission, said : * You appoint me treasurer to the English expedition ; I will endeavour to fill the chest.' He faithfully fulfilled his promise. The plunder of several of the cantonal treasuries in Switzerland yielded equally valuable results — in all about 23,000,000 francs.^ On this whole subject we have the testimony of Bonaparte's general, Marmont, afterwards Duke of Ragusa, who states that at ' Passeriano the expedition to Egypt was first mentioned, and that such was to be provided for with funds to be realised by expeditions to Berne and Rome, whilst the general public was led to believe that it was intended for Portugal or Ireland.' ^ By means such as these were the first funds provided for the Eastern expedition. On the 2nd March 1798 the Directory abandoned the contem- plated invasion of England, and decided to attempt that of Egypt. Three days later the military preparations with that object in view were discussed, when, at the sitting of the Directory, held on the 5th, Bonaparte submitted a note to the following effect : ' To possess ourselves of Egypt and Malta, from 20,000 to 25,000 infantry, and 2,000 to 3,000 cavalry, without horses, would be required ' ; and he ^ See Cambridge Modern History, vol. viii. pp. 640, 641 ; Bose, Life of Napoleon, vol. i. pp. 178-81. * Marmont, vol. i. p. 296. 29 30 A HISTORY OF MALTA further suggested ' that troops for the purpose might be withdrawn from Civita Vecchia, Genoa, Corsica, Marseilles, and Toulon, and that the transport would have to be provisioned for two months, taking water for one month.' ^ Brueys' arrival at Toulon with his squadron from Corfu and from off Malta on the 2nd April (after his abortive attempt at capture of the latter island) enabled the French Government to push forward without further delay the organisation and details of the expedition. Soon after his arrival Brueys received a letter from Bonaparte, dated the 30th March, informing him that ' his fleet would be of such strength as to enable him to fulfil the brilliant mission for which he was destined,' ^ and ten days after his arrival — namely, on the 12th April — he drew up eight arretes, which were signed by the Directory, and remained secret. The first arrete changed the name of the ' Army of England ' to that of the ' Army of the East/ and appointed Bonaparte commander- in-chief thereof. The fifth arrete chiefly concerns us here. It comprises these articles : Art. 1 authorised Bonaparte to occupy Egypt. Art. 2 authorised Bonaparte to drive the English out of all possessions in the East, particularly out of their settlements in the Red Sea. Art. 3 authorised the cutting of the isthmus of Suez and the ' free and exclusive possession of the Red Sea for the French Republic' ^ The sixth arrete referred to Malta as follows* : — The Executive Directory. — Considering that the Order of Malta has by its own action, and since the commencement of the present war, placed itself in hostility towards Fi-ance, as expressed in a manifesto of the Gi-and Master, bearing date the 10th October 1794; and that by this insolent document he has declared, that he neither can, nor ought, nor desires to acknowledge the French Republic ; that the efforts he has made before, and since, in aid of the coalition of the armed Sovereigns against Liberty have throughout confinned the same ; that quite recently the cup of iniquity has been filled to the brim in his attempts against the Republic, by receiving with open arms, and admitting to the highest dignities, Frenchmen universally known as the bitterest enemies of the countiy, and for ever disgraced by having carried anns against her; and that appearances lead to the belief that it is his intention to deliver the Islands to one of the Powers still at war with Fi-ance, through which French trade in the Mediterranean would be paralysed. And as this Order is, to all intents and purposes, in the same position towards the Fx*ench Republic as all the other Powers with whom, at the time of the establishment of the Constitutional regime, France was found in a state of war, they, ' De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 197. ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 29. "* Ibid. pp. 50, 52 ; Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 197. '' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 53. FRENCH PREPARATIONS FOR EXPEDITION TO MALTA 31 without previous declaration on their part, have voluntarily placed themselves in that position. And as, in consequence, no act of the Legislative Body is necessary to authorise the Executive Directory to adopt such measures as the national honour and interests require, they do hereby order as follows : — Ai't. 1. The Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the East is authorised to take possession of the Island of Malta. Art. 2. He will proceed at once, with the land and sea forces under his command, to the island of Malta. The seventh arrete was to the following effect : — Art. 1. The order of this day addi^essed to Genei^l Bonaparte, Com- mander-in-Chief of the Ai'my of the East,' instinicting him to take possession of the Island of Malta, is not to be executed, unless it can be accomplished without prejudicing the success of other operations with which he is charged. The Directoiy on this point relies completely on his prudence. These orders having been issued, Brueys was instructed to detach and maintain some of his fast cruisers between Gibraltar and the island of St. Peter, and report any movements of the British fleet, whilst Najac was instructed to supply the fleet with two months' water instead of one. At Marseilles, 3,900 infantry and 680 cavalry had been collected ; at Genoa, 5,419 infantry, 683 cavalry, and 150 artillery ; at Civita Vecchia, 5,053 infantry and 799 cavalry ; and the main body at Toulon numbered 10,473 infantry, 880 cavalry, and 1,365 artillery- men — making a grand total of 29,402 men. According to De la Jonquiere, this number was eventually increased (by the Corsican contingent and from other sources) to 36,826 men under arms, and 12,782 in the crews of the fleet, making a grand total of 49,608 men. This vast force was officered as follows : Bonaparte was commander-in-chief ; Brueys, vice-admiral, commanded the fleet ; Villeneuve, Blanquet-Duchayla, and Decres were rear-admirals ; Ganteaume was chief staff officer.^ ^ For the names of the ships and their captains, and those of the regiments, see Jonquiere, vol. i. pp. 518-38. Besides the combatants there was a company of savants celebrated in the various departments of science, art, and learning. But their names do not concern us here. — J. H. R. CHAPTER Y THE DEPARTURE OF THE FRENCH EXPEDITION AND ARRIVAL OFF MALTA By virtue of the several decrees issued by the Directory, under date of the 12th April 1798, the 'Army of the East' was organised, its mission authorised, and its command given to Bonaparte. The army was to be composed of five contingents, drawn from Marseilles, Corsica, Genoa, Civita Vecchia, and Toulon. The command of these divisions was given to Reynier, Vaubois, Baraguey d'Hilliers, and Desaix respec- tively, with Bonaparte in supreme command at Toulon. Admiral Brueys was informed by Bonaparte on the 17th April that the expe- dition would sail for its destination from Toulon by the western coast of Sardinia, communicating with the island of St. Peter, and that he was to take the necessary precautions by having scouts cruising between that island and the Straits of Gibraltar. There is no need to describe the departure of the armada, which (after some delays) began at Toulon on May 19. A letter was drafted to the brave and victorious sultan, Tippoo Sahib ; another to the King of Ceylon ; a third to the sovereign of Tanjore ; and seven others were destined for other Oriental potentates whose names were left in blank.^ These were not sent, owing to the disaster to the fleet at Aboukir; but Bonaparte at Cairo, on the 25th January 1798 wrote a second letter to Tippoo Sahib stating his resolve to come and deliver him ' from the iron yoke of England.' These letters shed an interesting light on the expedition, and prove that the capture of Malta was to be the first step in a mighty enterprise aiming at the entire overthrow of the British power in the East. As regards details of the voyage from Toulon and the Italian ports to Malta, the reader may consult the elaborate work of M. de la Jonquiere. Here we may note that orders were sent to the French ships-of-war at the isles of Bourbon (Mauritius) and Reunion to repair to Suez and place themselves under Bonaparte's orders ; also that Poussielgue and the renegade Barbara were ordered to accompany the expedition. News of British warships being in the vicinity accelerated the concentration of the French squadron off Malta. ^ De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 368. 32 DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL OF FRENCH EXPEDITION 33 At 4 p.m. of the 9tli June, 1798, Bonaparte, on the flagship U Orient, arrived off Malta. The rest of Brueys' fleet soon came up, Desaix's squadron from Civita Vecchia was next sighted, and on that same day orders were issued for the troops destined for the attack on Valetta to be landed at three different points in Malta, and one in Gozo. General Desaix was instructed to sail that same night (the 9th) and land his division at any point he might choose between St. Thomas Bay and Point Wied-is-Sciacca, and arrange so that 300 to 400 men must be on shore before daybreak of the morrow. Duchayla, with four ships of the line, would cover the landing. His troops would then march on the city and endeavour to surprise one of the gates, or scale one of the outworks of Cottonera, which was known to be without a fosse. ^ Should the enemy be on the alert, or the attempt from other causes be found impracticable, he was to invest Fort Ricasoli and the Cottonera lines, extending his left wing until he communicated with the central Division under General Vaubois.^ As this latter Di\Tision was to be the permanent garrison of the island. General Vaubois was ordered to leave at 2 a.m. of the 10th, and land between St. Julian's and Maddalena. The troops destined for this service were the 80th Demi-Brigade, the 7th Light Infantry, the 4th Light Infantry, and the 19th of the Line. Generals Marmont and Lannes were placed under his orders. The troops under the former would start 200 to 400 yards in advance of those under Lannes. Marmont would land where he considered most feasible, and take possession of the batteries which might oppose the landing of the entire Division. This accomplished, Marmont would occupy Spinola Palace and garden.^ Lannes, in the meanwhile, was to forward a detachment, and possess himself of all the other batteries which threatened Maddalena Bay, as well as Saint Mark's tower. As soon as the 19th of the Line and 4th Light Infantry arrived, Marmont would blockade Valetta from Pinto city, extending his pickets as far as Casal Nuovo, communicating with General Desaix's left. Vaubois would in the meanwhile blockade Forts Manoel and Tigne, which latter was said to be unfinished. Three companies of the 18th and 32nd of the Line would be reserved as guard to head- quarters, which would be established at Gargur. A flying column of the 6th of the Line, or a detachment thereof, would advance upon Casals Lia, Attard, and as far as Citta Vecchia, holding the inhabi- tants in check. * Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 128. - General Vaubois had done good service in the Italian campaigns of 1796-97, especially at the outposts north of Rivoli. He was to be named Governor of Malta ; and his firmness during the siege of 1798-1800 ensured for him the admission to the Senate of France, and the dignity of Count of the French Empire. — J. H. R. ■^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 131. 34 A HISTORY OF MALTA Simultaneously with these movements in the neighbourhood of the fortress^ General Baraguey d'Hilliers, with his troops from Genoa, was ordered to make a descent either on St. Paul's or Melleha Bay, about ten miles distant from Valetta; whilst General Reynier, in command of the troops embarked at Marseilles, consisting partly of the 3rd Company of the Grenadiers and 95th Demi-Brigade, was ordered to land at Ramla in Gozo, under the protection of the frigate Alceste, and take possession of the island.^ These military dis- positions being made, no further act of hostility was to occur until authorised by the commander-in-chief. In the meanwhile. General Vaubois would issue a proclamation to the inhabitants stating that the free exercise of their religion would be assured, discipline main- tained, and, wherever the people remained tranquil, protection would be afforded them, and that the priests and the nuns would have special protection. The adjoining villages on the Valetta side would supply provisions for Vaubois' troops. Desaix's Division would be supplied with bread and provisions levied on the villages of Zabbar, Zeitun, Gudia, and Tarsiun. The convoys were to be supplied with forage and Avater, and be ready for sea in three days. Instructions were also issued on the 9th June to Rear- Admiral Blanquet-Duchayla to anchor a league off Marsa Scirocco, and support the landing of the troops and all subsequent operations. The detailed orders issued by the commander-in-chief to Brueys, Berthier, Baraguey d'Hilliers, Desaix, Vaubois, and Reynier, under date of the 6th and 9th June, will be found in the volume of M. de la Jonquiere, ' I'Expedition d'Egypte,' I. pp. 558 et seq. The instructions regarding Malta were issued at 8 p.m. of the 9th June, whilst those addressed to Reynier at Gozo were dated at 9 p.m. of the 9th June, and were to the following effect : ' Le General en chef etant decide a attaquer File et les possessions de rOrdre de Malte, il vous ordonne d'executer ponctuellement I'ordre et les dispositions que je vous ai fait passer, et dont I'execution a ete soumise a la reception du present ordre.' The other points of attack being nearer at hand, it was only at 10 p.m. that Bonaparte gave orders to Desaix to leave at midnight, and to put into execution the disembarkation in conformity with the dispositions made on the 21st Prairial (9th June). ^ Corres, de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 129. CHAPTER VI THE BRITISH PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFLICT The great European coalition against the Frencli Republic having "been almost completely destroyed by the Treaty of Campo Formio on the 17th October 1797, England was left entirely dependent upon her own resources, beyond what feeble aid Portugal and the Two Sicilies might render. Spain, as we have seen, had been forced to join the French Republic, Flanders had been incorporated, Holland converted into a Republic and ally. Piedmont crushed, Lombardy revolutionised, the Pope deposed and in exile, and a Roman Republic had been set up. Moreover, Austria had retired from the strife. The Czar Paul was for the present strictly neutral, and the kingdom of the Two Sicilies was lukewarm, or overawed. Notwithstanding the isolated position in which England now stood, she took every precaution against the impending danger. She had become aware of the great preparations which were being made at various ports in France and Italy, but continued ignorant as to the destination of this formidable expedition. Ireland being deemed its objective, the efforts of the Admiralty were directed to strengthen the fleets off Brest and the Spanish coast. Bonaparte, referring to the events of this period, when speaking to his aide-de-camp. General Grourgaud, at St. Helena, observed : 'The British Government had prepared for all eventualities, except that of an invasion of Egypt; they felt certain the expedition was intended to join the Spanish fleet at Cadiz, make for Brest, and then land simultaneously in England and Ireland.' The Government of the Two Sicilies appear to have been equally perplexed, but they were more inclined to believe that the expedition was intended, after all, for that kingdom. In April, Sir William Hamilton wrote to Lord St. Vincent as follows ^ : — Although this Monarchy is at apparent peace with the French Republic, it is threatened with immediate destruction. . . . Your Lord- ship will see that the greatest hope this Government entertains of being saved from impending danger, is in the protection of the King's fleet under * Clarke and MacArthur, Life of Nelson, vol. ii. p. 51. 35 d2 36 A HISTORY OF MALTA youi' Lordsliip's command. ... If in consequence of the application of this Govei'nment to the Cabinet of St. James, by a messenger sent direct to London six weeks ago, a British fleet should have been ordered into the Mediterranean, it will come and save this country, if not, the only chance of respite fi'om Republicanism is in the Austrian anny already in Italy, which, as your Lordship will see, is to be immediately augmented.! The Neapolitan Prime Minister^ General Acton/ had already- acquainted Sir William Hamilton with the latest information that Government had received as to the movements of the French armies, in the following dispatch, dated the 3rd April ^ : — The troops which the French are bringing to Genoa fi-om tlieir places in Piedmont, and from the Roman States to Civita Vecchia, have the Two Sicilies for their destination — all threatening an invasion, yet with all the demonstration of friendship and good intelligence from the French Govern- ment and its Genei^als. At Rome and Milan they were told that Corsica and Sardinia were the meaning of the expedition, whilst at Genoa the confidential answer has been, that the squadron and troops were directed for Portugal or Gibraltar, if the Spaniards could not sail from Cadiz, but this morning has brought us letters of the 22nd March wherein we ai-e offered Benevento (States of the Church), provided we pay a large sum, sufficient to satisfy the Directory in return for such a present, and we are advised, in case of a refusal, or even of a delay in accepting the proposal, that the former resolution of republicanising all Italy shall take place. Toulon, Genoa, and Civita Vecchia, are preparing means, as we are told by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to put such a project into effect, if we do not find some method to procure a deviation from a resolution so dangerous to this Monarchy.' Acton concluded by urging the sending of a dispatch vessel to Lord St. Vincent for help,' adding that ' every exertion would be employed on their part. We shall perish, if such is our destiny, but we hope to sell dear our destruction.' To the direct appeal which had been made by the Neapolitan Government to the Court of St. James for help. Lord Grenville, on the 20th April, informed Sir William Hamilton that His Majesty had come to the detei*mination of sending a Fleet into the Mediterranean for the protection of Naples, so soon as it is possible for it to be brought forward without detriment to the indispens- able objects of his naval ser%ace or imminent hazard to the safety of his dominions . . . for this purpose an augmentation of the British naval establishment will be necessary. This augmentation will be made, and a Fleet sufficient for all the purposes of protection and assistance will sail » Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34906, p. 384. ^ General Sir John Acton was the son of a physician, and was bom at Besan^on in 1737. He served in the public services of Tuscany and Naples, and finally became Prime Minister at the latter Court. French influence brought about his retirement in 1803, and he died a few years later in Sicily. — J. H. R. ^ Clarke and MacArthur, Life of Nelson, vol. ii. p. 52 ; Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34906, p. 386. BRITISH PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFLICT 37 for tlie Mediterranean from this country witli the first fair wind after the beginning of June.i Notwithstanding the conflicting information which the British Government received from various quarters as to the destination of the force which was being assembled at Toulon and the western coast of North Italy^ they were nevertheless put in possession of what proved to be the exact truth, but too late to be conveyed to Nelson ; for on the 29th May, Sir William Hamilton informed Lord Grenville that ^General Acton had told him the day before, that Monsieur Garratt' [sic] (the ambassador extraordinary from the French Republic) ' had assured him seriously, that the grand expedi- tion from Toulon, which was commanded by General Bonaparte ' (then ten days out at sea), 'was really destined for Egypt, that they were to establish a colony, and rebuild a city on the spot on which stood ancient Berenice, and that he did not doubt of their being able soon to put in execution the ancient plan of cutting a canal across the isthmus of Suez/ ^ It will be observed, there was not a word said about Malta from Monsieur ' Garratt.' The British consul at Leghorn, Mr. Udney, appears likewise to have obtained somewhat similar information, for on the 20th April he wrote Admiral Nelson to this effect : ^ . . . From what I can hear I feel confident that the expedition is intended first for Malta, then Sicily in order to secure that granary, then Naples, in all which places the French Republic have secm^ed a strong party; then will proceed to Alexandria, Cairo, and Suez. If France intends uniting with Tippoo Saib against our possessions in India, the danger of losing half an army in crossing the desei-t fx'om Egypt would be no obstacle.* Judging from the admiral's subsequent movements, it is reason- able to suppose that Mr. Udney's dispatch never reached Lord Nelson, or if it did, that it arrived too late to be of any service. In fact Nelson had sailed from Spithead ten days previously to the date of the dispatch, reaching Lord St. Vincent's fleet off Cadiz on the oOth of that month. Owing to this uncertainty, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Spencer,^ in April 1798 instructed Lord St. Vincent, commander-in- chief of the British fleet cruising off Spain and Portugal, to discover, ^ Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 11. See, too, additional information on this affair in my cliapter (No. xxi) in the Cambridge Modern History, vol. viii ; also for the provisional compact between Austria and^ Naples, signed on May 20, 1798.— J. H. E. * Foreign Office Records, Sicilv, 11. 3 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34906.' * In a PS. Mr. Udney adds : ' I forward the above by the way of England.' '" Lord Spencer succeeded Lord Chatham (brother of Pitt) as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1794.— J. H. R. 38 A HISTORY OF MALTA if possible, the object of the immense warlike preparations which were being made in the south of France. Nelson, as Rear-Admiral of the Blue, with his flag flying on board the Vanguard — Captain Edward Berry ^ — then off Cadiz, was accordingly dispatched to the Mediterranean, taking with him the Orion (74) — Captain Sir James Saumarez — and Alexander (74) — Captain Alexander John Ball.^ He was informed that a considerable armament was preparing at Toulon, and a number of transports collecting at Marseilles and Genoa for an embarkation of troops, and he was directed to proceed with such of the squadron as might be at Gibraltar and move up the Mediterranean, and endeavour to ascertain, either on the coast of Provence or Genoa, the destination of that expedition, which, accord- ing to some reports, was Sicily and Corfu, and according to others, Portugal or Ireland. If he found the enemy intending to join a squadron of Spanish ships said to be equipping at Carthagena, he was to dispatch the Bonne Citoyenne or Terpsichore with the information to Lord St. Vincent, and to continue with the rest of the squadron on that service as long as he might think it necessary. If the enemy^s armament should be coming down the Mediterranean, he was to take special care not to allow it to pass the Straits before him, which would impede his joining Lord St. Vincent in time to prevent a junction between it and the Spanish fleet in Cadiz Bay. On the 4th May, Nelson with his limited squadron had arrived at Gibraltar, and after a short detention of four days, occupied in revictualling, he sailed on the 8th, after adding the Flora, Emerald, Terpsichore, and Bonne Citoyenne to his force.^ Before the 17tli May, Nelson had reached Cape Sicie, about ten miles to the west of Toulon, and on that day the Terpsichore ^ Berry, Sir Edward (1768-1831), bBcame a lieutenant in the Navy in January 1794. On board the Agamemnon (Nelson's ship) he distinguished himself greatlj' at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, and gained his captaincy. On the Vanguard (Nelson's flagship) he rendered signal service at the Nile (August 1, 1798), for which he received the honour of knighthood. He afterwards assisted in the capture of the Genereux and the Guillaume Tell. In 1805 he shared in the glories of Trafalgar, and received a baronetcy. In 1821 he became rear-admiral, but afterwards saw little service, owing to declining health.— J. H. R. " Clarke and MacArthur, vol. ii. p. 54. Ball, Sir Alex. John (1757-1809), came of an old Gloucestershire family, eiitered the Navy, became lieutenant in 1778, and served under Rodney in the West Indies. In the next French war he served under Murray on the Newfoundland station, and on his return to England in August 1796, was appointed to command the Alexander (74), which rendered Nelson in the Vanguard signal service by towing the latter when dismasted by a gale off Toulon. Their friendship ripened o\^^ng to the signal services of Ball at the Battle of the Nile (August 1, 1798). Ball thereafter undertook the blockade of Malta, and his services in this connexion are amjjly described in the present volume. They gained for him a baronetcy in 1802 ; and after Great Britain definitely annexed the island, Ball became the first governor, a position in which he endeared himself to the Maltese. — J. H. R. ^ Nicolas, Nelson's Dispatches, vol. iii. pp. 12, 13. BRITISH PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFLICT 39 captured the French corvette Le Pierre, of six guns and sixty-five men, which had sailed from Toulon the night previous at 11 p.m. The information Nelson elicited from the officers and crew was mostly false and misleading. It was stated by a portion of the crew that the expedition would be ready to sail in a few days, whilst others affirmed that it would require a fortnight before it could be prepared for sea, whereas it had in reality been ready to start since the early part of the month, and for many days past had been only waiting for a change of wind, and actually weighed anchor on the 19th of May. The crew further added, that although Bonaparte was at Toulon, it was not believed that he would accompany the expedition, nor was its destination known, whereas on the 10th May, seven days previously, Bonaparte, as commander-in-chief, had issued his address to the land and sea forces under his command. They admitted the force to consist of fifteen sail of the line, which were ready for sea; that 12,000 men were already on board, and others daily embarking.^ On the following Saturday, the 19tli May, whilst the French fleet was leaving Toulon in calm weather. Nelson experienced strong winds from the N.W., causing some damage to the VangiLard's rigging. On the 20th the weather moderated, but after dark it began to blow strong again, increasing to a gale, and early on the morning of the 21st, the main-topmast and mizen-mast went over- board, the foremast following soon after, the bowsprit springing in three places. The gale continued to blow hard all day, the Vanguard being then about seventy-five miles south of Hyeres. The Alexander, in command of A. J. Ball, towards evening took the Vanguard in tow, and made for the Gulf of Oristano, the Avind and currents nearly driving both ships on shore. They eventually reached the island of St. Peter on the 23rd, Avliere, after four days of incessant toil, they equipped jurj^-masts and were ready for service, sailing on the 27th for their old cruising station off Cape Sicie, where they arrived on the 31st May.^ News of this disaster to the Vanguard reached Bonaparte by the privateer Cisalpine on the 1st June. This vessel had been dis- patched from Genoa with the intelligence, and found the French fleet off Cape Carbonaro en route to Malta. The message was to the following effect : ' Three English battleships under the command of Nelson have taken shelter at St. Peter's, and sailed again on the 28th May ' (it was really the 27th) . ' Nelson's ship had lost her fore- mast.' It is thus seen that in the short space of nine days news of the disaster reached Bonaparte, then in the open sea. In the meanwhile, the ' most secret ' instructions, under date of the * Nicolas, Nelson's Dispatches, vol. iii. p. 15. 2 Nelson's Dispatches, vol. iii. pp. 17-24. St. Peter's Island is at the south end of Sardinia. 40 A HISTORY OF MALTA 2nd May, were issued by the Admiralty, reaching Lord St. Vincent on the 19th (the day the French expedition was leaving Toulon), which, after stating that political affairs had rendered it absolutely necessary that the fleet and armament fitting at Toulon should be prevented from accomplishing its object, and that their lordships had in consequence reinforced his fleet with eight sail of the line and two fireships under Rear- Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, proceeded thus : Having been joined by the Rear- Admiral, and the ships above mentioned, your Lordship is to lose no time in detaching from your Fleet a squadron consisting of twelve sail of the line and a competent number of frigates under the command of a discreet Flag Officer, into the Mediterranean, with instructions for him to proceed in quest of the said armament, and on falling in with it, or any other force belonging to the enemy, to take or destroy it. Your Loi^dship is to du'ect the commanding officer of the above- mentioned squadron to remain upon this service so long as the provisions of the said squadron will last, or as long as he may be enabled to obtain supplies from any of the ports in the Mediterranean, and when from want of provisions, or any other circumstance, he shall be no longer able to remain within the Straits, to lose no time in rejoining you. ^ Five days after receiving these instructions from the Admiralty, Earl St. Vincent was able to dispatch Captain Troubridge^ of the Culloden with strong reinforcements, and with the following orders to join Nelson as promptly as possible : — Before Cadiz, (Most secret and confidential.)^ 24^7;- May 1798. The Earl of St. Vincent, K.B., Admiral of the Blue, &c., to Captain Troubridge. You are hereby required and directed to take under your command the ships named in the margin [viz. the Goliath, Minotaur, Defence, Bellerophon, Majestic, Zealous, Sioiftsure, Theseus, Audacious'], their captains being instructed to obey you, and when the signal No. 123 accompanied by that of the detached squadron is made by me you are foi'thwith to proceed for the Mediterranean, taking His Majesty's ship the Audacious (which you will find oif Tangier, should the wind be easterly, or in Raccio Bay with a westerly wind) also under your command. You are then to make the best of your way with the ships before mentioned in quest of Rear- Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, whose route is ^ Nicolas, Nelson's Dispatches, vol. iii. p. 24. 2 Troubridge, Sir Thomas (1758.^-1807), entered the Navy in 1773; he was taken by the French in 1794, but was soon retaken, viz. on June 1, 1794. He commanded the Cidloden in 1795, and distinguished himself in her at St. Vincent. After the Battle of the Nile, when the Culloden grounded, he served at Naples and off Malta. He became a Lord of the Admiralty in 1801-4, and thereafter did good service in the East Indies. He was made baronet in 1799. — J. H. R. '^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34906, f. 421. BRITISH PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFLICT 41 contained in the enclosed paper and whose oi'dei's and instructions here- with delivered are under a flying seal for your more particular information ; fi'om which you will learn the serious importance of the proposed expedi- tion, and how essential it is to the success of it, that you should form as early a junction as possible with the Rear-Admiral, and to use every precaution in your power not to suffer him to pass your squadron in the night on his way to Gibraltar. On falling in with him you are to deliver the pacquet bearing his address, and putting yourself with the ships which accompany you under the Rear-Admiral's command follow his orders for your future proceedings. The following are extracts from Lord St. Vincent's orders to Nelson, dated 21st May 1798, conveyed by Captain Troubridge^ : — ... I do hereby authorise and require you on being joined by the following ships [as above named], to take them and their captains under your command, in addition to those already with you, and to 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 and Sicily, the conveyance 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 the 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, bui^n, or destroy it. . . . In any event you are to exact supplies 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 ci-devant Venetian dominions, now belonging to the Emperor of Germany. You will also perceive by an extract of a letter from Mr. Master, His Majesty's Consul for 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 any ships of your squadron having occasion to touch there, will be received in a most friendly manner. In a private letter from Lord Spencer, I am led to believe that you are pei-fectly justifiable in pursuing the French squadron to any part of the MediteiTanean, Adriatic, Morea, Archipelago, or even into the Black Sea, should its destination be to any of those pai'ts. . . . To the above-named ships were subsequently added the Leander frigate — Captain Thomas B. Thompson — and the brig Mutine — Captain Hardy.- Some animadversions on Nelson's failing to discover the sailing or destination of the French expedition from Toulon have been made, l)ut the fact is forgotten that if Nelson had extended his line of observation to the east of Toulon (which was the eventual route of the fleet), he would not only have exceeded his instructions, but in ' For the full text see Nicolas, Nelson's Dispatches, vol. iii. p. 26. ^ Two of the ships of Nelson's squadron were defective in the hull, and the rifrging of all was far from sound ; but the crews were the best and smartest in the Navy. (See Mr. H. W. Wilson's chapter (No. xx) in the Camb. Mod. History, vol. viii.). — J. H. R. 42 A HISTORY OF MALTA all probability his small squadron of three battleships and two cruisers would have been captured or annihilated by Bonaparte's fleet of fifteen battleships and twelve fi'igates, which for five days previous to Nelson's arrival off Cape Sicie had been ready for sea, and only waiting for a change of wind to sail. It is now known from Bonaparte's dispatches to General Desaix (which have been lately published), dated from Paris on the 19th April, that it was his original intention to sail for Malta by the western coast of Sardinia, and touching at the island of St. Peter. Providentially, at the last moment this intention was changed, and the day after Bonaparte's arrival at Toulon from Paris, and two days before the expedition was officially declared ready to sail, Bonaparte again advised Desaix on the 10th of May of the altered route, and that the fleet would now sail by the eastern coasts of Corsica and Sardinia, starting on the 12th. Strong easterly winds prevailed from the 13th to the 18th May, preventing their departure until the morning of the 19th. Had they carried out the original intention, they would have arrived at St. Peter's about, or simultaneously with, the crippled Vanguard and her two escorts, in which case the future history of Europe would have been very different. On the day Nelson arrived off Cape Sicie for the second time, namely, the 31st May, Bonaparte, who had been already joined by the contingents from Genoa and Ajaccio, was sailing southwards between Sardinia and the mainland, making for the north-western point of Sicily, and four days later Desaix's portion of the expedi- tion embarked at Civita Vecchia was seen oil Trapani, which fact later on was reported to Nelson.^ In the meanwhile, the reinforcements for Nelson under Troubridge were well on their way, and by the 7th June joined Nelson, who at once sailed for Talamone Bay, where he expected to find part, if not all, of the French fleet ; but owing to continuous calms, it was only on the 12th that he was able to round Cape Corse and reach off Elba. The brig Mutine, Captain Hardy, was then dispatched to Talamone Bay for intelligence, but returned on the following day without any, the fleet in the meanwhile steering between the islands of Monte Cristo and Giglio. By noon of the 14th Civita Vecchia had been reached, when the Leander communicated with a Greek vessel, whose captain reported that he had passed through a French fleet of about 200 sail on the 4th, off the north-west point of Sicily, near Trapani, and steering to the east.^ On the 15th the British fleet reached off Ponza Islands, when Nelson determined upon sending Captain Troubridge, of the Culloden^ ' Nelson's Dispatches, vol, iii. p. 27 (edit. 1845). 2 Ihid. vol. iii. p. 30. BRITISH PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFLICT 43 in the brig Mutine to communicate with Sir William Hamilton, British ambassador at the Court of Naples, and with General Acton, Prime Minister of that Government, and glean some informa- tion regarding the French, expressing as his opinion that if they had passed Sicily, then Alexandria must be their destination, with the ultimate intention of getting troops to India and aiding ^Tippoo Saib.' Troubridge was to implore the help of some frigates or smaller craft from the Neapolitan Government, without which it was impossible to get timely news of the enemy's movements. The King of Naples, as well as His Majesty's Prime Minister, however, had become so alarmed at the French successes in the vicinity of the frontier, that they feared to declare openly in favour of the British, but a tacit agreement was arrived at, by which stores and provisions were to be obtained when needed at any of the Calabrian or Sicilian ports. Ships-of-war, however, could not be granted.^ At 8 a.m. of Sunday, the 17th, the fleet was hove to in the Bay of Naples, and on the folloAving day Troubridge returned with a letter from Sir William Hamilton, dated the 16th, to the following- effect : 'That the 1st Division of the Toulon armament had been seen off Trapani on the 5th June, and had been there joined by the 2nd Division on the 7th, making in all sixteen sail of the line, French and Venetian.' That a frigate had been detached near Favignana, on which island an officer had landed, who had acquainted the com- mandant that Bonaparte had desired him to say ' that the approach of the French fleet need not give any uneasiness to his Sicilian Majesty, with whom the Republic was at perfect peace, and that the armament he commanded had another object in view, not Sicily. Malta, as you know, belongs to Sicily.'- Upon receipt of this intelligence. Nelson made sail immediately for Messina and Syracuse, arriving at the former on the 20th, and at the latter on the 22nd June. Captain Hardy,-^ in the Mutine, in the meanwhile boarded a Genoese vessel, which had left Malta on the 21st, and then learned that the French had captured Malta, and sailed again on the 18th with a fresh gale from the north-west, destination swp'posed to be Sicily. From the direction given of the wind. Nelson judged that Alexandria was the destination, and immediately made sail in pursuit.^ ^ For some new liglit on the dealings of Nelson with the Neapolitan Government, as well as Sir William and Lady Hamilton, see Mr. W. Sichel's Emma, Lady Hamilton (1905), chap, viii.— J. H. R. - Clarke and Mac Arthur, Life of Kelson, vol. ii. p. 64. ^ Captain Hardy (1769-1839) came of a Dorset family, and his valour largely contributed to the capture of La Mutine, brig, in 1797. In 1803 he became captain of H.M.S. Victory. See Mr. A. M. Broadley's work, ' Nelson's Hardy.' — J. H. R. ■• Nelso7i's Dispatches, vol. iii. p. 39. CHAPTER VII ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH AxTHOUGH information was received in Malta that a formidable armament had been in preparation at Toulon since the beginning of March, it would appear that Hompesch, the Grand Master of the Order, believed that an attack on Portugal, and eventually on Ireland, was contemplated. On the authority of Porter (' Knights of Malta ') it is stated that Hompesch, so late as a few days before the appearance of the French off Malta, informed the German Knights ' that he was persuaded that the French Government had no designs on the Order/ This letter still exists in the archives of the Grand Priory of the Order in Germany. It has been further stated that the following dispatch in cipher, from the bailli, de Schoenau, the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Order at the Congress then being held at Rastadt, dated the 18/19 May, was received by Hompesch on or about the 4th June : [Translation.] MoNSEiGNEUR, — I have to acquaint you, that the formidable expedition now preparing at Toulon is intended for the capture of Malta and Egypt. I have this infonnation from the secretary of Mons''- Treilhard, one of the French Republican Ministers at the Congress. You will most assuredly be attacked. Take all necessary steps for your defence. All the Ministers of the various Powers attending this Congress, fi-iends of the Order, have the same intelligence, but they also know that the foi"tress of Malta is impregnable, or at least capable of resisting a three months' siege. The honour of Your Eminence, and the preservation of the Order, are at stake, and if you suiTender without making any defence, you will be dishonoured in the eyes of Eui'ope. Moreover this expedition is regarded here as a disgrace inflicted upon Bonaparte, who has two powerful enemies in the Directory who fear him, and have so arranged that he should now be removed to a distance. These members of the Directory are Rewbell and La Revelliere-Lepaux. It is difficult, however, to believe that a subordinate official would presume to address his sovereign in these terms, or that he would compromise himself by naming the authority from whom he received 44 ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 45 the information, or tliat such authority, considering the official position that individual held, would be giiilty of so great an indiscre- tion. Moreover, the assertion that at that date (18/19 May) all the Ministers of the various Powers attending the Congress were fully informed of the destination of the expedition is manifestly incorrect, and carries with it its own refutation. The probability is that the document is apocryphal, and was concocted by that portion of the Order which subsequently placed themselves under the protection of Paul I of Russia, for the purpose of discrediting Hompesch. Returning to an account of the hostilities, we find that on the 6th June, when Desaix's Division had been sighted off Grozo, Hompesch called out the militia, and summoned a council of war. According to Azopardi, the following orders for the defence were issued : — All men in the four cities and Floriana should be divided into 24 companies of 150 men each, to be commanded by a captain, lieutenant, and sub-lieutenant, all Knights of the Order; 150 of the Grand Master's guard should defend the palace with a company of tlie Regiment of the BoUa : the remainder of the guard to be located in St. Elmo ; 700 men of the chasseurs, of which the colonel and majors wei-e Maltese, should be divided between Manoel, Tigne, and Ricasoli ; 250 marines from the galleys, together with such men as might be obtained from the battleships, should defend San Angelo and Cottonera ; 1,000 men of the Malta Regiment, and two companies of that of the Bolla, should be distributed on the rampai'ts of Valetta and Floriana ; 250 gunners should occupy the forts, whilst the towns on the coast-line should be defended by the country militia, commanded by Knights belonging to the sea forces of the Order. The coast-line of defence at Marsa Scirocco was confided to the bailli, Saint Tropez ; that of the east, with the tower of Saint Thomas, to the bailli, Tommasi ; that of the west to the bailli. La Tour du Pin ; and the castle of Gozo to the Chevalier de Mesgi'igny. The French military preparations for landing the troops having been completed, Bonaparte during the afternoon of the 9th dis- patched his aide-de-camp, Chief of Brigade Junot, to the Grand Master, asking permission to water the fleet and transports at various anchorages. Referring to this request. General Belliard in his Journal observes : ' I know not whether we shall take in a supply of water at Malta en passant, or whether we shall call for a forced loan there, to cover our travelling expenses, for, generally speaking, our visits are not usually disinterested.' ^ Upon receipt of Bonaparte's message Hompesch convoked a meeting of the Council at 6 p.m., to decide whether the permission should be granted. At this meeting the bailli, de Pennes, reminded the Council of the existence of an old statute of the Order, prohibit- ing entrance to any of the ports of Malta during hostilities between Christian nations of more than four vessels at a time. All the * De la Jonquiere, vol, i. p. 572. 46 A HISTOKY OF MALTA members of the Council, with one exception, were of opinion that this regulation should be enforced. Spain being at the time in alliance with France, the Spanish bailli, Vargas, considered it incumbent upon him to support Bona- parte's demand. The majority being opposed, a verbal refusal, within the limits of the statute, was delivered to the French consul for conveyance to Bonaparte. ' Water is refused ! ' said he, upon receiv- ing this message. ' Then we will go and take it.^ An ultimatum was accordingly dictated by Bonaparte, but written and signed by Caruson, and forwarded to the Grand Master, as follows i : — [Translation.] On board L'' Orient, 22 Frairial, An VI (10 June 1798). To the Grand Master of the Island of Malta. Eminence, — Having been called on board the flagship as bearer of the reply which your Eminence had made to the request that permission might be granted to the Fleet to water — the Commander-in-Chief, Bonaparte, is indignant to learn that you will not grant such permission except to four vessels at a time — for in effect, what length of time would be required under such circumstances to water and victual 500 to 600 sail ? This refusal has surpi'ised General Bonaparte all the moi'e, as he is aware of the favours shown to the English, and also of the proclamation published by your Eminence's predecessor. General Bonaparte is resolved to obtain by force that which ought to have been accorded him by virtue of the principles of hospitality, the fundamental rule of your Order. I have seen the considerable forces which are under the orders of General Bonapai'te, and I foresee the impossibility of the Oi'der resisting. It would be well, if your Eminence under such extreme circumstances, for the love of your Order, your Knights, and the whole popu- lation of Malta, might propose some means of concluding an arrangement. The General will not on any account permit my returning to a city which henceforth he feels obliged to treat as belonging to an enemy, and which can have no hope, except in the sincerity of General Bonaparte, who has given stxnct orders, that the religion, the customs, and the propei-ty of the Maltese shall be most scrupulously respected. By order of the Commander-in-Chief. (Signed) Caruson. On the morning of the 10th June the invading force closed in upon Valetta and the Three Cities. The French military orders issued in anticipation on the 6th and 9th were duly carried out, and the disembarkations made at four different points : one (A) at Gozo under Reynier ; a second (B) at Saint Paul's Bay and the vicinity under Baraguey d'Hilliers; a third (C) at Saint Julian's and the neighbourhood under Vaubois; whilst the fourth (D), under Desaix, as already recorded, landed at Marsa Scirocco. ^ Corrcs, de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 132. ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 47 Taking the reports of the four different attacks seriatim, which in due course were communicated to the commander-in-chief, and com- mencing with those of General Reynier from Gozo (A), under dates of the 11th and 13th June, we learn that 'Gozo had been defended by 800 militia, one regiment of coastguardsmen numbering 1,200, and one company consisting of 300 regular troops, of whom 30 were mounted, making in all 2,300 men. A point for landing was selected between the New Tower and the first battery of Ramla, called Redum Kbir. ' The whole morning of the 10th had been occupied in preliminary arrangements. Calms and contrary breezes had still further delayed operations ; but by 1 p.m. the shore was approached by the 3rd Company of Grenadiers and 95th Demi-Brigade. The heights mean- while had become crowded with the enemy, who received the French with showers of bullets, Sergeant-Major Bertrand of the Grenadiers in the general^s boat, being killed. ' The batteries of Ramla and New Tower then opened fire. The boats of the Alceste conveyed Generals Reynier and Fugiere, Captains Geoffrey and Sabatier, and the 3rd Company of the Grenadiers, who were the first to land. After a rapid ascent of the heights, notwith- standing the heavy fire, the enemy at last decamped, and the battery of Ramla was taken. The bombards, Etoile and Pluvier, by their successful fire against the enemy's batteries, were of great assistance. ' The remainder of the troops had landed in the meanwhile, and upon reassembling, the general marched with a portion of the 95th Demi-Brigade upon Fort Chambray, by Casal Nadur, in order that by capturing the fort communication with Malta by way of the port of Migiarro might be cut off. The remainder of the 95th were ordered to march by way of Casal Sciara to the citadel at Rabato, leaving a detachment for occupation of the tower at Marsa-al-forno. ' During the day. Fort Chambray, filled with refugees from the neighbouring villages, surrendered, and at 2 p.m. the terms of the capitulation, laconically expressed in the following words, Honores, proprietates, et Religionem habehitis majorum, were duly signed. By night the citadel at Rabato was also occupied. About 116 guns were found, 44 of which were in the citadel, and 22 at Fort Chambray, the remainder in the forts and coast batteries. A large number of muskets were also captured, and three stores full of wheat.' ^ General Reynier in his report added that he was informed ' that each village had a syndic, subordinate to a Central Administration, residing at Rabato, composed of four jurats, the Governor of the Island being the fifth member, as well as President of the Adminis- tration. The population was reckoned at between 13,000 and 14,000.' ^ Regarding the operations at St. Paul's Bay (B), Baraguey ' Bonaparte's Lettres inedites, vol. i, pp. 153-60. ^ General Reynier's Journal, referring to these operations, will be found in De la Jonquiere's Expidition d'Egypte, vol. i. p. 607. 48 • A HISTORY OF MALTA d'Hilliers reported from on board La Serietise that the troops of his Division had captured all the forts, batteries, and positions which de- fended the bays of St. Paul and Melleha. The Maltese^ he went on to say, ^ had defended themselves as far as lay in their power, but all had to cede before the audacity and intelligence of the attack/ ^ In this direction there were no French casualties, whilst that of the Maltese consisted of one Knight and one soldier killed, and 150 prisoners taken, three French Knights being in the number. The forts and batteries captured were armed with about fifty guns. Of Vaubois' proceedings (C) Marmont gives the following account of that portion of the brigade under his personal command : — Being charged with the landing party of five battalions, three of the 4th Light Infantry, and two of the 19th of the Line, he found a few companies of the Maltese Regiment collected to dispute his landing, but as he approached the shore they retired with a show of little resistance, and being followed by his men, the enemy re-entered Valetta. The city was then invested from the sea to the aqueduct, joining Desaix's corps, who had effected a landing at Marsa Scirocco. When all these arrangements were completed the drawbridge of the city was lowered, and a numerous body of troops came marching towards him. The French troops retii'ed slowly, firing occasionally to retard the advance ; then orders were issued to the 2nd Battalion of the 19th, encamped at about gun-shot distance from the city, to place themselves in ambush on the right and left of the route, and to await further orders, which was duly carried out. The Maltese, upon observing the troops retiring, advanced with confidence, when upon coming to close quarters, the 19th rose and met them with a murderous fii'e, which threw them in great disorder. A general advance was then made, defeating them totally, and following them with the bayonet, he captured with his own hand the flag of the Order canned at the head of the column. On the morrow, an emissary brought word from a portion of the garrison that if the negotiations already commenced for the surrender of the fortress were concluded, they would be prepared to deliver up St. Joseph's Gate.^ * Bonaparte, Lettres inedites, vol. i. p. 148. ^ Marmont at a later date stated : ' If the Maltese Government had performed its duty, if the French Knights had not made sorties such as that described, with a Militia undrilled, to meet a numerous and veteran enemy, and had been content to remain behind their ramparts, the strongest in Europe, we should not have gained entrance. The English fleet in our wake would have quickly destroyed ours, or put it to flight, and with the army landed wanting in every necessity, would in a few days have been suffering the pangs of famine, and compelled to surrender. There is no exaggeration in this picture, it is the simple truth, and one trembles to think of such risks, which might so easily have been anticipated, so capriciously encountered by a brave army ; but the hand of Providence was guarding us, and preserved us from such a catastrophe.' Marmont omits to mention, however, that he had under his command the ex-Chevalier Picault de Mornas, captain of Engineers, who had abandoned the Order two years previously for the purpose of joining the Republican forces in Italy. That this traitor directed the landing at St. George's Bay, and that through his treason the tower of St. George, in charge of the Chevalier de Preville, was surrendered, the latter joining his perfidious friend. ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 49 Bonaparte's aide-de-camp, Sulkowski, gives the following detailed account of Vaubois' opei*ations : — Division Vaubois.i . . . Je fus du nombre de ceux qui reconnurent le lieuj de debarque- ment. Le lendemain, il s'executa dans quatre endvoits. Le general Rejmier devait attaquer le Goze ; le general Baraguey d'Hilliers la cale de Saint-Paul, et les generaux Desaix et Vaubois devaient cernei" la cite Valette. Le point de jonction de ces deux dei'niei'es divisions etait I'aqueduc qui conduit dans la forteresse, le seiil filet d'eau qui existe dans nie. . . . Le general en chef avait partage en deux la division Vaubois. Le genei*al Lannes avec sept bataillons, avait la tache de longer le port de Marsa Musceit a la droite de Malte, sans y enti-er et de chercher a s'emparer d'un des forts qui commandent I'entree ; pendant que cinq bataillons, sous les ordres de Taide de camp MaiTuont, devaient marcher droit a I'aqueduc et barrer I'isthme qui joint la cite Valette au reste de I'ile. II m.'assigna pour mon poste I'avant-garde de cette brigade, composee de plusieurs compagnies de carabiniei's que je devais guider. Nous pai'times, le 22 Prairial, de V Orient, a la pointe du jour. Toutes les chaloupes avaient ete rassemblees a I'abri de ce vaisseau. L'ennemi ne defendit que faiblement le debarquement, car il fut surpris, ce n'est qu'une heure plus tard, lorsque nous avions deja gravi plusieurs coteaux qu'il vint engager une fusillade insignifiante. Lorsque Marmont eut reuni toutes ses forces, il marcha en avant. L'on nous avait avertis que l'ennemi nous attendait ; mais il fut impossible de le reconnaitre dans un pays bari^e par un dedale de mui'ailles seches, qui contoument chaque champ. Je m'avan^ais vers les tirailleui's, lorsque je trouvai deja ceux-ci engages. Les Maltais s'etaient places derriere I'aqueduc meme, car il domine les alentours ; ils occupaient aussi plusieui's maisons et une muraille leur servait de parapet. Les tirailleurs furent repousses, et je voyais I'instant oil l'ennemi enhardi, aurait prolonge sa defense. Sans attendre le reste de la demi-brigade, je per^ai avec les grenadiers par un chemin a demi-couvert ; on les joignit ; une decharge a brule-pourpoint les deconcerte, et ils fuient en dei'oute ; I'habitude de sauter des murailles les preserva du trespas ; nous n'en tuames qu'une quinzaine, et un drapeau rouge que j'atteignis, moi troisieme, [fut] pris. Ce choc fut coui-t mais vif ; nous ne tardames pas a en avoir un autre. Marmont, qui pendant ce temps, avait enfonce la droite des ennemis, pla9a ses troupes militairement, et m'envoya reconnaitre la ville, en me soutenant d'un bataillon. Je m'approche des poi-tes, et mes tirailleurs s'engagent malgi'e moi ; allors cinq cents hommes, qui si trouvaient sur le glacis, les serrent et les poussent a leur tour. Ceci enhardit la garnison et elle tenta une sortie. Mon dessein etait de feindre une retraite pour les attirer siu* le bataillon ; mais I'ardeui* des grenadiei'S ne me permit pas d'executer cette manoeuvre ; ils ne virent pas plutot les ennemis a leur portee que, fondant dessus au pas de course, ils les forcerent de se renfenner dans leurs mui'ailles. Le soir, les Maltais taterent encore inutilement nos avant-postes, et la ' De la Jonqiiiere, vol. i. 50 A HISTORY OF MALTA nuit, une forte fusillade, du cote de Desaix, nous mit a meme de nous convaincre, que ce general avait rempli son but ; eifectivement, il venait de s'emparer des forts qui comniandent la rade de Marsa Scirocco et venait pour cerner la ville de I'autre cote. Ceci se passait au dehors de la ville, lorsqu'un evenement inattendu vint nous livi^er cette place formidable. Les Chevaliers avaient poste I'elite de leurs troupes dans la cite Valette, comme le point le plus menace. Le seul bataillon des galeres devait surveiller les immenses ou\Tages au dela du port, ainsi que la vaste enceinte de la Cottonere, consti-uite dans le temps pour contenir tons les habitants de I'ile. Ces postes n'etaient done reellement gardees que par les paysans et surtout par les habitants des faubourgs, tons ennemis juices de I'Ordre et issus des anciens regnicoles de Malte. L'insurrection commen9a dans ces endroits. Un quiproquo, qui fit prendre des individus charges de couper un pont pour un detachement fran^ais, ayant engage une fusillade, plusieurs Chevaliers quitterent leur porte. A cette vue, le peuple se met en fureur ; il ci'oit qu'on le ti^ahit et demande a etre conduit pour mai'cher conti'e les ennemis, et de sortir des retranchements. Sur le refus qu'en fit le bailli, qui commandait, il fut massacre, ses compagnons eurent le meme sort et la fuite seule preserva les autres Chevaliers du trepas. Get acte de vengeance fut suivi d'une decharge generale ; apres quoi le peuple laissant les portes de I'enciente a I'abandon, retourne sur ses pas, et s'empare des faubourgs. Cette nouvelle desastreuse parvint au grand-maitre, Hompesch, dans I'instant meme ou la sortie de la gamison de la cite venait d'etre si vigoureusement repousee. Ce veillard sexagenaire, digne de combattre pour une meillure cause, n'en fit que redoubler d'energie. II or-donne sur- le-champ, de concentrer dans la cite les munitions et les vivres. II fait braquer du canon sur les insurges, il annonce que Ton se defendra jusqu'a la demiere extremite ; il y eut meme des individus qui proposerent de f aire sauter la forteresse dans un cas de detresse ; mais le peuple de la ville ne pai'tageait pas cette ardeur guerriere. L'attente d'un bombardement efcayait tons les esprits, et I'exemple des fauboui'gs leur indiquait les moyens de s'en afranchir. A Tissue d'une procession solennelle, par laquelle les chefs avaient espere de pouvoir electriser les esprits, les citoyens qui gardaient le donjon des Chevaliers s'insurgent, blessent divers membres de la Religion qui s'y trouvent, incarcerent les autres et font cesser le feu que ce donjon n'avait cesse de faire sur la brigade de Lannes. En meme temps, tous les proprietaii'es, s'assemblent, dressent une requete, choisissent des deputes et se presentent le soir devant la congregation de defense, ou pi'esidait le grand-maitre. Le contenu de la requete etait la demande de la paix, le refus d'exposer leurs vies et leurs proprietes poui' la defense de I'Ordre et la menace de livi^er la ville aux Fran^ais, si on s'obstinait a ne pas traiter avec eux. Cette requete, soutenue par les cris d'un peuple arme et furieux, convainquit le grand-maitre qu'il n'avait d'espoir que dans la loyaute de la Republique fran^aise, et il capitula des le lendemain. . . . Desaix's movements (D) on the east coast at Marsa Scirocco soon resulted in a successful landing, and in the surrender of Fort Rohan. ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 51 The defenders abandoned other works in that quarter, and the French convoy was able to put into that bay.^ As soon as the landing of the French troops had been effected, Bosredon Ransijat, then Secretary of the Treasury, a Commander and Grand Cross of the Order, and strong partisan of the Republic, concluded that the time had now arrived to throw off the mask, and accordingly addressed the following letter to the Grand Master : — [Translation.] Your Highness, — In the extreme affliction in which I am placed, owing to the misfortune, amidst many others, which our Order has now to face, and as a war with France would be a calamity certainly greater than all the others, I consider it my duty to repi*esent to your Highness, with that frankness which I claim to be characteristic, that when I became by vow a member of our Institution, I did not contract any other military obligation beyond that of warring against the Tui-ks, our constitutional enemies. I could never contemplate fighting against my native country, to which, by duty, as well as feeling, I am, and ever shall be, as firmly attached as I am to ou.r Order. Finding myself, therefore, in this critical and painful dilemma, for on whichever side I declai'e myself, I shall be considered at fault by the other, I beg your Highness will not take it amiss if I observe the strictest neutrality, and hereby beg you will be pleased to appoint a member of our Order to whom I may deliver the keys of the Treasury, and at the same time assign to me a place of residence. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Bosredon Ransijat, Secretary of the Treasury. To His Highness Fra Emmanuel Hompesch. 10th June 1798. This act of treachery on the part of one of the most important officers of the Government Avas immediately met by placing him in confinement in the castle of St. Angelo. Whilst the main body of the French troops were encircling Valetta, the flying column, under General Vaubois, advanced upon Citta Vecchia, whither the remainder of the militia, under the bailli. La Tour du Pin, driven from Melleja and St. Paul's Bay by Baraguey d'Hilliers, had retired. A city council then assembled at the bishop's palace, consisting of the capitan di verga (or governor) and three jurists, at which the Bishop Labini assisted, together with one, Romualdo Barbaro, on behalf of the people. During the meeting a message was received from the renegade Vincenzo Barbara, intimating his approach with Vaubois' troops, and demanding on behalf of Bonaparte an immediate answer whether the French soldiers would be received as friends or foes. As they were * These operations not being of the first ijuportance, and having been fully described by De la Jonquiere (vol. i. pp. 601-3), omitted. — J. H. R. E 2 52 A HISTORY OF MALTA unable to make any resistance, it was resolved to surrender the city, pro- vided that the religion of the people^ their liberty, and their property be respected, and the safety of the public institutions be guaranteed. These conditions having been granted, capitulation followed, and the keys of the city were delivered to General Vaubois. As these pro- ceedings took place about midday, Vaubois and his staff were invited to dine at the bishop's table, which hospitality they accepted. In the archives of the cathedral at Citta Vecchia there is to be found a volume of numerous MSS., one of which, numbered 28, is entitled ' Notizie e Ragguaglie sul Blocco, 1798,' containing a copy of the act of capitulation of that city to the French troops under General Yaubois, on the 22nd Prairial, An VI (10th June 1798). This document was signed in the bishop's palace, and is interesting* from the fact that it records the names of the negotiators, viz. : Vincenzo Barbara, representing Bonaparte and the French Republic, on the one part, and the authorities of the city on the other, viz. : Gregorio Bonici, the governor of the city. Salvadore Manduca ^ Ferdinando Teuma r the jurists. Salvadore Tabone J Romualdo Barbaro, on behalf of the people. Whilst Vaubois was marching on Citta Vecchia he received information that negotiations for the surrender of Valetta were in progress, Bonaparte at the same time expressing a hope that the ancient city and that part of the island would be in his (Vaubois') possession before the day closed, inasmuch as the suspension of hos- tilities, if arranged, would only have reference to the fortress, unless otherwise declared, and that negotiations were then only pending. Towards midnight of the 10th, orders were issued by Bonaparte to land two field pieces of 12 calibre, and accessories, at Saint Julian's Bay, also two 6-inch howitzers ; whilst General Dommartin, command- ing the artillery, was instructed to place them in position before the Tigne batteries at certain specified points, but not to open fire until further orders. All egress from the fort was to be stopped, and the fire of the enemy silenced, as soon as operations were commenced. The commander-in-chief was desirous that these works shoiild be completed as quickly as possible, so as to impress the enemy. In the meanwhile, the commotion and consternation within Valetta were indescribable. The faction favourable to the French took advan- tage of the difficulties in which Hompesch was placed. A deputation waited upon His Eminence, insisting upon negotiations being opened with the invader, with a view of arranging terms of peace. Among Hompesch's papers collected by his secretary, Mayer, and now ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 53 preserved in the Malta Public Library (MS. No. 421), the following statement is to be found: — Du milieu du tumulte il soitit une Deputation composee des Juges, et de tous les Magistrats du Peuple ; voici le discours qu'ils adresserent a leur souverain. Malte est attaquee, TOrdre ne peut la defendre et vous allez exposer nos pei'sonnes et nos biens a la fureur d'un vainqueur irrite. Nous vous declarons au nom de Peuple que nous representons que si dans rinstant nieme vous ne vous resolvez pas a demander la paix, le peuple traitera lui meme et sans vous. Not to rely upon ex parte statements, we may quote what has been related as to the events which at this moment occurred within Valetta. These authorities, however, with the exception of Boisgelin (1804), have all borrowed their accounts from that of Doublet, who, as secretary to the French section of Hompesch's secretariat, became a prominent assistant in the subsequent negotiations with Bonaparte. It is, therefore, a fortunate circumstance that a minute detailed account of what happened within the city, and at the palace of the Grand Masters, after the arrival of the French fleet off Valetta harbour, has come down to us from the pen of a protagonist in the proceedings. Doublet's work, entitled 'The Occupation of Malta in 1798,' appears to have been commenced in the year 1805, and completed in 1820, but remained in manuscript (of which there were two copies), and so circulated until the year 1883. One manuscript copy was in the possession of Sir Frederick Ponsonby, Governor of Malta from 1824 to 1835. The work was eventually published in the year 1883, fifty- nine years after Doublet's death. The book appears to have been written for the purpose of repudiating a charge of treachery towards the Order of St. John, which had been brought against Doublet, for having disclosed to Bonaparte for a consideration the key to the Order's secret code of correspondence. Although from the tenour of this attempt at vindication some doubts may be entertained as to the reliability of his alleged conversa- tions with the Grand Master, and other authorities of the Order, there seems to be no reason why his statement of occurrences may not be true, and particularly for the reason that they were accepted by writers such as Bargemont-Villeneuve (1829), Panzavecchia (1835), Azopardi (1836), Miege (1840), Davy (1842), and Vassallo (1854), many of whom were contemporaries, and the remainder almost so. In his work Doublet describes the arrival of the Frence fleet, the refusal of the Grand Master to admit it, and the beginning of hostilities. He then proceeds in the following terms : — The consternation which reigued in the city can be imagined. Messengers followed each other quickly from various pai-ts of the country, i-eporting tlie progress of the Fi-ench, yet the Government took no steps to tranquillise 54 A HISTORY OF MALTA the people. The Grrand Master and Council remained assembled, and all the Knights, with the exception of those who commanded inside the forti- fications, gathered in various apartments in the Palace, where they discussed the event with such fear and trembling as if the enemy had already attacked the city, whilst nobody thought of calming the apprehensions of the few civilians who remained in town, the gi'eater portion being under arms. The Bishop and clergy, both secular and regular (excepting those of the Order, who were less devout than the others), formed into processions, carrying with them the statue of Saint Paul, offering up prayers to the Divine Majesty, and beseeching His merciful protection. It was scandalous to observe certain young French Knights making jocular remarks on the occasion, showing further disregard by remaining covered, and although the Maltese murmui-ed at such pi'oceedings, they did so in a low tone, for they feared the young Knights. Dui4ng the time this pr-ocession was taking place in the centre of the city, an unfoitunate occurrence took place at the Marina, whereby two Frenchmen of the name of Patot and Eynaud were murdered, on suspicion of being implicated in the threatened attack on the city. Whilst all this was proceeding, I remained at my post, that is to say, in the secretaiy's office with all my clerks, whei^e from early morning I awaited the equei*ry, Rouyer; but at four p.m., surprised at his non-arrival, I proceeded to his residence, and there learned that he had been ordered by the Grand Master to remain at his post as Governor of the Prison, as there was some fear of the slaves rising in revolt. I inquired from my friend why he was so alarmed on my account, when he answered : Are you not French, and known to be a friend of Eynaud's ; and do you think the assassins will spare you any more than they did him ? Take my advice : retuni to the Palace at once, endeavour to see the Grand Master, and ascertain if it is absolutely necessaiy for you to remain in the secretary's office the entire night. I trust that he will say no, and that you may be able to I'each home before dark.' Whilst believing I had nothing to fear, I yet promised to adopt his advice, and accordingly sought an interview, but as the Council was sitting I was unable to obtain it. The chamberlain, Ligondez, however, promised to asceriain the wishes of His Eminence, and within an hour brought me word that I was to discharge all the clerks, and to remain at home, and not leave until sent for. From the Palace to my residence there may be the distance from 200 to 300 yards, and arriving at the corner of the Cai^melite church, I there found acting as a sentinel the advocate, Tori-egiani, a neighbour of mine, whom I asked, ' What are you doing there ? Are you guarding the Madonna (whose statue was just above him) ?' He replied: I know what I am doing, but I fear veiy much that the Grand Master knows not what he is doing. They are firing away; but to what pui^pose ? It can only alarm women and children. It would be far better if the Council would consider and verify whether they have sufficient forces to resist an assault which the French are capable of attempting this very night ; as for me, I am of opinion that all the Bailiffs and Knights, as well as the Grand Master, lost their heads when they refused water to Bonaparte. The entire country is now in possession of the enemy ; what can be worse ? Do they wish the city should be ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 55 taken and sacked, our churches profaned, our wives and daughters violated, and ourselves killed ?' Continuing my route homewards, Torregiani remarked : ' Instead of sighing as you do, it would be better for you to tell me fi'ankly what is your opinion, for I have told you mine, as to what we Maltese should do under these circumstances.' To rely with confidence on the operations of the Order, as good and faithful subjects,' I replied. ' What ? Sacrifice ourselves for a handful of degenerate and panic- stricken Knights, who know not how to defend, govern, or command us ! ' ' It is useless,' I replied, for you to address these words to me. for I am of no account.' To whom, then, should they be addressed? ' My duty, like yours,' I obsei'ved, is to respect authority, and to keep silent.' ' Well and good ; if you intend to keep silent, I shall not, and from this moment I shall go and seek the Jurists, and ascertain what they are doing.' We thereupon sepai-ated, and I retired to my house. ^ I obtained but little sleep during the night, and at dawn was informed that two of the forts which defend the entrance to the harbour ( St. Elmo ' and Ricasoli') had hoisted the white flag. Anxious to ascertain how this had come to pass, I went to the Palace, and there met the chamberlain, Ligondez, who had been with the Grand Master the whole night, and received from him the following account, which was confirmed by the equerry, Rouyer, who not only knew all that had passed in the Council, where he had personally assisted, but also what had happened outside in the city. Upon reaching the top of the Palace staircase, Ligondez addressed me as follows : ' You see we are all lost, for no doubt you have heard that the Grand Master has sent an envoy to demand a suspension of hostilities.' But how,' I asked, is such suspension asked for ? Has the enemy made an attack during the night ? ' No,' he replied ; but the Maltese, fearing an assault, have begged the Grand Master to ask for a suspension of amis.' ' What Maltese do you mean ? Are they those who have taken up arms to defend the place ? ' No,' he answered ; they were three of the Notables of the city who attend the Council board, and in the name of all the Maltese presented a petition to that effect, signed by about forty individuals.' Not sufficiently satisfied with these particulars, I proceeded towards the Grand Master's apartments, and just as I entered the first ante-chamber, I met the equerry, Rouyer, who asked me if I had heard what had happened during the past night, when I related what Ligondez had told me. To this Rouyer replied : You know only part of our unfortunate history ; come, and I will tell you the rest.' I followed him into a corner of the balcony, and there he told me what follows : — ' After the arrival of the fii'st division of the French fleet ofP the grand harbour, I noticed the great anxiety of the Gi'and Master, as he feared a revolution in the country, and imagined that the French were in secret communication with traitors in the place. I endeavoured to discover whence he obtained this imaginary belief, and I became persuaded that it was due to his weak and suspicious character. ' This conversation which passed between Doublet and Torregiani, and is so suggestive, has been given in detail, owing to the circumstance that the latter took an important part in the negotiations between the Grand Master and the people's deputies later on during that day. 56 A HISTORY OF MALTA ' He also believed that the slaves and prisonei-s would immediately i^ise in revolt the moment the Fortress was attacked. But is your Eminence sure that this attack will take place?" I asked. To which he replied: No, I cannot say positively, but I believe so." You are no doubt also aware, that he had a suspicion that Caruson had been working hard to create a powei'ful party, among whom there were supposed to be many Knights, and at their head Ransijat, and that those who supplied the list of suspects were anxious that they should be placed under arrest, but that His Eminence had refused, for the reason that most of them occupied the most important offices in the service of the Order, and many of them possessed his intimate confidence. ' The Grand Master, moreover, could not believe the majority capable of such delinquency, although he had doubts about a few of them. ... I was present ' (Rouyer went on to say) when Ligondez by order of Rouyer came to ask the Grand Master whether it was necessary for you to stay the whole night in the secretary's office.' I interrupted the equeriy at this point in order to repeat the surprising conversation which I had had with the advocate, Toi^regiani. 'This advocate' (he then observed) 'has played a role during the past night, and from the information which I have received from the Batavian Consul, at whose residence part of the events took place, and from the auditor, Schembri, who was one of the Assembly of IS'otables, I am enabled to relate to you what happened in the order they occui^red. Torregiani, upon quitting his post, repaired to the University, where ten or twelve Maltese Notables had assembled, to ascertain something of the unfortunate and difficult situation of the place. The ex-auditor, Muscat, and Baron Mario Testaferrata were there, also Guido, son of Donat Guido of the Anglo-Bavarian Langue, who, although of inferior rank, was allowed admission, and subsequently hai*angued the Assembly with much audacity. For more than two hours Muscat and Guido discoursed without coming to any decision or practical conclusion. Each in turn made proposals, but no one came forward to put them into execution. At ten p.m. Guido then proposed to draft a Petition addressed to the Grand Master and Council, advocating that an envoy be dispatched to the Commander-in-Chief of the French army soliciting a suspension of hostilities, and to ask whether the French were at war with the Order or with the Maltese. Guido offered to be one of those who should be selected to present the Petition to the Grand Master in full council. After a slight modification which was suggested in the wording, and the Petition having been duly drawn up, it was proposed that the Batavian Consul (a Maltese) should present it. The Consul, whilst receiving the deputation politely, and not disapproving of their action, could not, as a foreign Consul accredited to the Grand Master, under- take the presentation, but permitted the registration of the Petition in the archives of the Chancellery, in order that should it not be taken into con- sideration, there would be proof existing that the Maltese Nation was ignorant of the reason which had caused the French Nation to declare war against them. Thereupon four of the Assembly were selected to pi^esent the Petition, the choice falling upon Don Mai'io Testafei-rata, Councillor Bonanni, Torregiani, and Guido. As they were leaving, Schembri, the second auditor, suggested that it would be well to inform the Grand ATTACK AND CAPTUEE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 57 Master of tlie approaching deputation, and its object, so that they might not run the risk of being badly i-eceived. ' Schembri's proposal was accepted, and he was requested to undertake this delicate mission, being informed that the deputation would await his return befoi'e proceeding further. Although objecting, he was at last induced to undertake the duty, but instead of interviewing the Grand Master personally, he called the auditor, Bruno, from the Council, which was then sitting, and informed him of what had occurred, begging him to acquaint His Eminence thereof, and to let him, Schembri, know the result as soon as possible, in order that he might report the same to his comrades, who were waiting. 'Bruno re-entered the Council chamber, but failed to acquaint the Grand Master, Schembri waiting in vain for an answer for fully an hour. The deputies, becoming impatient, came on to the Palace, when Schembri informed them what had happened, and then prudently retired to his own home. They then presented themselves at the door of the Council chamber, demanding pei-mission to be introduced, having, so they stated, a Petition to present in the name of the entire Maltese Nation, to His Eminence and saci'ed Council. Permission after some little time having been granted, the Deputation entered, when Guido addressed the Grand Master and Council as follows : " your Highness and Sacred Council, — Owing to the present critical circumstances, we have been appointed Deputies of the Maltese Nation to present and I'ead to this venei'able Council the Petition which I hold in my hand. We therefore ask for the necessaiy permission, whilst we at the same time declare our most profound respect for the person of Your Highness and the members of this venerable Council." Permission having been granted, the Petition, to the following effect, was then read : " That the Maltese had felt glorified whenever called upon to sacrifice their fortunes, their liberty, nay, even their lives, in the service of the Order and Grand Masters, when it had been a question of fighting against their natural enemies the Mahometans ; but to-day they see themselves attacked by a Christian PoAver without knowing the reason why, and with forces against whom the Order would be powerless to resist, because already the country districts have been invaded by numberless troops Avho might even this very night take the city by assault, and subject it to pillage. " The inhabitants had consequently desired them, their humble deputies, most respectfully to supplicate the Grand Master and sacred Council to prevent this terrible misfortune, by asking the Commander-in-Chief of the French Army for an ai-mistice vmtil we could hear from him for what reason the French Nation, who had always been friends of the Order, and of the Maltese, had declared war against them." He concluded with this special address to the Grand Master : " I appeal to the equity of your Highness, and to your paternal heart, and supplicate with joined hands, that you would deign to look with compassion upon this unfortunate country, which has always prayed for your prosperity and that of the Order." 'The Grand Master assured the deputation that their Petition would be taken into consideration. They were to hand it over to Auditor Bruno and retire, so that the Council might deliberate more freely. ' Upon leaving the Council chamber, Guido remarked that he would 58 A HISTORY OF MALTA wait for the decision of the Council, and convey it to the Assembly, who would be anxiously looking for their return. The discussion lasted for more than an hour and a half. Some of the councillors called this action of the Maltese seditious, and blamed the Grand Master for receiving them, desiring their arrest ; others considered the step sufficient proof that these individuals were in active communica- tion with the enemy, that consequently they should be an^ested, and their papers seized ; others, again, recommended the Grand Master and Council to take refuge in one of the cavaliers near Porta Reale, which command the city, as the Palace was no longer safe, from whence these rebels could be brought to reason. At last two members of the Maltese deputation, Guido and Bonanni (Testaf errata and Torregiani having left), asked to be readmitted to the Council chamber and learn what had been determined regarding their mission. Whilst all this was happening a report was brought to the Grand Master, that two young Knights at Cottonera had been murdered, and, as a general rising of the people was feared, it was then decided by the members present to ask for a truce. His Eminence then sent me to Monsieur de Fremeaux, the Batavian Consul, to request him to be the bearer of the letter ; but he, owing to his age and infirmities, was obliged to decline, permitting, however, one of his official staff, Monsieur Melan, to take his place, granting him for the occasion the official title of Chancellor of the Consulate.' Melan arrived on board U Orient for the purpose of a parley at 9 a.m. of the 11th June, requesting on behalf of the Grand Master a suspension of arms, and by the same opportunity Miari, secretary of the Grand Master, forwarded the following letter addressed ta the ex-Knight Dolomieu, one of the savants accompanying the expedition ^ : — [Translation.] Under the distressing circumstances in which we find ourselves placed. His Highness the Grand Master authorises me to recall myself to your memory. His Highness being informed how great in former days was the affection you entertained for our Order, and being aware of the constant attachment, even in these later years, which you have preserved for it, notwithstanding that your scientific attainments called you elsewhere, and knowing the fi'iendship and confidence in which you are held by the incomparable General Bonaparte, requests that in the negotiations which the Grand Master and Council are about to open with him, you will be pleased to exercise your good offices for the welfare of this Order, which your past zeal on its behalf encourages them to hope for. Your knowledge and ability will indicate to you what line of argument would be suitable for this Oi^der to adopt, considering the painful losses and misfortunes which it has suffered during the past nine years. I do not therefore stop to suggest what you might solicit for us fi'om your ' Ransijat's Siege, p. 119. ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 59 famous Gener"al. The reliance which the Grand Master, as well as myself, place in you is based in great measui^e upon your efficiency and zeal, which we trust will obtain from the generosity and loyalty of the French such conditions which you would desire for youi-self, if unfortunately you were placed in our position. With the sincere attachment and esteem entertained for you for the past twenty years, I am, &c., (Signed) Cavaliere Miari, His Highness's Secretary. Malta, llth June 1798. Melan returned with a verbal message from General Berthier, chief staff officer, that the commander-in-chief would, about mid- day, send an official to the Grand Master to arrange for the armistice demanded. Doublet informs us that about midday he was sent for by the Grand Master and ordered to await the arrival of the envoy from Bonaparte, who soon after appeared in the person of General Junot, accompanied by Poussielgue and ex-Commandeur Dolomieu, followed by a number of Knights, in the midst of whom was Ransijat, a great friend of Dolomieu, who in the meanwhile had been liberated. The Grand Master, with the Bailli des Pennes, the Bailli Tommasi, and two others. Grand Crosses, forming the so-styled State Congregation, sat in council to receive the envoy. Junot, upon entering the presence, handed the following letter to the Grand Master : — Liberty — Equality — French Republic. To His Excellency the Grand Master of St. John of Jerusalem. In consequence of the demand which your Excellency has made for a suspension of arms, the Commander-in-Chief has ordered his first aide- de-camp, the Chief of Brigade [Junot], to attend upon your Eminence, and has authorised him to conclude and sign a suspension of arms. I beg your Excellency to be assured of the desire I have to proffer to you marks of esteem, which I entertain for you. (By order of the Commander-in-Chief.) The Bailli des Pennes then, turning towards the Grand Master, inquired what should be the preamble of this act of suspension of arms, when Junot remarked : ' There is no occasion for a preamble, four lines will be sufficient, and Poussielgue will draw them up,' which was accordingly done in the following words : — Article I. A suspension of anns for twenty-four hours is arranged between the French Republican army, commanded by General Bonaparte, represented by the Chief of Brigade Junot, first aide-de-camp, and His Highness and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, to count from six o'clock this evening, the eleventh of June 1798, to six o'clock to-morrow evening, the twelfth of the same month. 60 A HISTORY OF MALTA Article II. During these twenty-four hours, Deputies will be sent onhoaxd L' Orient to arrange for the capitulation. Made in duplicate. (Signed) Junot. (Signed) Hompesch. By order of the commander-in-chief the powers granted to Junot were precise. ' He was only to agree and sign an armistice, if;, as a Preliminary, His Eminence consented to negotiate for the surrender of the Fortress/ Doublet's narrative is now continued : It was then ari-anged that Deputies should proceed at once on board L' Orient, and, meeting Auditor Bruno, he inforaied me that the Maltese had requested the Grand Master, when nominating such Deputies who were to accompany Bonaparte's envoy on board for the purpose of executing the act of capitulation, that he would appoint four of the Notables of the Maltese Nation. That in consequence, Baron Mario Testaferrata, the Auditor Benoit Schembri, the ex-Auditor Muscat, and Dr. F. T. Torregiani, had been chosen for the People, and for the Oi'der, the Bailli Frisari, and the Knight Bosredon Ransijat, to whom was added the Chevalier de Amati. The Advocate Torregiani having been sent on a Mission to calm the excited inhabitants at Burmola, could not be found in time, and the Councillor Bonanni was substituted in his stead. It was then that I (Doublet) also received orders from His Eminence to accompany the Deputation, and render it any assistance that might lie in my power. We accordingly started in company with Junot, his suite, and Giuseppe Guido, proceeding as far as Floriana on foot. There Junot mounted on horseback, and the Deputies entered Calesses, and all proceeded together as far as Porte des Bombes, where we separated, the former joining the French Head-Quarters on the San Giuseppe road, and the latter pi'oceeding by Pieta to St. Julian's, where for want of a conveyance to the flagship we had to remain until 11 p.m. After a rough passage we reached L' Orient about midnight, to find that Bonaparte and his staff had retired for the night, but within half an hour the interview was granted. Bonaparte personally drafted the articles, which out of considei-ation for the honour of the Knights, he desired should be called a Convention. Ex- Auditor Muscat asked for an additional article, to the effect that the exceptions and privileges of his Nation should be guaranteed. Bonaparte, much amused, declared that privileges no longer existed, nor corporations, and that the law was the same for all.' The Bailli Frisari had some scruples in signing the Convention, and requested his colleague Ransijat to be his interpreter with the Genei-al. He desired to reserve by a memorandum under his signature the rights of his sovereign the King of Naples on the Isle of Malta, believing that if he did not do so he would be punished, by the confiscation of his commanderies. You may,' replied Bonaparte, make use of all the reserve you please, we shall be ready to render them null and void by cannon-shot.' The discussion being ended, the following Convention was signed : — ATTACK AND CAPTUEE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 61 [Translation.] On board L' Orient,^ IWi June 1798. Convention agreed npon, between the French Eepublie, represented by the Citizen Bonaparte, Commander-in-Chief, of the one part, and the Order of the Kniglits of St. John of Jerusalem, represented by the Bailly Torino Frisari, the Commander Bosredon Ransijat, Baron Mario Testa- f errata. Dr. Nicolo Muscat, Advocate Benedetto Schembri, and Councillor Bonanni, of the other part — with and through the mediation of His Catholic Majesty, King of Spain, represented by the Knight Felipe de Amati, his charge d'affaires in Malta. Art. 1. The Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem will surrender to the French Anny the city and foi'ts of Malta. They i-enounce in favour of the French Republic the rights of sovereignty and ownership which they have over the city, as well as over the Islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Art. 2. The French Republic will exei-cise its influence at the Congi-ess of Rastadt, in order to obtain for the Grand Master dtu-ing his lifetime a principality equivalent to that which he now loses, and in the meanwhile, it hereby engages itself to pay to him an annual pension of 300,000 francs ; two years' pension will also be paid to him as an indemnity for his furniture or private effects ; he will retain duinng the time that he remains in Malta the military honours that he has hitherto enjoyed. Art. 3. The French Knights of the Order of St. John of Jenisalem at present in Malta, certified by the Commander-in-Chief, may retui-n to their native land ; their residence in Malta shall, however, be considered as if in France. The French Republic will exercise its good offices with the Cisalpine, Roman, Ligurian, and Swiss Republics, in order that this article may have common effect i-egarding the Knights of such Nations respectively. Art. 4. The French Republic will grant a pension of 700 francs during life to French Knights actually in Malta, such pension to be increased to 1,000 francs to Knights above the age of 60. The French Republic will employ its good offices with the Cisalpine, Roman, Ligurian, and Swiss Republics, in order to secure like pensions to the Knights of such Nations respectively. Art. 5. The French Republic will endeavour to obtain from the other Powers of Eui-ope the preservation of the propei'ties and legal rights situate in such States belonging to the Knights. Art. 6. The Knights shall retain all their pi'ivate pi'operty which they possess in the Islands of Malta and Gozo. Art. 7. The inhabitants of Malta and Gozo shall continue to enjoy as in the past the free exercise of the Apostolic and Roman Catholic Reli- gion ; they shall preserve theii' propei^ty, and the privileges they now possess. No exti^ordinary contributions shall be imposed. Art. 8. All civil Acts passed under the Govexniment of the Order shall be valid, and be executed accoi'dingly. * Corres. de Nap. I, vol, iv. p. 137. 62 A HISTORY OF MALTA Signed in duplicate on boai-d L' Orient, off Malta, 12tli June 1798. (Signed) Bonaparte. (Signed) Commandeur Bosredox Ransijat. Baron Mario Testaferrata. DOTTORB G. NlCOLO MuSCAT. Dottore Ben. Schembri. The Councillor F. T. Bonanni. Bailli di Torino Frisari — saving the rights of High Dominions belonging to my sovereign, as King of the Two Sicilies. „ Cavalliere Felipe de Amati. Conditions to be observed in the Execution op the Convention for THE Surrender of the City and Fortress op Malta to the French.i Art. 1. This day the 12th June 1798, Forts Manoel, Tigne, St. Angelo, Burmola fortifications, Cottonera, and Vittoriosa will be delivered over to the French ti^oops at midday. Ai't. 2. To-morrow the 13th June 1798, Forts Ricasoli, St. Elmo, and the works of Valetta and Floriana, and others, will be transferred to the French troops at midday. Art. 3. French officers will this day attend upon the Grrand Master at 10 a.m., and receive his orders to the respective Commanders of the various forts and positions, for the said delivery — they will be accompanied by a Maltese officer. There shall be as many officers as there are forts to be handed over. Ai't. 4. The same dispositions as those referred to above, will be applicable for the occupation of the Forts and the works by the French troops, to be delivered to-morrow, 25 Prairial (13th June). Art. 5. With the Forts and works will also be delivered the artillery, magazines, and papers connected with the Engineers' department. Art. 6. The troops belonging to the Order of Malta can remain in the barracks they now occupy, until other accommodation is provided. Art. 7. The Admiral commanding the French fleet will appoint an officer to take possession this day of the vessels of war, galleys, ships, stores, and other naval effects, belonging to the Order of Malta. (Signed) Bonaparte. (Signed) Bailli di Torino Frisari. „ Commandeur Bosredon Ransijat. „ Baron Mario Testaferrata. „ Dottore G. Nicolo Muscat. „ Dottore Benedetto Schembri. „ Councillor F. T. Bonanni ,, Caballero Felipe de Amati. 2 Upon the return of the Deputies to Valetta, the terms of the Con- vention were publicly announced fi-om the Banca dei Griurati. A meeting of the Council was held at the same hour at the Palace, where the greatest agitation existed. Some of the members urged the Grand Master to refuse the ratification. ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 138. 2 In Napoleon's Correspondance, vol. iv. pp. 137, 138, the name of the first signatory is given as ' Torio ' Frisari, but Mr. Hardman corrected this to Torino Frisari. — J. H. R. ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 63 Auditor Bnino, being referred to, represented the futility of opposition, and recommended that for the present the Grand Master should bow to circumstances, and reserve to himself the right at some future time of protesting against such an arbitrar-y act. As confirmatory of Doublet^s statement regarding the petition presented to the Grand Master and Council^ the following so-termed ' Representation ' is taken from a MS. in the Malta Public Library, numbered 269 : — [Translation.] In the meanwhile, to add to the Grand Master's difficulties, a declara- tion was prepared and deposited at the ' Officina Giui-atale,' signed by various Maltese families, who may be considered supporters of the French Republic. This declaration, in the preparation of which Messieui-s Francesco Dorel and ex-Auditor Muscat took leading parts, was to the following effect : — We the undersigned, Jurists and Syndics of the Four Cities, together with some of the principal Ministers and Counsellors of this city of Valetta, being fully persuaded that the garrison of this Forti^ess is unable to resist an invasion of a warlike people, such as that which now assails us — a people who have always proved themselves to be invincible — have in a body petitioned the reigning Sovereign that he would deign to arrange tei^ms with the Invaders, in some form or other, conformably with the generosity of a Nation which has ever listened to those who ask for peace. Our prayer has been benignly gi^anted. And that for all future time this document should be a record of our action, we the underwritten have signed this, our Representation, with our own hands, affixing thereto the seal of this University, wherein we are all now assembled, this tenth day of June 1798. (Signed) (Signed) Galea, Jui-at. Bartolomeo Scifo. DoREL, do. Francesco Gauci (for self and Delicata, do. sons). Gruniet, do. IsoDORO Muscat, Chancellor Gio. Nicola Muscat, Syndic.^ of the University (for Pietro Paolo Testaferrata. self, and the family of Benedetto Schembri.i Xibberas). Giuseppe Borg Olivier. Emanuele Gavino (for Gae- Frakcesco Bonanni, Coun- tano Labati, absent). cillor.i VmcENZo Marchesi. Salvadore Scffo, Fiscal Ad- Luigi Preziosi. vocate. Alessandro Spitesi. Francesco Fiore, Giuseppe Guido (for self and Saverio Marchesi. family). Gio. Lorenzo Testaferrata. Torregiani (father and son). Antonio Vittorio Reveau. Giuseppe Nicolo Zanunit. Mario Testaferrata.i Notary Michael Angelo Paolo Varisi (for self and sons). Portelli. ^ These four persons subsequently formed the Maltese portion of the deputation to Bonaparte, and signed the capitulation. 64 A HISTORY OF MALTA ' In order that this statement may have greater effect, we have ratified it with our oath, and have delivered the document to Francesco Dorel, who in the name of the French Republic has accepted it, and further that it may possess more validity it is registered in the Ai^chives of the ChanceiT of the Consulate of the Batavian Republic, this tenth day of June 1798. ' (Signed) Grio. Franco Dorel. ' Presented and registered this tenth day of June 1798, in the Registry of the Chancery of the Consulate of the Batavian Republic in Malta. ' (Signed) B. Melax, Under-Secretary and Acting Chancellor.' Knowing the religious feelings of the Maltese, and their devotion to the head of the Church, Bonaparte, upon hearing from Vaubois of the submission of the ancient city of Citta Vecchia, the then episcopal residence, addressed Bishop Labini as follows : — On board V Orient,^ I2th Jtme 1798. To the Bishop of Malta, — I have observed, my Lord Bishop, with very great pleasure, the satisfactory manner in which you have conducted yourself, and the reception you have given the French troops. You may assure your diocesans, that the Roman and Apostolic Catholic Religion will not only be respected, but her Ministers specially protected. I know of no character woi'thy of gi^eater respect, and the venei^ation of man, than a priest, who, inspired by the tiue spirit of the Gospel, is persuaded that his duties oblige him to preach obedience to the temporal power, to maintain peace, tranquillity, and union in the midst of a diocese. I desire therefore, my Lord Bishop, that you will at once proceed to the city of Valetta, and by your influence, maintain calmness and ti-anquillity among the people. I shall also be there present this evening. I further desire that upon my arrival you will present to me all the curates, and other authorities of Valetta and the neighbouring villages. I beg, my Lord Bishop, that you will be assured of the desire which I possess of giving you proofs of the esteem and consideration which I entertain for your person. (Signed) Bonaparte. In accordance with the terms of the Convention, Forts Manoel, Tigne, St. Angelo, the fortifications at Burmola, Cottonera, and Vittoriosa, were occupied by the French troops on the 12th June, and on the day following. Forts Ricasoli, St. Elmo, and the works of Valetta and Floriana were similarly occupied, when the French fleet, headed by the flagship U Orient, entered the grand harbour, where two line-of -battle ships, one frigate, and four galleys belonging to the Order were found, whilst on the ramparts 1,200 guns, and in store 40,000 muskets and 1,500,000 lb. of powder, were captured. Upon landing in Valetta, Bonaparte proceeded to the Banca dei Giurati, where he slept the first night, and the next day he, together with his personal staff, took up his quarters at the Palazzo Parisi. ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. ir. p. 139. ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 65 It has been observed in this narrative that the Bailli Frisari, representing the King of the Two Sicilies, thought proper when signing the Convention to reserve the rights of sovereignty over tlie island on behalf of that monarch. Bonaparte, therefore, on the day following the capitulation, ordered Monsieur Garat, then Minister of the French Republic at the Neapolitan Court, to acquaint that Govern- ment of what had occurred in Malta, and that such alleged rights of sovereignty and property had now been acquired by the French Republic. He was further instructed to add, in that vein of satire in which Bonaparte was so accomplished, ' that so far as regards claim of suzerainty over the Island of Malta, which the King of Sicily advances, it shall not be refused, whenever that Monarch acknowledges the suzerainty of the Roman RepubUc' ^ Bonaparte was of opinion that any rights which the King of Sicily possessed over Malta, if any such existed, were disposed of by the capture ; he was also advised by Bosredon Ransijat that such rights could only be exercised by the King of Naples in the event of the Order having spontaneously abandoned the island. Owing to the excitement which existed among the people in the four cities, it was deemed advisable to offer some explanation, if not justification, for the sudden and extreme step of attacking and capturing the island, which the French Republic had resolved upon without any previous direct diplomatic communication between the two Governments. This was conveyed to the people by a public notice, dated head- quarters, 13th June, recapitulating a series of charges which the French Government had to make against the Order, to the following effect : — Exposj^ OP THE Conduct of Malta towards France during the Revolution.^ 1st. That from 1791 to 1795 the Maltese Government openly authorised and encouraged such of the Knights who were desirous of joining the army of the French emigres. 2nd. That all emigres, refugees in Malta, even when not of the Order, were admitted therein, and among others the Count de Narbonne-Fritzlar, who moreover was received with the gi'eatest distinction. 3rd. That notwithstanding the Decree declaring all property in France, belonging to the Order, national, the Grand Master has not ceased to appor- tion such chimerical commanderies in France as they became vacant. 4th. That at the time of the Spanish declaration of war against France* all vessels of war belonging to the former Nation were permitted openly to recmit seamen, and at the request of the Court of Spain 4,000 muskets were granted to her land forces. 5th. That permission was also granted to the English in 1794 to recruit seamen in the Island, and with such devotion to their cause on the part ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 140. 2 Ibid. pp. 142, 143. 3 In March 1793.— J. H. R. 66 A HISTORY OF MALTA of this govemment that the penalty of three years' service in the galleys was pronounced against all who violated their engagements. 6th. That Elliot, the English governor in Corsica, requiring gunpowder to preserve his conquest, obtained from the Maltese Government 200 quintals for that pui-pose. 7th. That up to 1796 all Fi-ench trading vessels, when entering port, were compelled to lower the French flag. 8th. That in the month of last December, two French frigates, La Justice and L'Artemise, anchoring in the port, solicited permission, through their consular agent, to recruit sailors, but in vain ; whilst at the same time, two English corsairs had every facility in that respect granted. 9th. That all the partisans of the French Revolution have been perse- cuted, many exiled without any formality, and during the month of May last, a large number were arrested and imprisoned as criminals — Vassallo, one of the most remarkable men of his country for the profound knowledge and acquirements which he possesses, being condemned to impxnsonment for life. 10th. That iinally, from all these facts, it results that Malta by her own acts has been the enemy of France since the commencement of the Revolution, and in a state of war against her since 1793. Monsieur Chevalier di Amati, who had been a willing mediator between the Order and Bonaparte, as representing the Republic, and who by virtue of the offensive and defensive treaty concluded between France and Spain at St. Ildefonso on the 19th August 1796, had acted in that capacity, was now courteously dismissed with the following letter, dated the 17th June^ : — To the King of Spain Charles IV, — The French Republic has accepted the mediation of your Majesty for the capitulation of the city of Malta. Mons"^" Chevalier di Amati, youi' Representative in this city, has made himself acceptable to the French Republic as well as to the Grand Master. The occupation of the port of Malta by the Republic, however, necessitates the suppression of the position occupied by Mons"^' di Amati. 1 recommend to your Majesty, that in the disposal of your favoui^s, you may graciously keep him in remembrance. . . . (Signed) Bonaparte. The successful result of these operations, both military and diplomatic, with details of the movements by which such had been attained, was communicated by General Berthier, chief of the staff, to the French Minister for War, in a dispatch dated the 12th June. As it has been printed in full by M. De la Jonquiere in his work, "^ TExpedition d'Bgypte ' (vol. i. p. 594), and traverses ground which has already been fully covered in this chapter, the reader is referred to the work just named. Bonaparte on the 13th June had the candour to state in his ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 166. ATTACK AND CAPTUEE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 67 official dispatch to the Directory : ' I did not restrict myself to military measures, but had recourse to several negotiations, with a happy result.' ^ This dispatch of Bonaparte's, dated the 13th June, was discussed at the sitting of the Directory of the 1st July, as recorded in the ' Proces verbal ' of that meeting, from which the following is extracted : — L'an sixieme de la Republique Fran9aise, une et indivisible le 13 Messidor {\st July 1798). 2 La seance s'ouvi*e par la lecture d'une lettre du General en chef Bonaparte dattee de Malte le 25 Pi-airial an 6 (13th June 1798), et apportee par un coui'rier extraordinaire, dans laquelle ce general annon^a au Directoire que I'arrtiee qu'il commande vient de venger la Republique de la longue suite de manoeuvi'es hostiles que le Gouvernement de Malte s'etoit permises centre elle ; que le 21 Praii-ial (9th June 1798) ayant fait demander au gi'and-maitre la faculte de faire de I'eau dans les differents mouillages de I'isle pour les troupes fran9aises qu'il commande celui-ci repondit a cette invitation par un refus ironique, qu'en consequence les troupes ayant ete debarquees, la ville fut cernee et attaquee ; que le 24 (12th June 1798) au matin les Chevaliers de I'Ordre de St. Jean de Jerusa- lem ont remis a la Republique fran9aise la ville et les forts de Malte et renonce en sa faveur au droit de souvereinete et de propriete qu'ils exer^oient tant sui' cette isle que sur celle de Gozo et de Comino. Le Directoire se hate de faire part de cette importante [?] a I'un et a I'autre Conseil du Corps Legislatif par un message qu'il leur expedie de suite. (Signed) La RevelliSee L^peaux. „ Treilhard. „ Merlin. ,, Baeras. So fell the institution of the Knights Hospitallers, for, in the words of De Caro, 'War with religious sentiment had ceased to be useful, and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem no longer fulfilled the obligations for which it had been founded, and under which it had flourished. The fatal stab was not given by Bonaparte's sword, he only executed the sentence. Its fate was already decreed by the change which had taken place, not only in opinions, but in the altered circumstances of the times and the conditions of society.' Various theories have been advanced as to the cause which ren- dered Malta so easy a conquest by Bonaparte, or again, as to who should bear the responsibility for its loss. These opinions have differed according to the prejudices or nation- ality of the writers. Whilst Maltese historians have attributed the loss of the island to the pusillanimous behaviour of the Grand Master and cowardice of the Knights, it can incontestably be proved that its fall was due to treachery and intrigue within the Order itself, combined, ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 140. " Arch. Nat. AF III. 11. f2 68 A HISTORY OF MALTA as we have seen, with an imperative demand for a suspension of hostilities, followed by the act of capitulation, which was insisted upon by the Maltese citizens. It is true that Napoleon (according to Bourrienne) stated at St. Helena that ' Malta had physical, but no moral means of resistance, and that the Knights had done nothing disgraceful ' ; but Bonaparte's veracity can no more be trusted on this occasion than on many others which refer to his subsequent dealings with regard to Malta. Much light is thrown upon this event by a perusal of original manuscripts which have lately come into possession of the Government of Malta, and are now lodged at the Public Library of that island. These volumes, numbered in the catalogue 417 to 421, were recently pur- chased in Germany by the Maltese Government, and are credibly believed to have belonged to the family of Baron de Mayer Kornau, Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, sometime secretary to the Grand Master, Hompesch. But apart from these documents, the authorities are numerous who testify to the fact that the fall of Malta was due to a conspiracy within the fortress, aided and abetted by renegades of the Order, who branded Hompesch with cowardice for the purpose of hiding their own apostasy and treachery ; and that it was owing to Russian intrigues, to a schism in the Order which followed, and to the political disturbances of the entire Continent of Europe at the time, that the honour of Hompesch was not then fully vindicated. Capefigue, in his work entitled ' Europe during the Consulate and Empire of Napoleon,' vol. i. p. 64, informs us that to accomplish this odious and treacherous design of capturing Malta, certain felonious Knights, some time before the expedition to Egypt started, entered into correspondence with the Director Barras, with this object in view. That the ruin of the Order of Malta had been decided upon a long time previously, and that for this purpose Poussielgue was dis- patched to Malta, provided with letters of introduction addressed to disloyal members of the Order, which were supplied by the ex-Knights Dolomieu and Picaidt de Mornas, the latter a captain in the Engineers, who two years previously had deserted the Order, and had joined Bonapar-te in Italy. The letters from Dolomieu, it would appear, were procured by Talleyrand and forwarded to Bonaparte, then at Passeriano, under date of the 8th October 1797, with instructions ' that they should be sent on to Malta, on successive occasions, for the purpose of facilitating the expedition which he (Bonaparte) had projected.'^ Poussielgue was made the bearer of a portion of the letters to Malta, a mission which he faithfully fulfilled ; ' for by bribery and promises he succeeded ' See Correspondance inedite officielle et confidentielle de Napoleon Bonaparte, vol. vii. p. 282, and a dispatch fi-oixi a secret British agent on the same subject, to be found in Capefi^e's I'Europe pendant la Revolution, vol. iv. p. 120. ATTACK AND CAPTUKE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 69 in seducing many unworthy Knights of their allegiance, amongst others Bardonenche, who commanded the artillery/ ^ It would appear that Poussielgue succeeded in seducing the allegiance not only of certain Knights, but also of several members of the Grand Master's personal and domestic suite, namely, his secretary, equerry, and chamberlain, who, as Bonaparte officially acknowledged, ' had supplied him with valuable information during the previous six months/ By an order (No. 4) of Bonaparte's, issued from head- quarters, Malta, on the 13th June 1798,^ it was stipulated in Article 3 *^ that all Knights and inhabitants subjects of a Power at war with France, such as Russia and Portugal, should leave Malta within forty-eight hours ' ; and by Article 4, ' all Knights being less than sixty years of age should quit the island within three days.' But to this general order an appendix was attached, wherein a list is given of members of the Order of Malta exempted from such expulsion by order of the commander-in-chief, and the reasons therein given, which merit careful attention : — Ransiiat, Secretary of the Treasury; , * ! ^''»°«* «" 5«^« -r, r\ • p-rii-/> furnished me within lay, Commissary ot l^ortihca- the last six months tions, officer of artillery; Breu- useful 7iotes, or have vart, priest- Rouyer, chief ^nt r^Sft.?;": equerry ; Sandelleau, priest ; penses incurred for Greicher, chamberlain; Fim, the descent upon Eng- priest; Beaufort, priest ; Dacla, ""^Thg last two are servant d'armes; Toussard, En- Tuscan Knights who e-ineers; Lascaris, two brothers; have made patriotic p, ' . T> f • i. donations towards the (jrras, priest ; JjCEUI, priest ; expenses incurred for Doublet, secretary of Grand the descent upon Eng- Master; Medecis; Stendardi.* (S^ed) Bonaparte.' A glance at the offices which these members of the Order of St. John filled, or of the trade or profession of the remainder, must leave the amount of their patriotic donations very problematical. It would rather appear that these supposititious donations were intended to serve as a screen for the avowed cause of their reward. In the MS. 421, already referred to, there appears a document amongst De Mayer's papers styled a ' Relation,' which bears the stamp of having been officially drawn up by order of the Grand Master, Hompesch, giving a list, with the rank or position, of the various members therein styled traitors to the Order of St. John. This document is dated Trieste, the 15th September 1798, and goes on to say: ' See Capefigue's VEurope pendant le Consulat et VEmpire, vol. i. pp. 64, 65. ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. v. pp. 145, 146. 70 A HISTORY OF MALTA Without feai' of contradiction, the fii-st place in the list of Traitors should be given to Commandeui' Ransijat, and next, having regard to the importance of their positions, should be named Commandeur Bardonenche, commanding the Artillery ; to Commissary de Fay, in charge of the Foi-ti- fications and Fountains ; to Toussart, commanding the Engineers ; to Picault de Mornas ; and to Commandeur Dolomieu (the two latter being embarked on board the French fleet), the former at one time commanding the Engineers in the island, and who now recently directed the landing opera- tions of the French troops. To the above should be added Doublet, first clerk in the French branch of the Secretariat ; the French Consul, Caruson, born in Malta ; some conventual priests ; and Poussielgue, the Cerman Consul, cousin of the envoy of that name. . . . Among the Maltese (it proceeds to say) thei^e should be mentioned Baron Dorrail, the two brothei-s Schembri, Guido, Herri, Caruana the Bishop's secretary, his Assessor Biagio Bourgeois, Notary Gavino Bonnvita, Sachet, and a number of advocates, at the head of whom should be named the ex-Auditor Muscat, besides nearly all the Maltese Nobility. Regarding this Bosredon Ransijat, who has been stigmatised by Hompescli as the prime mover and instigator of the machinations which were to result in the destruction of the Order, Parisot has con- tributed the following sketch in the ' Biographie Universelle/ which also confirms the treasonable action of others implicated: — Bosredon de Ransijat was boi^n at Combraille, in Auvergne, in 1743, of noble family. When twelve years old he was sent to Malta, and became page to Grand Master Pinto, remaining three years in that capacity. He then returned to his native country in order to complete his education, which had been sadly neglected. When twenty-four years old he i*eturned to Malta, becoming eventually a Commander and Grand Cross in the Oi'der of St. John, and was finally appointed to the administi'ation of the Finances, and styled Secretary of the Treasuiy, occupying this post at the time of the French Revolution, by which Government five-eighths of the revenues of the Order were con- fiscated. Bosredon was less unsympathetic than many of the Knights to the new order of things in France, and showed himself to be a partisan of the Jacobin faction ; but this, nevertheless, did not prevent him retaining his credit at the palace of the Grand Mastei's, the keys of the Treasui'y, some friends, and many flatterers. This state of affairs continued during the five years which elapsed between the date of the Deci-ee of the Legislative Assembly, nationalising the Domains of the Order of Malta in France, and the commencement of 1798. Bosi-edon, representing the French disaffected, and Bardonenche that of Spain, had for some time been in direct communication with France, through the medium of the French Consul (Caruson), whom the Order tolerated in Malta, and with the Commandeur Dolomieu, their friend, who did not occupy his time exclusively with mineralogj'^ ! Bonaparte sent Poussielgue, under a frivolous pretext, on a mission to ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 71 Malta eai'ly in 1798, but really in order to complete the concoction of a plot which had been devised for the destruction of the Order. The Chevalier de St. Tropez joined also in the conspiracy, together with many other French and Spanish Knights. The Consuls of Holland (De Fremeaux) and Spain (Di Amati) were circumvented in such a manner (both countries being allies of France) that they became not silent witnesses of the events, but rather favoui'ed them. Upon the Grand Master's refusal to Bonaparte's demand for a supply of water to the Fleet, Bosredon threw off the mask, and declared that, having been bom French, he would never fight against his counti-y, and requested to be placed in confinement, and was consequently imprisoned in Fort St. Angelo. During the negotiations with Bonaparte which followed, the Spanish charge d'affaires (Di Amati) required that Bosredon should be recalled from St. Angelo, and lead the deputation to Bonaparte. Hompesch deemed it advisable to consent, and Bosredon, with two Bailiffs of the Order and four Maltese Notabilities (despite the statutes of the Order, which interdicted them from participating in politics), concluded the capitulation. Bosredon, after the capitulation of the Island to the British, returned to France, where his services were no longer required. He died about 1812, sixty-nine years old, in an obscure corner of Auvergne. In his last published work he declares very positively that he merited the confidence (protection) of Bonaparte, for he had rendered that gi-eat man all the services that it had been in his power to give. Confirming much of the preceding, there is a 'secret' letter amongst the ' Castlereagh Papers' (vol. i. p. 268), dated Rastadt, 26th July 1798, Avhicli says : 'You are doubtless aware that Malta has been obtained and delivered through the medium of French officers (Knights of Malta), who for the price of their good and loyal services 1 have had their names removed from the list of proscribed emigrants (permitting them to return to France), and have been pensioned.' There may also be quoted an extract from a MS. in the possession of Sir Gerald Strickland, formerly Chief Secretary to the Malta Government, believed to have been written by an ancestor of his, one of the Scibberas family : — [Translation.] At the interview which took place on board L'On'ew^ on the 11th June 1798, between Bonaparte and the Maltese Plenipotentiaries, for the purpose of signing the Deed of Convention, Bonapai-te informed them that he had that day dined at Nigret, in the village of Zuin-ico, with the Spanish cliarge d'affaires, the Chevalier Amati (through whose mediation the Con- vention was subsequently arranged, and one of the signatories thereto), and that he had there met and spoken with certain otlier Knights, his adherents, who had come out from Yaletta for that purpose, and had been informed by them that the Fortress was not in a position to hold out. 72 A HISTORY OF MALTA Although the treachery of members of the Order was the prin- cipal factor in the surrender of the fortress to Bonaparte, yet the civil population must bear its share of the responsibility in the premature capitulation of Valetta. The part which the populace took in this occurrence, which has been related by Doublet and con- firmed by others, is also corroborated by a MS. in the De Mayer Collection (Vol. 421, Malta Public Library), drawn up in the form of a protest by the exiled Knights who accompanied Hompesch to Trieste. The document is entitled, ' Observations on the Manifest issued by the Priory of Russia,' from which the following extract is taken : — [Translation.] In the midst of the tumult, there appeai^ed before the Grand Master and Council a deputation composed of Judges and of all the Magistrates of the People, and this is the discourse which they addressed to their Sovereign ! ! ' Malta is attacked ; it is impossible for the Order to defend it, and you are about proceeding to expose our lives and our property to the fury of an irritated conqueror. We now declare to you in the name of the People, whom we represent, that if you do not this moment sue for peace, the People will do so without you.' Another proof of the treason and treachery which prevailed prior to the arrival of the expedition off Malta, as well as during the attack on the fortress, is to be found in Bonaparte's own admission, together with General Caffarelli's observations, which are recorded by Bourrienne, Bourrienne joined Bonaparte at Leoben on the 19th April 1797, the day after the preliminaries of peace between France and Austria had been signed, and was at once placed by Bonaparte at the head of his Cabinet as private and confidential secretary, and at pages 64 and 65 of vol. ii. of his Memoirs he informs us that 'the fall of Malta was due to treason within the Fortress, Bonaparte openly declaring that it was at Mantua, by means of private correspondence, that he had captured Malta ' ; adding further, ' that when Bonaparte and General Maximilian de Caifarelli du Falga, who com- manded the Engineers, were inspecting the military works after capitulation, the latter remarked to Bonaparte in Bourrienne's presence, " By my faith. General, we have been most fortunate in finding there was somebody within the city ready to open the gates for us ! " ' That there were many -within the city willing to open the gates is also mentioned officially by the English consul at Malta, Mr. Williams, who on the 80th June 1798 (eighteen days after the capitulation) informed the British Government ' that Bonaparte had been assured that there were 4,000 Maltese in his favour, and that most of the ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF MALTA BY THE FRENCH 73 French Knights were publicly known to be so ' ; and pertinently added : ' I do believe the Maltese have given the Island to the French, in order to get rid of the Knighthood/ ^ Nor can it be surprising that such was the case, for if ever there were an instance in which a people was justified in rebelling against their rulers (having regard to what is recorded in Chapter I of this work), it was that of the Maltese against the tyrannical and dissolute reprobates who formed the Government of the Order of St. John. ^ Colonial Office Records, Malta, No. 1. CHAPTER VIII THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA (From the 12tli June 1798 to the 2nd September 1798) On the day following the capitulation General Berthier was in- structed to order citizens Monge and Berthollet^ to visit the Mint, the treasury of the Church of St. John, and other places where it was thought that precious articles might be found. Their precise instructions were as follows * : — [Translation.] Head Quarters, ISfh June 1798. Citizen Berthollet, Comptroller of the Anny, along with a paymaster's clei'k, will remove all the gold, silver, and precious stones which may be found in the Church of St. John, and other places, dependencies of the Order of Malta, the silver plate in the Inns, and that of the Grand Master. They will cause to be melted during the course of to-morrow all the gold into ingots, which will be placed in the military chest following the Army. An inventory of all the precious stones will be made by them, and such precious stones shall be placed under seal in the military chest following the Army. They will sell to the merchants of the place silver plate to the extent of 250,000 to 300,000 francs against payment in gold or silver coin, which shall be placed in the military chest following the Army. The remainder of the silver plate shall be placed in the Paymaster's military chest, who will leave the same at the Mint, there to be coined, and its produce remitted to the Paymaster of the Division, and to be used for its maintenance. It must be specified what such ought to realise, in order that the Paymaster may be held accountable for the same. Such articles as may be necessary for the perfoi-mance of Divine Service in St. John's, and other Churches, can be left. (Signed) Bonaparte. In compliance with these instructions, the following statement of treasure and money found in St. John's Church, the Palace, and in Gozo was drawn up and furnished to Bonaparte : — * Two of the most illustrious of the savants accompanying Bonaparte. — J. H. R. ^ De la Jonquiere, Expedition d'Egypfe, vol. i. p. 622 ; Corres. de Nap. I, vol. ir. p. 147. 74 THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 75 Etat des Tr^sors trouv^s k Malte.1 Tresor de VEglise de Saint Jean. Diamants . ficus de Malte 59,943'00 Or . . „ 97,470'00 Ai'gent . „ 263,025-00 sc. 420,438'00 Equaltolivres 1,019,051 Tresor de VEglise de Saint Antoine dependant de Saint Jean. Diamants . :Ecus de Malte 703"00 Or . . „ 550-00 Argent . „ 7,410'00 sc. 8,663-00 Equal to livi-es 20,786 Maticres d'or et d'argent dans le Palais du Grand Maifre. Or . . Ecus de Malte 2,334-06 Ai-gent . „ 50,642-02 sc. 52,97608 Equal to liva-es 127,144 II existait en outre dans la caisse de la banque juratale de Tile de Gozo Ecus de Malte 7,578-09 Equal to liwes 18,189 Total livi-es 1,185,170 Soon after the arrival of the expedition in Egypt, a more detailed report of the treasure seized in Malta was forwarded to the Commis- saries of the National Treasury in Paris by Paymaster-General Esteve, under date of Cairo, 21st September 1798. It amounted in all to 1,227,129 livres or francs.^ On the 13th June, Desaix was ordered to evacuate all the forts and positions he had occupied in the cities, which would be replaced by the troops under Vaubois. Those under Desaix were to return to Marsa Scirocco and neighbouring villages, and be ready to embark on the 16th, by which time all the transports and ships of war would be revictualled and watered.^ On the 14th, orders were issued for detachments of the 41st ' De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 644. ^ As the full list of the objects seized by the French is given by M. de la Jonquiere in vol. iii of his work, I have thought it needless to reprint it here. The silver gates of the Church of St. John in Valetta escaped the French only owing to the fact that they were painted over in time. — J. H. R. •* Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 149. 76 A HISTORY OF MALTA Regiment to land and join the garrison, as well as the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 19th of the Line, whereby the garrison left in Malta was to be composed of thefollowing : — 6th Line .... 518 7th Light Infantry . . 900 19th Line (2nd battalion) . 700 41st 2851 80th Line . . . .650 3,053 besides five companies of artillerymen. On the 14th June, two days after the capitulation. General Dugua, for the purpose of obtaining volunteers to accompany the expedition to Egypt, passed in review what remained of the troops belonging to the Order. His report on the various corps shows that the totals were as follows : Guards of the Grand Master, 148 ; regiment of chasseurs, 434; battalion of the galleys, 106; battalion of the ships of war, 183; Maltese Regiment, 60. The last three were the most soldierly. The men of the chasseurs were small, ' hideous,' and barefooted. Twenty-four men of the Maltese Regiment offered to enter the French service and leave the island. ^ Bonaparte in his dispatch of the 1 7th June informed the Directory that 'the original Treaty between the Order of Malta and Russia had been discovered and seized, and was now forwarded to them.' It had been ratified only five days, and the courier engaged to carry it to St. Petersburg proved to be the same who, two years previously, had been arrested on a similar mission at Ancona. Bonaparte sarcastically added that the thanks of the Emperor of Russia were due to France for having occupied the island, whereby his treasury would save 400,000 roubles ; and that evidently his [the Czar's] interests were better understood by France than by him himself. Meanwhile, if the Emperor's object had been to prepare the way for establishing himself in the island. His Majesty would have been wiser had he observed a little more secrecy in his proceedings, and not allowed his project to be discovered so easily ; but all the same, he concluded, ' be the reasons what they may, we have now in the centre of the Mediterranean the strongest fortress in Europe, and it will cost those dear who dislodge us.' ^ The Sensible, Captain Francois Bourde, sailed for Toulon on the 18th; on the 26th, at 4 p.m., she was observed off the island of Marittimo by H.M.S. Seahorse, Captain E. J. Foote. A chase of ' The 41st can have left only a detachment. — J. H. R. " For the full report see De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 592. — J. H. R. •* Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 163 ; De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 646. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 77 twelve hours in the direction of Malta, with a close action of eight minutes, followed, resulting in her surrender. General Baraguey d'Hilliers was taken to England as a prisoner of war. On the 16th June, Bonaparte informed the Directory that the Fleet had commenced to leave the harbour, that he expected by the 18th all would be under sail for their destination, and that Vaubois, who had charge of the landing, and had conciliated the inhabitants by his wisdom and pleasant manners, would be left in command.i He also stated that the Grand Master was sailing on the morrow for Trieste, that of the 600,000 francs which had been accorded him, 300,000 were retained in discharge of his debts, and that this latter sum would be covered by sale of the lands belonging to the Order in Malta, then in possession of the French. Of the remaining 300,000 francs, 100,000 had been paid in cash, and four drafts of 50,000 francs each had been drawn upon the Treasury .^ All the Plate so far discovered, including that of the co-Cathedral (sic) Church of Saint John, would not realise, it was believed, more than one million francs. This silver would be left in Malta for the requirements of the Garrison, and the fitting out of the line-of-battle ship Saint John, captured from the Order.^ During the interval of eighty-two days which elapsed between the occupation of the islands by the French (the 12th June) and the insurrection of the Maltese (the 2nd September), dissensions on the method of government arose between Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely, who had been appointed by Bonaparte as commissary in the administration of the civil government, and Vaubois, commander-in- chief of the military forces. In the official correspondence which passed between Vaubois and the Directory, as well as with Bonaparte, together with that of Doublet with the Directory, there is sufficient evidence to prove that in the opinion of Vaubois the disaffection of the Maltese to the French government of the islands was to be attributed to Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely^s excessive zeal in carrying out Bonaparte's instructions ; that he had, further, exceeded the authority deputed to him, and that by the severe measures adopted he had alienated the loyal feelings of the population, which at last culminated in open rebellion. Bosredon Ransijat, who had been nominated the first President of the Government Commission, than whom no one was better able to form an opinion, has left on record the various reasons which he ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 155. ^ De la Jonquiere, vol. i. p. 640. ' Bonaparte on June 14, 1798, wrote to Genei-al Brune at Corfu that he had captured at Malta — 2 sail of the line, 1 frigate, 4 galleys, 1,200 cannon, two million (quintaux ?) of powder, and 40,000 muskets {Corres. de Nap. 1, vol. iv. p. 149). It was falsely said that Hompesch had been bought by Bonaparte for 300,000 francs, and the promise of a pension to be paid him by France {Memolres du General Baron Desvernois, pp. 94, 96, notes). For a vindication of him, see Chap. xvii. Hompesch died in the year 1803.— J. H. R. 78 A HISTORY OF MALTA considered had given rise to the disaffection and revolt of the Maltese.^ He gives no fewer than thirteen^ which may be enumerated as follows : Istly. That appeals to the Commission of Grovernment for indemnification for depredations, and forced contributions made by the troops, received no redress. Complainants were simply informed that there were no grounds for discussion.' 2ndly. The monthly allowances promised to a large number of sailors and soldiers, who had sailed with the Fi-ench fleet for Egypt, were never paid. 3rdly. The possessors of claims against the Ox'der, such as Bondholders' warrants, orders for payment for articles supplied, in fact all classes of creditors, were unable to obtain payment. 4thly. All pensions, with the exception of a few enjoyed by octogenai-ians, who received but one month's allowance, were suspended. Daily alms, in the shape of bread to about four hundred indigent women, were stopped. Sthly. Loans advanced by the Monte di Pieta were charged at the rate of 6% interest, instead of 4^%, and all articles pledged above the value of £4 were ordered to be sold within eight days, unless the arx'ears of interest were in the meanwhile paid. 6thly. Leaseholds granted for three lives were suddenly altered to a fixed term of one hundred years, thus cancelling at once many Leases, and reducing such tenants to poverty. This measure affected so many, not only in the counti^y districts in Malta, but also in Gozo, that great discontent followed. Vthly. Immense loss caused to the people owing to the Grand Master having left the Island in debt to the extent of £40,000, and to the departure of the Knights heavily in debt, most of whom were French. There were also many families in the service of the past Government who were deprived of the means of subsistence. Sthly. Taxes levied for the erection of bai'racks, &c., created great discontent. The people considered that the terms of the capitulation, which exempted them from any extra contribution, had been violated. 9thly. That Sicily, whence hitherto supplies had been received, was now closed to them, owing to Quarantine, which (for political reasons) had thei'e been established against arrivals from Malta, and further that the presence of British cruisers kept trading vessels in port, which increased the misery. lOthly. The confiscation of the gi'eater portion of the silver plate belonging to the Cathedral at Citta Vecchia, which had been coined into money for payment of the garrison. llthly. The fact of I'educing the number of convents to one of each Order, and consequent closing of many chui'ches. 12thly. The introduction of the form of civil mariiage, and registra- tion of births. 1 Sthly. The defeat of the French fleet at Aboukir. These arguments are more or less substantiated by General Vaubois in the opening chapter of his ' Journal of the Siege of Malta,' a minute record which, after the capitulation of the garrison to the British, Vaubois presented to Bonaparte (then First Consul) on the 10th November 1800. Between the 13th and 18th June, the dates of Bonaparte's landing * Bosredon Ransijat, Journal du Siege et Blocus de Malte, Paris, 1801, pp. 274-79. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 79 in Valetta and approaching departure from Egypt, various ' orders * or enactments were promulgated/ embracing a complete reorganisa- tion of the government of the islands, in its civil, military, and ecclesiastical departments, on the lines (according to Monsieur A. V. Arnault) of what had been established at Corfu.'^ A record of these ' orders ' is interesting from the fact that to several of them may be traced the cause of public discontent which followed their promulga- tion, and the subsequent insurrection of the people, which occurred eleven weeks later. On the 13th June several such 'orders^ were issued, which were to have legal effect from that date.^ The 1st ' order ^ appointed a Commission in which was vested the government of the islands. The 2nd 'order ^ nominated t\ve jpersonnel of the said Commission, The 3rd ' order ' decreed the expulsion of certain Knights, and subjects of nations at war with France. The 4th ' order ' contained a list of exceptions to the decree of expulsion. The 5th ' order ' ordered seals to be placed on all British, Russian, and Portuguese property. The 6th ' order ' appointed Monge and BerthoUet to take an inventory of Government plate. The first order ' ran as follows : — Decreed by order of Bonaparte as follows : Art. 1. The Islands of Malta and Gozo shall be governed by a Commission of nine persons, nominated by the General Commander-in-Chief. Art 2. Each member of this Commission in rotation shall preside for the pei"iod of six months. The Commission shall appoint a Secretary and Treasurer outside its own body. Ai't. 3. Attached to this Government Commission there shall be a Fi"ench Commissary. Art. 4. This Commission shall be specially charged with the whole administration of the Islands of Malta and Gozo, and the superintendence of the receipts of all contributions (taxes), direct or indirect. It will take the necessary steps for the provisioning of these Islands. The administration of the Health Board (or Office) will be specially under its orders. Art. 5. The Commissary-General will fix, in conjunction with the Commission, the amount which the latter will subscribe monthly to the military chest. Ai^t. 6. The Commission will unceasingly occupy itself in organising the Civil and Criminal Courts of Justice, approaching as near as possible to the organisation which at present exists in France. The nomination of ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. pp. 143-76. ^ Extract from Souvejiirs ri'itn Sexagenaire, vol. iv. p. 135. Monsieur Arnault was one of the scientists of the expedition, and selected by Bonaparte to succeed Regnaud St. Jean d'Angely as commissary ; owing, however, to the latter recovering from a severe illness, Arnault returned to France, but being a passenger in the frigate Sensible, he was made prisoner of war upon her capture by H.M.S. Seahorse. ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. pp. 143-76. 80 A HISTORY OF MALTA Judges will requii'e the approval of the General in command of the Division in Malta. Until such time as these Courts are so organised, the procedure thereof and the administration of the law will continue as in the past. Art. 7. The Islands of Malta and Grozo will be divided into Cantons, the smallest to possess not less than 3,000 souls. In the city of Valetta there will be two municipalities. Ai't. 8. Each Canton will be governed by a municipal body composed of five members. Art. 9. Each Canton will have a magistrate. Art. 10. Such magistrate will be appointed by the Commissioner, sub- ject to the approval of the General in command of the Division in Malta. Ai't. 11. All the property belonging to the Order of Malta, of the Grand Master, and of the different convents of the Knights belongs to the French Republic. Ai"t. 12. A Commission will be appointed composed of three members, who will form an Inventory of the said properties, and administer the same, giving an account thereof to the Commissary-General. Ai^t. 13. The entire body of police will be under the orders of the General in command of the Division, and the various officers under his orders. In the second order ' the Commander-in-Chief deci^ees : Ai't. 1. In accordance with the decree of this day relating to the organisation of Government of these Islands, the citizens mentioned below will compose the Government Commission, viz. : Bosredon Ransijat; Vincent Caruana, secretary to the Bishop; Charles Astor, merchant in Malta ; Paolo Ciantar, merchant in Malta ; Jean rran9ois Dorell, aldennan ; Grungo, judge in Gozo ; Benedetto Schembri, magistrate ; Canon Don Saverir Caruana, cotton weaver at Citta Yecchia ; Christopher Frendu, notary. Art. 2. Citizen Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely will be the Government Commissary on the said Commission. Art. 3. Citizens Matthew Poussielgue, Caruson and Roussel will form the Commission created by Article 12 of the order of this date. Art. 4. General Berthier will call a meeting of these two bodies to-moiTOW, and after their installation will cause them to take the oath of allegiance to the Republic, drawing up a proces verbal of the proceedings. Ai-t. 5. The Government Commission will within forty-eight hours fix the demarcations of the two city municipalities, and within five days the remainder for the Islands of Malta and Gozo. The third ' oi'der ' requires by Art. 2 the effacing of all escutcheons within twenty-four hours, and the prohibition of wearing livery, or any other mark or title distinctive of nobility. Art. 3. That all Knights and inhabitants, subjects of a Power at war with France, such as Russia and Portugal, will leave Malta within forty- eight hours. Art. 4. All Knights under sixty years of age will leave Malta within three days. The fourth order,' specifying the exceptions from the decree of expulsion of certain Knights, has ah'eady been referred to at p. 69.1 * For a full list, see Carres, de Nap. I, vol. iv, p. 146. — J. H. B. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 81 The fifth 'order.' The Genei-al Commander-in-Chief decrees : Art. 1. That on all merchandise, and on all effects belonging to English, Russian, and Portuguese merchants, seals shall be placed. Art. 2. The Consul of the Republic is specially charged to put this order into effect. The sixth oi-der,' after requiring the chief of staff. General Berthier, to instruct citizens Monge and Berthollet to visit the mint and treasuiy of the Conventual Church of St. John, and other places where valuables might be stored, prescribed that an inventory thereof shall be drawn up. Then followed these enactments, on subsequent dates : Malta, leth June 1798. The Commander-in-Chief orders : Art. 1. All the inhabitants of Malta have henceforth equal rights ; their talents, their merit, their pati'iotism, their attachment to the French Republic, will alone establish any difference amongst them. Art. 2. Slavery is abolished. All slaves known as buonavogli ' (vagabonds) are set at liberty, and the ' Contraf,' dishonourable to the human race, is abolished. Art. 3. In accordance w4th the preceding article, all Turks who are slaves, and the pi'operty of private individuals, will be brought before the General commanding, and treated as prisoners of war, and having regard to the friendship existing between the Ottoman Porte and the French Republic, they will be sent home whenever the General in command so orders, and whenever he will have had information that the Beys consent to send to Malta all Fi^ench slaves, or Maltese, who may be in his power.i Art. 4. All the inhabitants of the Islands of Malta and Gozo are obliged to wear the tricolor cockade. No inhabitant of Malta can wear the French national dress, unless he has obtained special permission from the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief will grant the privilege of French citizenship, and permission to wear the French national di^ess to such inhabitants of Malta who may distinguish themselves, by their attachment to the Republic, through any brilliant act, deed of benevolence, or bravery. Art. 5. Ten days after the publication of this present order it is pro- hibited to retain escutcheons either in the interior or exterior of dwellings, to seal letters with armorial bearings, or to use feudal titles. Art. 6. The Order of Malta being dissolved, it is expressly prohibited to anyone to take the titles of Bailiff, Commander, or Knight. Art. 7. Ten days after the publication of this present order it is prohibited to wear, under any pretext, the uniform of the corps of the ancient Order of Malta. Art. 8. In each church will be placed the arms of the French Republic, in place of those of the Grand Master. Art. 9. The Island of Malta belonging to the French Republic, the mission of the various plenipotentiaries has ceased. ^ Napoleon in his Memoires dictated at St. Helena (vol. ii. p. 29) states that 700 Tnrk and Arab slaves were freed at Malta and sent home. Desvernois {Memoires, p. 97) asserts that many of them were taken into the French naval sei-vice and sailed with the fleet to Egypt. — J. H. R. 82 A HISTORY OF MALTA Art. 10. The functions of all foreign Consuls having ceased, they will remove the arms from over their doors, until such time as they may receive from their respective Governments their credentials to serve in the city of Malta, now a port of the Republic. Ai^t. 11. All foreigners ai^riving and living in Malta will be obliged to obey this order, be their position or rank what it may. Ai't. 12. All transgressors of the above articles will be condemned, for the first ofPence, to a fine of g- of their income; for the second offence, to three months' imprisonment; for the third, to one year's imprisonment; for the fourth offence, to banishment from the Island of Malta, and the confiscation of half their property. Ten days' interval must elapse between the repetition of the offence. Malta, 16fh June 1798. Art 1. A general disarmament of all the inhabitants of Malta and Gozo will be made. Permission to carry arms will only be granted to men of well-known patriotism, and by the General commanding. Art. 2. The organisation of the Volunteer Light Infantiy in the Islands of Malta and Gozo will be continued, but this body shall be composed of men who can be depended upon, care being taken that it is ofl&cered by Patriots. Art. 3. The signal stations between Gozo point and Malta shall be re-established. Ai't. 4. The health laws of Malta shall be neither more nor less rigorous than those existing at Marseilles. Art. 5. A company of 30 volunteei^s shall be formed of young men, members of the richest families, from 15 to 30 years old. Art. 6. The General of Division will select within ten days, and report to the Commission of Government, the names of the members of the said company. The Commission of Government will notify the same to the members selected, and ten days later they will wear an uniform and carry a sword. They will have the same uniform as the Guides, with the exception that they will cai'ry the aiguillette ^ and white button. Art. 7. Such members who may not attend the review, which will be beld ten days later by the General commanding the Division, will be condemned to one year's imprisonment, and the parents holding the family property to a fine of 1,000 crowns. Art. 8. The Commission of Government will name 60 youths of the age from 9 to 14, belonging to the richest families, who will be sent to Paris to be educated in the colleges of the Government.^ The parents will be held liable to pay an annual allowance of 800 francs, and 600 francs for the expenses of the journey, but the sea passage will be granted free by vessels of war. Art. 9. The Commission of Government will forward to the Commander- in-Chief a list of these youths, within twenty days at the latest ; they will wear blue trousers and jackets, with i-ed facings and white lines. ^ The aiguillette is the shoulder-knot. — J. H. R. ^ Of course these youths were virtually hostages. Art. 11 shows that some amount of coercion was deemed necessary to get them. — J. H. R. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 83 They will land at Marseilles, where they will receive orders from the Minister of the Interior as to the national schools at which they are to be placed. Art. 10. The Naval Commissary will give to the Commission of Government the names of six young Maltese belonging to the richest families, to be placed as naval apprentices for their education, and eventual eligibility to all gi^ades of the service. Art. 11. As education so much affects the prosperity and public safety, the parents of the youths selected as above who refuse their adherence will be condemned to pay 1,000 dollars' fine. Art. 12. Sailors' classes will be established as in French ports, and whenever the Fleet requires sailors, and sufficient volunteers are not to be found, forced conscinption of youths from 15 to 25 years of age will first be taken; if these do not suffice, then from the class of men from 25 to 35; and finally, those from 35 to 45. Malta, letJi June 1798. Ai't. 1. There will be formed in each municipality of the city of Malta, a battalion of National Guards, to consist of 900 men, wearing a green unifoi-m, with red collars and facings, and white pipings. This National Guard will be selected from the richest members of the com- munity, merchants, and such who are the most deeply interested in the preservation of public tranquillity.^ Ai't. 2. They will furnish daily all the police guards and patrols necessary, but never on guard in the forts. Art. 3. The corps of light infantry will be continued. Ai"t.. 4. The General of Division will issue regulations for the organisa- tion of the National Guard, as well as for the light infantry, and will ^.eliver to both the arms necessary for the service. Art. 5. Four companies of veterans of all the old soldiers who may have sei'ved the Order of Malta, and are now incapable of active service, will be formed. The two first will, so soon as they are organised, be -dispatched to hold garrison at Corfu. This present article must be -executed, notwithstanding any difficulties which may arise, as my intentions are, that so large a body of men who have been in the service of the Oi'der shall no longer remain in Malta. Ai^t. 6. Foui" companies of artillerymen shall be fonned on the same footing as those previously existing, who will be employed in the coast batteries. In each company tliei-e will be a French officer and sub-officer. Art. 7. All those individuals who may desire to form a company of 100 light infantry shall be empowered to do so. They and the officers of these companies will be retained, and from the moment they ^re organised the General of Division will cause them to sail and join the army. [Another order of this date enacts that the best hospital used by the Knights is to be resei'ved exclusively for the French.] * This was on the model of the National Guards in France, who, after the disturbances of 1794 and 1796, were composed of -well-to-do men almost entirely. — J. H. R. g2 84 A HISTORY OF MALTA Malta, I6th June 1798.1 The Commandex'-in-Chief orders : Art. 1. All priests and members of Religious bodies, male and female^ of whatsoever natui-e, who are not natives of the Islands of Malta and Gozo, will be required to leave the Island, at the latest, ten days after the publi- cation of this present order. The Bishop, having' regard to his pastoral duties, will be the sole exception to this present order. Art. 2. All curacies or benefices which by virtue of this order become vacant shall be given to natives of the Islands of Malta and Gozo, as it is unjust that foreigners should enjoy the benefits of the country, Ai't. 3. Religious vows before the age of thirty shall henceforth be illegal. It is prohibited to ordain new priests until all those now living are employed. Art. 4. Only one monastery for each Order can be allowed in Malta and Gozo. The Commission of Government, in concert with the Bishop, will name the houses where the members of the same Order may dwell. All the surplus property, beyond what is necessary for the maintenance of the said monasteries, will be employed in the alleviation of the poor. All private foundations, all houses of secular Order's and penitential corporations, and all collegiate properties, are suppressed. The Cathedi'al will have fifteen canons resident in the city of Malta (Valetta), and five resident at Citta Vecchia. Art. 5. It is expressly prohibited to all seculars, unless they be at least deacons, to don the cape and cassock. Art. 6. The Bishop shall be required to forward to the Govei^nment Commissary, ten days after the publication of this order, a list of the priests and a certificate of their birth in the Islands of Malta and Gozo, and a list of those who by virtue of this order will have to leave the Islands. Each chief of an Order is required to send a similar list to the Government Commissary. Every indi^adual who does not obey this present order will be condemned to six months' imprisonment. Art. 7. The Government Commission, the Government Commissary, and the Divisional General are severally charged, as may concern them respectively, to execute this present order. Malta, 17^;^ June 1798. Art. 1. Wives and children of grenadiers of the Grand Master's Guard and Malta Regiment leaving with the French Fleet will receive : the women at the rate of 20 sous every ten days ; the children under ten years of age 10 sous each every ten days. Art. 2. All boys, sons of the above, over ten years of age, will be shipped as cabin boys on board of vessels belonging to the Republic. 3 Malta, I7fh June 1798. Art. 1. All Latin priests are prohibited from officiating in the Church belonging to the Greeks. Art. 2. Masses pei^formed hitherto by Latin priests in the Greek Churches will be performed in other Churches of the place. ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. pp. 161, 162. ^ There are four more articles, but they are unimportant. — J. H, K. THE FEENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 85 Ai't. 3. Protection will be granted to Jews who may wish to establish fi synagogue. Ai't. 4. [Thanks Greeks established in Malta for their good behaviour.] Ai-t. 5. All Greeks of Malta, Gozo, Ithaca, Corfu, and the ^gean Sea, who may have relations of any nature with Russia, will be condemned to death. Ai't. 6. All Greek vessels navigating under the Russian flag whenever captured by French ships will be sunk.i Malta, 18^/i June 1798. Art. 1. The Commission of Government will be divided into a Bureau and Council. Art. 2. The Bureau will be composed of three members, including the President. Ai^t. 3. The Council will nominate every six months one of the two members composing the Bureau. Ai^t. 4. The Bui-eau will be in constant active service. Each member will enjoy a salary of 4,000 francs. Art. 5. The Council will meet once every ten days to take cognisance of the Bureau's proceedings. Ai't. 6. To each member of the Council will be paid 1,000 francs per annum. Ai't. 7. [Nominates on this first occasion two members for the Biu-eau for six months, and one for twelve months.] Art. 8. The Government Commissary vnW have a salary of 6,000 francs; "besides office expenses he will have a gratification. Malta, ISth June 1798. Art. 1. The established taxes or imposts will be provisionally main- tained. The Government Commissary and the Administrative Commission will assure their collection. Ai't. 2. With the shortest delay, a new system of taxation will be -established, so that the total product realised fi-om the customs, wine, registration, stamps, tobacco, salt, on the hire of houses, and domestics, may reach 720,000 francs. Art. 3. Of this sum, 50,000 francs are to be paid monthly to the military chest of the Anny, such first payment not to be made until 3 months after this date, during which interval the National Domain Ti'easury will make good the amount. Art. 4. The remaining 120,000 francs will be left for the expenses of administration, justice, &c., according to a statement attached. Art. 5. This statement shall be definitely decided by the Commission of Government, together with the French Commissary, i-especting the organisation of the Tribunals and various administrative services. Ai't. 6. The pavement of the towns, the maintenance of cleanliness, and lighting will be paid by the inhabitants. Art. 7. The maintenance of the fountains, as well as the wages of the employees attached to this service, will be secured by a charge to be established on vessels requiring water. ^ The extraordinary rigour of these two articles shows how very jealous Bonaparte was of any intervention of Russia in Mediterranean affairs. — J. H. R. 86 A HISTORY OF MALTA Art. 8. A passage toll will be established for the maintenance of th& roads. Art. 9. Public instruction will be paid by the endowments abeady set apart for that purpose, and in case of insufficiency, with those of suppressed foundations and monasteries, in accordance with the Commander-in-Chief's oi'der. Art. 10. The pay of health officers, and charges relative thereto, will be recovered by a fee upon vessels and ti'avellers. Art. 11. The Monte di Pieta will be continued, but under a new organisation to be provided by the Government Commissary. Art. 12. The establishment called the ' University,' i for providing grain for the use of the Island, will be continued, but will close its present form of administration on the 1'^ Messidor [19th June], and the Government Commissary is charged to reorganise it in such a manner as to leave no anxiety to the Republic as to the provisioning of the Island. Art. 13. The hospitals will be organised on a new basis, and their needs obtained from the properties belonging to monasteries or foundations suppressed. The endowments of such hospitals which ai^e so provided for will be maintained. Art. 14. The Post Office will be organised in such a manner that the- expense thereof will be covered by a charge on letters. Art. 15. The expenses relative to the Army when passing through the Island, and for the provisions furnished it, as well as for those attending- the establishment of the new Government, will be charged against th& funds remaining disposable during that tenn of three months when the Government do not contribute towards the expense of the Army. Art. 16. The Government Commissary is authorised to make pro- visional ai-rangements for any unforeseen or unprovided-for case, rendering- an account of his procedure to the Commander-in-Chief. Malta, IStJi June 1798. Art. 1. A centi^l school shall be established, replacing the University and other chairs. Art. 2. It shall be composed of : 1st. A Professor of Arithmetic and of Stereometry, at a salary of 1,800 francs. 2nd. A Professor of Algebi^a and Stei^eometry, at a salary of 2,000 francs. 3rd. A Professor of Geometry and Astronomy, at a salary of 2,400 francs. 4th. A Professor of Mechanics and Physics, at a salary of 3,000 fi'ancs. 5th. A Professor of Navigation, at a salary of 2,400 francs. 6tli. A Professor of Chemistry, at a salary of 1,200 francs. 7th. A Professor of Oriental Languages, at a salary of 1,200 francs. 8th. A Librarian charged with the teaching of Geogi'aphy, at a salary of 1,000 francs. ^ Of course ' Univei'sity ' in this sense is equivalent to ' corporation ' or ' company. —J. H. R. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 87 Art. 3. To the Central School will be attached : 1st. The Library and Cabinet of Antiquities. 2nd. A Museum of National [sic] History. 3rd. A Botanical Garden, 4th. The Observatory. Ai't. 4. A sum of 3,000 francs will be devoted to the maintenance of the Central School and its effects. Ai"t. 5. The Professoi-s as a body will be the Council, which will estab- lish the best means of improving the instruction, and will propose to the Government Commission such measures of administration as they may deem necessary. Art. 6. The appointment of the Professors, the salary of the employees — to be decided by the Govei^nment Commission — and the expenses necessary for the maintenance of the divers establishments, will be charged on the funds formerly appi"opriated to the maintenance of the University and chair of Oriental languages. Art. 7. To the Botanical Garden will be appropriated a piece of land 30 acres in extent, which the Commission of Government will select without delay from the most fertile and nearest to the city. Art. 8. In the hospital of the city a course of Anatomy, of Medicine, and Accouchement will be established, and given by the officers attached to the same. Malta, 18^/i June 1798. Ai't. 1. Fifteen primary schools will be established in Malta and Gozo. Ai't. 2. The masters of these schools will teach their pupils reading and writing in French, the elements of Ai'ithmetic and Pilotage, and the principles of morahty and of the Fi'ench Constitution. Art. 3. The teachers will be nominated by the Commission of Govern- m.ent. Art. 4. They will have quarters allowed them in a National building, to which a garden will be attached. Art. 5. Their salary will be 1,000 francs in silver for the cities, and 800 francs for the villages. Art. 6. For the payment of each teacher, a sufficient portion will be appropriated out of the properties belonging to the suppressed monasteries. Ai't. 7. The distribution of the schools, and the regulations for their management and regime, will be confided to the Commission of Govern- ment. Malta, ISfJi June 1798.1 Bonaparte, Commander-in-Chief, oi*ders : Ai't. 1. The Bishop shall have no other jurisdiction than that of surveillance over ecclesiastics. All procedure relating to marriage will appertain to the Civil and Criminal Courts. Art. 2. It is expressly prohibited to the Bishop, the ecclesiastics, and the inhabitants of the Island to receive or pay for the administration of the Sacraments : the duties of the former, and their position, require them to ^ Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 175. 88 A HISTORY OF MALTA administer same gratis. Moreover, the fees of the Stole, and such similar charges, are abolished. Ai't. 3. No foreign prince shall exercise any power, either in the admin- istration of Religion, or in the Courts of Justice, nor shall any ecclesiastic or inhabitant appeal to the Pope or any metropolitan. Malta, 18^7i Jtme 1798. Ai^t. 1. Forty thousand francs annually will be reserved and appro- priated for the use of the hospitals, derived from the funds arising from the suppressed monasteries and endowments. Any of these endowments already appropriated for the purpose are to be taken first. Art. 2. From the national property 300,000 francs will be appropriated for payment of the Grand Master's creditors. Art. 3. National property to the value of 300,000 fi-ancs will be sold to serve for the needs of the garrison and navy. Ai't. 4. National property to the value of 300,000 francs will be sold for the purpose of providing provisions in the event of a siege. Art. 5. The Commission of Government, in concert with the Land Commission, will arrange for the sale of the said properties. Malta, I8th June 1798. Art. 1. General Vaubois will aiTange within forty-eight hours for the transportation to Rome of the English and Russian Consuls. Art. 2. If these two Consuls are Maltese by birth, this banishment will be of one year's duration, after which they may return, provided the French Republic has had no occasion to complain of them. Of the many grievances which provoked the people, perhaps those which had most influence in increasing the general discontent were such as affected the religious feelings of the population. Not- withstanding the express terms of the capitulation, Bonaparte on the 16th June ordered all monasteries of the secular Orders (with the exception of one to each) to be closed, and the surplus property- belonging to them confiscated, the proceeds of their sale being applied to the needs of education and the relief of the poor. This step, whilst meeting the views of many of the advanced Liberals, created much anxiety and alarm amongst the majority of the people, for it now became evident to them that the provisions of the Act of Capitulation had become a dead letter. The evil forebodings anticipated by many were soon to be realised, for although it had been stipulated that no extraordinary contribu- tions were to be imposed upon the islands, nevertheless national property of the value of £12,000 sterling was ordered on the 18th June to be sold 'for the needs and requirements of the Garrison and Navy.' Discontent and murmurings were naturally caused by such THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 89 extortions, and this feeling in the islands was greatly aggravated by another enactment^ of the 18th June, limiting the jurisdiction of the bishop, and introducing the form of civil marriage. These measures, which were so obnoxious to the general public, and naturally still more so to the priests, caused great excitement, but the actual presence of Bonaparte prevented for the moment any open demonstration or protest. In fact the letters which were shortly afterwards addressed to Bonaparte in Egypt, by Vaubois on the 15th, and by Bosredon Ransijat on the 17th and 31st July (which follow), exhibit the false sense of security then prevailing. The subject which more concerned the authorities at this period was their embarrassment with regard to their future supply of food, for on the 15th July Vaubois informed Bonaparte i that the difficulty of provisioning the island was great owing to the conduct of the King of the Two Sicilies, yet he hoped to have better success from Barbary. He further mentions that although the Maltese appear to become daily more reconciled to the French occupation, and show attach- ment to the new order of things, as was testified at a charming fete organised for the day preceding,^ yet they refrain from buying national property, and that consequentl}^ funds were badly wanted. He was, however, dissatisfied with the troops, who had shown signs of insubordination, owing to the privations they had endured. Finally, he added : ^ ' I am generally beloved in the Island, but I see with pain my bvethi-en-in-arms behave badly towards me, although I do my utmost to improve their position. I feel certain that if their pay is long delayed trouble will follow. We may carry on until Fructidor (September), but by then we must have funds. ' The Commission of Government and the municipalities work well. This people are very attractive by their goodness and gentleness ; I have observed them closely, and have reason to believe that no signs of machin- ations exist amongst them. ' All goes well here with the exception of a little misunderstanding with Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely (the civil governor) on one point. I believe he is in the wi'ong, for he is alone in his opinion, and if he persists it will be owing to his amour propre. It is a subject of the greatest importance, as it is a question regarding the administi^ation of the University (i.e. the corporation provisioning the Island with wheat). ' He wishes to place at the head of the Institution a man against whom much may be said. All the capitalists have the greatest fear. Regnaud has ability, but he is a little imperious, and a little vain. I will not oppose him, except in cases for the public weal, and notwithstanding this little difference in om- mode of thinking, the harmony between us shall not be destroyed.' ' Bonaparte, Lettres inedites, vol. i. p. 287. ^ The French national festival of July 14, the anniversary of the capture of the Bastille.— J. H. R. ^ Bonaparte, Lettres inedites, vol. i. p. 287. 90 A HISTORY OF MALTA On the 1 7tli July, Bosredon Ransijat, as President of the Commis- sion charged with the administration of the government of the islands,, wrote as follows : — [Translation.] Malta, 17/7i Jtdtj 1798. To General Bonaparte .^ — I take the libei'ty of inforaiing you that the Commission which you appointed to organise the new Government of these Islands pui'sues its functions with much activity and zeal, to which work it devotes the greatest assiduity. Besides the motives which cause the members to respond to the- confidence you have reposed in them, there exists the satisfaction of pei'ceiving in the Maltese people the happiest disposition to conform to the new Institutions and condition of things, particularly by the inhabitants of the city, who being more enlightened than the country people, are better able to appreciate them, and also because they are now free from the vexations of the Knights, whose departm^e they have witnessed with gi^eat joy. The people show an affectionate disposition towards the French whom you have left behind to guai'd this Island, and the magnificent fete which was celebrated here on the 14th instant, a description of which I shall leave to Regnaud, has furnished touching proofs thereof, for after- the great glee which was manifested, and the perfect harmony which prevailed between the Maltese and French, it might be truly said that in Malta there existed on that day but one nation. Although the Maltese in general are steeped in ignorance and superstition more than any other- people, they will, I trust, thanks to their natural goodness and docility,^ soon adopt and scrupulously obey the French Constitution. They are enchanted with the amiability and goodness of General Vaubois, who is truly an excellent man, and just the one to fulfil the object you had in view. His frank and loyal conduct has gained all heai-ts, and the Government Commission above all are extremely pleased with him, because he is always ready with zeal and good grace to aid us in any way which will facilitate our work. Thanks indeed are due to you, Citizen Genei-al, for having given us so good a man, who by I'eason of his excellent qualities influences so efficaciously the spirit of the Maltese, and contributes not a little to hasten the time of the submission of these good people to the new laws. I trust, therefore, that by the time you return you will be content with Malta, for by then these inhabitants will have learned to appreciate as they ought the inestimable boon of liberty^ which you have given them. (Signed) Bosredon Ransijat. Whilst the authorities so far failed to observe any sign of real danger to their rule from within the island, yet the question of victualling the garrison and inhabitants was one of supreme import- ance and difficulty so long as the Neapolitan Government continued unfriendly and the British fleet remained mistress of the seas/ and ' Bonaparte's Lettres inedifes, vol. i. p. 290. ^ Mr Hardman here somewhat anticipates events. Not until Nelson's victory of the Nile (August 1, 1798) was British maritime ascendancy assured in the Mediterranean. — J. H. R. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 91 on the 21st July Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely informed the Executive Directory in the following dispatch of the straits they were likely to be put to : — A la Cite Valette de I'lsle de Malte le 3 Thermidor an 6 {2\st Jtdy 1798).i Le Citoyen Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angely, au Directoire executif. CiTOYENS DiRECTEDRS, — J'ai lieu de craindre que les communications, ne soient interceptees momentanement ou au moins difficiles entre I'armee et I'isle de Malte. Tout nous confirme le passage de I'escadre Anglaise a Messine le 2S Juin. Un batiment venu ici a parle au pilote qui a guide leurs vaisseaux dans le detroit. II est a supposer qu'elle a fait voile vers le levant a la suite de notre escadre. Cependant tons les batimens venus de ce cote n'annoncent que I'exist- ence de 3 fregates Anglaises et un batiment leger qui croisent dans le canal. L'Escadre Fran9aise a ete vue la deraiere fois vers la Canee ^ ; et ce raport cadre avec un precedent fait par un ragusois qui avait aper^ue, le 24 Juin, le convoi et la flotte a la hauteur de Cerigo. II y a ti'ois jours est rentre un aviso sorti trois jours avant. II a trouve a 20 lieues une fregate Anglaise qui lui a pris ses munitions et vivres, mais a renvoye I'equipage et le batiment. Ainsi environnes d'ennemis nous ne sommes pas sans inquietude sur les appro visionnements. Nos allarmes sent d'autant plus gi^andes que la Sicile, ayant mis, ainsi que vous I'avez sans doute appi'is deja par mes precedentes depeches, tons nos batimens en quarantaine, les vivi'es n'aiTivent plus. Nous n'avons pas de nouvelles de deux individus envoyes pres du Vice-Roi de Palenne, avec des lettres et instructions dont le Charge d'Affaires de Naples doit vous avoir donne connaissance. Nous craignons que I'Escadre Anglaise a intercepte les batimens que j 'avals engage divers negociants a faire pai-tir, afin de rapporter des provisions que les regences ^ paraissent disposees a nous fournir. D'un autre cote le General en Chef n'a laisse ici au payeur de la Division que 50,000 [sic] environ de numeraire et de I'argenterie a fondre pour 250 a 280,000 [sic] suivant le rappoi-t du payeur.* II n'y avait rien dans la caisse de I'ancien gouvemement voidee [s^c] dans celle du payeur Esteve, avant le depart de I'Escadre. II y avait, il y a, au contraire des dettes a acquitter, dont quelques unes ne peuvent etre retardees, telles que les depenses des Hopitaux des Invalides, des Ti-ibunaux, des prisons etc. Le General en Chef autorise la vente des domaines nationaux jusqu'a concurrence de 600,000. Mais les gens du pays, peu riches et craintifs n'achetent rien. Les negociants fran^ais ne voudraient acheter qu'a des pris auxquels je ne crois pas devoir autoriser la vente. Cependant il existe ici plus de 3,000 > Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. ■ i.e. Crete.— J. H. R. ^ i.e. the regencies of Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers. — J. H. R. * Vaubois in his letter of August 29 (see below) gives these figures as 78,000 francs and 340,000 francs.— J. H. R. 92 A HISTORY OF MALTA liommes de ti'oupes, trois vaisseaux a aiiuer, dont deux le sont deja en partie, savoir le Dege et la Cartliaginoise ; les batiments qui passent, a secoui'ir, a ravitailler ; la troupe a habiller suivant un ordre du Greneral en Clief ; 500 malades de I'Escadi-e ou de la garnison a poui-voii' ; un appro- visionnement de siege de 300,000 ordonne par Bonapai-te et commande par la prudence. Enfin les depenses de I'ai'tillerie, du Genie, de 1' Arsenal, du gouvernement civil a assurei*. Ce tableau rapide vous niettra a nieme de prendre une determination sur ce que vous croirez devoir faire poui' ce poste important. II parait que les Anglais laisseront plutot les communications libres entre la France et Malte qu'entre Malte et I'Escadre fran^aise. Vous jugerez de Tusage qu'il convient de faire de cette liberte. Vous deciderez quels secoui's il est utile de faire passer en bois pour les vaisseaux, s'ils avaient besoin de radoub ; en chanvre ou coi'dage qui manque ; en approvisionnemens de marine de tout genre ; en eff ets d'hopitaux dans lesquels il n'y a pas une seule chemise, en boulets dont 1' appro visionne- ment est peu considerable ; enfin en argent. Vous jugerez des mesures a prendre avec la Cour de Naples si elle persevere a nous fermer les ports de Sicile d'oii nous aurions pu, meme en presence de nos enemis, tirer de quoi pourvoir aux besoins journaliers de I'lsle au moyen des Batimens legers qui ne peuvent etre atteints. Salut & respect. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Amjely, A second letter from Bosredon Ransijat to Bonaparte was dispatched on the 31st July, as follows : — [Translation.] Malta, 3lst July 1798. To Genekal Bonaparte,! — Since your departure the Commission (of Government) has not foi'gotten that the Islands of Malta and Gozo owe their liberty to you, and that you have left to us in General Vaubois a Citizen General who has succeeded in conciliating at the same time the confidence of the soldier and the love of the Maltese people. Further, that the French Government Commissary (Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely), zealous friend of the grand principles (of the Revolution) as well as of your glory, is the flame which guides and directs our steps in the new yet consoling career in which you have placed ns — for if we have been able to do any good, it is due, on the one hand, to the suppoi^t and trust of General Vaubois, and on the other, to the indefatigable zeal of Commissary Regnaud. Finally, it is in the hope of happy success in youi' expedition to Egypt, and the incessant desire of again seeing you not only covered with new laurels in the East, if the perfidious English follow you there, but victorious in our own districts, should they have the temerity to attack us, that animates and encourages us to fulfil our duties. The twelve municipalities which you have instituted are in full activity, and we second their efforts as much as we possibly can. The justices of the peace are in full exercise, and their ministry, which had been earnestly waited for, is found more * Bonaparte, Correspondance inedtte, vol. i. Egj^jt, jd. 430 (translation). THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 93 useful than that of the Priests, for it aifords secuinty to the laborious villagers. Means are adopted to hasten and superintend their functions, and in such a manner that the people obtain the double advantage of not only detesting the past spii*it of chicanery which existed, but also to bless the Republic and Bonaparte, who has delivered them from it. The Civil and Criminal Tribunals will shortly be instituted. The ci\ac guard, established according to youi* orders, pei^forms regular service, not only for the reserve, but also for the principal constituted authorities. The numerous monasteries have been reduced to one of each Oixler, the abusive and anti-social jurisdictions of the Bishop and Inquisitor have been abolished, and the essential portion of their archives has been united with those of the National Archives. The erection of military barracks and officers' lodgings, as well as the assessment of the patinotic tax to provide for them, is on the eve of being accomplished. A new administration of the University (providing for the supply of wheat), based on regenerating principles, tranquillising capital, which for a moment became alarmed and injured the provisioning of this place, is now going on well, and in such a manner that the Republic will have nothing to fear from English cupidity and cornaption. A Tribunal of Commerce is to be established under the name of Consular Tribunal, and the merchants are convoked for a meeting, to elect under the direction of the Government the five Judges which will compose it. A newspaper directed in the best spirit is shortly to appear to fulfil the double duty of worthily celebrating your late and glorious enterprises, and to enlighten the Maltese people on the advantages they obtain by their union with France. (Signed) Bosredon Ransijat, President of the Administration of Malta. On the day preceding the date of Bosredon Ransijat's letter to Bonaparte^ describing the working of the Government Commission, the substance of the enactment of the 18th June, which had been issued under martial law by Bonaparte personally, was proclaimed by a decree of the civil authority, as follows : [Translation.] \ Extract from the Registers of the Government Commission i Session of the SOth July 1798.1 The Commissary of the French Government having forwarded to the Government Commission his decree requiring that it should be transcribed in the proces verbal of the sitting of this day, [the Commission] agrees to his demand, and the decree has been registered as follows : — The Commissary of the French Government, having seen the Order of the General Commander-in-Chief, That the Bishop of Malta possesses only the sui'veillance over ecclesiastics ; That all proceedings relating to matrimony appertain to the Civil and Criminal Codes ; ^ Collection of Decrees issued hy the French, p. 151. Printed by order of the Govern- ment of Malta, 1840. ^4 A HISTORY OF MALTA That no foreign prince shall have any authority in the administration of Religion, nor in that of Justice ; And consequently no ecclesiastic or inhabitant can have recourse to the Pope, nor to any metropolitan — Thereby establishes : 1. The acts concerning the civil state, that is to say, of the birth, mannage, and death of individuals, shall provisionally be received by the parish priests. 2. Theii- registers shall be numbered and countersigned in duplicate by the Judges of each municipality. 3. Every year one of these registers shall be placed in the chancery •of the Civil Tribunal. 4. Every certificate of birth or death, every certificate of marriage, V which are not recorded in the registers, will be null and void, so far as the civil effects thereof are concerned, and in the eyes of the Law. 5. No one shall be allowed to avail himself either of the dispositions of the Council of Trent, or any ecclesiastical law, in order to declare as valid any marx'iage celebrated before any priest, unless he happens to be the parish priest of one of the contracting parties, after three publications, 1 with an interval of thirty days' time between each, and with the consent I of their fathers, mothers, tutors or guardians, whenever the betrothed are I not free to act according to law. i 6. No pi-oofs of witnesses, or any other kind, to serve instead of the / acts which the present deliberation requii-es, will be allowed, f 7. This decree shall be sent to the Government Commission, and by it to the parish priests, to the bishop, and to the Tribunals, to be tran- scribed in their respective registers, published, registered, and fulfilled. Malta, 29^A July [sic'] 1798. (Signed) Regnaud de Saint-Jean-d'Angely. Upon the publication of this decree the irritation of the people l)ecame extreme, and many were the signs of their anger. Amongst the number of these indications, cockades, which by the order of the 16th June all inhabitants were compelled to don, were by many defiantly discarded. To calm the indignation and allay the dis- quietude of the people which this decree had aroused, the Civil Oovernment requested the intervention of Bishop Labini, who accordingly, on the 13th August, issued the following pastoral letter, which was published in French and Italian : — [Translation.] Nos Fra Vincentius Labini, Dei et Sanctse Sedis Apostolic^ gratia Archiepiscopus Bhodi, Episcoptis Melitas. We cannot help feeling, my beloved children, with all bitterness of soul, the ti-ibulation you are now experiencing in the fear that the Holy Faith which by special blessing of the Divine Providence THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 95 lias been bestowed upon your forefathers through the medium of our great father apostle Saint Paul should now be assailed by the present Oovernment.i It is certainly not only laudable, but indeed obligatory on every Catholic to be zealous in the preservation of the Holy Faith, for without such it is impossible to please God, as we are taught by the holy minister of the ti'uth, Sine fide impossibile est placere Deo.' But an unreasonable zeal, which distui'bs not only the conscience, but also the family repose and public tranquillity, is not laudable. Our holy Religion is the lover of peace and charity. The character of true Christians, that is to say of the true disciples of Jesus Christ, has been always that of exhibiting perfect tranquillity, in the desire of being good subjects, by respecting the authority which, by Divine Providence, has been placed over them, and by being good citizens advancing the common interests. Such certainly cannot be said of those who amongst you go about disseminating false news, by which they would have you helieve that it is intended to abolish our Culta,' and to destroy our holy Religion. We cannot hide from ourselves the fact that we also have felt some uneasiness in reading certain notices issued by the Govex^nment, from which it would appear that there was an intention to declare that the sacrament of marriage in cex'tain cases, declared legal by the Catholic Ghurch, was illegal, transferring to the Civil Court all cases connected with the sacrament of marriage, and further that it was intended to prevent all appeal to His Holiness the Pope, and as if we were no longer to acknowledge and venerate that visible head and centre of our Catholic Church. But we have the pleasure to make known unto you that the Govern- ment has solemnly explained that it did not intend to attack on these points our holy Faith, inasmuch as what had been prescribed with regard to marriages had reference only to the civil effects without in any form derogating from the power and authoi'ity of the Church with regard to the sacrament of mari'iage. And so far as regards His Holiness the Pope, it was not intended to offend our consciences by preventing our recognising him as head of the Church, to whom we might refer when occasion required. In fact the Government has declared and protested that it leaves to the inhabitants of these Islands freedom to exercise the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion. Such being the case, you will clearly understand that if in the Govern- ment notices which have been published there are cei'tain expressions which appear equivocal, reason requires that such should be under- stood and interpreted by you in consonance with the capitulations entered into with Citizen Bonaparte, Commander-in-Chief, and with the clear explanations given by the depositories of public authority. Thus, as every motive causing disquietude has ceased to exist, peace and tranquillity is restored to all reasonable minds. To the further establishing this tranquillity, we assure you that the said depositories of public authority promise, with evei"y safeguai^d, that the pi'opei*ty of your Parish Churches * MS. 261, M.P.L., Vol. of Edicts of Monsignor Labini; Acts in the Bishop's Court. ! / 96 A HISTOKY OF MALTA sltall always be preserved and defended, together with the plate and treasni'es appei'taining thereto. Listen not, then, my beloved children, to those who for their own private ends, or through ignorance, disturb your minds by malicious or idle discourse, but listen rather with holy meekness to our words, with which in the discharge of our duty we acquaint you that the true and sincere zeal of our holy Faith consists principally in so acting that with all diligence om* Faith should not be sterile or dead, but living and productive of holy works worthy of eternal life. One of the principal duties so recommended to us and eai^nestly requii^ed, is certainly that of honouring, respecting, and obeying the authorities constituted by the will of God. So are we clearly taught by our gi^eat apostle St. Paul in the XIII Chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, in the II Chapter of his First Epistle to Timothy, in the XIII Chapter of his Epistle to the Hebrews, and in the III Chapter of his Epistle to Titus. So also is it recommended by the Prince of Apostles in the II Chaptei" of his First Epistle. The same was also diligently practised by the early Christians towards Princes, although Gentiles ; as is attested by TertuUian amongst others. ' We,' he says, speaking on behalf of all Christians in his Apology,' 'venerate in Emperors the justice of God, to whom he has given the Empire of Nations ; and in another place (in Chapter I) he reasons thus : ' The Christian is an enemy to nobody, much less to an Emperor, because he, knowing that he has been constituted as such by the will of his God, cannot do less than love, revei'ence, honour, and wish him well.' Let us, then, fulfil, my beloved children, with every exactness, commands so pressing, which our holy Religion imposes upon us, and let us imitate the enlightened examples of our dear forefathers, if we desii'e with faith to implore, and obtain from the Most High, Giver of all gifts, the fullness of His celestial benedictions, which we, in the amplitude of our heart, desire for you. These subversive proceedings, so offensive to the religious feelings of the people, were aggravated by others directed against the richer portion of the community. A new system of taxation was ordered to be levied with the shortest delay possible, and in such a form that the total product was to realise £28,800 annually.^ Of this sum, no less than £24,000 (£2,000 monthly) was to he paid to the military chest of the Army, so that for the luxury of French protection the inhabitants were called upon to contribute five-sixths of their total revenue. The remaining £4,800 per annum was con- sidered sufficient for the expenses of the administration of govern- ment, including the law courts. Extraneous expenses were to be defrayed out of other imposts; public instruction, hospitals, &c.j supported by the proceeds of suppressed foundations and monasteries. It was further ordered that the expenses attending the transit of ' Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 172. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 97 the army passing by Malta to Egypt, the supply of provisions, &c., should also be paid end of local fiends. The feelings of joy which the people at first experienced when rescued from the thraldom of the detested Knights soon gave place to the deepest depression. The liberty acquired was one in name only, and the rights which had been promised and guaranteed them by Article 7 of the capitulations were entirely ignored. The confidence of the people in their new masters was completely lost, but they were powerless to act. Their redemption could only be obtained through the intervention of and by an act of Divine Providence, which was shortly to come by the destruction of the French fleet. In the meantime, and -vvithin a month of the date of the decree establishing the form of civil marriage, and eleven days after the issue of Bishop Labini's pastoral letter, the muni- cipality, by order of the Government Commissary, under date of the 24th August, revised the provisional decree of the 30th July, as follows : — [Translation.] Session of the 2Uh August 1798.1 The Commissary of Goverament, considering — That the provisional regulations in force for guaranteeing the civil status of the citizens, which leaves to the priests of the various parishes of Malta the I'iglit of proving, might oifer difficulties to such who do not profess the religion of which the priests ai-e the ministers : That whatever the religious opinions of an individual may be, he or she should nevertheless fully enjoy the rights of citizenship, which the law guarantees to them : That the French law pennits perfect religious freedom, but does not acknowledge religious vows, and leaves to all the liberty of conscience, provided the law is confonned to : That the authoi'ities of the French Government are I'equired to use evei'y exertion to see that every individual i*esiding in Malta, of any religion, and whatsoever opinion they may possess, and whatsoever may have been their former position, profession, country, or habitation, shall enjoy the benefit of this liberty : Orders 1. All individuals, French, Maltese, and Foreigners, who do not wish to apply to the Parish priests for the certificate or act of civil status, can apply for same to the municipality. 2. For this purpose a triple Register will be opened, each page of which will be numbered, divided into columns, and signed by the President, in which will be entered marriages, births, and deaths. ^ Azopardi, Qiornale delta Presa di Malta, p. 80. 98 A HISTORY OF MALTA 3. To enable citizens to enter into a matrimonial contract it will be necessary. First, That in the case of minors, the espoused shall have obtained the consent of their father, mother, or guardian. Secondly, That notice of their reciprocal matrimonial engagement shall be affixed for eight days to the door of the place of sitting of their respective municipalities. If both the parties are of age, no consent of third parties is required. 4. For the proof of birth, the presence of two witnesses, one of either sex, and a certificate from the professor or midwife who has assisted at the birth, will only be required, and to be presented within twenty-four hours, under penalty for non-observance to prohibition to practise their profession, together with a pecuniary fine and imprisonment. 5. For the proof of death, the parents, friends, or neighbours of the deceased, immediately after death, will make the necessary declaration at the municipality. A municipal officer will then proceed personally and verify the reality of the case. The Funeral shall not take place until twenty-four hours have elapsed since the death. Two witnesses, parents, friends, or neighbours, with the municipal officer, shall sign the notification of death. 6. The place of burial existing in each municipality shall be common to all religions. 7. The Registers of marriages, births, and deaths shall be kept in duplicate, and at the close of each year deposited, one with the President of the Municipality, and the other with the Parish priest at the Chancery of the Civil Tribunal. 8. The municipality will grant extracts of the Registers, for proof of the civil status of the citizens, to all who may demand them, and no Judge or individual shall refuse recognition thereof, under the penalty of exile for non-conformance. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. I This notification, combined with the suppression of certain monas- I teries, &c., evidently caused some ebullition of public temper, for, I two days later, namely, on the 26th August, Regnaud de St. Jean i d'Angely gave the home Grovernment, in the follomng dispatch, the I first intimation of what he termed 'a fanatical agitation having J shown itself amongst the people ' : — i A Malte, le 9 Fructido'- I'an 6 {2Qth August 1798).i Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely, au Directoire Executif. CiTOYENS Directeurs, — Depuis mes dernieres depeches notre situation avec la Sicile, loin de s'ameliorer, est devenu plus facheuse. Le Bulletin cy-joint vous fera connottre quel est le dernier etat des •choses. Manquans icy des Dem'ees les plus necessaires au peuple, et du vin en 1 Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OF MALTA 99 particulier, j'ai encourage le plus possible un espece de commerce interlope qui nous a px'ocure quelques ressovu^ces. Mais le vin ne se chargeant qu'a Mascali, qui est un port garde, est sui' le point de manquer icy et Tliopital n'en est approvisionne que par un envoy que j'ai demande au Consul Ribaud a Messine et qu'il a effectue. Je n'entre dans ces details, minutieux en apparence, que pour fixer plus precisement vos idees sui' la position generale de I'isle et de la Div°°' et pour que vous puissies etablir par des faits les instructions que vous donneres a vos agens pres la Cour de Naples. Un Batiment Maltais appartenant a Paul Savona, par[ti] sur mes instances, pour Civita-Vecchia, a ete pris a la cote d'Avola en Sicile par un Brick Anglais. J'ai ecrit au Consul pour le reclamer et il a deja fait des demarches, jusqu'a present inutiles malgre leur legitimite. Au milieu de ces difficultes je me sens occuppe de maintenir et d'activer I'Etablissement appele I'lJniversite, charge de I'approvisionnement des grains. Les consommations ont ete i^emplacees et I'isle a encore du bled pour dix mois. Quelques mouvemens fanatiques etoient prets d'eclater par suite de la suppression de quelques couvens, fondations, et benefices, ordonnes par le Gen'' en Chef. lis ont ete etouifes par quelques mesures de precaution et Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. 122 A HISTORY OF MALTA de la campagne ont toutes leurs armes en tromblons, fusils, &c., que le General de Division avoit fait enlever lors du desarmement et que dans xm sentiment de confiance, bien mal justifie, il avoit consente a leur laisser reprendre. Les paisans ont, en outre toutes les armes qu'ils se sont procurees par des achats faits de longue main, sous pretexte d'aller en Sicile et en sus dans les boutiques de fabricants de Malte. Le nombre de celles-ci ne pent etre apprecie au juste mais il doit etre considerable. lis ont les fusils pris a nos malheureux soldats qu'ils ont egorges a la Cite Vieille. Enfin ils ont les canons pris dans les petits forts et tours de la cite, avec leurs boulets. La poudre, achetee par eux depuis longtems et 150 barils qu'ils ont enleve a la Cotonere, ou il n'y avait que quatre hommes de garde et qu'ils ont forcee. Les canons pris par eux sont au nombre de plus de 100, a la verite avec des affuts mauvais. Ils ont a leur tete les gens aises des casals, ceux surtout qui ont soufferts de I'arrivee de I'Armee Fi^an^aise, et des Pretres et des Moines. Ils ont massaccres tous les fran^ais, meme sans armes, qui etoient dehors, et les Maltais suspects d'attachement ou employes pour la Re- publique Fran^aise. Cette espece de conjuration m'avait ete annoncee pour le 10 Aoust et on m'avait designe quelques complices, qui ont ete arretes quelques jours avant celle cy. J'avais eu par un patriot I'avis detaille de ce qui est aiTive au moyen d'une confidence faite par un moine, qui a ete fusille ; tout jusqu'au brisement de I'Aqueduc etoit annonce. II n'y a que I'arrivee dea Anglais qui n'est pas encore idealise, et que je ne crains pas, mais je crains du secours des Neapolitains pour les insurges, et le blocus du poii;. Nous avons environ 39,000 ames dans les deux cites, selon les etats de population approximatifs. Mon avis etoit, d'en envoyer sur le champ, 30,000 et d'embarrasser ainsi les Rebelles par I'impossibilite de noiu'rir tant d'individus qui tous auroient agi pour les ramener au devoir par le desir de rentrer dans leurs maisons. La mesure a ete ajournee. Cependant j'ai ti^availle nuit et joui' pour assurer du pain a cette population, qu'un casal appele fornaro ou village des fovu-s, alimente jour- nellement, et j'ai reussi. On n'en a pas manque, et cette partie d& r appro visionnement journalier est certaine. Nous aurions besoin de viande et du vin en comestibles. Je voulois envoyer chercher du vin en Cephalonie, mais les fonds nous manquent ; j'espere avoir une petite resource d'un negociant qui partant pour France, laisse 8,000 louis de 48 f''^' a prendre sur I'llniversite, de I'orge pour environ 10,000 louis et du tabac pour 5,000 louis. Total a pen pres de 50,000Z. de France. Si je reussis, je tirerai sur la Tresorerie et je verserai les fonds au payeur de I'armee ; j'en ecrirai a Ramel et je vous pi*ie dans I'interet de ce malheureux pays, d'assurer le credit des fran^ois qui y sont en donnant des ordi'es pour I'acquit de cet engagement. Du reste j'ecris k Civitta Vecchia pour qu'on envoye icy des boulets, qui y sont en abondance. C'est au Commissaire a Rome que je m'adresse. J'ecris a Brune pour qu'il envoye quelques officiers, adjudant generaux, ou chef de bataillons pour commander les forts ou les postes. Vous saves combien il y en a, et le nombre des officiers superieurs est presque reduit a rien ; et encore, leur- THE INTERVENTION OF THE BRITISH FLEET 123 sante et leurs forces, pour les generaux, ne repondent pas a leui- volonte. Dans une enceinte de fortifications qui a deux lieues et plus de cii'cuit, ou on ne pent aller a clieval. L'argentaussi seroitbien necessaire pour payer les cargaisons, qui pourront nous arriver, sans cela nous serons forces de les laisser sortir, ou de les prendre sans payer — ce qui empecheroit I'entree de tous batimens et je n'hesite pas, a preferer le I'"'' parti. Enfin vous verres s'il convient de risquer quelque envoy d'hommes. Nous avons abondament des armes, vous jugeres de ce que, selon mes pre- cedentes, vous devez faire. Nous n'avons aucune nouvelle des generaux. II est possible que nous recevions de la Sicile, la nouvelle de la guerre, car il est remarquable que depuis le V' T*"*' nous n'avons eu aucune barque venant de ce cote, quoiqu'il y en a eu plusieurs de parties, meme avec des armes ; elles vont pent etre aborder a la cote dans de petits ports appeles Calles. La fregate et des chaloupes canonnieres, mises en mer, n'ont pu jusqu'a present en an'eter aucune, quoiqu'il en est paru plusieurs. Je desire, Citoyens Directeurs, pouvoir bientot vous donner des nouvelles plus heureuses, mais j'ai cru devoir vous dire la verite toute entiere. Je ne vous assure pas de la Constance de mon zele et de mes efforts ; j'espere que vous me rendez la justice d'y compter. Salut & respect. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. It will have been observed that at this council of war, held on the 6tli September, Regnaud recommended that 30,000 out of the 39,000 inhabitants of Valetta should be at once expelled ; neverthe- less his recommendation was overruled. Had his advice been adopted, how very different might have been the result of the siege ! Martial law having been proclaimed, all authority was removed from the hands of Regnaud, who on the 8th September, disappointed at the loss of power and authority, appealed to the Director Treilhard to remove him from a position in which he was now no longer of service. A Malte le 22 Fructidor an 6 de la Republique {^th September 1798). i Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely au Citoyen Treilhard, Membre du Dii-ect. Ex. Tu verras, mon cher Treilhard, par mes diverses depeches, oil nous en sommes en ce moment. Je sens qu'il est inutile de te demander de t'occuper de nous. Tant que la crise durera, je serai a mon poste, mais si elle finit je ne puis m'empecher de songer a rejoindre ma femme, mes enfants, ma famille. Je ne fais rien pour eux et je suis poui-tant leur unique ressoui'ce. J'avais apporte avec mois quelques fonds comptant suivi-e des affaires commerciales. Devenu, bien malgre moy, Commissaire du Directoire, j'ai ci-u n'en faire aucune. Je depense beaucoup plus que mes appointemens 1 Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. 124 A HISTORY OF MALTA pour exister honorablement. Ma maison en France est la meme, ma fenime et ceux auxquels j'y donne azile vivent comme si j'y etois. * Je dois done songer a les rejoindre. Je le feray si le calme renait. Ton amitie excusera si je te parle ainsi de moy, donnes m'en une preuve en recevant mon beau frere Alph. Buffault qui ira te voir, et re9ois mes voeux pour ton repos avec I'assurance de mon attachement. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. * J'invite le Directoire a me remplacer, j'auray, je crois, paye ma dette et servi avec zele, activite et courtage mon pais au poste oii j 'etois, j'espere obtenir le temoignage unanime de tout ce qui m'entoure. PS. — J'engage le porteui* de ma lettre a aller te voir pour t'instruire des details. CHAPTER X THE BRITISH BLOCKADE (From the 18th September to the 21st December 1798) By the 1 8th September the divergencies between Yaubois and Regnaud had become so acute that the latter reconsidered his determination to remain at his post until relieved, and volunteered to proceed to France for the purpose of acquainting the Ministry in Paris of the exact situation of the fortress, and to accelerate the dispatch of the necessary succour, in the shape of funds, provisions, and ammunition. Accordingly Vaubois addressed the Directory, under date of the 18th September, to the following effect : — Au Quartier General de Malta le 2°*®' jour corrfpUmentavre an 6 (18^;i September 1798) .1 Vaubois, General de Division. CiTOTENS DiRECTEURS, — Je remets cette lettre au C"' Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely qui s'est offert pour aller vous rendre compte de notre situation et accelerer I'arriver des secoui's que nous reclamons, et qui nous sont si necessaires. La Revolte des Campagnes se continue ; les Pretres ont fanatise les Paysans, et comme avant notre venue ils implorent contre nous I'ange exterminateur. Nous nous sommes tenus dans nos murs pour ne pas compromettre notre faible garnison. Elle n'est en effectif actuellement, hopitaux deduits, et d'apres nos pertes, que de 2,200 hommes, et qu'est ce que cette poignee de monde poui' une immense etendue de Remparts ? ^ D'un autre cote n'ayant pu rien tirer de la Sicile depuis notre entree ici, nous avons vecu sur le passe, et nous n'avons plus que du pain et de I'eau. Dans un pais ou le climat brulant epuise les forces du soldat, il faut autre chose pour en obtenii' un service actif . ' Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. ^ These figures of Vaubois may be contrasted with those given to Nelson by the deputation of Maltese, who reckoned the French force at about 3,000, after 1,500 had been killed ! See later in this chapter. — J. H. R. 125 126 A HISTORY OF MALTA Nous avons done besoin d'hommes et de vivres. Le Commissaire du Gouvemement par ses lettres a sonne le tocsin de la necessite de tons cotes aupres de nos consuls dans les Echelles, dans la MediteiTannee et I'Adi'iatique. Nous n'avons rien re^u. II nous faut de tout pour la marine et pour la terre. Ecoutes ce que le Citoyen Regnaud vous dii'a ; il connoit notre position en detail, il a partage nos efforts pour I'ameliorer ; il va en fau"e ailleurs de nouveaux au lieu de ceux qu'on ne peut plus tenter ici. II a la confiance du Conseil et des Officiers qui le composent et son depart est notre unique esperance pour obtenir les moyens de nous maintenir, et de nous deffendre dans notre position cruelle. Recevez I'assurance de mon devouement, de ma fidelite, de mon courage et de mon respect. (Signed) Vaubois. The day after Vaubois had confided this dispatch to Regnaud, the Marquis de Niza with his squadron appeared off Valetta, in compliance with Nelson's instructions.^ Owing to the close blockade which followed, Regnaud, who at first intended to get away in the frigate La Justice, was unable to leave until the 9th November, when, accompanied by a Maltese friend. Baron Camillo Scebberras, he left the island in a small craft, under the command of Padron G. Scolaro, and landed at Civita Vecchia on the 22nd November.^ This detention enabled Vaubois to supplement his dispatch of the 18th September with a minute and detailed note on the condition and requirements of the fortress, dated the 27th September, as follows : — NOTE SUR MALTE 6 VendeTnT'- an 7 (27th September 1798). La population des isles de Malte et du Goze, s'eleve a environ 90,000 ames ; elle est trois fois plus nombreuse que le sol en pourroit nourrir, s'il etoit total em ent cultive en grains. Les subsistances sont importees a Malte ; savoir : Lb Bled du Levant. Les Batiments Grecs et Ragusois qui transportent annuellement les bleds de I'Egypte dans les ports de , relachent presque tons a Malte ; beaucoup y vendent leurs cargaisons.^ Une Commission dite de I'llniversite est uniquement chargee de I'achat des grains, qu'elle revend ensuite aux habitants a un prix constant. La ^ Private Journal. ^ From Villeneuve's dispatch to the French Minister of Marine and the Colonies, under date of the 30th November 1798, it would appear that the name of this craft vras the Desiree, which carried Lieutenant Vathier in supreme command. ^ The name left blank would enable us better to understand the nature of this little-known trade in Egyptian wheat. Probably its destination was Algeria or Morocco. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 127 difference du prix d'achat a celui de vente, couvre les frais de magasinage, interets des fonds, pertes dans les annees diseteuses, &c. Je crois que les derniers achats ont eu lieu a raison de 10 francs le quintal et que la livre de pain se vend 25 centimes (5 sols). L'approvisionnement etoit fait pour 8 mois pour la totalite des habitants. Bestiaux de la Sicile & DES Etats de Tunis et de Tripoli. Sous I'ancien gouvemement, cet article ne s'importait que de la Sicile. Les entraves que la Cour de Naples y met aujourd'hui le reduisent a peu de chose et il seroit nul sans la contrabande. Tunis & Tripoli fournissent a meilleur compte. Le Grand Maitre Pinto, ayant eu quelqu'altercation avec le Roi de Naples relativement a la suzerainete de ce dernier sur risle de Malte, il passa une treve avec les Etats Barbaresques et en tira toutes les subsistances. Les Maltais disent n'avoir jamais ete plus abondamment pourvu, et a aussi bon marche que durant cette treve. Une cargaison de 140 bcBufs a dernierement ete apportee de Tripoli et des marchands Maltais sont partis pour y faire de nouveaux achats. La consommation de la viande n'est pas en raison du nombre des habitants, car beaucoup vivent de poisson marine, legumes sees &c. On eleve a Malte un grand nombre de cochons. Le Vin de la Sicile. Cet article manque — la proximite de la Sicile et la facilite des transports f aisoient negliger les approvisionnements, qui maintenant sont tres difficiles. lis ne peuvent s'effectuer qu'a la derobee et sui' de tres petits bateaux. Bois 1 brOlee, des cotes de la Mer Adriatique. — Charbon de Civita Vecchia. Ces deux articles manquent absolument. La consommation en est moindre a Malte qu'ailleurs. Elle se borne a la prepai*ation des aliments et a I'exercise de quelques metiers. Le charbon est preferable au bois ; parcequ'a volume egale il fait beaucoup plus d'usage. Les revenues de Malte montent annuellement a . . . l,200M=i}. La depense actuelle est 6valuee par mois a cent mille ecus et par an a . . . . . . . . . . . 3,6001rffi. Malte coute done en ce moment a la Metropole . . . 2,400ML. Elle coutera moins k la paix ; parceque les Douanes, presentement nuUes, rendront beaucoup, parceque les Domaines Nationaux, qui sont tres nombreux, rendront pareillement, soit qu'on les loue ou qu'on les vende ; en disposer avant cette epoque, quelque le mode adopte, se [ce ?] seroit favoriser des agioteurs au depens de la chose publique. On trouvera qu'une depense de 3 millions six cents mille livres est excessive et Ton pensera avec raison que I'Ordre ne depensoitpas une telle somme pour I'entretien de Malte. Mais il faut observer : — V' Que les principaux emplois etoient confies a de riches commandeurs et ne coutoient rien a I'Etat. 2°' Que rOrdre n'entretenoit point de Troups a I'exception de la garde du Palais et a celles des Forts presque toutes composees de veterans ; le 128 A HISTORY OF MALTA reste n'avoit que le logement niid et ne recevoit de solde que pour les joui*s de service efPectif qui etoient rares. 3°' Que les travaux publics, fortifications &c. etoient executes par des esclaves ; I'entretien des autres parties de 1' administration militaire etoit tres neglige ; temoin I'etat ou nous avons trouve I'artillerie. Le Genei^al Bonaparte a emporte tout le numeraire qui etoit dans les caisses publiques. J'en ignore F approximation. II n'a laisse pour faire face aux depenses joumalieres que I'argenterie des eglises ; on s'est occupe de monnoyer celle-ci.^ La gamison est sur le pied de I'interieui^ elle ne re9oit que du pain. Le haut prix de la viande et I'incertitude des approvisionnements out motive cette mesure, ordonnee par le Genei"al en Chef. II en resulte que le pret doit etre fait exactement tons les cinq jours. Pour gagner du temps, on ne paye aux troupes que le courant ; le remboursement de I'arriere a ete renvoye a un temps plus opportun ; dela des murmures. L'enti'etien des fortifications est estime a 60Mfe par an, celui des biens nationaux doit etre considerable ; il y a beaucoup de niaisons et de magasins de commerce. Je crois que c'est tout au plus, si les fonds poar le mois de Yendemiaire, peuvent etre faits. L'etablissement des Fran^ais a Malte a necessite des depenses extraordinaires, qui ont absorbe la caisse, telles sont : Les Informations Militaires. Tout etoit a creer — I'hopital excepte. II n'existoit pas un fort, une caserne, un corps de garde, ou il se trouvat un seul des meubles les plus urgents. Sous I'ancien gouvemement tout soldat Maltais portait son m.enage a la caserne et y vivoit avec sa famille. L'Habillement. Conformement a I'ordre du General Bonaparte on a fait des acbats de toile de coton pour habiller les troupes de la Division. L'Artillerie. A peine un tiers des affuts pent servir ; le reste est pourri et le petit nombre de coups de canon que les Maltais ont tire h notre arrivee, a suffit pouj.' demonter les pieces : on travaille a les retablir. Lazaretts. L'ancien Lazaretb, suffisant autrefois, ne Test plus aujourd'hui. Le General Bonaparte en a oi^donne un nouveau destine aux troupes f ran^aises ; il a fallut I'enclore et le meubler. Secours Individuels. D'apres la reddition de Malte chaque Chevalier a re9u 600 francs pour ses frais de voyage. Sous la domination des Chevaliers cette Isle n'etoit ^ Students will find it interesting to compare the great expenses incurred by a Government of the European type in Malta (that is, over and above those of the old Government) with the similar difficulties resulting from Bonaparte's extensive and ambitious reforms in Egypt. See Kleber et Menou en Egypte, passim. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 129 qu'un vaste monastere. Ainsi que dans toutes les communautes religieuses beaucoup d'individus vivoient des bienfaits de I'Ordre ; soit en exei^^ant de petits emplois, soit entierement de niodiques pensions. L'abob'tion de rOrdi'e les a laisses sans pain ; il a fallu venir a leur secours. Pour le faire avec plus d'economie, on a ci-ee quatre eompagnies de veterans composees de tons les militaii'es Maltais sexagenaires, 4 com- pagnies de canoniers pris pai*mi ceux du ci-devant Ordre et une compagnie d'ouvi^ers d'Artillerie. Enfin on ne pent refuser la pain aux femmes et enfants en bas age des matelots & militaires que Bonaparte a emmenes. 'RisxjMi. D'apres I'expose ci-dessus ; il est indispensable de faire passer Malte : — Quelques cargaisons de vin de France, elles s'y vendront bien. Du charbon ; la Cote de Terracma a Civita VeccMa en abonde. Je crois qu'un approvisionne[me]nt de viande salee y seroit aussi necessaire. Du numeraire. Quelque moyen que Ton adopte, pour la subsistance de la garnison je n'en connais point de plus assure et de moins couteux que le numeraire. The insurrection of tlie Maltese had by this time raised the hopes and aspirations of the Order and its chief officials, who, under the protection of the Czar of Russia, trusted to regain possession of the island, and on this point a suggestion to that effect was now made to the British Government. i In the meantime, Lord Grenville on the 3rd October transmitted to Sir William Hamilton, His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the Court of Naples, full powers for negotiating and signing a treaty of defensive alliance with that Government, and on the same day wrote to Sir William Dispatch No. 7, of which the following is a synopsis ^ : — Lord Grenville to Sir Wm. Hamilton. Dispatch No. 7. ^rd October 1798.3 Among the first objects to which His Majesty's attention would b& directed in case of the renewal of the war between Naples and France, would be that of establishing an effective blockade of Malta. ... If by these measures the Island of Malta should be wrested from the French, it will remain to be considered what future system should be adopted for its defense and government. The communications from the Court of N^aples on this head ai^e in the highest degx-ee liberal and fiuendly. But His ^ In chap, xxi of the Camb. Mod. History (vol. viii) I have shown from the reports of our envoy to St. Petersburg (Sir Charles Whitworth) that the Czar, Paul I,, attached the highest importance to the possession of Malta, and proposed to send a fleet into the Mediterranean largely for that purpose. — J. H. R. * Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 11. ^ Strange to say, the news of Nelson's victory at the Nile (August 1) did not reach London umtil October 2. — J. H. R. i 130 A HISTORY OF MALTA Majesty does not entertain any idea of acquiring the sovereignty of Malta to himseK, or of any of the Venetian Islands.' He is ignorant how far any such wish is entertained by the Emperor of Russia, or by His Sicilian Majesty, though it does not appear to His Majesty that such an acquisition would be advantageous to either of those sovereigns. He has, however, directed the Court of St. Petersburg to be sounded on the subject — in the meantime, [he] transmits a suggestion which has been made here on the subject of the restoration of the Order as the best means of settling the question. On the 4th October, Captain Alexander John Ball, whose associa- tion with Malta and the Maltese became in the future so intimate, was ordered by Nelson to proceed from Naples in His Majesty^s ship Alexander, taking under his command the frigate Terpsichore, Captain Gage ; sloop Bonne Citoyenne, Captain Nisbet ; and fireship Incendiary, Captain Barker; and co-operate with the Portuguese squadron in blockading the Maltese ports, stopping all supplies for the French garrison, and preventing the escape of the French ships of war which had taken refuge there.^ These British ships, however, did not get away from Naples until the 6th October. The early surrender of Yaletta being expected. Nelson was given to understand that the Neapolitan Grovernment laid claim to the island, to which he raised no objection, provided that it was agreed that the French warships there sheltered should be delivered up to him, as his legitimate prize, when the time came ; and provided, further, that in the eventual fall of the island it should not be ceded to any other Power without the previous consent of His Britannic Majesty.^ Vaubois on the 7th and 12th October acquainted the French Government ^vith Saumarez's and De Niza^s summons to surrender, and of the difficulties experienced by his troops, for the want of absolute necessities : clothing, food, wine, brandy, bullets, lead, all being urgently required. Au Quartier General de Malta le 16^™*' Vendemiaire an 7 {1th October 1798).* Vaubois, General de Division, au Directoire Ex^cutif. Depuis quatre decades nous sommes bloques dans Malte par teirre par tous les habitans de I'isle en insur-rection, et par mer par quatre vaisseaux ^ portuguais et deux fregates. Vous pouvez compter siu* le ' This declaration is of great importance. There is no proof that Great Britain desired to keep Malta until the aggressions of Bonaparte in 1802-3 on the Mediterranean States made its tenure by the reconstituted Order of St. John most precarious. See my Life of Napoleon, vol. i. ch. xvii. — J. H. R. " Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 141. ^ Ihid. vol. iii. pp. 146-47. * Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. * Vaisseaux technically means ' ships of the line.' — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE-1798 131 courage des Republicains qui se trouvent enfeiines ici, mais nous manquons de tout. Nous n'avons pas de viande ; nous n'avons point de vin, nous n'avons point d'eau de vie ; tous commestibles en general nous manquent excepte le ble. Nous sommes nial appx'ovisionnes en boulets de 18 et de 24 ; nous n'avons pas de plomb pour faire des balles. Un million de cartouches d'infanterie nous serait necessaire. Nous n'avons pas assez de troupes a beaucoup pres pour garder nos immenses rempai-ts. Le soldat mal noui'ri est sur les dents. Nous manquons absolument d'habillements, de tout genre. Les bivouacs souffrent prodigieusement. II en faudrait non seulement pour les soldats, mais encore pour les matelots des vaisseaux Le Guillamme Tell, La Diane, La Justice, La Cartaginoise et Le Bego. Partie de ces matelots font le service a terre pour nous aider. Hier 14 du courant j'ai fait une sortie qui a coutte des bommes a I'ennemi, mais nous avons aussi perdu des braves, et nous n'avons rien a perdre ; la fanatisme et la haine qu'on a inspire aux gens du paiis [_sic] depuis longtems a eleve leui' covu'age a un point exti'aordinaire ; nous €sperons, Citoyens Dii^ecteurs, que vous nous i-avitailleres en hommes et en vivres. Comptez sui' notre courage qui ne dementira nos actions de buit annees. Malgre le blocus par mer, on peut venir des cotes d' Italic et de France, et entrer aisement quand un vent du Nord Quest force nos ennemis de deriver sous le vent. Les Anglais ont paru avec les portugais. Nous ne Savons pas ce que sont devenu les Anglais. ^ lis m'ont fait une sommation signe le Marquis de Nizza, centre amiral Portugais et Saumarez chef de division Anglais qui etait a la tete de douze vaisseaux dont neuf demates. Cette sommation portait de me rendre, qu'on nous reconduirait a Marseille ; ■de leui" livi'er les batiments de guerre Fran^ais et le vaisseau et la fregate du ci-devant ordre de Malte. lis sommaient en apparence en faveur des Maltais. Cette sommation etait accompagnee d'une lettre signee de deux chefs de revolte de I'isle, Saverto Carouana membre de la commission du gouvernement, et Manuel Vitale de la Citte Vieille, mandataire du peuple. Ci-joint ma reponse aux premiers, et rien aux derniers. Vous avez oublie sans doute que des fran^ais sont dans Malte. Le sort de ses habitans ne doit pas vous regarder. Quant a votre sommation, les fran9ais n'entendent pas ce stile.' Des notre arrivee ici, le Roi de Naples nous a ferme la Sicile, ce qui cause notre penurie. Notre attention est obligee de se porter aussi sur I'interieur de la ville oii nos ennemis ne manquent pas d'avoir un tres grand nombre de partisans. Nous avons un extreme besoin d'argent : Le peu de denr^es que I'on trouve a deja sextuple de prix. Vous instruire de notre situation est eveiller votre sollicitude qui surement viendra a notre secours. Salut, Respect et Devouement, &c. (Signed) Vaubois. ^ i.e. the ships of Saumarez's squadron wliich had sailed for England. — J. H, R. k2 132 A HISTORY OF MALTA Au Quax'tier General de Malta le 21 Vendemiaire an 7. {\Wi October 1798).! Yaubois, General de Division aux Citoyens Composant Le Directoire Ex:ecutip. Depuis mes premieres lettres ecrittes, le Citoyen Regnaud, commissaire, contrarie par les vents, n'a pu partii\ II n'a eu que plus de temps pour connoitre notre situation. Je reitere mes solli citations pour un ravitaille- ment. Non seulement il est indispensable physiquement, mais il doit aussi faire perdre confiance a ces insui'ges de I'isle qui comptent au moins autant siu' notre penurie, que sur leur courage. Salut et Respect. (Signed) Vaubois. From the following document, found amongst Lord Nelson's papers, it would appear that a series of questions had been sent to Malta soon after his arrival at Naples, which in due course were announced on the 12th October: — State op the Islands of Malta and Gozo on the 12th Day of October 1798.2 Questions. 1st. What force does the Fi-ench consist of in the Island of Malta ? 2nd. What posts are they in pos- session of ? 3rd. What quantity of provisions have they got, and of what quality ? 4th. Are they sickly ? 5th. How near are the Maltese posts to those of the Fi'ench, and what is the force and state of the Maltese opposed to them ? Answers. 1st. Supposed to be 3,000 sol- diers and sailors, and not above 1,500 Maltese, of which not scarce 100 will take up arms for the French. 2nd. The whole city and all the posts immediately belonging to it, excepting Corradino, which is in pos- session of the Maltese, and commands part of the harboui\ They have guns en masque, but not any works thrown up. 3rd. Com for eighteen months, and mills, plenty of oil, very Httle cheese ; scarce the smallest taste of anything else. The acqueduct is cut off, but they have wells not hkely to fail but in summer. 4th. At the time of the insurrec- tion there were 700 in the hospital. 5th. Corradino is very near the French posts. The Maltese are about 10,000 in arms, and could drive them out of several posts if of use, but the. French could easily retii^e to St. Elmo. 1 Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34907, f. 408. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 133 Questions. 6th. Have the Maltese any guns mounted, or any that can command the French posts or the ships in the harboui' ? 7th. What is the nnmher and state of the French ships of wai' in the harbour ? 8th. Have they any transports or merchant vessels ready for sea ? 9th. Of what description are they ? 10th. Have they any galleys or gunboats ? 11th. Wliat ai"e the Maltese most in want of ? 12th. Wliat are the number of the Maltese camps, and the troops in each ? 13th. Are there any Foreign offi- cers arrived from Sicily or Naples to assist the Maltese ? Answers.- 6tli. About twelve mounted : two on Corradino, four at Sanu^at, two or three at each of their camps. There are thirty unmounted of different calibres. No post of theirs commands any part of the harbour but Corradino. 7th. Two ships of the Line and three frigates. The Guillaiime Tell is much damaged, but may put to sea. The St. Giovanni, formerly a Maltese 64, ready for sea ; very old and in a bad state, and badly manned. La Diane and La Justice, French fi'igates, in good order, and ready for sea. The St. Maria, formerly a Maltese 40-gun frigate, badly manned, but ready for sea. 8th. One cutter and four or five Greek or other merchant ships. 9th. Only two of any size. 10th. Two galleys and foui' gun- boats. 11th. Principally bombs and mortars. They also want more powder and muskets, and balls to fit theii' cannon, but cannot exactly tell their calibre. 12th. *At Sanu-at 1,000, at St. Joseph 4,000, at St. John's 500, at Corradino 500, at Zabbar 700, and at Zeitun 800. 13th. None. Island of Gozo. 1st. What force does the French consist of ? 1st. Not 50 men, who are all in the castle. They have corn and water, but no mills, wood, or any convenience whatever. Few of the people of Gozo are armed. They have about 60 Fi-ench prisoners. Remarks: — On Satui-day (1st September), the day before the Revolu- tion, the French, in addition to their usual professions in the Gazette,' * A Portuguese officer has arranged the distribution of the camps, and can give a more correct account. (Note added to report.) 134 A HISTORY OF MALTA issued a Manifesto, declaring that they should consider the Plate and riches of the churches as sacred, and promising neither to take nor request. It was the very next morning, when the churches wei"e opened for Public worship, they began their plunder, and the Maltese, injured and irritated beyond bearing, took upon themselves their own revenge. Among the French whom they put to death was a general officer who had been very active. On his wife they found a plan for entering all the towns on the Island, murdering the strongest and richest of the inhabitants, and taking pos- session of the best houses. They also found a paper of the distribution of different classes of people to different employments. In this paper 60 Maltese were destined for bui'ying the dead. The French, when questioned on this subject, said that, as they expected soon to be attacked by the English, and as it was their custom to conceal their loss of men as speedily as possible, they had intended this preparation for it ; but the Maltese are fully persuaded these men were destined to bui'y as quick as possible those of their countrymen who were to have been murdered by the French for the sake of plunder. In the sortie above 50 of the French threw down their arms and begged to join the Maltese, but they were fired on indiscriminately with the others. 1 All the dead bodies of the French the Maltese could lay hold of they decapitated, and carried the heads about the Island with parsnips in their teeth, in revenge for the French having given out they had no provisions on the Island but parsnips. By the 13th October Nelson completed the repairs and refitting- of his fleet, and on that day acquainted his chief, the Earl of St. Yincent, with his intention to sail for Malta on the following Monday, in accordance with his promise to the Maltese insurg'ents. [Extract,] Naples, October IWi, 1798.3 To Eael St. Vincent. — . . . We sail on Monday morning. When at sea, I shall detach Audacious and Goliath to join my dear friend Ball off Malta, to whom I shall entrust the blockade. The Government here are very sanguine about Malta, expecting to get hold of it in a short time. I am not so sanguine. The French have bread and water. I shall send to the Fi-ench Commanders a proper letter offering my mediation with the injured and plundered Maltese, but should the Fx^ench ships escape, in that case I shall not trouble myself either "with the capitulation, or in obtaining mercy for the deluded people who have joined them. . . . The Island is certainly the property of the King of Naples. . . . (Signed) Nelson.^ ' This and other statements in these Remai-ks are incorrect. — J. H. R. - Clarke and MacArthur, Nelson, vol. ii. p. 116. •' For the whole dispatch see Nelson Dispatches, vol. iii. pp. 148, 149. For the causes of the long delay in repaii-ing the fleet, see the previous dispatches, especially that of October 9.— J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 135 On Monday, the 15th October, at 10.30 a.m., after being honoured with a visit on board the Vanguard from the King of Naples, Nelson sailed for Malta, taking with him the Minotaur, Audacious, Goliath, and Mutine, the two former ships having been detached from Sir John Saumarez's fleet. The King of Naples having expressed a desire that Nelson should return to Naples in the first week of November, his projected visit to Egypt, and destruction of French shipping there, was abandoned. Sailing by the western coast of Sicily, and the fleet being in need of wine. Nelson anchored off Marsala on the evening of the 21st October, and there entered into an agreement for a supply from Mr. John Woodhouse. On Tuesday, the 23rd, at 4 p.m., he resumed his voyage to Malta, arriving off that island at noon of the 24th, relieving the Portuguese squadron, which sailed for Naples to refit on the 25th. On this latter day a deputation of Maltese notables, consisting of the Marquis Vincenzo de Piro, Count Ferdinand Theuma- Castelletti, Count Salvadore Manduca, and Canon Caruana, waited upon Nelson, and presented him with a statement of the position of affairs in the island, to the following effect : — [Translation.] Brief Statement of the Present Situation of the Maltese.i The Maltese people having happily captured Citta Vecchia (Notabile), the maritime foi'tresses, and the entire country districts, completely blockading the French in Valetta, and the other three adjacent cities, i.e. Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, have thus gained considerable advantages over their enemies. This will be understood by reflecting on the fact, that although the French, after the defeat they so ignominiously suffered in their first sortie from Valetta, had decided, and with defiant expressions threatened on their second sortie, with the aid of 500 subsidised Greeks and disloyal Maltese, to show no quarter, yet whilst firing against our positions innumerable discharges of shot and shell, they became discouraged, and as they retired our advance guard, closing in, compelled them to take refuge within the walls. The French troops are well organised, commanded by efficient officers, and furnished with excellent arms ; whilst the Maltese troops, on the contrary, are irregulars, with few guns, and those not very good, captained by individuals whom necessity and not profession has made officers. The number of the French at the commencement of the revolution was about 4,500 in Malta and Gozo. Of these we have captui^ed about 60 prisoners, and about 1,500 have been killed — so that to about 3,000 which remain there may be added 500 Greeks and a few evil-minded Maltese.- 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34950, f. 188. ^ Contrast these rough estimates with the total of 2,200 French troops as stated by Vaubois to the Directory on 18th September. See ante. — J. H. R. 136 A HISTORY OF MALTA From this number, after deducting the number required to man the fortifications and public places of the four cities, which would be about 1,000, there will remain, after allowing for the sick, about 2,000 available, or a trifle more, for any contemplated sortie. Against this number we are able to occupy our positions with about 3,200 men badly equipped with guns, but no bayonets, and from 6,000 to 7,000 men armed, some with pikes, some with swords, and others with cudgels. From this number we have lost no pi'isoners, and on various occasions we have had about ten killed. i Such, more or less, is about the state of present affaii^s as i-eported to the militaiy. With regard to food in possession of our enemies, they are well pro- vided with wheat and oil, although wanting in meat and cheese ; whilst we, on the contrary, have but a poor supply of wheat. Of this kind of food we are sending to Sicily for a supply by means of speronare,2 but this will assist us only in a small degree, and is not sufficient ; we i^equire ship-loads to be properly supplied. Foreign money adapted to trade has become scarce, whilst Maltese money for the gi'eater par-t is held by the Maltese now within the besieged city. We have money at Barcelona, but the means of bringing it are wanting. The Sicilians might be prevailed upon to sell their wheat upon credit to the Maltese, whose integrity they have always experienced, and who would offer them every guarantee. At the present moment nothing else makes us anxious but this scarcity of wheat. We therefore approach your Excellency, with tears in our eyes and with all humility, begging that by your means and protection we may be able to obtain the necessary provisions in wheat and barley, so that we may succeed in triumphing over our common enemy, pro- mising in all sincerity that we shall keep in perpetual memory our wannest gratitude for such particularly gi-eat favour by the granting of GUI' petition. (Signed) Marchese Vincenzo de Piro. „ CoNTE Ferdinando Theuma-Castelletti. ,, Conte Salvadore Manduca. „ Canonico Caruana. To this report was attached the following statement of the expenses incurred for maintaining the insurgents then under arms. They are given in detail^ village by village ; but for lack of space we can give only the total cost. It amounted to 46^979 scudi^ or <£3,914 18s. M. Nelson has left on record a ^Memorandum of what passed between himself and the Deputies of the Island of Malta ^ at this interview, which runs as follows ^ : — ' The estimate of ten Maltese killed, as against about 1,500 of the French, should be noticed. It throws light on the credibility of this statement. — J. H. R. ^ The speronara is a Maltese small coasting vessel. — J. H. R. ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34902, f. 158. In Nelson's own writing. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 137 On Wednesday, October 2-lth, I ari-ived off the Islands of Grozo and Malta. I saw the Fi-ench colours flying on the castle of Grozo and in the town of Malta. I learned from Captain Ball that the Islanders were using evei'y endeavour to force the French to abandon the Island, and I also learned with astonishment that not the smallest supply of ai-ms or ammunition had been sent from Sicily by the King of Naples. Sui-e I am his Minister told me that the Governor of Syi'acuse had oi^ders to supply secretly the inhabitants of Malta with arms and ammunition, and that officers were gone to Malta to encourage the Maltese in their resistance against the French, and when the Alexander sailed for Malta I went with Sir William Hamilton to General Acton to offer that the Alexander should carry to the Island any supplies the King might wish to send. The answer was to this effect, that supplies had been (furnished), and that there was nothing necessary to be (sent) from Naples. Conversations and letters on the subject of Malta had frequently taken place between Sir William Hamilton, the (Marquis) de Gallo, and myself, and from them, particularly the convei-sation on Friday evening, the 12th October, I was led to believe that promises of protection, with supplies of ai'ms, ammuni- tion, and provisions, had been given to the inhabitants of Malta. What must have been my surprise when I found that neither promises of pro- tection, nor the smallest supply of arms, ammunition, or provisions, had been sent to the Island ; and that so far from supplies of provisions being granted fi^om Sicily, a quarantine has been laid on the vessels of the good people of Malta, equal to those of the French. The petition of the Maltese deputies, dated the 5th Sej^tember, was duly laid before His Majesty the King of Naples, but from, what can be gathered from the already quoted letter from General Acton to Sir William Hamilton, of the 12th September, it does not appear to have succeeded in obtaining the immediate co-operation of that Government, or any promise that it would be granted. Accordingly a second petition was prepared, and a copy handed to Nelson through Captain Ball on the 25th October. This petition ran as follows : — [Translation.] To His Majesty the King of the Two Sicilies.^ The Maltese people, who have always been attached to Your Majesty, have now the honoui', with the most profound humility and respect, to represent that they are conscious of the pain which Yorn* Majesty must have experienced in learning of the usurpation by the French Republic of these two Islands of Malta and Gozo, a pain which must have been increased upon hearing of the laws, or more strictly speaking, of the despotical and tyi-annical measures enacted by it, culminating at last in their shameful disregard of the agi'eement which had been established with all formality. Such is the cause which at last has overcome all restraint, and has given occasion for the commencement of what [it] is hoped will be the I'edemption of these two Islands. ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34942. 138 A HISTORY OF MALTA In this enterprise the Maltese people have happily succeeded, so far as Citta Vecchia, the sea-board fortresses, and the entire country are concerned, and to such an extent that the French, since the second day of the Revolu- tion, find themselves blockaded in the city of Valetta and the three adjacent cities. The captui'e of these, and more particularly that of the city of Valetta, by the Maltese people alone, is most difficult, not only on account of their fortifications, but also owing to the abundance of wheat which the enemy possesses. The providential arrival of the English and Portuguese squadrons, due to Your Majesty's intercession, intercepts all arrivals in aid of the French^ whether of men or food. In the extreme penury of munitions of war in which we find ourselves, they have in their exti'eme goodness supplied us with about 1,300 muskets and sundry barrels of powder, so that to-day, with this addition, our musketeers are now 3,300. We have also 35 iron cannon distributed in various positions, thegreate.st calibre of which is 18, butof mortarsand bombshells we have none. We have further to represent to Your Majesty, that as the supply of wheat is preserved in the cities now in possession of the enemy, and as this revolt of the people has taken place most suddenly, we find ourselves totally unprovided with the means of subsistence, and for this reason the Maltese people approach Youi' Majesty without delay, to represent the state of affairs in Malta, and to humbly present their petitions, in order that they may obtain fi'om the singular beneficence, readiness, and attachment of Your Majesty to these Islands, the necessary aid. That whereas, owing to the complete suppression of all ti^de in Malta since the usui^pation of the Island by the French, nearly all Foreign money has disappeared, whilst the local money is chiefly possessed by the Maltese now within the beleaguered city, and that consequently the Maltese people are deprived of the means of obtaining a sufficient and constant sustenance, which is the cause of the greatest anxiety. The People therefore prostrate themselves at the feet of Your Majesty in all humility, beseeching that Yoiu' Majesty will order that the necessary beneficent means may be provided to the Maltese from Sicily, even on credit, if they are unable to pay for its value at once in money or effects, and which they will be able to liquidate hereafter, should the war continue for any length of time. Moreover, we are unable to recover, through the want of means, a considerable sum of money which we have at Barcelona, the value of cotton shipped there. We therefore humbly supplicate Your Majesty's favour to appeal to His Catholic Majesty, in order that the eai-ly withdrawal of the aforesaid sum may be facilitated. In anticipation of Your Majesty's benevolence, we sign ourselves the Deputies of this Population. (Signed) Salvadore Maxduca. ,, Ferdinando Theuma-Castelletti. ,, ViNCENZO DE PiRO. „ Canonico Caruana. Endorsed by Nelson in his own writing : ' Delivered to me by Captain Ball, October 25th, 1798. (Signed) Horatio Nelson.' THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 139 Nelson further issued on the same day tlie following instructions to Captain Ball ^ : — 2hth October 1798. To Captaix Ball, His Majesty's sliip Alexander. You are hereby required and directed to take under your command the ships named in the margin (^Audacious, Goliath, Terpsichore, Incendiary), their captains having my directions to follow your orders, and to undertake the blockade of the Island of Malta, and to prevent as much as in your power any supplies of arms, ammunition, or provisions getting to the Fi-ench army, or the port in their possession, and to grant every aid and assistance to the Maltese, and consulting with the Maltese delegates upon the best methods of distressing the enemy, using every effort to cause them to quit the Island or oblige them to capitulate. And relying upon your zeal and abilities in the service, in the event of a capitulation with the enemy, the Island, towns, and forts to be delivered to the Islander's, to be restored to their lawful sovereign, but to insist upon the French ships, Guillatmie Tell, Diane, and Justice, to be delivered up to you, with all the French property in the place; and you are to dispatch the Terpsichore to N'aples on the 14th November next, with an account of youi^ proceedings to that time. (Signed) Horatio Nelson. In accordance with the desire of the Maltese deputation. Nelson addressed a second summons to Vaubois and Villeneuve to surrender, as follows : — To the French General and Admiral commanding in the town of Valetta and port of Malta.^ His Britannic Majesty's ship Vanguard, Off Malta, 2oth October 1798. Gentlemen, — In addressing to you this letter containing my determina- tion respecting the French now in Malta, I feel confident that you will not attribute it either to insolence or impertinent cui'iosity, but a wish of [having] my sentiments cleai'ly understood. The present situation of Malta is this : The inhabitants are in possession of all the Island, except the town of Valetta, which is in your possession ; that the Islanders are in arms against you; and that the Port is blockaded by a Squadron belonging to His Britannic Majesty. My objects are to assist the good people of Malta in forcing you to abandon the Island, that it may be delivered into the hands of its lawful Sovereign, and to get possession of Le Guillaume Tell, Diane, and Justice. To accomplish these as speedily as possible, I offer, that on the delivery of the French ships to me, that all the troops and seamen now in Malta and Gozo shall be landed in France, without the condition of their being prisoners of war ; that I will take care that the lives of all those Maltese who have joined you shall be spared, and I offer my mediation with their Sovereign for the restoration of their propei'ty. Should these offei-s be rejected, or the French ships make their ^ Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 157 (edit. 1845). - Ibid. vol. iii. p. 155 (edit. 1845). 140 A HISTOKY OF MALTA escape, notwitlistanding my vigilance, I declare that I will not enter or join in any capitulation which the General may hereafter be forced to enter into with the inhabitants of Malta, much less will I intercede for the forgive- ness of those who have betrayed their duty to their country. I beg leave to assure this is the determination of a British Admiral, and I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant, (Signed) Horatio Nelson. To this summons the following reply was received ^ : — [Translation.] Valetta, 2hth October 1798. Sir, — We have received the letter which you have done us the honour to write. Jealous of meriting the esteem of our N"ation, as you are in that of yours, we are resolved to defend this Fortress to the last extremity. With regard to the interest you take in the welfare of the country rebels, we have only to say that their perjured conduct will bring them to their ruin — that is all which they will gain by their insensate enterprise. We sincerely regi'et that they should have become the dupes of certain ambitious Counsellors, and we are determined to repulse their efforts with all the coui-age of which men of honour are possessed. We have the honour to be, Sir, (Signed) General Vaubois. „ Rear-Admiral Villeneuve. Two days later^ the 27th October, Captain Ball was ordered to proceed to Gozo in the Alexander, and summon the French troops stationed there to surrender.^ Lieutenant-Colonel Lochey, with the troops under his command (217 in number), surrendered the day following, the articles of capitula- tion, which had been prepared by Nelson, being signed on the 28th, Avhen Captain Cresswell, of the Marines, took possession, hoisting His Britannic Majesty's colours. The day following the island was delivered up in form to the local deputies, and His Sicilian Majesty's colours hoisted, he being acknowledged the lawful sovereign of the island.^ In the castle were found 3,200 sacks of corn, one 18-pounder, two 12-pounders, four 6-pounders, 50 barrels of gun- powder, and a quantity of other ammunition.* Gozo, it was then computed, held 16,000 inhabitants. 1 Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. - Nicolas, Dl: Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34963, f. 32. " Clarke and MacArthur, vol. ii. p. 125. ^ Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 11. * Azopardi, p. 112. 142 A HISTORY OF MALTA with your i^epeated I'equests, to order the Viceroy of Sicily to accord to His faithful Maltese all the succour, in the shape of victuals, and of other kinds, which they may requii'e, not only in allowing the exportation on their behalf, but also to grant them every facility in making the purchases. On behalf of His Majesty, I have the honour to communicate the above to you, illustrious Sirs, for youi' information and guidance. (Signed) Marchese di Gallo. S. Gennaro, Ibth Norn: 1798. It has been already related that Regnaud, owing to the strict blockade of Valetta Harbour^ maintained by Ball, had been unable to leave the island until the 9th November, but no sooner had he quitted the island than Vaubois thought proper to inform the Directory that he attributed most of the disasters which had befallen the French to the political errors of his late colleague. This he communicated in the following dispatch : — Malthe le 29 Brumaire (19th November 1798). Vaubois au Directoire Ex^cutif. Si mes depeches vous sont parvenues, Citoyens Directeurs, vous saves que nous sommes bloques depuis trois mois par terre et par mer, sans nouvelles du Gouvernement ni du General Bonaparte. Les vaisseaux Anglais bloquent le port ; les habitans de I'isle cernent la place ; comptes sur notre coui-age ; mais des vivi-es, a tous prix et a tous risques ; des medicamens, des bombes, des boulets de 24. Donnes des ordi-es, Citoyens Dii-ecteui^s, pour qu'on nous expedie de tous les points ; il en arrivera. Nous touchons au mauvais tems pour ce pays. Des vivi-es, et Malthe sera pour toujours a la Republique. Le Citoyen Renaud de St. Jean d'Angely vous est expedie ; il vous mettra au fait de nos besoins, mais ne croyez pas a tout ce qu'il pouiTa vous dire ; il a fait de grandes fautes politiques, et ces fautes jointes a I'attitude du Roi des deux Siciles, qui nous a tout i-efuse depuis notre arrivee, sont les causes de notre situation. Nos dangers sont au dedans aussi pi'essans. Tous les habitans partagent les sentimens des insui-ges. J'en ai deja fait sortir plus de 10,000 pour notre surete.^ Malthe sera soutenue jusqu'a qu'il n'y ait plus ni chats ni chiens a manger. Salut and respect. (Signed) Vaubois. Regnaud, upon his arrival in Rome on the 23rd November, prepared the following important and detailed account of the position of affairs in the island, together with the urgent requirements which the garrison needed. This dispatch was addressed to the Directory, under cover of another to the Foreign Minister, Monsieur Talleyrand, as follows : — ' This gentence proves that thus early Vaubois saw that the defence turned on the question of food supply. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 143 Rome, le 3 Frimaire an 7 de la Republique (23rd November 1798).^ Regnaui> de St. Jean d'Angely au C°' Talleyrand, Min. des Affaires Etrangei^es. J'ai rhonneur de vous adi'esser, Citoyen Ministre, une depeche pour le Directoire Executif. Comme elle est ouverte, je n'y ajouteray en ce moment aucuns details a ceux qu'elle contient. J'ai tache d'y I'enfermer dans une rapide analize ce qu'il m'a paru important de faire connoitre au Gouvernement. Sous deux jours j'espere que ma sante delabree me permettra de me mettre en route, et je me rendray sans m'arreter au pi^s de vous. Je donneray alors au Directoire, tons les renseignemens ulterieurs qu'il croira necessaires. Je vous prie d'agi^eer I'assurance de men attachement sincere. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. Rome, le 3 Frimaire an 7" Rep""' (23rd November 1798) .3 Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely au Directoire Executif de la Republique Fran^aise. Citoyens Directeurs, — Peu apres le depart de la lettre que le Conseil de Guerre de la Division de Malte vous a adressee, les membi-es de ce Conseil desirerent que la position de I'ile put vous vous [sic] etre exposee par quelqu'un qui en connut tous les details. Je m'offris poui^ cette mission, et d'apres Tai^ete pris par le Conseil, je me disposois a partir, lorsque I'escadre Portugaise parrut devant le port avec 4 vaisseaux et une fregatte. Peu api-es I'escadre Anglaise ari-ivant d'Alexandrie & ti^inant avec elle ses propres vaisseaux, et ses prises presque razes et semblables a des pontons s'est montree. Une sommation de rendre la ville a ete faite et a re^ue la i-eponse que vous transmet le G^'' Vaubois. Les Anglois se sont retires ne laissant que deux fregates poui- assurer le blocus d'avantage, et un vaisseau de ligne. Trois semaines apres I'Amii-al Portugais a fait en son nom seul (la l^""*' sommation etoit au nom des escadres corabinees) une nouvelle somma- tion qui a re^ue la meme reponse que la l*^"^"' Deux jours api^s les Anglois ont paru avec six batimens, dont 4 vaisseaux de 80 & 74, et deux fregates. lis ont releves les Poi-tugais, et leui'S pi-opres vaisseaux de la station, et le blocus est demeure etabli par les dernieres forces seulement y joint une corvette de 24 canons, un bricq, & quelques batimens legers. Nelson qui commande les forces navales a fait une 3'''"®" sommation de rendre la ville, le port & les vaisseaux fran9ois, ou pris sur les Maltois, avec menace de ne plus admettre a aucune capitulation en cas de refus. Les Generaux Vaubois & Villeneuve a qui cette derniere sommation etoit adressee, ont repondu par un refus aussi formel que les precedens. ^ Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. ^ Ibid. 144 A HISTORY OF MALTA Cependant le terns qui s'etoit constamment maintenu au beau, laissoit aux Anglois le moyen de bloquei^ le port de si pres qu'il a ete impossible de faii-e sortir, sans la compi'omettre, la fregate la Justice destinee d'abord a me porter en France. Une corvette de commerce fretee par le Gouvernement n'a pas ete plus lieureuse. Sentant enfin, apres la capitulation du Goze que les circonstances devenoit de jour en jom' plus pressantes, n'ayant re9u a Malte aucunes nouvelles pendant cinq mois,i ni du G''^' en Chef, Bonaparte, ni de vous, Citoyens Directeui-s, ni de vos ministres, ni des Commissaires de Rome, je me suis decide a idsquer le passage, par une barque plate, ou galiotte, qui peut sortii- du port la nuit a rames et sans etre vue. C'est ainsi que le 19 Brumaire (9tli November 1798) a 9 h. | du soir je suis sorti du port de Malte, et apres une navigation penible et dangereuse, dont je crois devoir vous epargner les details, je suis venu faire naufrage par un coup de vent des plus violens, sur les plages Romaines a 24 milles de la capitale. J'y suis arinve bier, et j'ai vu le Citoyen Maichin ^ ainsi que les Commissaires du Gouvernement ici. Je leur ai donne connoissance de la position de Malte, telle que je vais vous la reti-acer. Vous connoisses, parceque je vous en ai dit plus liaut, les forces navales qui composent le blocus. J'ignore ou s'est retii-ee I'escadi'e portugaise et si elle est a portee de venir promptement les accroitre.^ On m'a dit, mais je n'ay pu verifier le fait, qu'il existoit des vaisseaux Anglois dans les points de Naples, Siracuse et Messine. La position militaire des Fi'an9ois a Malte est la meme qu'a I'epoque ou le Conseil de GueiTe vous a adresse sa depeche. Toutes les fortifications et tous les forts de la ville entiere de Malte, et tous les ports sont au pouvoir de la gai-nison & on n'eprouve aucune crainte de voir la force les leur enlever. Les assiegeans, si on peut appeler ainsi les hommes armes qui environ- nent la ville, n'ont de corps reguliers, selon ce qu'on a appris, que I'ancien Regiment des Chasseurs de Malte et quelques Corps de Volontaires : tous les paisans sont la proie ; ils forcent sous peine de mort tous les habitans a marcher, quand le son du tocsin les appelle. Les Portugais et les Anglois leui' ont amene de nouveaux oificiers pour les diriger dans leurs travaux, car ils en avoient a ce qu'il paroit d'aiTives avant la revolte. lis ont dresse une batterie a St. Joseph, une au Cazal Zabbar, et une 3^°^" du cote de la Pieta. Ils ont faits des travaux assez considerables et place quelques pieces au Coui^adin [.sic], vis a vis la pai'tie sud est des fortifications de la ville. Presumant que Ton preparoit dans cet emplacement une batterie de bombes, le G*'' a fait inquieter les travailleurs et jusqu'a present on n'a rien demasque. On ne peut apprecier au juste le nombre d'hommes amies que les ^ This is an exaggeration. The blockade by the Portuguese squadron did not begin till about September 20.— J. H. R. - Otherwise spelt Mechain : see postea. He was charge d'affaires at the French Embassy. — J. H. R. ^ The Portuguese sailed to Naples to refit. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 145 rebelles pourroient reunir : mais comme on doit penser que les etrangers ne les laisseront pas manquer d'armes, on evalue a 12,000 le nonibre de ceux qui peuvent et veulent les porter. Ce nonibre est calcule d'api'eslamesure adoptee par le G^^' de faire sortir de la ville tous les babitans qui lui inspiroient de la defiance afin de ne pas se trouver, dans un moment d'attacque entre les ennemis du dehors et ceux du dedans. La garnison fi'an9oise est diminuee par la perte de vingt cinq a trente hommes tues dans les premieres attaques, et dans une seule sortie faite sui' le Cazal Zabbar, sans un grand succes, et par le sejour a I'hopital de 400 malades enviix)n.* Mais elle se trouve fortifiee par la garnison des vaisseaux et des fregates qu'on a employe a la defense des forts et au service militaire. Le Contre Amii^al Decrez a ete charge du Command*^' des Forts Manuel & Dragut au Port de Marsamuchetto et du Fort Ricazoli au grand port. Le Contre Amiral Villeneuve a pris celuy des Forts S**' Ange & St. Elme. Tous deux ont sous leurs ordi*es dans chaque fort un officier d'infanterie commandant. Les canoniers de marine y font le service des batteries, les matelots celui de soldats ; les uns et les autres sont commandes par des officiers de m^arine. Les vaisseaux pendant ce terns sont avec la portion d'equipage indis- pensablement necessaires. Dans le port des galeres, qui a ete ferme pour plus grande precaution, en cas de la tentative d'un coup de main, par une forte chatne qui en defend I'acces [_sic]. . . . Ces mesures ont pennis d'employer aux batteries des remparts la majeure partie des canoniers de terre qui sont au nombre de 250 environ et a peu pres 100 Maltois, debris peu fort d'une compagnie precedemment oi'ganisee et que la desertion a reduit a ce nombre et meme audessous. II existe poTirtant encore une compagnie nouvellement formee de citoyens connus, qui apprennent I'exercice du canon, mais qui n'a pu encore faire aucune service et n'est destinee a en faire que par occasion. Le nombre des habitans renfermes dans 1' enceinte des fortifications ainsi gardees est de 20,000 envii'on tout compris, du moins je I'estime ainsi. Les ressources que j'ai laisse a cette garnison, plein de courtage,, d'energie, de devouement consistent : — E71 Vivres Principaux. Dans 34,000 salmes environ de bled (la salme peze 432 poids de marc) . Dans quatre vingt milliers d'huile d'olive, avec des legumes sees en quantite suflfisante pour en fourair a la garnison pendant plusieurs mois. Dans 500 quintaux de ris environ. Une petite quantite de lard sale, reste de I'appi-ovisionnement extra- ordinaire heureusement commence de bonne heui'e. 12,000 pintes de vins reserves pour les malades, point de vinaigre. 45 boeufs restant de ceux que j'avois fait venir de Tripoli, et destines exclusivement pour I'hopital. ^ Contrast these figures with those of the Maltese deputies, ante. — J. H. R. 146 A HISTORY OF MALTA 120 coclions parques. Un asses foi't approvisionnement de biscuit. Les citernes ne laissent aucune crainte de manque d'eau. Vous voyes que le vin, I'eau de vie, la viande manquent entiei^ement & c'est un des premiers besoins qui appelle votre sollicitude. En Habillement. La troupe et les marins manquent des vetemens et des chemises. On a pris, en payant a I'estimation, cbes les marchands tout ce qui se trouvoit en ce genre. Mais il y a une grande difference entre la masse des besoins et celles des ressources. II y a encore du cuii% mais en petite quantite. Tout seroit a envoyer dans cette partie. En Hopitatix. Le linge est audessous des besoins de beaucoup : 1°' parceque Ton n'etoit pas dans I'usage de foumir de chemises aux malades ; 2®' parceque Ton n'a pour linge a pansement de ressource que les draps vieux, qu'il est impossible de remplacer. Les drogues, non renouvellees depuis 6 mois, sont epuisees. En Gazernement. II y a des paillasses suffisamment, point de draps, point de couvertures. En Armes et Munitions. II y a de la poudre suffisamment, a ce que je crois, et d'ailleurs on en continue la fabrication. II y a un peu de boulets. II y a des fusils audessus du besoin, ainsi que des armes blanches. On ne pent armer toutes les batteries existantes. Les affuts seuls sont en petit nombre, on manque poui' en faire de bras, et de bois. Faute de mieux on supplee aux charpentiers par les menuisiers, a I'orme par I'acajou et le cedre. II y a beaucoup de fer encore. Le charbon de terre est en grande provision, celui de bois est epuise, et pourtant necessaire. Au surplus le G^'' d'Artillerie a ecrit au Ministre de la Guerre une lettre que je luy envoye, et dont il nous communiquera sans doute les resultats. Bois et Lumieres. II n'y a pas une libre de chandelle, I'huile y supplee, et il y en a. Le bois a bruler ordinaire est epuise. Mais les bois de rebut de la marine, le dechirage de quelques vieux pontons, ou batimens condamnees, assureroient le service encore pour longtemps. Pour la Marine. Puisque tout est equipe le detail des besoins est impossible. II est presente par I'ordon''" Minard au Ministre, qui recevra sa lettre par le meme coui'rier, et sans doute vous en rendra compte. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE-1798 147 Ponr les Fonds. La solde de tei-re pour le soldat et roflB.cier a ete faite exactement decade par decade, et mois par mois. La marine a re9u un a compte. Un emprunt force fait par le Gen*'" de Div°"' assure encoi'e des ressources pour ce mois et le procliain. Nulle requisition cTaucune espece, n'a ete exercee : tout ce qui a ete pris a ete paye. Tel est Citoyens Directeui's I'apper^u rapide que je puis vous tracer a la hate de I'etat de Malte. II en resulte selon moi la necessite de porter a ce poste important les plus prompts secoui's. J'ai pense que la premiere chose a faii^e etoit de tenter de faire parvenir a la garnison des nouvelles de Fi'ance et de luy donner la certitude que vous vous etes occuppes d'elle, que vous vous en occuppes encore avec la plus vive sollicitude et de lui faille part de ce qui a ete fait deja, de ce ■qu'on va tenter en ce moment meme. Je place cette mesure au pi'emier rang parceque j'ai eprouve personnelle- ment combien est douloui'euse et decoui'ageante I'idee de I'abandon, ou on croit etre quand cinq mois entiers se sont ecoules sans recevoir une esperence, une promesse, une instruction, un ordre des autorites superieurs. Le Citoyen Mechain et les Comm"'^' icy ont pense comme moy et en ■consequence, ils ont ordonne Tai'mement et le depart d'un petit bateau qui portera 20,000 pintes d'eau d"^' ' et des depeclies. Quant a la maniere d'approvisionner, il est extremement difficile que de gi'os batimens faciles a appercevoir a raison de leui' force echappent au blocus vigilant des Anglais. Ils ne quittent le port que lorsque les coups de vents d'est ou de I'ouest, mais les d^^' surtout, plus violens, plus frequens, les forcent de deriver vers le Maritimo ou le Cap Passaro. Quand ils restent a leur station, de petits batimens seules peuvent ecLapper a leur vigilante avidite, a la faveur du vent ou des rames, et de la nuit. Partant de ces observations, je crois que la maniere la plus sure d'approvisionner Malte est de multiplier les chances en divisant les risques. On pourroit expedier de Civita Vecchia de petites barques, portant chacune une petite quantite d'eau de vie, vin, vinaigre, viande et charbon, les barques doubleroient le Maritimo, longeroient la Sicile jusqu'a Girgenti; ou Alicata, feroient voile de maniere a se trouver a mi-canal quoique hors de vue a la chute du jour, & partant de ce point pouri^oient entrer sans peine a Malte, en ti'aversant meme I'escadre ennemi avant le retour du soleil. II y a meme dans le dernier port une chance de plus, en ce qu'un seul coup de vent de I'ouest, qui ne permet pas comme je vous I'ai dit, aux Anglois de tenir la station, amene une barque en trente six heures dans le port de Malte. Vos commissaires adoptant ces idees se proposent d'expedier quatre petites embarcations a la suite de la premiere et en attendant vos ordres ulterieurs. ^ Eau de vie. 12 148 A HISTORY OF MALTA Enfin on pourroit peutetre encore faire partir quelques secoui's de Tripoli de Barbarie. Le Commiss''^' Guye partant pour la Syrie avoit laisse cette eclielle sans Consnl. J'ai eu I'honneur de vous dire par mes precedentes depeches que j'avois engage le C'*' Beaussier a s'y rendre ; lieureusement il I'a fait, et a contribue a maintenir des bonnes dispositions du Pacba en faveur de la France. Un fran9ois qui etoit alle a Tunis ou il n'a pu rien faire pour nous a cause de I'arrive du cbiaoux porteur d'un firman du Grand Seigneur qui Sonne le tocsin centre la France, a ete accueilli a Tripoli. Le Pacha avoit charge 92 bceufs pour Malte sur deux batimens & a son conipte personnel le 1*'' Mais les deux batimens ont ete pris avec les lettres des Com'"'^^' Devoize & Beaussier poui' moy. II seroit possible de faire de Tripoli par un vent de Test ce qu'on feroit de Cagliari par un vent de I'ouest. Au reste Citoyens Directeurs, je vous esquisse rapidement ce que j'ai connu : je serai sous peu a meme de joindi^e a ces idees, tracees a la hate, tous les details qui sont a ma connoissance, et je me borne a vous presenter en ce moment I'hommage de mon respect. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. The following letters from French officials, which give an interesting account of the situation of the French garrison during this month of November, were intercepted hy the British fleet, and were as follows : — Yaubois to the French Minister of War, Scherer,^ dated the 26th November 1798. Vaubois to the Directory, 27th November 1798. Doublet to the Colonial Minister, 28th November 1798. Admiral Villeneuve to the Minister of Marine, dated the- 30th November 1798. Malte, le 6 Frimaire (26th November 1798). Vaubois, General de Division, au Ministre de la Guen^e, Schebrer [^ic].^ Vous auriez re9u beaucoup de lettres de moi, Citoyen Ministre, si nous n'etions aussi etroitement bloques par tei're et par mer. Je mandai au Directoire Executif tout le detail de notre situation que je n'ose ici mettre en fran^ais, crainte que cette lettre ne tombe au pouvoir des Anglais. J'ai ecrit il y a quelque tems une lettre au Directoire avec le chiffre que le Ministre de la Marine avait envoyee en 8 au Ministre de France, Caumont a Malte. Je lui ecris par cette meme occasion avec un autre chilfre dont le Citoyen Cibon charge des affaires de Malte a Paris a la clef. Je suis oblige d'user de ces resources parcequ'il est difficile d'echapper aux Anglais sui-tout le temps se soutenant aussi beau. ' General Scherer had formerly commanded the French forces in Italy, but was superseded by Bonaparte early in 1796. As Minister for War under the Directory he was not successful, and still less in the command of the French army in North Italy in 1799, when he was several times beaten by Suvdrof. — J. H. R. 2 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 149 Je connais [?] toute la solicitude du gouvernement pour nous, et ilpeut compter sur la deffense la plus opiniatre comme il paroit que la guerre va se pousser avec rigueur et que Ton connott la couduite du gouvernement etranger qui a si horriblement manque a la nation fran^aise. Nous attendons tout de notre gouvernement, et il verra qu'il y a a Malte des enfans dignes de lui. Salut et respect. (Signed) Vaubois. Traduction de la lettre en cliifEre du General Vaubois, Commandant a Malte, addresse au Directoire de la Republique Fran9aise, en date du 7 Frimaire an 7 de la Republique (27th November 1798). i J'ai eu riionneur de vous ecrire il y a quelques joui's avec un cliiffre qu'avait ici le Ministre Drace a Malte qui lui fut envoye en mille sept cent soixante dix huit, esperant qu'on retrouverait la clef de ce chiifre dans les Bureaux, et que je poiu-rais etre lu. Aujoirrd'hui je me sers d'un chiffre plus recent dont le Citoyen Cibon ci-devant charge des affau^es de Malte a Paris a la clef. Le blocus de Malte par terre et par mer se continue. Comptes sur notre resistance et notre courage. Mais les subsistances, les munitions de gueiTC de toute espece s'epuisent. Je sais par un aviso que vient d'aiTiver quels sent les moyens que vous prenes pour nous ravitailler. Ce batiment est le seul des cinq expedies de Toulon qui soit parvenu a sa destination. J'ai cru qu'il etait de mon devoir d'associer encore des enti'eprises aux votres pour rendre notre ravitaillement plus sur. Ce qui est arrete venant d'une part se trouve ainsi remplace par ce qui vient d'une autre, et notre salut en depend. J'ai trouve ici un bon courrier qui s'endosse des lettres de change tirees sur la Tresorerie Nationale pour cent cinquante mille livres. Je depeche a Cagliari en Sardaigne et a Tripoli des agentes a qui je crois pouvoir donner ma confiance pour nous expedier de ces endroits des viandes fraiches et des salaisons ce qui nous fera. . . . [illegible] Citoyens Directeurs et ce que je pense fera consei'ver Malte a la France. Le courage est au dernier point ; mais des vi\T.'es, du "\dn, de I'eau de vie, des bombes de 8 a 12 pouces de 24 liv., et tout ira bien. Que le Roi de Naples expie les echecs de la Mediterrannee, il fait le sujet de notre misere, pour nous, nous moui-rons, s'il le faut, toujoui's dignes de notre patrie. L'argent nous est tr-es necessau'e, tout est presque epuise, et le pen qui reste encore est a des prix incroyables. Apres le malheur qu'a eprouve I'escadre, il est heureux pour nous d'avoir receuilli ici le Guillaume Tell, la Diane et la Justice, sans I'ai'rivee de ces batiments il m'eut ete impossible d'occuper I'ouvrage immense de la Cote Noii-e, leur garnison et une partie des matelots qui ne cessent de s'exercer aux armes, me defendent le Fort Manoel, le Fort Ricasoli, le Fort St. Elme et celui de St. Ange. J'ai donne des com- mandemens aux Contre Amiraux Villeneuve et Decres, on ne peut mettre plus de zele, d'activite et d'intelligence. Les soldats sont tous sur les remparts et tous sur la paille, ils sont extremement fatigues. L'enciente est immense et il faut tout deffendre. Tout est commun pour notre pauvi'e nourritui'e, entre la terre et la marine, I'eau est nitreuse — quelle boisson ! Nous prenons le plus grand soin de I'hopital dont les malades ^ Brit. Mns. Add. MSS. 34943. 150 A HISTORY OF MALTA sont nombreux, mais malgre nos epargnes la viande fraiche va nous manquer. Get etat ne nous abbat cependant pas, penses a nous Citoyens Directeurs et nos regards sont fixes sur la Republique. (Signed) Vaubois. Ven aowbilash fa diol akliulia uweewawxal. Viohl dakot Kbuggha Zoedumuke. Wagululmha fheshae gewma Zerewowlamarat dica ut guwlarm Katml.i A Malta le 8 Frimaire I'an 7 {2Sth November 1798). Doublet, Commissaire du Grouvemement Fran^ais pour les Isles de Malte et du Goze, au Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies.^ CiTOYEN Ministre, — Apres le depart du Citoyen Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely poiu- Paris, le General de Division, Vaubois, Commandant en Chef pour la Republique en cette isle, m'ayant fait I'honneur de me nommer pour le I'emplacer comme Commissaire du Gouvemement, j'ai re9uquelques joui'S apres par le Cap"^®' Rapon, commandant un aviso venu de Toulon en. 13 jours, votre lettre du 13 Fructidor. La place etant bloquee par terre et par mer et par consequent en etat de siege, le depart precipite de mon predecesseur, ne lui ayant pas permis de me laisser aucune instruction relative a mes fonctions, et celles qu'il a remplies paraissant devoir, a mon egard, rencontrer icy des difii- cultes ; j'ai cru devoir pour y obvier, et par amour pour la paix interieure et le bien du service de la Republique, adopter des le principe le sisteme de ne rien faire que de concert avec le Genei^al et la Commission du Gouvernement. J'ai done d' apres ce sisteme communique votre lettre au General, a qui elle a fait, sous tous les rapports, le plus gi^and plaisir, en voyant les differens ordres emanes du Dii^ectoire, et les sages mesures que vous avies pxnses poui' nous faire parvenir de tous cotes les objets d'appro- visionnements, et les munitions que le C*°' Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely parait vous avoir mande, Citoyen Ministre, nous etre necessaires. Le capitaine de I'aviso, Rapon, nous a rapporte qu'il etait le 6^™° batiment expedie de Toulon pour Malte. II est jusqu'a present le seul arrive icy, il n'a pu embarquer que dix barriques d'eau de vie, qui vu le manque presque absolu du vin, servira quelque tems pour I'usage de la troupe, de tei're et de mer. L'ignox'ance Oil etait le General Vaubois sur I'arrivee de ses lettres et de celles de mon predecesseur, en Finance et le defaut de viande fraiche, et de vin, se faisant chaque jour sentir avec plus de force, surtout aux approches de I'hyvert [liiver] dans un pays ori le soldat n'a point de bois de chauffage, il a cru de son devoir, d'envoyer en Sardaigne, et a Tripoli, des negociants, auxquels il a donne le titre d'agents pour la Republique, avec des tx'aites sur la Tresorerie N'ationale, signees de lui seulement, pour nous pi'ocurer, s'il est possible, une quantite sufl&sante de I'uu et de I'autre, de ces deux gentses de commestibles. Le negociant qu'il envoye en Sardaigne, partii^ pent etre ce soir sur I'aviso du Capitaine Rapon et se nomme Vital Coste, et parait etre propre a remplir cette commission, dont il s'est charge sans aucune condition fixe * There is no key to this cypher.— J. H. R. ^ j^^ch. Nat., AF III. 73. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 151 d'interet, laissant au gouvemement de lui decerner la recompense qu'il jugera convenable, lorsqu'il aura pu reussir a lui donner des pi-euves de son zele et de son devouement. II donne en cela, Citoyen Ministre, una preuve de desinteressement et d' attachment a la Republique, bien rare dans ce pays cy. On lui donne 7,000Z. en traites. L'autre negociant destine pour se rendre a Tripoli est le C®"' Consul, venu de Paris il y a environ 4 mois, et tres connu de mon predecesseur. On se propose de lui donner 8,000 en traites. On I'autorisera a faire, au nom de la Republique, un cadeau au Pacha du brick sur lequel il s'embarquera, et qui sera arme de 6 canons. On prendra poui* plus de surete la precaution de passer les traites a Tordi-e du Citoyen Beaussier, Consul de France a Tripoli, qui sera charge de surveiller, et verifier les achats et de dii^iger les expeditions d'api-es les indications qui lui seront envoyees d'icy ; s'en rapportant d'ailleurs a sa prudence et a son zele eclaire. On craint de ne pouvoir rien procurer a Tunis, mais on tentera cepen- dant des entreprises sur les villes de cette Regence ou les gouverneui'S sont bien disposes poui' la Republique. Je ne puis, Citoyen Ministre, vous en ecrire d'avantage aujourd'hui. Incessament j'entrerai dans de plus grands details. Je vous prie de comp- ter suT mon zele et mon devouement a me conformer aux ordres du Directoire et aux votres. Salut & respect. (Signed) Doublet. PS. — Depuis que ma lettre est ecrite le C^°' Coste s'etant consulte a ce qu'il parait avec le C*"" Guis, notre Consul en Syrie, qui se trouve icy depuis quelque terns, s'est ravise et a demande dix pour % de commission sur toutes les expeditions qu'il nous fera de Sai"daigne. Le General con- siderant que ce negociant ne met point de fonds dehors, a reduit sa demande a 8% et il s'en est contente. J'ai cm de mon devoir, Citoyen Ministre, de vous en infonner. Les Anglais nous bloquent chaque nuit plus etroitement que jamais, et d'accord avec les rebelles, ils allument des fanaux sur les differens points de la cote, oil il y a de cales, ou des petits ports, poiu' tromper par la et attirer a eux les batiments qui nous vien- di*aient de quelque cote que ce soit. J'en previens nos diffei'ens consuls afin qu'ils en avertissent les capitaines respectifs de ces batimens, qui ne seraient jamais venus a Malte, et meme tons en general, en leur disant que le fanal de St. Ehne qui est le notre, est bien plus eclaire et plus eleve que les autres, et que par consequent, en y faisant attention, il leur sera facile de le distinguer, et d'entrer dans un des deux ports de cette place. (Signed) Doublet. Contre Amiral Yilleneuve, commandant les forces navales stationees a Malte, au Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies, du 10 Finmaire an 7 de la Republique Fran9aise (30th November 1798) .^ Je vous ai ecrit les 16 et 29 Brumaire la premiere par la galiotte La Desiree commandee par I'enseigne de vaisseau Vathier qui a transporte a Cagliari le Commissaire du Gouvemement Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely et la demiere par le Citoyen Gaivoard enseigne de vaisseau que le General Vaubois a employe aupres du consul de Cagliari pour I'expedition de subsistance pour Malte et qui est parti d'ici dans la nuit du 1'*'' au 2" de ce mois sur un bateau sarde ; depuis lors (parti) nous avons vu arriver ici ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943. 152 A HISTORY OF MALTA I'aviso L'' Assaillante commande par le Citoyen Rampon lieutenant de vaisseau provisoii'e, expedie de Toulon par le Contre Amiral Vence, I'arrivee de cet aviso a porte la joie et I'esperance dans le coeur de toute la garnison mais il n'etait porteur d'aucune depeche du gouvemement relative a notre position. J'ai conjecture par le contenu des lettres du General Vence au commandant des armes dans ce poi't et par celle de I'Ordonnateur a Toulon au Citoyen Menard Commissaii-e de la Marine ici, qu'en France Ton me suppose parti pour Corfu. Mes difEerentes depeches vous ont annonce que je n'avois re9u aucun ordre, ni aucune nouvelle du General Buonaparte, que depuis que .ie suis ici, nous n'avons vu arriver dans ce port que trois bateaux sardes, que la foiblesse de la garnison et la position de ce pays, ne pennet pas au General Vaubois de se departir d'aucun batiment de gueiTe, dont le secours des equipages lui est absolument necessaire, que nous avons mis garnison dans les forts Manoel, Ricasoli et St. Ange, que presque tous les marins Maltais ayant etes se joindre aux rebelles, tout le service du port, le passage des troupes est fait par les equipages des vaisseaux, qu'enfin, il ne nous reste bientot ici pour la subsistance de la garnison que du pain, des feves et un peu de ris. Dans cette conjoncture I'assui'ance que nous donne I'aviso VAssailante des nombreuses expeditions qui doivent se faire dans les ports de France, a Genes, a Tunis, la soUicitude du Gouvernement a I'egarde de Malte et la position formidable de nos annees en Italic ont produit le meilleur effet ; et le courage, la patience, et la pex'severance des Republicains devoues a la defense de Malte est un sur garant au Gouvernement que ce port important sera conserve a la Republique. Depuis mes dernieres lettres il ne s'est rien passe d'interessant, les rebelles ont demasque une nouvelle batterie du cote du Casal Tarscien, ils continuent a travailler au Coradin,! on continue a les y cbauifer, et j'espere qu'ils ne pom-rent s'y etablir de maniere a nous y inquieter beaucoup. Je vous ai fait part dans son tems du besoin de cables et d'ancres du vaisseau Le Guillawme Tell et du mauvais etat de son grand mat. J'ai fait fortifier le grand mat par de fortes jumelles, mais si ce vaisseau est destine a remplir une nouvelle mission il lui devient indispensable d'avoir encore deux cables et deux ancres. J'ecris au commandant des annes a Toulon et a I'ordonnateur de me les faire parvenir s'il se presentoit une occasion asses sure pour cet objet et je me refere pour tous les autres besoins de ce poi^t a ce que doit vous en ecrire le Commissaii'e de Marine, Menard. Je re-expedie I'aviso L' Assaillante qui doit deposer a Cagliari un nouvel agent de subsistances que le General Vaubois y envoye ; il se rendra de la, a Toulon pour y recevoir de nouveaux ordres. Le Citoyen Rampon lieutenant de vaisseau provisoire qui la commande est entre ici, en essuyant le feu de toutes les batteries de la cote, celui d'un vaisseau de guerre et de plusieui'S embarca- tions detachees a sa poursuite, il s'est fort bien conduit et mei'ite les graces du Gouvernement, il se loue beaucoup du Citoyen Venel, enseigne de vaisseau son second, il a eu deux hommes blesses dans cette occasion. Salut et respect. (Signed) Villeneuve. PS. — Une fregate Napolitaine vient de rallier I'escadre Anglaise qui nous bloque ; c'est le premier batiment de guerre de cette nation qui ait encore paru sur ce parage. (Signed) VvE. ' Corradino. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 153 The incidents of the siege during the month of November, from the besiegers' side, were reported to Nelson by Ball on the 30th of that month, as follows i : — [Extract.] Captain Ball to Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, ofE Malta, 30th November 1798.2 . . . On the 7th instant about 120 French soldiers made a sortie fi^om La Yalette to get some cattle from the country, but they were very soon driven in, with the loss of eighteen men killed. ... I have prevailed on the Maltese to fit out speronaras to assist our guard-boats at night ; they are stationed off St. Paul's and Marsa Scirocco. On the 20th, at night, they captured off St. Paul's a French galley called the Vaubois, from Sardinia, bound to Valetta with provisions. On the 21st the French made an attack on the post of Con-adino with 1,000 men, but were i^epulsed with the loss of 600 killed and wounded. ^ The Maltese troops evince great com^age and perseverance on all occasions, and are very desirous of storming Valetta whenever it is thought practicable. I have desired them to consult on the best plan for an assault which they have taken into consideration, and are drawing up the plan for my opinion. This dispatch covered a confidential letter of the same date, deploring the jealousies which reappeared amongst the Maltese leaders — an unfortunate circumstance which became more serious later on. In this dispatch Captain Ball also described, so far as he had been able to gather, the merits and demerits of the leaders of the people. The extract of this letter is as follows : — Extract op a Letter from Captain A. J. Ball to Lord Nelson, DATED 30th November 1798.* The Maltese chiefs hurt the general cause by petty jealousies. I have exerted every possible influence to induce them to unite for the ■common good, and they promise me to act up to my wishes. General Vital has such bad health that he cannot be active, but he is very ambitious and turbulent, and has caused great dissatisfaction in his management of public money. General Caruana possesses much greater abilities, and is allowed to have great integrity. He has the voice of the people. He is accused of assuming too much power. He appears to carry on all the business of the islands, but he has been injudicious in not ■communicating with the deputies. 1 It may be noted here that a squadron detached from the Earl of St. Vincent's fleet eucceeded in bringing about the reduction of Port Mahon and the island of Minorca on November 15, 1798. At that time Nelson and the British Admiralty attached great importance to the possession of Minorca, and thought little of that of Malta. See Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 315. — J. H. R. 2 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34908, f. 209. ' Of course this was the estimate of the Maltese. The proportion of killed and "wounded is so entirely abnormal that one may be permitted to doubt it. — J. H. R. •* Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34908, f. 208. 154 A HISTORY OF MALTA Old Cardon, the Neapolitan colonel, is a very respectable character; lie has endeavoui^ed to unite the parties, and has been very forward in encouraging the Maltese at the different posts. He speaks very highly of one of his young officers, Pascal Gauci, a lieutenant in the Neapolitan service, in the regiment of Sannio. (Signed) A. Jno. B. Although three months had not elapsed since the outbreak of the Maltese insurrection, yet by November European negotiations were already under consideration as to the future destiny of the island, and without any consideration for the welfare or the views of the inhabitants. The Czar of All the Russias having recently accepted the dignity of Grand Master, and taken the Order under his protection (as related hereafter), Austria demurred (Hompesch being an Austrian subject), and considered such a step precipitate, although agreeing that the Order should return and occupy the island. These views of the Austrian Government were communicated to Lord Grenville by the British Minister at the Court of Vienna under date of the 25th and 28th November. The following is an extract and synopsis of these dispatches : — Sir Morton Eden to Lord Grenville. 25th Novemler 17 98 A [He encloses a protest of the Grand Master against the taking of the island by the Fi'ench.] 28th November 1798. Thugut^ complained of not compi^ehending the Emperor of Russia's views on the subject of Malta; thought his proclamation of himself Grand Master a precipitate step, as that dignity could only be conferred by the election of all the Langues. He added, that it appeared to him most prudent that the Order should, if possible, be established as it formerly existed; that M. de Hom- pesch, who was desirous of returning to Malta to head the insurgents and to recover the place, who, though he had acted weakly, had not, in his opinion, acted treacherously, might afterwards, if it were found expedient, resign this dignity. He thought that from the confiscation of the property of the Order in His Sicilian Majesty's dominions, the Court of Naples had in view the acquisition of the island.' Regnaud, when on his way to Paris, again wrote to the Directory from Milan, under date of the 1st December, forwarding the same under cover of another of the same date, addressed to Talleyrand. This dispatch enclosed a copy of a memorandum, suggesting the best means which Regnaud could conceive for conveying provisions and news to the distressed garrison of Valetta. The memorandum was prepared for the commander-in-chief of the French army in Italy ^ Foreign Office Records, Austria, 53. ^ Thugut was the Austrian Chancellor. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 155 (residing at Milan), under whose command the fortress of Malta was then included. The following are copies of the dispatches and memorandum referred to : — Milan, 11 Friviaire an 7 de la Rep. {\st December 1798) .1 Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely au Citoyen Talleyrand, Ministre des Affaires Exterieui^es. Je vous adresse, Citoyen Ministre, une lettre pour le Directoire Executif. Je vous prie de la luy transmettre apres avoir pris connoissance de son contenu. Ma premiere demarche apres mon arrivee, que i-etarde le mauvais etat de ma sante sera ches vous ; recevez en attendant Tassui^ance de mes sentimens sineeres d'estime et d'attachement. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. Milan, 11 Frimaire an 7^'°^ {Ist December 1798). Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely au Directoire Ex^cutip. CiTOYENS Directeurs, — Ayant appris h Rome que le General en Chef de TAi'mee d'ltalie avoit le commandement de Malte, j'ai cru devoir me rendre a Milan pour lui donner connoissance de I'Etat de ce poste important. A la suite d'une longne conference, je luy ai remis, avec un memoire contenant les faits rapportes dans la deraiere lettre que j'ai eu I'honneur de vous adresser, la note dont je crois devoir vous envoyer une copie. Le General en Chef, le Commissaire des Finances, et I'Ordonnateui' en Chef de I'Armee me paroissent decides a prendre provisoirement & en attendant vos ordi^es le parti que je leur ai indique. Pent etre penseres-vous qu'il est d'autant plus pressant de s'y arreter que les secours projettes, & qui devoient partir de Civita Vecchia sont probablement suspendus par les evenements de Rome.^ Salut & respect. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. Note sur la ManiIire de faire parvenir des Approvisionnemens et des IS'OUVELLES 1 MaLTE. Le blocus de Malte est fait avec un extreme vigilance : les Anglois out toujours un ou deux vaisseaux en face du port, les autres sont distribues a Test et a I'ouest de I'isle ou croisent dans le canal a poriee de vue ; enfin des batiments legers, tel qu'un brick de 20 canons, une corvette de 32, vont et viennent des calles de St. Paul et de Marsa Scirocco ou ils se retirent en Sicile ou a Naples. Cet ordre habituel n'est interompu que lorsque le gros tems ne permet > Arcli. Nat., AF III 73. ^ This refers to the invasion of the Roman territory ou November 24, ^798, by the Neapolitan troops, who speedily compelled the French commander, Championnet, to withdraw from Rome. Nelson had sailed from Naples on November 22 for Leghorn in order to raise Tuscany against the French garrisons there. These successes of the Anglo-Neapolitan forces were brief, but they for the time lessened the chance of supplies going from Central Italy to Malta. — J. H. R. 156 A HISTOEY OF MALTA pas aux batiments Anglois de rester stationnaires et les forcent [sic'] de se retirer, pour n'etre pas jettes sui' les I'ochers de I'isle, si le vent est nord, ou de deriver si le vent vient de I'ouest ou de Test vers le Maritimo ou le Cap Passaro. C'est en profitant particulierement du vent de Touest qu'on pent faire entrer des seconrs dans le poi^t. II faut quand il commence a souffler faire partir de Cagliari de petites embarquations pontees, appeles bateaux sardes, qui tiennent la mer meme au gros terns et en vingt quatre heures et meme moins elles seront dans le canal de Malte. II importe qu' elles viennent dans le canal jusqu'a la hauteur de Malte a peu pres, et ne longent pas la cote de I'isle en arrivant poui' n'etre pas apper^us des batiments legers Anglois qui sont quelques fois a la Calle de Saint Paul situee entre le grand port et le Goze ; et elles doivent eviter de reconnoiti-e cette derniere isle, qui etant au pouvoir de I'ennemi pent faire des signaux le long de la cote. On poui'rait meme, en saisissant bien le moment et prenant les pi'ecautions indiquees, risquer quelques batiments plus forts, et si on vouloit envoyer des secours d'hommes ou d'officiex's, generaux ou autres, ils devroient attendre a Cagliari I'occasion favorable. Un envoy parti d'un autre point et dei-ige sur Malte par toute espece de terns ne peut ecliaper aux ennemis que par une soi*te de miracle : On vient de dire comment par un vent de I'ouest fort, les bateaux sardes peuvent aborder avec une gi-ande probabilite. Mais ils peuvent entrer encore meme en tems ordinaire. Pour cela ils doivent longer la cote de Sicile jusques a la hauteur de I'Alicata, partir de ce dernier port ou d'un des abris voisines, que la cote de Sicile offre en abondance, de maniere de se trouver par un petit vent favorable a un canal avant la nuit, partant ensuite de ce demier point a la chute du jour, ils peuvent entrer dans le port de Malte avant d'avoir ete apper^us. Les embarquations peuvent meme quoique vues de I'ennemi etre confondues avec des barques de pecheurs ou avec des speronares qui vont sans cesse prendre des vivi-es en Sicile, et n'eveillant pas I'attention des Anglois, se trouver en position de leur ecliaper & d' entrer malgre eux. II y en a eu un exemple par une barque chargee de fromage qui est entree en plein jour, par un beau tems, sous les yeux des Anglois, et apres trois jours de navigation seulement a partir de Cagliari. Pour assurer le depart de ces barques, I'achat preliminaire des marchandises qu'elles doivent pointer et leur chargement, il paroit indispensable de faire partir de Genes, et d'envoyer a Cagliari avec des fonds et un credit un homme intelligent et sur. Porteur de lettres pour le Consul il devroit se consulter avec lui pour faire commercialement et sans bniit ses petits achats, mettre autant que possible a bord de chaque barque un assortiment des objets qui sont les plus necessaires a la garnison de Malte ; tels que vin, vinaigre, eau de vie, viande salee, ou meme moutons vivants, afin d'avoir un peu de viande fraiche pour les malades, charbon de bois, medicaments principaux, effets d'habillement, enfin ce qui manque absolument d'apres I'apper^u donne au Directoire Executif. On ne peut en finissant s'empecher de rappeler combien il est urgent THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 157 d'adopter cette mesure, de ne pas laisser plus longtems la garnison de Malte dans I'espece d'abandon ou elle a le di^oit de se croire et dans le decouragement qui en est la suitte presque necessaire. Laisses sur le steril rocher de Malte, les militaires et agens de toutes les classes, n'ont re^u depuis le 30 Prairial, epoque du depart de Bonaparte jusqu'au 19 Bruniaii*e, epoque du depart du Conamissaire du Pouvoir Executif, aucunes lettres, aucunes instructions, aucunes nou- velles de ce qui se passe loin d'eux, de ce qu'on projette ou de ce qu'on execute pour les secourir ; pent [sic] attieder le zele, rendre plus anier le sentiment des privations, et enfin diminuer I'energie ou la dui-ee de la Republique. (Signed) Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. Milan, 11 Frimaire an 7. The guns and ammunition promised Nelson by the Neapolitan Government in the early part of November reached Malta in His Sicilian Majesty^s ships La Sirhne and Retuza on the 6th December, when they were ordered to proceed to Marsa Scirocco, and discharge the military stores there. Captain BalFs dispatch of the 10th December, notifying the arrival of these vessels, was as follows : — [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, lOth December 1798.1 I have the honour to acquaint youi* Lordship that His Sicilian Majesty's ships, La Sirene and Retuza, joined me the night of the 6th instant. I directed their captains to go to Marsa Scu^occo to deliver the military stores they brought for the Maltese, since which the weather has been so severe that I have not heard of the progress they have made. However, as it is now getting moderate, I hope in a day or two to see shells thrown among the French ships. . . . The Maltese applied for eight mortai-s and some battering cannon, and they were much disappointed at getting only two mortars and not any cannon. ... I have directed the Maltese to make false attacks every night to keep the French in constant alarm, and as their garrison is very weak, 1 think they will soon be induced to capitulate. A French dispatch-boat lately got into Malta at night in a gale of wind. My guard-boat wounded three of theii' men, and would have taken her had the Maltese boats done their duty. She carried the French very bad news, and occasioned much dejection among them. By this date a better feeling (for the time being) existed between the Maltese chiefs. This information was conveyed to Nelson in a confidential letter, under cover of that of the 10th December. The following is an extract thereof : — 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34908, f. 280. 158 A HISTORY OF MALTA Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 10^^ December 1798.1 . . . Upon the receipt of yotir letter I sent to the deputies of the island and recommended their hoisting the Neapolitan flag, which they have done. I have sent theii' letter to me upon that subject to Sir William Hamilton. The jealousies which existed between the Maltese chiefs have now subsided, and the business is carried on very well. . . . The question of storming the lines at Cottonera had been dis- cussedj but as it became known that there still existed in the city a party in favour of the French, the utmost caution had to be exercised. Moreover, Nelson had heard rumours of a contemplated landing in Malta of a body of Russian troops to assist in the siege, but with the intention eventually of asserting the right of sovereignty on behalf of the Czar. Ball felt confident that this news would not be at all palatable to the Maltese leaders, and was most anxious that this information should be kept from them, as is evinced in the following extract of his dispatch to Nelson, dated the 26th December 1798 : — Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, ofE Malta, 26th December 1798.2 I communicated to Captain Drummond the necessaiy caution only, which your letter (of the 15th instant) stated, with a strict injunction to obseiwe it most secretly. I shall do the same by Captain Foley. It is of great importance that the subject of your letter shall notbe known to the Maltese, as there are many disaffected men among them, and I hope before it is publicly known to strike a blow and put an end to oui' tedious operations here. If it be possible to storm Cottonera with a prospect of success, we shall try it soon. The 10-inch mortar which we are getting from the Stromholi bomb to put in the batteries will be ready for firing the 29th instant. Whenever the weather will permit, I shall make the Perseus bomb vessel ti*y her sea mortar off the town. Under these circumstances Nelson instructed Ball that should the rumour of a landing of Russian troops be confirmed, he Avas to protest against any infringement of existing compacts or encroach- ments on the rights of either the King of Naples or the blockading Power, England, and to threaten the closing of all Sicilian ports to Malta, should such an unfriendly act occur.^ Two other intercepted letters were taken during the month of December — one from the Commissary of Marine, Menard, to the Colonial Minister, dated the 2ndj the other of the 13th, from ■Commissary Doublet to the Minister for Foreign Affairs — together 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34903, f. 200. 2 Ihid. 34908, f. 379. ^ Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 255 (edit, 1845). THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1798 159 with an official report on the situation of the garrison on the 21st, of which the following are copies : — Commissaire de Marine, Menard, a Malte au Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies a Paris, en date du 12 Frimaire an 7® de la Republique (2nd December 1798).i J'ai I'honneur de vous addi*esser I'etat de situation des principales mar- chandises existantes au Port de Malte le V Frimaire, vous remarqueres avec peine combien sont foibles nos moyens, tons les jours ils diminuent de maniere a me faire ci'aindre d'etre sous peu oblige de vous annoncer que tout est consomme. La partie des bois meme sera bientot epuisse. L'artillerie dont a present les besoins en grosses pieces sont immenses, ne prend plus que dans nos magazins, et le manque de bois de chauffage, m'obligera a donner toutes les petites pour le service de la garnison. Si vous ne vous empresses Citoyen Ministre de venir a notre secours je serai force de renoncer a I'armament du vaisseau Athenien, ses mats sont prets pour son entiere construction, il ne reste plus que quelques pieces de charpent a terminer. Je vais en donner la fagon a I'enterprise ainsi que celle de la menuiserie et de la sculpture, je n'ai que ce moyen pour finir, les ouvriers du pais sont si lents que si je ne prenais ce parti, de six mois je ne serais gueres plus avance qu'aujoui'd'hui. Peut-etre Citoyen Ministre vous trouveres mauvaises quelques unes de mes determinations. Je sais que je devrais attendre vos ordi'es pour les mettre a execution, mais I'eloigne- ment ou nous sommes de vous faire parvenir mes lettres [sic]. Celle de recevoir vos ordres me forcent a agircomme je le fais. Soyes persuade que i-ien n'egale mon zele, pour le service de la Republique, c'est au seul desir de bien faii-e, que Fun doit atti-ibuer les fautes que je pourrais commettre en ce genre. (Signed) Menard. Commissaire Doublet pour les lies de Malte et du Goze au Ministre des Relations Exterieures, 23 Frimaire an 7 de la Rep*' (13th December 1798 (?)).2 Le citoyen Rapon n'ayant pas encore pu pai-tir, je me fais un devoir d'ajouter a ce que j'ai eu I'honneur de vous [rejmarquer dans mapi'emiere, sur la parte active que paroissoit prendre la Cour de Naples aux operations des Anglais qui nous blocquent et nous assiegent par mer et par terre, qu'in- dependamment de la fregate ou corvette Napolitaine enti'ee au Port St. Paul appartenant aux Anglo-Maltais, on a vu depuis deux autres fregates Napolitaines aussi rejoindre la Division Anglaise commandee par le Centre Amiral Nelson qui forme le blocus. Je dois vous informer encore qu'un Parlementaire Anglais nous ayant amene 4 cit"*'*" Fi-an^aises prises a bord d'un bateau sarde, I'officier Anglais sans qu'on le lui ait demande, a donne pour nouvelles^ : — ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943. 2 Ibid. f. 56. ^ The Russian squadron combined with that of the Turks in September 1798, and proceeded, with the aid of some British ships, to blockade Corfu, greatly to the disgust of Nelson (see Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 160), who maintained that the Russians ought to have helped their allies off the Nile, instead of furthering their own aims in the Adriatic. — J, H. R. 160 A HISTORY OF MALTA 1°' Que Corfou s'etait rendue a I'escadi'e Anglo-Russe qui la bloquait. 2°' Que les Anglais avaient pris Mali on. 3°' Que I'armee Napolitaine avait marche sur Rome. Nous n'avons rien cru de tout cela. Mais ce dont nous ne pouvons pas douter c'est que le Pavilion Napoli- taine a ete arbore liier sur la citadelle de la Cite Vieille. Ce qui nous fait presumer que les Anglais paraissent dans le dessein de faire rentrer cette ile sous la domination du Roi de Naples, et cela est surement un leure dont les Maltais seront aussi dupes qui les Napolitaines eux memes, car il n'est pas possible que les Anglais n'aient pas en cela un arriere pensee. Jusqu'a present nous n'avons pas encore eu de bombes, mais en revanche on nous envoye frequemnient des boulets de 24 a toute volee, plusiein-s sont tombes sur le palais de I'ex-Grand Maitre, ou est loge le General Vaubois, le General Chanez, et une partie de I'Etat Major. Personne n'en a encore ete blesse. Rien ne nous arrive de France ni d'ailleui'S et nous manquons de deux objets bien essentiels — la viande et le vin. Hatez-vous Citoyen Ministre de nous envoyer des secours efficaces, ou des provisions sans lesquelles, malgre tout le courage et le devouement de la brave gamison nous ne pouiTions conserver cette isle importante a la Republique. Si renvoi de ces secours et provisions ne vous est pas possible, il n'y aurait qu'un moyen de sauver Malte, ce serait la paix. Je vous prie de com- muniquer cette lettre an Directoire. Salut et respect. (Signed) Doublet. Etat de Situation i de la Division Militaii'e, commandee par le General Vaubois a I'Epoque du 1*^ Nivose de I'an 7 de la Republique Fran^aise (21st December 1798). Presens sous les armes . . . 3822 Hopitaux ...... 172 Extemes 70 L'artillerie de la division consiste en 552 pieces de canon depuis la calibre de 64 jusqu'a celui d'l livre ; 10 obusiers tant du calibre de 6^"' que de celui de 6 P"^ 69"' et d'8 pouces ; 48 mortiers de 5, 8, 9^, 11 et 12 pouces ; et 36 perriers de 15 pouces. Ville de Malte (St. Elme), et les Forts St. Ange, Ricasoli, Tigne, et Manoel. Rapport des mouvemens operes dans le coui^ant du mois. On avoit forme ici par ordre du General Bonaparte quatre compagnies de canoniers Maltais qui faisoient a peu pres 200 hommes. Voyant qu'il desei-toit chaque jour quelques uns de ces individus on s'avisa fort apropos de demander aux autres que ceux d'entre eux qui ni vouloient plus faire le service de canoniers et desiroient d'aller a la campagne pouroient sortir des rangs, ci qui firent 160 d'entre eux. Bien loin de les envoyer pour rejoindre les rebelles on les arreta, et ils furent mis en prison, ou ils sont encore. On a reorganise et forme une seule compagnie des hommes qui restaient fideles, peut etre encore en apparence. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 66. CHAPTER XI THE BRITISH BLOCKADE (From the 5th January to the 3rd March 1799) As already mentioned, an assault on the Cottonera lines was to be made by the insurgents. Sickness had already made its appearance amongst them, breeding discontent and insubordination, and it was consequently thought advisable no longer to delay the attempt. On the 5th January, Captain Ball placed before the chiefs assembled at Citta Vecchia the following proposals ^ : — 1st. The chiefs of the island having met to take into consideration some plans for attacking the enemy, it is highly necessary that every member shall take an oath that he will not, directly or indii'ectly, divulge the business of the assembly. 2nd. A register is to be kept of the names of the chiefs and soldiers who have delivered their country fi^om French tyranny, and when the Government is settled they are to be recommended in preference to any other persons to fill all places for which they are qualified. 3rd. There shall be in the cathedi^al an inscription in gold letters with the names of all those chiefs who by theii' bravery have expelled the French, and of all those who contributed money to support their country- men du.i"ing the critical period, with the sum each person respectively paid, that the countiy may never forget the services rendered. Their names shall likewise be inscribed in the same manner in the parish church to which they respectively belonged. 4th. The members of the assembly must report (as a ruse) that it is not our intention to attack the French until the arrival of four English regiments from Minorca, who are to be landed in the bay of Marsa Scirocco without the enemy's knowledge, and then the garrison is to be stormed. 5th. When the day is fixed for attacking the enemy, it must be signified in the morning that you have received intelligence the enemy intend making a sortie, and that eveiy man must be at his post, and very vigilant ; this may do away any suspicions of our motives. 6th. The chiefs and soldiers must be dressed in dark-coloured clothes, stockings, and cravat, and not to let their shirts be seen. Every chief to 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 30. 161 M 162 A HISTORY OF MALTA have a speaking-trumpet. The soldiers must be cautioned to observe secrecy and silence, as the success of the enterprise greatly depends upon a strict observance of this. 7th. Great care to be taken in approaching the works, the enemy having thrown spikes and broken glass all round. It is recommended to have cotton bags thrown over these places. 8th. A parole and countersign to be given in English and Maltese, and a Maltese chief to be attached to each English party, to prevent mistakes. 9th. The sentinels to be doubled a day or two before the attack, and the greatest vigilance observed to prevent any intelligence going to the enemy. 10th. Each parish to have a rendezvous given, that they may know where to assemble upon the signal being made for alann. At one o'clock of the morning of the attack, an express to be sent to each parish to let them know it is expected the French will make an attack at foiu' o'clock, and that every man must be armed at that time and ready to march when the alarm is given at St. John's, but the parishes are upon no account to sound an alann until it shall be given from thence. Captain Ball acquainted Nelson with these proceedings regarding the contemplated assault of the Cottonera lines in a dispatch of the 6th January 1799, of which the following is an extract: — Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 6th January 1799.1 ... I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that I have united all the chiefs in the most perfect hannony, and that our operations are in a train for a speedy and successful conclusion. , . . The Maltese troops are getting sickly and discontented with their hard fare, and the moment is arrived when a bold stroke must be made. I have assembled all the chiefs and sworn them to secrecy, and to take into consideration a plan for storming the enemy's works, in which I have the most sanguine hopes of success, and I shall put it to the proof the 9th or 10th instant. The Maltese have an aversion to the Neapolitan Government, and wish to be under the English. The chiefs have requested me, when we have driven the enemy out, to regulate and direct the management of all their concerns, from a con- viction of the respect and deference which the Maltese pay to all orders which originate from the English. I shall have no objection to remain here a month or two for that purpose, if it shall meet your approbation, and you will do me a favour if you will let me go to England at the expiration of that time. From my observation of the disposition and manners of the people here, they require a person of good judgment and conciliatory manners, and the latter I conceive to be more essential than is generally imagined. Before putting the projected plan o£ attack on the Cottonera ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, ff. 34, 36. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 163 lines into execution^ an attempt to seize the city of Valetta by stratagem was arranged for the night of the 11th January. Unfortunately the plot was discovered, the leaders arrested, and several shot on the palace square. The dispatches of Admiral Villeneuve to the Minister of Marine ; Menard, Commissary of Marine, to the same ; and of Adjutant-General Brouard^ to Deputy Dubois- Dubay, all of the 17th January, give details of this conspiracy, which had been accidentally discovered. General Brouard's animadversions on Regnaud's character, con- tained in the aforesaid letter, are additional proof of the dissensions which had existed between the civil and military authorities whom Bonaparte had appointed for the administration of the government. Malte le 28 Nivose an 7™ (17^7i January 1799).2 Silvestre Villeneuve, Centime Amiral, an Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies. CiTOYEN Ministre, — Le genie qui veille sur les destines de la Republique ■et de ses defEenseurs vient de faire avoi'ter une des plus profondes con- jurations qui ait ete con^ue et dont le resultat eut ete le massacre de tous les fran^ais qui sent a Malte, et la perte pour la Republique de cette possession importante. Le 22 je vous annon^ais I'arrivee de la polacre GalathSe, Capitaine davazza, expediee de Genes, par le Citoyen Belleville, chargee de vin, vinaigre, eau de vie, salaisons, &c. Nous apprimes par ce batiment la defaite de I'armee Napolitaine'' et I'entree de nos troupes a Rome le 24 Frimaii'e ; le General Vaubois, en rejouissance de cet evenement, ordonna qu'a midi toutes les batteries qui font face a I'ennemi feroient une decharge de leurs ai-tilleries ; au moment ou cette decliarge eut lieu, une nuee de paysans annes se presenta sous les remparts de la Floriane et de la Cotonaire ; ils ci'ioient — ouvres, ouvi^es done les portes ; le feu de notre mousquetterie et des canons a mitraille les eut bientot eloigne avec une perte d'hommes que Ton croit assez considerable. Dans la matinee le General Vaubois avoit eu quelques indices qu'il se tramoit un complot. Cet evenement augmentat ses soup9ons ; toute la garnison eut ordre d'etre en surveillance, a 8 lieures. A 8 houi-s du soir le Citoyen Bovard, capitaine Vassallo, p. 785. ^ From V. Borg's Appeals to the British Government, p. 20. ' Vincent Borg afterwards became one of Ball's inveterate enemies, on the ground that he (Borg) had been inadequately recompensed for his services, and (as he claimed) unjustly persecuted. This will appear later. (Note of Mr. Hardman.) * Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 84. 168 A HISTORY OF MALTA I will not undertake to order an attack until I know your determina- tion. The people in a body act as a strange machine, ever ready to go by the rule of contrary ; pray honoui" me with an answer, and believe me, with respect, &c. (Signed) Emanuele Vital. PS. — I have the honour to acquaint you that every arrangement is more perfect than we may be able to effect another time ; however, if you have any other motives than what I have suggested, we will resist the general impulse of the people. (Signed) Em^" Vital. [Answer.] H.M.S. Alexander, | past 9 o'clock p.m., 17th January 1799. Sir, — The only reason I have for deferring the attack of Cottonera is the backwardness which the Maltese troops have evinced. Several of the chiefs mentioned it to me. I would have you follow your own judgement. Tou shall have my suffrage. You are best acquainted with the character of your countrymen, and therefore ought to know when to seize the favour- able moment to lead them to victory. Whenever Captain Vivion writes to me I shall land with my people to co-operate. God prosper you, my dear General. Your friend, &c. (Signed) Alex"' John Ball.^ Referring to the failure of this attempt to capture Valetta, Lord Nelson, basing his opinion upon the annexed copy of Ball's dispatch of the 29th January, informed Earl St. Vincent on the 3rd February as follows 2 : — The Incendiary is just come from Ball off Malta, and has brought me information that the attempt of stonning the city of Valetta had failed from (I am afraid I must call it) cowardice. They were over the fii'st ditch, and retired, but I trust the zeal, judgment, and bi-avery of my friend Ball and his gallant party will overcome all difificulty. [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 29th January 1799.3 My Lord, — I had the honour of ^Titing to Your Loi'dship the 6th inst. by the Dorotea, wherein I mentioned my expectation of soon making a successful stroke against the French. I enclose an account of the pro- ceedings of the Maltese from the 5th to the 20th inst., with oiu' co-operation, which will prove that had they possessed any spirit of enterprise or courage we could have forced the French to capitulate. We are to make another attempt to storm Cottonera as soon as General Vital has completed ^ Captain Escoffier to the Minister of Marine, and ex-Consul Caruson, under date of the 23rd January, gave further details of the plot and the progress of the siege ; but their letters are omitted, because they cover the same ground as the previous, and as Vaubois' Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part II), in the Appendix. — J. H. R. ^ Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 254 (edit. 1845). 3 Clarke and MacArthur, vol. ii. p. 148 ; Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 127. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1 799 169 the corps I recomnaendecl raising. I have the satisfaction to acquaint Your Loi'clship that the conduct of the captains, officei\s, and men under my com- mand during the hite land co-operation has given the Maltese the highest opinion of the character of the British nation. They wish very much to be under oui- Government, and have a general aversion to the Neapolitan one. Greneral Caruana informed me the day after the plot at Valetta failed that had the chief succeeded whose name is Guillaume Lorenzi, he would have hoisted Russian colours. I believe this Russian party extends in the country ; two of the Russian deputies have been intriguing with the late Grand Master. The deputies have sent a letter to Your Lordship to request your intercession with His Sicilian Majesty to send them a supply of corn. If it be ordered them, I should recommend sending a small supply at a time. I shall hope soon to find out the traitor in the Russian party. Nine- tenths of the people wish to be under the English Government. By the end of January 1799 great scarcity of wheat was experienced^ when the deputies implored Nelson to obtain a supply from the Neapolitan Government upon the hypothecation of their public and private property. Their petition (referred to by Ball) was dated the 26th January, as follows : — [Translation.] Malta, 26th January 1799.1 My Lord, — The entire Maltese nation very earnestly pi'esents to Your Excellency the assurance of their most profound thanks for your efforts on their behalf in the past. It is the fleet of His Britannic Majesty, which is under your orders, and that of the Portuguese, which was sent by you, my Lord, that has guarded the safety and the liberty of this people. During the five months in which we have defended our lines, our towers, and our shores against an obstinate garrison, which has caused such misfortune to this island, all private individuals have contributed towards maintaining this people under arms, as well as the immense nunaber of emigrants and people driven from the blockaded cities, robbed even of their clothes. We have had recourse To His Majesty the King of Naples to supply us with the necessary pro- visions, both of war and for food. Orders have been given by this Sovereign, and victuals have been furnished us from Sicily, but after the past five months all our resources are now exhausted ; all the funds belonging to the Maltese (who for the greater part are within the besieged cities) are not in our possession, and we now find ourselves in the most critical position. Our desolation is complete, and the urgency is inex- pressible. Oui' enemies, closed within the impregnable fortifications, the work of two centuries, obstinately resist ; and they are in possession of wheat which will last for a long time. Our industries, our forces, our provisions, have lasted until now. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 128. 170 A HISTORY OF MALTA What desolation, my Lord, if through, the failing of food we shall have to capitulate to a perfidious nation, which has eluded its promises and violated all its treaties. Our hope, my Lord, is in the protection of Your Excellency and the great Britannic nation. We venture to supplicate for your influence on our behalf with His Majesty the King of Naples, besides your personal interest, to obtain for us a supply of grain on credit, against the hypothecation of all our public and private properties. An Act for this purpose has been drawn up and signed by all the proprietors of Malta. We beg you, my Lord, to come to our help and terminate a work so well commenced. We pray, my Lord, that you will accept the assurances of respect from our nation, and particularly that of our own ; and we have the honour, &c. (Signed) Count Salvadore Manduca. „ Count Ferdinando Theuma. ,, Marchese Vincenzo de Piro. „ Emmanuele Vitale; also as Commandant. ,, Canon Saverio Caruana. ,, YiNCENZO BORG. To His Excellency Lord Nelson. Notwithstanding Ball's admonitions, precautions, and sworn secrecy regarding the contemplated attack by assault on the Cottonera lines, it would appear from Admiral Villeneuve's dispatch to the Minister of Marine, under date of the 30th January, that the plan had been disclosed to the French authorities, and that in consequence due preparations were made for its repulse, should it ever be attempted : — Malte, le 11 Pluviose an T^"*^ {^Oth January 1199). Le Contre-Amii^al Yilleneuve au Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies.^ Citoyen Ministre, — Le 2 de ce mois nous avons celebre ici I'anniversaire de la mort du dernier despote des fran9ais,2 et le souvenir flateur de tons les evenements qui ont ete la suite de ce grand acte, a remplace, pendant cette journee, Thon^eur des trahisons, des complots et des assassinats dont nous sommes envii'onnees. Le 5, le tems etant calme, j'ai fait sortir une felouque commandee par le Citoyen Aussety, lieutenant de vaisseau du Gtnllaume Tell, et annee de 30 hommes du meme vaisseau pour intercepter quelques esperonares ou autres batiments que les rebelles employent le long de la cote ; elle s'est empai'ee en effet d'une esperonare charge d'olive et fromage, ayant 6 hommes d'equipage et d'une felouque Napolitaine qui sortait de Marsa Siroco oil elle avoit debarque un chargement de bled. L'equipage de la felouque s'est jette dans une embarcation et s'est sauve a ten^e, et les deux prises sont rentrees dans le port malgi^e le feu des batteries de la cote qui tiroient sur elles de tons les cotes. Le meme jour un enfant s'est echappe ' Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. ^ Louis XVI was executed on January 21, 1793. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 171 de la campagne et est rentre en villa ; nous avons s^u par lui et par les matelots de I'esperonare pris que les rebelles, excites par les Anglais, au desespoir d'avoir vu entrer dans le port quatre batiments charges de commestibles, desesperant de nous reduire par la famine se disposoient a nous donner un assaut general. Toutes les mesures sont prises pou^r les recevoir ; les remparts sent garnis de monde pendant la nuit et s'ils osoient se presenter, il y a lieu de croire qu'il en seroit fait un exemple, qu.i les corrigeroit pour longtems. Nous n'avons a regretter que la fatigue que cette surveillance continue impose a la garnison et aux marins. Trois vaisseaux Anglais se sont tenus plus rapproclies de nous depuis quelques jours, il est probable qu'ils veuillent prendi'e part a I'affaire et faire une diversion du cote du port. Salut et respect. (Signed) Yilleneuve. On the 31st January the Maltese deputies addressed Lord Nelson for the purpose of soliciting the retention of Ball in command of the blockading squadron, as follows : — [Translation.] Malta, Slst January 1799.1 My Lord, — "We have the honour to confirm to Your Excellency the contents of our letter which we addressed your Lordship on the 26th inst. "We again beseech your protection, upon which we base all our hopes. "Whilst asking for a supply of grain against the hypothecation of all our public and private properties, we have formulated another request which we supplicate Your Excellency to place before the eyes of His Majesty the King of Naples. In the stores belonging to the Order of Malta in Augusta there exists a quantity of biscuit, which has been paid for by that Order. We have a legitimate right to make this demand, having regard to the considerable debt owing to oui' University 3 by that said Order. What more urgent occasion could our people have for such succour ? We pray Your Excellency will use your influence so that His Majesty will issue orders for this biscuit to be delivered to us. This is a favour which we beseech the King to grant, and we flatter ourselves that our demand presented through Youi' Excellency will be successful. Our second and main object in rendering you thanks is relative to the general ofiicer to whom you have confided the command of the squadi"on stationed off our Island. Monsieur the Commandant Ball, on whom we have frequently had occasion to call, and in whom we observe so much honesty of purpose, merits all our acknowledgment, nor can we find words daily to convey such to him. In repeating our thanks to Your Excellency, we beg you will not change the present arrangement, for on the contrary, we desire that the charge of the blockade and our victory should always be confided 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 132. ' i.e. the corporation for the supply of corn, as before explained. — J^ H. R. 172 A HISTORY OF MALTA to this respected chief, "who has rendered us up to this time such signal services, and who so well understands the character of our nation. We place great impoi-tance on this request, and we trust that Your Excellency would kindly add this to our occasions of gratitude. We have the honour to avail ourselves of this occasion to repeat the assurances of the profound respect with which we remain, my Lord, Your Excellency's very humble and very obedient servants, the Deputies of the Maltese people, (Signed) Count Salvadore Manduca. ,, Count Ferdinando Theuma-Castelletti. „ Marquis Vincenzo de Pieo. „ Emmanuele Vital, and as Commandant. „ Canon Saverio Caruana. „ Vincenzo Borg. To His Excellency Lord Nelson. Intrigues and jealousies amongst the representatives of the people once more reappeared, as may be gathered from Mr. Vincent Borg's letters to Ball,, dated the 1st, 3rd, and 4tli February 1799, as follows : — [Verbatim copy.] Vincenzo Borg to Captain Ball. Birchircara, le premier joui" de Fevrier 1799.^ Monsieur, — Permettez-moi, Monsieur, de vous faire mille vives remer- ciemens de la bonte que vous avez faites voir d'avoir vers moi, quand vous etes venus chez-moi, et de I'honneur que vous m'avez fait en y venant. Mes obligations sont tres grandes, et je m'en souviendrais eternellement. Et ayes la satisfaction de savoir que la complaisance que vous avois [_sic\ eue pour moi a produit de tres bons effets, s'etant \_sic] tous mes adver- saires humilies, et mis dans la raison a ce qu'on montre dans leui" maniere d'agir. Quant a moi je les traite avec toute la douceur, amitie, et prudence, communicant tant au Prevost, qu'aux autres pi'etendents au gouvernement du Casal, les affaires qu'on pent leur comuniquer, et les faisant qu'un corps. Mais s'il aura quelqu'un qui se montrera incorrigible, on tachera de tx-ouver un paisible moyen pour I'eloigner de nous. Ce qui me deplait dans cette affaii-e, c'est que tous ceux qui avoient promis de s'en charger d'entretenir le camp, ont fort peu de substances, et en consequence, il faut que je poursuis a m'ecerveller pour trouver la maniere de nourrir le camp pour ne le laisser pas perdi'e. L'affaire duquel je vous ay ecrit dans ma derniere lettre commence avec ma tres grande satisfaction, et avec beaucoup de plaisir a se verifier. Je desire. Monsieur, avec beaucoup d'ardeur, d'avoir souvent des occasions de vous montrer que je suis vraiment tel que je me vante. Votre tres humble, tres obeissant et tres obbligeant serv""', (Signed) Vincenzo Borg. ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 106. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 173 [Verbatim copy.] YiNCENZO BORG TO CaPTAIN BaLL. Le 3 Fevrier 1799.' MoxsiEUE, — Je dois vous faire savoir qu'liier est sorti de la Valette un jeune horume de ceux qui avoit ete au Marsamuscetto poui' faire I'attaque de la ville, qui s'etoit tenu cache dans la meme \alle, et il nous a dit qu'on faisoit craindre pour fusilier des Maltois, mais que les execu- tions on les faisoint [sic] liors de la ville, tout pres de la potence envers nous, que les Maltois s'etoint protestes qu'on ne vouloit plus voir fusilier ces patriottes, et comme les Fran9ais ont eu la complaisance de faire fusilier liors de la ville on peut conclure qu'ils craignent les Maltois qui sont au dedans, et qu'ils ne vouloient pas les aigrir. II nous a encore dit ce jeune homme, qu'il y avait encore beaucoup de Maltois en piison, et en cor 300 Fran^ais avec les Maltois, mais separement a cause qu'ils s'etoint unis aux Maltois. Je dois encore vous faire savoir que les Fran^ais ont beaucoup renforce la gamison du Fort Manoel, et moi de mon cote je montre de faire beaucoup de prepai^tifs pour les faire croire que je pense de les attacquer de ce cote, a fin qu'ils mettent beaucoup de soldats au Fort Manoel et Tigne, et que se diminuisent le nombre de soldats de la Cottonere, je fais tout 9a croiant de vous plaire, et j'ai le plaisir de voir que mon idee reussit, car dans le Fort Manoel, on voit plus de monde, de ce qu'il y avoit, et ils nous tii'oint beaucoup de coups de cannons et de bombes, et les nuits ils soi"tent avec de la lumiere, poiu- voir jusque ou ai'rivent nos gardes avancees, et nous de notre cote tenons nos gardes plus serres, et plus renforcees, en cas que les Fran9ais desesperes s'aviseroient de faire quelque sortie. On dit que hier les Fran9ais sont sortis au nombre du 150 du cote du Zabbar, et qu'on eu une petite attacque avec les Maltois, et que les Fran9ais ont eu, trois de tues et plusieurs blesses. J'ai beaucoup de clioses a vous faire savoir regardont la tranquillite de I'isle, mais je ne vous les comunique pas, avant d'etre sur, mais ils sont de clioses qui se reparent facilement. Je vous prie de pardoner la mauvaise facon d'ecrire car je suis hors de chez moi, et je vous ecris avec beaucoup de presse, laquelle neanmoins ne m'empeche pas de vous assui'er d'etre votre tres umb*', et tres obeissant serviteur, (Signed) Vincenzo Borg. [Verbatim copy.] Vincenzo Borg to Captain Ball. Bircliircara, 4 Fevrier 1799.2 Monsieur, — Je ne saurois trouver des expressions adaptees pour vous remercier et vous expliquer ma reconaissance, pour la lettre de laquelle vous m'avait bonore liier, et en consequence, je me reserve a vous la faire connoitre par mon attach em ent a votre digne personne, et seulement je vous dis de n'avoir aucune affaire en Palenne, pour pouvoir me profiter de votre bonte. Dans la letti^e d'hier, je vous ai ecrit que j'avois de choses a vous faire » Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 139. 2 Ibid. f. 141. 174 A HISTORY OF MALTA savoir qui regai'dent la tranquillite publique, au present que je me suis bien infonne, etque j 'ai fait desmui^es reflexions, jeprends la liberie devous mettre sous les yeux que nous avons besoin de deux clioses pour etre ti'anquilles. Premierenient me semble necessaire que vous vous donniez la peine de vous f aire voir souvent a terre, a cause que tout le peuple ayant une grande estime pour vous, vous voyant souvent avec les cliefs, il les obeissent plus facilement sans aucune peine, et I'envie qui regnoit contre les cliefs entre les personnes qui voudroint se voir chefs eux memes, s'evanouisse au moment qu'on vous voit conferer avec eux, et nous avons eue I'experience dans la cabale qu'on avoit forme contre moi, qui est cesse, et s'est evanouie aussitot que vous avois eu la bonte de me faire I'honneur de venir chez- moi, et a present toutes les clioses sont dans la plus grand tranquillite executant ce que vous avois ordonne, car tous les Maltais estiment beau- coup les Anglais et aiment particulierement et venerent votre digne personne — et la plus part de nous en ires grand nombre se proteste ouvertement qu'il ne desire rien autant que de ne voir I'isle dominee que par les Anglais et Maltais, et gouvernee par le Commandant Ball. Et le jour que vous etiois [_sic] cbez-nioi, plusieurs personnes de la ville Notabile vouloint venir en corps a vous parler sur cette affaire, mais craignant de le faire sans vous prevenir au paravant, ils ont differe et remis a autre temps leui' projet. De tout 9a, je suis ete assure entre autres par une dame des plus respectables, qui a beaucoup de ci-edit, merite, et esprit. L'autre chose necessaire, Monsieur, c'est d'apporter remede a ce qui est souvent parvenu a vos oreilles regardant quelques partis qu'il pent y avoir, et se former, car j'ai su que pendant les dix ou onze mois que Hompesch a ete Grand Maitre, il avoit traite avec la Moscovie pour la faire entrer a participer de la domination de Malte en exigeant une autre langue dans le Corps de la Religion pour les Muscovites, et on avoient deja conclus toutes les conditions que je ne sais pas a present vous racconter, mais je les saurais en avant, mais surement elles etoient fort peu favorables aux Maltais, car la Religion et la Moscovie auroint fait des Maltais tout ce que leur auroit plut. Tout 9a s'est decouvert par les ecrits qu'on a trouves dans I'occasion de r expulsion du Grand Maitre, comme m'a assui*e de tout 9a, la dite dame. Or comme le dit arrangement avec la Moscovie a ete su par quelques Maltais attaches a la Religion, il y a cinque ou six d'entre eux qui sont en place, et qui voudroient (?) traiter de les rappeller, et faire venir de nouveau dans I'isle, et nous ne pouvons pas savoir 9e que se fera alors. Vous savois. Monsieur, qui sont telles personnes, et vous avois [sic] entre les mains leurs papiers, or toutes ces personnes qui inquietoient I'isle, devroint ce me semble etre totalement exclus du gouvernement, car des tels sujets ne doivent avoir aucune ingerance dans les affaires publics, autant plus qu'ils se trouvent en place accidentellement, non pas nommes par le peuple, mais mis par le Com"'' Vitale pour le soulager dans les affaires, ne con- aissant pas leurs caracteres, et ils sont actuellement tres mal vus par tout le peuple, n'y a pas une seule personne qui se trouveroit contente d'eux, en sorte que s'il ne leur sera otee toute sorte d'ingerence dans le gouvernement, le peuple les chassera violennement, et il pourroit arriver quelque revolution, et soyez sur que si le peuple viendi'a a savoir leurs intrigues il les massacrera tous certainement, car ils n'ont pas une personne qui soit de leur parti. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 175 La necessite de les exclure, et de les chasser est encore fort plus presante, a cause qu'etant eux seuls qui comme chefs ecrivent hors de I'isle, ce qu'ils ecrivent peut apporter la totale ruine de I'isle, car on croit que ce qu'ils ecrivent soit la volonte de tout le peuple, quand en realite, la volonte de tout les Maltais est toute contraire, or ce qu'ils leur manquoit etant des personnes qui ne c[li]ei'client aucunement I'utilite du peuple, et I'avantage de la patrie, mais seulement leurs interets particuliers, et au contraire en les chassant et ne restant pas plus chefs, ce qu'ils ecriront ne sera re9u hors de Malte comme volonte de tout les Maltais, mais comme une simple idee particuliere d'eux seulement. J'ai eu. Monsieur, connoissance de tout 9a en faisant des reflexions sur quelques mots, echappes de leur bouche, et par des informations qui m'ont etes donnees par un ami qui habite la ville !Notabile, et je trouve que 9a correspond a leur lettres, qui ont ete interceptees, et sont parvenues dans vos mains, et en consequence sans aucune difficulte je vous avance tout ce qn-e je vous ecris. Mais dans le meme temps je vous prie d'etre bien sur que tout ce que je vous ai ecrit du commencement de notre correspondance, et tout ce que j'aurais I'honneur de vous ecrire jusque a ma mort n'a ete, et ne sera jamais dicte d'aucun interet particulier, mais seulement inspire par la verite et la sincerite, et par le desir que je nourris dans mon sein de faciliter la defence de ma religion, et de ma pati-ie, et de voir notre isle confiee a des bonnes mains. Je me crois aussi oblige de vous faire savoir que toute I'isle de Malte est tres contente, et le peuple a une ti-es grande joie de vous voir bloquer aussi etroitement le poi*t, croiant que sur cela il puissent fonder une sure esperance que vous n'etes pas eloigne d'accepter nos veux et d'entreprendre notre protection. Je suis. Monsieur, dans le cas de m'enhardir a vous supplier de vouloir bien accorder a un tel Cap"" Mirabite, Maltais, la gi-ace qu'il vous demande, d'ordonner qu'on lui donnoit son brick ou cutter, avec son charge de vin, et je prends la liberte de vous prier cette grace, non seulement a cause qu'il me semble selon son information, qu'il soit assiste, par la raison, mais en cor parceque le dit cap"''' offre de nous preter le montant du prix du vin pour r employer a nourir notre battalion. Mais avec tout cela, s'il ne merite pas d'etre re9u dans sa demande, je vous prie de ne la lui pas accorder, et je vous prie 9a, avec plus de ferveur de ce que je vous prie de la lui accorder. Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur, la liberte que j'ai pris, pardonnez-moi, aussi la longueur de cette lettre ; ne me piivez jamais de votre protection, et permettez-moi de pouvoir toujours me vanter, Monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissant serv'', (Signed) Vincenzo Borg. PS. — Monsieur, soyez sur que tout ce que je vous ecris sont de senti- ments bien murs que j'ai formes apres des mures reflexions que j'ai faites, et je puis assurer aussi de la fidelite de mon secretaire, et de son silence, et pour nous assurer de 9a, je vous ecris de ma main. (Signed) Vincenzo Borg. The deplorable condition to which, by this time, the people had teen reduced for want of food, and by the dissensions of their chiefs. 176 A HISTORY OF MALTA were referred to by Ball in liis dispatches to Nelson of the 4th and 5th February, of which the following' are extracts : — [Extract.] H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 4th February 1799.1 . . . The Maltese chiefs have raised six hundi'ed men on whom, they can depend wheneA^er they make an attack ; they are to be supported by four thousand men, who, stimulated by our example, may act with vigour. They seem ashamed of their former conduct. They are to attack Cottonera in a few days. The chiefs express themselves much hui't at the treachery of Guillaume Lorenzi, the chief of the late plot, who with a few others would have hoisted Rus.sian colours had he succeeded. The great body of the people were ignorant of it. They have a great dislike to the Russians, and ai*e so prepossessed in favour of the English that they are continually in^-iting me to hoist British colours all over the island. They pay such a deference to the English that it has enabled me, by a friendly interposition, to accommodate disputes between the chiefs, which otherwise would have teiminated very seriously. I enclose a letter which I have just received on that subject from a chief who supports a battalion at his own expense, and has shown more zeal and patriotism than any person on the island. The Maltese begin to dread the want of bread. Last week they had not sufficient for one day, but fortunately a large Imperial ship laden with com was brought-to off St. Paul's, and sent in there. I suspect she was bound to Valetta. She was from Gii-genti, cleared out for Leghorn. We obliged the master to sell his cargo to the Maltese. I stopped a vessel the fii'st of this month steering for Valetta with three hundi^ed and fifty barrels of beef, fifty of pork, and fifty-three pipes of wine. I enclose her case, which I have drawn up, to be laid before the British Consul at Palermo. I intend having the hull and cargo adjudicated. ... I am perfectly satis- fied that the Russian party consists of a very few men who formerly were in places under the Grand Master. I am assured that the Maltese will never accept or listen to any terms which the Russians may hold out so long as the English protect them. ... I have studiously endeavoured to attach the Maltese to the Neapolitan Government, and declared to them that I had not any authority to enter into any treaty with them, but whenever the French were driven from the Island I would give a passage to any of their Deputies who wished to consult Your Lord- ship. If we do not succeed in our attack of Cottonera we shall want a thirteen-inch mortar. "We have twelve hundred shells which were sent with the two bad mortars, out of which we had not fired more than fifty before they were rendered useless. [Extract.] H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 6th February 1799.3 . . . The Maltese assure me they will be ready to storm Cottonera in a few days. They are in gi*eat distress for bread. I have this moment received a letter from Caruana, the Maltese chief, representing the necessity 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 166. ■ Ibid. f. 170. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 177 of a speedy supply. La Justice, French frigate, has hauled out to the mouth of Valetta Harbour, and will push out the first favourable moment with the treasure of the Island. She is very deep. The application for a supply of wheat, referred to in the deputies' dispatch of the 26th January, was at last favourably entertained by the Neapolitan Government, and Ball was ordered to send over to Girgenti or Licata a vessel of war, in order to secure the safe arrival of the corn in Malta. His instructions were as follows : — Palermo, 4^/i February 1799.1 My dear Ball, — I have just received youi' letter with its several enclosures, and although 1 regi'et that the nialconduct of the Maltese has caused the enterprise to fail, yet I trust that at a futui-e day it will succeed. I am satisfied, my dear fi'iend, that you and your brave companions have done all which was possible to do. Respecting the com wanted for Malta, I wrote yesterday to General Acton, and received the answer, of which I enclose you a copy. This evening I saw the King, and he is exceedingly angiy to think that his faithful Maltese subjects should want for any comforts or necessaries which it is in his power to bestow. I would wish you to send over to Girgenti or Alicata in order to secure the safe arrival of the corn in Malta. If ever Malta surrenders, the King of Naples is its legitinaate Sovereign, and his flag must fly, and the British squadron will support it. Should any party hoist the Russian or other flag, the King will not, and I will not, pennit the extraction of corn from Sicily, nor from any other place. I trust you will be able to prevent all French vessels from entering the Port. I well know the difficulty of the task, but I am confident everything which an excellent ofiicer can do will be done. If I get hold of a Portuguese corvette she shall come to you. I have ordered a ship of the line of that nation to put herself under your com- mand. If the commander objects, let it be in writing, and then recommend him to cruise in a particular place, so as not to annoy the Tunis cruisers^ who are out against the French. In shoi^t, my dear Ball, use the Poi-tuguese in some way or other. As to gunboats or any assistance from this Govern- ment, it is not [to] be expected, but you shall have every small vessel I can lay my hands upon. You will, with your usual discretion, tell the Deputies my opinion about the conduct of the Russians ; and, should any Russian ships or admiral arrive off Malta, you will convince him of the very un- handsome manner of treating the legitimate Sovereign of Malta, by wishing to see the Russian flag fly in Malta, and also of me, who command the forces of a Power in such close alliance with the Russian Emperor, which have been blockading and attacking Malta for near six months. The Russians shall never take the lead. Respecting stores and provisions, I have none here : all are at Syi^acuse, and Troubridge^ authorised to make a distribution of them. Till the ships come fx'om Egypt I cannot change any of your ships of the line, as they are older than yourself. The Goliath is to carry Sir William and Lady * Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 255. 2 Captain Troubridge, of H.M.S. Culloden.—J. H. R. 178 A HISTORY OF MALTA Hamilton to England whenever they choose to go, but the time is not yet fixed. Minorca calls for two sail of the line. Minotaur goes directly for Gibraltar ; but the Earl tells me he will not send the Foudroyayit till I send him two sail of the line. The exchange of Marine officers will suit Captain Cresswell, I hope ; but many ships will, in my opinion, go down the Mediterranean before Goliath, as she is kept to attend our good friends. You will, my dear Ball, always act in such a manner as to do credit to yourself and country, and always to meet the approbation of your sincere and affectionate (Signed) Nelson. To THE Deputies op the Maltese People. H.M.S. Bellerophon, Palermo, bth Fehruary 1799.1 Gentlemen, — I here enclose for your infonnation the copy of a letter I have received from General Acton respecting the supply of corn wanted by the Maltese people. T am happy to have it in my power, and shall always be ready to yield you every assistance. Captain Ball, who com- mands before Malta, and of whose conduct and abilities I have the highest opinion, will also give you all the assistance in his power to get the corn over to Malta. Wishing you every success against your enemies, and a speedy surrender of the capital again into your possession, I am, &c. (Signed) Nelson. Notwithstanding the promises of His Sicilian Majesty and Prime Minister Acton that a supply of wheat should be sent to Malta, the orders were not immediately obeyed. This delay drew from Canon Caruana the following pathetic appeal to Nelson^ dated the 5th February 1799 :— [Translation.] From the Camp of St. Joseph, hth Fehruary 1799.2 Your Excellency, — So long a time has elapsed since we appealed to His Majesty the King of Naples to supply us with the means of sustenance, that we have lost all hope of receiving his help. We are reduced to the greatest straits, for the rich no longer exist, and the poor are dying of hunger. In all directions disease and death are rife for want of food. Foreign money cannot be found, and local money is also scarce. Trade of all kinds is impeded, and our produce no longer exported. We are consequently deprived of all aid which might to some extent sustain us. I am still confined to my bed with a feverish attack, and the anxiety of our situation increases my illness, and may be the cause of my death. As you are the hope of our salvation, I have at all times reposed my trust in Your Excellency, knowing the affection which .you have assui^ed me you possess for this unliappy population. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34963, f. 63. 2 Ihid. 34943, f. 145. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 179 Yotu' Excellency may remain assui'ed that from present appearances ■we shall be compelled within a few days to lay down our arms and abandon our positions. Oh, what a misfortune! oh, what a disaster! if, after the endeavoui's we have made and sustained for so great a length of time we should at last become a prey to our enemy for want of food. In our present afflictions it is in Your Excellency alone that I can place any hope, and if at least you could give us some assurance it would sustain us in oui" many trials. To have any trust in Sicily appears to be vain. This I gather from the complaints which are made to me by various Maltese, who find it difficult to obtain their cargoes, as they are detained in quarantine, and, moreover, are badly treated. May Your Excellency be pleased to have commiseration upon us in our deplorable misfoi^tunes, and cast upon us the benign glance of a generous English soul. Your Excellency may be assured that my opinions are shared by all. All ask for your help — all firmly believe that you will become their liberator and common father. I beg Your Excellency will pardon me, but the obligations which I owe to my country compels me to trouble you ; and, whilst tendering you my warmest sentiments of gratitude, and full of sincerest esteem, I sign myself, &c. Canon Caruana. In the Archives Nationales of Paris the following three extracts of Doublet's letters, written on the 8th, 13th, and 25th February, are to be found in Carton AF III. 73. They give an account of the situation of affairs within the city at those dates, with suggestions for the better government of the island Avhen once the siege should be raised. The same carton also contains a letter from Dejean, chief of the 80th Demi-Brigade, dated Paris, 31st March 1799, but giving details of the besieged up to the 7th February, from a military point of view. EXTRAITS DES LeTTRES DU CiTOYEN DOUBLET, COMMISSAIEB DU GOUVERNEMENT FrAN^AIS A MaLTB. Le 20 Pluviose an 7 (8^7^ February 1799).i Le Citoyen Doublet etabli a Malthe depuis 1779 a ete premier Commis de la Secretaii'ex'ie d'Etat Fran^aise depuis 1781 jusqu'a la cession de Tisle aux Fran9ais. II n'y a rien ignore de la politique des Grands Maitres Rohan et Hompesch avant et pendant la Revolution. Rohan fut, jusqu'a sa mort, partisan de la Cause Royale et des Emigres. II en accueillit et pensionna plusieurs. II laissa vexer a Malthe les amis de la Revolution, il soufErit apres la prise de Toulon, que les Anglais fissent a Malthe une levee de matelots. Enfin le Citoyen Doublet assure que si dans I'exex'cise de sa place, il eut mis moins de prudence, d'adresse et de fermete, il n'auroit pu ramener ce Grande Maitre aux vrais principes de la 1 Arch. Nat., AF III. 73, N 2 180 A HISTOEY OF MALTA neutralite et dejouer les intrigues qui tendoient a faire passer I'isle dans les mains des Anglais. La proposition de se jeter entre leurs bras fut faite a cinq reprises differentes aux Grands Maitres Rohan et Hompesch, mais toujours d'une maniere indirecte, afin de sauver a Pitt en cas de non succes, la honte d'une tentative inutile. La premiere de ces tentatives fut fait par le Ministre Anglais en Suisse, qui fit propose au Gi^and Maitre de recevoir un subside du Roi d'Angleterre et de recevoir dans le port de Malthe tous les vaisseaux de gueiTC Anglais qui se presenteroient. Cette pi'oposition fut renouvellee par deux membi-es de I'Ordre, venus I'un d'Anspach et 1' autre de Coblentz. Le Vice-Roi epbemere de Corse, Elliot,^ la fit faire de nouveau par un autre membre de I'Ordre, le Cbevalier Sade. Le Citoyen Doublet assure que, dans toutes ces occasions, ce fut lui qui empecha Rohan d'accepter cette proposition et que de Sade quitta Malthe en le mena9ant de toute la colere du gouvernement Anglais si jamais il tombait entre ses mains.^ La cinquieme tentative fut faite a Rastadt par le secretaire de la Legation de I'Ordre au Congres. Ce secretaire nomme de Bray ecrivoit au Grande Maitre Hompesch (ses lettres originales ont ete remises au General Bonaparte) que les rran9ais preparoient une expedition contre Malthe et contre I'Egypte,. il le pressoit dans les termes les plus forts de confier la defense de Malthe aux Anglais en leur livrant le port, la place et les forts, et resei^vant pour I'Ordre la souverainete sur les gens de la cam- pagne. Quelqu'-envie que Hompesch eut de regner, il se seroit peut-etre decide a recevoir les Anglais s'ils eussent paru, mais Bonaparte les prevint heureusement. II n'y avait pas un an que Hompesch etoit elu ; il avoit achete les suffrages, et ses dettes montaient a trois cent mille ecus. La douceur et I'affabilite de son caractere, sa generosite, sa belle figui'e, I'avoient rendu I'idole du pays, en sorte que, malgre I'enormite de ses dettes, il trouvait encore les moyens d'emprunter. II a emporte beaucoup d'argent aux Malthois independamment de celui que Bonaparte lui a fait compter. II n'a du reste emporte d'autres papiers que les registres des protocoles de rOrdi'e que le General lui fit remettre. II avait engage le Citoyen Doublet a le suivre en qualite de secre- taire en lui otfrant des appointements considerables, mais le Citoyen Doublet lui repondit qu'il aimoit mieux rester a Malthe pour y servir la Republique. Le Citoyen Doublet a S9U par le General Bonaparte que le Directoire Executif avoit cru qu'il s'etoit forme entre les Grands Maitres et la Russie des liaisons tendant a faire tomber I'isle entire les mains de cette puissance. Mais il assure qu'il n'a jamais ete question d'un arrangement de cette natui^e, qu'il auroit ete impossible de lui cacher. ' Sir Gilbert Elliot (afterwards Lord Miuto) was Civil Commissioner for Corsica during the time of the British occupation from the early part of 1794 to the end of 1796.. (See Life of Lord Minto, vol. ii. pp. 340-58.)— J. H. R. ' Nothing is known of this mission of De Sade to Malta. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 181 Pour le Directoire Ex^cutip. 25 Pluviose an 7 (ISth February 1799). i Avec plus de prudence et de menagements pour les liabitans, avec plus de precautions et de sui'veillance on auroit conserve I'isle dans I'etat ou Bonaparte I'a laissee. Des changemens trop precipites ont dispose les liabitans a la revolte et a faire cause commune avec nos ennemis. Jusqu'a present leurs attaques n'ont abouti qu'a ecraser une centaine de maisons dans les parties de la ville, a Test du pont, jadis appellees I/a Sengle, Le Borgo et Borvwla. L'intention des Anglais etoit de bruler nos vaisseaux et fregates ainsi que I'arsenal et les magazins de la marine qui sont dans cette partie et qu'on ne pent placer ailleui^s sans un plus grand danger. lis seront trompes dans leurs esperances ; mais le garnison est extreme- ment fatiguee. Les grandes chaleurs et la mauvaise nourriture peuvent produii^e des maladies et diminuer le nombre de nos soldats. [The same to the same.] 7 Ventose an 7 {2Uh February 1799) .2 Les Anglais continuent a bloquer le port etroitement ; le beautemps le favorise tellement que tout ce qui y seroit envoye, n'importe de quel cote, tomberoit entre leurs mains. Le General Vaubois continue a faire sortir de la ville toutes les bouches inutiles et tous les liabitans sortiroient (tant est grande et leur misere et la peur qu'ils ont des bombes) si le General ne retenait ceux dont les services sont necessaires. Une parfaite union regne entre les autorites civils et militaires. A dire vrai tous les pouvoirs sont a peu pres reunis dans la personne du General ; rien ne se fait que par ses ordres, sa participation ou son approbation. Les attributions particulieres peuvent en souffrir, ainsi que I'interet de quelques Maltais, mais les circonstances et le salut publique T exigent pour conserver cette place, sans recevoir presque aucuns secours du dehors. II faut user de toutes les ressources que le pays pent offrir, et ce n'est pas peu qu'elles ayent pu suffire. Au reste dans toutes les mesures de rigueur, telles que la vente des efPets, engages au mont de piete, la suppression ou la suspension du traitement d'invalides et dupain d'aumone, on a toujours excepte les meres, femmes et soeurs des Maltliais embarques pour I'expedition d'Egypte. Cependant les ressources s'epuisent et des secours en argent seroient bien necessaires. Beaucoup de Malthais avoient avant I'arrivee des Fran9ais, fournis des objets ou des marchandises au tresor ou au Grand Maitre de rOrdre. lis n'etoient point payes, ils ont reclame leur payment. Dans le nombre il y en avoit qui etoient deja pauvi-es et que le changement de gouvernement achevoit de miner. Faute de moyens il a fallu ajourner leurs demandes. D'autres avoient engage au mont de piete presque tous leurs effets qui ont ete vendus pour servir aux besoins de la garnison. Tous ces hommes sont dans une situation tres cruelle ; il sera juste de les en dedommager, lorsque la Republique aura affermi sa conquete. » Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. 2 Ibid. 182 A HISTORY OF MALTA Get evenement sera le resixltat necessaire ou de la defaite, ou de la lassitude des ennemis, ou de la paix generale. Mais alors meme il ne faudi'a pas songer a faire jouir tout d'un coup I'isle de Malthe des avantages de la constitution. Le peuple Malthais n'est pas mur pour la liberte,! il lui faudra des institutions preparatoires. L'ignorance, la superstition et le fanatisme sont la maladie universelle des habitants. Ce n'est qu'avec beaucoup de precau- tions et de soin qu'on parviendra a les en guerir. lis sont, par habitude et par inclinaison sous le double joug des pi-etres et des gens de loi, parmi lesquels on trouvei'oit difficilement une demi-douzaine d'individus capables d'avoir et d'inspirer aux auti-es 1' amour de la liberte, de la Republique, et de ses lois. L'Eveque, ne sujet du Roi de Naples et ex-moine, est un homme bien- faisant. On lui doit d'avoir reforme les moeurs de son clerge et d'avoir rendu I'enseignenient moins mauvais qu'il n'etoit avant lui. Mais cet enseignement n'en est pas moins deplorable ; peu d'ecoles, point de societe S9avante, point d'etablissements de bienfaisance, point de manufactui^e ; tout est a creer dans ce pays. La premiere mesure a pi-endi-e sera de desarmer tous les habitants sans exception, et d'expulser tous auteurs et px'incipaux soutiens de la rebellion. Ensuite il faudi^a tenir a Malthe une garnison assez forte, mais non pas celle qui s'y trouve maintenant, parceque, consei*vant le souvenir de ce qu'elle a souffert, elle ne pourroit voir de bon oeil ni de sang froid les gens de campagne qui tous ont pris un part plus ou moins active a la revolte, et dans ce moment mem.e, il resulte de cette disposition, beaucoup de desordre que tous les soins du General en Chef ne peuvent prevenir. Paris, le 11 Germinal an 7'"" (31*^ March 1799) .3 Dejean Chef de la 80""^" \ B*^"' d'lnf*'- de Ligne au Directoire Executif. CiTOYBNS DiEECTEURS, — Atteint, depuis huit mois, d'un rumatisme qui avait paralise une partie de mon corps, et dont les douleurs m'avait encore renouvelle celles d'une ancienne blessure, j'avais obtenu en Vendemiaire dernier de la pai't du General de Div"' Vaubois, command*' I'lsle de Malte, I'autorisation de passer en France, poxu" le retablissement de ma sante. J'ai cru me devoir a moi-meme I'honneur de rester, dans une place assiegee, dont le commandement m'avait ete confie, par le General Bonapai^te ; cx'oyant aussi que le tems diminuerait nos soufErances, et que les rigueurs de I'hiver se faisant sentir, obligerait non seulement les habitants de I'isle, insurges centre nous, a rentrer dans I'ordre, et forcerait encore les Anglais a quitter le blocus de cette place ; mais trompe dans mes esperances, et sentant mon mal s'accroitre tous les jours je n'ay pu me dispenser apres cinq mois des plus fortes privations, de me detenniner a partir pour la France, oil je i^etrouverai les secoui's necessaires au retab- lissement de ma sante. C'est le 19" Pluviose [7th February] dernier que le General Vaubois me detennina de partir, charge des depeches pour le Gouvernement, et m'engagea apres m.'avoir donne connaissance de leur contenu, de prendre ' This is interesting in view of the excessive organisation of the island by the administration set up by Bonaparte. — J. H. R. 2 Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 183 des nottes [notes] particulieres, desquelles je pouiTais me servir en cas d'evenenient en mer. Cette precaution n'a pas ete sans succes, et le b^timent snr lequel j'etais embarque ayant ete pris, j'ai cru qu'il etait prudent de jetter les depeches a la mer, «e metant cependant determine a prendre ce partie, qu\l la dermere extremite, et lorsque je me stiis vu dans Vimpossihilite ahsolue de pouvoir les sauver ; ce fait etant legalement constate par le certifficat de tous les passagers et officiers du bort \_sic], sur lequel j'etais, croyant iuutille de vous detailler tous les evenements qui nous sont survenus dans notre traversee, je me suis borne K avoir I'honneur de vous informer de I'objet principal qui est la situation de la place. Malgre le blocus resserre, que faisait ordinairement dix vaisseaux ou fregates Anglais de la place ; quatre battiments venus de Grennes [Genes] et Marseille avai[en]t echappe a leur surveillance, et les appro visionnements qu'ils avait apportes, reunis a ceux qui existait, pouvait suffir aux besoins de la gamison pour dix mois, et un an en se genant un peu comm'on I'avait fait precedement. II est cependant des objets de pi^emiere necessite dont la place ne se tix)uve pas pourvu ; la viande fraiche pour les malades manque totalement, ainsi que le bois ou charbon. Dans le cas il ne fut pas possible de faire parvenir le premier objet, il pourrait se i-emplacer par des tablettes de bouillon. L'hopital, malgre les medicaments qui ont ete envoyes, a un besoin absolu de quinquina. L'arsenal est dans un depourvu total de cliarbon, ainsi que de bois de construction pour le rechange des affuts. Les bombes de huit et douze pouces ne sont guaire [guere] plus abon- dantes que les boulets de 12, 18, and 24. II y aurait meme a craindre, si le siege etait soutenu et se faisait en regie, que la place ne pent paa empecher I'etablissement de certaines batteries qui lui nuirait sans doutte, si elle etait privee de 9es munitions. Malgre qu'on aye utilise toutes les ressoui'ces que nous avai[en]t procurees certaines etablissements qui etait dans la place, la solde de la trouppe commen^ait a etre arrieree, et son liabillement etait dans le plus pressant besoin. Quatre mille combattants pour garder une place forte et assiegee de six milles d'ai^rondissement ne pent que bien fatiguer le militaire ; aussi le General Vaubois demandait il un supplement de gamison de quinze cents hommes. Voila, Citoyens Directeurs, quelle etoit la situation de la place lorsque ma ti'iste situation m'a force d'en quitter le commandement et quellesque soyent les suittes des evenements qui semblait la menacer, contes sur le courage et la perseverance des militaires qui la deffendent ; ils sont deter- mines a tout souffrir pour conserver a la Republique, un port duquel depent [_sic] le sort de I'armee d'Egipte. Salut & respect. (Signed) D^jean. PS. — A mon passage a Milan j'ai donne au General en Chef de I'annee d'ltalie, les instructions qu'il a paru desirer. J'ay aussi ecrit au Ministre Belleville a Gennes [Genes] pour que dans le cas il fit faire quelque expedition pour Malte, il ne manqu^t pas d'envoyer les objets manquants et desquels je lui ay aussi donne notte [note]. 184 A HISTORY OF MALTA Five months' experience of the siege convinced Lord Nelson at last that Valetta could not be captured by assault^ and that its eventual fall could only be assured, not by brilliant feats of arms, but by the pangs of famine, which a strict blockade must eventually secure, unless relief to the garrison in the meanwhile arrived. Possessed of this opinion he gave his views of the situation to Earl Spencer in the following dispatch : — [Extract.] 1th Febmary 1799.1 To Earl Spencer, — . . . The enemy have only succeeded in getting two small vessels into the port during the whole winter, the others being all taken.2 An attempt at assault has been made, but failed, not from the enemy, but from fear of the Maltese ; 200 had got over the wall, and did not take possession of the gate to let in their comrades, but Captain Ball yet hopes to be more successful another time. I am sure nothing will be wanting on his part, or that of the English officers under him, but 1 own I build my hopes of success, more on the closeness of the blockade, than on the valour of the Maltese. (Signed) I^elson. On this same day a meeting of the Congress of all the Chiefs of Malta was held at Citta Vecchia, when it was unanimously agreed to dispatch a deputation to present to His Sicilian Majesty a humble petition, begging permission to appeal to His Britannic Majesty for his special protection until the close of the war, and further, to explain the critical position in which the island was placed, for want of the necessaries of life. The deputation so appointed consisted of the Assessor Aguis, M. le Baron Fournier, and M. L'Abbe Savoye. The following is an extract of the deliberations of the Congress : — [Translation.] Extract from the record op the deliberations op the Congress OP the Maltese Chiefs.^ This 7th day of February 1799, at a meeting of the Assembly of all the Chiefs of Malta, held at Citta Vecchia, for the purpose of nominating thi'ee Deputies to proceed to Palermo, and there present to His Sicilian Majesty a petition relative to the present cii^cumstances of this Island, it has hereby appointed for that mission the Assessor Aguis, Baron Fouimier, and the Abbe Savoye, and the Congress has issued to them the following instructions : — 1st. The said Deputies will sign a petition to the King, wherein they will solicit His Majesty's permission for the Congress to appeal to His Britannic Majesty graciously to consent to grant them His Majesty's special protection. ' Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. vii. p. clxxiii. Nelson here under-estimated the successes of the blockade-runners. — J. H. R. ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 147. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 185 2nd. They are authorised to make this petition, wherein they will explain the ci'itical condition of the Island, the necessity of obtaining victuals, particularly on credit under the hypothecation of all public and private property. 3rd. That owing to these circumstances, the need of hoisting the flag of His Britannic Majesty. 4th. To request that a Governor shall be appointed who would conciliate and unite all parties. 5th. To do nothing without the pennission of His Sicilian Majesty. All which has been unanimously voted. The original signed by all the membei's present at the Congress in conformity with the original. The Maltese Deputies : (Signed) The Abb£ Savoye. „ Baron Fournier. „ Assessor Louis Aguis. Captain Ball acquainted Nelson on the 9th and 10th of February of the appointment of these deputies, and the object of their Mission. The following are extracts of these letters : — Captain Ball to Admiral Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 9th Fehruary 1799.' . . . The inhabitants have deputed three gentlemen of good character to present a petition to His Sicilian Majesty and Your Lordship, praying that they may be put under the protection of Great Britain during the war, and unless it takes place I have every reason to assert that it will soon fall into the hands of another nation. 1 can pei'ceive by Your Lord- ship's letter of the 25th of last month that you foresaw the necessity of this measure, and of the great check this will give to the disaffected Jacobins in the Island of Sicily. Yoiu- Lordship will hear from many quarters of the strong attachment which the Maltese evince for the English, whom they esteem from principle, and whom they fear, knowing we have always the means of punishing them, and they are now more sensible of it than ever, from their having experienced what they would not believe before, that a British squadron can block them up and starve them in the winter months. . . . The Russians have not sent any pro- clamations here, and Youi' Lordship may depend upon my never allowing one of their ships to come in. "Whenever any of them shall appear off the port I shall acquaint the commandei'S that the Russian plot formed last December in the Island, of which Guillaume Lorenzi was the chief, has occasioned the loss of a great many lives, which has so exasperated the Maltese that I could not answer for the safety of any of their ships. With great deference I will ventui^e to predict that Your Lordship is going to render your country a most essential service by annexing Malta to it, and it will give me an opportunity of proving your ideas, that by an economical government many islands would be a source of wealth to Great Britain ; and I can answer you that Malta will pay fourfold the expense of maintaining it by making it a great depot for the British manufactures, ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 212. 186 A HISTORY OF MALTA which will be sent from thence to Tripoli, Tunis, Sicily, and the coast to the eastward.i Malta grows sufficient com to support the inhabitants six months in the year, and their exports of cotton and salt would enable them to maintain the island, but they cannot keep a garrison to defend it against a vigorous attack. They have a sufficient number of men : all that is required of Great Bi-itain will be to allow the expense of two thousand British soldiei-s, and a sufficient salary to me to support my rank with the smallest militaiy staff that can be appointed. Foui" thousand a yeai* would pay a builder, a master attendant, gunboats and crews with boats for warping ships in and out of port here. The fir-st year money must be sent us, after which there will not be any difficulty in getting bills negoti- ated here. ... I beg leave to observe to Your Lordship that it is absolutely necessary His Sicilian Majesty should send immediately five or ten thousand pounds, either on his own account or that of Great Britain ; and I should strongly recommend not to send any British officers or soldiers here. I have already an officer of artillery and his party, with whom I am very well satisfied. The Maltese export a great deal of cotton to Spain, which can be carried on under the Tunisian flag. If the English were to keep Malta in the peace, they would take cotton in return for their goods, which they would carry to Spain and exchange for another cargo. Captain Ball to Admiral Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 10th February 1799.2 1 shall attend the meeting to-morrow of the chiefs and principal inhabitants, which we call a Congress, at which I preside. It is held twice a week, and unless I am there they assure me it is not in their power to preserve sufficient order to proceed in business. I shall have great satis- faction in announcing to them His Sicilian Majesty's bounty in ordering so great a supply of coi-n, which I shall immediately have convoyed in safety here. I must beg leave to point out to Your Lordship that four thousand Maltese soldiers have been serving more than five months without pay or clothing, who are now so ragged as to make it impossible to do duty much longer without being clothed, and it is absolutely necessary that they should be taken into pay ; without this is done the inhabitants foresee they shall be at the mercy of any nation who chooses to attack them. The Deputies will have the honour of representing these particulai'S to Youi' Lordship. ... I shall enclose herewith a letter I have received from Yincenzo Borg, chef of Casal Lia and Birchircara, which I can assure Your Lordship is the language all over the Island. At the time the Maltese were in distress for bread their minds were in a gi^eat ferment, and they would have made an example of some of their chiefs had I not prevented it by visiting frequently the camps and acted with more energy and a greater dictatorial strain than usual. If His Sicilian Majesty will defray the expense of two thousand men on the footing which I pointed out in my letter of yester- day's date it may succeed, provided their trade can be protected, but I can assui^e Youi^ Lordship that the most effectual way of securing this Island to * See a somewhat similar Report on Malta, dated June 16, 1800, in tlie Dropmore Papers, vol. vi. pp. 248, 249.— J. H. R. 2 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 224. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 187 His Majesty will be to cede it for the war to Great Britain, and I cannot help being strongly impressed with the important consequences this will have in checking the plans of the Sicilian Jacobins, and it is probable the effect will reach Calabria. Your Lordship will hear of the great antipathy the Maltese have to H.S. Majesty's Government, and of the great difficulty I had in making them hoist Neapolitan colours. They are more indifferent about the French leaving them, from the idea that we shall leave them the moment the business is over, and the great risk they run in being carried afterwards by a coup de main. I assured them that we should always have a naval force off here, and when I consented to their sending Deputies to His Sicilian Majesty and Youi' Lordship, and allowed for the present to unite English colours with the Neapolitan flag, it seemed to invigorate them, and occasioned a general joy throughout the Island. The chiefs promise me they will stonn the French works in a very short time ; they are now exercising the charge of bayonet, and seem more determined than ever. I am most particularly anxious that His Sicilian Majesty and Your Loi'dship may be assured that there has not been the smallest intrigue or indirect means to impress the Maltese with such an attachment to the English. They seem to feel as strong a partiality for them as the Minorcaeens do. The petition to His Majesty the King of Naples was prepared in Malta, and although it bears no date it would appear from a letter addressed to Captain Ball by Vincenzo Borg to have been signed on the 9th February 1799. This petition was severely criticised by the aforesaid Borg, who alleged that it did not accurately convey the people's desires, that it unnecessarily acknowledged rights of sovereignty over the Islands of Malta and Gozo, and, further, that by asking for permission to raise the British standard until the close of the war, it implied that when that event occurred the flag of another Power might be raised, which Avas in entire opposition to the wishes, desires, and aspirations of the population. The petition, and Mr. Borg's letter referring thereto, are as follows : — [Translation.] 9th Febriiary 1799.' To His Majesty the King, our Sovereign. Sire, — The Representatives of the clergy and people of Malta, the most humble servants and faithful subjects of Your Majesty, with all reverence, approach the throne of Your Majesty to represent to what extent they the people have given the greatest proofs of their attachment and fidelity to Your Majesty's crown by having taken up arais against the French, who unlawfully have occupied the Islands of Malta and Gozo, and deprived Your Majesty of those rights Your Majesty possesses thereon, and ' Bi-it. Mug. Add. MSS. 34947, f. 96. 188 A HISTORY OF MALTA furtlier, by having immediately appealed to Your Majesty's paternal protection for the purpose of obtaining the necessary aid both in food and munitions of war which are required in order to be able totally to expel the French now sheltered within the city and its fortifications. Your Majesty has not failed to grant the wisest dispositions in this regard, so that from the near Island of Sicily food as well as munitions of war might be furnished to the Maltese. This people have been able so far, notwithstanding the increased prices, and quarantine and other charges, to obtain the necessary provisions, but the military needs have been insufficiently received for the purpose required, inasmuch that although five months of active warfare have expired, the necessary means are still wanting to obtain an evacuation of the fortress, which delay has reduced the Maltese to the extremest misery and inertia, and they now find it impossible to continue further under such conditions. Moreover, the country population is being daily increased, owing to the expulsion of the poorer classes from the four besieged cities, who have to be supported by the countrymen, who themselves are now no longer able to support the expense of maintaining the troops, carrying out the military works, such as trench -digging and various other duties ; and as ready money has disappeared, they now find themselves in the most critical condition, either that of perishing by hunger or to lay down their arms and thus become French victims. They have therefore to appeal to the pateraal solicitude of Your Majesty in the belief that, owing to the troubled state of Italy and that of your kingdom of Naples, Yoiu* Majesty is unable to protect this Island by provisioning it with three months' stock under hypothecation of its public and private property, and further supplying it with all that is required for a decisive attack on their obstinate enemy. They, under such circum- stances, beseech Your Majesty to allow them to appeal to an allied Power, the friend of Your Majesty, that of His Britannic Majesty, whose fleet continues to blockade the French, in order that they may obtain His Majesty's special protection and powerful co-operation. And in order that His Britannic Majesty might be induced to take more interest in this matter, that permission should be granted to this people to hoist the British standard upon the public places and fortifica- tions until the close of the war, should His Majesty be pleased to do so. That as deputies, and in the name of the most faithful Maltese clergy and people, they implore Your Majesty to have a pitiful commiseration for them and to grant them this prayer, for even at the risk of destruction they desire to make no arrangements without your Royal approval. [Verbatim copy.] ViNCENZO BORG TO CaPTAIN BaLL. Bii'chii'cara, le 9 Fevrier 1799.* Monsieur, — Ce matin apres onze heures, et apres avoir envoye I'autre lettre que je vous ai ecrite ce matin, on m'a apporte pour signer la lettre qui doit etre presentee au Roi de N^aples, je I'ai signee avant que de la lire, a cause que je I'ai vue signee par tons ceux qui devoint la signer, car n'y 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 152. THE BKITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 189 manquoit la signature que de trois ou quatre, tout au plus. Mais I'ayant apres lue, il m'a fort deplue de I'avoii' signee n'etant aucunement de men gout et contraire aux sentiments de tons (si je I'ai bien comprise) ; les endroits qui m'ont le plus deplu sont deux, I'un dans son exorde, ou sans aucune necessite, se fait une protestation ou au moins une declaration que le Roi de Naples aye le liaut dominion et de di^oits sur les deux Isles de Malte et Gozo, et I'autre dans sa conclusion ou on demandoint la pennission d'arborer I'etendard Anglais, et de le tenir jusqu'a la fin de la guerre, de laquelle proposition on pent ce me semble inferer la consequence, que la gueri-e finie on doit arborer tout autre etendard, proposition qui est diametralement opposee aux plaisirs, desirs, et aux volontes universelles. ^a etant. Monsieur, je vous prie autant que je puis et que je sais, de ne permettre que sorte de I'isle une telle lettre, au moins si elle fait sur vous, la meme impression qu'elle a faite sur moi, en quel cas, je vous prie, encore une fois de I'arreter dans son cours, pour en parler dans un congres, et faire demasquer ceux qui veulent faille une double figure, et arranger les afEaires dans la maniere qui est unifoi^me a la volonte de tous les Maltais. Je vous demande bien des excuses de la liberte que j'ai prise et I'attribuer seulement a mon zele, a mon attachement, et k I'envie que j'ai de faire reussir ce que desirent tous les Maltais, au I'este je me remets entierement a tout ce que vous determinerois, et plein d'estime, je me pro- teste pour toujours. Monsieur, votre tres humble, tres obeissant et tres oblige serviteur, (Signed) Vincenzo Borg. PS. — Je vous comunique une idee et c'est que je crois que la signature de tout a ete faite pour cause, que personne ne vous paraisse singulier, et aucune ne vous I'opposer. This appeal asking ' for the protection and powerful co-operation of Great Britain, and for permission to raise the British standard,* was due to the critical position of affairs on the Continent, and to the threatened destruction of the Neapolitan Government. Naples had been captured by the French forces on the 22nd of the previous month, the flight of the Royal Family to Palermo had taken place, and the Parthenopean Republic in its stead had been declared on the 25th January.^ The people's Deputies were consequently in the deepest despair ; there was a prospect of Sicily also falling into possession of the French,^ when the garrison of Valetta would be immediately relieved, and if that event happened, they could easily conjecture what their fate would be. Their principal hope rested in Great Britain and Nelson. This extreme alarm, however, was soon appeased by the victories of Austria and Russia in Upper Italy and Switzerland (Bonaparte being still absent in Egypt), for by May, owing to the above-mentioned successes of the Allies, the French were compelled to evacuate Naples, and by this retreat the short-lived Parthenopean 1 Really it was established on January 23, 1799 (see Camb. Mod. History, vol. viii. p. 653).— J. H. R. 2 See Nelson's letter of 16tli February 1799 to Mr. Stuart iDispatches of Nelson,. vol. iii. p. 267).— J. H. R. 190 A HISTOKY OF MALTA Republic came to an end.^ In the meanwhile, on the 13th February, the local committee of the Maltese chiefs forwarded a letter of thanks to Lord Nelson for having consented to grant their request of the 31st January by permitting Ball to remain at Malta as ' their pro- tector and adviser/ This letter runs as follows : — [Translation.] The Deputies to Lord Nelson, Notabile, ISth Febmary 1799.2 Your Excellency, — The weight of the many obHgations we are under to Your Lordship is most sensibly felt by us, and to them must now be added the letter of the 5th instant, with which you have honoured us, for it is not only full of the most cordial expressions of good will, but it is dictated by a magnanimous heart, one that is actuated by humanity and generosity towards this Island and evincing great affection for its inhabitants. All this kindness is increased by having granted us as our protector and adviser Captain Ball, a man not only of great merit and ability, but one who is full of goodness, and regard for this people, for we testify that by his beneficent conduct towards us he has acquired the universal love of us all without exception, and we desire above all that we may not be deprived of his valued presence, but that he may remain amongst us for our general happiness, which by his wise and prudent conduct we may confidently expect in the future. At the same time there is nothing that we can greater desire than to see ourselves under the protection of Your Excellency, so that we may always be able and with much honour, &c., the Deputies of the Maltese People. (Signed) Count Ferdinand Theuma. „ Count Salvadore Manduca. „ Marchese Yincenzo de Piro. „ Emmanuele Vitale ; also as General Commanding. „ LuiGi Caruana, for my bi'other the Canon, now ill. „ Michele Cachia. „ ViNCENZO BORG. On the 14th February 1799, Vaubois informed the Minister for War that 'the rebels persist in their enterprise. The chiefs have nothing else to do but to continue misleading them ; they are at the mercy of the English, who threaten to blockade them, and starve them to death, if they lose courage.' 3 ^ Suvdrof's victories at Cassano (April 27), &c., placed Milan at the feet of the Allies, and a few days later General Macdonald Avithdrew the French garrison from Naples and retreated northwards. The forts at Naples (held by the local Republicans) surrendei-ed to Cardinal Ruffo on June 19. Nelson appeared off Naples on June 24. — J. H. R. " Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 167. 3 Arch. Nat., BB'* 136. THE BKITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 191 Hitherto the insurgents had governed the liberated portion of the islands by prominent and influential men, who styled their meetings an 'Assembly of Deputies/ Captain Ball, perceiving the wisdom of placing this body on a more authoritative and sounder footing, suggested they should add members duly elected by the various villages, and that it should henceforth be called a Congress. Accordingly, at a meeting held at St. Antonio Palace on the 11th February 1799, when Captain Ball presided, the following attended, viz. the commanders of the various battalions, and the two generals, Caruana and Yitale.^ It was then decided that in future the Congress should be composed of the deputy-lieutenant of the bishop, representing the clergy, one judge, and the representatives of the people to be elected by the heads of families in each village ; that the election should take place during the following week ; and that the judge should be elected at the next meeting of the Deputies ; and further, that the two generals should have the right to attend all meetings, whenever so disposed. At the next meeting of the 18th February, the Deputies of the villages presented their certificates of election, and were duly acknowledged. The following is a list of the elected members : — List op the elected Deputies or Representatives of the People. For Citta Vecchia, Rabbato, and Casal, Dingli, Emmanuele Vitale ; Zebbug, Notary Pietro Buttigieg ; Siggeui, D. Salvatore Curse, parish priest ; Micabiba, D. Bartoloineo GrarafEa, parish priest ; Crendi, Gregoi-io Mifsud ; Zurico, D. Fortunate Dalli ; Safi, Ch. Giuseppe Abdilla ; Chircop, Enrico Herri ; Gudia, Filippo Castagna ; Axiacli, D. Pietro Mallia ; Zeitun, Capo Maestro Michele Cachia ; Zabbar, Agostine Said ; Tarscien, Giuseppe Mentibello ; Luca, Giuseppe Casha ; Curmi, Stanislao Gatt ; Birchii'cara, Vincenzo Borg ; Gargur, Ch. Giovanni Gafa ; Naxare, Cav. Paele Parisio ; Musta, D. Felice Calbeja, parish priest ; Lia, Salvatore Gafa ; Balzan, Giuseppe Frendo ; Attard, Notary Saverio Zarb. One of the first acts of this newly constituted body was to elect Dr. Luigi Aguis Judge of the Assembly, and as secretaries, the Abbe Savoye and Giovanni Battista Aguis. By H.M.S. Vanguard, which had left Malta for Palermo a short time previously, Messrs. Savoye, Fournier, and Aguis, the Deputies elected on the 7th February to present the petition to His Majesty the King of Naples, took passage, arriving there on the 13th of that month. Whilst these Deputies were anxiously waiting in Palermo for a reply to their petition, an effort was made by the French Commissioner in Valetta to appease the Maltese, by the issue of an enactment under date of the 19th February, for abrogating the obnoxious laws which had been promulgated by Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely, but it was attended with no success. ^ Azopardi, p. 123. 192 A HISTOEY OF MALTA The insurgents were determined to prosecute the war to the "bitter end. The enactment was as follows : — Enactment by Commission of the French Republic revoking" previous enactments, abrogating or modifying the ancient laws of Malta, 19th February 1799.1 [Translation.] Government Commission. Extract from, the Registers of the deliberations of the Commission of Government, sitting of the 1st Ventose an 7 (19th February 1799). The Commission of Government, considering, that although it is true that the General Commander-in-Chief, Bonaparte, whilst granting to it the power of reorganising the Courts of Justice, he had expressly recom- mended their assimilation as nearly as possible to the French organisation ; it is equally true, that all which he had prescribed in this respect has refei-ence entirely to new fonns to be introduced in the administration of justice, and that there is nothing which indicates or authorises the belief, that it was the intention of that General that the legislature of the country should be changed. Considering also that it appears certain, that no one was invested by him with power to order such altei^ations, and that in consequence the Goverament Commissary Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely could not invest himself with such authority — therefore it decrees, 1st. That all the alterations which have been made in the laws of the countiT by vii^;ue of published orders, emanating from the former Government Commissaiy Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely, either by establishing new laws, or by the abrogation or modification of the old laws, shall be i^egarded as if never made. 2nd. That commencing from this day all Acts or Judgments of whatsoever" natui-e shall be based, as in the past, upon the ancient laws or legislation. 3rcl. All Acts or Sentences, which have been passed in conformity with these innovations up to the present time, shall remain in force until such time as the French Corps Legislatif shall order otherwise. The President of the Commission, (signed) Bosredon Ransijat. Approved, (signed) General Vaubois. The Secretary, (signed) Breuvart. By a singular coincidence, on this same day (19th February) the following official answer to the Deputies' petition of the 9th February was graciously given by His Sicilian Majesty.^ [Translation.] Palermo, 19^7i February 1799.3 Messieurs the Deputies of the Maltese People. Illustrious Sirs, — With regard to the petition from the Maltese people which you, illustrious Sirs, as Deputies of the same, have presented to the 1 Bandi, Malta, p. 173. ^ On that same day Captain Ball sent Vaubois another summons to surrender, which he refused. See Vaubois, Journal of the Siege of Malta, Appendix, Part II. — J. H. R. =» Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 188. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 193 King, I am commanded to express and communicate to you what follows. It has afforded His Majesty the greatest pleasure, and met with his approval, to hear of the efforts made by his beloved people to break the shackles by which a rapacious usurper by manifest treachery had sought to bind them, with the object of depriving them of all resources, to tread under foot the holy religion, and to make use of the Islands, the patrimony of His Majesty's Crown, as hostile posts, whence an easy attack might be made upon Sicily. His Majesty again exhorts his faithful Maltese and Gozitans to redouble with the greatest energy every means in their power with which their native coui^age and the justice of the holy cause will inspire them, and for which they are fighting. His Majesty declares that he will adopt, and efl&caciously so, the measures which may be in his power to co-operate with effect in the efforts you are making to di-ive the French out of the fortifications, and so specially secure his people from later harm and calamity, which the common enemy is seeking to inflict. From the petition advanced by the Maltese people. His Majesty observes, knows, and admits that the troubles which of late have afflicted his kingdom of Naples may have caused disquietude to some, and perhaps alarm to others, in the idea that owing to the necessary steps which are urgently required for the defence of his kingdom of the Two Sicilies, His Majesty might be less able or in a position to succour his Islands of Malta, and assist in the operations of his faithful people. But in order to conciliate and tranquilise all who are discouraged on this point His Majesty invites all to the union and necessary concert which the case I'equires, and to avert any wavering which the circumstances might excite amongst a few individuals of that good populace. His Majesty has further manifested his desire, that from Sicily Malta shall continue to receive, and with the gi'eatest facility, every possible aid in the shape of food, and as far as possible in other respects, in conformity with what His Majesty has already expressed to the Deputies. And whereas the military operations which are required to liberate Malta from the French, and defend it hereafter from future attempts of the enemy, are fortunately supported, thanks to the blockade, and oppor- tune direction of him who commands the anns of His Britannic Majesty, the excellent, faithful, and worthy ally of the King, he His Majesty there- fore willingly consents that the Maltese people should forward their entreaties to His Britannic Majesty through his brave admiral command- ing in these seas, pi-aying that His Majesty will continue efficaciously to protect that Island, and adopt for its defence every possible means under any denomination or exterior demonstration ' which Admiral Lord Nelson may decide upon assuming in the name of His Britannic Majesty, so as to characterise in a greater measure the protection he grants to this Island. His Majesty is conscious of the loyalty of his praisewoi"thy ally, and is besides convinced of the views, sentiments, and experience of Lord Nelson, to whom His Majesty has confided, and confides, his most sacred and dearest interests. ' This must refer to the raising the British flag. — J. H. R. 194 A HISTORY OF MALTA Sticli is what the King has ordered me to convey to you, gentlemen, for the purpose of duly informing the good and beloved people of Malta. With the greatest esteem, I remain, &c. (Signed) John Acton. The day following Sir John Acton acquainted Lord Nelson of the favourable result of the Maltese petition in the following letter : — Sir J. Acton to Lord Nelson. Palermo, 20th February 1799.' My dear Sir, — The Maltese Deputies have received this morning His Sicilian Majesty's answer to their formal demand ; it is most evident that in the present most unhappy circumstances of the kingdom of Naples a kind of uneasiness in the mind of that people should arise on the fate even of Sicily, if these two kingdoms are not powerfully succoured, and before some months further do expire. They desii'e an assurance for their defence, and require it from His Britannic Majesty. The King orders me to acquaint Your Lordship and Sir William Hamilton with the answer given to the Deputies, and to explain clearly his full confidence in the Court of St. James and in Yoiu' Lordship. If the Island of Malta cannot be sustained in its struggles and endeavours to expel the common enemy from those fortifications, and that poor people should be obliged to surrender, it would be of the utmost danger for Sicily in the numerous attacks that would partially be intended on the southern coasts, but even for the example and terror that would spread itself among the people of this Island, in part already seduced or affected with fears already spread, not without art, of such an enemy. His Sicilian Majesty had openly expressed himself in the instructions sent to Marquis de Cirillo, for the stipulation of the treaty which after- wards was concluded in Naples. The Islands of Corfu and even Malta were mentioned in those direc- tions for the said Cirillo. The same intentions are, and shall ever be the same, towards His Britannic Majesty and the English nation. You know that from his brave ally only does he expect relief and assistance ; therefore in granting to the people of Malta provisions, and the other demands made upon His Majesty, in regard to warlike stores and ammunition, as well as for money wanted in Malta, His Majesty is obliged to provide first for the defence of this kingdom, and of Messina especially. When this serious care is completed, and the need properly fulfilled, Malta shall and must be completely provided with those wants. As to Captain Ball, who has the full confidence of those people, the King feels with a fine satisfaction that they do him such a justice which he desires most extensively. If Your Lordship thinks his services better employed even on shore with that command and discretion. His Majesty will see it with gratitude settled in the manner that you shall think proper. The rights of the King are known on that Island, but the Bintish Colour, either conjointly or even alone, as belonging to the best ally, shall in every circumstance as the present be agi-eed upon, if Your Lordship thinks it proper. I am, with highest regard, &c. (Signed) J. AcTON. ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 269. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 195 The Maltese Deputies, upon the receipt of this favourable reply- to their petition, requested Lord Nelson to appoint an English officer to take supreme command of the forces on shore; and, further, that if it were possible to allow Ball to land occasionally from his ship, with power to substitute another officer to serve on shore, that such grant would be esteemed an invaluable favour. A written request to this effect was presented to Nelson on the 23rd February, as follows : — [Translation.] Palermo, 2Sr(l Fehniary 1799.1 To His Excellency Lord liaison, commanding His Britannic Majesty's Squadron. My Lord, — Having been authorised at a meeting of the congress, consisting of the Chiefs and Representatives of the Maltese clergy and people, held on the 7th instant, to present a petition to His Majesty our Sovereign, for the purpose of obtaining His Majesty's permission to have recourse to His Britannic Majesty as his allied Power, in order to obtain his special protection and powei'ful co-opei-ation, whereby that people might be able to liberate themselves from the French, and further to solicit permission to raise the British standard until the close of the war ; we now beg to inform you that His Majesty has deigned to concede the petition of that people, and by a rainisterial dispatch from His Excellency the Chevalier Acton, under date of the 19th inst., he has expressed his favourable intentions. In consequence thereof we have the honour to approach Your Ex- cellency in the name of the clergy and population of Malta, and to request that you will regard that Island as being placed under the special protec- tion of His Britannic Majesty, and that you will be so good as to continue to adopt the most powerful and energetic co-operation for its safety. And inasmuch as to obtain a successful result it becomes desirable that an English commander should be on shore, who would pacify the various and fi'equent dissensions which exist among the Maltese chiefs of battalions, and who would with his ability and military knowledge be able to advise such steps as would lead to a favourable result. We are therefore charged by our constituents to pray that you will designate a commandant well known to Your Excellency, not omitting to state that the illustrious Captain Ball having gained the esteem of all, that the selection should fall upon him, and that he might be permitted to land on shore, whenever his services on board might allow him, and with power to substitute for service on shore a person well known to himself. Such is what we have the honour to submit to Your Excellency ; and with our profound respect we sign om^selves, &c., the Maltese Deputies. (Signed) Rector Ludovico Savoye. „ Baron Fournier. „ Assessor Luigi Aguis. ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 194. o2 196 A HISTORY OF MALTA On the 23rd February Ball was able to forward to Lord Nelson the following information, which had been obtained from within Yaletta through the medium of spies. [Extract.] Captain Ball to Admiral Nelson, H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, ^Brd February, 1799.1 ... I have great satisfaction in observing that the Maltese have j-ecovered from their panic, and now evince gi^eat intrepidity and firmness. We had an occasion of trying them the other day, by making an attempt on Vittoriosa, but the French kept too good a look-out. I enclose intelligence fi^om the Maltese, which they assure me can be depended on. All the late accounts corroborate the discontents, distresses, and sickness of the French gari-ison, who cannot hold out much longer. They are endeavouring to brew beer, then- beef is putmd, and their clothes very bare. The Maltese have stopped one of their vessels with 8,000 pairs of shoes, 6,000 shirts, some medicines, and a variety of other articles. The French are now endeavouring to bring about a counter-revolution in the country. They haA^e many emissaries employed, circulating money among the Maltese : we very lately shot one of their spies. I have taken every precaution to guard against then- plans, but the most eifectual one would be for His Sicilian Majesty to clothe immediately three thousand Maltese, and take them into pay for Great Britain, which the British Minister could repay. I think this measure absolutely necessary, and would thus ensure the Island to His Majesty, for the Maltese would then cheerfully persevere in theii" duty, until the French shall be driven out. At present they are so ragged, and their families so wretchedly poor, that they are almost driven to despair. The sight of the English only, and the hope of relief from them, has kept them from desperate measures. They begin to want powder, and it will be necessary to send them two hundred barrels, and some lead for musket balls. I have anchored the ships of the line in a position for blocking up Valetta, and I trust such efforts will be successful, but I am very sorry to acquaint Your Lordship that a corvette and a schooner have got into port, notwithstanding two line-of -battle ships and a frigate were stationed off the town, but the weather was such as to make it impossible for ships to keep to windward ; however, we have the consolation of knowing that their arrival occasioned a great gloom in the gamson, as they brought very little provisions, and acquainted them of the number of vessels which had sailed for their relief, which were either captui^ed or had proceeded on to Alexandria on discovering the ships off here. The corvette was from Toulon, and the schooner from Ancona, with the news that Corfu had surrendered. [Verbatim.] Intelligence from People who came out of Valetta THE 23rd February 1799.2 CoNNAissANCES, — Qu'ont donnez six pei^sonnes arrivez le 23 Fevrier 1799 au Casal Birchircai-a en sortie de la Valette avec plusieurs autres 1 Brit. Mns. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 282. - Ibid. f. 286. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 197 le 22 du clit mois en consequence dea 13 inten:"ogations que lem-s ont ete faites dicties par son excellence Mr. le Commandant Ball. II y a peu de joui's que les Fran9ais ont place dans une salle du Grand Hopital les tableaux et portraits de Grand Maitres de la Religion Gerosolimitaine qu'ils avoint otes auparavant il y a quelque temp. Les Fran^ais ont dans la terrain Ferreii-a [?] remis dansleur place tout les maiti-es Maltais qui anciennement y etoient, et qu'auparevent ils ayait chasse. Dans le Chateau S. Ange ont renforce la garnison. Ont renipli tout les bastions de la Cottonere de pierres et de bombes pour s'en servir en cas d'attacque, les lancent meme les bombes avec les mains sans mortiers. Qu'une femme de quelque qualite a dit a une des dit six personnes sorties de la ville pour en faire rapport en campagne qu'il y a deux mois un officier Fran9ais de sa connaissance tres bonnet homme lui avoit dit que les Fran^ais de la ville devoint sortir prenant avec eux tout ce qu'on auroint peu et qu'en sortant ils devoint attacquer le feu a la ville, et qu'il y a peu des jours il lui avoit ancor dit que les Fran^ais etoient dans I'intention de faii'e un puer [?] present aux Maltais le premier joui' du mois d'avi'il. Le General Vaubois s'etoit fait fere une petite poste potir y mettre les remedes pooi' la playe qu'il porte say [?] sa mains de droite. Des Maltais qui sont au sei'vice des Fran^ais les plus mechants sont le Conseiller Schembri, et le Baron Dorel, et I'Avocat Fenecli, et au contraire le Vicomte Etien Maistre et Nicol Ebner sont les plus grands amis des patriots et qui cercbent de les soulager le plus qu'on pent, et dans ce joui^s passes ont eu I'abilite du faire exempter les moines et les pretres du penible exei-cice de ti'ansporter les pierres [?] auquel tous etoient eliges. Que il y avoit environ 800 volontaires Fran^ais malads dans les deux hopitaux, quelques uns estropies, des autres qui avoint la gross verole, et d'autres aveugles. Qu'on ne faissoit pour les rations de soldats que 2,000 pains par jour et qu'au soldats on donnoit le pain un tres petit morceaux de viande salee que leur avoit apporte la petite fregate, ou un petit morceau de tbon sale, un tres petite quantite d'eau de vie et de trois en trois jours du vin en fort petite quantite et de tres mauvais qualite. Que sur le commencement du blocq [?] on apportoit au:x Fran^ais quelque peu de vivi'es, mais au present on ne leur apporte rien. Queles Fran^ais surementont des espions [?] que les dits Maltais sortis de la ville ne conaissent pas, et que les Fran^ais savoint que en [on ?] devoint attacquer I'isle et avoint renforce les gai^des de ces cotes. La plus part des soldats et meme des officiers se plaignent publique- ment de leur chefs et generaux a cause qu'ils les retient dans Malte etant persuades qu'un jour ou I'autre ils doiv* etre massacres. Que la fregate ou corvette ari-ivees dernierement dans le grand port venoit de Toulon et avoit apportes aux Fran^ais des boulets de cannons de,18 et 24, viandes et thon sales, vin et eau de vie et le cutter venoit d'Ancone et qu'il n'avoit apporte aucun provision. Qu'en consequence du pai'lement de jours passes en avec les Anglais la nuit en avoit fait un grand congi^es compose de tout les officiers et d'uii sergeant, et d'un caporal de tout les compagnies le resultat duquel ne s'est pas repandu dans la ville et seulement en public par la ville que 198 A HISTORY OF MALTA les Auglais avoint pourcoup lues [beaucoup loues ?] les Fi^an^ais pour leur valeur et que les avoit pries de ne traiter mal les Maltais en cas de victoire, mais les Fran9ais ont repondu qu'ils le auroint tout massacres memes qui etoint dans la ville. Que les vaisseaux et fregates ne sont pas en etat de sortir aussitot a cause que ils ont tout leur mats en caisse. Que toute les portes sont peu garnis de soldats et que ceux pour la plus part sont de matelots tres craintifs. Qu'on pent esperer que la gamison viendra bientot a une capitulation a cause du mecontantement de soldats qui sont arrives a insulter par le rues le General Vaubois avec de mots insultant et a cause que le Consul d'Espagne avoit dit secretement a quelque qu'il ne devoit pas sortir de la ville, mais y rester car bientot tout seroit fini. On the 28tli February and 2nd March further information Avas received through spies, of the condition of the beleaguered garrison, in the following report : — [Verbatim.] NOUVELLES VENUES PAR DES GbNS SORTIES DE LA VaLETTE LE 23 Fevrier 1799/ Les Fran9ais si misent tout sui' les armes le 22 cour*^®' au soir et il resterent en garde toute la nuit cregnant I'assaux de la campagne. L'apres dine on fait une tumulte sru' le vaisseaux, car le matelots et soldats realistes commencerent a chante une chanson aristocratique et les Jacobins ne vouloient pas. Le General Yaubois, il est de nouveau malade. NouvELLE DU 2 Mars 1799. Les feves dans la Valette sont au but. Vincent Abdilla il dit qu'il y a encore dans la Valette 2,400 salme de ble, 2,000 cafis d'huile peu pres. Toutes personnes sorties dissent et assurent que la chair salee est puantee. Ils se preparent a partir Caruson et divers autres leur partissants et autres bastiments. II doivent porter aussi deux autres bastiments avec le bien, e meubles des Maltais pour venir au Port de St. Paul. Le Chef Magen nous a fait sentir par le Medecin Cassar d'etre ete appelle de Fran9ais pour former dans le Cottonera vis-a-vis a la mine nommee il Madlama une place poui- pouvoir garder la musquetterie et les canons en outre, qui par la part due sauveur ont fait des fougades remplises de poudre. A la marine su le Convent des P. Capucins ou ont les Fran9ais une fosse, on dit qu'[ils] venait mettre un cannon, dans le Chateau St. Elmo portant toujoui\s de la poudre et des provisions. Les deux Forts Cavaliere sont plein de poudre aussi a la moitie de passage au dedans ont fait une muraille comme une tranchee avec un canon qui garde la porte en ouerant [ouvrant ?] en cas de defense. In response to the Deputies' request of the 23rd February, ' for the appointment of a British officer to land in Malta, to aid their ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 201. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 199 chiefs by his advice, and in other ways which might be in his power/ Lord Nelson, on the 28th February, issued the following order to Captain Ball, of H.M.S. Alexander ^ : — Whereas the Deputies of the Maltese people have represented to His Excellency Sir William Hamilton and myself, that the distracted state of their Councils frequently renders it necessary to have some person of respectability to preside at their meetings, and that you had by your address frequently united the jailing interests of different chiefs, and it being also their wish that you should preside at theii" meetings, and know- ing your conciliatoiy manners, judgement, activity and zeal, which renders you a fit person to assist and pi-eside at their Councils, and it being also the desire of His Sicilian Majesty, you are therefore hereby pennitted, whenever it may be necessary for you to be on shore to pi'eside at the Maltese Councils, to leave your ship in charge of the First Lieutenant, dii-ecting him how to proceed, and you are at full liberty to be on shore with the Maltese Army, or on board your ship, whenever you may think it necessary. And His Sicilian Majesty having desired that the British flag should be hoisted on all parts of the Island, as well as the Sicilian flag, you are therefore, whenever a flagstaff is erected to hoist the Sicilian Colours, to erect another near it, and hoist the English Colours thereon, in order to mark that the Island is under the special protection of His Britannic Majesty ; but whenever the British Colours ai^e hoisted, the Sicilian Colours must also be hoisted, as the said Island is to be considered only as under the pi'otection of His Britannic Majesty dui'ing the war. From depositions made by people who had been expelled by Vaubois from Valetta, which are given below, and from other information received. Ball was led to believe that an early surrender of the French garrison might be expected, and on the 3rd March addressed Lord Nelson as below : — H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, Srd March 1799.2 My Lord, — I have the satisfaction to acquaint Your Lordship from the best intelligence that the French garrison at Valetta will capitulate very soon ; they have certainly fixed the time, which it is supposed is the end of the month, and it will be sooner if they hear of a counter-revolution at Naples. General Vaubois's brother and valet-de-chambre have embarked on board of a small vessel with a great deal of treasui'e, in which they will attempt to make their escape. The French sailors have torn the national cockades out of their hats, and have ventured to abuse their Government ; Vaubois is insulted whenever he walks out ; the garrison is very sickly, the scurvy begins to spi-ead among them, and they have not any medicines. The General has tu^rned out of the town a great many inhabitants and has employed every art to effect a counter-revolution, in which I trust he will be completely foiled. I have sent to Commino and Gozo every suspicious person, and fonned the inhabitants into independent companies, at which they are much pleased. I have just intercepted some letters from ' Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 272. - Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34909, f. 327. 200 A HISTORY OF MALTA Trieste, wliicli clearly prove that the Grand Master and Emperor are intriguing with some of the Maltese to get possession of the Island, in which I am sure they will never succeed if my plan can be put into imme- diate execution, and authority given me to take Maltese regiments into British pay. I shall send Your Lordship the original letters by the next conveyance ; I shall not detain La Bonne Citoyenne for them, as the wind is so favourable. The Alphonzo joined the 12th, and the Emerald parted for Palermo the 20th ult. I have the honoui% &c. Alex"" Jno. Ball. The Rt. Honble. Hoeatio Lord Nelson, K.B. Translation op the Depositions given by the People who CAME out op VaLETTA.I Our enemies are always lamenting the sad effects of our strict blockade in this rigid winter ; they are already without wine, that being finished. They have nothing but a little brandy, which is not distributed, and is not likely to be distributed, amongst the soldiers, but the real motive is not precisely known. The bad condition in which the soldiers find themselves from being deprived of those things which are necessary for them makes them very discontented, a sign of theii' being of diiferent minds ; they very often quarrel amongst one another. A few days ago two soldiers having quarrelled together, one drew his sword and run it through the other's body. The new battery a few days ago having opened fire on Fort Ricasoli, has done a great deal of damage. The French, fearing an assault, are endeavouring to use all diligence and attention in every part that is possible, and they have sent a reinforcement of soldiers who will not stay, being very discontented on account of the consternation in which they find themselves. They are at present preparing a speronara, in which is going away General Brouard, lately wounded by the Maltese in the neighbourhood of Bighi, the Engineer Fay, a commander of Engineers, another of the Artillery, and other oificers, taking with thera some boxes of diamonds ; it is not exactly known to whora they belong, but we know that part belongs to the depositors in the Monte di Pieta. Amongst the women that are come out there is one of the name of Gegnarda, wife of one Michael Tanti, who is also come out with her. This woman in the beginning of December 1798 found means to escape from the country into the city, and is again returned, together with the said husband, who was an artilleryman in the Fi^ench service, and we have also noticed that he is of French extraction. These two we have sent into Citta Vecchia, that we may be able to ascertain from their own mouths the object of the escape of Gegnarda ^ from Valetta, and the reason of their retui^ning again into the country. The favourable result to the application for a supply of provisions and ammunition must be attributed to the efforts of Lord Nelson 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34915, p. 329. ^ Contrast this with the description given by General Vaubois in the Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part II) ; also see letters of Lieut. Vivion of March 3, 1799, to General Vaubois, both in the Appendix. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 201 and Sir William Hamilton^ who thus for the second time by their intervention saved the situation^ as may be gathered from Sir William's dispatch to Lord Grenville of the 6th March, of which the following is an extract : — Sir William Hamilton to Lord Grenville. (Palermo) Qth March 1799.1 . . . Three commissaries, Messiein\s Rettore Ludovico Savoy, Barone Foiu'nier, and Luigi Aguis, ai*e come to this Com't from the Maltese insurgents, to solicit a further supply of provisions and ammunition, loJiich by Lord Nelson's and my support has been immediately granted to them ; and as the Maltese were desirous for a demonstration of their fighting under the protection of Great Britain as well as that of the King of Naples, it has been agreed that the British flag should for the futui^e be planted with that of His Sicilian Majesty in all the places recovered from the French in that Island. Captain Ball, by desire of the Maltese and the consent of His Sicilian Majesty, has been appointed by Lord Nelson to the chief blockade of the port of Malta. ' Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 12. CHAPTER XII THE BRITISH BLOCKADE (From the 4th March to the 18th November 1799) On the 4th March it appears that a deputation, consisting of one Englishman and three Maltese, the latter styling themselves com- mandants of Maltese troops, sought an interview with Yaubois. The manner of their reception, and the refusal of the rights of belligerents to the Maltese, are pithily given in Yaubois' letter to Captain Ball of the day following. [Translation.] Letter from Gteneral Yaubois to the Commandant op the English Naval Forces before Malta. Malta, the 15 Ventose an 7 (5th March 1799).^ Sir, — I have had occasion to be astonished at the arrival yester-day, by land, of so-called parlementaires, charged with an unimportant letter. I cannot, nor should I, receive any emissaries but from you whilst in command of the British squadron before Malta. I will hold no communi- cation with private officers, and more particularly when they style themselves commandants of Maltese troops. The Maltese troops are nothing more or less than an assembly of rebels, and he who commands them is not considered by me as an officer belonging to a Power with whom we are at war. Curiosity alone can have occasioned such a deviation from the rules of war. It is my duty to treat these parlementaires as spies, and you must know what the penalty of such is ; but, for the sake of humanity and out of generosity, I allow the Englishman to return to you, but I shall retain the three Maltese. I have the honoui-, &c. (Signed) Yaubois.^ In due course of time a favourable response to the Maltese Depu- ties' appeal for financial help was received from the King of Naples, 1 Arch. Nat., AF III. 73. ^ For other letters on this topic, see Vaubois' Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part II), in Appendix. — J. H. R. 202 THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 203 who ordered the sum of oz. 7,000 (£3,500) should be remitted to Ball, with instructions ' to dispose of it to the best advantage for the cause/ This money, together with a supply of arms and ammunition, was to have gone forward in the Thalia, Captain Nesbit, together with the three Maltese Deputies, who were returning to Malta ; but on the 10th March this order was cancelled, when the Tevpsichorey Captain Gage, Avas substituted in her stead, taking over the specie. March and April in this year (1799) proved to be most trying months for the besiegers. With poor prospects for the harvest, with an epidemic of fever decimating them, and famine at their doors, Avitli the possibility of Sicily falling into the hands of the French (should Fortune once more favour them), from whence alone the supply of food was obtainable : all these circumstances induced them at this date seriously to contemplate an arrangement with the enemy, if favourable terms could be secured. Fortunately, by the timely arrival at Messina from Port Mahon of the 30th and 89th British Regiments, under General Sir Charles Stuart, Sicily was secured for supplies. This fact, combined with the continued presence of the British blockading fleet, and Ball's indefatigable zeal, encouraged the Maltese to resist still further ; but the rumour of a Russian occupation becoming public in April, the greatest alarm and excitement followed, and again opinions were entertained as to whether the French might not be preferable either to the Russians or to the Order. Nelson, although informed that a landing of Russian troops in Malta was contemplated, was not aware in the month of March that such a step was owing to a secret agreement having been entered into between a section of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (then at St. Petersburg) and the Czar of Russia, by which it was agreed that a body of Russian troops should be landed on the island to assist in the siege. It was only in the following month of April that he learned ^ that at the request of the Grand Bailiff and other Dignitaries of the Order assembled in St. Petersburg in the previous October, the Czar Paul I had accepted the sovereignty of the Order, and established a Grand Priory in the capital of his Empire.' To this intervention on the part of Russia in Maltese affairs, owing to Paul I having first accepted the Protectorate, and finally the Magistracy of the Order, the opposition which Great Britain en- countered in the negotiations for peace between England and France in 1801-2 was partly due ; and as this circumstance has so much bearing on the eventual destiny of Malta, it is necessary to refer to it in a special chapter later on. With Continental affairs in the critical state which has just been described, with local circumstances so distressing, through sickness and threatened famine, a meeting of the Congress was called for the 31st March at Citta Yecchia. 204 A HISTORY OF MALTA It was thereat decided, in view of the calamities which had over- taken the kingdom of Naples, to petition His Sicilian Majesty, ' that he would graciously deign to alloAv the sovereignty of Malta and the adjacent islands to be transferred to Great Britain.' A copy of this petition (which follows) was sent on to Lord Nelson under the same date, with the following letter : — [Translation.] Malta, in the Hall of the Congi-ess, the Slst March 1799.^ Your Excellency, — Whilst sufPering the pain which oui' present extreme necessities impose upon us, we are nevertheless consoled by- reflecting that they may be the eventual cause and the occasion, as we hope, of obtaining His Britannic Majesty for our Sovereign, under whose incorruptible and mild government all his subjects live happily. From the enclosed copy of a petition which we are sending to His Sicilian Majesty, you will learn what our sentiments are. We trust that, having regard to the calamities which the Kingdom of Naples is now undergoing, our prayers will not be disappointed. We therefore appeal to Your Excellency with all respect ; and in the event of His Majesty the King of Naples concuri'ing in this cession — just and advantageous as it will be to us — that you will in such case forward by the quickest route possible the enclosed letter to His Excellency Lord Grenville, informing His Britannic Majesty of the same, and beseeching His Majesty to deign to accept the sovereignty, and to consider these two Islands as fonning part of his kingdom of Great Britain. The almost paternal affection which you have exhibited for us in the few moments we were favoui-ed with a personal interview, and also towards our Deputies in Palermo, convinces us that we may rely upon obtaining under these critical circumstances Your Excellency's protection. In the hope of soon becoming subjects and vassals of that great British nation, by the valour of whose brave champions she has rendei^ed herself formidable to all the world, we have the honour, &c. (Signed) Canox Saverio Caruaxa, Capitular Vicar of the counti-y troops ; Stanislao Gatt, Representative of Casal Curmi ; Sacerdote Lorenzo Taliba, do. Casal Siggeui ; Parish Priest Aloisio Bartolomeo Carapfa, Ald''^' GreCtOrio Mifsud, Fortunato Dalli, Cho. Giuseppe Hadilla, Dr. Errico Scerri, Felippo Castagna, Sacerd'^" Pietro Mallia, Sacerd*^- Giuseppe Caruaxa, Michele Cachia, Giovanni Azzoppardi for Agcstino Said, Giuseppe Monte bello, Vincenzo Borg, Giuseppe Frendo, Salvatore Gafa, Saverio Zarb, Giovanni Gafa, Paolo Parisi, Parish Priest Felice Callija, General Emmanuels Vitale. [Translation.] Malta, in the Hall of the Congress, the 3Is^ March 1799.2 To His Majesty the King our Sovereign. — Many and singular as are the favours which Youi' Majesty has deigned to grant to the humble 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34943, f. 229. - Ihid. 34940, f. 227. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 205 petitions made by our Deputies on behalf of this most faithful people, so do oui' most grateful thanks correspond. To the above we have now to add another claim upon our gratitude by the timely arrival of a portion of the grain which Yoiu* Majesty has ordered to be supplied to us on credit, and which has reached us at a time when our people were perishing from hunger, and through which latter cii'cumstance there were some fears of an insurrection. We must further acknowledge that Your Majesty has gi-aciously authoi'ised Admiral Lord Nelson to allow Captain Alexander John Ball to govern us in the name of Youi* Majesty. With regard to the victuals, Your Majesty will, howevei% reflect that this pro\'idential supply was in a few days exhausted, and to continue this most justifiable siege, which has been protracted for fully seven months, other means must be adopted. The universal discontent has increased, due to the sufferings of this poverty-stricken people. It will therefore be necessary to create out of the Maltese soldiers, pi*operly organised and regular troops of the line, so as to maintain discipline in the defence of the Island and for attacking the French, still within the fortified cities ; and, in order to continue and can^y out our undertaking to a successful issue, much greater supplies of wheat and very large remittances of money are absolutely required. But we imagine, Sire, that on account of the calamities occui'ring in Youi- Majesty's kingdom of Naples, and its need of defence. Your Majesty is not in a position to grant us such necessary aid. We therefore supplicate Your Majesty that you would be pleased to accord to us our request of ti^nsferring the sovereignty of these two Islands to His Britannic Majesty, Youi' Majesty's faithful ally, so that in the present critical cii'cumstances we may be able to obtain the needed subsidies, and thus place Your Majesty in a better position to adopt the necessary measui'es for the preservation of your kingdom of Sicily. Necessity alone compels us to make this proposal ; and unless it be granted, this Island cannot be held. We, the Representatives of this population, thei'efore humbly prostrate OTirselves at Your Majesty's feet, in the hope that Youi* Majesty will not deny us this request, and will honoui' us with an early reply, as the circumstances of the case are so important that they will not suffer any delay. With the most profound reverence, kissing the hands of Your Majesty, we declare oui'selves Your Majesty's most humble, devoted, and obliged servants and subjects, &c. Under the same date Captain Ball addressed Lord Nelson^ acquainting him of the situation in Malta, as follows : — Captain Ball to Admiral Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, Slst March 1799.1 My Lord, — I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's letters of the 8th, 11th, and 21st instant by the Terpsichore, La Bonne Citoyenne, and Thalia. ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34910, f. 114. 206 A HISTORY OF MALTA Captain Caulfield of the Atcrora will inforai Your Lordship that I had not the power of writing by him. The 21,000 ducats which His Sicilian Majesty sent for the relief of the Maltese will be a great temporary succour, but to do it effectually, and enable them to carry on the war, the troops now embodied must be taken into pay and clothed — indeed, my Lord, my experience confirms the opinions and sentiments I offered in my former letters, on the necessity of this Island being ceded to Great Britain, and immediately granting the assistance required. The Congress has written a letter to His Sicilian Majesty and Your Lordship on the subject. They are so prepossessed in favour of the English, that they will not be ceded to any other nation. They are totally against Russia. If the Russians come here, and Your Lordship could be present at the same time, I am of opinion the French garrison would oblige General Vaubois to capitulate to you rather than fall into their hands, which they know would inevitably happen in a few weeks. At all events, I wish Your Lordship could come here for a few days, that you may witness the situa- tion of the inhabitants and know their real sentiments. If Youi' Lordship cannot come, I beg you to send me insti^uctions for my guidance with the Russians. If I do not receive your answer before the arrival of their squadron, I shall not allow them to land any troops, but I shall take care to act with such circumspection as will prevent any ground of jealousy or complaint. The miseries and wretched poverty of the Maltese have caused a malignant fever to break out, which has swept off a number of the troops as well as inhabitants. All the Portuguese and Neapolitan officers are sick, and some in a very dangerous way. Out of eleven British artillerymen who were landed here, two are dead and three are danger- ously ill. The infection got into my ship from having frequent communica- tion with the inhabitants, and the sick list suddenly increased from five to twenty-seven, of which two only died, all the rest i-ecovered, and the ship is now as healthy as ever, by taking precautions and fitting up a house in an airy situation on shore, where I sent every man who had the slightest symptom of the fever. . . . With respect to the two mortars which are landed from the StromhoU, they are of use in keeping the French in constant check. The ships are in a disabled state — it would require five days to get them off, and if I were to take them away now, it would have such an effect on the Maltese as would dinve them to despair, and give the French hope that we are going to evacuate the Island. I therefore request Your Lordship will be pleased to let them remain a short time longer. We have erected a battery which will command a part of the harboui', and I have landed two of my thirty-two pounders to assist. The extreme poverty of the Maltese, some of whom have died of hunger, has driven many to acts which they would not listen to if they could subsist themselves otherwise. I have great reason to believe that they carry fresh provisions to the French, and there are several spies in the country, who are circulating money, and endeavouring to bring about a counter-revolution. We shot a spy very lately, but could not make him confess who were concerned with him. The people of property are continually calling upon me to complain of the outrages and threats of the lower class, and my time lately has been THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 207 very mucli taken up in visiting the different towns and enforcing a strict obedience to the laws and setting a better police, which has had a good effect. I enclose herewith the latest intelligence from Valetta. 'Intelligence received by the Head Apothecary and other respectable persons, lately come out of the City of Valetta, which is also corroborated by deserters and prisoners. Alloivance of provisions, Sfc. to the garrison. ' Three days in the week, salt meat — 4 ounces each day. The intermediate days, two ounces of beans with one ounce of oil. ' One pound and a half of bread daily. ' One quart bottle of wine for ten days, with a wine glass of brandy twice in the same pei'iod. All the officers have double rations. Suppose there may be provisions in the garrison at the above allow- ance for about ten or twelve weeks. The gaiTison consists of about three thousand five hundi'ed men, of whom there are in the different hospitals near seven hundred and fifty. Two and three die daily. The prevailing diseases are scui-vy, venereal, and fever. Two or three hundred Maltese are enrolled in the French service, mostly for the service of the artillery, but they are fearful of trusting them, therefore only serve to consume the provisions. A considerable part of the salt provisions brought by the Boudeiose frigate, arrived about two months ago, was rotten and thrown aside as unserviceable. The enemy are very apprehensive of an attack from the Maltese, particularly on the Cottonera, the ramparts of which they have strewn with broken glass bottles, small iron instruments called cats, &c., and every night place loaded shells on the w^alls ready to set fire to, and roll over the moment of attack. A French frigate called the Badine is hourly expected from Toulon with all kinds of stores, &c. There has been a convulsion in the gai-rison among a number of the troops who wished to capitulate. Several officers have been sent away, and one bled to death in the hospital. This gave a check to the rest, and although there are great discontents among them, they certainly -will spin out a longer time than was expected fi-om the hope that Sicily will soon follow the fate of Naples. They have spies among the Maltese in the country who are circulating money and endeavouring to bring about a counter-revolution. The French soon expect a change in the sentiments of the country people, which will give them fifteen thousand men in arais on the Island.' (Signed) Alex"" Jno. Ball. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 3l5^ March 1799. PS. — Intelligence just received that Vaubois lately got information of eighty thousand dollars which were put on board of a speronara by the Maltese in Valetta to send away, which he has seized. Captain Ball on the 6tli April further acquainted Sir William Hamilton of the miserable condition to which the inhabitants had 208 A HISTORY OF MALTA been reduced for want of timely aid^ and that when the last supply of wheat was received^ they were within two days of absolute starvation. Captain Ball to Sir Wm. Hamilton. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 6th April 1799.^ I am much astonished at the Deputies appearing satisfied at the assis- tance they received fi-om His Sicilian Majesty, for it is so short a respite from misery, that unless an immediate supply of money and clothes be sent for the troops, Malta will fall into the hands of the French or Russians. The Congress has written to His Sicilian Majesty to urge the necessity of his ceding the Island to Great Britain, of whom they only require the assistance I mentioned to you in my letter of the 9th February. . . . When the corn arrived here, we had not two days' bread in the Island, the duties and freight on which have been paid by me, 8,331 ducats, because of the inability of the Maltese to pay. I expect to see the Russians this way, but I shall oppose their landing. . . . The Emperor Paul has offered a million to be put in possession of Malta. As His Sicilian Majesty cannot maintain this Island, I conceive it is for his interest that Great Britain should possess it. . . . I hope, Sir, that you and my Lord Nelson will prevail on His Sicilian Majesty either to send some of his treasure here, or let the Maltese have the sovereignty of some Power that can raise them from their present miserable state. Soon after the dispatch of the petition to His Sicilian Majesty, news reached the Island that an arrangement had been entered into between Russia, England, and Naples, whereby a joint occupation by their respective troops should be maintained until peace was secured.'- Under these circumstances the Deputies petitioned Lord Nelson to use his good offices for the retention of Captain Ball, in whom might be placed the government of the islands, and in whom they had implicit confidence. The following is the petition : — [Translation.] Malta, Uth April 1799.3 My Lord, — We, the Deputies and Representatives of all the people in Malta, assembled in full Congress, most humbly state, that having received from you the intelligence that the Russians are actually embarking to succour this Island, and that the three Powers, viz. Russia, England, and Naples, should jointly dispatch troops to hold the Island until a general peace is declared, we hereby inform you that, on behalf of the Maltese people, we are preparing a petition addressed to the three aforesaid Powers, respectfully praying that the goverament of this Island may ^ Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 12. - A treaty signed by Whitworth at St. Petersburg in December 1798 bound Great Britain to hand over Malta to the Czar Paul, as protector of the Knights of St. John, when it should be recovered from the French. See my Introduction. — J. H. R. ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34944, f. 27. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 209 be entinisted to the hands of Captain Ball, at present in command of the blockade of these Islands, in whom the entire population has the fullest confidence for his integrity, valour, and zeal. Whilst waiting for the reply which these three Powers may deign to make to this I'equest, we humbly pray that you will grant us the same favoui- by placing the reins of government in the hands of him who has proved himself so worthy. We addi'ess you this prayer, not only as a personal satisfaction, but in full conviction that nothing better could secure the tranquillity of this unfortunate Island, and conciliate the disorders which its misery produces. Pei^mit us to tender you our humble thanks for the care Avith which you have watched over our interests, at a time when we were about to be abandoned in the extremity of our misfoi'tunes. Canon Saverio Caruana, Representative of the Maltese clergy ; Emmanuele Vitale, Aloisio Bartolomeo Caraffa, Lorenzo Taliba, G-iuseppe Caruana, Pietro Mallia, Felippo Castagna, Stanislao Gatt, Vincenzo Borg, Salvatore Gapa, Saverio Zarb, Dr. Enrico Scerri, Giuseppe Frendo, Michele Cachia, Jean Batti Aguis, Secretary of the Congi^ess. Lord Nelson was fully informed by Ball of the alarm entertained by the people upon hearing there was a possibility of the Island, contrary to their wish, being placed under the charge of three Powers, with a change in the officer supervising all. These letters were dated the 12th April, as follows : — Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, I2th April 1799.1 My Lord, — I have the honour of Your Lordship's letter of the 3rd instant, enclosing a copy of Sir Charles Whitworth's letter to Sii" William Hamilton, and also a secret article of the treaty with His Sicilian Majesty, with a letter from Lord Grenville, and one extract fi'om Lord Spencer's letter relative to Malta, also a sketch of a plan for the future government of Malta.2 I communicated to the leading men of the Island the treaty entered into between Great Britain, Russia, and His Sicilian Majesty, to guard Malta as a depot jointly with their forces, until a general peace shall take place. They were much alarmed at the idea of having foreign troops of three different nations, from an idea that it would occasion party dissen- sions among the inhabitants, and be productive of the most melancholy consequences, and particularly so if they were to have a foreign governor a stranger to them at so critical a period. They therefore implored me to stay with them as their Governor until the end of the war, to which I shall consent if the Allied Powers appi-ove of it, and Your Lordship will do me the honour to pi'ocure me an assurance that it will not break in hereafter upon my professional claims. I send herewith letters from the Congress, to the three Allied Powers, and one to Youi' Lordship requesting that I may be permitted to remain their Governor. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34910, f. 198. " Sir Charles Whitworth was British ambassador at St. Petersburg. Lord Spencer was First Lord of the Admiralty. — J. H. R. P 210 A HISTORY OF MALTA The whole of the inhabitants are so exasperated against the late Grand Master and the Knights, and the principles on which the government of the Island was administered by the Order, that I think it would be highly imprudent to touch upon the subject until the French are completely driven away. I will then introduce it with such modifications as will make it acceptable to the people, but I am sure they will revolt much at the idea of making eternal war on the Barbary States. Their general object since their revolution has been to put themselves under the sovereignty of a power generally at peace with the Tui^ks and Barbary States, for which reason they would have remained very contented under the French Government had their religion and laws been respected and they treated with kindness and humanity. The Island will only grow four months' com for the inhabitants, consequently they are obliged to seek by commerce to supply themselves with sufficient for the remainder of the year, and as their capitals are small, they carry on their trade with speronaras and feluccas which are continually making passages to Sicily, &c., and when at war with the Barbary States, the merchants who occasionally cross and seafaring men are in constant dread of slavery. I think the Island may be kept at a very small expense by attaching the inhabitants to a form of government which would ensure their resisting the attack of any enemy, but I shall not at present trespass on Your Lordship's time. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex''' Jno. Ball. [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, ofE Malta, 12th April 1799.1 ... I have the satisfaction to acquaint Your Loi'dship that we have opened an important battery which commands the length of the harbour of Valetta ; the shot from the thirty-two pounders which I landed will reach the point of St. Elmo and Ricasoli. We struck one of the enemy's frigates stationed at the mouth of the harbour, and obliged her to take shelter with the rest of the Fi^ench ships in the arm of the harbour called ' Porto delle Galere.' As the enemy's ships are now completely locked up both by sea and land, I trust that it will be considered the British squadron are solely entitled to them, notwithstanding we may be joined hy a squadron of our allies at the surrender of the enemy. I could not open the battery sooner for want of battering cannons, and I did not think myself justified in landing my guns before, having intelligence of six sail of the line of the enemy's ships coming up the Mediten^anean, and probably intended for the relief of Malta. I am extremely glad to hear that the Russian troops are coming here to drive out the French, for the Maltese troops are so reduced by sickness, and disheartened for want of pay, clothes, and sufficient nourishment, that it is with the utmost difficulty that I can rally them, and keep them at their posts. If the Russians do not come immediately, it is absolutely necessary that five thousand pounds be sent here for the troops. The number of Maltese officers is so reduced 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34910, f. 200. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 211 }yy sickness and death, and the malignant fever rages still with such violence, that the Island is in a very critical state. I have slept on shore for these last ten days, and have had the Congress meet all this week to exert the whole energy of the Island, and I now hope we shall do very well for a short time, but money or troops must be sent very soon, or we shall be in a perilous state. The French are in so bad a state, that they do not like to risk the weakening their garrison by a sortie, or they certainly might have stood a good chance of succeeding. Whenever the Russians arrive off here, I shall treat the Commander-in-Chief with the most cordial attention. It would be more flattering to see English troops, and it would do away any jealousy respecting the right to the possession of the French ships. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex*' Jno. Ball. The commander-in-chief. Lord St. Vincent, was likewise duly informed by Lord Nelson of the consternation existing in Malta npon receipt of the news that the Island would be probably occupied by the Russians, and of the deplorable state to which the population had been reduced by famine and sickness. An extract from his letter is as follows : — [Extract.] N'aples, 17th April 1799.1 To Earl St. Vincent, — . . . The Hyaena is arrived from Malta, where she went with copies of Sir C. Whitworth's letters, and of the treaty between His Sicilian Majesty and the Emperor of Russia. The account that the Russians are likely to become in any way masters of Malta has caused the greatest alarm in that Island. The distress of these poor people is teiTible, and they are rapidly decreasing by an epidemic fever. This day brought me letters from Troubridge ; he has been obliged to give all his flour to keep the inhabitants from starving. (Signed) Nelson. Towards the end of April the Neapolitan Government were able to make a further remittance of oz. 7,000 (£3,500), which was of considerable relief to the distressed Maltese ; ^ its receipt was acknowledged in the following dispatch from Captain Ball to Lord Nelson on the 26th April. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 26th April 1799.3 My Lord, — Lieutenant Seargent, of His Majesty's cutter St. Vincent, has delivered to me seven thousand ounces which His Sicilian Majesty has been graciously pleased to send for the relief of the Maltese, which timely succour will very much alleviate their distresses, and I trust it will enable ' Clarke and McArthnr, vol. ii. p. 157. ^ Nelson's letter of 21st April to Captain Ball (Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 332) fihows that this sum was the gift of the Queen, Maria Carolina. — J. H. R. 3 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34910, f. 314. p2 212 A HISTORY OF MALTA lis to continue the siege until the amval of an effective force. The Maltese still continue extremely sickly, and a great many die daily ; the news of a speedy reinforcement coming here keeps up their spirits, and I have now no doubt but the money you have sent us will make them cheerful and patient for some time. From very good intelligence the French garrison at Valetta are dying fast of the scurvy. I think they will capitulate soon after the aiTival of a foreign force, and not await until we have made a breach for stonning. We continue to harass them from our new battery, which I understand has given great uneasiness to General Vaubois, who would certainly make a sortie to destroy it if his garrison was not very weak. I shall send Your Lordship an account of the corn the Maltese have received on credit. Your Lordship's humanity and ardour in procuring^ them these supplies has been the means of saving the lives of thousands, as well as relieving others from great distress. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex"" Jn°. Ball. Owing to the departure of the French fleet from Brest on the 26th April_, which was composed of nineteen sail of the line with frigates and smaller crafty Ball was suddenly called away from Malta on the 13th May, with orders to join Lord Nelson with his squadron, off Maritimo and Marsala. Lord St. Vincent had seen this formidable fleet pass Gribraltar on the 5th May, and it was again sighted off Minorca on the 12th, steering for Toulon.^ Toulon and Genoa proving to be their destina- tion, immediate danger of an attack or an attempt to relieve the garrison in Valetta passed away. Ball in consequence was ordered on the 28th May to return and blockade Valetta, taking with him the Alexander, Audacious (or Goliath), Bonne Citoyenne, 8tromholi, and Benjamin,^ but obedient to later orders had again to rejoin Nelson off Maritimo on the 18th June, accompanied by the Goliath, whence the entire fleet went on to Naples. For reasons which are not given. Ball with his ship, the Alexander, was retained at Naples, and in his stead Captain Dixon, H.M.S. Lion^ was ordered on the 26th June 'to proceed without loss of time, taking under his command the sloops La Bonne Citoyenne, El Corso, and. Benjamin, then cruising off Malta, and closely blockade it, and to render all and any assistance in his power to the Maltese people.' ^ Mr. Hardman's narrative does not bring out with sufficient emphasis the danger to the Allies of the entrance of Bruix with the Brest fleet into the Mediterranean. It numbered 25 sail of the line and 10 smaller vessels. Had not Lord Keith by bold and skilful seamanship prevented the union of this fleet with that blockaded in Cadiz, the result must have been disastrous. As it was, Lord St. Vincent had at once to order an immediate concentration of all British ships in that sea, and gather up the scattered squadrons round his own fleet. Fortunately Bruix did next to nothing except throw provisions into Genoa (then besieged by the Austrians), and then made for Carthagena^ and ultimately passed out into the Atlantic. (For this threatening but ineffective raid see Mahan, Influence of Sea Power, vol. i. pp. 305-16; and Camh. Mod. History, vol. viii. pp. 630, 631 ; also my Introduction to this volume.) — J. H. R. ^ The last-named was a Portuguese ship : see the list of the allied ships in the Mediterranean on 17th April in Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. pp. 331, 332. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 213 During the temporary absence from Malta of Captain Ball, Lieutenant Vivion, R.A., was left in charge of the land operations. Under date of the 31st May, 19th and 25th June, he made the following interesting reports to Lord Nelson, and a later one to Captain Ball of the 1st July : — Lieutenant Vivion to Lord Nelson. Malta, Slst May 1799.1 My Lord, — Having been left in this Island by Captain Ball, I con- sider it my duty, and am moreover urged by the Maltese chiefs, to represent to Your Lordship that ever since the departui^e of the British squadron the enemy have been complete masters of the seas in this neighbourhood, and have not only blocked up our two ports of St. Paul's and Marsa Scii'occo, but interrupted and candied into Valetta every vessel and boat which has appeared in the offing. They have sent five or six speronaras armed, which apparently have gone over to the coast of Sicily, and besides these, have two half-gallies [sic] and two or three large launches, each carrying a gun, which cruise in the daytime near the Island, and at night close round the harbour's mouth. I have been there ten days urging the Maltese to arm half a dozen speronaras and send out for the protection of their trade and to keep the enemy in check, which they might easily do, as calms at present prevail which will prevent any of their frigates from going out. I have at last, in some measui^e, succeeded, and last night dispatched three with orders to cruise in a line (in such a manner as to be able to support each other) about five leagues off, to board everything which approaches the Island, and as they are commanded and manned by experienced corsairs, I have great hopes they will be able to render themselves of great utility. I have written to the chief at Gozo to urge their sending two more to join the above. I consider it also an indispensable duty to state to Your Lordship that the Maltese are almost destitute of gunpowder ; at the beginning of the blockade they were very improvident of that necessaiy article, and now have not above twenty barrels left in the whole Island. They are also in great distress for flints, not having one in reserve to replace those at present in their musquets. The inhabitants have been in the greatest despair ever since Captain Ball left them ; the appearance, however, of the Thalia frigate, which returned olf here for a day or two last week, afforded them a temporary relief, as they took it for granted she was the forerunner of the remainder of the squadi'on, her departure has again reduced them to their former despondency, but they flatter themselves that when their distressed state is made known Your Lordship will have the goodness to send one vessel at least, which will be competent to keeping the enemy's small cruisers in port. I trust I shall be pardoned for the liberty I have taken, and have the honour to remain, &c. (Signed) J. ViviON. ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34940. 214 A HISTORY OF MALTA Lieutenant Vivion to Lord Nelson. St. Antoine, Malta, 19^^ June 1799/ My Lord, — I feel myself highly honoui^ed by the receipt of Your Lordship's letter of the 7th instant. The messenger I sent to Corfu the 20th last month with a letter from Captain Ball to the Russian Admiral having returned with his answer, I think it my duty to foi-ward it to Your Lordship without loss of time. I have also the honoui' to enclose another letter which came by the same opportunity. The inhabitants of this Island are not yet aware of Captain Ball's ha'V'ing left them,^ nor shall they know it, so long as I can possibly prevent it. To the many inquiries that are daily made after him, I reply, that he is ci^uising with the Goliath some leagues to the IST.W. of Gozo. It is of some consequence that they should be kept in ignorance of this event at present, as I am sorry to observe to Youi' Lordship that they begin to show a very great indifference as to the event of this contest, the generality of the better sort beginning to relax very much in their exertions, both in theii' persons and their pui^ses, for the general cause. Those even that are known to be people of property conceal it, and they endeavour by eveiy possible means to di'aw the little money that remains in my possession from me, for so many different purposes, that were I not to persist in refusing their reiterated demands the whole would very soon be exhausted, and now that the troops have so long known what it is to be paid, it is not improbable that the war would terminate with the money. On the 15th instant, one hundi^ed and fifty men, women, and children came out of the city. They state that General Vaubois not having been able to collect any but a very small portion of his late requisition of 3,000,000 livres, and suspecting that the inhabitants had concealed their money, had fallen upon a most barbarous plan to force them, to contribute, which was to put a most enormous price upon the corn, which the Maltese have no other means of procuring than buying from the Republic. Thus they have no other alternative than giving their money or starving, as the respectable people are not allowed to come out. They all persist in the account, that the salt provisions are entirely exhausted, and that the hospitals are crowded with sick, of whom sevei^l die every day, but the garrison in general were in good spirits from the idea of relief very shortly from the combined French and Spanish fleets. A deserter came out on the 16th instant, but he told us so many circum- stances that we knew to be false, that it would be giving Tour Lordship unnecessary trouble to repeat them. In one particular, how- ever, I have every reason to believe he deserves to be credited — the manner in which he accounts for their arming and preparing the men-of-war. He says they are so confident of the talked of relief that they are getting the ships ready to send off with the fleet that brings theii' saviours.* I have no doubt but Captain Maling will report to Your Lordship the state of the French ships, which he is capable of doing in a much more connect manner than I possibly can ; we took a near view of them yesterday. I entreat your Lordship to pardon this intrasion, and I have the honour, &c. (Signed) J. Vivion. ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34940. ^ Captain Ball with other ships returned to the Maltese station early in June, but Nelson again called them off. (See Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 374.) — J. H. R. ^ i.e. the fleet of Bruix.— J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 215 Lieutenant Yivion to Lord Nelson. St. Antoine, Malta, 26th June 1799.' My Lord, — On the 19th instant I did myself the honoui' of writing to Your Lordship, enclosing a letter fi'om the Russian Admiral at Corfu in answer to Captain Ball's letter which I dispatched from hence the 20th May. In compliance with instructions given me by Captain Ball on his departui'e, I sent the above letters via Girgenti. Since that period some vessels have an^ived from Messina with information of Your Lordship being cruising off Cape Marittimo with the squadron to intercept the French fleet, who are said to be out of Toulon. I have the honour to enclose a duplicate of my letter above mentioned. I am now under the painful necessity of stating for Your Lordship's infoi^mation, that the lower classes of Maltese are in a state of rebellion against their chiefs, whom they all accuse of being Jacobins and friends of the French. Yesterday afternoon a deputation of several hundreds came to me, and declaimed their independence of all command from them, and that they will only acknowledge and obey the orders of British officers. Some trivial events which I am bound to acknowledge had at first very much the appearance of ti-eachery has [sic] led to all this unpleasant affair, and I have had very great difficulty in saving the lives of some of the chiefs, particularly the Canon Caruana, who is entirely fallen from the high situation in which he was considered by the army, and his life is as yet by no means in secvu^ty. In order to ti'anquillise the minds of all classes, I have been under the unpleasant necessity of receiving all the gunpowder and ammunition into the palace I inhabit, under my own immediate charge. I have thought it expedient on this occasion to dispatch one of our anned speronaras with my letter to Youi* Lordship in charge of Lieut. Cardona of H.S. Majesty'.s service, who is a very intelligent deserving young man and perfectly acquainted with every circumstance relative to the internal state of this island, being a native of Malta. I feel myself in a very new and embaiTassing situation, but fortunately the natives are so much attached to the English Government that I have hitherto in some measure succeeded in pacifying them, even in their most intemperate conduct. I have not been without my fears of the Island (during these unpleasant contentions) falling entirely into the hands of the French again — though it is with great satisfaction I can inform Yoiu' Lordship that our enemies have been, and are, in as bad a situation as ourselves, and entirely ignorant, luckily for us, of what passes in the Island. Four days ago another deserter came out of the city, and yesterday three more, all of whom declare that the garrison has for many days past been nearly in a state of mutiny, threatening the General, if he did not find some speedy means of delivering them from their wretched situation, to open the gates, and allow the country people to enter the town. They have been under the necessity of taking another hospital, which makes the fourth, and that one day with another eight and nine die. They say that they are persuaded the gannson will insist on capitulating the moment they see a squadron of any force, as they will naturally suppose they have troops on board, and they are not in a condition ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34940. 216 A HISTORY OF MALTA to resist any attack. That neai'ly one lialf the sentinels on the ramparts at night are blind, occasioned as they suppose by the poorness of living. They also agree in stating that the Boudeuse French frigate has taken on board many valuables, and that she is to effect her escape the first blowing weather, with men just sufficient to navigate her, as she is reputed a very fast sailer. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) J. ViviON. Lieutenant Vivion to Captain Ball. St. Antoine, 1st July 1799.' My dear Sir, — On the 25th ulto. I had the pleasure of writing you a long letter, which I hope has come safe to hand long ei'e this. I at the same time wi'ote to Lord Nelson, and sent one of the young Neapolitan officers in an armed speronara with my letters in order that His Lordship and yourself might have a full statement of the situation of affairs in this island. From a vai'iety of channels we leamt that the whole of Lord Nelson's fleet was cruising off Marittimo, in which case the letter would reach you very soon. I am particulai"ly anxious not only that you should be informed of our situation, but also to be relieved from the very responsible office in which I am at present placed. The evening before last, a cii'cumstance occui^red which put me to the necessity of acting in such a decisive manner as will no doubt bring me a number of enemies, but I am so confident that I not only acted for the general good and the tranquility of the Island, but that you would have done the same thing had you been present. On Friday about three o'clock in the afternoon arrived in St. Paul's Bay, in a speronara, three of the Knights of Malta ; two were baillies, and the third a commandant. They were last from Messina, but originally from Trieste, the residence of the late Grrand Master ; two of them were Germans, the other French. They wei*e, however, all very popular with the Maltese of the country, on which account they no doubt were sent. One of them, Neveu, had commanded the regiment of chasseurs in the country, speaks Maltese perfectly well, and was particularly beloved by all classes. There are many of these chasseurs in every one of the villages, and the report was no sooner spread of his arrival, than the greatest joy was manifested by them, and all determining on going to St. Paul's (Bay) immediately to welcome his ari'ival. The opposite party likewise began to make a stir. Pai-nis put them into the church, until he received orders from me. They, however, told the Maltese about them that they had brought them money, and that a large quantity of provisions were to follow them.' The moment I heard what was going forward, I sent an order to Parnis to ask them what was their business, and that if they did not come in any public capacity with proper authority, to take all their papers, give them provisions sufficient to carry them to Sicily, and send them off. All this he complied with strictly. They said they were come for their own interests, and were savage at being turned out of their own country, as they called it. They were anchored off in the middle of the port all night, the wind being foul, but they went off at day- break in the morning. They had many letters, all which I have perused — numbers without signatures — all from the Knights, and written many of ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34940. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 217 them in very ambiguous terms, referring always to the bearers of them for information. In one expression they all seemed to agree — ' that there were yet hopes.' They likewise brought which I have in my possession, the ' History of the Revolution of Malta,' written by a baillie in French — it is a vindication of the Grand Master and Knights in general, throwing the odium on, and accusing as the authors of the revolution, the French and Spanish Knights, in concert with the noblesse, bourgeois, avocats, and countiy people of Malta. I have not yet had time to read it through, but have seen enough of it to perceive the object. These people arrived also at the most unfortunate moment that could be, when we were torn to pieces by a number of different parties, with all kinds of reports tending to create a general alarm and distrust. In the morning of that day, upwards of one hundred and fifty persons came out of La Valette, eveiy one of them with an account that a counter- revolution was to be effected in the country by the partisans of the French, that it was to take place during the great festival of St. Paul's at Citta Vecchia the next day, that they were to begin by destroying the English officers and all the Maltese chiefs, and that at the first signal the French were to make a sortie of seven or eight hundred to support them. Although this story was so absui'd, you can form no idea of the alai-m it caused, as it appeared to combine with other reports that had been long about the counti*y for something decisive on that day, and this was the moment that these men chose, or accident brought to this place. I have not a doubt but that you will sanction and approve of what I have done in this business. On a poor old woman that came out on that day was found three copies of a printed paper, which I herewith enclose, entitled A Dialogue between Alexander Ball and the Marquis de Niza.' I also enclose Cutajar's translation of it. There is a great deal of deep policy in it, as it tends very much to depreciate the English chai-acter and our views on this Island. Vaubois is now reduced to his last I'esource, and begins to make war on us by these [si'c] kind of publications.^ I send you also another proclamation, which I could swear is wi'itten by the same hand as the other paper. Yesterday another deserter came out, which makes six the last ten days; he says another was stopped a few days ago in the act of desertion, and is to suffer death for it. He confirms all we have before heard, and says that if they do not surrender the moment a fleet appears (which he thinks they will do) that by landing a couple or three hundred soldiers to make false attacks every night for a week would send half the garrison to the hospital, and make the other half desert if Vaubois did not capitulate. Last week we made three false attacks, which kept the gaiTison on the ramparts all night, but we have not powder to go on. The last night of the three we attacked the advanced guard of Fort Manoel, drove them in in such haste that we took all their watch cloaks, the lanthorns in the guard-room, and everything that was there. The passage over the little bridge which we forced was strewn with such number of iron cats, that some of the Maltese got badly wounded in theii' feet, tho' none by the heavy fii-e of grape and musketry which they kept on us. On the Saturday, St. Paul's day, I was under the necessity of passing the day at Citta Veille [sic'], and to receive all the honoui's in the church, procession ^ See Vaubois' letter of June 28, 1799, in the Appendix (Part II adfi7i.)—J. H. R. 218 A HISTORY OF MALTA &c., of commandant. You would, I am sure, liave laughed to see me. Dr. Paigster will tell you all about it. I suppose I am the first heretick that ever received these honours ! We have heard of the surrender of Naples,^ which affords us much pleasure — it appears, however, strange that we have no official accounts of it, as it is an event that so immediately concerns the Maltese. I have nothing more at present, but in the hope of seeing you back speedily, believe me, &c. (Signed) J. ViviON. N.B. — I have got the hundred pounds belonging to your squadron, which I should be glad if possible to get rid of, for fear of accidents ; it is the produce of the brig Victoria. The prolonged absence of Captain Ball from Malta, which (with the exception of a brief visit early in June) was now approaching a period of six weeks, had been the cause of great anxiety to the leaders of the insurrection, when on the 5th July, Nelson ordered him to return to his former station at Malta.^ This step was the more necessary, from the fact that, in addition to the question of the supply of food, it soon became ptihlicly known that His Majesty the Czar of Russia contemplated interfering in any settlement of the Maltese question. Owing to the schism which had arisen amongst the members of the scattered Order, and the protection given to it by the Czar, Lord Grenville, then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on the 9th July addressed the Lords of the Admiralty to the following effect ^ : — In consequence of a communication which His Majesty has received from Malta, and others which have been transmitted to me by Your Lordships, I have received the King's commands to apprise you : That if the Island of Malta fell to any naval force employed by His Majesty separately, or in conjunction with other Powers, it should be restored to the Knights of St, John, who acknowledge the Emperor of Russia as Grand Master. From the tenor of this dispatch it is evident that, even at this date, it was considered by those best competent to judge, that the anticipated fall of Valetta would be attributed to the naval forces blockading. There is no mention made of it falling to the Maltese insurgents. How then can it be maintained that the Maltese were the principals (as belligerents), and the British forces but auxiliaries ? The next event which has to be chronicled in point of date is Bal?s arrival off Malta, and his dispatch to Nelson on the 17th July, * Naples surrendered to the Royalists on June 23. — J. H. R. ^ Captain Ball had recently been serving under Captain Troubridge, of H.M.S. Culloden, in the reduction of Fort St. Elmo at Naples. (See Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 397.)— J. H. R. ^ Pettigrew, Nelson's Dispatches, vol. i. p. 316. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 219 wherein His Lordship is informed of another deputation having been sent to Palermo, with the object of petitioning for a further supply of wheat. [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexayider, off Malta, 17th July 1199} i . . Allow me to suggest to your Lordship that I think it of great consequence to the Russian cause to send here Le Chevalier Italinski ^ for a fortnight, that I may make him acquainted with the disposition and sentiments of the Maltese, and the political views of the different parties. I have sent Colonel Cardona with some Maltese Deputies who are petitioning for more corn ; he will retui^n here with them. He can represent the state of the Maltese. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex^" Jn"- Ball. The insurgents were by now inclined to believe that Vaubois might be more amenable to negotiations being opened for a surrender of the fortress, and in consequence requested Captain Ball to ask Lord Nelson for permission to open a parley with the French general. This permission was awarded under the date of the 12th August, in the following words : — The general is not to be regularly summoned, and if the capitulation followed, the garrison might be sent to France without being considered prisoners of war, provided their arms, and every colour of the place, as well as regimental, were sun-endered. These favourable conditions, however, were only to be granted in the event of it saving fourteen days' labour, for the garrison in his opinion could never be succoured.^ Accordingly, on the 20th August Captain Broughton was sent to General Vaubois with the following letter: — [Translation.] 19^7i August 1799.* Sm, — I have been ordered by Admiral Nelson to forward you authentic information (as may be gathered from the gazettes herewith) which will prove to you that the French fleet is no longer in the Mediterranean,^ and that serious insuiTCctions have taken place at Toulon, Marseilles, and which are increasing daily, preventing any succour reaching you.^ 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34912, f. 313. There is an episode at this point to which Mr. Hardman does not refer, viz. the urgent request made by the Maltese to Captain Ball to be their governor. It is referred to in a letter of W. A. Miles to Captain Ball (in reply to one from him dated August 3, 1799), a portion of which I have quoted in the Introduction to this volume. — J. H. R. 2 Italinski was the Russian envoy to the Neapolitan Court. — J. H. R. ' Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iii. p. 438 (edit. 1845). ■* Lavigeri, L'Ordre de Malte, p. 201. * Bruix sailed through the Straits for Cadiz early in July. — J. H. R. ^ These tales of Royalist movements were grossly exaggerated. — J. H. R. 220 A HISTORY OF MALTA I have again to offer yon terms for an honourable capitulation, which if you do not accept before the arrival of the Russian fleet and troops, which are assembling- at Messina for that purpose, you will be deprived, you and your gaiTison, of the favourable conditions now offered you. It is for this reason that I recommend you to no longer sacrifice the lives of your brave men by an obstinacy which deprives your country of their services. I send you Captain Broughton, who will deliver you this letter. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alexander Ball. To this offer Vaubois made the following reply : — Malte, le 2 Fructzdor an 7 (19th August 1799).^ Vaubois, General de Division, a Monsieur Alexandre Ball. La garnison de Malte est en trop bon etat. Sa valeur est celle des Republicains aussi remplis de I'amour de leur devoir, que de courage. Je suis trop jaloux moi-meme, de bien servir mon pays, et de conserver mon honneur, pour entendi'e vos propositions ; quel qu'ennemis qui la [se (?)] presentent nous les combattrons, avec la plus grande vigueur, et nous vous forcerons, ainsi que ceux qui pouroient venir, a nous estimer. J'ai I'honneur d'etre avec estime. (Signed) Vaubois. Je suis fache de n'avoir pu faire entrer en ville, I'officier que vous avez envoye. Captain Ball refers to this communication with Vaubois in his dispatch of the 20th August. [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 20tli August 1799.2 My Lord — , . . . The Maltese armed peasants are so sickly that I ordered the Marines from the Lion and Sticcess to be landed to strengthen the posts, previous to the receipt of Youi' Lordship's orders respecting them. I am informed that the French have not received the smallest supply of fresh provisions from this Island or Gozo these last four months ; they have nearly eaten all the cats, dogs, horses, and mules in the garrison. Mule's flesh sold for foui^ shillings a pound a month ago, notwithstanding which General Vaubois keeps the garrison to their duty ; his great object is to procrastinate until the blowing weather will enable his troops to embark on board of the ships of war and make their escape. If Your Lordship would come off here for a few days it might greatly accelerate the surrender of the garrison. The language of the French soldiers has been that they will oblige their general to suri'ender whenever a force appears off. I beg leave to suggest that if the English troops 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34913, f. 148. 2 Hid. f. 146. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 221 could be sent here from Messina with two thirteen-inch mortars, a few "battering cannon, powder, &c., we could then cairy on active operations and ensure a speedy surrender. I sent Captain Broughton with a letter to General Vaubois, and all the printed papers you sent me. I enclose his answer. The Benjamin is not yet arrived. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex"' Jn°- Ball. PS. — I am just informed that Mr. de Alos i has talked to the Maltese armed peasants, evidently with an intention of stiri-ing up an insurrection. The Maltese chiefs have wi'itten to the Prince of Luzzi complaining of his insults and calumny. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 20th August 1799.2 My Lord, — I have the honour to acquaint Your Lordship that on the 6th inst. a Mr. Christopher de Alos, his secretary and servant, appeared before me, and presented a paper signed by the Prince de Luzzi, a copy of which accompanies this, signifying that he is ordered by His Sicilian Majesty to enter [induce ?] the French gaiTison of Valetta to execute a special commission ; and the commander of the ships off Malta was requested to give him eveiT assistance. As this gentleman did not bring any letter for me from Tour Lordship or His Britannic Majesty's Minister, I expressed my doubts of his being employed by His Sicilian Majesty, as his Minister would certainly have previously obtained Youi' Lordship's approbation on a subject of such importance, otherwise it would appear to be offering an insult (which they are incapable of) to send a person to treat with an enemy without consulting Your Lordship, whose ships have blocked them up a year, and which has given the Maltese such a confidence as to encourage them to persevere in their long and arduous struggle, and to undergo the severest hardships in the most exemplary manner. I think it unnecessary to trespass on Your Lordship's time by mentioning the numerous inconsistencies in this gentleman's conduct, and the many reasons for distrusting him. Had he been really employed on this business, I beg leave to suggest my opinion that, so far from being attended with good consequences, it would be very prejudicial to our interest, as he must enter into La Valette without any passport, for if one were found about him he would be treated as a spy. I enclose herewith his character sent to me and attested by the principal inhabitants, and as he is well known in La Valette the French would be prepossessed against giving credit to his being employed by His Sicilian Majesty to treat secretly with them. I think it very improbable that they would take his word for a million of money, and before any credentials could be brought a sufficient force might be sent here to oblige the French to surrender. The French General would probably turn this gentleman's aiTival to his own advantage by threatening him with death if he did not immediately promulgate such news as would encourage the garrison to hold out until the blowing season sets in, that they might embark on board the ships of war and endeavour to effect their escape. They are now so ^ Referred to in the next letter. — J. H. R. 2 Brit, Mus. Add. MSS. 34913, f. 150. 222 A HISTOEY OF MALTA reduced that, if Your Lordship were to come off here for a short time, it is the opinion of the most respectable men in La Valette that the French would surrender, which in every point of view would be better than insking- the offering a sum of money, because this always gives a strong presumptive reason to believe that we are not provided with other means to compel it. It therefore stimulates a general who is above bribery to persevere to the last moment. To secui^e his person from any insult from the Maltese, I have ordered him to go to the Alexander, where he is to remain until Your Lordship's pleasure shall be known. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex"" Jn''' Ball. Further correspondence from Ball to Nelson^ dated the 28th August and 3rd September^ is as follows : — [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 2Sth August 1799.1 Captain Hardy has delivered to me the money sent by His Sicilian Majesty for the Maltese. I shall soon forward to Your Lordship an account of the different sums I have received from His Majesty, with the expenditure, that it may be laid before His Sicilian Majesty's Minister. It is now under examination by a committee of the Congress, who will attest it before it is sent. ... I enclose herewith an extract of a letter respecting the corn which is to be sent here from Sicily, which requires an order or permit for its being allowed to come here, otherwise there will be a delay which will occasion us great distress, as we have not ten days' corn in the Island. General Vaubois intends making his escape with his ships whenever the weather wUl allow him. I have great hopes of preventing it by storming Ricasoli, or constructing a battery very near it. It may appear to Your Lordship that I have been much deceived in my intelligence relative to the actual state of the French garrison, which I thought would surrender very soon, six months ago. The report of the mutinous state of the garrison at that time induced the inhabitants who came out of La Valette to think so, but General Vaubois, whose life will be sacrificed whenever he returns to France, unless he can re-establish his character by the most vigorous defence, has shown himself full of resoui'ce. He has placed spies in every company to give him early notice of any intention to mutiny, that he may crush it in the bud, and he has the art to make the soldiers believe that the arms of the Fi'ench Republic are victorious, and that Naples is still in their possession. The papers relating the successes of the Allied Powers, which we have given them, they declare to be fabricated at Malta. We have had frequent conversations with their soldiers, and made their deserters talk with them, but as yet with very little effect. The soldiers miuTnur, but they still remain at their posts. ... I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex*' Jn°" Ball. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34913, f. 221. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 223 Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 28th August 1799.1 My Lord, — Youi' Grace's ^ letter of the lOth inst. lias contributed much to my happiness. I am truly grateful for what Your Gi-ace has heen pleased to say respecting their Sicilian Majesties' intentions towards me in the government of this Island, which I owe to your kind patronage, and I beg to be permitted to offer through Your Grace my tribute of thanks to Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and particularly to Her Ladyship, whose influence with the Queen can work miracles. ^ Colonel Cardona is a cunning old fox ; he has deceived me, but not the Maltese, who have a great dislike to him. I beg leave to trouble you to send one extract of his letter to me from Palermo, dated the 5th instant : — J'ai eu, Monsieur, I'honneur et le bonheur de me presenter chez Sa Majeste notre Reine, qui m'a re^u avec une bonte digne de lui meme. En faisant le tableau de notre pays je n'ai pas manque, mon cher Commandant, de lui dire que c'etoit la Providence qui vous avoit destine a Malte pour nous soulager dans nos maux, et une seconde fois, dans la pi'esence de deux deputes de Malte. Je me suis acquitte de la commission dont mes compatriotes m'ont charge avant que de partir. lis m'ont charge de prier Sa Majeste d'avoir en consideration leurs peines et de leur accorder en recompense Mons*^' le Commandant Ball pour gouverneur, comme, outre les vertus, [il] a encore la connaissance du pays. Je ne puis vous exprimer le plaisir que ma demande a fait a la Reine. Elle m'a repondu — c'est bon, ce fioir meme j'ecrirai a Nelson, qui sans doute en sera tres flatte.' I will not trespass on Your Grace's time by making any comments on the Colonel's inconsistency. I was informed that Cristoforo, the young man who says he is employed by the Queen, was endeavouring to excite the Maltese armed peasants to revolt and probably to destroy me ; he asked one of the soldiers what pay he had, and upon being informed of the sum, he said it was too little, that His Sicilian Majesty has an idea that they are better paid, as he sent money over on purpose for them. I am con- vinced that he must be employed by the Knights of Malta, to cause an insurrection and to prejudice the people against me. If he be actually employed by the Queen he has betrayed her cause. I have therefore sent him to the Alexander, to be taken care of until Your Grace's pleasure can be made known. There are so many agents in the island, employed to cause a revolution, that nothing but utmost vigilance and circumspection will prevent it. At present the greatest tranquility and happiness reigns throughout the island, considering the difficulties we labour under. I have the honoui% &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn"' Ball. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34913, f. 219. 2 Nelson had on August 16fch received from King Ferdinand the title Duke of Bronte. Hence the title ' Your Grace ' used by Captain Ball. Nelson did not, however, use the ducal title in England. — J. H. R. ^ As is well known, the influence of Lady Hamilton at Court, and Nelson's infatuation for her, had terribly complicated affairs at Naples since the outbreak of war at the close of 1798.— J. H. R. 224 A HISTORY OF MALTA [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. H.M.S. Alexander, off Malta, 3rd September 1799.' Rear- Admiral the Marquis de N^iza arrived here the 1st instant, and delivered me Youi' Loi'dship's order of the 21st ultimo, dii'ecting me to put the ships here under the command of the Marquis, and to take upon myself the command of all the Maltese people, with the seamen, marines, or others who may be landed from the squadron, and to co-operate with the marines for the good of His Majesty's service.^ I beg leave to offer my sincere acknowledgements for this distinguished mark of additional favoui- with which Youi' Lordship is pleased to honour me. I regi^et very much not having the means of carrjdng on active opei^ations with effect for want of men, mortal's, guns, powder, flints, &c. ; however, I shall attempt to get possession of an important post, which, if I can keep, will accelerate the surrender of the French garrison. I shall land fi-om my ship both powder and guns, which I hope Your Lordship will approve. I have sent to Syimcuse for some fascines ; the moment they are brought over I shall rouse the enemy to attack me or capitulate. I applied some time since for two thirteen-inch mortars, which we are much in want of. Here are two nine-inch Neapolitan howitzers. If carriages and shells could be sent for them they would be very useful. FoTir French seamen have lately deserted from Valetta, who confinn the report of the French ships being ready for sea, and the determination of General Vaubois to attempt to escape with his garrison. Their forces amount to foui" thousand men, including seamen.^ The Maltese ai-med peasants are very sickly ; there are fifteen hundred men capable of doing duty, and of that number may be selected six hundred men fit for an attack. I pay and feed weekly two thousand five hundi'ed armed men, beside supporting one thousand poor and distressed families. I send Your Lordship the monthly expense of this Island as reported by the chiefs of the different towns. There are many Maltese slaves in the Turkish fleet at Messina ; the Maltese humbly solicit Your Lordship to relieve their unfortunate country- men, that they may return to their disconsolate families. I have likewise received information of several Maltese boats being captured by the Algerine corsairs. The sufferers all look up to Your Lordship for a happy deliverance fi-om their miseries. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°' Ball. In September the Foudroyant (lately selected as flagship) was sent from Palermo to join Ball's squadron for ten days, during which time it was suggested that her marines, as well as those from the other ships, should be landed and made use of at the advance posts, ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34913, f. 280. ^ For the secret interview of Niza with Vaubois about September 6, see Vaubois' Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part III), in Appendix. — J. H. R. ^ This is far in excess of the numbers given by Vaubois in his Journal of the Siege of Malta.— J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 225 as it was rumoured that the armed peasants allowed many articles to enter the town. It would appear that Ball about this time proposed to Colonel Graham^ then in command of the British troops stationed in the citadel of Messina, the advisability of transferring his force to Malta ; for on the 3rd September Colonel Graham informed Lord Nelson, that without superior orders it was impossible for him to acquiesce.^ His letter to Lord Nelson was to the following effect : — Colonel Graham to Lord Nelson. [Private.] Citadel of Messina, 3rd Septeviher 1799.^ My dear Lord, — Commodore ^ Ball seems to wish much that I would go to Malta for a short time with the troops of this garrison. However anxiously I should wish for such an opportunity for sei^vice, it is impossible for me note to stir a man fi'om hence without orders from Mahon. They have lately received three more regiments there, and I have sent Commodore Ball's letter to Sir James, saying that if he could spare another regiment, I might then leave of the three enough to keep possession of this place, and go south with something like a brigade of 11 or 12 hundi-ed men, to which should be added some officers of Ai'tillery and Engineers, with a small detachment of artillerymen from Mahon, and another from hence, where likewise some mortars and gxins and a little ammunition might be procured. Stich a force might assist in getting possession of some of the detached works such as Fort Ricasoli, and then Vaubois, cut off from all hope of supplies from the sea, might think himself justified in surrendering. I cannot imagine that any less force would be of real use, and even this would only be as an experiment which in my mind, under the existing cir- cumstances of the state of the garrison, and the season of the year, it would be well worth while to make. If it succeeded it would relieve a number of ships for other service, and it would more effectually secure Sicily from all chance of invasion than any other conquest, for while the French keep Malta it cannot be said to be safe, even though this place should remain in our hands. And on the other hand, if it failed, no disgrace or bad conse- quence would arise from the trial having being made. This is my sincere opinion, independent of all personal interest, though I own I should have a very strong one in being so employed, with a reasonable prospect of success, which would probably confinn my temiporary rank in the Army, and by the means the most agreeable to me. There is no time to lose, however, as next month should be the active moment on account of the weather. Excuse my taking the liberty of writing to you in this haste with so much freedom. I have done the same in a private letter to Sir * Thomas Graham was bom at Balgowan, Perthshire, in 1748, but did not enter the army till 1793. He accompanied the Austi'ian army in Italy in 1796-7, and escaped from Mantua when besieged by the French. He helped Sir Charles Stuax-t to reduce Minorca. He afterwards served with distinction in the Peninsula, where he won the Battle of Barossa (1811). In 1815 he was raised to the peerage as Lord Lynedoch. He died in 1843.— J. H. R. - Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34913, f. 284. ^ This title is a mistake. Captain Ball is the correct title. — J. H. R. 226 A HISTORY OF MALTA James, but without much hope of being listened to unless strongly backed by Your Lordship. Perhaps he may never have heard from Government on the subject, but he cannot doubt of their anxiety to dispossess the French of such a fortress, and it should not be left, if possible, in their hands during the winter, when an active, enterprising enemy may thi-ow in supplies. Adieu now, my dear Lord ; best respects to Lady Hamilton and Sir William, and believe me ever most truly yoirrs, (Signed) Thos. GtRAHAM. About this time the Royal Commission, which had been appointed by the Neapolitan Government to superintend the shipment of cereals to the Maltese inhabitants, presented the following statement showing the quantity of wheat, barley, and vegetables shipped from Sicily during forty-nine weeks, from the 1st October 1798 to the 7th September 1799, inclusive.^ [Translation.] Wheat .... Quarters 31,281 6 3 Barley .... „ 15,232 4 Pulse .... „ 737 6 Beans .... „ 1,630 Five months after the Maltese appeal to the Neapolitan Cabinet for the appointment of Captain Ball to the government of the island, a favourable reply was at last received. This intelligence was conveyed to Captain Ball in the following very flattering dispatches from Sir John Acton, under date of the 11th September. [Translation.] Palermo, llth September 1799.2 To Captain Ball, commanding the English line -of -battle ship Alexander. His Sicilian Majesty having been fully informed of the valour, the great vigilance, and the most satisfactory manner in which the operations con- nected with the blockade of Malta have been conducted under Youi' Excellency, and more particularly with regard to the succour you have rendered the Maltese, and being desirous of testifying in a positive manner the faith which His Majesty reposes in Tour Excellency's ability, and exact fulfilment thereof, has at the request of the Maltese, and with the consent of the worthy Admiral Lord Nelson, Duke of Bronte, confided to Your Excellency the command of the said Island until such time as other dispositions may be made, in accord with the two Courts who with His Majesty interest themselves in the felicity of the said Island. His Majesty therefore has commanded me to convey to you notice of this appointment, and I fulfil the same with the greatest satisfaction, being fully aware that this marked proof of His Royal confidence in Your Excellency will induce you to exercise the zeal and activity which » Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34946, f. 12. For lack of space I omit the details and give only the totals. — J. H. R. 2 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34946, f. 21. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 227 chai-acterises you even in a still higher degree in tlie Royal service of His Majesty, united to those which are similar, in the common cause, and which you have so gloi^iously fulfilled up to the present time, as well as on behalf of the Maltese, of whom you have been enabled to gain theii* fullest confidence, and through which, thanks to the bravery and knowledge of Your Excellency, and to the co-operation of the inhabitants of the said Island, the most advantageous results may be expected. I have the honoui' to be, Sir, (Signed) John Acton. [Translation.] [Private.] Palermo, 11^/i September 1799.^ To Captain Ball, &c. Your Excellency, — Having to forward to Your Excellency the enclosed Royal dispatch, whereby His Majesty the King, my Lord, confers upon you the command of the Island of Malta, I avail myself of the opportunity to express to you the extreme pleasure I have experienced in knowing that the selection has devolved upon you, which, whilst doing honoui^ to the wise discrimination of His Majesty, is a most flattering acknowledgment of the excellent services you have rendered. I therefore beg that Youi' Excellency will accept my heartiest con- gratulations, and have the honour to state, with extreme satisfaction, that I remain Your Excellency's most devoted and obedient servant, (Signed) John Acton. During this month of September^ Deputies were again sent to Palermo imploring the Neapolitan Government to send further supplies of food and money. Ball acquainted Nelson under date of the 15th that the people were in the greatest distress for want of corn. His letter was as follows : — Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. St. Antonio, Malta, 15^^ September 1799.- My Lord, — I am honoured with Your Lordship's letter of the 5th instant by the StromboU, by which I am sorry to learn that the Maltese can only have a very small supply of corn from Sicily. Whatever it is, I hope that their Sicilian Majesty's [sic] Minister will order it to be sent so soon as possible, as we are in the utmost distress for that article. If we had money we could get corn cheaper from the Levant than from Sicily. I am therefore to request Your Lordship to send monthly at the rate of fifty thousand crowns until the French shall surrender, as I presume the sovereign to whom this Island shall be ultimately ceded will repay their Sicilian Majesties for theii' generous assistance. I am extremely mortified that I cannot assure Your Lordship that La Valette will very soon be canned by our operations, but I trust that when you reflect on the strength and resoui^ces of both parties you will be convinced that more cannot be effected. The French have 5,000 men.'^ * Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34946, f. 22. 2 jj^-^ 34913, f. 380. •'' Probably Vanbois had not half that number of effectives. — J. H. R. Q2 228 A HISTORY OF MALTA We have 500 Englisli and Portuguese marines, and about 1,500 armed peasants ; not 500 of tlie latter can be depended on for an assault. I am going to take possession of an important post contrary to the general opinion of military men ; if it can be maintained, which I have little doubt of, it will accelei^ate the siuTender of the French garrison, and furnish a good pretext for their general to give up. Lieut. -Col. Loi^d Blainey has been here for a few days, during which time he has been indefatigable, at the risk of his health and person, to ascertain the enemy's position and the best mode of attacking them ; he will have the honour to detail the particulars of our situation to Your Lordship ; he has seen a great deal of service, and appeais to be a good soldier. I sent the French prisoner who came by the Stromholi into La Valette. General Vaubois has put him in prison, and it is reported he is considered as a spy. I expected that he would be treated in this manner, but his report cannot fail having a very good effect. I shall let Mr. Aloes retuini to Sicily ; I am perfectly sensible that the good Queen did not employ him. The Prince de Luzzi has explained it, and I am now convinced that he was employed by the Knights of Malta to bring about a revolution in theii" favour, for which pui^pose he was holding the same language they did, and persuading the people that the chiefs and those holding places here were Jacobins and tyrants. I have the honour to be, my Lord, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°- Ball. The supply of wheat from Sicily at this period had become so reduced, that on the 30th September the Deputies at a plenary meeting held that day, whilst acknowledging their obligations to Lord Nelson, and attributing their salvation up to that time entirely to His Lord- ship's efforts on their behalf, had yet to deplore the scanty stock on hand. [Translation.] Congress Hall, Malta, 30^7i September 1799.^ To His Excellency Lord Nelson, Admiral of His Britannic Majesty's Fleet. Numberless are the obligations of this faithful people to Your Excel- lency, nor indeed can we find words to properly express to you oui^ everlasting gratitude. It is alone to your valuable co-operation. My Loi'd, that we can attribute the arrival of the late supplies which His Majesty the King of the Two Sicilies has sent us, and we have further to thank you for having gi'anted to us, as Governor of these two Islands, His Excellency Captain Ball, a most honest person, who has acquired the affections of this people, and whose conduct has been irreproachable, and as to his other merits, it is unnecessary to dilate upon them, the same being well known to Your Excellency. We have received for the maintenance of oui^ battalions fourteen hundi'ed quarters of wheat ; but what are these for so numerous a population ? » Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34946, f. 70. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 229 We repeat, My Lord, our earnest solicitations, that under these critical circumstances you will not abandon us, and praying that you will accept the homage and most sincere respect of Youi* Excellency's most obedient and obliged servants, the Maltese Representatives. (Signed) Canon Saverio Caruana, The Capitan di Verga Baron Francesco Gauci, Count Salvatore Manduca, Count Luigi Maria Gatto, Count Fbrdinando Theuma- Castblletti, Count Romualdo Barbaro dbi Marchese di S. Giorgio, The General Commandant (Emmanuele Vitalb), Lorenzo Saliba, Aloisio Bart°' Caraffa, Eelice Callija, Felippo Castagna, B'^- Gregorio Mifsud, Nt°* Pietro Buttigieg, Pietro Mallia, Fortunato Dalli, Dr. Errico Scerri, Michele Cachia, Vincenzo Borg, Giuseppe Frendo, Dr. Giuseppe Casha, Giuseppe Monte- BELLO, Advocate Giuseppe Hadilla, Francesco Saverio Zarb, Salvatore Gafa, Giovanni Gafa, Francesco Parisio, Agostino Said. Further correspondence from Captain Ball to Lord Nelson is as follows : — [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. [Private.] Malta, 2nd October 1799.^ . . . The very important trust which their Sicilian Majesties have been pleased to confer upon me through Your Grace's intercession will be a lasting memorial of your goodness to me. The Maltese have wi'itten to Your Grace a letter of thanks on the occasion. I have just accomplished a plan which has rescued thousands of poor from misery, and is a great soui^ce of joy to almost the whole inhabitants, excepting a few wealthy merchants who had oppressed and borne down every class by the length of their pui'se. The Grand Master Rohan endeavoured to effect it, but did not succeed ; this circumstance rewards me most amply for the many anxious nights I have passed here. . . . I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn Ball. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, 2nd October 1799.2 My Lord, — I am honoured by Your Lordship's letters of the 14th and 19th of last month by the St. Sebastian with the dispatch from General Acton, for which I really feel overwhelmed by Your Lordship's unremitting friendship and goodness. I shall write by this conveyance to the General to express my sense of the honour conferred upon me. The Deputies are not yet landed. In all their letters they expressed that their supplies have been obtained entirely by Your Lordship s kind exertions. Should the Russians come this way, I shall pay the strictest attention to Youi' Lordship's advice, and co-opei-ate heartily Avith them, as well as execute the order respecting the colours. ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34914, f. 112. 2 j^^ f_ uq. 230 A HISTORY OF MALTA The Alexander is in Marsa Scirocco Bay, where she can remain at anchor until La Valette shall be surrendered. We are landing many of her gnns for the diffei'ent batteries, which must be defended chiefly by seamen. If a cable could be sent for the ship I should feel much easier for her safety. I sent my letters which went by the St. Sebastian to the Marquis de Niza, who gave them to Monsr. Talleyi^and instead of Commodore Michele. This French gentleman came to Malta with the Marquis de Niza, who inti^oduced him to me as his particular friend, and said he was patronised by the Queen, who sent him here, and desii^ed I would give him an oppor- tunity of distinguishing himself on shore. I have been very strict in preventing any foreigner or stranger coming to this Island unless fully authorised by their Majesties, because I am aware of the necessity of guarding against the numerous inti'igues and views of different Powers to get possession of it, knowing that if they were to succeed in causing a counter-revolution or a serious distui'bance, that my character and honour would materially suffer by it, and I should be thought undeserving the high trust which I have obtained through Your Lordship's patronage. Nothing but a respect to Her Majesty's orders should have allowed me to receive Mr. Talleyi'and, against whom I shall be guarded and take care that he does not intrigue or do any mischief. Lord Blayney will have the honour of explaining to Your Lordship the very many difficulties I have to encounter. I am now erecting batteries, and I shall strain every nerve to expel the Fi-ench. The expence of making regular approaches is beyond our means. I have therefore given direction to take possession of posts which will put the enemy to the test. The engineer tells me I risk too much, but as there is not any other alternative, except remaining inactive, I have deteiTuined upon persevering my own plan, which I am sanguine enough to think will succeed. I have only sufficient money for three weeks' pajmaent of the troops. I have therefore to request Your Lordship to urge His Sicilian Majesty to send another supply. I have mentioned the necessity of haAdng it in my letter to General Acton. I shall make particular inquiry respecting Michel Durazzo, whose petition has been forwarded to me, which I shall answer by the next conveyance, as the ship which takes this sails immediately and will not allow time to do it now. 1 have the honoiu- to be, &c. Alex. Jn°' Ball.' On the 7tli October 1799 Lord Spencer, from the Admiralty, wrote to Lord Nelson as follows regarding Malta - : — . . . You will receive a copy of a communication on the subject of this Island from the Secretary of State, which was left with Lord Keith, the new Commander-in-Chief, by his predecessor. Lord St. Vincent.^ I have only to add to what you would collect from that paper, that the utmost importance is attached by His Majesty's Government to the object of ' Vaubois at this date appears to have held the besieging forces in great contempt. See his letter of the 6th October 1799 in his Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part III) ; also the summons to surrender sent by Niza on October 5th, in the Appendix. — J. H. R. ^ Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. p. 116 (edit. 1845). ^ George Keith (1746-1823) was bom at Elphinstone Tower near Stirling. His chief naval services were in assisting the siege of Genoa and Malta in 1800, and the landing of Abercromby's force in Egypt. He was created Viscount Keith in 1814. See Allardyce, Life of Lord Keith.— J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 231 carefully avoiding to do anything which may raise any jealousies in the mind of the Emperor of Russia, who is pai-ticularly bent on the point of restoring, under some new regulations, the Order of Malta ; and whose conduct even on this subject, though one on which he may perhaps have been suspected by the world of entertaining more ambitious views, has been, as far as we are enabled to judge of it, of the most disinterested and honouiuble kind.i Further correspondence from Captain Ball to Lord Nelson is as follows : — Captain Ball to Lord Nelson, Malta, 10^/i October 1799.3 My Lord, — I am honoui'ed with Your Lordship's letters of the 27th of last month and the 3rd instant, informing me of the intention of the Russians to assist in the reduction of the French garrison of La Valette, and directing me to co-operate in the most cordial manner. I beg leave to assui'e Your Lordship that I have been at infinite pains to prepare the minds of the Maltese to give the Russians a favoui-able reception. They had many prejudices against them when I first landed, but from the moment I received Your Lordship's instructions respecting them, I em- ployed people of confidence and influence to do away the bad impressions. I am pei'fectly aware that if the Maltese were to show any aversion to the Russians it would be ascribed to my intrigues. However, I trust that the utmost cordiality will appear, and that Your Lordship will not have any complaints. I am very glad that the British troops are coming from Messina. I am much prepossessed in favour of Genei'al Graham's character, and I have not a doubt of our acting to the utmost for the public good.^ We are very busy in constructing batteries close to the enemy's fortifications, which when completed will block up the port of La Valette, and make it very difficult for a ship to enter. These works are attended with very heavy expences, because we are upon a rock without soil, which we are obliged to bring from a great distance, and to send to Sicily for all our fascines, &c., &c. If His Sicilian Majesty cannot send a small monthly supply of money to the Maltese, some other Power must do it, or thousands will die of hunger. "When the Maltese revolted against the French, most of the wealthy inhabitants were in La Valette : the few who were in the country had most of their property in the town ; the money which was in the country was soon di'ained by maintaining for the first three months eight thousand men. General Vau.bois, to add to their distresses, turned all the poor out of the four towns which are within his fortifications, amounting to sevei'al thousands, which brought such an accumulated expence as would have driven the inhabitants to despair had not His Sicilian Majesty's bounty enabled them to extend a temporary relief, which must be continued until La Valette surrenders. ' In the Introduction I have shown that the trust of our Government in the Czar Paul I. was misplaced. — J. H. R. - Brit. Mns. Add. MSS. 34914, f. 147. ^ Colonel Graham was to hold the rank of Brigadier- General in Malta only. — J. H. R. 232 A HISTORY OF MALTA Wliatever Power this Island shall be ceded to ought to i^efund the money His Sicilian Majesty has sent here. There are likewise expences in the executive department of this Government which are unavoidable. I employ constantly one secretary, three clerks, and two aides-de-camp. The carriages and horses only, cost three hundred pounds a year. The Congress regularly examine the public accounts, who will witness that I shall leave this Island considerably poorer than I entered it, unless an allowance be given me when the business is over. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°' Ball. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, Uth October 1799.1 My Lord, — I had the honour to write to Your Lordship the 11th inst. by La Bo7ine Oitoyenne, since which I have received your letter of the 3rd inst. by the Transfer. General Graham informs me of his having been desired by His Sicilian Majesty to come here with five .hundred men, which he cannot do without an order from his Commander-in-Chief at Minorca. I am constnicting batteries very close to the Palace at Bighi, where I hope we shall soon attempt to fix our post, it being highly important and well worth the risk. The military men think it untenable. I am aware it is irregular according to strict tactical i-ules to go there immediately, but I think if Your Lordship were to see it you would be apt to deviate from the regular progression. General Graham recommends my not attempting any attack until the arrival of succours, but if he delays coming I shall push for Bighi. I have prepared houses for the reception of the English and Russian troops, whose arrival will give great joy to the inhabitants, who know the critical state we are in. Yery fortunately for us. General Vaubois is ignorant of it. The Maltese armed peasants are very sickly, caused by want of nourishment and clothing. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°" Ball.2 Captain Ball in his letter to Nelson of the 23rd October, whilst again acknowledging the gratitude of the Maltese people for His Lordship's past efforts on their behalf, lays great stress upon the urgent need of ^ Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34914, f. 176. * In the midst of all Vaubois' anxieties there appears to have been added to them that of the annoyance of internal dissensions between the civil authorities. This fact may be gathered from a dispatch, dated the 17th October 1799, which Doublet addressed to the Directory, wherein he accuses his colleagues of alleged encroachments upon the prerogatives of his office. He states that he had accepted most reluctantly the post of Commissioner of the Government of Malta, vacated by Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely on his departure, but soon found that General Vaubois trenched on his functions. He referred the whole matter to the Directory at Paris. As this letter is long and unim- portant, I have judged it best to omit it. The concentration of forces in the hands of General Vaubois is described in paragraph 7 of a very detailed report on the condition of Malta, the causes of the revolt against the French rule, the methods to be employed for preventing similar outbreaks, the possibility of adapting the French constitution to the islands, &c. The report (dated 19th October 1799) is too long to be quoted here, as it would interrupt the narrative of the siege. I have therefore relegated it to an Appendix. — J, H. E. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 233 further remittances^ which alone could prevent starvation amongst the poorer classes ^ : — [Extract.] Captain Ball to Lokd Nelson. Malta, 2Srd October 1799.2 ... I have written to General Acton on the subject of sending over a small monthly supply of money to prevent the Maltese anned peasants and numei'ous poor families starving. I have already explained to Your Lordship the cause of the great distress and scarcity of money. I shall therefore not trespass on Your Lordship by repeating it. The Maltese are sensible that they owe all the alleviations of their misfortunes to Your Lordship's kind exertions, and they once more implore your benevolent aid, with that of Sir William Hamilton, to extricate them from their deplorable state. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn"' Ball. Upon receipt of Lord Spencer's dispatch of the 7th October, referred to at p. 230, Lord Nelson acquainted His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia with the proceedings which had taken place before Malta up to that date, in the following communication : — Palermo, 31s^ October 1799.3 To His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Russia. Sire, — As Grand Master of the Order of Malta, I presume to detail to Your Majesty what has been done to prevent the French from re-possessing themselves of the Island, blockading them closely in La Valetta, and what means are now pursuing to force them to sui'render. On the 2nd September 1798 the inhabitants of Malta rose against the French robbers, who, having taken all the money in the Island, levied contributions ; and Vaubois, as a last act of villainy, said, as baptism was of no use he had sent for all the Church plate. On the 9th, I received a letter from the Depu- ties of the Island praying assistance to di'ive the French from La Valetta. I immediately directed the Marquis di Niza, with four sail of the line, to support the Islanders. At this time the crippled ships from Egypt were passing near it, and 2,000 stand of ai-ms, complete with all the musket- ball cartridges, were landed from them, and 200 barrels of powder. On the 24th October I relieved the Marquis from the station and took 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 composed of 7,000 French, including the seamen and some few Maltese ; the inhabitants in the town, about 30,000 ; the Maltese in arms, volunteers, ' In reply, Nelson wrote to Ball from Palermo about 26th October 1799 that he had begged, almost on his knees, for money for the Maltese. He states that he hopes that at least 5,000 Russians will soon reach Malta. (Nelsoii's Dispatches, vol. iv. p. 68.) By October 26, 1799, Nelson had come to see the extreme need of reducing Valetta, ' knowing the importance of possessing Malta to England and her Allies.' (Ibid. p. 69.)— J. H. R. " Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34914, f. 237. ^ Pettigrew, Nelson's Dispatches, vol. i. p. 325. 234 A HISTORY OF MALTA never exceeded 3,000. i I entrasted the blockade to Captain Alexander John Ball, of the Alexander', 74, an officer not only of the greatest merit, but of the most conciliating manners. From that period to this time it has fell to my lot to arrange for the feeding of 60,000 people, the popula- tion of Malta and Gozo ; the arming the peasantry ; and, the most difficult task, 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 situation of Italy, in particular this kingdom (the Two Sicilies) , oftentimes 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 in the expense of keeping the ships destined alone for this service (cost) full £180,000 sterling. It has pleased God hitherto to bless oiu' endeavours to prevent supplies getting to the French, except one frigate and two small vessels with a small portion of salt provisions. 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, T never allowed an idea to go abroad that Great Britain had any wish to keep it. I there- fore dii^ected His Sicilian Majesty's flag to be hoisted, as I am told, had the Order not been restored, 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 commence a siege, have yet kept posts and battery not more than 400 yards from the works. The quaiTels of the nobles and misconduct of the chiefs rendered it absolutely necessary that some proper person should be placed at the head of the Island. His Sicilian Majesty, therefore, by the united request of the whole Island, named Captain Ball for their chief director, and he will hold it till Yoiu" Majesty as Grand Master appoints a pei'son 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 the placing the Grand Master and the Order of Malta in secui'ity in La Valetta, for which purpose I have just been at Minorca, and arranged with the English General a force of 2,500 British troops, cannon, bombs, &c., &c., for the siege. I have wrote to Your Majesty's Admiral, and His Sicilian Majesty joins coi'dially in the good work of endeavoui^ing to di^ive the French from Malta. In reply to another appeal for money, which was made this month, it was alleged by the Neapolitan Government to be out of their power to give any further pecuniary assistance beyond oz. 4,000 (£2,000), which was duly remitted towards the close of the month, when Nelson informed Ball ' that the larger sums required must now come from the three Allied Powers.' During the following month of November, however, Nelson managed to prevail upon the Neapolitan Government to make another remittance, which will be referred to later on. The official advice of the intention of the Powers to restore the Order to the possession of ^ The figures are inaccurate. — J. H. K. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE-1799 235 the islands, under the Grand Mastership of the Czar, was now made public, and it was further added that His Majesty had been requested to be prepared to nominate his deputy to rule in the island immediately the fortress of Valetta should fall. The former orders regarding the colours were cancelled, and, instead thereof, instructions were given for those of the Order to be hoisted the moment the French flag should be struck. Meanwhile the condition of the inhabitants had become most deplorable, particularly of those who bore arms, who for some time had been not only without pay but also clothing, when fortunately, Avithin six weeks, the first of the British contingent arrived in Malta, an event which had been vaguely referred to during- the past month. Minoi'ca at this time was occupied by a British force, under the command of Major-General Sir James St. Clair Erskine, Bart, (afterwards Earl of Eosslyn, G.C.B.), and as Vaubois showed no signs of surrender, it was deemed advisable to apply for military aid, both from Minorca and from the British force which held the citadel of Messina. Erskine was requested to lend one or two regiments for a month or two ; and, in order to secure this further assistance. Nelson determined upon visiting Minorca, sailing from Palermo on the 5th October, and arriving at Port Mahon before the 14th. General St. Clair Erskine's command, hoAvever, was about to ter- minate, and his successor. General Fox, was daily expected. Under these circumstances Erskine felt disinclined to listen to Nelson's appeal, the more so as there was every probability that Fox would be the bearer of specific orders from the War Office, and desired that the question should remain in abeyance until Fox arrived. Before sailing for Minorca, Nelson wrote from Palermo to Brigadier-General Graham, then commanding at Messina, under date of the 3rd October, informing him that he, Graham, would probably receive an application from His Sicilian Majesty to proceed to Malta with 500 men, part of the garrison of the citadel of Messina, and that the Alliance, on board of which there were two mortars and 700 shell for Malta, would sail ^ thence for Messina, for the embarkation of his troops. On the same day Captain Ball, as chief of the Maltese, was made acquainted with the endeavour being made ' to obtain British troops from Messina, and was further advised that for this step to be successful it would be necessary for him to be as conciliatory as possible with General Graham in the divided command.' - It was further stated that ^whilst the British troops would naturally be under the exclusive command of the general, some of the Maltese insurgents might be added to the British regulars, if Ball so deemed it advisable.' Graham, however, did not feel justified in quitting his post until he received direct authority from his chief at Port Mahon. * Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. p. 41 (edit. 1845). - Ibid. 236 A HISTORY OF MALTA Nelson in due course informed the Admiralty of his arrival at Port Mahon^ ' for the purpose of concerting measures with General Sir James St. Clair Erskine to force a surrender' of Malta; adding, ^ It is of the very greatest importance to us and our Allies that a land force should be assisting our labours for its reduction/ ^ Five hundred English and Portuguese marines were the only help he had hitherto been able to give the islanders. General Erskine was evidently desirous of rendering what assist- ance he couldj for he expressly wished the Dover should be retained to carry the troops, if General Fox, his successor, upon arrival, approved of the measure. During all this uncertainty in endeavouring to obtain British military aid, Nelson was informed that the Portuguese Government were most anxious to Avithdraw their squadron, and that instructions to that eifect had been sent to Rear- Admiral the Marquis de Niza, commanding the Portuguese squadron off Valetta. This called forth a spirited protest from Nelson, and the exercise of his authority as commander-in-chief, and counter-orders for them to remain were given. Under these trying circumstances Nelson wrote to the general commanding the forces at Minorca, under date of the 26th October: ^ I am in desperation about Malta ; we shall lose it, I am afraid, past redemption. If Ball can hardly keep the inhabitants in hopes of relief by the 500 men landed from our ships, what must be expected when 400 of them and four sail of the line be withdrawn ? Nelson closed his letter with a fervent appeal that Graham should be permitted to proceed from Messina, and hold Malta until troops could be collected for attacking Valetta. At this critical moment Lieut. -General the Honourable H. Fox,^ who had been appointed to the command of the British troops in the Mediterranean, arrived at Port Mahon on the 10th November 1799, and as the question of reinforcing the troops then employed for the reduction of Valetta had to be immediately settled, he wrote on the 12th to the Right Honourable H. Dundas, then officiating as Secretary of State for the War Department, to the effect that 'he did not feel authorised to detach troops from Minorca for that purpose, but intended to remove the British garrison at Messina to Malta, under the command of Colonel Graham, with the rank of Brigadier-General.' '^ This dispatch was as follows : — ' Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. p. 41 (ed. 1845). 2 Ibid. p. 69. ^ Henry Edward Fox (1755-1811), brother of the statesman Chai'les James Fox, entered the army in 1770, served in America and Flanders, and commanded the British forces in Sicily in 1806-7.— J. H. R. ■* This rank only held good during Graham's sei-vice in Malta, as appears from the following dispatch. See too Memoirs of Lord Lynedoch (London, 1877). — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 237 Mahon, I2fh November 1799.1 The Right Hon. HeiiiT Dundas. Sir, — Upon my arrival here on the 10th inst., Major-General Sir James St. Clair [Erskine] communicated to me several letters he received from Lord Nelson and Sii* William Hamilton, and also made me acquainted with a conversation he had with Lord Nelson on the same subject. As I did myself the honour of observing to you in my letter of the 3rd inst. from Gibraltar, that I did not consider myself authorised by my instructions to give troops to Lord Nelson from the Island of Minorca as a reinforcement for the purpose of reducing Malta, not knowing what might be His Majesty's intentions in respect to part of the force now here, I have wi^tten to His Lordship to that purpose, and have the honour to enclose a copy of my letter. Major-General Sir James St. Clair [Erskine] will forwai'd to you His Lordship's correspondence and his answers. From the short time I have been here I cannot hazard an opinion formed upon my own observation, but must beg leave to refer you to that of Sir James St. Clair [Erskine] in his correspondence with His Lordship, and which from his long residence and know^ledge of this part of the world, added to his good sense and professional abilities, I place every reliance on. The 28th Regiment will embark in a day or two for Gibraltar. I have conceived it necessary for His Majesty's service to give Colonel Graham the rank of Brigadier- General in the Island of Malta, with the annexed instructions in the event of Lord Nelson requiring the two regiments from Messina. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. E. Fox. On the same day definite instructions were given to Colonel Graham, as follows : — Mahon, 12th November 1799.2 To Colonel Graham. Sir, — I am directed by Lieut. -General Fox, comiuanding His Majesty's troops in the Mediterranean, to inform you that in case Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson shall require you to embark with the whole or any part of the British troops of your garrison for the Island of Malta, you are to comply with that requisition. His Lordship having pro- vided means for your conveyance. The discretionary power for His Lordship to call upon you is in consequence of His Lordship's most urgent representation, and the object and purpose of the measui'e will be to co-operate with His Majesty's ships, and with the troops and ships of his allies, if there be any such in the blockade of Malta ; and the Lieut. -General directs you will observe the following instructions. You will have the command of His Majesty's forces serving on shore, and you will act in concert with Captain Ball, or the officer commanding His Majesty's ships on that station, and will do all in your power to preserve a good understanding and perfect hannony with him and the officers commanding any other troops who may be employed in the same service. You are not authorised to incur any expense for the provision of 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1 (1799-1800). - Ibid. 238 A HISTORY OF MALTA stores, or, in fact, any extraordinary expense, except such as shall be in youi' judgment necessary for the subsistence, comfort, and health of your troops. The Assistant-Commissary-Genl. sent on this service will be insti-ucted to provide the means of paying the troops their pay and allow- ances, and fui'nish them with provisions, according to the regulations of this army ; and you are directed not to enter, on account of any opei^tion against Malta, into any expenses which are not authorised under similar circumstances by your present instructions as Grovernor of the citadel of Messina. In the posts you take up, youi' object will be to secure youi' own troops, and to provide against the possibility of an attack from the enemy ; and in every future opei'ation your first duty is to avoid committing the small force under your command in any situation where they cannot make the most advantageous resistance that their numbers will permit to the attack of a superior enemy. If upon yovu' an'ival off Malta you shall be of opinion, from such information as you may obtain, either from any reverse of circumstances, or other strong reasons, that it is unsafe or imprudent to land the troops under your command, you are empowered to decline doing so, and directed to return to Messina. Or if, after acquiring a full knowledge of the situation of the Island, the foi'ce and state of the enemy, and the disposi- tion of the Maltese of all ranks, you shall be of opinion that the blockade cannot be materially assisted from the land side by the force under your command, or that your corps is in your judgment placed in an insecure position and exposed to the dangers of being cut off or sui-rounded, or in any other case in which upon mature deliberation you shall judge it to be for the essential interests of His Majesty's service that you should with- di'aw from the Island, you are hereby authorised and required so to do, and to call upon the commanding officer of His Majesty's ships to reimbark the troops under your command, when you will return to Messina. You will take every opportunity of communicating to the Lieut. - General, not only the actual situation and progi^ess of the operations cari'ied on, but also youi' opinion of the pi'obable result thereof, particularly respecting the numbers, character, and dispositions of the Maltese. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) R"" Stewart, Adj^-Gen^" The instructions given to Brigadier-General Graham were communi- cated direct to Nelson by General Fox on the same date, as follows : — Mahon, 12fh November 1799.^ The Right Honble. Lord Nelson, K.B. My Lord, — Upon my arrival here, the 10th inst., Major-General Sir James St. Clair communicated to me your several letters, as well as those from Sir William Hamilton, and informed me of the conversation that had passed between Your Lordship and him ; and I must confess I coincide in opinion with Sir James on this subject. From the instructions I have received I do not conceive myself at liberty to detach troops from this garrison except by particular orders from home. But General O'Hara^ having communicated to me at Gibraltar ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 1 (1799-1800). " General O'Hara distinguished himself greatly at the siege of Toulon in 1793. He had long been Governor of Gibraltar. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 239 Your Lordship's letter of the 15th October, I wrote from thence to Mr. Dundas, enclosing an extract of your letter, requesting to he honoured with His Majesty's commands on that head as speedily as possible. But as it is stated in my instructions (an extract from which I have the honour to enclose) that for 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, I think myself warranted in agreeing to those regiments, or a detachment from them, proceeding to Malta, should Your Lordship, after considering the nature of my instructions, still think it necessary for His Majesty's service. It will then rest solely with Your Lordship to determine how far their presence can be dispensed with in the Island of Sicily, and from the express purposes for which they were originally destined. It would be presumption in me to assure Your Loi'dship, whose very superior abilities and discernment have been so repeatedly displayed in the various and extensive services you have rendered His Majesty's anns, that I am confident you will not allow these troops to be employed where there is not a very great probability of success, and where a failure might deprive His Majesty of their future services. And I am also to observe that it depends upon Your Lordship to make the necessary arrangements for the pi'oviding the stores and supplies requisite for the troops from Messina (their subsistence excepted), as I cannot authorise Brigadier- General Graham to incur any sort of expense to Government on that account. The British troops from Messina will be under the immediate command of Brigadier- General Graham, an ofl&cer of high reputation and known abilities, and who by his instructions (a copy of which I have the honour to enclose) is authorised to withdraw these troops should he conceive it to be absolutely necessary. I beg to assure Your Lordship that not a moment shall be lost, and that every exertion shall be made to have the troops in readiness to embark should I receive His Majesty's commands to that effect. I am also to acquaint Your Lordship that the 28th Regiment, about 700 strong, are to embark immediately for Gibraltar, in consequence of orders I have received from home. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. E. Fox. Nelson received Fox's dispatch of the 12th November on the 25th, when Commodore Sir Thomas Troubridge was ordered to sail on that same day from Palermo for Messina, with his ship the Culloden, the Foudroyant following, and there embark the troops under Brigadier-General Graham, with stores, guns, ammunition, and provisions for Malta. The restricted conditions regarding the necessary disbursements referred to in General Fox's dispatch were most disappointing and galling both to Lord Nelson and to Commodore Troubridge. The latter, fearing that delay would be the consequence, wrote to Nelson from Messina : I have procured for Graham, my Lord, fifteen thousand of my cobs ; every farthing, and every atom of me, shall be devoted to the cause.^ ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34915, f. 84. 240 A HISTORY OF MALTA Whilst Nelson on his part wrote : The cause cannot stand still for want of a little money ... if nobody will pay it I will sell Bronte and the Emperor of Russia's box.i Graham^s departure with the troops from Messina was preceded by that of Lieutenant-Colonel Lindenthal from Port Mahon with orders to ' repair to Malta^ and report on the position of affairs, and to render assistance to General Graham upon his arrival.' Linden- thai (an Austrian by birth) was an officer attached to the Minorca Regimentj and on the personal staif of General Fox. The following letters of Ball to Nelson, dated the 3rd, 7th, 11th, and 18th November, refer to the great distress of the Maltese, for want of food and money, and consequent sickness, to the restoration of the Order, and to the contemplated withdrawal of the Portuguese fleet. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. St. Antoine, Island of Malta, Zrd November 1799.2 My Lord, — I beg leave to represent to Youi^ Lordship the extreme necessity of a speedy supply of corn being sent for the inhabitants of this Island, otherwise they will be in the greatest distress. We have not yet received any of the corn which His Sicilian Majesty has been graciously pleased to order to be sent. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn^' Ball. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, 1th November 1799.3 My Lord, — I am honoured with Your Grace's letters of the 26th, 27th, and 28th of last month acquainting me that the Order of Malta is to be restored and their flag hoisted so soon as the French flag is struck, when the French shall surrender. I hope to prove myself deserving of the important trust Your Grace has been pleased to confide to me, by taking care of the honoui' of His Britannic Majesty, His Sicilian Majesty, and paying due respect to our faithful ally the Portuguese. The four thousand ounces which His Sicilian Majesty has been pleased to send here for the support of the armed peasants arrived just in time to save this country from the most critical and perilous state. This is the second time that Your Grace and Sir William Hamilton have by your energetic measures rescued these poor islanders from famine, and all its dreadful consequences. The British and Portuguese officers with their marines are sickly. The Maltese are equally so, one-third nearly unfit for duty owing to fatigue of service and occupying unhealthy posts. The Maltese are almost naked and totally unfit for winter service. I shall derive great satisfaction in seeing Your Grace that you may witness the many difficulties I have had to stem. ^ Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. p. 116 (edit, 1845). 2 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34914, f. 296. =* Ibid. f. 316. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799 241 The Marquis de Niza lias conducted himself in a manner highly- honourable, indeed I can never do sufficient justice to his merit and zeal, in disobeying such peremptory orders from his Court, which I believe is conti'ary to the opinion of most of his squadron, vrho quote General Gi-aham refusing to come to our assistance, although solicited by His Sicilian Majesty and Your Gi^ace. ... I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°' Ball. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, llth November 1799.' My Lord, — I have the honour to inform Your Grace that the four thousand ounces which H.S. Majesty was graciously pleased to send for the suppoi't of the Maltese armed peasants will only serve a fortnight, I am therefoi'e under the necessity of requesting Your Gi-ace to apply to the Ambassadors of those Sovereigns who guarantee the government of this Island to contribute their proportion for its support, otherwise famine and all its dreadful consequences will ensue. I have so repeatedly men- tioned the cause of the gi'eat distress of these poor islanders that I conceive it unnecessary to enter into a detail. We are much in want of two thousand cartouch boxes, one thousand bayonets, and two thousand flints. I have the honom-, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°' Ball. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, 18^/i November 1799.2 My Lord, — I had the honour of writing to Your Grace by the Foudroyant, since which there has not been any particular occurrence. The French permitted a great many Maltese to quit La Valette last week, one of whom infonned me that he was commissioned to acquaint me that the enemy intend making a sortie in a few days, and that their ships will certainly sail the first favourable opportunity. I conceive the intention of the soii;ie is to destroy our guns and mortars, that the ships may escape without damage from oui' batteries. A few days ago we wounded the French Adjutant-General and some of his men, who came out to reconnoitre oui- new battery. The Maltese report that many were killed. Of this I have some doubt, but I am certain of the General being wounded. I am sorry that the Minotaur s marines were not landed according to the order of the Marquis, as their number would have eased the duty of the troops on shore. The Marquis de Niza is extremely anxious to put into execution the orders of his Court. I can never sufficiently praise the zeal, and the desire he has of meriting your friendship. I hope the Emperor will give him the Grand Croix for his services here, I believe it would be highly gratifying to him. I hope for the honour of seeing Youi^ Grace for a few days, and particularly if troops can be sent, as we shall then make a speedy finish of this tedious siege. I have put the Russian officer (who came here to serve in the squadron) on board of the Audacious, as I have ak-eady one on board of the Alexander. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°' Ball. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34914, f. 343. - Ibid. 34915, f. 27. CHAPTER XIII THE BRITISH BLOCKADE (From the 25tli November 1799 to the 24th February 1800) General Fox's permission for the embarkation of the Messina con- tingent of British troops was acknowledged by Lord Nelson, on the 25th November, in the following letter, which is not in the Nelson Dispatches : — Palermo, 2bth November 1799.' His Excellency Hon. Gen. Fox. Sir, — I am this moment honoured with Your Excellency's letter of November 12th, and I can assure you that on all occasions I shall co- operate most cordially with you on all points of public service, and in every situation to make your residence at Minorca as comfortable as possible. If Malta can be held, of which I have strong doubts, till the arrival of the troops from Messina, and those of the Russians from Naples, it will very soon be taken, which will be a vei'y great relief to our ships, and enable us the better to pay attention to Minorca, and the northern coast of Italy, for I believe [from] what I hear, that the French mean to try their strength again in Italy. The Russians, 2,400 grenadiers, were to sail from Naples on the 19th, thei^efore I hope by this day they are at Malta. As the Minotaur is only standing into the bay to take this letter, I trust for your excuse in being so short. Ancona surrendered to the Austrians 14 days past. Believe me, &c. (Signed) Bronte Nelson. Graham was also informed by Nelson on the 25th, that Com- modore Sir Thomas Troubridge in his ship the Culloden would remain for some time co-operating with him for the reduction of Malta, and that Ball had been, by His Sicilian Majesty (the legitimate sovereign of the island), placed at the head of the Maltese, in both civil and (as he understood) military capacities, and that in any capitulation he thought Ball should sign. That it was further the desire of the British Government to gratify the Czar in every wish 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. 242 THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 243 about the Order of Malta, and concluded by saying, that if help in corn for the inhabitants should be required, it had been agreed by the ministers of Russia, Naples, and England to defray the expense by their respective Governments.! Troubridge's instructions were dated the same day, and to the effect, That upon the departure of the Portuguese squadron from off Malta he was to assume command of the blockade. That in the event of the surrender of Malta the colours of the Order were to be hoisted, and that Government restored. That all public property should be valued, and the ships of war found in the harbours should remain at the disposal of the three allied Courts of London, St. Petersburg, and the Two Sicilies. The question of victualling Malta continued to be a source of great anxiety to Lord Nelson, and upon the receipt of Ball's letter of the 11th November, already referred to, describing the destitution to which the Maltese had been reduced owing to the want of funds, he appears to have made a further urgent and successful application to His Majesty the King, for on the 28th November Sir William Hamilton received from the Prime Minister, the Chevalier Acton, the following communication : — [Translation.] Palermo, 2Qtli November 1799.2 His Sicilian Majesty having foolishly consented to a remittance of eight thousand ounces (£4,000) being made to Captain Ball for the inhabitants of Malta, the Chevalier Acton, in informing Your Excellency the Chevalier Hamilton, Envoy Exti^aordinai'y and Minister Pleni- potentiary of England, of this decision, begs that you will have the goodness to notify the same to Lord Nelson, and request His Lordship to issue the necessary orders, so that the said sum may be paid to him immediately. The Chevalier Acton further requests his Excellency Sir William Hamilton to make his apologies for being unable, through stress of work at the present moment, to have the honour of addressing His Lordship direct, but he reserves that pleasui'e to some futui^e time. In the meanwhile the Chevalier Acton has the honour to confirm to the Chevalier Hamilton the sense of his high consideration. The tone of this letter, the fact of its being written in the third person, and that it would have taken no more time to have addressed it direct to Lord Nelson, whom the subject more particularly concerned, than to write to Sir William direct, is convincing proof that the Chevalier Acton, probably owing to the Maltese having heartily expressed a wish to transfer the sovereignty of the islands to Great Britain, was opposed to this further grant of money. * Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. pp. 108, 109 (edit. 1845). 2 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34946, f. 199. b2 244 A HISTORY OF MALTA Brigadier-General Grraham acknowledged the receipt of General Fox^s instructions of the 12th November in the following dispatch : — Citadel of Messina, 4th November 1799.' Lt.-General the Honble. H. Fox, &c. Sir, — I had the honour of receiving Yoiu' Excellency's dispatch of the 12th November, with the several enclosui-es mentioned on the 28th ulto., at the same time that Sii" Thos. Troubi^dge brought me a letter from Lord Nelson, desiring me to lose no time in going to Malta. The weather has been extremely unfavoui^able ever since, heavy falls from the S.E. with much rain. This has given time for receiving an answer from Palermo, where I thought it of consequence to send an express in order to know fi'om Lord Nelson, to whose requisitions you referred me, whether the BHtish were to go, and whether if any part were left under the care of a field officer, the command here would be intrusted to him, and I shall now carry the ai-rangement I wished to maka into execution, an arrangement which, under all the contingent circum- stances (pro\Tided for in the insti'uctions contained in the Adjutant's letter to me) that may make it necessary to return, I hope you will approve of. I shall embark about 800 rank and file, leaving Major Lockhart of the 30th Regiment with four other officers and the remainder of the men in this fortress, by which means, without any diminution of our force worth consideration, we shall move free from such encumbrance. The sick and convalescents will be much better accommodated, and quarters in good order will be secui'ed for the men should we return here. I have expeinenced considerable difficulty on account of the want of money, the English merchants here not being able to supply us as formerly, on account of the low coui^se of exchange at Leghorn, where bills on London cannot be negotiated till the arrival of a convoy from England. Prince Cuto, the Governor of Messina, has very obligingly interfered, and a sum equal to the pay of the troops and their supply in the most material articles of provisions for two months has been raised by way of loan for thi'ee months on my bills. I have availed myself of the power granted me by H.S.M. of taking ordnance stores from hence, and I hope we shall get one company of the Neapolitan Artillery, which would be a great addition to our force in every case, as they would meanwhile be useful in securing our post from insult. But I sincerely wish a considerable reinforcement may soon arrive from Minorca, under the command of an officer more capable than I am of judging of the expediency of adopting offensive operations, and of directing properly their execution. Should all the Russian troops talked of arrive, the regular force will not be equal in numbers to the garrison. Much indeed may be expected from the Navy, but vei-y little I doubt from the Maltese, so that unless some very favourable circumstances occur, there can be little hope of reducing one of the strongest fortresses in Europe with so small a force by any other means than by blockade. You may be assured, however, sir, that nothing in my power shall be wanting to endeavour to justify the favourable opinion you are pleased to express, but I beg leave to mention ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 245 that it would be mateinal assistance if you could spare me any officers of Engineers and Artillery. I imagine, notwithstanding the delays occasioned hy the bad weather, the embarkation of the stores and provisions will be completed to-morrow or the following morning, then nothing will detain us but contrary winds and the want of the blankets and camp equipage, which are to be brought by the Northumberland, not yet arrived. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham, Governor, &c. Sir William Hamilton, despairing of getting further help from the Neapolitan Government, informed Lord Grenville on the 6th November of the concerted measures which had been agreed upon by the representatives of England, Russia, and Naples for granting pecuniary aid to the distressed Maltese, but this agree- ment, so far as Russia was concerned, was of short duration. [Extract.] Sir Wm. Hamilton to Lord Grenville. Palermo, 6th December 1799.^ , . . The poor, brave, and loyal inhabitants of Malta have often been at the point of surrendering to the French from extreme hunger and misery, and would have done so if they had not been prevented by the extraordinary efforts of Captain Ball, of H.M. ship Alexander, and the small suras of money, and some little provisions which Lord Nelson and I obtained for them from time to time ivith the utmost difficmlty from this Government.^ In order to pi'event this inconveniency for the future, particularly as this Government refused to advance any more money or provisions solely on its own account. Lord Nelson, the Chevalier Italinski (the Russian Minister), and myself had a meeting with General Acton, when it was agreed by the end of the month that in future the expense of keeping the loyal Maltese from starving should be placed to the account of the three above-mentioned Powers. Returning to the subject of active operations, it has to be recorded that in approaching Messina to embark the troops the Foudroyant got on shore, but sustained little or no damage, and as the Northumberland (Captain Martin) had also arrived at Messina, she was ordered, with the Culloden, to receive the 30th and 89th Regiments. At 9 a.m. the 6th December, this force, in all 800 strong, marched from the citadel and embarked; and at 2 p.m. of the same day the Culloden and her consorts got under weigh, and by early morning of the 9th entered St. Paul's Bay, Malta. After landing the troops, the ships were ordered round to Marsa Scirocco Bay to discharge their stores, &c., a fortified depot having been established at that post. The Culloden, in going round to land cannon, ammunition, &c., unfortunately struck on a rock, resulting ' Foreign Office Records, Sicily, No. 12. 2 See Nelson's note of about December 1, 1V99, that he coiild not urge the King of Naples for more funds. {Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. p. 123.) — J. H. R. 246 A HISTORY OF MALTA in her rudder and greater part of the false keel being carried away. This was the second accident of the same nature which happened to the Culloden, the first having taken place at the battle of the Nile. Upon the arrival of Commodore Troubridge, the Portuguese Admiral, Marquis de Niza, again notified to Nelson that he had received express orders from his Grovernment to return to Lisbon with the fleet under his command without further delay — drawing attention to the fact that Generals Erskine and Graham had, on a former occasion, declined to disobey orders, even to save Malta, and that he ought not to be expected to do so. The circumstances being now entirely different from what existed when the first threatened withdrawal of the Portuguese squadron was made, and Nelson now having his intimate and valiant Troubridge in command of a rein- forced blockading squadron with tw^o British regiments, besides marines and sailors on shore, and with promised troops from Sicily shortly expected, he very willingly acquiesced in the Marquis de Niza's request, and under date of the 18th December, officially notified that he no longer considered the Portuguese Admiral and his fleet to be under his command,^ General Fox was duly informed of the safe arrival at Malta of the expedition by a dispatch from Brigadier-General Graham, as follows : — St. Antonio, Malta, lOth December 1799.^ Lt. -General the Hon. Henry Fox, &c. Sir, — I have the honour to infonn youi* Excellency that the ships anchored in St. Paul's Bay yesterday, and that the troops disembarked this morning, and marched into cantonments in the villages of Bii^chircara and Nasciar in this neighbourhood. As I have scarcely seen anything yet, and as Lt. -Colonel Lindenthal is to write by this opportunity, I will not say anything more about our situation here than I think it must remain a very critical one till rein- forcements aiTive, the more so as there is a necessity of sepai^ting so much these two regiments in order to occupy posts which are left by the Portuguese marines already ordered to embark. I have been reconciled to this temporary distribution of the force by the assui-ance from Colonel Lindenthal, in whose judgement and experience I have much confidence, that there is no risk, the advanced posts of the mai-ines and Maltese being so well an^anged that the enemy could not without much difiiculty penetrate through them. Their not having attempted to do so for many months, when there were fewer troops on the Island, is a favourite argument with everybody here that they will never attempt it now. I own 1 am not much convinced by it, for on the Island they seem to have lately undertaken several operations, which may render it almost necessary for the enemy to make a sortie, and which I am svire they could ^ He added warm words of commendation to Niza for his activity and zeal. Nelson at that time could not get the Russian Admiral to sail from Naples to Malta. (See JDispafches of Nelson, vol. iv. pp. 144, 145.) — J. H. R. 2 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 247 not have resisted so as to protect the works they have constructed. Having no engineer with me, I shall endeavour to keep Colonel Lindenthal as long as possible, and I shall direct his attention towai^ds making some posts very sui-e, in case we should be obliged to fall back before the arrival of the Russians. Citta Veccha will, I imagine, veiT easily be put in that situation, but the most interesting point I imagine will be the harbour of Marsa Scirocco at the eastern extremity of the Island, and which affords much better shelter for ships than St. Paul's, and is more convenient for the landing of stores, &c., near the posts. The 30th Regiment moves to-morrow fi'om Birchircara to that side into the villages of Casal Asciak and Zeitun, and a part of the 89th replaces them, thi'ee companies remaining at Nasciar. If without opening the blockade altogether on this left side I can concentrate them moi-e, I shall certainly be anxious to do it. I have the honoui', &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham. Ball's dispatch to Nelson relative to the arrival of the British troops is as follows : — Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, 10th December 1799.' My Lord, — I am honoured with Your Grace's letter of the 19th of last month acquainting me that the Chev*^" Italinski will be here in a few days, at which I rejoice much, from the very high opinion which you and Sir William Hamilton have of his abilities and worth. I had the pleasure of being frequently in his company last year at Sir William's, where we formed rather an intimate acquaintance. Your Grace may easily conceive the joy of the Maltese on the arrival of Sir Thomas Troubridge with the two regiments under the command of General Graham ; they all disembarked this morning. Lieut. -Col. Lindenthal anived here the 6th instant from Minorca, sent by General Fox as an experienced and intelligent officer, to examine and report upon the state of La Valette and the other works in possession of the enemy. He expressed his surprise at the enemy allowing us to advance our batteries so near, which, he says, cannot be better connected or more judiciously placed. He does not think of any measures but what are defensive for the present. He is astonished that the French have not made a sortie, and although we are so strengthened, he does not think we are in a very safe situation. I understand General Graham's orders suggest great caution, and that if he thought his force not sufficient he had the power of returning to Messina. ... I shall send to General Acton by this oppor- tunity the account of the expenditure of the money sent here by His Sicilian Majesty. ... I have the honoui", &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°' Ball. Colonel Lindenthal; who had preceded Graham's expedition, reached Malta on the 6th December, and on the lOtli reported to General Fox from St. Antonio Palace, on the position, as follows ^i — 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34915, f. 173. 2 c.O.R. Malta, No. 1. 248 A HISTORY OF MALTA 1 avail myself of the earliest opportunity to report to you that I landed here the 6th instant, and Brig.-Gen. Graham with the two regi- ments aiTived yesterday at St. Paul's Bay. I had just before seen sufficient of the different posts and their communication before Valetta to judge that the regiments may disembark in safety, which accordingly was effected to-day. Tho' in so short a time it would be impossible to give a perfect account of the state of affairs here, yet I will endeavour to answer such points in question of your instructions as may be of more consequence to be known immediately. The fortifications of Valetta and dependence are so strong that I do not suppose there will ever be sent here an army provided with the necessary artillery stores and provisions Z'equisite for a regular siege. But there is every probability that the place might be forced to capitulate in less than two months if the blockade can be continued to that period, enforced at the same time by sending more troops and artillery to harass and frighten the enemy, who is by no means strong enough for such extensive works. But all what has been said of a speedy surrender of the place, in case we could make a show of regular troops, has no foundation whatsoever. The garrison has still provisions for three months,^ including the inhabitants, and tho' it will be difficult to ascertain the quantity of their ammunition, what I have seen of their useless firing could not make me suppose that they are afraid of want. The forces forming the blockade by land at present consist of — Two regiments of infantry .... 800 men Marines 400 „ Maltese soldiers ...... 1,500 ,, In case of a genex'al attack we may depend upon 1,000 more armed Maltese. It is a pity we have not thought of forming this poor people into regiments ; they are very much attached to us, and have really performed wonders. The articles most wanted at present are a detachment of artillery, consisting at least of 3 officers and 50 men. Thei^e is at present only one officer here, Lieut. Vivion. The guns are served by Maltese or sailors. There are no instruments for workmen here but what can be supplied from the Navy ; no wood for making platforms. Some engineer officers, with about 20 artificers, are also wanted ; as also a Power for paying the woi-kraen and other accidental [sic] expences. As there is nobody here doing the duty of the Q.-M.-Gl.'s department, I should recommend Lieut. Vivion of the Royal Artillery, for our assistant, who during twelve months does here alone the duty for almost eveiT department. The extensive ground occupied by our small force makes the arrival of 3,000 Russian troops every day more necessary. The Portuguese squadron is retui'ning to Portugal to-morrow. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Lindenthal. On the 9th December^ as already mentioned, His Majesty's ships Northumberland and Culloden arrived with Graham's contingent, ^ It proved to be nine months. (Note of Mr. Hardman.) THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 249 consisting of the 30tli and 89tli Regiments, and anchored in St. PauFs Bay. On the 10th the troops disembarked and marched into cantonments at Birchircara and Nasicar, which permitted the Portuguese marines to re-embark. The head-quarters' staff was for the time being located at St. Antonio Palace, but by the end of the month it was removed to Gudia. On the 11th December the 30th Regiment was ordered to proceed and occupy the villages of Asciak and Zeitun, so as to be nearer the harbour of Marsa Scirocco, which was found to be better sheltered, and more convenient for the landing of stores. Eighteen days later a further number of marines were landed from the Culloden and Northumberland, allowing the whole of the 30th Regi- ment to be concentrated at Zeitun, with charge of the advanced posts at Zabbar and the battery of Santo Rocco on the right, leaving the 89th Regiment at Gudia and Lucca to look after the post of Tarscien and the battery in front of it, the marines being left on the San Giuseppe road in charge of the advanced position and the battery at Samra. A considerable number of armed Maltese, all of whom, up to the end of December 1799, had been paid by His Sicilian Majesty, were placed in front of the line of communication, making frequent patrols, whilst to the left of the San Giuseppe road several strong Maltese posts were formed, to whom that part of the line of investment was entirely trusted. Marsa Scirocco was made an intrenched post with a fortnight's provisions stored there, and in case of any reverse happening, a strong redoubt near the Torre della Grazia was further ordered, for the protection of the right, so as to secure a retreat from the battery of Santo Rocco towards Zeitun, should Zabbar be lost. General Graham's dispatch to General Fox, dated the 10th December, notifying the safe arrival of the contingent of British troops in Malta, was forwarded for transmission to Lord Nelson, who sent it on, under a covering dispatch, dated the 14th, as follows : — Palermo, 14^^ December 1799. His Excellency Hon. Lt.-Gen. Fox. Dear Sir, — 1 send Your Excellency Colonel Graham's letters, both from Messina and Malta, where, thank God, he landed on the 10th. We shall now be able to hold our own till a sufficient force can be collected to attack La Valetta. Graham wants many stores, as 1 dare say he tells you, and I am sure Tour Excellency will afford every assistance to get this very long biisiness to a close. The Austrians are calling out for a naval co-operation on the coast of Genoa. It is my wish, for no man knows more the necessity than myself, having this war served with the Austrians when they were on that coast ; they complain that the Russian ships never come near them. Oui* Government think that eleven sail of the line, frigates, &c., should do something. I find they do nothing. On the 17tli November — at latest the 19th — the Admiral was to sail from 250 A HISTORY OF MALTA Naples with the troops for Malta; but also on the 19th December it was said it would be five or six days. The troops are represented by those who have seen them as a very fine body of men, and as I feel confident that you will have orders to send more troops to Malta, we shall soon find our squadi^on liberated and on other service, for at this moment I have not a ship to send on the north coast of Italy. I send you Mr. Wyndham's letter and enclosures. I have directed the convoy for England to sail the moment the Speedy appears off Mahon with the trade from Messina. Captain Louis is directed to proceed to Malta with stores for our ships, which are in a truly miserable state. In everything I shall be truly happy in meeting your wishes, my only desire is to know them, for believe me, with the greatest respect. Your Excellency's, &c. (Signed) Bronte ]!^elson. On the 15th December Captain Ball informed the Right Hon. Henry Dundas that the Maltese were anxious that he (Ball), upon the expected arrival of the Russian troops, should continue to hold the appointment of Governor, and that they had petitioned the Czar to that effect, but that he had thought proper not to give effect to the petition. Ball's dispatch was as follows : — Malta, Ihth December 1799.' The Right Hon. Henry Dundas. Sir, — I take the liberty of enclosing to you a brief account of the revenues and productions of the Islands of Malta and Grozo, conceiving it will be acceptable at tliis period. As I have not the honor of being known to you, I beg leave to represent that in October /98, Lord Nelson gave me the command of the squadron blockading the Fi^ench garrison in this Island. In February /99, the Maltese, perceiving the necessity of having a chief to reside constantly with them, petitioned His Sicilian Majesty and Lord Nelson to give me that appointment, which was immediately granted, since which they applied to the Emperor of Russia to beg he will acquiesce in appointing me their Governor, but I have detained their petition from an apprehension that His Imperial Majesty might think it was procured by an improper influence. The Maltese are extremely attached to the English ; they are more industrious, and have less vice than the inhabitants of any of the states in Italy ; they have frequently expressed their wish to be under the sovereignty of Great Britain, and promised that they would defend the Island with their own troops, provided they were paid the expense of two full British regiments. I am informed that some British ofiicers have orders to raise two regiments in Albania for the garrison of this Island. This will be attended with many difficulties and gi^eat expense, and there is such a prejudice between the Albanians and Maltese that their arrival will ci^eate much disgust. I beg leave to suggest to you, sir, that two regiments may be immediately raised here without bounty, but on condition that they are to serve only on the Island. They may be kept at one-fourth less expense 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 251 than a British regiment. In time of war the Islands of Malta and Gozo would furnish many useful seamen for our Navy. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. Revenue.^ The landed property of Government ..... £20,700 Customs 12,500 Excise 8,000 Tobacco 1,300 £42,500 Productions Exported. Spun cotton £-iOO,OOtf= Oranges 2,000 Salt 200 Stores, &c. 300 £402,500 During the month of December 1799 famine again threatened the inhabitants, when the following urgent appeals for wheat were made by Ball to Nelson,, under dates of the 21st and 22nd of this month : — Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, 21^^ December 1799.^ My Lord, — Sir Thomas Troubridge has just infoi-med me of the arrival of the Transfer, and that he shall dispatch her immediately to Sicily. I write by her to General Acton and the Prince de Luzzi, to represent that unless an immediate supply of corn be sent here we shall experience all the horrors of famine. The Deputies who went in the summer to implore of His Sicilian Majesty a credit of corn that they might have a pro^vasion for the winter could not obtain more than a supply of six iveeks for the armed peasants ; the individual inhabitants were too poor to pui^chase a large quantity for themselves. I have sent to the States of Barbary for an immediate supply, and I have gi^eat hopes of getting some from the Levant, as I granted passports for four vessels which were to be here this month. I am to request that Your Grace will make use once more of your great influence with His Sicilian Majesty's Ministers to save these poor islanders from starving. Sir Thomas Troubridge is going on with his usual zeal and persever- ance ; it requires all his abilities to manage the Naval business here at this critical junctui^e. We all like Genei-al Graham. The regiments behave remarkably well. There will not be any attack until we are reinforced. The General is taking all precautions to secure a retreat if the enemy's succoiu^s should arrive before oiu^s. ... I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°- Ball. 1 C.O.B. Malta, No. 1. 2 Thornton in his Finances of Malta (p. 35) gave £500,000 as the value of the cotton exported. See Chap. xxiv. — J. H. R. 3 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34915, f. 241. 252 A HISTOEY OF MALTA Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, 2%id December 1799.' My Lord, — I had the honoiu' of writing to Your Grace yesterday to I'epresent that this Island is in the greatest distress for corn ; if we have not a supply very soon, we shall experience all the horrors of famine. I have wintten very urgently on the subject to General Acton and the Prince de Luzzi. I have sent to Tunis and Tripoli for corn and bullocks, and I gave passports three months since for four vessels which are to bring corn from the Levant. Neither the Government nor the inhabitants possessed sufficient money in the summer to provide for the winter's con- sumption of com. We endeavoured to obtain a sufficient quantity on credit from His Sicilian Majesty, but as tJiat could not be effected, no blame can attach here for not making a greater provision. I have the satisfaction to acquaint Your Grace that I feel particularly obliged to Sir Thomas Troubridge for his veiy cordial co-operation. Brig'^'-Gen^' Graham is equally attentive, his regiments behave in a manner highly to their credit. The General is throwing up a work to secui'e a retreat, and cutting traverses that we may not be surprised should the enemy's succours arrive before our reinforcements. He does not think it prudent to risk an attack with our present force. ... I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°' Ball. Captain BalFs appeal for a further supply of corn so as to avoid all the horror of famine was fully confirmed by Captain Troubridge in his eloquent dispatches to Lord Nelson of the 22ndj 23rd, and 28th December, and of the 1st, 5th, and 6th January. [Extract.] Sir T. Troubridge to Lord Nelson. Marsa Scirocco, Malta, the 22nd December 1799.^ My Lord, — The Transfer is arrived from Girgenti without any convoy, there being an order not to suffer corn to be shipped for exportation ; if they do not except Malta, we may as well be off — the granaries are full at Girgenti, and the scarcity ia all trick and villainy. ^ I am sorry to say, what I have long known, the King and Trabia have been in the habit of sending corn to Leghorn, (whilst) forbidding his subjects to send any, or what amounts to the same thing, not suffeinng them to do it, by refusing passports. The 20,000 tumoli of corn from Naples, which Your Lordship is told is intended for Malta, I much doubt. The same falsehoods were imposed on you [me ?] when I was at Procida, and no truth in it. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34915, f. 249. 2 Ibid. 34915. ^ Nelson, in his reply of December 29, states that General Acton again denied that the granaries at Girgenti were full. {Nelson's Dispatches, vol. iv. p. 162.) — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 253 [Extract.] Sir Thomas Troubridge to Lord Nelson. Malta, 23rd December 1799.1 My Lord, — . . . Youi' Lordship must pardon me, but I really foresee that these poor inhabitants are to be sacrificed to the villainy of the Neapolitans. If the ports are not opened immediately, both them and us [sic] must fly the country. I have little left in the Culloden, and hourly expect the General [Gi-aham] will say, 'if the supplies are stopped from Sicily, take me and my soldiers off. I cannot leave them to be starved, tho' I shall have the painful task of leaving the inhabitants to theii* fate.' I know so well the system pursued about corn at Palermo, that I doubt every word they utter. The cora from Naples is an infamous falsehood. Why bring it so far when Girgenti has plenty ? I beseech Your Lordship press them for a yes or no ; the cries of hunger are now too great to admit of the common evasive answers usually given by the Sicilian Government. Do not suffer them to throw the odium on us. If they say we shall not or cannot be supplied, I see nothing for it but to retreat as fast as possible. [Extract.] Sir T. Troubridge to Lord Nelson. Marsa Scirocco, Malta, 28f7i December 1799.2 My Lord, — I am sorry to dwell again on the hateful subject of pro- visions, but really it grows serious. I have not more than fourteen days' provisions at two-thirds allowance. The Island is without bread in toto. I have sent to smuggle or even seize any vessels laden with corn they may fall in with. The King of Naples ought to recollect that his flag is flying here. ... If Youi- Lordship could see the distress of the people here, I am sui'e you would use such strong language as to induce His Majesty to permit corn to be shipped for this place. [Extract.] Sir T. Troubridge to Lord Nelson. Marsa Scirocco, Malta, Ist January 1800 (noon).^ . . . We are dying off fast for ivanf. I learn from letters from Messina that Sir William Hamilton says Prince Luzzi refused com some time ago, and he does not think it u'orth while maki^ig another application. If this is the case, I wish he commanded at the distressing scenes instead of me. Puglia has an immense harvest ; near eighty sail left Messina before I did, to load corn. Will they let us have any of that ? A short time will decide the business. We shall be obliged to leave the place for the want of • Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34915, f. 256. 2 Ihid. 34915. It must be admitted that the report which Brigadier-General Graham on that same day sent to General Fox paints the situation in far less dark colours. See below. — J. H. R. 3 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34916. 254 A HISTORY OF MALTA provisions. . . . Many happy returns of the day to you ; I never spent a more miserable one. T am not very tender hearted, but really the distress here would, if lie could see it, even move a Neapolitan. [Extract.] Sir T. Troubridge to Lord N'elsox. Malta, 6th January 1800.^ My Lord, — I have this day saved 30,000 people from dying, but with this day my ability ceases, as the King of Naples, or rather the Queen and her party, are bent on starving us. I see no alternative but to leave these poor unhappy people to starve without out' being witnesses to their distress. I curse the day I ever served the King of Naples — I, who know Your Lordship so well, can pity the distress you must suffer. What must be our situation on the spot ? If the Neapolitan Grovern- ment will not supply coi-n, I pi^y Your Lordship to recall us, we are of no use. The Maltese soldiers must call on the French in Valetta, who have the ability to relieve them. The consequence will be. General Graham and his troops will be cut up to a man, if I do not Avithdraw them. I hourly expect him to apply to me for that purpose. ... I foresee we shall forfeit the little we have gained before supplies can possibly come ; many thou- sands must perish. Even if those supplies arrive in two days, the situation is worse than ever, thei-e are not even locusts. Such is the fever of my brain this minute, that I assure you on my honour, if the Palermo traitors were here, I would shoot them first and then myself. . . . Oh, could you see the horrid distress I daily experience, something would be done ! . . .2 Sir T. Troubridge to Lord Nelson. Malta, bth January 1800 (4 a.m.)^ My Lord, — The business is drawing to a conclusion. As hunger knoivs no laiv,' the Maltese seize the soldiers' bread. I houi-ly expect they will solicit supplies from Vaubois and destroy our troops. Nothing can possibly prevent it, if the General (Graham) stays ; but the poor creatures knowing we are not the authors of their miseries, but rather their Sovereign, who they have a right to expect supplies from — they are not soliciting corn as a gift, but for sale to them, willing to give a good price. Your Lordship must not be surprised to hear of my having embarked the troops and landed them at Messina, for the General says we cannot be expected to stay without provisions : 100,000 people will not quietly starve and see our troops eating. I have taken some strong measures ; if they do not succeed the game is up. We are acting with deceitful traitors of Sicilians, Neapolitans, and Russians. I trust Your Lordship will see me out of the sci^pe necessity has, or will draw me into. I cannot in this letter tell you the measures. If they succeed you will soon hear from Acton. Much, very much, of our 1 Brit. Mns. Add. MSS. 34916. ^ For the rest of this letter, see Nelson's Dispatches, vol. iv. pp. 166, 167 (notes).— " ^'Brit.Mus. Add. MSS. 34196, THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 255 distress is to be attributed to Sir William. Hamilton not thinking it neces- sary to make a second application to Prince Luzzi, because he was refused three months ago to a similar application ; the scarcitj^, if it exists in Sicily, is by the monopoly of Trabia, whatever is wanted his stores are full when he has brought things to a high price. I am truly miserable ! [Extract.] Sir Thomas Troubridge to Lord Nelson. Marsa Scirocco, Malta, Qth January 1800.^ ... I have taken every method to secure supplies in futui'e without depending on Sicily. If I can get the better of this famine created by the monopolisitig trash of Sicilians ; however as hunger knows no law, I have sent the Citoyenne to Grii^genti to ask and demand with firmness, supplies agreeable to Treaty — if refused, to seize on any vessels laden as far as 800 salms, and bring them to me, guaranteeing the payment by myself. I have also sent the StromboU to Messina with directions to load com and seize any he may meet coming from the Adi'iatic ; the measui'es are strong, but necessity forced them. I have also doubly manned the Arab, and sent dollars of mine and Ball's to pui^chase if they will permit of it, if not to seize ; I know I shall gain the displeasure of the King and all the petty merchants about his Court — nothing that could happen will give me less concern. 2 Towards the end of December two intercepted dispatches were taken by the blockading fleet, one dated the 24th December from the Commissary of Marine, Menard, to General Vaubois, requesting authority for the Maltese quondam spy, Barbara, to proceed to France, and there submit plans which in his opinion might secure the success of the expedition of relief then being organised at Toulon. Permission having been granted, Barbara sailed for France, but whilst en route was captured by the Bey of Tunis, and from a note attached to the above referred to dispatch, which is preserved amongst the 'Nelson Papers' in the British Museum (Add. MSS. 34950), it would appear that 'he was placed in the Bey's public works at Tunis, and a particularly large basket allotted to him to carry stores.' "We hear no more of this renegade. The other dispatch was dated the 27th of December, from Adjutant-General Brouard to the Minister of War, requesting permission to serve elsewhere after the relief of Malta. General Brouard was one of the prisoners of war captured on board the Guillaume Tell in the engagement of the 13th of March following. These intercepted dispatches are as follows : — ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34916. 2 See Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. p. 167 (note), for Troubridge's letter of January 8, 1799, accusing the Neapolitan Court of detaining the Russians. — J. H. R. 256 A HISTORY OF MALTA Le 3 Nivose (24 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. ^ i.e. as First Consul, by the Constitution of 1799. — J. H. R. 266 A HISTORY OF MALTA have the pleasure of seeing here. But it is impossible to be more fortu- nate than I think myself, in having such an officer as Sir Thos. Troubridge in the command of the naval force here, being certain of every co- operation and assistance that can be expected from superior abilities and the greatest zeal. He has relieved the extreme distress of the Island, which the Court of Naples seemed inclined to starve, by sending to cut out corn vessels from Girgenti, and on this hint they have sent others. I shall appoint Lt. Vivion to be a Q.-M.-G., being persuaded nobody can be better qualified for that situation. We expect some platforms from the citadel of Messina, and I shall write for some plank. But there is a difficulty to find any other than inch boards, which are brought from Calabria. I have got a quantity of them for the men to sleep on, and am in hopes it will prevent theii^ suifering from the cold and damp of the floors. The sickness, however, rather increases in the 89th, especially at Luca. I have diminished the night duty as much as possible, and shall take every means to check its pi'ogress. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham. PS. — Mr. Jamaison has written to Dr. Frank for hospital mates, and I hope they will be sent as soon as possible. Col. Lindenthal has only this moment received youi' letter, which he desii^es me to tell you, not now having time to wi'ite, as the Commodore has sent for the letters. [Private.] La Gudia, Malta, Xlth January 1800.1 To THE Rt. Hon. Lord Keith, &c. — As the Commodore ^ has sent for my letters, I have [not ?] lost a moment, my dear Lord, to tell you how happy I am to hear of your return, and how much more so I shall be to see you here, if you can spare a few days. For God's sake don't take Troubridge away ; he is invaluable to us, or to any service ; his ship luckily can't go out, so that he is obliged to be near us, which I think very lucky — not that I am now under the least uneasiness about our situation, unless Bonaparte sends a reinforcement, but I tmst you will be enabled to counteract any elfort that may, and probably will, be made this way, and eastward. If you were to look in at Naples, chemin fatsant, and shove out the Russians, you would do us a service. I hope the General will have leave from home to send up another regiment at least, and that it will be mine. When all collected, we must try to do something, otherwise this never can end till there is not a morsel of bread in La Valetta. When that may be, God knows. The accounts are very uncertain and contradictory, the last makes the quality of the bread very bad, and the gairison to be daily growing sick ; they could not bear harassing long on bread and water. Adieu. I wi'ote to you to London the other day to tell you of my being here, and something of our situation, and to beg you would bring me out some things. I desired my agent to throw my letter in the fire if you were gone. At all events, let me hear from you, and believe me ever most truly yours. (Signed) Thos. Graham. I C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. " i.e. Commodore Troubriclp'e. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 267 PS. — Whatever becomes of this place afterwards, it is important beyond all calculation, I think, to get it out of the hands of the French, and noto or never.^ By the 26tli January, owing to the rigorous yet absolutely necessary steps which had been taken to secure a supply of corn from Sicily, sufficient Avas received for immediate requirements ; but to add to the difficulties of the situation, sickness invaded the British troops. Graham had already informed Nelson that the troops under his command, numbering 1,500, combined with Ball's 2,000 Maltese, were totally inadequate for any serious attack on the enemy's works, and that he had been officially acquainted that the Russian Admiral was proceeding "with his fleet and troops to Corfu. Thus ended all the negotiations and promised aid from Russia.^ The urgent need for further reinforcements was then strongly pleaded for by both General Graham, on the 1st, 8th, and 9th February, and Lord Keith, on the 5th February, in the following dispatches to General Fox, including an animadversion of the former on Ball's tactics : — La Gudia, Malta, \st Februanj 1800.3 To Lieut. -Gen. Fox, &c. Sir, — 1 have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency the monthly return, in which for your information the company and a half of IN^eapoli- tan Artillery are included. The increase of the sickness in the 89th Regiment, and in the corps of marines, made the establishment of a general hospital necessary, and I appointed Dr. Jamaison to act as physician to it, and Mr. Price, assistant surgeon in the 30th Regiment, to do duty there. As the N'eapolitan ArtilleiT brought no surgeon, commissary, or any ordei's, but to put them- selves under my command, 1 have been obliged to order that their sick should be received into the general hospital, and that they should all be supplied with rations meanwhile. I lost no time, however, in writing to Sir William Hamilton and General Acton concerning them, and I understand from them that they, with some other Neapolitan troops, intended to be sent hei'e, are to be maintained entirely at H.S. Majesty's expense. As there have lately been some German and French deserters from the town who confirm the intelligence of the wants of the gandson, as well as of the increase of the sickness, 1 hope we shall not lose any more men by desertion. I have removed the companies of the 89th Regiment from Luca to Asciak, towards Tarscien and the Jesuits' battery, as there is little ' The spirits of the French garrison were raised by the arrival about this time of an aviso, with dispatches from the new Consular Government, and copies of the Moniteur up to the middle of December. The dispatches probably contained news of the relief expedition then being planned at Toulon, the fate of which will appear presently. We may note here the inaccuracy of James's assertion (Naval History, vol. ii. p. 437, edit. 1902) that after February 1799 no vessel slipped into the harbour of Valetta. This leaves out of count the events of May — June, as noted above. — J. H. E. ^ The cause of this vacillating behaviour on the part of the Russian Government is explained in a separate chapter. 3 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1, 268 A HISTORY OF MALTA doubt of the sickness originating fi'om the bad air of the marsh at the head of the harbour, though from several instances there is reason to consider it likewise infectious. I trust, however, from the extension of the hospital, and the great care taken not to allow men to do duty when they feel any of the first symptoms, nor till they are perfectly re-established, that the alarming progress of this fever will be stopped. I have desired Dr. Jamaison to write particularly to Dr. Franks concerning it, and I anxiously hope a supply of medicines, and particularly a large one of bark, will arrive soon. The want of regular and well-supplied markets in this Island makes it impossible for the hospitals to be put on the footing directed by the King's regulations ; the men cannot be provided otherwise than by di^awing their rations from the A[ssistant]-Com[missary]-Gen[eral]. Referring to my letter to Your Excellency of the 28th December, wherein I expressed anxiety on account of the probable want of money to pay the Maltese, I am glad to be able to mention that Sir William Hamilton, pressed by the Governor and myself on that subject, has promised a supply, which is hourly expected. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham, A.B.G. Queen Charlotte, at Palermo, hDi February 1800.1 To Lieutenant-General Fox. Sir, — Your Excellency must have heard that in consequence of some sudden orders, the Russians have withdrawn 2 their troops from Malta for a time at least (and I hope so only), which has rendered our situation critical indeed, and distressing in point of risk and expense, but to abandon the Island is an object of too great importance for me to undertake without orders to that effect. I have therefore applied to this Government for such a number of troops as may put the BHgadier [Gi-aham] out of risk from a sortie ; but if the King could give me any number, I much fear that they [are (?)] so newly raised, as to be unfit for a coup de main, which seems the only means of getting possession of Malta, a place I well know to be extremely strong if it were well gamsoned. Perhaps Youi' Excellency may have had some orders from Britain ere this, and perhaps some troops. It would be a waste of time to point out to you the consequences of some being sent for the service of Malta, and upon so pressing an occasion I think that Your Excellency may fairly construe the instructions, which you did me the honour of communicating, as a full sanction to detach all above the gaiTison, viz. five thousand men, and, in that case, I will either send some of the King's ships, or apply to the Russian Admiral for some of theirs to remain at or about Mahon, which shall contain more men than shall be sent from the Island; and the senior officer of His Majesty's ships at Minorca has my orders to embark such supplies as you can send as soon as possible. Major Duncan of the Artillery, who took the Island of Capri, would be of gi-eat use, as I have the idea of endeavouring the recon- quest of that Island.^ I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Keith. ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. ^ The word ' withdrawn ' must, I think, be used here in the sense of ' withheld.' — J. H. R. 3 Capri was not taken until the year 1806, by Sir Sidney Smith. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 269 Malta, 8th February 1800.1 To Lt.-Gen. Fox. Sir, — I take the opportunity of the Gorgon to send my letter to Your Excellency, with the monthly retui-n. I have the satisfaction of being able to add that the sick seem to be doing better. As the Commodore could give no assui-ance of any other ship of war going soon to Minorca, I advised both Lt.-Col. Lindenthal and Lt.-Col. Boyle to go in the Gorgon, though she is ordered to go by Leghoi'n. I did not consider myself at liberty to detain Lt.-Col. Lindenthal longer, as there seemed to be no chance of any active operation, and I thought that his services might be wanted elsewhere, and that, at all events, it might be material that he should have an opportunity of explaining more fully than can be done by letter everything about this place, both to Your Excellency and, if he should go home, to H.R.H.^ and His Majesty's Ministers. Nobody can be more capable of satisfying every enquiry, as, fully aware of the great importance of the subject, he has taken great pains to investigate every point concerning it. These con- siderations determined me to give up the satisfaction I felt in having an officer of his merit near me. Everything remains very quiet. In compliance with Governor Ball's wishes, we shall try to annoy the ships from two or three places,^ and he means to amuse the Maltese with allowing them to go near the works in the night and fire their muskets. I am sure the French will not be much harassed by anything of the kind, as they know we cannot naake a real attack, and as that kind of night duty would harass our men vei*y much, I declined having anything to do with it. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham, A.B.G. [Private.] La Gudia, 9th February 1800.^ To Lt.-Gen. Fox, &c. Sir, — I should have been much inclined to detain Lt.-Col. Lindenthal according to Your Excellency's pennission, but that I really think that it would be highly important that he could have an opportunity of talking to the King's Ministers, which might fix the views of Government concern- ing this place, of which, there is i-eason to think, their information has hitherto been very defective. As we agree so much in opinion, it is needless for me now to add anything more on the subject. If there is any difference in our expecta- tions, I think he is more sanguine than I am concerning the period of the surrender supposing nothing but blockade be attempted. In that case there is no saying when it will end. Vaubois cannot give up such a place, without the loss of some outwork and the harbour, so long as there is a morsel of bread. I think it is quite certain that Bonaparte, knowing well the immense advantages of holding this place, will make gi^eat efforts to relieve it. 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1, 2 i.e. the Duke of York.— J. H. R. 3 i.e. the French ships, the Gmllaiime Tell, &c., in Valetta Harbour. — J. H. R. * C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. 270 A HISTORY OF MALTA Sliortening the term of the blockade therefore becomes of infinite conse- quence. I am so convinced of all this, that I regret not having the power of sending Colonel Lindenthal directly home from Leghorn. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham. SThus, after a stay in Malta of a little over two months^ Lt.- Colonel Lindenthal sailed from the Island for Minorca, via Leghorn, on the 9th February, and as a reward for his services was promoted to a colonelcy, and subsequently attached to Sir Ralph Abercromby's staff, when the latter in the following May was appointed commander- in-chief of the British forces in the Mediterranean. In order to make the necessary arrangements for the transport of the Neapolitan troops Nelson sailed from Palermo on the 16th January in the Foudroyant for Leghorn, there to meet for the first time his chief. Lord Keith. On the 25th the two flagships, the Queen Charlotte and Foudroy- ant, with their respective admirals. Lord Keith and Lord Nelson, sailed thence for Palermo, where they arrived on the 3rd February. On the 9th February the King honoured Lord Keith^s flagship with a visit, which compliment was also paid to Nelson on board the Foudroyant the following day, and three days later both these vessels sailed for Malta, carrying 1,200 troops, the first contingent of the 2,600 promised. On the 15th Malta was reached, and the troops disembarked on the 16th at Marsa Scirocco, Lord Keith leaving to cruise off Valetta that same afternoon. On the following evening the appearance of a small French squadron in the north-west quarter was reported. These ships proved to be the GenereiLx (74), flagship of Admiral Perree, Badin (24), two corvettes, and the armed store-ship Ville de Marseille, in all carrying 4,000 troops for the relief of Malta ; they had been at sea since the 7th of February. In the action which followed, the Genereux flagship and transport Ville de Marseille were captured with 2,000 of the troops, who were subsequently landed at Comino. Rear-Admiral Perree was struck by a shot from the Success, and died of his wounds the following day.^ Lord Nelson's report to Lord Keith of this action was as follows : Foudroyant at sea, off Cape di Corvo, eight leagues west of Cape Passaro, off shore 4 miles, 18^^ February 1800.2 My Lord, — This morning, being in company with the Northumberland, Audacious, and El Corso brig, I saw the Alexander in chase of a line-of- ^ For an account of this exploit and the plucky part played by the little Success (32 guns) in heading off and raking the Genereux (74 guns) see James's Naval History, vol. ii. pp. 438, 439 (edit, of 1902), and Captain Mahan, Life of Nelson, vol. ii. pp. 23-28. — J. H. E. 2 Nelson's Letters, edited by Sir J. K. Laughton, p. 234. THE BEITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 271 battle ship, three frigates, and a corvette ; at about eight o'clock she fired several shot at one of the enemy's frigates, which struck her colours ; and leaving her to be secured by the ships astern, continued the chase. I directed Captain Gould of the Audacious and the El Corso brig to take charge of this prize. At half-past one p.m. the frigates and corvette tacked to the westward, but the line-of -battle ship, not being able to tack without coming to action with the Alexander, bore up. The Sticcess being to leeward, Capt"' Peard, with great judgment and gallantry, lay across his hawse, and raked him with several broadsides. In passing the French ship's broadside, several shot struck the Sticcess, by which one man was killed, and the master and seven men wounded. At half -past four, the Foudroyant and Northumiberland coming up, the former fired two shot, when the French ship fired her broadside, and struck her colours. She proved to be the Genereux, of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Perree, Commander-in-Chief of the French naval force in the Mediterranean, having a number of ti'oops on board fi-om Toulon, bound for the relief of Malta. The GenereiLX, was sent to Syracuse under care of the Northumber- land and Alexander. Lord Keith's dispatches to the E-t. Hon. Henry Dundas and General Fox, referring to this capture, were as follows : — Malta, 19^7i February 1800.1 To the Rt. Hon. H. Dundas. Dear Sir, — Since my croaking letter of yesterday, I am happy to tell you the Genereux and Ville de Marseille are pi-izes; the three corvettes escaped, but I have sent every way to look for them, and shall continue most strictly to watch the port, so that they may not get in, if any are hardy enough to make the attempt {it viay be done) , which I doubt ; if none of them get in, I am not without hopes Malta will offer to capitulate, and to make an opening, I have sent in all private letters which were insigmficant . Some of them mentioned an intended visit of the combined fleets to the Mediterranean ; ^ those, of course, I did not send in. I shall not release the prisoners without exchange, and parole only officers of rank. It is odd the ship cheered the English ships as they came up. They said they were glad to see them, we were a happy nation ; all vei*y well, perhaps not meant. I enclose you Graham's last letter. I hope he is more at ease. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Keith. Alluding to this effort of relief, which had been preparing for some considerable time at Toulon, the Minister of Marine, so far back -as December 1799, informed Villeneuve that ^this expedition would be followed quickly by another, consisting of one Venetian battleship, 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. ^ i.e. the combined fleets of France and Spain under Admiral Bruix, wliicli had made so futile an attempt in the previous year. — J. H. R. 272 A HISTORY OF MALTA and two frigates, La Carrere and the Muiron, which would carry to Malta reinforcements in men, besides victuals and clothing/ ^ If Perree's expedition proved successful, A^illeneuve was to return to France with the above-mentioned vessels, the Gkiillaume Tell, the Aihenien, the Diana, and Justice, he in chief command, and Admiral Decres as second in command, all the latter being then blocked in Yaletta Harbour. The Justice was to be detached and sent on to Egypt with dispatches forwarded by the Ge'nereux. Queen Charlotte, off Malta, 20th February 1800.3 To His Excellency Lt.-Gen. Fox, &c. SiE, — By the late attempt of the French, you will see the value which they set upon Malta, and I cannot always hope to be as fortunate in preventing their landing, which, if they effect, Greneral Graham will certainly be made prisoner, unless we can get him off, and that must depend on the wind ; besides there is an immense quantity of shipping and stores on or about the Island, which must fall into the hands of the enemy. Add to this, I am led to believe that the combined fleet is likely to look this way, in which case I must withdraw the ships. I am at a loss to account for the total silence of the Ministers on this subject, but I am still convinced the only means to save oui\selves is by youi' sending 2,000 men before the French are reinforced. In that case I think we might succeed in an attack ; if they are reinforced, 20,000 would be of no use whatever. I faii-ly think you may construe your orders so as to send all above 5,000 pointed out in Mr. Dundas's instructions. The consequence is great. General Graham talks of raising two regiments of Maltese and clothing them with the clothes taken in the prizes ; that is doing something. Of Neapolitan troops I have plenty, but they are very bad. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Keith. Anticipating events a little, it may be mentioned here that to this dispatch General Fox replied on the 19th of March requesting Lord Keith ' to give immediate orders to the officer commanding His Majesty^s ships at Malta to take such steps as may be requisite to re-embark the troops and to return to Messina.^ ^ Fortunately this order was not obeyed. On the 22nd and 24th of February Brigadier-General Graham addressed the following dispatches to General Fox : — 1 Arch. Nat., BB" 136. The Carrere and the Muiron were the ships on which Bonaparte and his suite escaped from Egypt and made his way safely to Ajaccio and thence to Frejus. — J. H. E. 2 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. 3 Ibid. This order of General Fox is inexplicable, save on the assumption that he had heard news portending the arrival of the Franco- Spanish fleet in the Mediterranean, and even that news would not have justified such an order. We may notice here that in the month of March Bi'itish warships were engaged in the blockade of Savona by sea ; and a month later we further aided our Austrian allies by helping to blockade Massena and the French garrison of Genoa. Moreover, on March I7th H.M.S. Queen Charlotte, while reconnoitring towards the Isle of Capraja (near Elba), caught fire and was lost along with 673 of her crew. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 273 Gudia, Malta, 22w(i February 1800.1 To Lt.-Genl. Fox. Sir, — I had the honour of receiving Your Excellency's dispatch of the 2nd inst., with the enclosures Nos. 1 and 2 on the 18th inst., by the return of the Vincejo. My last letters of the 1st and 8th inst. were sent by the Gorgon, which left this on the 9th to go by Leghorn. As the Commodore said then, that there was no probability of a more direct opportunity, both Lt. -Colonels, Lindenthal and Boyle, went in her. Your Excellency will hear of the fortunate capture of the Genereux, and a large store-ship, which, with three corvettes, were near this with supplies, and 2,000 men to reinforce the garrison of La Valetta. As I am well convinced the enemy will make other efforts for the relief of that fortress, which it is evident they set a true value on, I have determined to increase our anned force on the Island by a levy of Maltese. At first I thought of raising a regiment of 1,000 men, but Colonel Stewart of the 89th Regiment declining to undertake it, I mean to become answerable myself for all expenses, and to raise independent companies, each to be under the command of a British officer, appointed to do duty with it, from these two regiments. I understand that there are many of them willing to take the trouble of forming three companies, though 1 have expressly mentioned that 1 can give them no assurance of their obtaining any protection by it. But if we keep our footing in this Island, and should ever be fortunate to get possession of La Valetta, there can be no doubt of the necessity of such a corps, and therefore I should hope the voluntary services of the officers would be a strong recommendation in their favour. Lord Keith having sent me notice this evening that he was sending ofB a vessel immediately to Leghorn, I had just time to write a note to Mr. Dundas, to mention my having ventured to take this determination without waiting for your orders. Had the plan been digested, I should have wintten of it to H.R.H., and thinking it of consequence that no time should be lost, I begged of Mr. Dundas to mention it, and to state my reason for not laying it before him. Governor Ball assures me that this levy may be carried to a consider- able extent, without at all interfering with the battalions of armed peasants furnished by each village, or at least without diminishing their numbers, and there can be no doubt of their being much more useful and manageable than these are. I imagine that the rates of pay, including the ration, or value of it, must be fixed at Sd. ; the armed peasants received 40 ounces of bread, valued at an average at two taris, and one tari in money ; it will be necessary to give one tari more, and clothing to induce them to submit to the restraint of discipline and being absent from their families. The tari is reckoned here at present at 2(Z. st., but it is to be observed that dollars all pass for 5*. st., tho' the Spanish is only worth 4^. M., and the Sicilian worth 4s. 4(i., at which rates they should be established. The troops receive the Spanish dollars as at Messina at that rate, and the Sicilian at the same. As there are 30 taris in a dollar, 4 of them will not amount to so much as Sd. Anns, accoutrements, and clothing may be got immediately from the prizes ; the material article is that of their not > C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. 274 A HISTOKY OF MALTA serving out of the Island — at present an indispensable one for the success of a hasty levy. It may eventually expose me to a severe responsibility. But being well aware of that, it is at least a strong proof of my conviction of the urgency of the case, and it is the only means in my power for increasing oui- force, and providing for our security in case the enemy should be enabled to act offensively. It is true I have the offer of more Neapolitans ; five companies of one regiment are arrived, of which the enclosed is a return. I have written to Lord Keith to say that in the event of the aiTival of Russian or more British troops, it would be useful to have Neapolitans, but not considering them to be depended on alone, either for offensive operations or effectual resistance, I thought at present they would rather be an embarrassment, and therefore advised him to desii^e that they should be assembled at Syracuse to be near if wanted. They are put under my command, and are to remain under that of the British officer commanding here, whatever the rank of any Russian officer may be. Tho' Youi' Excellency has complied with my former request, and empowered me to advance money to pay the Maltese, I am extremely glad not to be called on, as I know nothing about the application of it. Sir William Hamilton has sent Governor Ball £4,000, and promises more. I must, of course, order meanwhile the A[ssistant]-C[ommissary]-Gr[eneral] to pay the expenses attending this levy, and the pay of these men afterwards, but without any pretention of covering myself from the responsibility under the authority of your letter, which could only apply to the payment of the armed peasants. I shall no doubt be very happy on every account to receive the sanction of youi' approbation to this measure, if you are satisfied of its necessity. I shall take the earliest opportunity of sending Your Excellency the particulars and of acquainting you of the progress of the levy. I need not assui'e you of the caution with which I shall use the powers entrusted me by your warrant. I hope soon to receive the proceedings of the Court Martial. I have appointed Mr. Gunson to act as Deputy Purveyor to the General Hospital. I enclose a state of the sick, and I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham, A.B.G. Gudia, Malta, 24th February 1800.1 To Lt.-Gen. the Hon. Henry Fox, &c. Sir, — Lord Keith having sent for me to come on board the Queen Charlotte, I had an opportunity of conversing with him. He is fully persuaded of the anxiety of the British Government to obtain possession of La Valetta, and flatters me with the hopes that orders for reinforcements may be arrived by this time. Meanwhile he waits the return of a cutter sent to Cor-fu, to know what dependence is to be had on the Russians. Till this answer comes I shall not proceed in the Maltese levy, and I should be very happy to think it was unnecessary for our security. I feel sincerely obliged by your atten- tion to my requests, and the confidence placed in me, which it shall be my study to merit a continuance of. ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 1, THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1799-1800 275 You will not be surprised at my anxiety to increase our force by every means, because you must be aware of the extreme unwillingness I should have to ask for, and the reluctance the officers of the Navy would have to grant, the means of embarking the troops after so long a blockade by sea. It must be imminent danger, and not merely the prospect of it, that could determine us to abandon all hope of reaping the fruits of it. For some little time we are probably moi'e secure than ever, but I am very confident B. parte [sic] will not abandon the garrison here without risking some other trial ; whether by single vessels repeatedly dispatched, or by some great effort I cannot pretend to guess. ^ However, the Mediterranean seems to be the natural scene of their efforts this campaign ; by relieving Genoa they may be enabled to carry on offensive operations from that quarter, as well as from the side of Switzer- land, and it certainly must be a great object for them to attempt to get back into Italy, and to remove the theatre of war from theii^ frontiers, especially if such advantages can be combined with the plan of relieving La Valette and their army in Egypt. It is very unlikely, however, that they should attempt any operation in the Mediterranean that would necessarily detain their fleet in one place, and, therefore, if we were re- inforced, our risk would by no means increase in proportion to the magnitude of their armaments. They would most pi^obably satisfy themselves with saving Valette, and would carry any troops they could spare on to Alexandria. As all the officers, and indeed all the prisoners, were sent to Syi'acuse, there has been no opportunity of ascertaining whether Egypt was one of the objects of this expedition. There were many letters picked up at sea directed to people there, and it is said the quantity of medicines is very gi'eat, but Lord Keith has got no particulars from Captain Martin, who was sent with the Alexander in charge of tlie Genereux. The French Admiral Perree was killed by the fire of the Success, which fired a raking broadside into the Genereux. They made no defence, but struck to the second shot from the Foudroyant ; the Northumberland and Alexander were both near, all the ships having gone after the Genereux, by which means the others escaped easily.- The Success and Phseton were ordered to follow, but the latter was 24 hours behind them. The ships in the harbour, the Gmllaimie Tell, &c., are evidently in a great state of foi^wardness for sea. I should not be sorry to see them go, but we fii'e at them to please the Navy, hitherto without success. It brings a heavy fire from [Fort] Ricazoli or St. Roque but they have not done us any damage. Some private letters were sent in by way of letting them know of our success. We have had a sergeant and corporal (both French) deserters within these two days, and this morning about 200 inhabitants came out, the first for about a month past. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham.^ ^ The foregoing sentences show the sense of insecurity among the besiegers of Valetta, even after the capture of the Genereux and the transpoi-t. The fate of Malta really depended on the large Franco- Spanish fleet at Brest, under Admiral Bruix.— J. H. R. ^ One of the French transports was captured a little later. — J. H. R. ^ I have verified Mr. Hardman's copy of Sir Thomas Graham's letter from the original copy, which is in Mr. Broadley's collection of MSS. in the extra-illustrated edition of his and Mr. Bartlett's Nelson's Hardy. — J. H. R, x2 CHAPTER XIV THE BRITISH BLOCKADE (From the 24tli February to the 30tli June 1800) Towards the end of February, Lord Keith anticipated his with- drawal for a period from Malta.i He thei'efore instructed Lord Nelson to take command of the squadron, which was to remain; consisting of the Foudroyant (flagship), Northumberland , Culloden, Lion, Success, Alexander, Bonne Citoyenne, Stromholi, Minorca, Penelope, and Vincejo, and prosecute the necessary measures for the reduction of Malta, adding, that as the remoteness of Palermo from Malta rendered it an inconvenient place of rendezvous, it was to be discontinued, and Syracuse substituted, or, if he preferred, Augusta or Messina.3 Precise instructions were issued under date of the 24th February, as follows : — LoED Keith to Lord Nelson. Queen Charlotte, off Malta, 24th February 1800.3 My Lord, — In the event of any offer being made to surrender Valette to the forces of His Majesty and his Allies within one month from this date, or before the arrival of foreign forces, which may be expected daily, Youi' Lordship is hereby permitted and required to concur with His Excellency Governor Ball and Brigadier-General Graham and granting the most liberal terms to the French garrison in that place with respect to their persons, private property, and baggage, honom^s of war, swords to ofl&cers and permission to wear them, and also to consent to both officers and men being maintained while prisoners at the expense of His Majesty and his Allies, protected against all violence and insult which the inhabi- tants might be disposed to offer, and sent by the earliest opportunities which can be embraced to France, on the simple condition of not serving against any of the Allies till they are regularly exchanged. In this case, however, it is to be undei-stood that all the ships of war, and others, and public * Keith sailed for Leghorn in order to concert measux-es with the Austrians then operating on the Genoese riviera. He soon materially helped them to blockade Massena at Genoa. — J. H. R. ^ Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv, p. 191. 3 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34916, f. 225. 276 THE BKITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 277 stores, and property of every denomination, belonging to the French Republic, are to be honoui'ably delivered np in their present state and condition to the Allied Powers. These terms are in my opinion such as the Governor and General are perfectly disposed to acquiesce in, but should any others which relate to personal accommodation, or honorary concessions be insisted on, I leave Your Lordship at full liberty to agi'ee to any terms to which the Governoi" and General may be disposed to accede. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Keith. Extract from the Instructions of Lord Keith to Lord N'elson, 24th February 1800.' ... In the event of the surrender of Valette, Your Lordship is to sign for His Majesty in conformity to the rank which you hold, as the General will do in his, and the Governor for His Majesty the King of Naples. And with respect to the garrisoning of the place, you are to be guided by His Majesty's instructions communicated by the Right Honourable Lord Grenville, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with copies of which, and their Lordships' directions thereon, you have been provided. Your Lordship is to use every means in youi' power for protecting and securing the property and effects belonging to the Knights of St. John, which nevertheless are to be in- ventoried and appraised, but not to be considered as booty or prize. You will most scrupulously preserve the property of the churches and the private effects of individuals, even of such inhabitants as may be repoi^ted to have favoured the French interest, and you will on no account consent to, or concur in, but on the contrary protest against every act of severe or ci'uel retaliation which would involve oiu' national character in disgrace and excite the animosity of the inhabitants, and you are most expressly to prohibit the officers serving under your orders from so doing. Yoiu' Lordship will in such event regard all the ships and vessels, stores, and effects of every description belonging to the French Republic, and all vessels having voluntarily traded with them, as booty or prize, and concur in directing the same to be proceeded against according to the Laws of Nations, and the subsequent determinations of the Sovereigns of the Allied forces. All which property should in the meantime be valued and put into the charge of commissioners till such determination of the respective Sovereigns whose forces have been employed in the reduction of the Island shall be made known. But in case it should be judged requisite to equip and employ the ships of war that may be captured in the harbour, you may consent (the hulls, masts, yards, rigging, ordnance, ammunition, and stores of every denomina- tion of each vessel having been first duly surveyed and separately valued) that the same be divided into lots, and be faii^ly drawn for in presence of the respective commanding officers of the Allies, and the value of the several lots so drawn, whatever the amount may be, should be charged against such proportion of each Power's share of the whole capture, as by the arrangement to be determined on by the several Sovereigns ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34916, p. 219. 278 A HISTORY OF MALTA as above mentioned may be thereafter allotted to the forces of each respectively. . . . Given on board His Majesty's ship Queen Charlotte, off Malta, the 24th February 1800. (Signed) Keith. The orders referring to Syracuse becoming the naval rendezvous for the future, instead of Palermo, caused Nelson the greatest chagrin, and two days after their receipt he wrote to his friend Lord Minto, British envoy at the Court of Vienna, as follows : — ' I have serious thoughts of giving up active service. Greenwich Hospital seems a fit retreat, after being evidently thought unfit to command in the Mediterranean.' * During Nelson's stay off Malta (15th February to the 10th March) he received the following dispatches, from General Graham dated the 3rd March, from Captain Ball of the 5th March, and from Colonel Cardona of the 10th March : — Brig.-Gen. Graham to Lord Nelson. La Gudia, Malta, ^rd March 1800.2 My dear Lord, — I have this moment received Your Lordship's letter of this morning's date. I have never doubted of the anxiety of the French Goverinnent to retain possession of this most important post, and I am quite convinced that every effort will be used to relieve it. On that account I have long sincerely i^egretted (and said so in all my letters) that a force adequate to some material offensive operation by which some post commanding the harbour might be gained, and thereby completing the blockade, was not employed on shore. There is no other means, no other chance in my mind of hastening the surrender one hour. I never con- sidered the very triJfling force under my command as capable of making and sustaining any such exei'tion. I am clear that nothing could be effected by i-egular approaches by it. The only possibility of success would be by sui^prise, and the critical situation we ai^e in might justify a hazardous and desperate attempt in that way, provided on examination a place can be found that is accessible, and which would afford some probability of carrying the works. Of \_sic] this I have been seriously occupied, and Captain Gordon has ah'eady been out one night to reconnoitre, and was to have gone again this evening, but was prevented by indisposition. I hope he will be able to give me a final report to-moiTow night. If the thing can be attempted at all, very little preparation will be necessary, and there shall be no unnecessary delay (but the state of the weather must be consulted). I am convinced the enemy can never be more off their guard than they are now ; they know our strength, or rather weakness, and they are satisfied we have at present no other object but blockade. I should be sorry, therefore, to awaken them to greater vigilance by any change in oviv conduct while there is any hope of being able to make a real attack. Should that idea be necessarily given up as impr-acticable, I shall ' Laughton, Nelson's Letters, p. 235. - Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34916, f. 291. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 279 have no objections to any trials of false attacks, &c., though I am convinced of their inefficacy — they will only laugh at ova- puny effoi^ts. "Would any of us give up such a place without the loss of a post, as long as there was a morsel of bread to eat ? Impossible. Adieu, my dear Lord, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. St. Antonio, bth March 1800.^ My Lord, — I am very sori-y to acquaint Your Lordship that a French corvette got into La Valette last night ; she passed close along shore from the northward. May I beg leave to suggest to Your Lordship that it is of great import- ance to station a ship 10 leagues N.W. of Gozo ? 1 have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°" Ball. Milord, — Les fortifications et retranchemens des trouppes Maltaises sont sous les ordres de V[otre] E[xcellence] du moment qu'elle en a designe le Chef, et qu'elles ont ete dii'igees d'apres ses ordres. Je prends la libei'te d'en addresser les plans a V. E. a laquelle ils sont dedies comme un hommage qui lui est du, et un gage du respectueux devouement que je lui ay voue pour la vie. Je suis avec un tres profond respect, &c. (Signed) Theodore Cardona. Malte, le 10 Mars 1800. The destruction of Admiral Perree^s relieving force on the 17tli February did not destroy all hope in the gallant garrison of being eventually relieved. The spirit of the besieged rose to the occasion. They became convinced that the attacking force had renounced all idea of storming the fortifications, or of attempting capture by means of more regular siege works and approaches, and that it was evident that their intention was to starve the garrison into surrender. Under these circumstances Villeneuve proposed to dispatch the battleship Gruillaume Tell to France, not only for the purpose of saving the ship, if possible, to the nation, but in order that she might, in company with other vessels, return to the rescue, promising to hold out for other three months, which term the valiant garrison increased to six months. Villeneuve^s proposal was placed by Yaubois before a council of war on the 1st March, and the suggestion unanimously approved. These particulars were forwarded to the Colonial Minister by Villeneuve, under date of the 4th March, in the following interesting dispatch : — ' Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34916, f. 302. In all probability this was one of the three French corvettes which escaped the chase on February 17, as described in the Introduction, and in Sir Thomas Graham's letters of February 22 and 24 (Chap. xiii). 280 A HISTORY OF MALTA Malte, le 13 Ventose an 8 (4th March 1800).i Le Contre-Amixal Villeneuve au Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies. CiTOYEN Ministre, — Nous voici parvenus a une epoque et dans une position qui ne me permet plus de me flatter que les mesures que vous avies adoptees pour le i^vitaillement de cette place et dont vous nous faisies part au Citoyen Menard et a moi, par vos lettres du 28 Thermidor ^ ayent leur execution. II nous parait demontre par les rapports memes qui nous sont parvenus de I'ennemi qu'une partie des batimens que vous nous avies expedies sous le commandement de Contre-Amiral Peree a ete la proie de I'ennemi presqu'a I'atterrage de cet Isle. C'est ce qu'il resulte du moins d'une lettre que m'a ecrit I'Amiral Nelson en m'envoyant des lettres particulieres de ma famille qu'il a trouve dit-il sur le vaisseau de cet Officier Greneral. Dans cot etat de choses il ne nous i^este plus qu'a menager autant qu'il est possible, le peu de subsistances que nous avons encore pour prolonger notre deffense et donner le terns au Gouvernement de reparer cet echec.^ L'ennemi croit eti'e sur le point d'arriver a ses fins ; il se borne a nous bloquer etroitement par terre et par mer ; il semble avoii' renonce a toute entreprise de vive force et encore plus a une attaque reguliere ; la ville est presqu'entierement evacuee de ses habitans et le soldat qui ne craint plus I'ennemi du dedans et qui connait la foi'ce de la place, ne manifesto aucune inquietude sur la possibilite d'y etre assailli. C'est par ces considerations et attendant que les mesures que vous avies ordonne le 28 Thermidor sont rompues par les evenements de la guerre, que j'ai propose au General Vaubois le depart du vaisseau Le Guillaume Tell pour France, qui [_sic'\ parceque nous trouverions une economic de subsistance, que vu I'extreme modicite des rations ne pouvait se trouver que dans une reduction de consommateui's ; que la saison actuelle pouvait foiuniii^ des chances heureuses a ce vaisseau poui' arriver a Toulon, impossible dans la saisou oil nous allons entrer prochainement. Enfin que ce vaisseau remis a la disposition du Gouvernement poui-ait etre employe encore efficacement a notre ravitaillement et remplacer les pertes que nous venons de faire. General Vaubois a cru devoir soumettre ma proposition a un conseil de guerre compose des Ofiiciers Generaux et Ordonnateurs de tevvQ et de mer, je joins ici une expedition de la deliberation de ce conseil de guerre dont le considerant relate les motifs qui ont fixe sa determination. Le General Decres d'apres les vceux de ce conseil de guerre passe sur ce vaisseau ; personne mieux que lui peut vous faire connoittre notre position et jusqu'a quel point il serait encore possible de venir a notre secour. Voici le dix neuvieme mois de siege et de blocus que nous soutenons, il y a pres d'un an que nous n'avons reQu de batiments * et depuis trois mois il n'a ete distribue a la garnison ni de la maree [?] ni du vin ni [de r]eau de vie, et precedement il n'en etait distribue que trois fois la decade. ^ Arch. Nat. BB*, 147. 2 i.e. 15tli August 1799.— J. H. R. ^ The tone of this letter is more manly than that of Vaubois of March 4 — a note- worthy fact in view of the censures lavished by the latter on the Admiral at a later time. — J. H. R. ■• Strange to say, on that very night a corvette slipped in, as described in the PS. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 281 Depuis le mois de Vendemiaii'e, epoque de I'arrivee de deux avisos pai' le retooir desquels je vous ai ecrit, nous n'avons re9u absolument aucune nouvelle de notre patrie et n'avons plus qu'un mois et demi de legumes et deux distributions de viande salee quoique depuis le commencement du siege la ration ait ete reduite au tiers de I'ordonnance, I'huile poui^ait nous conduire jusqu'en Prairial. En chargeant le General Decres d'aller presser I'envoy des secours qui peuvent nous etre destines, nous avons pris I'engagement de tenir au moins trois mois apres son depart, j'espere que nous le tiendi^ons et que nous ne mettrons de terme a notre devouement que I'abandon entier de nos forces physiques pour nous soutenir. En expediant le vaisseau, Le Guillautne Tell, il ne me reste plus sui' les autres batiments qui restent dans le port qu'un simple garde. Tout le reste des equipages est employe dans les forts et batteries, je ne vous dissimule pas, Citoyen Ministre, que je conserve bien peu d'espoir de soustraire ces batiments au sort qui menace la place une fois la belle saison venue. Les vaisseaux ennemis sont deja mouilles a I'emboucliure du port, nous sommes environnes de batteries et de postes ennemis qui observent nos moindres mouvements et lors meme qu'une circonstance de tems favorable pour faire sortir quelque batiment se presenterait au moment ou nous serious rendus a I'exti'emite, je doute encoi'e qu'on put me rendre les equipages qui sont employes a terre et qui occupent des ouvrages essentiels ; soyez persuade, Citoyen Ministre, que dans une circonstance aussi cruelle, mais qu'il devient impossible aujoui^d'hui de ne pas prevoir, je ne negligerai rien pour diminuer, s'il est possible, les pertes de la Republique. Salut et respect. (Signed) Villbneuve. PS. du 15 Ventose (6th March 1800). Le navire La Bellone de Marseille du port de 150 f' est arrive ce matin avec un chargement de viandes salees, vins et eau de vie, la joie de la garnison a ete inexprimable, I'ai'rivee de ce batiment nous procure les moyens d'adoucir le sort des soldats et des marins, et leur fait entrevoir la possibilite de voir arriver des secours plus puissants, il est facheux que des expeditions semblables et isolees n'ayent pas ete faites pendant le cours de cet hiver, la place sei'ait ravitaillee poui' tout I'ete ; le rassemblement d'un convoi eveille toujours I'attention de I'ennemi et il lui devient difficile d'echaper a sa surveillance. Le General Vaubois prend la cargaison de ce batiment pour le compte de la Republique, il nous assui^e la possibilite de tenir tout le mois de Prairial. Nous avons appris par ce batiment les premieres nouvelles des evenements du mois de Brumaire et de la nouvelle Constitution acceptee par la nation ; I'assurance de retrouver a notre retour en France, une patrie, nos families, nos biens, proteges par un gouvernement aussi ferme que juste et eclaire, ne peut que relever le courage, la perseverance et le devouement des fran^ais devoues a la defense d'une place aussi importante. EXTRAIT DU ReGISTRE DES DELIBERATIONS DU CONSEIL DE GuERRE, Le dix Ventose, an buitieme {Xst March 1800). Les Generaux de Brigade Chanez et d'Hennezel [?], les Contre-Amiraux Villeneuve et Decres, et les Ordonnateurs de la guerre et de la marine 282 A HISTORY OF MALTA convoques pai' le General de Division Vaubois, Commandant en Chef dans les Isles de Malte et du Goze, pour la tenue d'un conseil de guerre, se sont assembles au Palais National de la cite de Malte, partie de I'ouest. Le General Vaubois, apres avoir fait lecture d'une lettre a lui ecrite le 6 de ce mois par le Contre-Amii-al Villeneuve, commandant les forces na vales stationnees dans ce port et dont copie est cy- joint, a fait part au conseil des renseignements qu'il a eut de la prise par I'ennemi d'une partie du ravitaillement qui nous etait annoncee ; de I'etat de la place et de ses approvisionnements et a demande qu'il soit deliber6 sur la mesure proposee par le Contre-Amiral Villeneuve. Le conseil, apres avoir murement examine les circonstances ovi nous nous trouvons et la proposition sus-enoncee — Considerant : Que les avis qui nous sont venus de I'ennemi, de la captui^e d'une partie des approvisionnements qui nous etaient destines sont accompagnes de circonstances qui ne permettent pas de douter de cette verite. Que les magasins de vivi^es se trouvent dans ce moment, malgre les severes reductions exercees depuis le commencement du siege, dans un tel etat de penurie, que le danger d'etre forces par la famine de capituler dans quelques mois, est devenu iminent. Que dans cette position le parti le plus urgent a prendre est de diminuer le nombre des consommateurs ; qu'outre le devoir de tacher de soustraire ce qui sera possible de la Division Navale au sort qui menace la place, le moyen le plus efficace d'operer cette diminution de consommateurs serait d'expedier pour la France la partie des forces navales dont a toute rigueur on peut se passer ; sans compromettre nos points de deffense, d'ovi re- sulterait une economic dans les vivi^es tant par le depart des equipages que par celui des malades incurables, et des individus fran9ais dont les services sont actuellement inutiles, resultat qui prolongei^it evidemment nos moyens de tenir plus longtems.^ Que bien que tons les equipages de la division aient etes necessaires et seraient encore indispensables si la place etait menacee d'une nouvelle attaque reguliere, I'etat des forces de I'ennemi semble tel qu'il ne peut se porter avec succes a une semblable attaque et qu'il ne peut a I'avenir que continuer un blocus par lequel il espere arriver bientot a ses fins. Que dans cet etat de clioses, et apres le devouement enei'gique que montre la garnison, la place peut a toute force se passer de I'equipage du Guillaume Tell. Considerant en outre tons les avantages qu'il y aurait a mettre ce vaisseau a la disposition du Gouvernement et enfin que bien que le salut de ce batiment expedie a travers les escadres ennemis qui nous bloquent, soit incertain, la mesure de son depart offre cependant plus de chances en faveur de sa conservation que n'en offirirait la prolongation de son sejour a Malte jusqu'a la saison tres prochaine, ou son depart commande par les circonstances deviendrait impossible a raison de la brievete des nuits, de la frequence des calmes et de la continuelle presence de I'ennemi presque toujours mouille a I'embouchure du port. Le conseil par toutes ces considerations a unanimement delibere que le ' As I have pointed out in the Introduction, thia passage explains the discrepancy in the numbers of the crew of the Guillaume Tell. James (vol. ii. p. 443, edit. 1902) gives only 919 men ; Clarke and MacArthur (Bk. iii. pp. 249, 251) give 1,220 men.— J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 283 Contre-Amiral Villeneuve expediera le vaisseau. Le Gmllaume Tell pour les poi-ts de France aussitot que la circonstance favorable se presentei^a et que le Contre-Amiral Decres passera sur ce vaisseau pour se porter vers le Gouveniement lui rendre compte de notre situation actuelle et proposer ou hater des nouveaux moyens de secours s'il en est tenis encore. Une expedition de la presente sera remise au General Decres et au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve. Suivent les signatures. Certifie conforme le Commissaire de la guerre faisant fonctions d'Ordonnateur. (Signed) Dot. „ Yaubois. CoPiE DE LA Lettre du Contee-Amiral Villeneuve au G^n^ral Vaubois. G^N^RAL, — Les circonstances actuelles et le peu de renseignements qui nous sont parvenus de I'ennemi me ramenent a vous pai^ler encore du depart de quelques batiments de la Division Navale qui se trouve ici. C'est sous le rapport de la conservation de cette place que j'en examine I'importance. II est cei'tain que si apres avoir considei-e I'etat de nos forces ici, celles de I'enemi qui vous assiege, vous trouvez qu'il est possible de vous departir d'environ quatre cents hommes de I'equipage du Gnillaume Tell qui se trouvent actuellement employes au service de la place, il en resulterait que je pourrais expedier ce vaisseau poiu- la France, que vous y trouveriez sur le champ une grande economie en subsistances, que le vaisseau outre les 760 hommes de son equipage emporterait encore avec lui tous les malades de I'hopital qui ne peuvent y esperer leur guerison et bien des bouches fran9aises inutiles qui sont dans la place et qui y re9oivent des rations, ce qui reduirait la consommation de vi%a'es au moins de quart. Par cette mesure vous mettriez un bon vaisseau de plus a la disposition du Gouverne*^ qui pourrait I'employer encore a notre ravitaillement. Place ici par le Gouvernement pour y diriger les operations navales, et charge de ses ordres, je ne me dissimule pas les inconvenients de cette mesure, mais dans la position ou nous nous trouvons, mon principe est, qu'un Officier General, prive de communication avec le Gouvernement, voyant les mesures qu'il avait adoptees rompues par des circonstances imprevues ou par les evenements de la guerre, j'ai (dis-je) poui" principe qu'un officier general doit alors savoir prendre sur lui, les resolutions qu'il croit les plus avantageuses a la Republique et i^epondre aussi a la confiance qui lui est accordee. Je sais qu'un vaisseau qui partirait d'ici a de grands dangers a courir pour se rendre dans un de nos ports, mais il est certain aussi que ces dangers sont bien moindres dans la saison ou nous sommes, que dans trois mois d'ici, epoque ou la fin de nos vi^T."es voudrait nous faire penser au salut de la Division pom- la soustraire au sort dont la place soit menacee. Ajoutez que les vaisseaux ennemis seront au moins aussi nombreux dans ces mers qu'ils peuvent Teti-e dans ce moment, qu'il viendront mouiller comme ils Font fait I'annee passee devant I'entree du port, que les calmes et la brievete des nuits nous mettraient alors dans I'impossibilite d'esperer que rien ne puisse echaper. Au reste comme suivant les ordres precis du Ministre, tout doit dtre sacrifie a la deffense de Malte. Je vous propose. General, d'examiner si ce ne sera pas le moyen de prolonger la deffense que de faire partir le vaisseau 284 A HISTORY OF MALTA Le Guillamtie Tell, je le repette, qui emportant avec lui toutes les malades incui'ables et les bouches fran9aises inutiles porterait une economie au moins d'un quart sur nos consommations ; et si les forces qui vous restent et celles qui poui-raient etre tii-ees encore des autres batiments de la Republique qui sont ici ne seraient pas suffisantes pour assurer la deffense de la place aussi longtems que la situation de vos vivres pourrait vous le permettre. Si vous decidez pour I'affirmative, je vous engage alors a donner des ordres pour le remplacement des liommes de ce vaisseau qui sont employes a terre pour qu'il puissent rentrer a leur bord et le vaisseau sera pret poiu" la premiere circonstance favorable. Salut et fraternite. (Signed) Villeneuve. By the Consular Constitution which was accepted by the people on the 24th December 1799, special laws were instituted for the regulation of colonial questions. Doublet, still officiating as Acting Commissary of Government, thereupon drew the attention of the authorities at Paris to various topics in this connexion which he considered worthy of their consideration. His opinions are interest- ing in that they emanate from an official who had then been twenty years resident in the island, and had occupied an important position in the Government of the Knights of St. John. But the report addressed to the Colonial Minister, under date of the 9th March 1800, is too long to be quoted here. The dissensions between Lords Keith and Nelson were now evidently reaching a climax. On the 8th March, Nelson informed the commander-in-chief, from off Malta, that, owing to ill-health, he would be obliged to retire to Palermo for a few weeks, and that he intended to appoint Captain Troubridge to carry on the duties of senior officer during his absence. Accordingly, on the 10th March, Nelson sailed from Malta, arriving at Palermo on the 16th. On the 24th the Foudroyant, under Captain Edward Berry, was sent back to Malta, with orders to leave that island for Palermo on the 6th April, when Nelson would rejoin his ship. During Nelson's stay at Palermo (16th March to 24th April) he received the following dispatches from Ball, dated the 16th and 25th March :— Captain Ball to Lord Nelson. Malta, 16^/i March 1800.1 My Lord, — I have the honour to acquaint Your Lordship that a courier aii-ived here from Syracuse with three letters for you, which I send by him, to be forwarded to Palermo. As Sir Thomas Troubridge is recovering his health, and will write fully to Your Lordship, I shall not repeat what belongs to him to detail. 1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34916, f. 330. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 285 A Fi'ench deserter effected his escape the 14th from Fort Tigne ; he had been only two days from the hospital. He says that sixty soldiers who are invalided had received orders to embark on board the Guillaume Tell the 15th inst., and that the French ships were to push out the very first opportunity. He reports the garrison to be in great miseiT and very sickly, and that the corn which they have left is much damaged, and that the bread which they get is vei^ black and bad. We have not had any Maltese inhabitants from La Valette since the 24th of last month. . . . I have the honoux-, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn°- Ball. Captain Ball to Lord Nelson, Malta, 25^/i March 1800. My Lord, — When His Sicilian Majesty, through Youi^ Lordship's recommendation and the solicitations of the inhabitants of Malta, did me the honour to appoint me chief of this Island, I was assiu"ed that a full compensation would be made to me for any expense or losses which I might sustain ; I therefore beg leave to state as succinctly as possible my case, in the hope that through Your Lordship's protection I may meet the indemnification which may be deemed just and equitable. In October 1798 Your Lordship gave me the command of the squadron blockading the French ships in Malta. The inhabitants in the country revolted against the French in the preceding month, whom they were besieging in La Valette, and what will appear astonishing, 4,000 peasants with only 2,000 muskets kept in awe 6,000 regular troops. ^ I had to co-operate with these men, who had chosen for their chiefs a pinest and an attorney ; but as they did not receive any pay, and only a scanty allowance of provisions, they soon began to lose that ener-gy which had roused them to vengeance ; they were splitting into parties, and the two chiefs opposing each other in every business, which lost them the confidence of the people, who threatened their lives. Anai'chy soon ensued ; innocent men were put to death, and money extorted fi^om individuals in a very unjust manner. The inhabitants in the hour of teiTor and dismay implored me to assume an authority, and use my efforts to avert the miseries which awaited them. As eai^ly as January 1799 I dii^ected the civil and military affairs of the Island ; and the inhabitants were so sensible of its good effects, that they sent Deputies to His Sicilian Majesty, and to Your Lordship, praying that I might be appointed their chief, which has been graciously complied with. In May 1799 I was ordered off the station in consequence of the French fleet having entered the Mediterranean ; I re- turned in a fortnight, and was called away a second time. During my absence the farmers and Jacobins held tumultuous meetings, and came to Sant Antonio, head-quarters, in a large body and declared they would not pay rent. The affairs of the Island were falling into the former anarchy, on account of which the people desired that an application might be made to Your Lordship to allow me to resume my command in the Island. Your Loi'dship was pleased to direct me to live on shore, and to leave the first lieutenant of the Alexander in chai'ge of the ship, that I might receive the same advantages from her as if actually on board, particularly as I am * These figures are inaccurate. — J. H. R. 286 A HISTORY OF MALTA acting on shore in a military as well as civil capacity. His Majesty's ship Alexander was lately in company with Your Lordship's ship, when she made the impoi-tant and valuable capture of the French Admiral Perre's ship the Genereux and a French corvette, and it is now said that I cannot receive what would be my share of prize money, because I am employed on shore in a civil capacity ; I have therefore to request Your Lordship's intercession with the Sovereigns who have entered into a treaty respecting this Island, that they may take it into theii' most gracious consideration. I beg leave to enclose two letters which I have received from the Congress of this Island and the Judges, as they will prove to Your Lordship that my services here, duiing a very critical and dangerous period, have gained me the confidence and attachment of these islanders. I have judged it good policy to live hospitably, and to entertain occasionally the principal inhabitants, which has had the best effect; but as this has incurred additional expenses, I shall hope that it will be duly considered. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) A. J. Ball. On the 25th Marcli^ Admiral Villeneuve informed the Colonial Minister^ in the following dispatch, that in accordance with the decision of the council of war held on the 12th of that month, the Guillaume Tell had been prepared for sea, but owing to the weather continuing unpropitious, and to the position and vigilance of the British fleet off the port, she had been unable to leave the harbour with any chance of escape : — Malte, le 4 Germinal an 8 {2hth March 1800).' Le CoNTRE-AMinAL VlLLENEUVE AU MiNISTRE DE LA MARINE ET DES COLONIES. Je joins ici, Citoyen Ministre, un duplicata dema depeche du 13 Ventose et un extrait du. proces verbal du conseil de guei're, dans lesquels vous verres les motifs qui m'ont determines a expedier le vaisseau Le Guillaume Tell pour les ports de France. Les contrai-ietes du tems et la position des ennemis, ont retarde jusqu'aujourd'hui I'execution de cette mesure, et pent la retarder encore. En effet nous sommes bloques par quatre vaisseaux de ligne, plusieurs fregates et plusieui's corvettes, le port est envii'onne de batteries et de postes ennemis.^ Pourque le vaisseau Le Guillaume Tell puisse en sortir avec quelqu'espoii' d'echaper a leur sui'veillance, il lui faut necessairement un tems obsciu' tel qu'il puisse faii^e les mouvements et appareiller sans que I'ennemi en soit prevenu, ou du moins qu'il ne le soit pas assez tot pour qu'il puisse venir I'attendre a la bouche du port, et enfin un vent assez fi^ais poui* que dans la nuit il puisse faire assez de chemin pour perdi^e de vue et I'lsle et I'escadre ennemie. Ces circon- stances ne se sont pas encore presentees, mais tout est prot pour profitter des qu'elles se presenteront. Le General Decides est a bord. II instruit les equipages aux differentes exercises et rien ne sera neglige poui' sauver ce vaisseau et le ramener dans nos ports ; ou pour honorer son pavilion par une belle deff ense s'il faut que la fortune se montre tou jours contraire a nos expeditions maritimes. 1 Arch. Nat., BB^ 147. " Villeneuve here exaggerates the number of the blockading vessels. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 287 Je charge de cette depeclie le Capitaine Bennet du navire La Bellone du G'iotat dont je vous ai annonce I'arrivee dans ce port ; lapetitesse de son batiment pent le mettre a meme d'appareiller par un terns qui ne le pennettrait pas au vaisseau Le Gwillaume Tell; et je desire que vous soyez instruit de nos nouvelles par son arrivee en France, si elle pi^ecede celle du Gtiillanme Tell. Le chargement de ce navire a ete un grand soulagement pour les deffenseui'S de cette place, le General Vaubois I'a pris en entier pour le comte de la Republique, il va se trouver a meme de faire deux distributions de vin par decade et quelques distributions de lard. Cette amelioration de rations pent contribuer essentiellement a niaintenir la sante du soldat et du marin dans la saison du printems qui I'annee derniere fut fatale a un grand nombre ; et si le vaisseau Le Guillamne Tell part bientot nous esperons au moyen de ce surci'oit de comestible de gagner tout le mois de Messidor. II est de la justice du Gouvernement de satisfaii^e au plutot aux lettres de change qui ont ete remises aux armateurs en payement de leur cargaison. Le service qu'ils ont rendu leur donne droit a I'esperer et ce serait un encovu'agement utile pour exciter de semblables expeditions. Si le sort de Malte est de pouvoir etre encore ravitaille, la confiance que nous inspire le Gouvernement nous fait esperer encore que deux ans de souffrance et de privations ne seront pas termines par une capitulation dont le mot seul nous indigne. Salut & respect. (Signed) Villeneuve. On the 31st Marcli^ Villeneuve was at last able to report to the Minister of Marine that the Guillaume Tell had sailed with a fresh south-east wind on the night of the 29th-30th. Malte, le 10 Germinal an 8 (3lst March 1800).' CiTOYEN MiNisTRE, — Le Guillaume Tell a mis a la voile dans la nuit du 8 au 9 par un vent de S.E. frais par grains. L'Amiral Nelson 3 venait de mouiller sous le vent du port a deux portees de canons avec les vaisseaux Le Foudroyant de 80, L' Alexandre de 74, Le Lyon de 64, deux fregates, trois bricks etaient a la voile au vent et en face du port. Deux autres vaisseaux etaient mouilles a Marsa Siroco ; quoique cette position rendit le depai-t infiniment chanceux, il ne pouvait cependant etre differe d'avantage. Les ennemis avaient tires pendant toute I'apres midi du 8 des bombes et des boulets sur ce vaisseau, et s'ils eussent pu continuer le lendemain ils I'auraient assurement endommage dans sa mature et dans son grement et mis dans I'impossibilite de pouvoir jamais partir, d'ailleui's etant deblinde \_sic] et ayant ses poudres a bord, il eut ete un sujet de vive inquie- tude poui' lui meme et pour le port s'il eiit ete atteint de quelque bombe. C'est apres nous etre concertes sur cet etat de choses, entre le General Vaubois, moi et le Contre-Amiral Decres, que ce dernier a appareille a onze heures et demie du soir. Les batteries de terre Tout signale aussitot qu'il a ete sous voiles et ont tire sur lui, les vaisseaux ennemis ont repondu a ces signaux et ont aussi mis a la voile. Nous avons apper9us des signaux en mer jusqu'a trois heures du matin. Au jour ^ Arch. Nat., BB'' 147. * Nelson had sailed for Palermo on March lOtli. 288 A HISTOKY OF MALTA nous ne les avons plus apper^u et il n'est reste devant le port qu'un vaisseau {L' Alexandre) et une fregate. J'espere que par le vent qu'il a fait et les bonnes qualites du Guillaume Tell qu'il aura echape a ce premier danger de traversee. La hardiesse de ce depart, la precision dans la manceuvre et dans son execution honorent egalement et le General Decres et les officiers et marins de ce vaisseau. Puisse leui^ devouement etre coui^onne par un succes complet par leur pi'ompte arrivee dans les ports de la Republique. Salut et respects. (Signed) Villeneuve. As has b«en pointed out in the Introduction, the departure of the Foudroyant (80 guns) under Captain Edward Berry from Palermo on the 24th March enabled her to reach Malta just in time to take a prominent part in the capture, after a three-hours' most gallant resistance, of the last of the line-of -battle ships which had escaped from the battle of the Nile. Captain Ball and Sir Thomas Troubridge had become aware that an attempt would be made to save the Ghiillaume Tell (86 guns) to the Republic, and had taken the necessary precautions. Sir Thomas had kept his ships cruising close off the harbour's mouth, and had further placed a lieutenant and three good men every night after dark in a house called the Belvedere, close to the Cottonera lines, with a night-glass, to watch her movements. ^ At midnight of the day on which the Foudroyant rejoined the British fleet the Guillaume Tell put to sea. Captain Blackwood in the Penelope (36 guns) soon descried the enemy, who had weathered the other ships, and under all sail was steering to the eastward; but soon after midnight he managed to get close up to her and subject her to several raking broadsides, which finally injured her sails and impaired her sailing powers. The Foudroyant in the meanwhile had slipped her cables, making all sail for the eastward. At dawn the Lion (64 guns. Captain Dixon), and Penelope were seen by the Foudroyant engaged with her in a crippled state, the main and mizen topmasts gone, shot away, as it proved to be, by the Penelope. The Foudroyant soon joined in the attack, and by ten minutes past eight of Sunday morning, the 30th, the enemy struck his colours.^ Eear-Admiral Decres proved to be on board, and was taken prisoner, wounded. The loss of life on board the Foudroyant was eight, whilst sixty-nine were wounded ; that of the Lion, forty-six in killed and wounded. The crew of the Guillaume Tell numbered 1,220^ ; the surviving officers and men were sent to Port Mahon in the Champion, which ^ Clarke and MacArthur, vol. ii. p. 248. 2 Other accounts, given by Clarke and MacArthur, represent the defence as far more desperate and prolonged. The Foudroyant suffered heavily. See James's Naval History, vol. ii. pp. 442-43 (edit. 1902).— J. H. R. ^ Of these, as I have shown in the Introduction, a large number were invalids or "useless mouths." — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 289 vessel had only just arrived from Gibraltar^ escorting two transports laden with mortars, powder, shot, &c., for the use of the besiegers. Instructions were sent by the Champion that these prisoners of war were not to be exchanged for the present. The Gruillaume Tell was towed to Syracuse, and subsequently named the Malta, and for many years was considered one of the finest ships in the British Navy. From a paper discovered on board it was learned that the garrison in Valetta and the Three Cities had wheat sufficient to last until the end of August. The following account of the capture is taken from the Foudroyant'^ journal : — Sunday, SOth March 1800. — At 12 (midnight) saw a number of guns fired on shore, with signals ; slipped cable, set all sail, saw and heard the report of sevei-al guns eastwai'd, witli signals. Made all sail, and stood for it. At daybreak, having all sail set, saw His Majesty's ships Lion and Penelope engaging a French line-of -battle ship with her main and mizen topmasts gone. At 6 a.m. came up with her, when Sii- Edward Berry hailed her and desired him to sti-ike, but received no answer. An officei* shook his sword at him, and a broadside was filled from her, which was immediately returned from within half pistol-shot. Her first broadside cut our rigging very much, and the second carried away our foretopmast and maintopsail yard. At 6.30 a.m. shot away her main and mizen masts;, saw a man nail the French ensign to the stump of the mizen mast. At 7 a.m. the Penelope again fired at the enemy whilst passing under her stern. At 7.30 spoke the Penelope. At 8.05 a.m. shot away the enemy's foremast. At 8.10 a.m., all her masts being gone by the board, the enemy struck his colours and ceased firing. Sent a boat on board her. She proved to be the Guillaume Tell^ of 84 1 guns, a ship that had come out of the hax-boui' of Valetta, having on board Admiral Deci-es, Captain Saunier, Adjutant- General Brouard, and 1,200 men. The success of this engagement was mainly due to the Lion and the Penelope frigate, and more particularly to the latter, whose daring" and brilliant mancBuvring, and temerity in clinging to the enemy,, notwithstanding the disparity in size and strength (36 guns to 8Q), crippled her, and gave time for the remainder of the squadron to come up and complete the victory. Details of this engagement are graphically given in Captain Manley Dixon's official report of same to Commodore Sir T. Trou- bridge, and also in an extract from the log of the Penelope, which are recorded below : — H.M.S. Lion, at sea off Cape Passaro, Slst March 1800.- SiR, — I have the honour to inform you tbat yesterday morning at 9 o'clock. Cape Passaro bearing ^. | E., distant 7 leagues, the Fi'encK 1 Keally 86 in all.— J. H. R. " Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 34917. 290 A HISTORY OF MALTA ship of war Le GuiUaume Tell, of 86 guns and 1,000 men, bearing the flag of Contre-Admiral Decrez, surrendered after a most gallant and obstinate defence of three hours and a half to H.M. ships Fondroyant, Lion, and Penelope. To detail the particulars of this very important captui'e, 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 ascei-tained by that judicious and truly valuable officer, Captain Blackwood of thePe^ielope, who had been stationeda few hours before between the Lion and Valetta, for the pui'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 squadi'on to cut or slip, and directed Captain Miller of the Minorca to inin down to the Fondroyant and Alexander with the intelligence and to repeat the signal. Under a press of canvas I gave chase until 5 a.m., solely guided by the cannonading of the Penelope, and as a direction to the squadi'on, a rocket and blue light were shown every half -hour from the Lion. As the day broke I found myself in gunshot of the chase, and the Penelope within musket-shot raking her, by the effect of whose well-directed fire during the night were shot away the main and mizen topmasts and main yard ; the enemy appeared in gi^eat 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 jibboom passed between the main and mizen shi'ouds. After a short interval I had the pleasure to see the boom caiTied away and the ships disentangled, main- taining a position across the bow, firing to great advantage. I was not in the least solicitous either to board or to be boarded, as the enemy appeared to be of immense bulk and full of men, keeping up a prodigious fire of musketry, which with 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 60 minutes, the Fondroyant was seen under a press of canvas, and soon passed, hailing the enemy to strike, which being declined, a very heavy fii^e from both ships, broadside to broadside, was most gallantly main- tained, the Lion and Penelope frequently in situations to do great execu- tion ; 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 discriminating judgment it is unnecessary to remark of what real value and importance such an officer must ever be considered to THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 291 His Majesty's sei-vice. The termination of the battle must be attributed to the spirited fire of the Foudroyanf, whose Captain, Sir Edward Beriy, has justly added another lam-el to the many lie has gained during the war. Captain Blackwood speaks in very high tei-ms of the active and gallant •conduct of Captain Long of the Vincejo diu'ing the night, and I beg to mention the services of Captains Broughton and Miller. The crippled condition of the Lion and Fondroyant made it necessary for me to direct Captain Blackwood to take possession of the enemy, take him in tow, and proceed to Syi-acuse. 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, -showed the most determined gallantry. Captains Sir Edward Berry and Blackwood have repoi'ted to me the same gallant and animated behaviour in the officers and crews of their respective ships. I am sorry to say that tlie three ships have suffered much in killed and wounded, and that of the enemy is prodigious, being upwai'ds of 200. I refer you to the enclosed reports for further particulars as to the state ■of His Majesty's ships, and have the honour, &c. (Signed) Manley Dixon. To Commodore Sir Thomas Troubridge, commanding His Majesty's ships at the blockade of Malta. PS. — The GuiUaume Tell is of the largest dimensions, and carries S6-pou-nders on the lower gun deck, 24-pounders on the main deck, 12-pounders on the quarter deck, and 32-pound caiTonades on the poop.i The following account is taken from the log of the Penelope, kept by Lieutenant Charles Inglis - : — On the night of the 30th March 1800 the Guillaume Tell, of 80 guns, taking advantage of a southerly gale and intense dai'kness, weighed and sailed out of the harbour. As she passed the Penelope (36-gun frigate) Captain Blackwood immediately followed, and having the advantage of sailing, quickly came up with her, then, luffed under her stern and gave her the larboard broadside, bore up under the lai-board quarter and gave her the star- board broadside, receiving from her only his sternchase guns. From this hour till daylight, finding that we could place ourselves on either quarter, the action continued in the foregoing manner, and with such success on our side that, when day broke, the Guillatnne Tell was found in a most dismantled state.' At five o'clock the Lion, of 64 guns, and some little time afterwards the Foudwyant, of 80 guns, came up, and after a ■determined and gallant i-esistance the Guillaume Tell surrendered. ' It was these last which proved to be specially destructive at close quarters. — J. H. K. ^ See Nelson's letter of congratulation to Inglis on the Gwillaume Tell (Nelson Dispatches, vol. iv. p. 229). Inglis was made a Commander in October 1800, and Post- <:aptain in April 1802, he died in Feb. 1833.— J. H. R. u2 Killed. Wounded. Total, 8 69 77 8 38 46 2 2 4 292 A HISTORY OF MALTA In this engagement the British loss was as follows : — Fondroyant Lion Penelope i 127 And in that of the capture of the Genereux on the 17th of the previous month, in killed and wounded 9 Total ... 136 General Yaubois, upon being made acquainted with the capture of the Guillaume Tell by the British, forwarded duplicates of the dis- patches which that vessel was conveying to the French Government.. These dispatches were committed by Admiral Villeneuve to the charge of Ensign Coulomb of the frigate Diane, who was to leave in a speronara, the smallness of which it was thought might escape the vigilance of the blockaders. Admiral Villeneuve's dispatch to the Minister of Marine is as follows : — Malte, le 28 Germinal sen. 8 {ISth April 1800) .2 CiTOYEN MiNiSTRE, — La contrariete des tems et la rigide surveillance- de I'ennemi empechent le navire, La Bellone, de partir et peuvent le retenir encore longtems. Le General Vaubois, impatient de donner de ses nouvelles au Gouvemement, m'a demande I'expedition d'un esperonare (barque du pays) avec un officier pour faire parvenir les duplicata des depeches dont il avait charge Le Guillaume Tell et de celles qu'il destine pour le navii-e. La Bellone, je joins ici egalement les miennes ; d'apres les rapports de I'ennemi, il parait que le vaisseau Le Guillaume Tell n'a pu echaper a la poursuite des vaisseau:x qui I'ont chasse au moment de son depart, et qu'il a ete pris a la hauteur du Cap Passaro apres une deffense dont les Anglais eux-memes ne parlent qu'avec eloge. Si tel etait le sort de ce vaisseau de tomber entre les mains de I'ennemi, il vaut mieux qu'il ait ete pris de cette maniere que de succomber avec la place de Malte sans deffense, ainsi qu'en sont menaces les batiments qui nous restent, si dans le coui'ant des deux mois prochains nous ne recevons un puissant secours. Je me ref erre a cet egard a mes depeches du 13 Ventose et 4 Genninal et a I'etat de situation des magasins de vivres dont le General Vaubois informe le Ministre de la Guerre. S'il faut en croire les rapports de I'enemi le General Decres et tous les prisonniers du vaisseau Le Gtiillauine Tell auraient ete transportes sur cet Isle; et seraient a Marsa Siroco. Je regrette infiniment que le General Decres n'ait pas eu la faculte de se rendre immediatement aupres de vous. II eut pu vous infonner de vive voix et avec toute connoissance de cause de la situation ou nous nous trouvons. II parait qu'il n'a pas menie la faculte de nous ecrire et de nous donner de ses nouvelles personnelles. ' James, op. cit. (ii. 142), gives the loss of the Penelope as one killed and three wounded.. Her losses were slight owing to her keeping astern and pouring in raking broadsides. — T XT T> 2' Arch. Nat., BB* 147. THE BKITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 293 Les Anglais nous ont appris qu'il avait ete blesse legerement au genoux -et le Capitaine Saunier a I'cBuil. Puisse au nioins cette depeche vous parvenir et le Gouvernenient sei^a persuade que rien n'est neglige pour prolonger la deffense de cette place, qu'elle ne sera i-endue que lorsque les moyens de subsister seront devenus pliysiquement insuffisants. Le Citoyen Coulomb, enseigne de vaisseau sui' La Diane, est charge de ces depeches, et le General Vaubois lui prescrit de les porter lui-meme au Gouvernenient. C'est un officier actif et intelligent qui aura droit a la reconnaissance publique s'il parvient a sa destination, n'ayant aucun refuge d'ici en France que la Corse. II a a faire avant d'y arriver, une naviga- tion longue et hazardeuse avee une frele embarcation et dans une saison difficile. Salut et respect. (Signed) Villeneuve. PS. — Les forces de I'ennenii devant le port sont de cinq vaisseaux ; deux mouilles a Tembouchure et ti-ois a Marsa Siroco, plusieurs fregates et corvettes a la voile. Doublet, availing himself of the opportunity^ thought proper to again address the Colonial Minister with one of his querulous letters, dated the 19th April.i Doubtful whether Coulomb had succeeded in running the gauntlet of the blockading squadron on the 19th April, Rear- Admiral Villeneuve, at the suggestion of General Vaubois, dispatched Ensign Baste on the 21st with triplicates of the various documents which had been pre- viously forwarded, and referred to in the dispatch of the latter date. Malte, le l"^ Floreal an 8 (21st April 1800) .2 Au Ministi-e de la Marine et des Colonies. Citoyen Ministre, — A la demande du Genei^al Vaubois je vous expedie une nouvelle embaixiuation avec un officier, qui vous remettra les triplicata de mes depeches du 13 Ventose, 4 et 10 Germinal et un extrait de celle que je vous ai ecrite le 28 Germinal par le Citoyen Coulomb, enseigne de v^"', parti avec un speronai^e le 29 Germinal au soir. D'apres les rapports de I'ennemi [here follows an exact repetition of the portion of the letter of the 28 Germinal an 8, beginning : tl parait qtie Le Guillaume Tell,' and ending at physiquement insuffisants,^ and then continues as follows.] Le Citoyen Baste, enseign de vaisseau, provenant de La Diane est charge de ces depeches et le General Vaubois lui prescrit de les porter lui-m^me au Gouvernenient. Cet officier est un de ceux qui dans toutes les circonstances de ce long siege a montre le plus de zele et d'ardeur et qui y a servi avec le plus de distinction ; la garnison du Fort Chambray du Goze lui doit son salut dans les premiers jours de la revolte ainsi que j'en ai rendu compte dans ce terns. Et depuis lors il a commande les marins en garnison au Fort Ricasoli, celui de tons les postes le plus convoite par Tennemi. 11 est susceptible par ^ This letter, again, is so long and unimportant that I have judged it best to omit it. — T TT T) 2' Arch. Nat., BB^ 147. 294 A HISTORY OF MALTA Tanciennete et le merite de ses services des faveurs du Gouvernement, Salut et i-espect. (Signed) Villeneuve. PS. — Les forces de rennemi aiijoui'd'liuy devant ce port sont de 5 vaisseaux doiit 3 mouilles a remboucliure ou a la voile et deux mouilles a Marsa Siroco, plusieurs fregates et corvettes a la voile et quatre clialoupes canonieres Napolitaines arrivees ici liier. Delay in the arrival of further reinforcements induced Graham to carry into effect his proposal to raise a battalion of Maltese in British pay^ to serve only in Malta and Gozo^ a step which he had suggested so far back as the 22nd of the previous February .^ His wishes were communicated by Captain Ball to the representatives of the people, who at once gave their assent to the measure. By the 2nd April two companies were completed with the exception of the officers, whom General Graham had no power to appoint. In the meantime, officers of the 30th and 89th Regiments were temporarily attached to the companies as they were formed, and by the middle of May four companies were completed, and four others in formation. General Fox at Minorca, in the meantime, became somewhat alarmed at the protracted resistance of the besieged, and counselled Graham to run no risk beyond what discretion and prudence would justify. To this advice the brigadier-general replied : that as no advantage could be obtained without some risk, he could never think of abandoning the Island, and losing all the fruits of the blockade, on the bare apprehension of eventual danger, and that he was in hopes nothing sinister would happen, unless it might be the arrival of a consider- able reinforcement to the enemy; [continuing] that he would restrict himself to beleaguering the fortress only, saving as much as possible all unnecessary fatigue or danger to the troops, every individual being so valuable, and to keep them so cantonned as to be able to unite quickly, increasing the works of defence at the most important posts, and continuing the construction of new batteries in the best situations for effectually annoying the enemy whenever reinforcements arrived, but meanwhile coirfining all firing to the ships and fishing boats, the latter being an important factor in obtaining food for the garrison. Against the works no battery could be erected which could not be immediately overpowered by a tenfold fii'e. One regiment more would place the besiegers in seciu'ity, and might even afford opportu- nities of successful enterprise which present weakness precludes all thoughts of profiting by, let the opportunities appear ever so tempting ; for a check would be fatal. Owing to the injury received during the action with the Guillaume Tell, the Foudroyant was detained at Malta longer than was at first anticipated, but by the 21st April she reached Palermo, when Nelson re-hoisted his flag', and on the 24th sailed for Syracuse and thence to Malta, taking Sir William and Lady Hamilton as passengers. ' Delavoye, Life of Lord Lynedoch, p. 188. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 295 On the 4th May the Foudroymit anchored in St. Paul's Bay^ where she remained a week, and then left for Marsa Scirocco Bay, finally quitting Malta with the same passengers on the 20th, after a stay of sixteen days. Sir William Hamilton, having been relieved of his functions Ly the arrival at Palermo of the Honourable Arthur Paget during the previous month, Avas now on the point of leaving for London, and it was considered a good opportunity by General Graham to give a minute and detailed account of the position of affairs in the island, to be duly reported to the authorities in England.^ This letter is dated the 19th May, the day before the Foicdroyant sailed. Head-quarters, Gudia, 19^/i May 1800.2 To Sir William Hamilton. My dear Sir William, — As I see the Foudroymit is not under way, I hope I shall have time to write you some memoranda about our situation here, which will enable you to explain your plan more satisfactorily to my friends at home. Every operation of war is as uncertain as the fate of those concerned, so that I am glad of this opportunity, whatever may happen. Though the name of such a command as this was much beyond my expectation, yet from the first I have strongly felt the disadvantage of being employed where such sanguine hopes had been so unaccountably raised with a force not only totally inadequate to any exertion that could contribute to realise them, but which in strictness, according to my instructions, scarcely justified my I'emaining here, for in my mind nothing can be more fallacious than the argument commonly used, that since the enemy never made a sortie last summer, when there were no regular troops on the Island, there is no probability of their making one at all. There was no reason, then, for their losing a 'man — there ivas nothing to he gained. On the contrary, the complete success xootdd have imposed on them the burden of Ttiaintaining the whole Island. They had then a large stock of the necessaries of life, and they had every reason to hope for effectual relief long before it was near exhausted. The batteries erected against them might be said to be insulting to them under such circumstances, but they knew they could not be annoying, and must have felt it was in their power to destroy them whenever they chose to risk the loss of a few men ; but above all, the town was then full of inhabitants, many of whom had conspii-ed against them, and who might rise against the guards left in the town were a sortie with a considerable force undertaken. How different is their situation now ! They have turned out all the inhabitants they wished to get i-id of — those that remain add strength to the garrison ; their resources are much diminished ; their expectations of relief till after the summer must become every day less and less. Whenever the combination of these cii'cumstances shall render their ' For the annoyances to which Hamilton and Queen Maria Carolina subjected the Hon. A. Paget, see the Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 174 et seq. — J. H. R. ^ Delavoye, Life of Lord Lynedoch, p. 189. 296 A HISTORY OF MALTA situation desperate, then they must make a sortie. It is impossible the place should ever surrender to our force without their making an effort to drive us off the Island, or at least to seize on our magazines, and attempt to supply themselves from the nearest villages with the means of subsistence for some weeks longer. They are sensible of the value of Malta, and know how much importance Bonaparte attaches to it. All the intercepted cori^espondence proves this, and every hour's delay of surrender becomes to them a matter of conse- quence, as relief may come in some shape or other. They probably know very accurately the state of our force ; they may have been deceived for- merly with i-egard to the number of the armed peasants, but they must know that the enthusiasm which at first raised the ivhole country aiid rendered the inhabitants formidable is over, and there is every reason to suppose, from the impossibility of watching such an immense extent, that they have frequent intercoui'se with people without the walls, and must be in posses- sion of accurate infonnation. Now, to enable you to judge of my real situation, compare the state of their force and of ours. From undoubted information they have 3,000 regular troops, about 1,000 sailors, about 600 National Guards, besides many cannoniers, and other Maltese formerly soldiers or sailors of the Order, employed on the batteries and in the arsenal.i The last weekly state, which I enclose, will show you that I have under my command only 2,092 rank and file fit for duty, of whom 400 are new raised Maltese, and above 700 are Neapolitans, on whom I cannot place much dependence. There are, besides, about 2,000 armed peasants under the Governor's command ; half of them at least are allowed to go to work dui'ing the day, so that they are dispersed, and of course useless on a sudden emergency, and are tired and sleepy at night. They have no other officers but sergeants, and, though active, brave, hardy fellows, under no discipline nor restraint. It is a matter of doubt and accident whether they would act in case of a sortie so as to be of use even in the daytime ; during the night I am sure they would only create confusion. You have only to look at your plan to see what an extent of line is to be guarded by this trifling force. Beginning on the right, opposite to Bicasoli, and going round again to the sea on the left, opposite to Fort Tigne, the distance cannot be less than about eight miles were the best communications established, which we have not had time to do. Fortu- nately the country presents great obstacles ; every field is an intrenchment, and it is only by the roads that an eneray could advance with any rapidity, and on the left, opposite to Tigne and Manoel, they are very narrow and bad ; besides that, these two forts cannot afford to send out many men without receiving reinforcements which must pass the harbour of Marsa- Tauscetto. There can never, therefoi-e, be a sortie on that side for any other purpose but diversion or spiking oui' guns. It is necessai-y, however, to cover the great road from La Valetta to St. Antonio and Citta Vecchia, which obliges me to leave at Samra and San Giuseppe the whole of the marines for duty on shore : a very small detachment, it is true, but a very valuable one, from being admirably commanded and more aguerri than any other troops here. There is, besides, on that side at Birchii^cara all ' These figures are in excess of the actuality. See Vaubois' Reports in the Appendix. —J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 297 ihe Neapolitan infantry, who detach posts to assist the Maltese peasants opposite to Tigne and Manoel. The post of the battery at the head of the great harbour is left to the Maltese peasants entirely ; the marsh air rendered it so unhealthy for our people that I was obliged to remove them, and though by that communi- cation with the marines is interrupted, I was not soiry to be forced to concentrate the two regiments towards the point of the greatest risk and importance opposite Cotonera and Fort Ricasoli, from which the enemy ■could have such facility of coming out in force in several columns, though direct roads have been blocked up and desti"oyed as much as possible. The batteries formerly erected, which cannot be defended from themselves, are in some degree protected by stone blockhouses in their rear. The very exposed and important village of Zabbar, within musket-shot of the Cotonera, has been strengthened the same way. All the duty of the advanced part of this line is done by the Maltese, assisted during the night by some piquets and patrols of ours. These are mei'ely for the purpose of alarm, for it is impossible to think of attempting to support any of these advanced posts on the batteries if vigox'ously attacked. Our stand must be made at Zeitun, on which everything depends. I have strengthened it in such a way that it will cost the enemy dear if they attempt it, and if all the troops behave well I should not be apprehensive of the issue of an attack by day. Were we to lose Zeitun, our intrenchments near Marsa Scirocco would only serve to cover our embarkation. After this faithful account of our relative situation, you will not wonder at my anxiety. I have every reason to hope for a reinforcement of one regiment at least fi'om Minorca, besides the expectation of positive security from the arrival of the Russians. Disappointed of these, the urgency of the case made me undertake a levy of Maltese independent companies entirely at my own risk for the expence of raising, clothing, and arming "them ; four ai'e completed, and four more are going on. I have written privately to Mr. Dundas on this subject, and hope the measure will be approved of. They are only to sei've in the Island, and have no doubt of their doing well, as they will be much more manageable than the peasants, having British officers to command them. Under these very discouraging circumstances, my command is far from ■an enviable one — no chance of gaining any credit, many of losing character, and increasing responsibility. At first I felt supported by Colonel Linden- thal's opinion (a confidential staff officer sent here by General Fox to report to him his opinions concerning this place) in fixing the troops on shoi-e and stating that I should be able to maintain myself. General Fox has since been alarmed, and has repeatedly called on me not to risk the troops beyond what discretion and prudence would justify. My answer has been, that as no advantage can be obtained without some risk, I never could think of abandoning the Island and losing all the fruits of the blockade on the bare apprehension of eventual dangei", and that I was in hopes nothing sinister -could happen but by the arrival of a considerable i-einforcement to the «nemy, an event which I could not foresee, and which therefore might unavoidably prove fatal to us. My conduct in the management of our force has been guided by what I conceived the circumstances above described rendered not only prominent but necessary. To save as much as possible from unnecessary fatigue or danger to the 298 A HISTORY OF MALTA troops every individual being of so much value to us, and to keep tliem disposed so as to be able to u.nite quickly in the material points at all times ; to increase as much as possible by works the defense of the most important posts ; to go on with the construction of several new batteries in the best situation for effectually annoying the enemy whenever any increase of force would enable us to do so with propriety, but meanwhile to confine our fii-ing to such objects as the common pi-actice of war justify dui-ing a mere blockade without exposing oui'selves to the ridicule of making puny efforts of a mock siege — we have therefore seldom or ever filled but at their ships and fishing- boats ; against the woi-ks we coiild erect no battery which they might not immediately overpower by a tenfold fire, though we might do some damage to the town by throwing shells — to make oiu-selves respected by the enemy as a blockade force by showing a readiness to resist any aggression of theirs, such as firing on thena when they fire at the ships, but without wantonly irritating them so as to make it necessary for them to come out to attack our batteries, sensible we daxe not risk defending them ; to keep up the spirits of the Maltese by an equal attention to the security of their posts as well as our own — such have been the constant objects I have held in view. Placed, as I have said, in a situation of great and unfounded expecta- tions, and of course exposed to all the censui-e of disappointment, should it ever happen that the enemy choose to make a well-connected attack on any of our batteries or advanced posts, or even on the village of Zabbar, from which formerly the inhabitants repulsed them, I am much afraid an unpleasant discovery will be made. The Maltese will see that it is not my intention to commit the whole in defence of these advanced posts, and the enemy will find out that they may make such attacks without much risk, as the opposition will be feeble, and this may encourage them to attempt something more important, when the assistance to be expected from the Maltese will be less in proportion to what they conceive our neglect of their- interests to have been. Adieu, my dear Sir William ; I did not mean to have detained you so long, but I have been led on by this subject, which gives me naany sleepless nights. One regiment more would have put us in security, and might have even aiforded opportunities of successful enterprise which my weakness precludes all thoughts of pi'ofiting by, let the opportunities appear ever so tempting, for a check would be fatal indeed to us. Thank God, this cannot last much longer ; another month vriW clear the horizon of the mists that cover the seas, the squadrons, and the plans of our friends and foes. I beg to recommend to your care some more letters, and, wishing you a happy voyage, remain, &c. (Signed) Thos. Graham. During this short stay in Malta^ Nelson acquainted Lord Keith of his intention to return to Palermo in a few days, in order to fulfil a promise he had made some time previously to the Queen of Naples to convey Her Majesty and suite to the Continent, whenever she- might determine to leave Palermo, and that, as it might be necessary to take another ship, he purposed selecting the Alexander. Lord Keith (then engaged in the blockade of Genoa), upon receipt of this information, issued an order, dated the 5th June, directing^ Nelson to send the Foudroyant and Alexander to Malta immediately. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE~1800 299 and forbidding the King's ships to be employed on any other service than such as he had appointed. This order, however, was not received in time to stop the arrangements which Nelson had made. The Foudroyant arrived at Palermo from Malta on the night o£ the 31st May, and on the 10th June she sailed with the Queen and family, Sir William and Lady Hamilton as passengers for Leghorn, accompanied by the Alexander and Princess Charlotte, where they arrived on the 14tli June.^ Lord Keith was duly informed by Nelson of his movements, and on the 15th June, on the supposition that Nelson by that date would be at Leghorn (as was actually the case), ordered him to repair without a moment's delay to Genoa, with all the ships under his command, and join the commander-in-chief there. Nelson only partially obeyed by sending the Princess Charlottef promising the Foudroyant should soon follow, but the Alexander he would send back to Malta. In the meanwhile, news of the complete defeat of the Austrian army by Bonaparte on the 14th June at Marengo altered the destination of the Alexander to the Gulf of Spezia. The disaster of Marengo caused considerable alarm amongst the Eoyal party at Leghorn, and Her Majesty the Queen contemplated returning to Palermo, believing it would be unsafe to cross Italy. The Foudroyant was accordingly retained for the conveyance of Her Majesty to the Sicilian capital. This proceeding on the part of Nelson caused the greatest annoyance to Lord Keith, who on the 19th June sent peremptory orders that in the event of Her Majesty not proceeding to Vienna, and wishing to return to Palermo, His Britannic Majesty's ships were not to be used for that purpose, and, to ensure obedience, proceeded to Leghorn, where he arrived on the 24th. On the 28th, Nelson shifted his flag to the Alexander, the Foudroyant being sent to Mahon to be refitted. During the early part of the following month of July the political state of Northern Italy became calmer, and Her Majesty then decided to venture upon the journey overland.^ Nelson, who had been invited to join the party, struck his flag on the lltli, proceeding via Florence, Ancona, Trieste, and Vienna, finally reaching Yarmouth from Hamburg on the 6th November 1800, and London on the 8th, thus closing his personal and active participation in Maltese affairs, which island had then been two months in possession of the British forces. ' See Dispatches of Nelson, vol. iv. p. 251; also some of the previous letters, for liis excessive deference to the King and Queen of Naples. — J. H. R. - The calm was due to the armistice of June 15, by which General Melas, after his disaster at Marengo, tamely agi-eed to give up all the fortresses in Northern Italy held by the Austrians, on condition that their forces might retire to the east of the river Mincio. This of course sacrificed Genoa, which Keith had helped to reduce. (See Keith's indignant letter of June 20 to Paget, in the Paget Pa2:>ers, vol. i. p. 232.) — J. H. R. 300 A HISTOEY OF MALTA After this digression regarding Nelson's movements we return to the operations at Valetta. The fact has to be recorded of a French brig with a cargo of provisions having on the 8th June safely run the gauntlet and entered the Grand Harbour, followed by the Penelope to within gunshot of Fort St. Elmo.^ On the 9th June, Brigadier-General Moncreiff, of the 90th (General Graham's regiment), arrived in Malta on leave, to whom was offered the command of the Malta Fencible Corps, which he accepted pending instructions from Minorca. Until confirmation of the appointment was received. Captain Weir of the marines, to whom the Admiral gave the rank of major in his corps, took temporary command of the battalion. On the 15th June, Captain Ball forwarded to Lord Grenville an account of the expenditure which had been incurred in Malta from March 1799 up to May 1800, for the subsistence of the 3,000 Maltese troops and 6,000 indigent poor, with other governmental expenses, amounting to £38,538 6s. The following is a copy of the dispatch and report : — Malta, Ibth June 1800.2 To the Right Hon. Lord Grenville. My Lord, — I have the honour to enclose a few papers containing a succinct amount of the revenue of this Island, and the expenses, since it has been under my government. I take the liberty to send copies of letters to rue from the Congress and judges of this Island, which will prove its very critical state when I landed to du'ect and restore to order its inhabitants. I apprehend the French will not surrender La Valetta unless General Graham has the means of carrying on active operations. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. Public Expenditure in Malta between March 1799 and May 1800. Malta, Ibth June 1800. The expenditure of the public money is examined by the most approved characters, and the sum of £38,538 6s. ^ has been expended in paying and subsisting three thousand troops, six thousand poor, and all the expenses of the Government, except that of Governor-in-Chief, and a few employed, who have received the smallest salary. When I landed to direct the civil affairs of the Island, it was in the most dangerous state of anarchy, which is partly described in the letter from the judges to me, inclosed herewith. I deemed it politic to assemble a temporary congress of the people to sanction and give weight to the laws where the existing cu'cum- stances required. Each town elected a representative in the manner of Scot and Lot. The judges and Bishop, or in his absence the Grand Vicar, were admitted, at which I am President, and without my assent an Act ' Keith refers with just annoyance to this event in his letters of July 19 to Paget, and seems to connect it with with Nelson's dereliction of duty.— J. H. R. 2 Foreign Office Records, Malta, 6. ' £91 per day. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 301 cannot be passed. The number of the Congi-ess amounts to twenty-five, whose labours have merited my confidence. They know their functions will cease as soon as La Valetta is taken. 1 presume it is unnecessary to comment on the many advantages I have derived from it. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. On the 14th June both Vaubois and Villeneuve acquainted the Minister of Marine vi^ith the timely arrival of the Marguerite with a supply of provisions. Malte, le 25 Prairial an 8 (14^7i Jnne 1800.) ^ Le Contre-Amiral Villeneuve au Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies. CiTOYEN Ministre, — Le navire La Marguerite, Capitaine Banket, expedie du port de Toulon est entre ici le 19 de ce mois, il nous a appoi-te un chargement de vivi-es, qui ne pouvait an-iver plus a propos ; il nous assure les moyens de tenir les mois de Messidor, Thermidor et Finictidor. Ce chargement qui a ete calcule sur quinze jours de vivi^es pour 4,000 hommes, nous fera vivre trois mois. Les rations ici depuis deujc ans etant reduites au dessous du quart de la ration ordinaire. Poui" prolonger la duree des grains qui nous restent, le General Vaubois a ordonne la sortie de la ville de 2,000 personnes sur six mill© qui en forment la population actuelle. Ces sorties doivent commencer a s'executer demain ; au moyen de cette nouvelle evacuation j'estime que nous pouvons avoir encore pour quatre a cinq mois de bleds ou de biscuit, mais malheureusement le bled qui reste est de fort mauvaise qualite et difficilement le pain qu'il pi-oduit pourrait servir seul d'aliment au soldat et au marin. 11 importe done, pour la conservation de Malte qu'il y soit expedie le plutot possible des chargements de commestibles composes de farines et biscuits, huile, lard, ris et haricots, vinaigre, vin et eau de vie ; tel est I'ordre d'urgence des besoins de cette place, nous avons regrette infiniment de ne pas trouver de I'huille sui' le dernier batiment aiTive quoiqu'il en ait ete demande instamment aux administrateui's de Toulon. Elle sert d'assaisonnement aux legumes que le soldat cultive et au produit de la peche de nos marins, cette denree serait si necessaire ici qu'au besoin elle suppleerait a toutes les autres. Veuillez bien, Citoyen Ministre, donner des oi'dres pour que les batiments expedies pour Malte soit a I'avenir charges principalement en farines, huilles et lard, et que les autres articles ne composent au plus que le quart du chargement. Deux batiments ainsi charges qui arriveraient a bon part ferait atteindre le- cceui" de I'hiver, epoque a laquelle on pourrait esperer de ravitailler ce pays encore poui^ longtems par les moyens que j'ai toujoui's indique, je veux dii'e par des batiments expedies isolement des differents ports, mais non pas par convoi qui eveille I'attention de I'ennemi qui des lors ne neglige rien pour I'intercepter et dont la grande superiorite maritime leur donne toujoiirs les moyens. On ne pent dissimuler que dans cette saison I'arrivee de tout batiment expedie pour Malte ne soit tres hazardeuse, I'ennemi bloque le pox-t etroitement, il y occupe en ce moment deux vaisseaux, quatre fregates, unc corvette et trois bricks ; pkis de coup de vent qui puisse les eloigner,. 1 Arch. Nat., BB^ 147. 302 A HISTORY OF MALTA plus de terns couvert qui puissent leur derober la vue des batiments qui peuvent s'en approclier la nuit. L'arrivee de ce dernier batiment com- mande par le Citoyen Barret nous a ete aussi agreable qu'inattendue ; ce capitaine nierite toutes sortes d'eloges par la maniere dont il a manoeu'STe et dont il s'est conduit, apres avoii' tourne pendant liuit joui's dans le sud de risle pour attendre un moment favorable il a profite d'une belle nuit, d'un vent frais et d'un terns brumeux. II a ete vivement canone par toutes les batteries de la cote et par un vaisseau et une fregate et sans se detourner de la route il est parvenu a I'entree du port, ou il a ete protege par nos batteries qui ont fait lacher prise a un vaisseau ^ qui f aisait sur lui un feu d'artillerie et de mousquetterie soutenu. II est entre ainsi dans le port aux applaudissements de toute la garnison. Je ne saurais trop le recomniander a la bienveillance du Gov'' Quoique la fortune n'ait pas favorise la mesure du depart du Gnillaume Tell, je ne puis regretter de Tavoir determine ; elle pent encore etre le salut de Malte, par la diminution sensible des consommateurs qu'elle nous a procui^e. Ce vaisseau a succombe apres un combat glorieux ; en restant dans ce poi't il eut entraine dans sa perte celle de cette place qui peut-etre ne serait deja plus en notre pouvoir. Le General Deci-es doit etre rendu aupres de vous ; il connoit notre maniere d'etre ici et nos besoins et personne ne pent mieux que lui vous donner des renseignements utiles sur les moyens qui peuvent etre encore employes pour venir a secour. Salut et respect. (Signed) Yilleneuve. [The same to the same.] Malte, le 25 Prairial an 8 (14f7i June 1800) .3 Citoyen Ministre, — Le General Yaubois ayant regu officiellement par le Citoyen Remi, adjoint aux Adjutants -Generaux, arrive sur le navire La Marguerite, Capitaine Barret, la Constitution de I'an^ 8, elle a ete pro- clamee a la tete des troupes auxquelles je me suis reunis avec tons les officiers civils et militaires de la marine et des detacliements des marins de cliaque batiment. Tous lui ont prette avec transport le serment de fidelite prescrit par la Loi. J'ai profite de cette circonstance, pour assurer les marins que le nouveau Gouvernement entierement occupe de 1' ameliora- tion de toutes les parties du service public travaillait particulierement a ce qui concerne leur arme, que la marine desormais serait consideree comma une des branches essentielles de la force de I'Etat ; que leur service dans cette cii'constance leur courage et leur devouement dans la deffense de cette place au millieux des privations les plus penibles leur serait comptes. Je ne saurais ti'op rendre hommage, Citoyen Ministre, au bon esprit, au zele, au devouement qui animent tous les officiers et les equipages des batiments de la Republique qui servent ici, aucune plainte, aucun murmure ne se fait entendre ; tous sentent I'importance de la conservation de ce port si interressant pour la navigation de la Mediteranee et tous sont resolus a le deffendre jusqu'a 1' extinction de leur forces physiques. * H.M. frigate Penelope. — J. H. R. 2 Arch. Nat., BB* 147. =* That of the close of the year 1799.— J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 303 Dans une caBonade qui a en lieu il y a quelciues jours entre nos batteries et celles de I'ennemi, un canonier de L'Atlienien a ete tue et un matelot de La Diane a eu la jambe emporte. Salut et respect. (Signed) Villeneuve. Au Quartier General le [no date] an 8 {July 1800 ?).^ Yaubois, General de Division, au Ministre de la Marine. CiTOYEN Ministre, — Les eloges que vous donnes par votre lettre du 28 Floreal a la brave garnison de Malte sont sa plus douce recompense, mes les efforts qu'elle fait seront ils courronnes du succes ? Le Citoyen Baste, lieutenant de vaisseau, est entre dans le porte sur la felouque. La Legcre, le 3 Messidor.^ Quinze jours auparavent etait arrive le navire Marguerite charge de vivi^es pour quinze jours pour quatre mille hommes. Suivant I'usage suivi ici depuis le premier jour du siege nous portons a trois fois autant de duree ce que nous avons. Apres avoir passe le mois de Prairial avec du pain et un pen d'huile pour toutes rations, nous avons entame ce chargement le V^ Messidor. Dans mes dernieres depeches, parties sur une felouque par le Citoyen Remi, adjoint aux Adjudants-Generaux, j'ai promis la tenue de Malte pour Messidor et Thermidor, quoiqu'il y aura quinze jours de Thermidor pendant lesquels nous serons avec le pain seul. Ai^rivera-t-il quelque chose de ce qui nous est destine pendant ce court espace de tems ? La saison est contre nous ; les calmes et le blocus exact rendent cette chasse extremement douteuse. II est vi-ai que les succes de la guerre peuvent aussi nous tirer d'embarras, et que nous nous persuadons que jamais le Roi de Naples ne sei'a admis a des conditions qu'il n'ait fait lever le siege et le blocus de Malte et fourni de vivi^es a cette isle. Ne pourrait-on pas aussi nous expedier des felouques ? Tout est en faveur des batimens a rames. Cela porte peu mais cela entre plus surement. Les plus pressants articles sont la farine et I'huile. Par de nouvelles economies je prolongerai la duree du bled une partie de Fruetidor a. ce que j'espere; il est cependant de fort mauvaise qualite parcequ'il y a quatre ans au moins qu'il est en fosse. Telle est notre situation exacte. Peignes-vous mes inquietudes ; le courage et la fermete ne manquent pas, mais I'estomac les commande, nous sommes habitues a tres peu, mais il le faut ce tres peu. La dissenterie se declare, tout le monde est plein de vers et des maladies scrofuleuses se manifestent. La population oifi^e un spectacle dechirant, ces miserables n'ont qu'un peu de mauvais pain et de Teau, s'ils avaient de I'huile ils se croieraient heureux. Salut & respect. (Signed) Vadbois.^ 1 Arch. Nat., BB'' 147. ^ i.e. 22ncl June, which fixes approximately the date of this letter. Vaubois' letter of 18th July to the Minister of War, as given in his Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part IV), in the Appendix, tallies very nearly with this one, but this is the fuller, and I therefore keep it here. — J. H. R. •* The most significant sentences of Yaubois' letter of July 18 to the Minister of War, referred to above (other than those which are almost identical with the tenour of the letter just cited), are these: — 'L'ennemi ne nous fait rien. Ses cannonades, son bombardement, ne nous causent pas d'inqtiietude. C'est notre peu de subsistance qui nous allarme.' — J. H. R. 304 A HISTORY OF MALTA The condition of the French garrison, notwithstanding the late succour received, was now becoming desperate, but to prolong the struggle. General Vaubois at this date began to expel from the city- many of its inhabitants, who, being without dwellings and means, of subsistence, had to be provided for by their countrymen in the villages.^ General Graham determined that this should be stopped, and accordingly, on the 17th June, the following notification was sent to General Vaubois : — Malta, 17th June 1800.2 Sir, — I have the honoui* to infoi-m you that henceforward it is my deteraiination to prevent any intercourse with La Valetta for the purpose of any more of the inhabitants coming out. This measure, sanctioned and recommended to me by the Governor and the Congress of Malta, is so stHctly conformable to the rules of war that the consequences resulting from it can never be reckoned severe by those who, having neglected the opportunities of such unusual indulgence, have shown their attachment to the French interest. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Tho*' Graham. To H. E. General Vaubois. The lengthy reply of General Vaubois of 20th June 1800 will be found in his ' Journal of the Siege of Malta' (see Appendix) . Graham felt disinclined to enter into a polemical discussion as to the duties and responsibilities of rival commanders, or to alter his decision regarding Maltese refugees from the besieged city, and closed the correspondence by a letter of the 21st June 1800, as follows : — Head-quarters, Gudia, 21st June ISOO.*^ To General Vaubois, Sir, — Without entering further into any reasoning concerning the duties of our respective situations than simply to state that the rules of war justify my resolution, and oblige you to provide for the inhabitants,. I may be allowed to make one observation on your own statement. Surely, sir, those whom you have detained have an unquestionable right to your protection, and those who have chosen to remain so long within the walls can have none to any indulgence from me. But I revert to the genei-al principle of the rules of war as the only one by which the conduct of an officer can be judged. If any inhumanity should result from this measure, the severe responsibility will fall on either of us, who, departing from that principle and acting in an arbiti'ary manner, shall break through those rules of war which civilised nations- have established. With regard, sir, to the complaint you make against the Maltese for murdering a prisoner, I can only assiii'e you that it was reported at the ' See inter alia his Proclamation of June 19, 1800, in his Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part IV), in the Appendix.— J. H. R. ^ Delavoye, Life of Lord Lynedoch, p. 197. 3 Ihid. p. 199. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE— 1800 305 time that the French soldier was killed by the discharge of sevei-al muskets fired at him and his companions, from a very considerable distance ; and I am inclined to believe this to be the truth, as I have not heard any instance since my arrival of prisoners or deserters having been treated with inhumanity by the Maltese. As they act under the orders of Governor Ball, I shall lose no time in informing him of your complaint, and I am sure he will not be less anxious than I am to prevent every wanton cruelty or excess. — I have the honoiu', &c. (Signed) Thomas Graham. PS. — From the i^eport I have just received from the post of Samra you will not be surprised at my declaring that all intercourse by means of flags of truce between this town and the country is at an end. Two days previously Graham published the following spirited address to the Maltese^ in the hope of inducing a larger number of recruits to join and take a more active share in the operations. This address was the subject of a discussion in the House of Commons at a later date, which will be referred to in a subsequent chapter. It ran as follows : — Brigadier-General Graham to the Maltese.' Brave Maltese, — ^You have rendered yourselves interesting and con- spicuous to the world. History affords no more striking example. Betrayed to your invaders, deprived of the means of resistance, eternal slavery seemed to be your inevitable doom. The oppression, the sacrilege of your tyrants became intolerable. Regardless of consequences, you determined at every hazard to vindicate youi' wrongs. Without arms, without the resources of war, you broke asunder your chains. Your patriotism, your courage, your religion, supplied all deficiencies. Your energy commanded victory, and an enemy formidable to the best-disciplined armies of Europe yielded in every point to your vinexampled efforts, and hid their disgrace behind the ramparts. The gallant battalions of Casals have ever since confined them there, with a vigilance and patience worthy of the cause of freedom. You called for assistance : the Powers acting in alliance for the support of civil society and of religion hastened to your relief ; arms, ammunition, money, and corn have been supplied to you. Their ships have intercepted the succours of the enemy. My master, the sovereign of a free and generous people, sent me with a handful of men to assist you till a powerful force could be prepared for the reduction of La Valetta. The circumstances of the war have hitherto retarded it, but this is a precious moment, and ought not to be lost. What is to be done to profit by this favourable conjuncture ? I anticipate your answer. You are ready again to unite in a mass, to complete the glorious work you began. To arms, then, Maltese ! Let the universal cry through the Island be : For God and our country.' Who is there deaf to every sense of duty and of honour that will not gladly obey such a call ? None, none ' Cobbett's Register, vol. iii. p. 774. 306 A HISTORY OF MALTA but traitors or time-serving cowards ! "We do not wish for such among our ranks. That unerring voice which will distinguish with the title of hero every man who exposes himself for his country, will equally stamp their names with indelible infamy. Quit, then, your habits of industry for a few weeks ; dedicate your- selves under the immediate direction of your own officers, and under the guidance of those whose professional skill and experience will direct your labours most beneficially, to the great and important object of the final conquest of your enemies. A weak and dispirited garrison, unequal to the defence of such extensive works, cannot withstand your efforts. Success will reward your toil, and you will soon return to the bosoms of your families, proud, justly proud, of having saved your country. (Signed) Tho®' Graham, Brig. -General. Head-quarters, Gudia, 19th June 1800. An irregular bombardment of the fortress of Valetta in the meanwhile continued, and on the 22nd June a shell exploded in the city, firing some ammunition, and causing great loss of life. Three small captures were made on the 1st July laden with brandy, wine, and flour. These losses had a most dispiriting effect upon the garrison, but still there were no signs of surrender. It was now determined to send reinforcements to the British troops. Sir Ralph Abercromby,^ who in May had been appointed to the supreme command of the British military forces in the Mediterranean, arrived at Gibraltar on the 6th June, and thereupon decided to visit Malta, after an interview with Keith and Nelson at Leghorn. As the result of their deliberations, and in accordance with instructions received from the home Government, further rein- forcements were ordered to be dispatched to Malta from Minorca and Leghorn, together with a general in command to succeed Graham, who had already requested to be superseded. Abercromby then sailed for Minorca, and the day following his arrival there, the 23rd June, 1,500 men were dispatched for Malta under the command of Major-General Pigot.^ ' Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801) had been employed with Pulteney in making fruitless attempts against Ferrol and Cadiz. It will be remembered that he pro- ceeded finally to Egypt, and fell gloriously at the battle near Alexandria on March 21, 1801.— J. H. R. - Keith had been very severe on General Fo.x, previously commanding at Minorca. On June 20 he wrote : ' There are 14,000 men in Minorca which cannot be used by reason there is no general, and Fox has not nerves to send a man on ' (i.e. to Genoa, which Keith wished to defend). Paget Papers, vol. i. p. 232. — J. H. R. CHAPTER XV THE BRITISH BLOCKADE (From the 4tli July 1800 to the capitulation of the French Grarrison, 4th September 1800) The difficulty of obtaining money, not only for the men under arms, but also for the Maltese population, went on increasing. The agi'eement which had been entered into between Sir William Hamilton, General Acton, and the Chevalier Italinsky was found to be unsatisfactory, and in consequence Mr. Paget on the 4th July asked Lord Grenville for specific instructions in this respect.^ Hon. a. Paget to Lord Grenville. (Palermo) 4:th July 1800.2 I should be extremely happy to be furnished with Your Lordship's instructions upon the subject of granting money for the maintenance of the Maltese troops and inhabitants. Hitherto, in consequence of an agi'eement entered into by General Acton, Sir Wm. Hamilton, Chevalier Italinsky, the sum of £4,000 has been paid by them alternately for the above service ; but I receive constant applications from Governor Ball for further remit- tances, which I cannot bring myself to grant without the consent of the other two Ministers to share the expense, and I meet with the greatest difficulty in the arrangement of this business. Simultaneously with the request which had been made to the British Government for precise instructions regarding pecuniary aid, arrangements were also being made (as already recorded) for further British reinforcements in men being landed in the island. ' The reader should remember the facts which are dwelt on in the Introduction, viz. that on June 14 Bonaparte completely overthrew the Austrian army at Marengo, and on the next day signed with General Melas a convention whereby the latter agreed to give up all the conquests of Austria in Italy, and to withdraw her troops to the line of the river Mincio. This news became known at Palermo early in July (see Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 238-48). It put an end to all chance of the Russian force (still at Naples) coming to help in the siege of Valetta, which Keith and Paget had lately been urging. In fact, by the month of June 1800 the Czar had broken off diplomatic connexions with England, and his attitude aroused the greatest suspicion at London. New light is thrown on this by documents printed in the MSS. of J. B. Fortescue (Bropmore Papers, vol. vi. pp. 250 et seq.)— J. H. R. ^ Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 14. 307 x2 308 A HISTORY OF MALTA Sir Ralph Abercromby, accompanied by General Hutchinson [Pigot ?], arrived in Malta on the 17th July, and on the day following the 2nd Battalion of the 35th Regiment, which had sailed from Minorca on the 23rd June, reached the island, whilst on the 28th July part of the 48th Regiment from Leghorn joined them.^ At a review which took place a few days later. General Hutchinson was able to express his pleasure at the condition in which he found the Maltese Regiment, and complimented General Graham on the arrangements he had made, and on the disposition of the troops. On the 18th July, the day the 35th Regiment landed, Villeneuve in the following letter informed the French Colonial Minister of the straits the garrison were now being placed in by the advance of the English posts, and the closer blockade ; that their stock of fuel was now also exliausted, and that the Boudeuse was being broken up for that purpose : — Malte, le 29 Messidor an 8 (18^7i July 1800) .2 CiTOYEN' MiNisTEE, — De tous les batimens charges de comestibles qui peuvent avoir ete expedies des differents ports de la Republique pour Malte la bombarde, La Margtierite, commandee par le Citoyen Barret, enseigne de vaisseau, est encore le seul qui soit arrive a bon port. C'est pour informer le Gouvernement de cet etat de choses que nous expedions une barque legere commande par le Citoyen Bagot, enseigne de vaisseau. Le General Vaubois doit nous ecrire lui-meme et vous infonner de notre situation en vivres.^ Je me dispenserai done de vous en entretenir. II me parait meme, Citoyen Ministre, que vous m'en faites un devoir, lorsque pour toute i^eponse a mes depeches des 13 Ventose, 4, 10 & 28 Genninal et 1®'* Floreal, que je vous ai fait remettre par les Citoyens Baste et Colomb, vous m'en faites accuser reception par le General Vaubois, dans la lettre que vous lui avez ecrite et que le Citoyen Baste lui a rapporte. Je ne vous cacherai pas, Citoyen Ministre, combien il m'a ete penible de n'avoir aucun temoignage de votre satisfaction a transmettre aux marins qiii servent ici sous mes ordres, tandis que la garnison en a re9u d'eclatants de la part du Ministre de son departement. Le merite de la defense de cette place importante est au moins egalement partage entre la garnison et la marine, et le bonheur d'avoir contribue essentiellement a sa conservation, nous sera toujours un dedomagement precieux et satisfaisant. Je ne negligerai pas cependant de vous rendre compte de tout ce qui conceme ici nos affaires maritimes. Les Anglais continuent a bloquer eti'oitement ce port ; ils employent en ce moment trois vaisseaux dont une de 74 et deux de 64 et plusieui^s fregates, corvettes et bricks, les uns a la voile, les autres a I'ancre a portee et demi de cannon du port. Les ennemis ont demasque depuis quelques jours trois batteries qui croisent le port de ' For the summons to surrender which General Pigot (not Hutchinson) sent to Vaubois on July 17, see Vaubois' Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part TV), in Appendix. —J. H. R. ' Arch. Nat., BB^ 147. •'* See the letters of Vaubois of this date in his Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part IV),. in Appendix. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 309 Marse Musceit en tous les sens, qui le rendent impraticable et nous privent de la resource de la peche que nous en retii-ions. lis travaillent toujours a renforcer leur Hgne et a genev de plus en plus les mouvements dans le gi^and port ; il pai-ait qii'ils ont re9u un renfort de troupes, et qu'ils se sont empai-es de quelques batinients charges de vivres poui- nous ; c'est sur ce motif qu'ils ont fonde une nouvelle sommation, qu'ils nous ont addresses liier, mais tous leurs effoi-ts seront vains tant qu'il nous restera de quoi vivre. Puissent les succes des armees en Italic et le genie du clief de la Republique amener bientot des circon- stances qui puissent nous mettre a meme de conserver ce poste important, c'est le prix le plus precieux que nous puissions recevoir de deux ans de travaux et de privations. Nos ressources en bois a bruler etant termines, la fregate La Bondeuse va etre mise en demolition conformement a I'autorisation que nous en a donne TAmiral Bruys pendant son ministere. Salut et respect. (Signed) Villeneuve.i Whilst the attacking forces were being strengthened, and whilst an effort was being made for better arrangements as to the supply of money and food for the troops, as well as the inhabitants in general, the tergiversations of Russia (referred to in another chapter of the work) were at last realised by the British Cabinet." Their suspicions being aroused, Mr. Secretary Dundas found it necessary on the 1st August to issue the following instructions to Sir Ralph Abercromby : Extract from a Dispatch from Mr. Secretary Ddndas to General Sir Ralph Abercromby, dated 1st August 1800.-^ ... In short, the object of this country in its views upon Malta being to secure to itself the advantage of a very important naval station in that part of the Mediterranean, you will understand that no exertion consistent with the other services in which you are engaged is to be spared on the one hand of expelling the enemy, and on the other, that every precaution, short of actual hostility, is to be taken to prevent our being deprived of this advantage by the interference or pretensions of another Power, whose late ^ That Bonaparte took a keen interest in Malta appears from his letter of 18th July 1800, to the Senate, in which he announced the resolve of the garrison to hold out up to the last ounce of bread, and then to bury themselves under the ruins of the fortress. He proposed that Vaubois should be elected a member of the Senate. It seems that 10 tartanes (or cutters) had been dispatched to Valetta, but only one succeeded in entering. — J. H. R. ^ As will be pointed out in the notes appended to a later chapter, the situation in Italy had been entirely altered since the promise of the Czar Paul was first given with respect to help in the siege of Valetta ; namely, firstly by the quarrels between the Austrians and Russians in the summer and autumn of 1799, which led to the detachment of Suv(5rof into Switzerland with disastrous results ; and secondly, by the French victory of Marengo, which placed Italy once more at the disposal of Bonaparte. Moreover, the recent convention of Russia with Naples for her defence by 10,000 Russians now made that their first duty. (See Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 240, 243.) It must, however, also be remembered that in the summer of 1800 the Czar Paul began to show strong leanings towards a French alliance ; and this it was which first determined the British Grovemment not to allow Malta to become a Russian possession. — J. H. R. 3 Foreign Office Records, Malta, No. 6 (1799-1800). 310 A HISTORY OF MALTA conduct justifies the apprehension that under its authority the Port of Malta would either be shut entirely against His Majesty's Fleets (and possibly open to those of his enemy's) , or that the I'ight of resorting to it, if granted to this country at all, would be so precarious and insecure, as to render it altogether nugatory and unavailable. About this date, deserters from the beleaguered garrison informed General Pigot that the end was drawing near, and that, unless relieved, General Yaubois would have to surrender within a month. This information was conveyed to Mr. Dundas by a dispatch of the 7th August. Malta, 1th August 1800.1 To the Right Hon. Henry Dundas. Sir, — As Lieut. -Col. Stewart, who has been here as Adjt. -General, is going to England, I think it right, in case Sir Ralph Abercrombie should have left Minorca before he gets there, to inform you that nothing new has occurx^ed here since Sir Ralph left this place about a fortnight ago, except that two vessels have been taken, going to the relief of Valetta, laden with wine, oil, brandy, and lard, all of which they are much in want of ; of the three last ai-ticles, deserters tell us they have none left, and very little wine. They likcTvase say that they must suri^ender in a month, if not relieved.' Without placing much faith in what desei'tei's say, I should suppose from every information we can obtain, that it is most probable, if nothing gets in, in the course of six weeks or two months, that the place must surrender. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. Pigot, Maj.-Gen. The French garrison had now become reduced to the direst extremi- ties. On the 21st August, Rear-Admiral Villeneuve informed the Colonial Minister that, unless provisions were received before the 5th of the following month, they would be compelled on or about that date to surrender. He also expressed regret that the two frigates, the Diane and the Justice, still in harbour, would suffer the same fate as the garrison, unless they were able in the meanwhile to put to sea, which the season's prevalent calms and the lunar conditions had lately prevented. Malte, le 3 Fructidor an 8 {2lst August 1800) .2 CiTOTEN MiNiSTRE, — Le terme de nos moyens de resistance dans ce pays est pret d'arriver et le 15 de ce mois, si aucune espece de secours ne nous est arrive, le General Vaubois se ti-ouve dans la necessite d'entrer en pour- parler avec I'ennemi ; nous n'avons plus de pain que jusqu'au 22 de ce mois et depuis quinze jours c'est la seule subsistance qu'ait re9u la garnison et les marins. C'est pour informer le Gouvernement de cette fatale circonstance que nous expedions une felouque pour France, pour arreter toute expedition 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. - Arch. Nat., BB" 147. See Vaubois' letter of 9th August 1800 to Villeneuve, in which he argued against the sailing of the frigates. {Journal of the Siege of Malta (Part IV), Appendix.) — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 311 poui' ce pays ulterieure a cette epoque, si dans ces demiers jours rien n'a pu nous parvenir. L'ennemi nous bloque tres etroitement avec trois vaisseaux, trois fregates et nombre de petits batiments. II est mouille k rembouchure du port et a constament des croiseurs dans Test et dans I'ouest. C'est avec beaucoup de regret que je vois que les fregates La Diane et La Justice vont subir le meme sort que la place. La faiblesse de la garnison n'a pas permis que leurs equipages qui sont employes a terre et que j'ai redemande leur fussent rendus avant le dernier moment. Les fregates sont pretes a les recevoir et a mettre k la voile avec 20 jours de biscuit mais les calmes continuels qui regnent et la clarte de la lune ou nous entrons nous laisse aucun espoir qu'elles trouvent une chance favorable pour echaper. Salut et respect. (Signed) Villeneuve. Between the 21st and 24th August official correspondence passed between Vaubois and Villeneuve relative to the departure of these two vessels. It would appear that the former was at first averse from denuding the garrison to the extent required for the manning of these two ships ; but at last he acquiesced, and at midnight of the 24th they were able to sail from Valetta Harbour. Copy of this correspondence was forwarded by Villeneuve to the Colonial Minister on the 7th September, as follows : — A Malte, le 20 Fructidor an 8 (Ith September 1800) .i CiTOYEN MiNisTRE, — Je n'ai cesse de vous informer par toutes les occasions des dilferentes circonstances dans lesquelles nous nous trouvions a Malte, je vous dois aujoui'd'hui un compte des derniers moments que nous y avons passes. Je voyais le terme de nos moyens de subsistance approcher, et le 15 Fructidor fixe pour le jour ou nous devious entrer en pourparler avec I'ennemie pour la reddition de la place. J'avais fait plusieurs tentatives aupres du General Vaubois pour demander la rentree a leur bord des equipages des batimens de la Republique, pour pouvoir les faii^e partir et tacher de les soustraire au sort qui mena9ait la place ; mais la faiblesse de la garnison et les esperances dont le Gouvemement I'avait flatte, etaient toujours des motifs que le General m'alleguait, et que je devais respecter. J'entretenais toujours les batimens prets a mettre a la voile. Enfin e 6 de ce mois, le vent s'etant etabli a I'E.S.E. frais, cette circonstance, si rare dans cette saison et dans ce pays me determina a renouveller mes instances pour avoir les moyens de faire partir au moins les fregates La Justice et La Diane. Le vaisseau, L' Athenien, de 64, n'etant pas double de cuivre et ayant une carene de plus de deux ans n'offrait aucun espoir d'echapper a la poursuite de I'ennemie qui etait mouille devant le port aux deux vaisseaux de 74, deux fregates et plusieurs petits batimens. Je fus chez le General Vaubois et j'insistais pour qu'il me rendit les equipages des deux fregates, La Justice et La Diane, lui temoignant combien il serait honteux de rendi^e k l'ennemi dans le port deux batimens aussi importants sans avoir tente tous les moyens de les sauver. Le General parut douter ' Arch. Nat., BB* 147. 312 A HISTORY OF MALTA de la possibilite du succes de I'entreprise et craindi^e qu'elle n'agi^avat les conditions de la capitulation a laquelle nous allions nous trouver obliges a recourrii' ; il me representait en outre que par le depart des deux fregates, les principaux postes de la partie de Test allaient se trouver entierement d^garnis de canoniers et exposes meme a un coup de main, si I'ennemi osait I'entreprendre ; ne pouvant obtenir la totalite des equipages des deux batiments je me reduisis alors alui demander seulement une quantite d'hommes necessaii*e pour mettre les deux fregates en etat de manoeuvrer et que je lui laisserais les canonniers et un assez bon nombre de marins pour ne pas trop affaiblir les postes ; il fut ebranle par cette derniere proposition et il fut convenu que je lui ecrirais a ce sujet et qu'il me I'epondrait ; je rentrais done chez moi et lui ecrivis la lettre suivante : * Le Contre-Amiral Yilleneuve, &c., au General Vaubois, &c. ' GrJ^N^RAL, — Le vent qui s'estetablia partir de Test nous fourait encore une chance pour faire echaper les deux fregates, La Justice et La Diane. En me rendant aux motifs qui vous obligent a retenir la presque totalite des equipages pour la surete de vos postes, je vous prie d'examiner s'il ne vous serait pas possible de vous departir de 40 hommes seulement au moyen desquels nous pourrions mettre ces deux fregates en etat, non pas d'aller se mesurer avec I'ennemi, mais au moins d'etre navigables, et d'echaper par la superiorite de leur marche. Ce sont batimens precieux, pour la conservation desquels rien ne doit etre neglige et si vous consentes a ce mouvement d'equipage, peut-etre de soir pourront elles courir ce hasard, le pis aller n'est-il pas de les rendre a I'ennemi dans le port sous dix joiu-s ? J'ai I'honneur de vous saluer.' Je re9us la reponse suivante : ' Le General Vaubois, &c., au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve, &c. Vous sentes comme moi la necessite de ne pas degarnii* des postes deja tres faiblement occupes, en meme terns je m'interesse aussi fort qu'on pent le faire a la conservation des deux fregates de la Republique. Je ne me connais pas en marine ; si vous croyez qu' elles peuvent ecbaper par la marcbe a I'ennemi en ne leur donnant pas [que] le monde necessaire a les manoeuvrer, I'inconvenient me parait moindi'e que de les perdi^e sans ressource ; 9a devient done un devoir. A la verite je comptais les demander par un article dela capitulation, mais je crois I'admission de cet article bien scabreux avec des Anglais. Vous pouvez done tirer de La Victorieuse les quarante hommes que vous demandes, mais sans prendre les canoniers interressants qui se trouvent a d'autres postes essentiels. La cbose me parait encore tres douteuse par ce parti mais presqu'infailliblement perdue autrement. Telle est le resultat de ma fa9on de voir, guidee par I'interetde la Republique que je m'imagine bien entendue. Salut et fratemite. (Signe) Vaubois.'" Avec tout Vitnhroglio de cette lettre je me hatais de donner tous les ordres necessaires pour que le depart de ces fregates eut lieu le soir meme ; il etait onze heures du matin. Je repartis sur le champ les 40 hommes entre elles deux et je fis faire quelques echanges de marins plus capables qui THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 313 etaient dans les forts, par ce moyen je I'eunis environ cent liommes de travail sur chaque fi-egate, le memo joui', la cliaine du port fut otee, les poudres embarquees, du biscuit qui etait a bord de L'Athenien reverse sur les fregates et a 1' entree de la nuit elles commencerent a appareiller. J'eus encore a vaincre la tiedeur de quelques bommes qui a bord de la fregate La Justice repugnaient a partir avec du biscuit et de I'eau, et qui craignaient apres deux ans de blocus et de raisere d'etre encore jetes dans les prisons de I'Angleterre tandis qu'ils eussent espere de jouir des avan- tages qu'on pouvait se pi'omettre des articles de la capitulation ; je fus a bord, je parlai, je mena^ai, je louai le zele et I'energie des braves qui ne voulaient pas de laisser prendre dans le port et j'ordonnai de mettre a la voile sous mes yeux ; quelques amarres qui casserent a boi'd de La Diane retarderent le depart jusqu'a 11 lieures du soir que les deux fregates firent voile au meme moment et soi'tirent du port. Les batteries ennemis ne s'appercevaient pas de ce mouvement mais une chaloupe de bivouac qui etait a portee de fusil en dehors donna aussitot I'allerte ; les deux fregates fiu^ent vivement canonees par les batteries ennemies de St. Roch et nous les perdimes de vue ; a une heui'e le vent calma : a deux il sauta au nord-ouest f rais ; au jour nous appercevions eloignement toute I'escadre ennemie qui chassait dans la partie de Test. Le clief de division, J. Villeneuve, Commandant. The departure of these vessels from Valetta Harbour was observed by His Majesty's ship Success, which vessel on the 27th returned to her station off the island, towing the captured Diane, totally dismasted, the Justice having escaped.^ A postscript to Admiral Yilleneuve's dispatch to the Colonial Minister of the 7th September gives an account of the capture of the Diane by the British frigate, and refers to the capitulation entered into two days previously. [Postscript dated 20 Fructidor an 8 (7th September 1800)]. 2 La Justice a execute les ordres qui lui etaient donnes avec zele et activite ; le Citoyen Malingre, lieutenant de vaisseau, charge du detail a bord de cette fregate a donne dans cette occasion des preuves de zele et d'energie digne des plus grandes eloges, les Citoyens Marc Aui^elle et Taillefer, enseigns de vaisseau, se sont aussi tres bien conduits. A bord de la fregate La Diane, j'ai trouve dans le Capitaine Soleil, dans ses officier-s et dans son equipage un unanimite de courage, de zele et de devouement qui les honore tous. La Republique a dans le Capitaine Soleil et le Citoyen Chastellier, enseign de vaisseau, charge du detail sur La Diane, deux oflSciers du plus grand merite. Le 9"^" Fructidor (27th August). Nous avons vu revenir un des vaisseaux chasseurs ayant la fregate La Diane a la remorque, dematee de tous ses mats et peiToquets. ^ Why La Justice escaped ' under cover of darkness ' (James, vol. ii. p. 444), while La, Diane was captured, has never been explained. The latter was renamed Niohe. — J. H. R 2 Arch. Nat. BB^ 147. 314 A HISTORY OF MALTA Le IS"*" {2nd September). Le conseil de guerre convoque par le Genei^al Vaubois a pris I'arrette ci-joint (Cotte A) qui autorise les generaux de terre et de mer d'entrer en pourparler avec rennemi pour la reddition de la place. Le l?""" (Uh September). Nous sommes entres en pourparler avec I'ennemi et le 18 (5tli Sep- tember) nous avons signe la capitulation ci-jointe (Cote B) qui a eu son execution. Je m'occupe sans relaclie de procurer le plutot possible le transport des marins au port de Toulon. J'espere qu'il en partira des demain une division. Get evenement me laissant sans destination je vous prie, CitoyenMinistre, de m'addresser vos ordi^es au port de Toulon d'ou je me propose de me rendre immediatement a Paris pour vous rendre comptes particulier de toutes les circonstances dans lesquelles je me suis trouve. Salut et respect. (Signed) Villeneuve. From the crew of the Diane and from the papers found on board it was learned that unless succour in the meanwhile reached the defenders Vaubois would have to surrender in about a fortnight's time, but from Admiral Villeneuve's instructions to Captain Soleil of the Diane, which were also captured, there was every reason to expect that General Vaubois intended to treat for the surrender on or about the 2nd September. In fact on that day a council of war was held to discuss the situation, when it was unanimously decided that on the 4th September a parlementaire should be sent to the British commandant to open negotiations for a capitulation. Council op War. Le 15 Fructidm' an 8 {2nd September 1800). Les Generaux, ofl&ciers superieurs de terre et de mer, les commissaires ordonnateurs des guerres et de la marine, les commandans des forts, les oflSciers de tous grades qui se trouvent commander [?] les detach em ents des differens corps, convoques par le General de Division Vaubois, Comman- dant en Chef dans les Isles de Malte et du Goze, poui' la tenue d'un conseil de guerre, se sont assembles au Palais National de la cite de Malte, partie de I'ouest. [Considerant] que le rapport du General Vaubois, duquel il resulte que les magasins de subsistance de la place sont entierement epuises depuis plus d'un mois, que ceux des liquides le sont egalement; que le pain, seul aliment qui reste pour la nourriture de la gamison et de la popula- tion, doit avoir son terme au 22 de ce mois, le conseil considerant que la gamison de Malte, reduite au tiers de ration depuis deux ans a rempli avec honneur la tache qui lui 6tait imposee de conserver cette place a la Republique jusqu'a la derniere extremite ; qui, api-es avoir repousse toutes les attaques de vive force qui ont ete tentees centre elle, a par sa contenance ' Arch. Nat., BB* 147. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 315 et son energie, leduit I'ennemi a perseverer dans un blocus etroit qui ne permet plus d'esperer d'obtenir aucun secours du dehors. Que les forces que I'ennemi employe pour assurer ce blocus et par terre et par mer, ne laiasent a la brave gamison de Malte aucun moyen de s'en procui-er par son courage et son devouement, dans un pays sterile en lui meme et herisse de fortifications, que la nature, et I'art ont multiplie pour nous resserrer dans nos remparts ; que d'ailleurs toute entreprise a cet egard serait sans succes par la precaution qu'a pris I'ennemi d'aprds le rapport de transfuges, de tenir ses bleds. Que ce serait compromettre I'existence de douze mille ames qui composent la population et la gamison de cette place, de differer d'avantage d'entrer en pourparler avec I'ennemi afin d'en obtenir une capitulation honorable et telle qu'elle est due a des braves militaii^es, qui ont aussi longtems souffert pour leur pays. Que la marine a partage avec honneur les travaux et les privations de la gamison, et qu'elle a cherche par le depart des deux fregates. La Justice et La Diane, d'epuiser tons les moyens de diminuer les pertes que va faire la Republique dans cette partie. Que les lois de la guerre enfin, et celle de I'humanite autorisent sufl&- samment le Genei'al Commandant en Chef a entamer une negociation avec I'ennemi. A delibere que le General Vaubois enverra le dix-sept de ce mois un parlementaire au commandant Anglais, pour proposer la capitulation, et que le Contre-Amiral Villeneuve s'y reunira pour stipuler en faveur des marins, afin de les faire jouir des memes a vantages qui pourront etre accordes a la gamison. Suivent les signatui'es. Pour copie conforme le Commissaire des Guerres ff. d'Ordonnateur. (Signed) Dot. In anticipation o£ the surrender of the French garrison. General Pigot had received from Sir Ralph Abercromby precise instructions to hoist the British flag only when the fortress fell. Captain Ball having become aware of General Pig^ot^s intention to treat with Vaubois direct, without reference to the representative of His Sicilian Majesty and chief of the Maltese people, felt constrained officially to resent this omission, and four days before the surrender of the French garrison, he addreed from Sant' Antonio Palace the follow- ing letter to General Pigot : — [Extract.] Malta, 1^^ September 1800.1 I consider the Maltese a distinct corps who have besieged La Valetta twelve months with unexampled bi^very and pei^severance without the aid of foreign troops. At present they have three thousand troops, who occupy the advanced posts, and they have three thousand militia enrolled ready to act; they have lately been maintained at the joint expense of ' C.O.R., Malta, No. 9. 316 A HISTORY OF MALTA England, Russia, and Naples, and if I am not allowed to sign the capitula- tion alluded to, I am apprehensive it will give much offence to the two latter Courts, as well as to the Maltese, who conceive that both in a civil and military point of view they are entitled to an important voice. I beg leave to acquaint you, that when Rear- Admiral Lord Nelson commanded in the Mediterranean, I received his order to hoist the colours of Saint John of Jerusalem whenever I enter Valetta, in confonnity with an agree- ment between the Ministers of England, Russia, and Naples, since which I have been informed by Mr. Paget, the British Minister at Palermo, that he has not received counter orders ; if there be any objection to the execution to that order, I trust there will not be any to the hoisting His Sicilian Majesty's colours with those of His Britaimic Majesty.! I shall only trespass one observation in support of His Sicilian Majesty's continued right to 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-foui^ths of the population of the Island, revolted and besieged the French in Valetta and the adjacent posts ; they then sent a deputation to His Silician Majesty, to renew their acknowledgements to him as theii' lawful sovereign, and to solicit his aid to expel the French, in which he was pleased to acquiesce, and from that period has contributed in troops, money, and ammunition to their support. It will therefore be presumed that the English came 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 Valetta. I beg leave to express, Sii% the satisfaction I feel in having to discuss such subjects with an officer of youi^ 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, &c. (Signed) Albxr. John Ball. To this communication General Pigot on the same day from Casal Lia replied as follows - : — I am honoured with your letter claiming a right, as chief of this Island, to sanction the terms on which the enemy in La Valette may be obliged * Paget was in much perplexity (see his letters of July 21, 1800, and August 12, 1800, also that of Lord Keith to him on July 23, 1800, in Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 255, 258, 265). Neither of them knew that the Czar Paul had practically severed his alliance with Austria in October 1799, owing to his annoyance with that Power for her treatment of Suvdrof's army. The ill-success of the Anglo-Russian expedition in Holland in the autumn of 1799 annoyed him, as did also our siege of Valetta, and in February 1800 he demanded the recall of our ambassador, Sir C. Whitworth ; in June he dismissed the charge d'affaires who took his place. By this time the Czar was very friendly with Bonaparte, because the latter had sent back to Russia all the Russian prisoners taken from the army campaigning in Holland. Further, on July 4, 1800, Bonaparte recom- mended Talleyrand to draw up a letter offering to hand over Malta to the Czar in case the French garrison of Valetta were constrained to surrender {Cwres. de Nap. I, vol. vi. p. 396). This offer clinched the resolve of the Czar to take the side of France, and was largely responsible for the formation of the Armed Neutrality League formed by him against Great Britain in the autumn of that year. — J. H. R. ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 9. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 317 to submit, and to sign the capitulation. I hardly know an instance, except the one you mentioned to me, where the commanders of troops of different nations acting together have signed the capitulation ; but where it has been done I believe you will find those officers have commanded regular troops, and that they have had commissions or letters of service, neither of which I have understood you to have. Though the Maltese have certainly made great exertions, and are entitled to a great deal of merit for their bravery and perseverance, yet with all their exertions they never could have compelled the French to suri^ender without the assistance of the British fleet and army. It is impossible for me to say half what I think of the great service I consider you to have been of in this Island ; your persevering attention to the service you have undertaken does you the highest honour, and is well deserving of being rewarded. At the same time, I must say I have always considered your office more as a civil than a military one, and as such, independent of other considerations, I cannot see what claim you can have to sign the capitulation. With regard to your having had an order from Lord Nelson to hoist the colours of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in the event of La Valette falling, I never heard of an instance of colours of different nations flying in a fortified town at the same time ; but though La Valette, whenever it sui^renders, is to be considered as falling to the British flag, yet no offence is intended thereby to the Courts of Russia or Naples, or to the Maltese. From this correspondence it will be observed that Captain Ball faithfully and strenuously advocated the interests of His Sicilian Majesty, as he was bound in honour to do, for up to this date he had been that monarches authorised and acknowledged representa- tive in the island ; but the altered circumstances in which Europe was now placed, and which had happened since BalFs original appointment, compelled the British Cabinet to modify their views with regard to the occupation of Malta, which had now become a question for settlement, when that of a general peace would have to be discussed. These altered circumstances were, first, the ever-victorious progress of the French armies on the Continent ; secondly, the inexplicable conduct of Russia ; thirdly, the subjugation of the kingdom of Naples to the power and influence of France ; and finally, the aspirations of the Maltese people, who no longer desired any connexion with what had become, and continued to be more or less, a dismembered kingdom, until its restoration fifteen years later. Returning to the events which preceded the surrender of the French garrison, we must observe that it was on the 2nd September, with only one week's provision remaining, that General Vaubois summoned a council of war, when it was decided, as already recorded, to open negotiations with the British general for the capitulation of the garrison. Nothing further occurred on that day, but on the 4th Brigadier- 318 A HISTORY OF MALTA General Graham was sent for by General Pigot, when upon arrival at head-quarters he found a letter had been received from General Vaubois proposing to treat. General Graham, with Captain Martin, of H.M.S. Northumberland, as senior naval officer afloat, thereupon entered Valetta, reaching there by noon, to discuss the articles of capitulation. During the negotiations Vaubois objected to Ball, as chief of the Maltese, signing the articles ; some other difficulty also arose, which had to be referred to General Pigot, but on the morning of the 5th the articles of capitulation were duly signed by General Vaubois and Admiral Villeneuve on the one part, and by General Pigot and Captain Martin on the other. The instructions given to General Graham by General Pigot, which were to be observed in treating with General Vaubois for the surrender of the fortress, were as follows ^ : — You are to insist as long as possible upon the garrison remaining prisoners of war until regulai'ly exchanged, and not to give up this point unless it should finally appear to you that no capitulation will be acceded to on that condition, in which case you may agree to their being at once transported to France, giving their pai-ole, however, not to bear arms against His Majesty or his Allies, until they shall be exchanged for an equal number of such prisoners as may be in possession of the French. Should the garrison surrender on the last-mentioned conditions, such a number are to be put immediately on board ship as Captain Martin may judge proper or has room for ; the remainder will be accomodated on shore on what may be considered the most convenient situation ; but you will endeavour to stipulate that their arms should be given up on a promise on our part to restore them when they are to sail for France. Those on shore will receive provisions fi'om us for the first few days, till an arrangement can be made for their supplying themselves. Those on board will receive the ship's provisions. If the French General should wish to stipulate that no Maltese should be allowed to enter the place till the French are gone, it should be confined to no armed Maltese, and the Maltese Corps should be excepted, which, being a regular corps, is under military discipline. If medicines or medical assistance is required, it will of course be granted to them. No arrangement is to be entei'ed into with the enemy's garrison that can in any way prove an obstacle to the re-establishment of the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem as sovei-eigns of the Island. Should the French General wish to stipulate for the three Langues of the Order, formerly belonging to his nation, not being abolished, it must be answered that no instructions having been received on that head, it is a matter that must be left for future consideration. All plans and writ- ings which have any relation to the place and its fortifications to be faithfully delivered up. All the cannon, ammunition, and public property of evex'y kind must be given up without reserve. (Signed) H. Pigot, M.-General. To B. -General Graham, &c. ' Delavoye, Life of Graham, p. 202. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 319 The result of their deliberations was as follows : — Articles op Capitulation between the General of Division, Vaubois, Commander-in-Chief of the Islands of Malta and Gozo, and Rear-Admiral Villeneuve, commanding the Marine at Malta, on one part, and Major-General Pigot, commanding the Troops of His Britannic Majesty and His Allies, and Captain Martin, commanding the British Squadron and that of the Allies before Malta.^ Art. 1. The garrison of Malta, its forts, and dependencies will march out to be embarked and conveyed to Mai'seilles, on such day and hour as may be appointed, with all the honours of war, viz. di'ums beating, colours flying, preceded by two four-pounders, with lighted matches, with tum- brils for artillery to serve them, and tumbrils for the infantry. The officers of the Marine, as well civil and military, the sailors and all persons belonging to that department, will in the same manner be conducted to Toulon. Answer, Art. 1. The garrison shall receive the honours of war de- manded, but as it is impossible the whole should be immediately embarked, the following arrangements will take place as soon as the Capitulation is signed. The forts of E-icasoli and Tigne will be delivered up to the British troops, and the Bintish ships may enter the harbour. The Porte Nationale shall be occupied by a guard composed of French and English in equal numbers, until the vessels shall be ready to receive the fii*st embarkation, when the whole garinson shall march out with the honours of war to the Marina, where they will lay down their anns. Those who cannot be of the first embarkation will occupy the Island of Fort Manuel, having an armed guard to prevent anything that may happen towards the country. The garrison are to be considered as prisoners of war, and are not to serve against His Britannic Majesty or his AlHes until exchanged, for which their respective officers will give their parole of honour. All the artillery, ammunition, and public magazines, of what- ever description, shall be delivered to officers appointed to receive them, as well as inventories and public papers. Art. 2. The General of Brigade Chaner, Commandant of the place and forts, the General of Brigade D'Henezal, commanding the Ai^tillei-y and the Engineers, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and land troops, the officers, soldiers, and crews, and all other persons employed in the Marine, Citizen Pierre Alphonso Guyn, Commissary- General of Com- mercial Affairs for the French Republic in Syria and Palestine, accidentally at Malta, with his family, those holding civil and militaiy employments, the Ordonnateurs and Commissaries of War and Marine, the officers of the Civil Administration, and other members of the constituted authorities, shall retain their arms, personal effects, and property of evei-y description. Answer, Ai^t. 2. Granted, with the exception of the arms laid down by the soldiers. Agreeable to the First Article, the non-commissioned officers shall be allowed, to retain their swords. Alt. 3. All persons having carried arms in the service of the ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. 320 A HISTORY OF MALTA Republic during the siege, of whatevei' nation, shall be considered as part of the garrison. Answer, Art. 3. Granted. Art. 4. The Division will be embarked at the expense of His Britannic Majesty, every officer, soldier, or person in public employment shall receive rations in proportion to their rank according to the French i-egulations. The officers and members of the Civil Administration who go to France shall enjoy the same advantages, they and their families being rated agreeable to that military rank which con?esponds to the dignity of theii' situation. Answer, Art. 4. Granted, as far as is conformable to the usage of the British Navy, which allows the same ration to every individual, of what- ever rank or condition he may be. Art. 5. The necessary number of carts and boats to transport and embark the personal effects of the Generals, their aides-de-camp, the Ordonnateurs and Commissaries, the Chiefs of Corps and officers, of Citizen Guyn, of the officers of the Civil and Military Administrations of Corps, those of the Commissaries of War by sea and land, of the Fay- mastei's of the Division, and the other officers of the Civil and Military Administi-ations . Theii- effects and papers are not to be subject to any search, under a guarantee given by the French Generals that they do not contain any public or private property. Answer, Art. 5. Granted. Art. 6. The ships belonging to the Republic that are fit to go to sea shall depart at the same time with the Division, to go to a port in France, after being furnished with the necessary provisions. Answer, Art. 6. Refused. Art. 7. The sick capable of being moved shall be embarked with their effects, and the surgeons necessary to their being taken care of during the voyage, at the same time with the Division, being furnished with provisions, surgical instruments, and medicine chests. Those who cannot be moved will be treated as their situation requires. The General-in-Chief having at Malta a physician and surgeon who will take care of them, they shall be furnished with quarters gratis, if they should be moved from the hospital, and sent to France as soon as their situation admits of it, with everything that belongs to them, in the same manner as the garrison. The Generals-in-Chief by land and sea in evacuating Malta entrust them to the generosity and humanity of the English General. Answer, Art. 7. Granted. Art. 8. No individuals, of whatever nation, inhabitants of the Island of Malta, or otherwise, shall be in any manner molested for their political opinions, or for what they have done, or what has happened, dui'ing the time that Malta has been in the hands of the French Government. This Article applies principally, and in its full extent, to those who have taken arms or held employments, either civil, administrative, or military ; they are not to be called to account or proceeded against for having done so, nor for what they may have done in the coui'se of their employment. Answer, Ai-t. 8. This Article is not properly part of a military capitulation, but the inhabitants who wish to remain, or those who shall THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 321 be permitted to remain, may be assured that they shall be treated with justice and humanity, and shall enjoy the full protection of the laws. Art. 9. The French in Malta, and the Maltese of every description who wish to go to Finance, shall have permission to do so, with their property ; those who have moveable or immoveable effects, that cannot be immediately sold, and intend going to Finance, shall have six months fi^om the date of this Capitulation to sell their pixjperty. Their property shall be respected ; they may act for themselves if they remain, or by I'egular attorneys if they sail with the Division. When their business shall be finished within the time stipulated, they shall be furnished with passports to go to France, caiTying with them on board ship the moveables which they may choose to keep, as well as their capital in specie or bills of exchange, as may be most expedient. Answer, Art. 9. Granted, refemng to the answer of the last Article. Ai't. 10. As soon as the Capitulation shall be signed, the English General shall leave it in the power of the General commanding the French ti'oops, whenever he chooses, to send a felucca with the necessary crew, and an officer charged to carry the Capitulation to the French Govern- ment, for which the necessary safe-conduct will be given. Answer, Art. 10. Gi'anted. Art. 11. The Ai'ticles of Capitulation being signed, the gate called Porte de Bombes will be delivered to the EngHsh General. It will be occupied by an equal guard of English and French, who will have it in charge, not to suffer any of the soldiers of the besieging army, or any of the inhabitants whatever of the Island, to enter until the French troops shall be embarked and out of sight of the harboui\ By degi-ees, as the embarkation takes place, the English troops will occupy the posts which will give them the command of the place. The English General must be sensible that this precaution is indispensable, that there maybe no subject of dispute, and that the Capitulation may be religiously observed. Answer, Art. 11. Granted, according to the provisions contained in the answer given to the First Article. Every precaution will be taken that the armed Maltese shall not approach the posts occupied by the French troops. Art. 12. All alienations, or sales of moveable or immoveable property whatsoever, made by the French Government while in possession of Malta, and all transactions between individuals, shall be held inviolable. Answer, Ai-t. 12. Granted, as far as they shall be just and lawful. Art. 13. The agents of the Powers, Allies to the French, who shall be in Valetta at the reduction of the place, shall not be molested in their persons or property, but shall be guaranteed by this Capitulation. Answer, Art. 13. Granted. Art. 14. Ships of war or trading vessels coming from France under the national flag, and presenting themselves at the harbour to enter, shall not be considered as prizes, nor shall their crews be made prisoners, for the first twenty days after the date of the present Capitulation, but shall be sent back to France with a convoy. Answer, Art. 14. Refused. Art. 15. The General-in-Chief and the other Generals shall be embarked with theii' aides-de-camp and the officers attached to them, as well as the Ordonnateui's and suites respectively, who shall not be separated. T 322 A HISTORY OF MALTA Answer, Art. 15. Granted. Art. 16. The prisoners taken during the siege, including the crews of the ship Le Guillaume Tell, and the frigate La Diane, shall be restored, and treated as the garrison. Also the crew of the frigate La Justice, if she should be taken on her voyage to any of the ports of the Republic. Answer, Art. 16. The crew of the Le Guillaume Tell is already exchanged, and that of La Diane shall be transported to Minorca, to be exchanged forthwith. Art. 17. Every person in the service of the Republic shall be exempt from any act of reprisal, of whatever nature or under whatever pretext. Answer, Art. 17, Granted. Art. 18. If any doubt shall arise upon the terms of the Capitulation, it shall be interpreted in favour of the garrison. Answer, Art. 18. Granted, according to justice. Made and concluded at Malta the 5th day of September 1800. In subsequent years it has been asserted that to the articles of capitulation General Pigot signed, as commanding the troops of His Britannic Majesty, and his Allies. This statement is incorrect, as may be seen by reference to the official copy of the capitulations certified as correct by Admiral Villeneuve, and forwarded by him to the Minister of Marine and Colonies on the 7th September. This copy of the capitulation is now deposited in the Archives Nationales of Paris (Marine Modern Section, Carton BB* 147), wherein General Pigot, in accordance with the positive instructions received from His Britannic Majesty's Government, to the effect ' that it was not proposed to share with other parties the advantages to be derived from the conquest of Malta,' ^ simply signed the document as major-general. The signatories to the deed are registered as follows : — (Signed) ^The Geneeal of Division, Yaubgis. „ Pigot, Major-General. „ The Rear- Admiral Villeneuve. „ Captain Martin, commanding the ships of war of His Britannic Majesty, and of his Allies, off Malta.' On the day the articles of capitulation were signed. Forts Ricasoli, Tigne, and Floriana were occupied by the British troops, and several of the British ships of war entered the Grand Harbour, and by early morning of the 8th. September the greater portion of the French troops embarked for transport to Marseilles. Information of the surrender of the French garrison was imme- diately dispatched to General Sir Ralph Abercromby and the Right Honourable Henry Dundas by General Pigot, under dates of the 5th and 6th September, as follows : — ' Foreign Office Records, Malta, 6 (1799—1800.) THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 323 Malta, 5th September 1800.1 To tlie Right Hon. Gen. Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., &c. Sib, — I have great satisfaction in acquainting you with the sur- render of the fortress of Valetta, with all its dependencies, after sustaining a blockade of two years. The capitulation has been signed this day. I had every reason to suppose that this most formidable fortress was likely soon to fall, from the circumstances of the two French frigates. La Justice and La Diaiie, going out of the harbour a few nights ago, one of which. La Diane, by the vigilance of the blockading squadi'on, was soon captured, and there are still some hopes that the other may have shai'ed the same fate. Judging of how much consequence it may be that you should have the earliest intimation of this important capture, I have delayed until another oppoi'tunity sending returns of the stores, &c., found in the place, which could not yet be made up. In the short time you were here, you must have been sensible of the great exertions which Brig.-Gen. Graham must have made with the limited force he had previous to my arrival with a reinforcement. He has ever since continued these exertions, and I consider that the suri^ender of the place has been accelerated by the decision of his conduct in preventing any more inhabi- tants from coming out a short time before I came here.- He was sent to negotiate the terms of capitulation with General Vaubois, and I am much indebted to him for his assistance in that business. I am happy to say that I have experienced every support from Brig.- Gen. Moncrieff, and the officers of the British and Allied troops, whose conduct in every respect has been most exemplary. The service of the Engineer Department, under Captain Gordon, has been caiTied on with great zeal and perseverance. I tliink it right to mention to you that Lieut. Vivion of the Royal Ai'tillery, the Assistant Quarter-Master- General, has been of considerable seiwice. He was landed here with his party from the Stromboli bomb at the commencement of the blockade, and for a long time did duty with these few men, without any other British or regular troops of any description. I have great pleasure in acknowledging the constant and ready assis- tance and co-oper-ation I have received from Captain Ball of H.M.S. Alexander, who has been employed on shore during the greater part of the blockade. His name and services are already well known to His Majesty's Ministers, and I am sure I need not say more than that what he has perfonned here does credit to his former character. I herewith transmit to you the terms of capitulation. I have derived great assistance from my aide-de-camp, Capt. Dalrymple, who has for some time been doing duty as Asst. Adjt.- General, and I should be happy if anything could be done for him. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. PiGOT, Maj.-Gen. ^ C.O.E. Malta, No. 1. * As I have pointed out in the Introduction, this proves that the resistance and the ifinal surrender of Valetta turned essentially on the question of food supply. — J. H. R. y2 324 A HISTORY OF MALTA [Extract.] Majoe-G-enbbal Pigot to Sir Ealph Abeeckomby. Malta, hth September I8OO.1 Captain Ball wanted to sign the capitulation for the Maltese. 1^ however, told him I could not admit of it, that I conceived the only two pei-sons to sign the capitulation were Captain Martin and myself, as commanding the Navy and Army. Colonel Fardella wished to sign for the Neapolitans, but I gave him the same answer. General Vaubois positively refused to treat with the Maltese or any- body for them. Captain Ball has remonstrated on my meaning to hoist British colours only, but 'till I receive any further instructions from you I shall not think myself justified in hoisting any other. If anything els© is meant I hope I shall soon have directions about it. The instructions Captain Ball has on that head are totally different to what I understood it was your wish I should do, but I shall certainly abide by what you have instructed me to do. Malta, Qth September I8OO.2 To the Right Honourable Henry Dundas, &c. Sir, — Conceiving that it may be of the utmost consequence that His Majesty's Ministers should be acquainted as soon as possible with the surrender of the important fortress of Valetta, I have desired Mr. Paget to dispatch a messenger to England, with a copy of my letter to Genei'al Sir Ralph Abercromby on the subject, and the articles of capitulation, which are herewith sent you. We yesterday took possession of some of the works, and our ships entered the harboui% and I am in hopes the whole will be evacuated by the enemy to-morrow, except the Island of Manoel, where, agreeable to th© capitulation, such are to remain as cannot be immediately sent to France for want of ships to take them. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. Pigot, Maj.-Genei^l. Sir Alexander Ball in a letter to Lord Nelson confirms what has just been related regarding Vaubois' objections to Ball signing the capitulations on behalf of the Maltese. This letter is without a date, but it must have been written on or about the 7th September^ and is to be found in Pettigrew, vol. i. p. 395. The following is an extract : — I have just received a letter from General Graham, who conducted th© business of the capitulations, saying that General Vaubois objected to my signing as chief of the Maltese. Major-General Pigot and I conduct business with great hannony, I have not had the slightest reason to b© dissatisfied with him, he is veiT reserved, but I think he is a very friendly man. Immediately Pigot was in possession of Valetta, Ball made another urgent application to the British Minister at Naples for money^ 1 C.O.K. Malta, No. 1. ' Ibid. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 325 and on the 14tli September Mr. Paget informed Lord Grenville that in consequence of an application from Grovernor Ball, General Acton and the Chevalier Italinsky having made the two last payments, he had sent 2,000 ounces to Malta (i.e. £4,533 6s. 8d.)} On the vexed question of the colours which were hoisted when the evacuation of the fortress by the French garrison took place, as well as on the subject of declining to allow Colonel Fardella to sign the capitulations on behalf of the Neapolitan Government, General Fox, under date of the 18th September, wrote from Minorca to General Pigot, fully approving the decision of the latter. Mahon, ISth September 1800.2 To Major- General Pigot. Sir, — The Mahon brig, with your dispatches to Genei-al Sir Ralph Abercromby, an^ived here on Monday morning, which according to his directions I opened, but had the opportunity of forwarding them to Gibi*altar by the same brig that afternoon. I most sincei-ely hope, and think it probable, that they may reach him before he quits Gibraltar. In the meantime I most pei*fectly coincide in opinion with you with respect to your situation with Captain Ball of His Majesty's Royal Navy, and that however highly you, as everyone must, respect his public and private character and admire the numerous and essential services he has rendered to the progress of His Majesty's arms, that you can acknowledge no order or control from him as Governor, unless authorised by our Government, and I am also to add that I conceive you have been perfectly correct in your answer to Colonel Fardella. I am certain you have exactly followed General Sir Ralph Abercromby's orders in hoisting British colours only, and you will persevere in this conduct until you hear fiirther from Sir Ralph Abercromby, or His Majesty's Minister's. I conclude you will have received long before this my letter of the 5th instant, by the Transfer brig, enclosing extracts of instructions from General Sir Ralph Abercromby, and of a secret dispatch from Mr. Dundas, but lest they should have miscaiTied, I now send duplicates. 1 have given directions to the Commissary General to make arrange- ments for victualling La Valetta, according to Sir Ralph Abercromby's instructions, including forty days' provisions for 3,000 men, now supposed to be there. I have also communicated that part of yoiu' letter concerning ships and transports to Captain Lewis, the commanding officer of the navy in this port, who assures me he will take the necessary steps. It is un- necessary for me to explain to you that from the small force left here, the sending you a single soldier must be out of the question.^ As there may be great delay in letters coming here, I must beg you will not have the least delicacy or hesitation in corresponding by the way of Italy, directly with His Royal Highness, the Captain General, or His Majesty's ' Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 14. 2 C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. ^ Most of the troops at Port Mahon had been -vrithdrawn in order to strengthen General Abercromby's force destined for Egypt, but for the present were making an. attempt on Cadiz. — J. H. R. 326 A HISTORY OF MALTA Ministers, when opportunities offer, and you think the matter of sufficient importance. The Commissary General being of opinion that the duties of Assistant Commissary and Paymaster are more than can be well executed by one gentleman, and that there may be also some impropriety in those duties being concentrated in one person, you will have the goodness to appoint whoever you may think fit as Assistant Paymaster to the troops under your command. Mr. Feyei-s, the Paymaster General here, will inform you of the allowance that will be made him, and the necessary instructions to give him. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. E. Fox. Ten days after the capture of the fortress General Graham obtained six months' leave of absence^ sailing for England on the 15th September via Syracuse, Messina, and Trieste. From Syracuse, under date of the 19tli of that month, he addressed to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas an important dispatch giving a full account of the position of affairs in Malta, advising for the future, and at the same time pointing out the grave dangers which would result from a Russian garrison, or the admission of a Deputy Grand Master of the Order. The following is a synopsis of this dispatch.^ If it continues to be the intention of the British Govex'nment to preserve such an interest in Malta as is described in your instructions, nothing short of the military command resting in the hands of one of His Majesty's officers can answer the purpose. He then points out the antipathy existing between the country peasants and the people in Yaletta : . . . the simple inhabitants of the country being regarded by the citizens as an inferior race. For the management of the Maltese too much praise cannot be given to Governor Ball ; he has devoted himself to listen to their complaints, to relieve their distresses, to settle their disputes, to redress their grievances, and to administer equal justice to them with a degree of patience, address, and judgment that very few men are capable of. Immediately on the suiTcnder of La Valetta, Governor Ball, to put an end to his provisional revolutionaiT govei"nment, dissolved the Congress and disbanded the Casal battalions.- General Graham closed his letter by saying : ^ I think it fail' to conclude that any mild well-regulated government would be more acceptable to the inhabitants than a restoration of the Order, tho' at present there may be a considerable party in its favour. The late Grand Master Hompesch borrowed large sums of money from many of the inhabitants to enable him to bribe the electors, all these look to his restoration as their only certain chance of payment. I C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. " In accordance with the agreement made when the Congress was formed (see Ball's dispatch to Lord Grenville, dated 15th June 1800). ^ Foreign Office Records, Malta, No. 6. THE BEITISH BLOCKADE 327 Sir Ralph Abercromby had also confirmed his instructions regarding the colours, as may be gathered from General Pigot's dispatch of the 24th September to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas. La Valetta, 2Uh September 1800.1 To the Right Hon. Heni'y Dundas, &c. Sir, — Having yesterday received information from Sir Ralph Aber- cromby that he was quitting the Mediterranean, by which I found he had not received my dispatches with an account of the surrender of this place, and there being an opportunity of writing to you by Colonel Hunter, who is going to England by land on account of the death of his father, I think it right to acquaint you (as the communication from hence so seldom occurs) that evei^ything has gone on as quiet as possible here since we took possession ; the people in general seem satisfied at being under the protec- tion of the British ; at the same time, though they are mostly glad that the French are gone, the minds of many are agitated to know in what way this place is to be considered. The British colouji's only are flying in Valetta and its dependencies, notwithstanding the many remonstrances I have heard to the contrary from Mr. Paget and Captain Ball, who thought that Sicilian colours should likewise be hoisted. ^ I am, however, happy that Sir Ralph Abercromby confirmed, by a letter I received from him yesterday, what he had instructed me to do when he was here, which was to hoist British colours only. I should not have presumed to have written to His Majesty's Ministers on this subject, but from the circumstances of knowing that Sir Ralph Abercromby has quitted the Mediterranean, and having this opportunity of acquainting you with the above particulars, which it may be necessary you should know, not being certain that Sir Ralph ever received the letters I had written to him on the subject previous to La Valetta surrendering.3 I understand Captain Ball writes to Lord Grenville by this opportunity, acquainting him, as nearly as he is yet enabled to do, with the state of this Island. 1 have received instructions from Sir Ralph Abercromby relative to the Russians should they come here, which I hope will not be the case. I shall in futiu-e communicate with Lt.-Gen. Fox, as I am instructed to do, but fi^om particular circumstances I have thought it right to avail myseK of this opportunity of acquainting you that the British have complete possession of the place, which you might not have heard. There are about 1,200 French prisonei's still remaining, 600 of whom will be sent off in three or four days ; the remainder must occupy Fort Manoel till there is an opportunity of getting rid of them. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. PiGOT, Maj.-Gen. The departure of General Graham from Malta was deeply re- gretted by the troops serving under his late command. This is ^ Foreign Office Records, Malta, No. 6. 2 See Paget's letter of protest to Pigot of 14th September 1800, in the Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 269-70.— J. H. R. ^ Sir Ralph Abercromby was with the force which made a futile attempt on Cadiz. — J. H. R. 328 A HISTORY OF MALTA testified "by the following letter from the colonel commanding the 35th Eegiment : Malta, Uh October I8OO.1 Dear General, — I cannot omit the opportunity that offers to express my regret at losing the happiness of your society and the advantage of heing under your command. Though apprehensive that this would be the case, I still hoped some fortunate accident would occur to detain you where your influence and advice, if followed, could not fail of being most useful in thoroughly establishing us in this Island. Our popularity does not, I believe, increase, and I fear it will be found very difficult to satisfy a fickle people, who value their sei-vices and suffexings at so high a rate. The Governor finds aheady that the distribution of those good things so eagerly looked forward to has made many discontented, and I fear it will he proved also that he has made des ingrats. The bigotry of the common people here will always afford to their chiefs a sufficient pretext to create disturbance and to complain of the government of damnable heretics. You will he surprised to hear that this and other inflammatoiT topics have been made use of by people who heretofore appeared most friendly to us. On the extensive works on our side it is inconceivable the mischief that has been done to the guns where there has been no sentines to protect them ; many have been rendered unserviceable, and one howitzer earned away. When such dispositions exist, and when the nature of the people is considered, it will require much vigilance and prudence in our chiefs to retain a quiet possession of the Island. I beg you to accept of my best wishes for your success on the more active service in which I understand you propose to engage, and at the same time assure you it will afford me much satisfaction at any futui^e period to serve under your command. With every sentiment of respect and esteem, I remain, &c. Colonel commanding 35"' Reg*' (Signed) Jo*^- Oswald. It would appear that the management of affairs in Malta by the British authorities gave great umbrage to the Neapolitan Government, which fact was communicated to the home Government by Mr. Paget, His Majesty^s Minister at that Court. In justification of their action. Lord Grenville on the 17th October gave the folloAving explanation : — Lord Grenville to the Hon. A. Paget. Downing Street, 11th October I8OO.2 Sir, — Your several dispatches to No. 13 inclusive have been received and laid before the King. The embai-rassment which you have experienced in consequence of the variation existing between your instructions, dated as far as the 22nd JanuaiT last, and those subsequently transmitted to Sir Ralph Abercromby relative to the Island of Malta, has been in a gi-eat measure inevitable ; from the numerous delays and impediments to which the intercourse of Great Britain with Sicily has been exposed, and from the great delicacy of the subject in question, which did not admit of my * Delavoye, Life of Graham, p. 212. ^ Paget Papers, vol. i. p. 274. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 329 explaining to you the various changes which have been made in this respect by the new situation in which the Cornet of Petersbui-g stands with respect to the present war. Since the date of the instructions which were given to you, the conduct of the EuipeixDr of Russia has been totally repugnant to that system of concert and active co-opei-ation which formed at once the object and the basis of the arrangement which was in question for the temporary and provisional occupation of Malta. The Russian troops and ships, wherever employed, have been withdrawn; the Emperor's forces have in no degi'ee contributed to the reduction of the Island of Malta, nor has he during the present campaign alforded to the Allies the smallest aid against the common enemy. He has even recently adopted measures hostile to the interests of this Court, and not content ■with declaring himself, by a memorial presented at Berlin,^ in a state of neutrality as between Great Bi'itain and France, he has taken such steps as must leave it doubtful whether his occupation of the whole or any part of the Island of Malta might not, under the influence of his present disposition, be converted to purposes essentially injurious to this country.^ As the former agreement was by these circumstances wholly annulled, and as much the largest proportion of the land forces, and nearly the whole of the naval force, employed in this arduous service, have been furnished by His Majesty, it has followed, of course, that the Bi'itish colours should be displayed on forts reduced by His Majesty's exertions, and garrisoned by His Majesty's troops. You will, however, explain to the N^eapolitan Ministers that it is by no means His Majesty's intention, by this tempoi'ary occupation of a military position during the war, to prejudge the question of the future disposition to be made of the Island at the conclusion of a general peace. . . . The establishment of either Russia or France in that fortress might indeed give just cause of jealousy to His Sicilian Majesty, but no similar ground of apprehension could arise respecting Great Britain, which can have no view hostile to the security and independence of N^aples. I am, &c. (Signed) Geenville. Anticipating animadversions in England on the terms of capitula- tion granted to the French garrison^ Graham whilst en route wrote a supplementary letter to Dundas from Trieste, under date of the 28th November, as follows : — Brig.-General Graham to the Right Hon. Hy. Dundas. Trieste, 28th Noveviber 1800.3 My dear Sir, — I am obliged to trouble you with two lines more, laaving forgot to say that General Pigot was anxious to explain verbally to you on my arrival why the French troops were sent back to France. It was the best for all reasons that we did not know what else to do with them. He desired me, too, to say that the directions of the instructions [sic] ^ Haugwitz, the Prussian Minister, had helped in the formation of the Rnsso- Trench entente. — J. H. R. " Vide chapter on the Preliminary Treaty of Peace. 3 M.P.L. MSS. 441. 330 A HISTORY OF MALTA about their engaging not to serve against the Royalists was overlooked in the hinry of business. For my own part, as far as I am concerned, I am ready to take the blame of intentionally forbearing to mention such an article to Vaubois. The Chouan business was at an end,i and I always felt that one day's delay in getting possession of Valetta by cavilling concerning the articles of the capitulation might have occasioned the total disappointment of our hopes, and I consequently objected to all idea of not closing with them, on almost any terms, whenever they shoived a willingness to treat; but I am well persuaded you will not have been dissatisfied with the capitulations. My dear Sir, I am, &c. (Signed) Thomas Graham. The island having now fallen into possession of England, it would be well, in order to fomi a correct judgment of the political attitude at this period, not only to study the altered political condition of Europe in 1800—1 from that which had existed in 1798 (when the Maltese insurrection broke out), but also to remember the enormous sacrifices Great Britain had been called upon to bear, both in men and treasure, during that interval. Moreover, although in actual possession, yet she was about to abandon by treaty the rights of sovereignty which she had acquired by conquest, and not until another bloody war of eleven years' duration had been experienced was her position and her claim by the former right of conquest and possession confirmed by the voice of Europe. The blockade and the siege of Malta had entailed enormous expense, not only in the maintenance of the fleet stationed off Malta for two years, but also in the payment of the Maltese insurgents and in support of the indigent poor, to which, since November 1799, the Neapolitan Government had declined to contribute. Serious though these local burdens had been, they were small in comparison with what Great Britain had borne during the two years* hostilities by the subsidising of the new Coalition which had been formed against France.^ But apart from these financial considera- tions, there was a far more important factor which came to light and which influenced the British Government in their vacillating pro- cedure regarding Malta, and that was the friendship which had unexpectedly sprung up between France and Eussia. This friendship had ripened by the commencement of 1801 into an alliance, offensive and defensive, against Great Britain, and to this must also be added the complete subjection of the kingdom of Naples to the thraldom of the French Government, as testified by the conditions of the treaty of peace signed by these two latter Powers at Foligno on the 9th February in that same year. ^ The risings of the Chouans in Brittany had been ended by the agreement ai-rived at with them by Bonaparte. — J. H. R. ^ The second Coalition was based on the Anglo-Russian treaty of December 28, 1798, whereby England agreed to pay £900,000 a year towards the support of a Russian army of 45,000 men, and £225,000 for first expenses. The Anglo-Austrian treaty was not concluded till nearly a year later. Naples also joined the league, and was subsidised. (See Camh. Mod. Hist., chap, xxi.) — J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 331 Having thus drawn attention to these indisputable facts^ it would now appear opportune to refer to two controversial points which have been advanced by so-called Maltese patriots in connexion with the capture of Malta from the French. One is the assertion that the Maltese were the principals in the war^ whilst the British were but auxiliaries ; and the other^ that the island is not held by the British by the right of conquest, but by the voluntary and free gift of the people. In support of these contentions it is alleged that 20,000 Maltese lives had been lost during the siege ;^ whilst some local historians have gone so far as to state that ' the hlood of 20,000 of their people had been given in their efforts to liberate their country from the thraldom of the French' — in other words, that such loss of life was the direct result of hostilities. It is further asserted, by way of contrast, ' that the life of one British soldier had not been sacrificed ' in obtaining their emancipation. ^ It is unquestionable that the Maltese deserve the highest praise for their bravery, their constancy, and the patience they exhibited under considerable hardships endured by them during the greater portion of the siege, and these facts are acknowledged in the reports of Captain Ball and General Graham. It is equally true that the sufferings of the people were aggravated by an epidemic, caused no doubt by the want of sufficient and proper food, which resulted in a very high rate of mortality ; but the actual number of killed and wounded due to hostilities amounted to three hundred, as given officially by their chief. Captain Ball, in his dispatch of the 6th March 1801.3 If it is true (though it is highly improbable) that not one British soldier was killed during the siege, it is no less true that in the naval engagements of the 17th February and the 30th March (which were essential to the maintenance of the blockade of Malta), resulting in the destruction of the relief expedition and the capture of the Genereux and Gkoillaume Tell battleships, the British loss amounted to 186 in killed and wounded.* Further, Avith regard to this controversial point a perusal of this narrative as far as it has gone, and particularly the letters addressed to Lord Nelson by the Maltese chiefs, \nll amply prove that the British were not the auxiliaries, as has been asserted, but the principals in the military operations which resulted in the capture of the fortress. If it is desired to claim for the Maltese that they were the principals in so far as they had everything at stake upon * Squarci, p. 9. ' Be Piro, p. 58 ; C.O.R. Malta, No. 20. 3 C.O.R, Malta, No. 2. ■* Mr. Hardman might have strengthened his case by including the British losses at the battle of the Nile. It was the mastery of the Mediterranean, gained at that battle, which assured the fall of Valetta. Keith on July 23, 1800, assured Paget that of all the marines landed in Malta all but 178 were incapacitated by fever. Paget Papers, vol. i. p. 256.— J. H. R. 332 A HISTORY OF MALTA the issue of the struggle, it may be granted ; but to state that they were the principals as belligerents is opposed to the facts of the case. It must be apparent to everyone that the fall of Malta was due entirely to the blockade of the islands by His Majesty's fleet (aided for some time by that of the Portuguese), and that, without detract- ing in the least from the merit which the Maltese people deserve, it is none the less true that if the Maltese had not risen in revolt the French general, Vaubois, in the cause of humanity, would have had to capitulate within a very brief space of time, so soon as the blockade was effectively established. This was bound to follow in course of time, as the result of the British victory at the Nile. Sicily during this period depended for its existence as an independent nation (although dismembered for a time) upon the support and alliance of Great Britain.^ With the neighbouring ports belonging to that kingdom closed to the island of Malta, an event which naturally would have arisen in the hypothetical case of the Maltese remaining faithful to the French, the only source of supplies to the island would have been closed, and with a vigorous blockade main- tained the final result would have been achieved in six months. This is fully corroborated by Bosredon Ransijat, President of the French Commission of Government, one of the besieged, the best of all authorities, who at p. 17 of his ^Journal of the Siege of Malta' says : ' If the Maltese had not risen in revolt, the supplies of the garrison would have been exhausted by March 1 799' — that is to say, in six months. The capitulation of the 5th September 1800, which closed all Mal- tese participation in subsequent hostilities, did not constitute Malta a British colony or possession. It was not simply a question which interested England and France alone, and to be settled by the victorious occupation of the island at that time by either of these contending Powers, nor did its capture close the war between these two nations. There were too many international and conflicting interests involved in the settlement of its ultimate destiny and its final acquisition for it to be so summarily decided and confirmed. There were the interests of the Maltese people, those of the Order of St. John, Russia, Naples, France, and England — all antagonistic to each other — which had to be considered and adjusted, and this was not to be accomplished without another desolating war of eleven years, during all which period the Maltese people, although the question of the final possession of Malta was the main cause of the war of 1803, enjoyed the blessings of peace at home, and not only so, but also laid the foundation of their future commercial ' Also to a less extent on that of Russia, wliicli had recently been accorded by the Czar Paul.— J. H. R. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 333 wealth, owing to the immense transit trade which continued, and obtained for that duration of time the appellation of il ternpo florido. The subsequent retention of Malta by the British could not depend solely upon the will and affection of the Maltese people, however great and sincere they may have been. Unless the Maltese, singly and alone, were capable of maintaining their national indepen- dence, they at the most (had they been asked) could only have assented to or have disapproved of the will of the European Powers in Congress, and their objection, if such had existed, would under the circumstances have remained a dead letter. To what extent Great Britain defended Maltese interests and laboured on their behalf, both in diplomatic correspondence and in treaties, will be dealt with in the chapters which follow. The British Government, had it been disposed to abandon the Maltese people and their cause, might have accepted for the sake of peace the proposal of Bonaparte, which he instructed his ambassador. Otto, to make to the British Government on the 22nd July 1801, ' to raze the fortifications and retire,^ which in course of time, if adopted, would have placed the inhabitants socially, commercially, and in- tellectually on a level with, or little better than, the Lampedusans of the present day.^ So late as 1864, Mr. Cachia Zammit, a Maltese gentleman of influence, was in correspondence Avith the late Field-Marshal Sir John Burgoyne (who was present at the siege) with the view of demon- strating that the Maltese had recovered the island mainly by their own exertions, and mthout material assistance from the British, and elicited the following* reply : — War Office, London, 2bth July 1864.2 My dear Mr. Cachia Zammit, — In reply to your request for my opinion on the conduct of the Maltese at the blockade in 1800, I can only give you reminiscences which, though of a general chai"acter, ai'e vivid, for I was very young — under twenty — when I was sent to join the blockading force some six weeks or two months before the surrender of the place. It is true that the French troops could make sorties and penetrate into the country in any direction ; but in doing so they could only hold the precise spot on which they ti'od, and had nothing of much service to them to obtain by such enterprises, in which they suffered, moreover, considerable losses ; they were virtually shut up on the land side by the energy of the population. On the first outbreak, however, French men-of-wai- from the harbour were enabled to interrupt the communication between the Island and Sicily, from which it was supplied with provisions, and the consequences woidd have been, no doubt, the subjection of the revolting population but for the an'ival of a squadi'on under Captain Ball, R.N. (subsequently Sir Alexander Ball), which commenced the blockade of the French port and relieved the rest of the Island from its effects. Some British regiments of the line were * Cobbett, vol. iii. p. 1192. ^ Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p. 7. 334 A HISTORY OF MALTA subsequently landed, with a general officer and staff, and the blockade of the fortress was more close, continuous, and systematic, the wild levies of the Maltese people, however, being still in force and active as ever. Finally the French ganison, without further struggle, yielded to a want of provisions, and suiTcndered to the British forces. I do not quite understand the inference you would draw from the remark that ' the Maltese are said to have lost twenty thousand souls dui'ing the siege, while the British had not one single soldier killed by the enemy.' Without in the slightest degree detracting from the high courage of the Maltese, to which I would bear unreserved testimony, the twenty thousand loss, if assumed to be by the action of the enemy, must be a very great exaggeration, for the whole population, old and young, male and female, was only computed at one hundred thousand, and the actual contests could not have been many nor much prolonged. Regarding the small or no loss by the British, it was owing to the quiescent state of affairs during the later proceedings of the blockade, when only a shot or two was fired occasionally as a warning by either party; for assuredly from the time of their landing the British troops took the very front line in the operation of maintaining a very close blockade. — Yours faithfully, (Signed) J. F. Burgoyne. This chapter cannot be more fittingly closed than by adding the following extracts from Miege's ' History of Malta ' ^ (a writer not at all favourably disposed towards the English), and Botta^s ' History of Italy under Napoleon/ both standard works. The former writes : [Translation.] Could the Maltese revolt have been suppressed by force ? Most as.suredly so, for General Vaubois had at his disposal 6,000 men, including the crews of the ships of war which had escaped from Aboukir, and such a force was more than sufficient for that purpose ; and it is no less true that if the General had ordered 1,500 men to march on Citta Vecchia the moment he heard of the outbreak, order would have been restored ; but what was feasible then became difficult as soon as time had permitted the insui'gents to organise, ann, and intrench. With the inability to quell the rebellion, there remained but one means of preserving Malta to France, and that was to expel the whole of the inhabitants, without exception, from the four cities [Valetta and the three cities opposite] the moment the blockade was instituted, which would have enabled the General to hold the fortress for eight years. . . . The Maltese, or such amongst them who have pretended to write the history of that period (in the number may be mentioned Baron Azopardi), boast of having compelled the French to retire within the city walls, and to have defeated them every time a sortie was made. If they had contented themselves so far only, it might have been con- sidered as an assertion dictated by a puerile vanity unworthy of being noticed. ... At the first signal of danger, the French withdi^ew within the four cities and fortress which surrounds them, as the possession of the Island depends upon their occupation. Military tactics required such a measure, and ^ Miege, vol. iii. p. 343. THE BRITISH BLOCKADE 335 therefore it is untrue to state that the Maltese compelled them to retire therein. It is not denied that the French had to retreat at the sorties which were made by the gai-rison ; but what was the reason ? Only because they were much inferior in number. If, instead of dispatching men in columns, — the total number never exceeding seven hundi-ed, who, immediately they were outside the fortifications, were suiTOunded by an armed population of twenty-two villages — General Vaubois had detached a body of 1,500 to 2,000 with artillery, what would have happened ? The answer may be found in the attempts which the insurgents admit having made to arrange terms with the besieged at the time they despaired of receiving succour. Moreover, if the losses experienced by both sides were to be i^ecapitu- lated, it would be observed that the Maltese did not gain much glory in theii' pretended victories. . . . Finally, it was not the insuiTection of the Maltese which wrested Malta from the French ; such insurrection, on the contrary, was a fortunate circumstance in this sense, that it dispensed General Vaubois from the necessity of feeding the inhabitants in the country districts, and permitted him to prolong the period of his defence. Famine was the only cause of its loss. It may be admitted that the first cause was the blockade by sea established by the English, which destroyed all hopes of success in the attempts made to revictual the garrison. Botta also states : ^ Glorious, certainly, was the conqueror Nelson, but not without glory was its defender, for neither gi^eater courage, nor greater fortitude, nor greater ingenuity could have been displayed than what was found in Vaubois. Deserted by all, he struggled for two years, and was at last overcome, not by the force of arms, but by that dreadful scourge, famine, which always takes from man the strength, and often, too, the will, to resist. ' Botta, op. cit. vol. i. p. 139. CHAPTER XVI CORRESPONDENCE FROM NOVEMBER 1800 TO JULY 1801 In resuming the general course of the narrative^ we may notice that General Sir Ralph Abercromby returned from Gibraltar to Malta on the 20th November 1800, and remained there until the 27th December, occupied with preparations for the expedition to Egypt. On the 10th of the latter month he issued the following instructions to Maj.-Gen. Pigot for his guidance in the affairs of Malta ^ : — His Britannic Majesty's forces, with the assistance of the Maltese, having expelled the troops of the French Republic from the Island of Malta and its Dependencies, Great Britain takes the Maltese nation under its protection. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will not permit the pretensions of any other sovereign or body of men to be brought forward or discussed. All the rights, privileges, and immunities in Church and State are confirmed to the Maltese people. The Bishop of Malta is the head of the Maltese Church. No inquisitorial powers emanating from the See of Rome can be admitted, and no ecclesiastical authority of any other sovereign can be acknowledged. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will direct Captain Ball of the Royal Navy to take charge of the civil government of the country and of the revenue until His Majesty's pleasui-e shall be known. Captain Ball will keep regular accounts of the receipt and expenditure of all public money, and aftei* defraying the expenses of the government the residue will be applied to the service of the pu.blic in paying for such repau's as may be necessai'y on the foi'tifications, and of such portion of militia of the country as shall be embodied, or for any other public use. The port of Malta will be open to the ships of all nations in alliance or in amity with Great Bx-itain ; but the law of nations requires that no ship of war, privateer, or corsair which has been admitted into the port of Malta shall abuse the privilege thus granted by following, and taking within three leagues of that port, any vessel belonging to any nation not at war with Great Britain ; and to the end that no ship belonging to Great Britain or her Allies may be deceived, the Bntish colours will be hoisted in the Island of Gozo, and in all places in Malta where colours are usually displayed. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will lose no time in putting in a state of repair the 1 C.O.R., Malta, No. 4 (1801), 336 CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 337 forts, towns, and batteries in the bay of St. Paul's and neighbourhood, and at Marsa Scirocco. A detachment of British infantry will occupy Citta Vecchia, and send a detachment to St. Paul's if necessary. In like manner a detachment of British infantry will occupy Zeitun for the support of the batteries at Scirocco ; a body of Maltese cannoniers and militia will do constant duty at St. Paul's and Marsa Scirocco ; and a few non-commissioned oflB.cers and private men from the British artillery will be stationed at these bays to instruct the Maltese cannoniers and to take charge of the guns and ammu- nition. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will probably call out only a small part of the militia for this service in rotation. Maj.-Gren. Pigot will establish a plan of defence in case of the enemy landing either on the side of St. Paul's and St. Lucien in the bay of Mai^sa Scirocco, by calling out the whole force of the Island, or such part of it as he may judge necessary. Greneral Sir Ralph Abercromby desires that Captain Vivion of the Royal Artillery may be appointed (with an allowance of ten shillings a day) inspector of the coast and of the Maltese cannoniers and militia employed there, in consideration of the services he rendered to his country during the blockade, and from his local knowledge of the Island. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will establish telegraphs and signals from Gozo to La Valetta. The present state of the fortifications of La Valetta does not seem to require the incurring of any considerable expense; Maj.-Gen. Pigot will therefore not order any other repaii's than such as are absolutely necessary on the principal and most essential parts of the works. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will find it necessary to pay great attention to the re-arrangement of the artillery, which are [^j'c] of various calibres, so that each piece of ordnance may have its just pi'oportion of ammunition allotted to it, and at hand ; and if Maj.-Gen. Pigot should find from the repor-t of Lieut. -Col. Bentham or officer commanding the Royal Ai'tillery that there is not a sufficient quantity of shot suited to the different calibres of the ordnance, he will endeavour to procure it from the foundi'ies in Sicily, Naples, or Sai'dinia. The gun carriages must be kept in a state of repair on such part of the works as shall be pointed out in the report of Brig. -Gen. Lawson and of the chief engineer now making out. The points chiefly to be attended to are the Cottonei^, Ricasoli, St. Angelo, St. Elmo, Tigne, the two Cavaliers, and the interior parts of the works on the Florian side. Some few pieces of artillery ought certainly to be placed in the Florian. It is recommended to Maj.-Gen. Pigot to dispose of, if possible, the materials of buildings on the Coi^adino, and he will take it into his con- sideration, with the assistance of the chief engineer, how the com which these buildings afford can otherwise be best removed. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will pay all due attention to the accommodation of the troops, and will allow such public buildings as are best suited for baiTacks for their use, with as little expense to the public as possible. All the public buildings belonging to the Order, as far as is necessary, should be set apart for this purpose, that the inhabitants may be relieved, and that as little expense as is possible may be incurred by the public. Until a barrack-master is appointed, the assistant-quarter-master-general will take charge of the barrack departments. The navy will occupy all the buildings in the dockyard, and probably will claim the house belonging to 338 A HISTORY OF MALTA the Intendant of the Marine. This, in the present state of the port, will give them as much x'oom as they can require, so that there can be no inter- ference between the two services. An assistant-quartermaster-general belonging to the army, under the immediate command of Sir R. Abercromby, will be left at La Valetta to take charge of all stores belonging to that army, and to forward the same as they may be wanted. Maj.-Gen. Pigot will allot to him such of the empty warehouses and magazines as he may require, and will give him every other assistance in his power. Particular instructions will be left in regard to the sick of that army, and the commissary-general will leave the resident assistant-commissary here instructions relative to that department. Ma j.- Gen. Pigot will forward all dispatches to Sir R. Abercromby with all possible expedition, and he requests that the General will coi^respond with him in such subjects as the public service requires. Sir Ralph Abercromby most earnestly recommends the British troops serving at Malta to observe the strictest discipline, and to cultivate by every means in theii' power the good- will and confidence of the inhabitants. (Signed) R. Abercromby. The day previous. Sir Ralph Abercromby conveyed to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas the reasons which had compelled him to transfer all authority from Ball to Pigot, in the following dispatch : [Extract.] La Valetta, 9th December I8OO.1 ... It is necessai'y to explain the situation in which Captain Ball at present stands. On the revolt of the Island in September 1798, he was sent by Lord Nelson and the Cotu^t of Naples to attend to the interest of His Sicilian Majesty, and until the surrender of the town of La Valetta, every public act was in the name of the King of the Two Sicilies ; the Sicilian colours were everywhere hoisted, and at this moment they are flying in most parts of the Island. If Captain Ball has received any salary, it was from His Sicilian Majesty. His table has been kept at the expense of the Island ; having in obedience to Lord Nelson's orders given up his professional pu^rsuits, he has reaped no benefit from prize-money, and has only received the bare pay as captain of the Alexander ; his situation seems now incompatible with Maj.-Gen. Pigot's, and I hope that some decision will take place. I felt great delicacy in removing Captain Ball ; at the same time I am obliged to place all authority in the hands of Maj.-Gen. Pigot, and to direct him to employ Captain Ball in the administration of the civil affairs of the Island until His Majesty's pleasure is known. I trust that the honourable conduct of Captain Ball (who from every account has given general satisfaction to the inhabitants) will recommend him to some consideration for his services, and that any irregularity which may have taken place in his acting in the name of His Sicilian Majesty may not be imputed to him. > C.O.R. Malta, No. 1. CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 339 The presence of Admiral Lord Keith in Malta during Sir Ralpli Abercromby^s visit gave the president of the courts of justice, the judges, and the magistrates an opportunity of offering him an address, to which on the 1 1th December he returned the following reply : — [Translation.] H.M.S. Foudroyant, Valetta, Wth December 1800.1 Illustrious Sirs, — I have had the honour to receive the letter which on behalf of the inhabitants of Malta you have been so kind as to address to me, and I observe with the wai-mest satisfaction these proofs of attach- ment towards my fellow-countrymen who have shown such distinguished regard for you. As a private individual, I cannot but be touched with the signs of approval which you have manifested in such flattering terms ; but what I have been able to do is due to my obedience to the orders of my beneficent Sovereign, who has taken such a lively interest in the fate of your celebrated Island, and who has commanded me to use all the power in my possession on your behalf, in the performance of which, duty and inclination has never been moi^e strongly combined ; and I can therefore state, in all sincerity and truth, that the capture of Malta has been an object which more than any other has occupied my attention and engaged my heartiest efforts. I beg you. will accept my sincerest congratulations on the happy deliver- ance of your Island from the usurpation under which it was held ; and whilst I am irresistibly bound to agree to the honourable testimony with which you are pleased to acknowledge the merit of the forces engaged in the blockade, I am nevei'theless obliged to express my conviction that the spirit of vigilance and perseverance which they showed was in a great measure due to the encoui'agement they received from the example of a virtuous people, independent and heroic, fighting against those who had attacked them without provocation, and who had despoiled them of all which they had venerated. The Barbai'y States have been duly informed that you are now under the protection of the British nation, and that the passports which have been issued for the protection of yoiu- trade must be respected. I am happy to know that the liberation from slavery of a number of your countrymen will soon be followed by the release of the remainder; and whilst I am in command of the naval forces in these seas, I shall not cease to adopt such measures as may be in my power to accomplish that object. — I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Keith. To the Illustrious Sirs, the Pi-esident of the Courts of Justice, the Judges, and Magistrates of the Island of Malta. The substance of Sir Ralph Abercromby's instructions to General Pigot regarding Malta having reached the Neapolitan Government, further remonstrances were . made to the British Minister at that Court, the Hon. A. Paget, then resident in Palermo, who at once ^ MS. in the Malta Public Library (Marquis Aporp Testaferrata's papers). z2 340 A HISTORY OF MALTA communicated the same to the Ministry at Rome in a dispatch dated Palermo, 15th January 1801, worded as follows : — HoK. A. Paget to Lord G-renyille. Palei-mo, 15th January 1801.^ My Lord, — I have received complaints, both verbally and in writing, from His Sicilian Majesty's Ministers respecting certain transactions which have lately happened at Malta under the direction of the British Commanders. The principal causes of complaint are that it has been declared to the magistrates in that Island by the persons exercising the English govern- ment, that His Britannic Majesty has put Malta under his protection; that the ecclesiastical tribunals are abolished ; that the clergy were no longer to consider themselves as dependent upon their former metropolitan (who is a Sicilian archbishop) ; that Pratique house-boats were to hoist English instead of Neapolitan colovu^s ; that English governors and garrison were sent to Citta Vecchia and Gozo, hitherto occupied exclusively by Neapoli- tans ; and finally, that corsairs from the coast of Barbary had been admitted into the ports and creeks of Malta, to the manifest prejudice of the interests and commerce of His Sicilian Majesty's subjects : that similar operations seemed to indicate nothing less than our eifectual capture of the Island to the total exclusion of His Sicilian Majesty, a circumstance which had not failed to create the most unpleasant sensations in His Sicilian Majesty's mind. The above is the substance of the notes I have received ; the blame attached to these innovations is attributed to the officers commanding at Malta, His Majesty's Grovernment being expressly exempted from any intention of giving any uneasiness to the King of Naples. In my answer I have briefly referred His Sicilian Majesty's Ministers to the explanations which I had already given them in obedience to the orders contained in Your Lordship's dispatch of the 17th October. It was indeed impossible for me to enter into any detail upon the subject, having been kept in the most profound state of ignorance as to every aii'angement which has been made at Malta. I know that His Sicilian Majesty feels himself extremely hurt upon this occasion, not so much in consequence of what has been done, as at the manner of doing it ; for although it is indeed obvious that the facts complained of, and the conclusion di'awn from them, bear no resemblance to the declaration I had made to his Ministers, namely, that it was not His Majesty's intention, by the temporary occupation of Malta as a military position during the war, to prejudge the question of the futui'e disposition to be made of the Island at the conclusion of a general peace, yet I am authorised to say that His Sicilian Majesty would willingly have acceded to any arrangements whatever respecting Malta which might have been most agreeable to His Majesty, provided His Majesty's wishes had been made known to him ; it is there- fore clear that the mode which has been adopted of conducting the aifairs in that Island is what has caused so much discontent and uneasiness to His Sicilian Majesty. (Signed) A. Paget. ■ Paget Papers, vol. i. p 302. CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 341 It would seem that prior to this period Mr. Paget, probably influenced by the information he had received from the Neapolitan Government (which in the mean time had felt annoyed at the apparent change in the political views of the Maltese), or, it may be, by advice received from other sources, had not a very favourable opinion of the loyalty of the Maltese to the British Government ; for, on the 16th November 1800, and again on the 25th January 1801, he addressed Lord Grenville as follows : — [Extract.] 16th November 1800.1 I continually receive the most pressing demands fi^om Governor Ball for money for the purchase of com, a circumstance which at once proves the unaccommodating and unfriendly disposition of the monied people of that Island. I find, indeed, that the spirit of party there i-uns very high, and that the French have left a considerable number of friends behind them. I have advanced money for procuring eight months' supply of corn for the garrison, and about two months' for the civil population. The Maltese will not cash bills ; in a word, the Maltese seem unwilling to make the smallest sacrifice in order to insure their own existence. [Extmct.] 2btJi January 1801.- It is a fact that the inhabitants of that Island (Malta) ai-e a most troublesome, litigious, and capricious people, and that there are principal malcontents among them ready on eveiy opportunity to augment their discontent, and to excite them to revolt. Upwards of five months having now elapsed since the British occupied Valetta, the time had arrived for the withdrawal of Captain Ball from the government of the islands, in accordance with Sir Ralph Abercromby^s views. This decision of the home Government regarding Captain Ball was conveyed to the Maltese people by a proclamation of General Pigot dated the 19th of February, as follows : — To THE Inhabitants op Malta and Gozo.^ In the act of addressing you for the first time, it is with the greatest pleasure I have to inform you that His Majesty takes the Maltese nation under his protection. He has authorised me, as his representative, to inform you that every possible means shall be used to make you contented and happy. Since I have been amongst you I have received the best impiessions of your good dispositions and subordination to the laws ; and of your gratitude to Divine Providence, by whose favour the fleets ' Foreign Office Records, Sicily, 14. " Ibid, 2 Mitrovich, 1836, p. 8. 342 A HISTORY OF MALTA and army of the King were enabled to give an effective assistance to your brave exertions for the expulsion of youi' enemies, w^hereby peace and liberty have been restored to you. It shall be my constant cai'e to ensure the continuance of this well-being. You will understand that this advantage can only be secured by a just and exact administration of the laws on the part of the Grovemment, and on the part of the people by constant obedience and implicit trust in the protection the laws afford. This, with due reverence and respect for your religion and its ministers, and with reciprocal good faith, will constitute your happiness. The naval service, to which your chief belongs, and in which he has always been distinguished, does not permit him to remain longer with you ; the unceasing care which he has always displayed for youi* interests entitles him to your wai^mest gratitude. You may rest assured, however, that his departure will entail no suspension of the laws, or of the administra- tion of the civil government. The comets of justice now established shall continue. And it is my duty, as well as my inclination, to protect the Maltese nation, and to guarantee to them the full enjoyment of their religion, their property, and their freedom. (Signed) Henby Pigot. Palace, Yaletta, 19th February 1801. Before leaving Malta, Captain Ball addressed the following letter to the people he had so faithfully governed for two and a half years : — [Translation.] February 1801. My dear Maltese, — By my Sovereign's order, and in accordance with the wise instructions of his Cabinet, I am called away on service from this beloved Island of Malta. Before leaving, however, this happy country and separating myself from those whom I have watched over with loving and paternal care, I cannot refrain from expressing to you the warm admiration with which you have inspired me. I have seen you for the space of more than two years, resisting and defeating with intrepid courage our common enemy, and with equal valour attacking him in his trenches. I have not been less surprised in observing the courage with which you have borne the sad consequences of war, and the foi^titude you have evinced whilst suffering the scoiu^ge of famine, from the want of shelter and the inclemency of the seasons. So great is my admiration for all the virtues you have displayed that I shall never forget them, and it will be my privilege to recount them, which will gain the eulogium of the most enlightened nations. It is further my duty to acknowledge with grateful thanks the affection you have always shown me, which is not less than that which I have entertained and still entertain for you. A proof of this is the son'ow I now suffer in parting from you for distant lands. I am, however, comforted and encoui^aged not a little by reflecting that I am leaving you under the government of a most worthy General, possess- ing all the qualifications necessary to be beloved ; of a General who for some CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 343 portion of the siege has had you with the other troops under his command, thus giving him the opportunity of testing your valour, fidelity, and obedience. You may therefore, without fear, rely upon enjoying under his govern- ment the perfect and tranquil happiness which I most ardently desire for you, assuring you at the same time that my love will only cease with my life. Live happily, therefore, my dear Maltese, and ever keep in remem- brance your affectionate father and friend, (Signed) Alexandkr Jno. Ball. The universal esteem in which their late governor was held, and the regret at his approaching departure, were further attested in the following address from the Magistracies of the Five Cities, which was presented to him on the 11th February : — [Translation.] Malta, llth February 1801. Your Excellency, — The attachment which Youi' Excellency has shown for the Maltese nation, dating from the very commencement of the blockade up to the surrender of Valetta, and the no less tangible proofs of the same continued up to this present day, will not allow the sad news of your approaching departure from this Island to pass without an acknowledge- ment to Your Excellency of our sense of the gratitude due to a wise and beneficent Governor. Your sagacious prudence and enlightened measures not only led this people happily through serious and dangerous circumstances, but also liberated them from the sad consequences and terrible straits to which they became exposed, by providing them first with anns, and secondly with what was required for their subsistence. For all these great and memorable benefits this nation will ever retain a loving remembrance of Your Excellency. They further feel in duty bound, as it will be their privilege, to relate to their descendants how the courage and valour of the Maltese, as shown in the most critical and dangerous circumstances, were crowned with success, owing to the wise direction in which they were guided. 1 They will have no less pleasure in reminding posterity that the result of your paternal care is the tranquillity and safe quietude which now reigns, and which they trust will continue under your worthy successor, endowed as he is with the same rare talents and noble qualities which adorn your own person. We therefore beg Your Excellency to accept this unworthy but sincere attestation of gx^atitude which this happy nation will eternally avow for you, proffering our most fei^vid thanks for the many marked favours received, and whilst wishing Your Excellency a most happy voyage, and the highest and best merited promotion that can be desired, we assure you of our everlasting acknowledgement and ^ It is noteworthy that this address makes not the slightest reference to the services of the British fleet and land forces in reducing Valetta. — J. H. R, 344 A HISTORY OF MALTA gratitude, declaring ourselves, for all time. Your Excellency's most humble, devoted, and obedient servants. The Magistracy of Citta Notabile : (Signed) Marchese D. Padolfo Testaperrata. Barone Lorenzo Galea. CONTE ROMUALDO BaRBARO. Dr. Giuseppe Bonnici. The Magistracy of the Four Cities : (Signed) Marchese Saverio Aleosi. Marchese Gironimo Delicata. Barone Saverio Gauci. Gig. Battista Grognet To His Excellency Mr. Alexander Jno. Ball. Governor of the Islands of Malta. Captain Ball, upon relinquishing the government of Malta, rejoined his ship the Alexander, remaining for a short period in Maltese waters, and on the 6th March addressed the following important dispatch to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas : — H.M.S. Alexander, Malta, 6th March 1801.1 To the Right Hon. Henry Dundas, &c. Sir, — I had the honour to write to you on the 26th December by Captain Austen of the Navy, by whom I sent an account of the revenue of this Island with observations, a duplicate of which went by land in the charge of Mr. Morrison, and I now forwai^d a triplicate by the Speedwell, armed schooner. In my different letters I have recommended a civil governor to be appointed here during the war, and I mentioned that Brig.-Gen. Graham would be an acceptable person to the Maltese. The inhabitants conceive their liberty insecure until the military and civil power be divided. They observe that a military governor cannot spare sufficient time from his garrison occupations to direct the civil administration of this Island without giving too much power to secretaries, who seek their own interest and not the happiness of the people ; they are likewise apprehen- sive of experiencing similar oppressions to what they suffered under the government of the Order of St. John, as they are now placed in the second order of the State, the military being the first. I shall not trespass by entering into details of the necessary modifica- tions to secure the affections of these islanders. I am aware that I risk incurring great displeasui'e by saying so much as I have done, but I should not discharge my duty if I failed giving you my opinion. I speak from a thorough knowledge of the character and sentiments of the inhabitants, and I now write under the fullest conviction of the necessity of this being attended to, otherwise we shall lose the affections and attach- ments of these brave islanders and risk serious consequences. 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 2. CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 345 I embarked on board the Alexander the 20tli last month. I am happy to inform you that I leave this Island in a state which will make it inde- pendent of any great inconveniences which might have arisen from the necessity which His Sicilian Majesty is under of shutting all his ports against the English, and preventing any supplies coming here.^ When I entered La Valetta there were only eight days' bread in the Island, and although the exportation of corn was prohibited in Sicily, and a great scarcity throughout Italy, I have pi^ocured sufficient to supply the inhabitants until next December, and I am convinced that by manage- ment and active exertion this Island can now be always abundantly supplied with evei-y kind of provision. I am waiting the aiTival of a gentleman from the Levant (whom I sent to purchase com) to enable me to close my accounts. I have consigned to Maj.-Gen. Pigot corn to the amount of more than one hundred thousand pounds, which when sold will nearly repay Govern- ment for the sums which have been drawn on the Treasui^y for the purchase of it ; the very high price at which it was bought exceeded the ability of the inhabitants to purchase at that rate. I therefore consulted General Sir R. Abercromby, who agreed with me in opinion that it should be sold to them at a lower price. The former Government always did it in years of scarcity, which loss was genei'ally indemnified the next year. In the paper which I had the honour to send you of the sale of com for the last twenty years, it appeared that Govemment had gained a clear profit of two hundred thousand pounds. Soon after the surrender of La Valetta, I was desired by General Pigot to give in a list of the Maltese battalions, that they might share prize money for the capture of this place, which circumstances I made known to them. It is now said they are not entitled to share. This change of opinion I cannot communicate, as it will occasion the most serious discontents. I will state some of their pretensions, in the hope that you will be induced to recommend them to His Majesty, that he may be gi^aciously pleased to consider their services. These battalions amounted to nearly three thousand men, badly armed, besieged the French in one of the strongest fortifications in Europe whose force was seven thousand men, and continued it for foui'teen months with the assistance of a lieutenant of the British artillery, five Neapolitan officers, and twenty privates. When the British regiments arrived they carried on the operations of the siege in conjunction with the Maltese ; some of the advanced posts were so unhealthy that the English withdrew most of their troops f I'om them, and left them to be defended principally by the Maltese. Another post was abandoned to the Maltese, because the British soldiers desertedfrom it to the enemy, and the Maltese, who were more to be trusted than our own troops, were the means of preventing our troops from deserting, and actually arrested one of our men close to the enemy's works. The Maltese have lost more than three hundred men killed and wounded. A lieutenant- colonel and two captains in the Neapolitan service had been actively employed under my command during the siege in the most unhealthy and ^ The King of Naples had signed an armistice with the French on 18th February 1801, and was forced to agree to close his ports against English ships. This was ratified by the Treaty of Florence, signed on March 13. (See Paget Papers, vol. i. pp. 309 et seq.) — J. H. R. 346 A HISTORY OF MALTA exposed situations ; wlien the English regiment landed they withdrew from these posts and acted as my aides-de-camp, reviewing and mustering the Maltese battalions. These officers are not allowed to share because they were not attached to particular corps, and from the landing of the English regiments my situation is considered purely civil. With respect to my own claims I shall only observe, that while I have been carrying on the service of this Island my brother captains of the Nile fleet have made from eight to sixteen thousand pounds — I mean those captains who have remained in the Mediterx'anean ; and I suffer the inexpressible mortification of knowing that it is considered here, at Palenno, and at Naples, that I am disgi-aced, as I have not i-eceived any mark of His Majesty's pleasure ; on that account I expressed a hope in my former letter that I should be created a baronet. My health has suffered so much that I solicited to be a commissioner in the Navy, that I might have time to re-establish it. No other con- sideration could induce me to retire a moment from a service to which I' am most zealously attached, and in which I hope yet to be dis- tinguished. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jn"' Ball. [There follows here in Mr. Hardman's narrative a long report on the financial condition of Malta and Grozo, probably of date 26th December 1800. For lack of space it has been omitted. The next two reports almost certainly emanated from Captain Ball. They are of sufficient importance to warrant their insertion here in extenso. Commercial Advantages of retaining Possession op Malta.^ The impression which the surrender of La Valette has already made on the Barbary States evinces one considei^ble advantage which vnW result from our retaining possession of this Island. These States have begun to give us supplies of corn and of cattle, and the Island becomes daily less dependent upon Sicily. The Maltese vessels with passports from Lord Keith are permitted to go into their ports, and to navigate all the neighbouring seas in security. When English merchants and warehouses with English goods are established in La Valette, vessels from all the surrounding coasts of the Levant will come to Malta with their produce to barter them for these goods, and return with the woollens, cotton, hardware, &c., of England. The principal production of the Islands of Malta and Gozo is cotton. The quantity manufactured for their own consumption is very considerable, as nearly one hundred thousand inhabitants are clothed with it. But the quality is too coarse for any foreign market but the coast of Barbary. The exportation of cotton wool is prohibited, as spinning it is the chief branch of industry among the poor. They export annually into Spain cotton thread to the amount of nearly half a million sterling. The oranges of Malta are of an excellent quality. They export ' From Stowe MSS. 918, p. 8 ; pages from 1 to 8 commence with a statement called Rendite de Beni, &c., amounting to sc. 346,607. CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 347 annually to the amount of £2,000 sterling, and a much greater quantity might be produced and exported without interfering with the lands now in cultivation. The honey of Malta and Gozo is of a good quality, and might become an article of exportation. Anise and cummin seeds are so already. The Island produces the sugar-cane, red pepper, plantains, and guavas. The first is an article of food for the poor, but [the] other articles are not yet cultivated to any extent. With these productions of hot climates the Island produces all the fruits, vegetables, and roots of cold latitudes, and in such abundance that the ships and troops on the expeditions commanded by Lord Keith and Sir Ralph Aberci'omby were plentifully supplied with these articles while they remained, and carried a sufficient stock with them to sea. The figs of Malta are delicious. They have a species of melon in appearance like the musk melon, but different in taste and superior in quality. It is in its greatest perfection in winter, and keeps for many weeks at sea. Theii- apples, pears, peaches, &c., are not equal to those of colder climates, but they are proofs that they may be greatly improved by cultivation, and their culinary vegetables of every kind are superior. The cultivation of potatoes is now introduced, and will prove of great advantage to the inhabitants. The grape is only an article of food, but if they planted vines only along the walls which enclose their fields, they might have wine for their own consumption, and pei^haps for exportation. Thei^e are few plains oii the island ; every rising ground is cultivated to the top. To prevent the torrents of rain which fall from washing away the soil, they bring the ground on the sides of every hill to a level by stone walls, and if the face of these walls alone were covered with vines, the quantity of wine that might be produced would add much to the wealth of the Island. There is very little wood on the Island, and the whole face of it is a naked rock where the hand of industry has not covered it with soil. But the olive tree, the Indian fig, and the carube or locust ti-ee push their most slender roots through the most solid rocks, and in coui'se of time produce soil. The fruit of the two last are food for the inhabitants and their cattle, but cotton seed is the chief article of food for cattle, and the beef of the bullocks fattened with it is very fine. There is reason to believe that the bread fruit tree would grow in Malta, and that the introduction of the guinea grass and the cedar tree would be very useful. A botanical garden is begun, in which it is supposed many curious exotics may be cultivated. Works of this kind and public roads over all the Island are begun in order to employ the labouring poor, who would starve if they were not employed in this manner or maintained in idleness by the Government. The stones of Malta are easily wi^ought. They are exported to Sicily, the Adriatic, and the coast of Barbary for building and paving houses and making water conduits. By the help of the latter the inhabitants convey water to every garden and to almost every field over the Island. They are fi^ugal, temperate, and industrious. They are good seamen, and gave signal proofs of personal courage during the siege. They rarely invent anjrthing, but they are excellent imitators, and a master workman in iron or wood, particularly in the latter, can furnish any piece of furniture according to the model which is given to him. 348 A HISTORY OF MALTA The Maltese ai-e great bigots in religion, and it is necessary to treat their prejudices with great indulgence. When beti-ayed and deserted by the Oi'der they submitted to the French, and would not have revolted if their churches had not been plundered and if their religious prejudices had been respected. They are much influenced by their priests, on whom it is highly necessary to keep a watchful eye, as well as the emissaries and partizans of France and the adherents of the late Grand Master, Hompesch. Observations on the Blockade of Malta, and the Defence it is CAPABLE OP making. From the smallness of the Island the port of La Valette is the most difficult to block of any naval port in Eui^ope. Ports situated on the Continent have only from a quarter to half a circle to guard, but to block Malta requires ships in the four quarters of the compass. Independant of those stationed directly off the port of La Valette, ships must be off Cape Bar, Cape Marittimo, Cape Passaro, and in the S.E. quarter from the Island, as well as 12 leagues west- ward of it. The weather during 4 months in the year is so stormy that it is almost impossible to prevent supplies getting in, particularly if they can be procured from Sicily and the Barbary States. Were even these ports shut against Malta, neutral vessels will always risk bringing supplies if well paid. An enemy would find a blockade so expensive, and attended with so much risk of having the detached squadrons cut off, that it is not likely to be attempted by the combined naval force whilst it is under the protection of Great Britain. Should the enemy land a large force, 7,000 or 8,000 militia ready to be embodied according to the plan which is sent herewith, and whose services might be depended on, may be added to the regular force. The Government of the Order had this number. It has been suggested that the inhabitants of Malta would starve if they could not draw their subsistance from Sicily. That Island from its vicinity is certainly convenient, but not absolutely necessary, as com and oil can be procured from the Levant and the Barbary States cheaper than fi'om thence. Malta, from its natural strength and its fortifications, may be considered as the most secure possession we have next to Gibraltar. It has many advantages over Minorca, which is so vulnerable in many parts that it is not secure against a superior number to the garrison. The harbours of La Valette are equally capacious with and more secure than that of Port Mahon. The naval dockyard is small but complete. There are mast-houses, and a great many store-houses. There are six watei-ing- places where water can be got without moving a cask out of the boat ; it is very good, and a fleet can at any time complete from it most expeditiously. At Minorca this summer it was so scarce that it was with great difficulty that a sufficient quantity could be procured for the Fleet, some of which was brackish and unwholesome. The harboui'S of La Valette are more accessible than that of Port Mahon, and the entrances ai^e considered impregnable against any attack by sea. Malta can be defended by a much smaller force than Minorca by having the command of a militia force, which the other cannot have, the inhabitants having always refused to take CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 349 part in the defence of tlieir Island ; and it can be kept at half the expense from having fewer troops, who are supplied with provisions at a cheaper rate. The Civil Establishment will not cost Government a shilling, the revenues of the Island being more than sufficient for its support. The situation of Minorca is prefei^ble to Malta in some points of view from its being to the westward of Toulon and its vicinity to the coast of France and Spain, but Malta would have the advantage of protecting the British trade in the Levant, and destroying that of the enemy, and it may be an important post in checking the ambitious views of France and Rvxssia in the Levant. Gibraltar and Malta place the enemy as it were between two fires from their western and eastern situations, and, under this consideration, if it should be necessary to cede either Minorca or Malta to Russia, it might be political to cede the former in preference to the latter. (Malta, 26th December 1800.) Simultaneously with the organisation of the Government in Malta, eiforts were made for obtaining the liberation of many Maltese held in slavery at Constantinople, Algiers, and the coast of Barbary. On the 19th March 1801 the following treaty with that object in view was agreed upon by His Britannic Majesty and the Dey of Algiers : — Treaty between His Britannic Majesty and the Dey op Algiers, DATED the 19th March 1801.1 Whereas the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea has been conquered by His Bi^itannic Majesty's arms, it is now hereby agreed and fully concluded between John Falcon, Esquire, His Britannic Majesty's Agent-General and Consul- General for the city and kingdom of Algiers, and His Highness Mustapha Dey, Bashaw and Governor, &c., &c., of Algiers, that from the 7th day of December last, 1800, the inhabitants thereof shall be treated upon the same footing as the rest of His Britannic Majesty's subjects, and the said Island shall be considered in all respects like the other places subject to the Crown of Great Britain, and agreeable to the Convention made with His Britannic Majesty by Bracen Rais, Ambassador for His Highness the Dey. Confinned and sealed in the warlike city and kingdom of Algiers in the presence of Almighty God the 19tli day of March 1801, and in the year of the Hegira 1216, and the 6th day of the Moon Gelip. (Signed) John Falcon. Whilst on this subject it may be added that by the 5th February 1803 Mr. Cameron was able to announce by a public notification that His Britannic Majesty's ambassador at Constantinople had succeeded in obtaining the liberty of 164 Maltese, whose names are therein given, who had been detained in slavery for terms of from five to ten years, a few for twenty -five, twenty-six, twenty - eight, thirty-six, forty, and two for forty-eight years ! - This liberation was due to Lord Keith's vigorous support of His ' Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. vi. p. 43. !. - M.P.L., Government Proclamations and Notices, CA 4. 350 A HISTORY OF MALTA Majesty's ambassador's efforts^ as promised in his letter to the president of the Courts of Justice^ judges^ and magistrates of Malta, dated the 11th December 1800 [vide p. 339). Meanwhile, on the 21st March 1801, Sir Ralph Abercromby was mortally wounded at the glorious victory near Alexandria, and on the 28th expired on board the flagship Foudroyant. It was decided by the authorities that no more fitting place than Malta could be selected for his body to rest. His remains were consequently removed to the frigate Flora, which sailed for Malta, arriving there on the 9th April 1801. Omng to quarantine regulations the funeral did not take place until the 29th April. The ceremony was most imposing. Maj. -Gen. Pigot was the chief mourner. The pall-bearers were : Lieut.-Col. Gordon, 48th Regt. „ „ Baylis, 35th Regt. „ „ Clay, 40th Regt. „ „ Oswald, 35th Regt. „ „ Bensham, R.A. „ „ Kemmis, 40th Regt. „ ,, BroAvn, 35th Regt. „ „ Browne, 40th Regt. Following him were Brig.-Gen. Moncrieif and Maj. -Gen. Villettes. Then came the officers of the regiments quartered in Malta, including those of the Maltese militia and the Neapolitan battalion. Owing to the armistice concluded between the French Republic and the Neapolitan Government at Foligno on the 17th February 1801, it became necessary for the troops belonging to the latter Power to be withdrawn from the island, when general orders were issued by General Pigot on 4th May 1801, in which he thanked Colonel Fardella and his men for their services in suitable terms. The time had now arrived for the home authorities to decide upon the future government of the Islands, and acting upon Sir Ralph Abercromby's advice, they recalled Captain Ball from the administration, but adopted the suggestion of the latter contained in his dispatch, already referred to, of the 6th March 1801, by appointing a civil commissioner to govern the islands in the person of Mr. Charles Cameron. Accordingly, on the 14th May, Lord Hobart, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies in the Addington Cabinet, delivered to Mr. Cameron the following instructions : — Lord Hobart to C. Cameron, Esq. Downing Street, lUh May 1801.' Sir, — It being judged expedient that the direction and superintendence of the civil affairs and of the revenue of Malta should be separated from ' MSS. Malta Public Library, No. 388 ; C.O.R., Malta No. 2 (1801). CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 351 the duties of the commander of the forces in that Island, whose professional employments must necessarily require his more immediate attention ; but that in a military position of so much importance as Malta all measures of the former description should nevertheless be taken in concert with the person in whose hands are placed the safety and defence of the place; that they should be sanctioned with his concurrence and approbation previous to their being canned into execution ; His Majesty, from a confidence in your abilities and integrity, has been graciously pleased, with a view to the execution of this arrangement, to make choice of you for the management of the civil part of the service, and to direct that you should proceed to Malta, with the title of Civil Commissioner, to which will be annexed a salary of £2,000 per annum, to be paid out of the revenue of the Island. In pursuance of this arrangement, I have now to communicate to you, by His Majesty's command, such instructions as appear necessary under the present circumstances for your guidance in this important trust. The first object for your attention is to make yourself perfectly acquainted with the laws, customs, and privileges of the Maltese as they existed under the authority of the Grand Master and Order of St. John of Jerusalem, previous to the surrender of the Island to the French, and also with the different sources from which the public revenue was then derived, and the specific amount of the same under each of its different heads, together with the mode of collecting it, and generally to procure all the information possible on every point connected with the foi'ms and detail of the administration formerly established in Malta. The inclosed report from Captain Ball, by whom the civil government was administered during the late blockade of the Island, and for some time after its surrender, will put you in possession of nearly everything that is known in this country on these interesting topics, and upon all points to which it may not refer, or respecting which it may not appear sufficiently minute and explicit, I can only at present observe, that you must trust to your own judgement, observation, and enquiries upon the spot to supply any deficiency of this nature. It is of the more importance that you should apply yourself with the utmost diligence to acquire a knowledge of all the above-mentioned particulars, as the leading principle by which it is His Majesty's pleasure the government of Malta should for the present be regulated is, that in substance at least, and so far as circumstances will admit in form also, no alteration should be made in the modes, laws, and regulations according to which the civil affairs, and the revenue of the Island have been heretofore managed, unless the same shall appear to the officer commanding His Majesty's forces to be required for the safety and defence of the Island, or to be so evidently beneficial and desirable, as to leave no doubt of its expediency, or of its being generally acceptable to the wishes, the feelings, and even the prejudices of the inhabitants. You will therefore understand that the administration of justice and police is, as neai'ly as circumstances will permit, to continue to be exercised in conformity to the laws and institutions of the ancient Government of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, subject only to such directions as you may from time to time receive from this country, and to such deviations, in consequence of sudden and unforeseen emergencies, as may in the judgement of the Commander- in-Chief, render departure therefrom necessary and unavoidable, the 352 A HISTORY OF MALTA occasion whereof, howevei", you will by the first opportunity report to me for His Majesty's information. I observe by Captain Ball's repoi't that the principal emoluments of the judges and officers of justice employed in the different Courts of Judicature arise from fees which it is His Majesty's pleasure they should for the present continue to receive upon their ancient footing ; but you will take especial care to satisfy yourself with respect to the precise legal and established amount of the said fees in the different Courts, and you will cause a table thereof to be prepared in the English and Italian languages, and to be constantly hung up in some conspicuous place in each of the said Coui'ts, for the information and guidance of all suitors therein, and others whom they may concern ; and you will further make it your particular study to ascertain whether any practices contrary to the rules of the several Coiu'ts are inconsistent with the pure and impartial administration of justice as established and recognised by the laws of the Island, and the usages and practice of the said Courts are [_sic'\ supposed to prevail thei^ein, and in case your inf onnation should incline you to believe that abuses of this description do exist, you will apply youi^self to frame such regulations as may appear to you adapted to correct and counteract their effects, and to ensure to all the Maltese indiscriminately the full protection and benefit of their laws, and of the tribunals under whose direction they are administered and candied into effect, and you will transmit the same to me by the earliest opportunity, for the purpose of their being laid before His Majesty previous to their publication. The Courts called the Consolato, and of which the functions appear to correspond with those of oui' Court of Admiralty, cannot be continued ; a Vice -Admiralty Coiu-t being the only authority by which, in conformity to the law of nations and the practice of this country, the jurisdiction now vested in the Consolato could be exercised in Malta, in its present situation as a dependence upon the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Biitain and Ireland. The expediency of granting a commission for the establish- ment of such a Court is reserved for fui'ther consideration. With respect to the Revenue of the Island of Malta, the different sources from which it is derived, and the usual produce of each, are so distinctly stated in Captain Ball's i^eport that I shall not find it necessary to go much at length into the subject. In strict confonnity to the general principle already explained to you, it is His Majesty's pleasure that the public property, either in lands or buildings, as well as the different institutions and regulations from which a great part of the public revenue was derived under the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, should continue to be managed and enforced upon the former footing, with such alterations only as the change of circumstances by which the right of sovereignty formerly vested in that Order, but now exercised by His Majesty, have rendered obviously requisite. For instance, the different descriptions of property which formerly belonged entirely to the Grand Master and Order of St. John of Jerusalem, or in which that Oi'der had a beneficial ^ interest, must now be considered, as far as their rights existed, as belonging to the Crown, subject only to such chai'ges and deductions as in justice to individuals having claims upon ^ The term should probably be * beneficiary.' — J. H. R. CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 353 them, or foi" the useful purpose either of charity or instruction to which some of the said property was appropriated, must continue to be allowed under His Majesty's Government. The property to which I allude is principally that which in Captain Ball's report is mentioned under the general head of Beni Magistrali, subdivided into the Beiii Busttci, and the Beni TJrhani. Under the former description are included all the mesne lands and gardens belonging to Government. These he states as capable of con- siderable improvement ; you will therefore feel it an early duty of youi* situation to make yourself acquainted with the regulations which have been established for their management, and to consider of the mode by which the proposed improvement can be most speedily and completely affected, and you will as soon as possible ti'ansmit to this country a full and explicit report upon these points, in order that you may receive fi'om hence such further instructions as may be necessary thereupon. With respect to the Beyii TJrhani, or houses or warehouses in town or country, most of them appear at present to be occupied either for public or military purposes, or by officers of the Army, who are stated to hold them without paying any rent. This indulgence, as far as it accords with the established I'egulations for the accomodation of the King's forces in quarters, should be continued, but I am not aware of any circumstance that I'enders it necessary to introduce at Malta a system different in this respect from that which prevails in other foreign garrisons — Minorca or Gibraltar for instance — and you must therefore consult with the commander of the forces on this subject, and having in concert with him deteraiined what description of officers are from their situation and from genei^al usage entitled to be accomodated at the public expense, you will give notice to such others as may be in the occupation of houses belonging to Goverament, either to quit the same, or to pay for the future such rent as may appear reasonable, and may be agreed upon, they and you selecting for the occupation of the Civil Commissioner one house in the country and one other house in town, or such other accomodation in point of I'esidence as may appear to you most suitable for the occasion without interfering with the established residence of the commander of the troops. The warehouses on the wharf for the accomodation of trade are i-epresented by Captain Ball as extremely commodious for this purpose, and likely to produce a considerable revenue. I therefore tnist that some other building may be found for the reception of the stores of the Commissaiy and quartermaster-geneiul, by which they are now occupied, in order that the foi^mer may be reserved for the use for which they were originally intended. The property formerly belonging to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and which in Captain Ball's report is described under the different heads of Del Tesoro, Bivisi Fondazione, Lingne et Collegio, in as far as the same lies in the Island of Malta and its dependencies, do not appear to require any pai"ticular observation. The charges upon these different branches of the revenue will pi'obably render their net proceeds payable to Government an object of small moment. Such of these charges as are specified by Captain Ball, namely, for allowances to invalid officers and men belonging to the Order, and for the education of the youth of the Island, are certainly proper, and must be continued. If there be any other of a doubtful nature or any abuses, or any either in 2 a 354 A HISTOEY OF MALTA the administration of these different branches of the revenue or in the application of the allowances, though proper in themselves, you will consider of the best mode of I'emedying the same and I'eport to me your proceedings for this purpose. The duties of customs and excise may for the present be continued on their ancient footing and establishment. The Lords Commissioner's of the Treasury will probably appoint a proper person to collect the former, and will furnish him with such instructions as they may think proper on the occasion. I must now come to one branch of the civil arrangement of Malta which, no less from its importance to the comfort of the inhabitants and the secui4ty of the Island, than from its connection with the revenue, will require great diligence and attention on your part, and must be under your immediate direction and control. I mean the mode by which the Island and its inhabitants are supplied with com. However much at variance with general principles it may appear for a Government to I'etain in its own hands the exclusive pi'ivilege of buying and selling corn, and however dangerous and injurious to society such an attempt, if not im- practicable, would prove in any country of greater extent or even in any island under different circumstances, I have no hesitation to give my opinion that in Malta the maintenance of the public authority, the defence of the Island, and particularly the care and comfort of the inhabitants themselves, all concur to require that the system which has been so long established in this respect should not be altered for the present. If the limited number of inhabitants is considered, and consequently that the extent of the demand can be easilj'^ ascei'tained, that the Island depends for not less than three-fourths of its consumption upon importations from other countries, and how much in Malta, as in eveiT country, the happiness of the great body of the inhabitants depends upon the price of corn — bearing a proper proportion to the eai'nings of their laboui* ; that this proportion once ascertained and established (as in Malta I conceive it by long experience) , any considerable or sudden fluctuation would be a great misfortune ; that Malta from peculiar circumstances and its local situation would be liable to such fluctuations that any change in the habits of the people affecting them in a point that comes so immediately home to their feelings and daily wants is dangerous ; and lastly, that the present system, at the same time that, upon an average of good and bad years, it produces a considerable revenue, may be considered as a constant and useful check over the people in the hands of Government, I am convinced that it ought to be adhered to as an arrangement no less politic on our part than provident towards the Maltese themselves. For all these reasons it will become one of the most essential diities of your situation to make yourself thoroughly acquainted with every circum- stance relative to the purchase and sale of corn at Malta, of which you will transmit to me a full detailed account, with such observations and suggestions as may occur to you upon the subject, together with the average amount of the impoi-ts and sale of grain during the ten years preceding the arrival of the French at Malta, and in the meantime this branch of the public sei'vice must be carried on through the medium of the Bank or University upon its present footing, but under your immediate supei'intendance and inspection. Respecting the Monte di Pieta, I have no other observation to make COREESPONDENCE FEOM 1800 TO 1801 355 than that it will be yoiu' duty to take care that the administration of it be placed in such hands, and under such checks and restrictions as may prevent as far as possible any fraud or abuse being practised, either to the prejudice of the Government or of the inhabitants. Several of the circumstances on which I have founded my opinion with I'espect to the exclusive privilege of buying and selling corn Avill equally apply to the regulations respecting windmills, which must therefore continue to be observed and enfoi^ced at least for the present. With respect to the mode of keeping an account of the receipt and expenditure of the civil revenue of the Island, and transmitting the same to this country, you will receive particular instructions from the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasui^. Under the head of expenditui'e I have only to state [that] His Majesty's expectation that the revenue will be found fully adequate to defray all charges of the Civil Government, and to allow of a certain sum being appropriated annually to the i*epairs, first of the houses, warehouses, and buildings belonging to Government, and should any surplus remain, after providing for these services, then to the repairs of the fortifications of the Island. As it appears that the emoluments attached to the civil employments in the Island are in most cases derived from fixed and established fees, which for the present are to be continued, of course a small part of the revenue will be sufficient to defray the charge of such civil employments as have salaries attached to them ; but in order that it may be distinctly known in this country what are the offices of this description, and what proportion of the revenue is assigned to this purpose, I have to request that you will transmit to me as soon as possible a return of the Civil Establishment of Malta, specifying the name of each person holding an employment therein, the nature of that employment, and the salary derived from it. In Captain Ball's report I observe that the principal expense of the Civil Government under the Order of St. John of Jerusalem is stated to have been the maintenance of the hospitals, the chai'ge of which, it would appear, amounted to ten thousand pounds per annum ; the Captain, however, adds, that by reforming the abuses which prevailed in these establishments, the expense may be reduced one-half. As he does not, however, state the nature of these abuses, or suggest any plan for their reform, I must confine myself to call your attention generally to this subject, and to recommend to you to introduce into the administration of the hospitals, the utmost regularity, and to enforce a system of strict economy as far as may be ■consistent with justice to the persons employed in the service of the sick, and with a due attention to the relief and comfort of the latter. With respect to the trade of Malta, His Majesty's confidential servants have it in contemplation to recommend to Parliament to grant to the Port of La Valetta all the advantages of a free port, and to make such regulations as may appear to them best calculated to encourage an extensive commercial intercourse between that port and the Mediterranean States ; but under the present circumstances, and until this plan can be matured and completed, it is His Majesty's pleasure that the trade of Malta should continue to be carried on upon its present footing, subject, however, to such regulations and instructions as may be made and issued by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, or by the Lords of the Committee of 2a2 356 A HISTORY OF MALTA Council, for the considei*ation of all mattei'S relating to the trade and foreign plantations. The chief article of the export trade at Malta consisting in cotton thread, the spinning of which is stated to be the principal branch of industi*y in the Island, it becomes necessary in order to tranquilise the minds of the people, which appear to have been artfully alaraied upon the subject, to assure them that every necessary protection and encoui'agement will continue to be given to this important object, and that notwithstanding the war now existing between this country and Spain, no interruption whatever will be given to the exportation in neutral bottoms to the Spanish ports of everything as may have been made in the Island of Malta or its dependencies from cotton bo7id fide of their own growth and produce. As connected with the trade of Malta, I have now to advert to the lazzaretto situated on the Island in Marsamuscetto Harbour, and which I have every reason to believe is the most complete in the world, as connected with the views of His Majesty's Government to di'aw a great part of the trade of the Mediterranean, and particularly of the Levant, to Malta. It must be unnecessary for me to point out to you in detail how important and indispensable it will be found to render the service of this lazzaretto and the performance of quarantine as easy and commodious, and at the same time as efficient and secure, as possible. The person to whom it is intended to confide the management and superintendance of this establishment is Mr. W. Eton, a gentleman who by his personal observations in several of the lazzarettos of Europe, and by his study of the subject, appears to have acquired a considerable degree of knowledge respecting the quaiuntine laws, and the different modes and precautions to be taken in observing and enforcing them according to the different degi^ees of suspicion which may attach upon the vessels, crews, and cargoes that are subjected to their operation. I enclose to you such communications as have been received from him upon these points, and also the report of a Quarantine Committee appointed in this country, as it will be necessary that you should so far turn your attention to the subject as to be able to give every assistance in your power to Mr. Eton, and in some degree to judge of the expediency and propriety of the an-angements and regulations he may propose for the Quarantine Establishment at Malta. Mr. Eton will proceed to Malta by the same opporfunity with yourself,. and on his aii'ival there, you will direct him to enquire minutely into every circumstance and regnlation respecting the establishment of the lazzaretto under the government of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and also inta the mode by which it has been managed and conducted since the expulsion of the French fi'om the Island, and to make a full and detailed report upon each of these points, accompanied with a complete and methodical system of such regulations as in his judgment ought henceforward to bH adopted and observed for the perfoi-mance of quai'antine at Malta and of the- establishment that may be requisite for caiTying these regulations into effect. In making this repoi-t it will be expected from Mr. Eton to accompany his proposals with a statement of the gi*ounds on which they are recommended, and pai-ticularly in every instance of any deviation from the fomier regulations, or of any addition to the same. This report having been submitted to the Genei*al commanding the CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 357 troops, and to youi'self, it will be your and his duty respectively to make sucli observations as may occur to you on the same, and to transmit the whole to me for the consideration of His Majesty's Government. In the meantime, Mr. Eton is from the period of his ariival at Malta to be placed in the superintendance and management of the lazzaretto, and the Quarantine regulations which he may find in force are to be observed, with such improvements and altei-ations as he may think it right to make with your sanction, and that of the General commanding the foi'ces at Malta. His Majesty having been graciously pleased to determine that Mr. Eton should for the present i-eceive a fixed salary at the rate of eight hundred pounds per annum, and that in consequence all the fees and perquisites that may be received at the lazzaretto are to be accounted for to Government. All Proclamations or public Acts of the Government are to be signed jointly by the General commanding the forces, and by yourself as His Majesty's Commissioner for carrying on the civil administration of the Island. Having already apprised you that the salary His Majesty had been pleased to assign to your office was two thousand pounds per annum, you will of course understand that no other advantage or emolument whatsoever is to be derived from your situation, and I must further obsei've to you, that it is considered by His Majesty as precluding you from engaging in any pui'suits or speculations of commerce, which appear to His Majesty incompatible with a due attention to the functions of your office, and inconsistent with the i*ank and character to be maintained by the person placed in the immediate superintendance of the civil afEairs of Malta. All the salaries charged upon the civil revenue of Malta should be paid quartei"ly, without any deduction or drawback whatsoever. Having now stated to you such specific objects as will immediately require your attention, and the general nature of your appointment and authority, I have only at present to recommend to you in the strongest manner to act with the most unreserved confidence towards the officer commanding the forces on all points of a public concern, and to maintain a pei'fect good understanding, not only with him, but genei'ally with the officei'S, both naval and military, in His Majesty's service at Malta ; and with i-espect to the inhabitants, to use every endeavour, consistent with your public duty, to meet their wishes, to show yourself indulgent even to theii- prejudices, and to omit no fair opportunity of conciliating their affection and ensuring their fidelity to the Government under which they ai*e now placed. — I am, Sir, &c. (Signed) Hobart. The tenor of Lord Hobart's instructions to Mr. Cameron leaves the impression that the British Government at this date intended to retain possession of the island, and to assume its sovereignty. The time and current events appeared propitious. Firstly, the island had then been nine months in their possession. Secondly, there was the manifest desire of the inhabitants for annexation, which shortly found expression by the dispatch of a special deputation to the British Government, elected for that purpose. Thirdly, the removal of the principal obstacle to such a settlement of the question, by the death. 358 A HISTORY OF MALTA of the Emperor Paul^ Grand Master and Protector of the Order of St. John, which had taken place two months previously — namely on the 24th March ; and finally, Nelson^s victory at Copenhagen on the 2nd April, which induced Russia to retire from the Northern Coalition, which six months previously had been formed against Great Britain. But of these favourable circumstances the most promising Avas found to be delusive ; for although PauFs successor, Alexander I, had declined the chief magistracy of the Order, yet nevertheless he promised to accord to it his protection, with the maintenance of its rights ; and from that position he was not inclined to retire. Great Britain in consequence was compelled to give way, and in the negotiations for peace between England and France, which were opened in London in the following October, she had to agree to the restoration of the Order, and to its reoccupation of Malta. i In the meantime. Commissioner Cameron, immediately upon his arrival in the island, published the following proclamation, dated the 15th July 1801 :— Proclamation to the Maltese JSTation.^ Charged by His Majesty, the King of Great Britain, to conduct all the affairs (except the military) of these Islands of Malta and Gozo, with the title of His Majesty's CiA^il Commissioner, I embrace with the highest satisfaction this opportunity of assuring you of the paternal care and affection of the King towards you, and that His Majesty grants you full protection, and the enjoyments of all your dearest rights. He will pi"otect your chiu'ches, your holy religion, youi* persons, and your property. His paternal care extends to the hospitals, and other charitable establishments, to the education of youth, to orphans, to the poor, and to all those who I'ecui' to his beneficence. Happy people ! whom the hand of God has saved from the horrible misery and oppression under which groan so many innocent nations, receive with gratitude all this goodness from a King who is the father of his subjects, who protects the weak against the strong, the poor against the rich, under whose dominion all are equally protected by the law. Hithex'to you have conducted yourselves with decorum and sub- mission to the legitimate authorities, and your ancient fame in arms has not been tarnished by the defence which you lately made of your country. Commerce being now extended, the arts and sciences encouraged, manufactures and agriculture supported, and industiy rewarded, Malta will become the emporium of the Mediterranean, and the seat of content. To execute such gracious commands of my Sovereign is not less my ardent desire, than it is my sacred duty. My door shall be open to all ; ' As I have pointed out in my Life of Napoleon (vol. i. p. 410), the Czar Alexander soon found out that Napoleon was bent on enticing him into Oriental schemes which he deemed to be dangerous. He thereupon changed his tone, and suggested to our ambassador that England had better keep Malta. But this was in December 1802. The Treaty of Amiens between Great Britain and France was signed on March 25, 1802.— J. H. R. ^ Bandi di Malta, p. 67. CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1800 TO 1801 359 I will hear every one's plea ; I shall be ready to render justice ; to cause the law to be observed, tempering it with clemency ; and to receive every information which shall have for its object the welfare of the Maltese ; and above all, I shall devote myself to the means of promoting the cultivation of cotton, the manufacture of yarn, and of importing and maintaining an abundance of food in these Islands. (Signed) Charles Cameron. Palace, 15th July 1801. Reports having reached the local Government that efforts would shortly be made with the object of creating an insurrection in the island in favour of the Order of St. John, a public notice, under date of the 23rd July, was issued to the following effect : — The Palace (Valetta), 23rd July 1801. ^ Whereas certain pei'sons, not natives of these Islands, have had doubts respecting their being subject to the authority of the tribunals of this country, it has been thought necessary to infoimi such persons that every one, of whatever description or denomination, is, as the case may require, amenable to the laws of Malta now in force ; it being His Majesty's order to continue in force the laws and to maintain the tribunals as heretofore practised, with the exception of such new laws and such regulations, as have been or shall for the future be established by His Majesty's command. (Signed) Charles Cameron. On the 29th, Lord Hobart was informed of the situation, as follows : — Valetta, 29th July 1801.2 To the Right Hon. Lord Hobart. My Lord, — Advices from Messina and Trieste inform us that cabals are forming in this Island, in favour of the Order of St. John, by the French, that there are agents now here, one of whom is a nephew of the famous Poussielgue. It is their project to cause an insurrection of the dissatisfied inhabitants, especially in the country, which is to be supported by 5,000 French to be landed. Mr. Eton and Mr. Macaulay ^ have both exerted themselves to procure information on this interesting subject, and I am sorry to say that they brought me in the same day, and from various and distinct sources, a strong confii'mation of these reports. One of the reports spread by these emissaries is that the Grand Master will be here immediately. The alarm is so great that the University,* which used to give a horse race and other amusements to the people on the feast of St. Roch, wish this year to decline them, from an idea of danger in admitting so many people into Valetta from the country. I enclose Your Lordship a copy of an address to the Maltese, which I have reason to think has been useful in calming the minds of the people, iiTitated by the artful means above described. The respect which has been shown to their religion has greatly pleased them, 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 2. 2 Ibid. ^ Mr. Alex. Macaulay was public secretary to Mr. Cameron. — J. H. R. * i.e. the Corporation for the supply of com. — J. H. R. 360 A HISTORY OF MALTA but they are told by our enemies that Malta will be given up when a peace shall be made, the fear of which withholds many who would be active in our favour, as they fear the resentment of the French, should they become masters of the Island. Perhaps no step would have a more favoui^ble effect than His Majesty declaring the Bishop of Malta (who is also titular Archbishop of Rhodes, and a suffragan of Palermo) Metropolitan, and the Roman Catholic religion the Established Church, as is the case in Canada. He is a most respectable character, and much looked up to by all ranks of people, and at the same time it would be attended with good effect, if I were empowered to declare that Malta was a part of the British dominions, and in all public Acts to permit that the King should be styled their Most Gracious Sovereign. The attachment of the Maltese to their monasteries and public charities is very great, and some txnfling pensions to the convents reduced to utter poverty, and really starving, have produced the strongest effects. Every exertion is being made to discover those who are carrying on these intrigues, and Mr. Eton, without whose pennission no vessel arriving in the port can have any communication, examines the letters. A correspondence is held with the people at Messina and Trieste. Three Spanish Knights are arrived from Barcelona in a neutral vessel ; they will not be permitted to land. One of them is notorious. I am soiTy to infoi*m Your Lordship that some of the most respectable Baillis and Commandeurs who receive pensions from Government are suspected of being engaged in these cabals. I do not offer an individual opinion, but all those with whom I have talked on this subject, assure me that no security can be expected until all the foreign Baillis and Knights shall have left the Island. They are old and not numerous ; perhaps it might be worth while to give them a comfortable pension on condition of their going to Sicily. I have it in contemplation to propose to General Pigot another address to the Maltese. Since writing the above, the enclosed letters, and many others of the same nature, have been intercepted. I have seen General Pigot on the subject, and shall send the most obnoxious persons away immediately. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Charles Cameron. CHAPTER XVII Russia's connexion with the oeder of st. john op Jerusalem (From 1795 to 1801) The policy of Russia under Paul I concerning Malta during the two long years of its investment, a policy which his successor, Alexander I, for some time partly maintained, had the greatest influence on the destinies of the island. Whereas soon after the commencement of the siege Russia was in alliance against France, she soon after the fortress fell to England became one of the bitterest opponents of Great Britain. The vacillation of Russian policy cannot be understood without reference to the general political condition of Europe at the time, and her own political connexion with the Order of St. John. Her close association with Malta and its government dates from the third partition of Poland in 1795, in which country since 1618 the Order of St. John had acquired property in the Ordination of Ostrog. At the said partition of Poland it fell to the lot of Russia.^ During 1795 the Grand Master, De Rohan, appointed De Litta as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Russian Court, for the purpose of obtaining not only the restitution of the properties in question but also the arrears of revenue, of which the Order had been deprived, since 1788. De Litta presented his credentials to the Empress Catharine II on the 18th October 1795, but owing to her death, which occurred on the 17th November 1796, the negotiations were for a time suspended.^ Her son and successor, Paul I, who had always expressed great admiration for the glorious traditions of the Knights of St. John, showed every disposition to interest himself on their behalf. Negotia- tions were accordingly reopened, and so successful was De Litta, that by an agreement dated the 15th January 1797 the Grand Priory of Poland was merged into and styled the Grand Priory of Russia, with an establishment of one grand prior and ten com- manderies. An annual endowment, payable in half-yearly instal- ments, amounting together to 300,000 Polish florins (£7,500), was ' Boisgelin, History of Malta, vol. iii. p. 37. ^ Ibid. p. 38. 361 362 A HISTORY OF MALTA allotted for their maintenance, to which were subsequently added three other commanderies, with a further annual income of 6,000 Polish florins (£150).^ By a separate agreement, signed on the same day, it was stipulated that all the arrears since 1788 until the time when the estates and dependencies thereof were incorporated in the Russian dominions, together with 4,000 golden ducats, owing since the first foundation of the Order in Poland (in accordance with the treaty of 1775), should be comprised in the general debt of the Government, and be liquidated accordingly. These agreements were signed on behalf of the Czar by Comte Alexandre de Bezborodoff,^ Chancellor of the Empire, and Prince Alexander Kourakin, Vice-Chancellor, and on the part of the Grand Master by the Bailiff Fr. Jules Rene, Comte de Litta. The treaty was immediately dispatched by a special courier for the necessary ratification by the Grand Master and Council. Unfortunately, the route of Ancona was selected for his journey, where, owing to its occupation by a division of Bonaparte^s army, he was immediately upon arrival arrested, and his documents seized.^ The information thus obtained had considerable influence upon Bonaparte who, during his stay at Ancona, in the early part of the year 1797, and subsequently strove to induce the Directory to take the necessary steps for the acquisition of Malta, in order, as he alleged, to prevent the Czar having in his power the means of inter- fering with the projected expedition to Egypt, which he (Bonaparte) was then contemplating. In the meanwhile a second courier, with duplicates of the treaty and of De Litta^s dispatches, was more fortu- nate than his predecessor, and arrived in Malta just before the Grand Master, De Rohan, breathed his last (13th July 1797).* At the first meeting of the Council held by De Rohan's successor, Hompesch, the convention Avas ratified, and on the 7th August De Litta was again named Ambassador Extraordinary, for the purpose of present- ing the ratifications which were carried to St. Petersburg by the Chevalier Raczynski with De Litta, who was further instructed to solicit His Majesty's protection over the Order.^ De Litta was received in public audience by Paul I on the 29th November 1797 when he delivered the following address : — [Ti-anslation.] Sire, — The Sovereign Order of Malta, eager to acknowledge its debt of gratitude, and to perfonn a duty, not only sacred but dear to the hearts ' Boisgelin's History of Malta, vol. iii. p. 3. " This name should be Bezborodko. — J. H. R. ^ These original documents are now to be found in the Ai'chives Nationales, Paris^ Carton AF. III. 73. Also see Boisgelin, vol. iii. p. 41. '^ Ibid. pp. 41, 44. 5 Ibid. p. 43. All the documents which follow, and which were written in Eussia, were dated in the Old Style, Avhich is twelve days behind the New Style, used in the rest of Europe. — J. H. R. RUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 363 of every one of its members, approaches the foot of your throne, to tender its grateful thanks. Your Majesty's benefactions are such as must ever remain deeply engraved on our memory. The new establishment which the munificence of Your Impeinal Majesty has secured to the Oi-der of Malta in the Empire of Russia, has been sanctioned in that Island with the most lively enthusiasm, and with every sentiment of joy and gratitude. To give a still greater solemnity to oui' acknowledgments, and to express our homage still more forcibly. His Highness my Lord the Grand Master, together with the Supreme Council, have unanimously decreed an Extraordinary Embassy on the occasion. Being chosen by my Oxxler for this august mission, it is in quality of Ambassador Extraordinaiy, that I am charged to acquaint Your Imperial Majesty with the universal wish of the whole Order that you would deign to become chief of this establishment, and accept a title so dear, and so encouraging to us all ; a title indeed which you. Sire, by your generous sentiments, and the favours bestowed upon us, have already so justly acquired, namely, that of Protector of the Order of Malta, and as such we trust we shall see Your Imperial Majesty invested with the ensigns of an Order equally ancient and illustrious, ever renowned for its exploits, and venerable from the sanctity of its institutions. His Eminent Highness and the Supreme Council have, therefore, sent your Imperial Highness the Ancient Cross of the celebrated La Vallette, that invincible defender of our Island who bequeathed his name to a city which he alone has rendered impregnable. This cross has hitherto been religiously pi'esei'ved in the treasury of oui* Cathedral Church, as a precious monument, which constantly recalled to our remembrance the glorious military exploits performed by a Grand Master of Malta, who might pi'opei'ly be termed the Hero of Christianity ; and we now feel a pleasure in oifering it to youi' Imperial Majesty, as a proof of our gratitude, as a mark worthy of his piety, and as a happy presage of the renewal of our prosperity. This offer is accompanied by our most ardent vows for the glory of Your Imperial Majesty, and the happiness of your Empire. This august and revered ensign of our Order, together with the recollection of our ancestors, and the proofs of valour given by the Knights of Malta will, we doubt not, excite in the bosoms of the illustrious, brave, and faithful nobles of Your Majesty's Empire an enthusiasm and a spirit of emulation worthy the most glorious ages of chivalry ; and the solemnity of this memorable day will constantly recall to posterity the remembrance of the munificence of Paul I, and the gratitude of the Order of Malta. To this earnest appeal the Czar graciously acceded, but within seven months of His Majesty's acceptance of the protectorate, Malta had fallen into the possession of the French, her Grand Master had become an exile at Trieste, and her Knights were dispersed over Europe and Egypt. Nine days after the fall of Malta a detailed account of its surrender was dispatched to De Litta, at St. Petersburg, wherein Hompesch was accused of treachery to the Order, of cowardice, and incapacity. This letter was alleged to have been written by the 364 A HISTORY OF MALTA Bailiff de Tigne, one of the most respected members of the Order, and it was not until the capitulation of the French garrison to the British in September 1800_, during which time De Tigne was a cap- tive within Valetta, that he was able to vindicate the honour of his chief, and to prove that the letter was not authentic. This letter, although afterwards proved to be apocryphal, is inserted here for the important reason that in the meanwhile it served the purpose of the enemies and traducers of Hompesch. Being accepted by many members of the Order as a truthful version of what had occurred in Malta, it created a schism therein, and prevented the Grand Master's vindication being listened to by either the Austrian or the Russian Court. According to Sir Morton Eden's dispatch to Lord Grenville, dated Vienna, August 1798, it is therein stated that 'M. Thugut, the Austrian Minister, strongly urged an emissary of Hompesch who had lately arrived in Vienna, the expediency of not puhlishing the Grand Master's defence.' ^ Why, is not stated, yet four months later Sir Morton Eden was able to inform Lord Grenville, on the 26th De- cember, that the Chevalier O'Hara, lately Minister from the Court of St. Petersburg to the Maltese Government, and who is here (in Vienna) on his way back to St. Petersburg, has assured me that he has the fullest grounds to believe that the letter which appeared in the public papers under the name of the Bailli de Tigne is spurious. He supposes it to have been written by the Bailli de Loras, who is generally said to be a man of bad character.^ Lettre du Bailli de Tigne, Grand Ceoix, dignitaire de l'Ordre de Malte, a Monsieur le Bailli de Litta a St. PjStersbourg. A Malte, le 21 Juin 1798.3 Monsieur le Bailli, — II est necessaire que vous sachies les veritables causes de la perte de l'Ordre que vous illustres, que vous auriez defendu, que vous aves si bien servi et qui existeroit encore si nous avions eu un chef qui eut eu votre merite et voire coui'age ; je vais vous rendre compte des difEerentes raisons qui out occasionne notre deshonorante destruction. 1". Le Gouvernement faible et vacillant du feu Grand Maitre Rohan avez [sic'} laisse preparer les principes destructeurs de tout Gouvernement, il avoit dans presques toutes les places de 1' administration des gens qui etoient hautement partisans des maximes Fi'an^aises et qui recevoient des gratifications des Tricolors. 2°. Nous elumes Ferdinand Hompesch parce qu'il fasoit paroitre des sentimens nobles et courageux, mais nous pouvons [?] croire actuellement qu'il avoit fait son marche pour nous livrer, ce dont on sera persuade ' Foreign Office Records, Austria, No. 51. ' Ibid. No. 53. This letter is reproduced with all its inaccuracies. Some words are illegible. — J. H. R. ^ Malta Public Library, MS. 421. EUSSIA^S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 365 quand on connaitra la conduit qu'il a tenu, de laquelle je vais rendre compte. C'est lui qui a perdu I'Ordre par son betise, par sa lacliete et peut-etre par sa perfidie. 3°. Nous avons ete trahi par les membres de I'Ordre qui avoient la dii^ection des finances, des fortifications et de I'artillerie, tels que Bosredon Ransijat, Toussard, Fay, et Bai'donanclie. 4°. Les riches habitans de Malte, bai'ons, et negotians ont marque la plus grand ingi-atitude, ils ont fait assasiner des Chevaliers en propageant le bruit que les Chevaliers les livroient aux Fran9ais. 5". Le Roi d'Espagne, dont le devoir et I'interet etoit de proteger I'Oi'dre, I'a astucieusement livre aux Fran9ais au point que M''" Arnat, Ministre d'Espagne k Malte a signe I'arrangement de la reddition qui s'est faite sous sa mediation. Les Chevaliers etoient persuades que Ferdinand Hompesch changeroit ceux qui gouveraoient sous le vieux Rohan, mais il a suivi servilement la maniere de gouvemer de son foible predecesseur. Hompesch n'a eu de confiance que dans ceux qui etoient conus par leur democratic. Au mois de Janvier de cette anne 1798, Le Directoire en via [sic^ a Malte le nomme Poussielgue poui* y organiser une insurection ; cet envoye se logea chez un parent de son nom qui reste a Malte, riche banquier, qui de plus etoit Capitaine de Port. Poussielgue voient publiquement et en secret les democrates de ces pays, il donne I'ordre a Caruson, Consul de Fi-ance a Malte, d'ecrire la liste des Maltais qui vouloient un changement de Gouvemement et qui promettoient de se revolter lorsque la France leur en donneroit I'avis, il chargea ses agents d'engager les Maltais a aller se faire inscrire chez le Consul de Fiance. Hompesch etoit instruit de ces menees qu'il laissa conduire et cela, malgre que meme des Grands Croix lui en eussent rendu compte et lui . . . fait voir des lettres que Poussielgue avoit apportees. M. le Chevalier Ministre de Russie 0'Hai*a en fut instruit dans le tems il peut en rendre compte. Au commencement du mois de Mars de cette annee Tamiral Brueys venant de Coi"fou avec une flotte de 12 vaisseaux de gueri'e parut devant Malte dont il vouloit connoitre les cotes et il envoya dans le port un vaisseau qui avoit besoin de repai'ation et auquel I'Ordre accorda tous les secoui'S dont il avoit besoin. L'escadre fran^aise re[connaissait?] pendant 8 jours les points ou on pourrait faire un debarquement. Les agents des Fi^an^ais essayerent si les calomnies reussirent ils firent courir le bruit que les Chevaliers qui comandoient les postes le long de la mer les trahiroient [?], ce qui fut cru et ce qui ota la confiance que les Maltais avoient dans les Chevaliers. Alors M*^' Arnat, charge d'affaires d'Espagne, aussi que les Chevaliers Espagnols trouverent mauvais les petites mesures de surete, qu'on avoit prises ce qui fit voir aux Maltais que les Chevaliers etoient divises. Le Consul de France Caruson fit part a Bruyer qu'un grand nombre de Maltais se joindroit aux Fran^ais des qu'il attaqueroient Malte. Toutes les nouvelles venant de Toulon des differentes ports de I'ltalie annonQoient que les Fi'an9ais faisoient un grand armement maritime, qu'il y avoit beaucoup de batimens de transport et beaucoup d'artillerie. Les lettres de Paris disoient qu'un des objets de ce gi-and mouvement etoit de pi-endre Malte. La Chevalierie etoit inquiete et vouloit qu'on fit des preparatifs pour se deffendi'e ; mais rien ne put tirer Hompesch de sa letai-gi. La Congregation de Guerre etoit compose du Bailli Frisari, Napolitain, 366 A HISTORY OF MALTA egallement bete, avare et lache, du Comancleur Neveu, Allemand, stupide et ivrogne, du Bailly Songa, Espagnol, tellement nul que le Council de rOrdre lui avoit ote radmixiistration de ses comanderies, et du Bailli de la Tour du Pin, bon officier, loyal, brave, et fort attache a son Ordre, du Commandeur Bardonanche qui etoit directeur de I'artillerie, du Comandeur Toussard qui etoit directeiu* du genie, du Comand'' de Fay, qui etoit directeur des fortifications et des fontaines et des cisternes. J'ay deja dit que ces trois derniers etoient d'accord avec Poussielgue en avoient re^u de I'argent et la pi'omesse d'etre attaches au service de France. Le Bailli de la Tour du Pin vouloit qu'on se mit en defense, qu'on pallisadat, qu'on fit des aifuts, et tout ce qu'il faut pour manoeuvi^er le canon, qu'on chargeat les fougarres armes particulieres a I'lsle de Malte qui est ex- cellente pour empecher un debarquement, qu'on mit en etat les fusils de rempart, qu'on exercat les milices, qu'on y etablit la subordination, qu'on rentrat dans la ville les magasins a poudre qui etoient a la Cottoner, qu'on mit des vivres dans les fox'ts, mais il ne put rien obtenir ni de la Congregation ni du Grand Maitre, qui seul avoit le di-oit de tout ordonner. Le Comandeur de Rosans, bon officier d'artillerie qui meme avoit dirige le dernier siege de Mahon a donne plusieurs excellent memoires a Hompesch sui' ces importants objets, mais il n'a jamais ete ecoute. Hompesch ne sortait de son palais que pour aller a des processions oii il etoit extremement applaudi par le peuple, mais il n'a jamais ete voir ni exercer les troupes de I'arsenal ni dans aucun fort, et il a toujours tenu cette conduit. Le mercredi 6 Juin paru devant Malte une partie du convoi Fran^ais compose de 70 batimens de transport et de quelques fregates qui attendoient le reste de I'armee que comandoit Bonaparte. L'inquietude augmenta parmi les Chevaliers et Maltais qui n'etoient pas du complot, ils vouloient que I'on se hatat de se metti-e en defense. En temps de paix diiierentes charges avoient le comandement. Le chef de la Langue d'Auvergne qu'on appelloit le Marechal avoit le comandement de la ville et le Senechal des Milices de la campagne, mais quand TOrdre etoit menace, le Conseil nommoit un general ce qui n'a pas ete fait, par consequent le Senechal qui etoit le Prince Camille de Rohan homme tres meprisable eut le comandement des milices, on mit sous ses ordres le Bailli Tomasi, homme de merite, mais qui n'a jamais servi que sui' mer et le Bailli de Clugni, brave homme viellard age de 72 ans, c'etoit avec des chefs pareils qu'on vouloit combattre les jeunes et entreprenants generaux Fran^ais. Le jeudi 7 M^' Aidut [?] general fran9ais qui comandoit le convoit ecrivit au Consul Caruson qu'il apprenoit que son apparition devant le Port de Malte y causoit de l'inquietude, mais qu'il le chargeoit d'assurer le Grand Maitre qu'il n' avoit aucune vue hostile contre Malte qui etoit amie de la Republique Fran^aise, cette assurance calma I'esprits. EfPective- ment I'Ordi^e etoit en paix avec la Republique Francaise dont les vaisseaux recevoient a Malte tons les secours dont ils avoient besoin. Le meme jour, 7, le vaisseaux et la fregate de 1' Ordre venant de la Sicile travers. . . . paisiblement le convoi Fran9aise ce qui fit encore plus croire que la Paix ne . . . pas troublee. Enfin le samedi 9 Juin, arrive le reste d'armee et escadre Fran^ais commandant par le celebre Bonaparte qui fit demander verbalement a 4 heures de I'apres midi par le Consul Caruson que Ton re^ut dans le Poi't KUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 367 de Malte toute I'armee Fran^aise qui etoit composee de 18 vaisseaux de ligne de 90 autres batimens de guerre, corvettes, clialoupes canonieres ou galiottes a bombes et de 300 batimens de transport qui portoient 60,000 hommes des meilleui^es troupes des France, cette immense flotte s'ettendoit depuis le Goze, jusqu'a Marsa Scirocco, et mena9oit en nieme terns tous les points attacables. Le Grand Maitre assemble le Council qui repondit par une lettre dans laquelle on prioit Bonaparte de mettre par ecrit la demande qu'il faisoit, lui faisant observer que les loix de I'Ordre, les regies de la neutralite, ne permettoient pas de recevoir plus de 4 vaisseaux a la fois, que la surete du port I'exigeoit, aussi le Council disoit enfin que I'Ordre avoit toujours ete en paix avec la France qui I'avoit toujours assui'e de son amitie. Le Council remit cette espece de supplique a 5 heures du soil' au Consul Fran^ais Caruson qui la porta au General Bonaparte abord du vaisseaux L' Orient, il lui remit aussi la liste des Maltais qui promettoient de se joindre aux Fran^ais et de massacrer les Chevaliers, s'ils se deffendoient, le signal devoit etre le premiere bomb que Bonapai'te feroit jetter sur la ville. Le nombre des Maltais conspirateurs etoient de 4 mille Quand sui* les 7 heui'es du soil' on vit a Malte que Bonaparte ne envoyait pas le Consul Caruson, alors seulement on se prepara ou Ton eut I'air de vouloir se preparer a se defendre ; on croyoit avec raison qu'on seroit attaque le lendemain, Ton ordonna de faire prendre les armes aux milices, de pallasader et de transporter les poudres de la Cotoner dans la ville, chose qui auroit demande au moins 8 jours dans des terns tranquils. Comme il n'y avoit point general en chef, personne ne pouvoit donner d'ordre, et le Grand Maitre ne sortait pas de son palais, on donna le comandement de I'enceinte de la Cotoner au Bailli de la Toui' du Pin avec I'ordre de faire transporter les poudres dans la ville niais on [ne ?] lui donna personne pour faire ce transport, il y avoit cependant plus de /m barils de poudi'e a transporter a plus d'une demie lieue et le port a traverser. Le Grand Croix prit avec lui 16 Chevaliers qui rassemblerent 200 Port- fait, ils commencerent cette perilleuse operation, voici quels etoient les comandants. Le Prince Camille de Rohan, Senechal Comandant les Milices de la Campagne, ayant sous lui pour lieutenants Generaux les Baillis de Clugny et Tomasi. L'Isle du Goze etoit comande par le Com'' de Megrigny Ville- bertin qui en etoit le Gouveneui*. L'Isle du Comin par le Chevalier de "Valin, La Tout Rouge par le C"^' S*' Simon lequel voiant les Fran9ais debarquer deserta et passe de I'autre cote. La Melleha par le Comandeur de Bizieu, St. Paul par le Chev'"' de la Perouse, St. Julien par le Chev'' de Preville, ces deux postes etoient sous le comandement du Capitaine de Vaisseaux S*^' Felix. St. Tomas et Marsa Scirocco etoient comandes par le Chevalier du Pin de la Gueriviere. La cite Valette par le Bailli de Loras, Marechal de I'Ordre. La Floriana par le Bailli de Belmont. Les forts Manuel et Tigne par les Baillis Courgeaux et La Tour St. Quentin. Le Fort Ricasoli par le Bailli d'llliette. Le Chateau St. Ange par le Com'" de Castellan. Le Bourg par le Comand'' de Goudrecourt. L'Isle de la Sangle par le Bailli Suffran St. Troppez qui etoit comandant des vaisseaux. Burmola par le Capitaine de Vaisseau Subiras, I'enceinte de la Cotoner par le Bailli de la Toui' du Pin, mais on n'y avoit place aucun 368 A HISTORY OF MALTA canon. Le Bailli Tomasi vonloit defendre les retranchement du Nasciar mais on ent I'attention de ne lui donner ancune piece de canon de campagne ni d'autres. Toutes ces dispositions se firent pendant la nnit pom- defendre tons les points et 7 Lieues de cote a peine avoit-on '/m hommes dont voici I'etat : Le Regiment de Malte ...... 500 Les Gardes du Grand Maitre ..... 200 Le Bataillon des Vaisseaux ..... 400 Le Bataillon des Galeres ..... 300 A pen pres 100 vieux Canoniers .... 100 Un Corps de Milices appelles Chasseurs . . 1,200 1,200 Mate lots de Galeres et des Yaisseaux qui sei'voient de Canoniers ..... 1,200 et Vm lionimes de tres niauvaise Milices qui furent discipees dans la matinee du jour . . . 3,000 6,900 Mais le lendemain Dimanclie, 10 Juin, Bonaparte debarqua a 4 heures du matin sur 7 points au Goze, au Cumin, a la Mulleta, au Selmun, a St. George, a St. Julien et a la Tombarella, il n'eprouva aucune difficulte. Le Comandant Bai'donanclie n'avoit fait charger aucune fourgasse, aussi elles furent inutiles. Comme Ton n'avoit point de vivi'es dans les forts ni dans les toui's, les Maltais ne voulurent pas s'y enfermer pour les deffendre. Bandonanche ne fit distribuer que 5 ou 6 cai-touches par soldat dans lesquelles il n'y avoit pas de poudre, les affuts de canons etoient tellenient pouiTis que quand on tira, la plupart se rompirent, il manquoit meme des repouloir [sic] pour charger les canons. Le decoui-agement se mit panni les Maltais attachees a I'Ordre, les con- spirateurs en profiterent pour leur dire que tons les Chevaliers les trahirent ce qui mit un grand desordre. II est vrai que les chefs des atteliers et ceux qui avoient la confiance du Grand Maitre trahisoient I'Ordre. Que faisoit Hompesch, qui etoit aime du peuple Maltais il ne fut voir aucune poste, aucune troupe, aucun fort, il resta dans son palais ayant pour aide-de-camp ou pour mieux dire pour secretaire le Comandeur de St. Priest qui ne sortait pas de palais lequel avoit pi-obablement le plan de cette infame intrigue et dirigeoit F. Hompesch. II n'y avoit point de general en chef, ainsi de tons les postes on s'addressoit au Gi-and Maitre ; St. Priest repondit pour lui, il donnoit [des reponses] tellenient contradictoires que le comandant du Fort Ricasoli ayant demande de la poudre on lui donna I'ordre d'en prendre au fort Manoel et ce comandant du Chateau de St. Ange qui manquoit de poudre en demanda on donna ordre au comandant du Fort Ricasoli de lui en donner, et cela pendant que le Bailli de la Tour du Pin etoit occupe a debloyer le magazin a poudre de la Cotonere, d'ailleurs les Maltais fuyoient comme les lievres. Cent Fran^ais qui avoient debarques a St. Julien mirent en fuite le Regi- ment des Milices de Birchircara qui etoit de 1,200 hommes. Le Bailli Thomasi voulut defendre le retranchement du Nasciar, contre les Fran9ais qui avoient debarques a la Melleha et a St. Paul, mais il fut tourne par RUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 369 un corps de Fran9ais qui avoient debarques a St. George et a St. Julien, il fut abandonne par ses Milices Maltaises, et eut bien de la peine a se retii'er dans la ville. Le General Vaubois marcha tout de suite sui- la Cite Vielle qui 6tant sans troupes, ni canons, ni vivres, ni comandants, lui ouvrit ses portes a 9 heures du matin et a 10 hem-es toute la campagne, toutes les tours, excepte celle de la Marsa Scirocco etoient au pouvoir des Fran^ais la pluspart des Chevaliers qui etoient dans ces differentes postes furent fait prisonniers, et conduits a Bonaparte qui leur dit comment pouviez vous croire qu'il fut possible de vous defendre avec des miserables paysans conti^ les troupes qui ont vaincu et soumis I'Europe. Les Maltais massacr[er]ent plusieurs Chevaliers, M. de Valle Montazet, Dormis, et D'Endelard qui etoient de garde a la porte de la ville, ils en blesserent plusieurs autres. Mais Ferdinand Hompesch ne sortoit pas de son palais et ne fit rien pour remettre I'ordre. A 11 heures du matin on fit sortir du port une galere, une chaloupe canoniere et deux galliotes pour tacher d'inquieter le debarquement que faisoient les Fran^ais a St. Julien, on leur avoit donne 20 coups par canon quand ils leur eurent tire ils ren- ti^erent dans le port on fit aussi une petite sortie du cote de la Pieta, mais les troupes ne tinrent pas un instant contre les tirailleurs Fran^ais elles se sauverent dans les fortifications de la Florian qui n'aiant pas de canons ne purent les proteger. A midi il ne restoit au service de I'Ordi^e que 4/m hommes dont la plus part etoient de mauvaise volonte avec cela il falloit defendre la ville, le Fort Manoel, Tigng, Ricasoli, St. Ange, la Cotonere, le Bourg et L'Isle de la Sangle si on avoit voulu bien se defendre, il auroit fallu abandonner tous ces forts qui sont eloign^s, les uns des autres et meme separes par la mer, I'assembler les 4/ni hommes dans la ville qui est tres forte en chasser tous ceux des habitans qu'on suspectoit de cette maniere on auroit pu tenir deux mois et attendi^e d'etre secourru. La ville se remplit des fuyards, des femmes, ou d'enfants des paysans pendant le reste de cette joumee les forts tirei'ent les canons qui §toient en etat de tirer ce qui faisoit du bruit mais peu de mal aux Fran^ais. Sur les 9 heures du soir les portes etant fermes une terreur panique saisit le Bailli SufEren S'' Tropez qui abandonna son poste de I'lsle de la Sangle, il se refugia avec ses officiers de vaisseaux dans la ville. lis furent obliger de rester long tems a la porte jusque [a ce que] le Grand Maitre eut ordonne qu'on ouvrit. Le Bailli SufEren S*' Tropez etoit connu pour etre lache et mechant. C'est le seul Grand Croix qui dans cette demiere occasion se soit mal conduit. II fut tellement aveugle par la peur qu'il ne reflechit pas, qu'il avoit en avant de lui Subiral a Burmola, et le Bailli La Tour du Pin a la Cotonere. Dans la ville il y avoit une telle confusion que les patrouilles se fusillent, il y avoit continuellement de fausses allertes. A minuit le Tribunal de la Rote, les barons, et les principaux habitans allerent au palais, ils disoient a Fei*dinand Hompesch qu'il falloit capituler sur leur demande il fit assembler le Conseil, il y fut decide qu'on enverroit a Bonaparte les Barons Souza et Formosa le Consul d'Holland et qu'on ferroit une suspension d'armes pour traiter de la capitulation, pour faire une pareille demarche il etoit du [?] du Grand Maitre d'assembler le Conseil complet, qui 6toit compose de tous les Chefs des Langues, des Grand Croix et 2b 370 A HISTORY OF MALTA des denx anciens Chevaliers de chaque Langue ce qui ne fut pas fait. A ce conseil ne fui-ent pas appeles les Baillis Gourgeos, la Tour S*' Quentin, Belmont, Du Dillert, La Tour du Pin, Glugni et Tigne ; on connoissoit le courage de ces Grands Croix que se seroient opposes a une .... si humiliante. Le lundi 11 Juin a 5 heures du matin on re9ut dans tous les forts I'ordre de ne plus tirer qui etoit signe par S*' Priest. Le Chevalier du Pin de la Guiriviere se defendit a Marsa Scirocco jusqu'a 5 heui^es du matin, mais n'aiant pas de vivi-es, il fit une capitulation honorable, il rentra en ville avec sa garnison, il y apprit avec le plus grand etonnement que la ville se rendoit. Bonaparte ne fit point jetter de bombe ni tirer de canons centre la ville parceque les Maltais conspira- teurs etoient convenus de massacrer les Chevaliers a ce signal et que Bonaparte n'a pas voulu permettre un pareil crime. Bonaparte i-epondit au Bailli Souza et au Consul d'Hollande, qu'il entreroit dans la ville le mardi 12 Juin que pendant cet interval il regleroit la maniere dont il vouloit traiter I'Ordre avec la mediation du Charge d'Affaires d'Espagne M. Amut. C'est aussi que la forte place de Malte a ete soumise aux Fran^ais qui ont trouve 1,800 canons, 30 mille fusils, 12,000 barils de poudre, des vivres pour 6 mois, deux vaisseaux, une fregate, 3 galeres, et d'autres petits batimens de guerre et trois millions de livres en or et argent qui etoit dans la sacristie de St. Jean et qui auroit du etre emploie pour la defense de I'Ordre. Ferdinand Hompesch n'a rien demande pour I'Oi'dre ni pour les Chevaliers, il n'y avoit pas 11 mois qu'il etoit elu Grand Maitre, mais il a obtenu pour lui un traitement considerable de 600,000 francs argent comptant et 300,000 francs de pension jusqu'a ce que la France lui ait fait avoir une souverainete. On doit observer que les Francais ont deposedes beaucoup de petits souverains, ils n'en ont traite aucun aussi avantageusement que celui de Malte. Les Chevaliers de Malte Francais qui ont plus de 7 ans de resi- dence peuvent rentrer en France, tous les members de I'Ordre Fran9ais ont 700 francs de pension ceux qui ont soixante ans ont 1000 francs. Ce fut Bosredon Ransijat, le Bailli di Frisari, le Charge d' Affaires d'Espagne et quelques Maltais qui ont fait et signe les arrangemens pour I'Ordre. Le mardi 12 Juin avant que Bonaparte entre dans la ville Piccaut dut porter I'ordre a M''" O'Hara, Ministre de Russie de partir de Malte dans 3 heures, cet ordre i-egardoit les Chevaliers Russes. St. Priest a une comandei^ie en Russie, mais il eut la permission de rester aupres du Grand Maitre, il avoit rendu trop de service pour n'en avoir quelque preference. Gardons-nous de faire le tort aux heros, Villers de la L'Isle Adam, de le comparer au miserable Hompesch. L'Isle Adam defendit une mauvaise place pendant six mois centre un grand conquerant, il ne parti de Rhodes que le dernier en menant avec lui tout I'Ordre, les reliques, les vases sacrees et les archives. Ferdinand Hompesch n'a pas defendu une excel- lente place seulement deux jours, il s'est sauve comme un voleur, en portant le prix de la trahison, il est parti le dimanche 17 Juin, laissant les membres de I'Ordre a la disci'etion du vainqueur, ainsi que le tresor KUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 371 de St Jean, et les archives de I'Ordre, et qui amene-t-il avec lui, le Com*"' St. Priest et le Nomme Gravagna qui etoit I'ami du Consul de France Caruson. Quelques personnes croient que St. Priest et Gravagna con- duisoient cette infame trame. Le Bailli Suffren S'' Tropez celui qui le 10 au soir abandonna si lachement son poste, le Comd*"' Boisredone qui est fi'ere du traitre Comm. Bosredon Ransjiat et quelques autres la recom- pense des traitres a ete de les placer au service de France. Bosredon Ransijat est president de la municipalite ayant pour secretaire le nomme Doublet, democrate connu, qui etoit secretaire du Grand Maitre Bardonanche qui comandoit I'artillerie de la place de Malte. Tousard qui etoit directeur du genie a ete fait chef de brigade du corps du genie il a suivi Bonaparte. Je ne connois pas le marche qu'a fait Fay, peut-etre aura-t-il quelque emploi en France. Bonaparte fit dire qu'il donneroit cet emploi a ceux des Chevaliers qui voulloient aller avec lui. Quarante huit ont pris le pai'ti sous ses enseignes, je vois dire que les 3 quarts sont des jeunes gens fort bons sujets ils se regard ent [?] comnie deshonnores qu'il ne seroient re9us nullepart. Le mardi 19 I'annee Fran^aise partit poiu* la gi'ande expedition que nous ne conoissons pas et le lendemain la soi"tie du port fut permise. Je prie un Chevalier qui part demain de remettre cette lettre a un bureau de poste qu'il croira sur pour qu'elle vous parvienne. J'ecrii'ai par d'autres voyes po . . . Itornj Grand Empereur qui a voulu nous proteger, . . . sache [?] ce qui a occasionne notre destruction rien ne evit [?] et ne pent egaller mon chagrin ; mais la mort doit bientot mettre fin a mes malheurs. Je suis temoin de la destruction de mon Ordre, j'entends briser les chefs d'oeuvres en reliquaires d'or et d'argent, je vois demolir les armes de nos braves predecesseurs chose que les Turcs n'ont pas fait a Rhodes. Mon oncle et moi avons travaille et employe les talents que Dieu nous avoit donne pour I'Ordre qui m'en avoit grandement recompense. J'ay plus de 80 ans et je suis accable d'infinnite. J'avais demande qu'on me portat sur la Breege [?] pour au moins donner un . . . [_torn]. Je n'ai pas vu les traites particuliers qu'a pu faire Hompesch. S'il en a fait ils sont toujours tenus secrets, mais je rends compte de sa conduite ; on poun'oit s'il y avoit une justice, I'interroger sur tout ce qu'il a fait et qui est de notoriete publique comme d'avoir conserve dans les places les personnes connus par leur attachement aux principes fran^ais, de n'avoir pas voulu qu'on chargeat les fourgasses, de n'avoir pas retirer les poudres dans la ville, de n'avoir pas fait mettre des vivres dans les postes. 11 ne pent s'excuser de I'avoir oublie, attendu que plusieurs membres de I'Ordre le lui ont demande par ecrit, et d'etre constament dans son palais. II est necessaii-e que cette lettre soit connue et qu'elle soit imprimee surtout dans le Courier de Londres.' Je desire d'autant plus que cette lettre soit rendue publique que je crois que ce sera la seule punition qu'auront les imbeciles, les laches et les traitres qui nous ont livi^es. J'ay I'honneur &c. (Signed) Le Bailli de Tign^e. At the dispersion of the Knights from Malta by order of Bona- parte in June 1798, the Bailli de Tigne (on account of his great age_, being then over eighty) remained in Valetta, and was there confined 2 B 2 372 A HISTORY OF MALTA during the two years' siege^ but in the month following that of the surrender of the French garrison^ he embraced the first opportunity which had occurred, to deny the truth of the statements which had been made in his name to the prejudice of Hompesch, and on the 3rd October 1800 published the following repudiation in Italian, a translation of which appeared in the Bamberg Gazette, No. 325 of the 21st November 1801, under the following heading: — Bamberg, 20^/i November 1801.^ We have been i^equested to publish the following declaration at full length. We have hesitated so much the less in doing so, as the imputa- tions laid to the charge of the Grrand Master Hompesch have been pointed out by the Vienna Court Gazette,' No. 33, as being false and calummous.' ' Protest. A letter of five sheets is in circulation at St. Petersburg dated the 21st June 1798, of which I am marked out as the author. It is full of the most atrocious calumnies against our lawful chief, the Gi'and Master of Malta. Though this document bears all the mai'ks of improbability, it has yet acquired some credit, because the calumniators have had the assurance to publish it in print. My sorrow was inexpressible, when I learned that so dark a deception, and destitute of all credibility had nevertheless occasioned so unhappy a division in our Order. If every honest man is obliged to clear himself from a similar imputation which closely attacks his honour, this duty is the more strongly imposed upon an ecclesiastic to whom the editing of a libel against his superior is falsely attributed. I am persuaded that every one who is acquainted with me, has given no credit to such a calumny. Looking at its want of likelihood, and its absurdity, it would not have made any impi"ession upon the public, if they did not so readily accept reports which tend to tarnish the reputation of any one, whosoever he may be. This is a sufficient reason for me to give the lie to the defamer, and to defend my own honour thus unjustly attacked. I might adduce numerous motives to remove the suspicion from myself that I could ever have been capable of composing such a libel. My years, my conduct, manners, and habits, sufficiently justify me ; they would rather form my panegyi-ic. It will suffice for me to observe that at the time when I am supposed to have written that document, I was on the point of death,, suffering hx>m. a mortal complaint, and as a supposed dying man, had received the Holy Sacrament. Can any reasonable person suppose that in such a condition I coidd have thought of such calumnies, or could even have dictated them ? What advantage could I expect to derive from so dark a pix)ceeding, which was likely to expose me to the hatred and destation of evei'y reason- able and honest man ? I declare then to all my brethren. Ecclesiastics of my Order, and to all those to whom this justification shall come to hand^^ 1 Cobbett, vol. ii. pp. 1077-1078; M.P.L. MSS. 418. RUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 373 that I have not written, and that I could not have wi'itten that libel, which is circulated in my name. ' I call to witness all those who have known me and have had connexion with me, for they will acknowledge me incapable of having written it. I desire that this declaration signed by me, and duly attested by a notary, shall be set forth wherever it may be necessary, in oi'der that the public may likewise have authentic proof of the truth, and of my innocence. ' Done in the city of Valetta, in the Island of Malta, the 3rd October 1800. (Signed) The Bailli de Tign£, Grand Prior of Champagne.' The 'Bamberg Gazette/ however, does not give the attestation, which is as follows ^ : — All that the venerable Bailli Renato Jacobo de Tigne has written in his defence is true, and we the undersigned, who know him well, declare on our oath that he is incapable of having wi-itten the letter attributed to him. The serious illness which he was then suffering, during which he received the last rites of the Holy Sacrament, his decrepit age of 82, his unalterable moderation, his religious piety, and his uniformity in not only doing good, but of speaking well of all, with whomsoever he came in contact, still more so of his Superior, are sufficient for us to be assured that we are not mistaken in his character. In attestation of the truth herein expressed, we subsci'ibe our names, in the place, and on the day above mentioned. (Signed) Le Bailli de Barer, Grand Treasurer of the Order. „ Le Chiole Fricor, Commandem\ „ Go. F. Francesco, Fra Conventual Capucin. ,, Fra Gio Luigi Ridoli, Fra Conventual Capucin, foi'merly Secretary of the Italian Langue. ,, Francesco Arena, Administrator of the Valetta Granaries. „ Agostino Chiappe, Merchant of Valetta. „ In the presence of Notary Cristopher Frendo, who received the solemn act. Further proof of the Bailli de Tigne's innocence is to be found in the attestations of the Chevalier de Dienne, and of the Bailli des Barres, which were duly forwarded to Hompesch, under date of the 28th October 1800. ExTRAiT d'une Lettre du Bailli des Barres au Grand Maitre. Malte, 6 Odobre 1800.^ Vous recevrez, Monsigneur, le desaveu authentique du Bailli de Tigne, que j'ai adresse a M. le Chevalier de Dienne, pour vous le faire passer. 1 M.P.L. MSS. 418. ^ De Villeneuve-Bargemont, Monumens des Ch-ands Maitres de POrdre de 8t, Jean de Jerusalem, vol. ii. p. 446. 374 A HISTORY OF MALTA Ce bon viellard a ete indigne d'un precede digne de vos ennemis. Votre Eminence lui rend trop de justice pour le soup^onner d'avoir jamais ete capable d'un pareil ecrit centre elle. ExTRAiT d'une Lettre du Chevaliee de Dienne. De Messine, 28 Octohre 1800. II paratt effectivement miraculeux que M. le Bailli de Tigne ait ete conserve par le ciel, jusqu'au moment qu'il eut signe sa protestation. II est mort le 16 du courant. II a fini avec cette resignation d'un veritable religieux ; il a emporte les regi'ets de tous ceux qui le connaissaient, continuant a protester contre I'act impie qu'on lui attribuait. II a supplie, jusqu'a son dernier moment, ceux qui I'assistaient de rendre public, qu'il n'avait jamais fait ni meme pense a faire un acte aussi irreligieux ; que I'on pouvait le croire, puisqu'il etait au moment de rendre compte a son juge supreme. (Les Baillis de Clugny, d'Auray de Saint-Poix, de Belmont et de Rabastens, s'empresserent de declarer que la retractation du Bailli de Tigne etait veritable.) The prolonged silence of the Bailli de Tigne due to his forced confinement vnthin the beleaguered city of Valetta, until September 1800, was most unfortunate; for upon receipt of this spurious letter ascribed to him the Grand Priory of Russia at once issued a manifesto, dated the 26th August 1798, of which the following are the concluding passages ^ : — It is to be observed, that in the infamous Treaty which yielded up Malta to the French, the interests of the Grand Master were alone attended to, and nothing stipulated in favour of the Order, The fact is explained by this simple reflection. Ferdinand Hompesch and his adherents have sold Malta, and they alone have received the price, in fact care alone was taken not to summon to the Council which decided on the siu'render, the Sixteen Elders of the Complete Council, nor the Baillis Tigne, Gourgas, Clugny, Tillet, Bellemont, Loras, La Tour St. Quentin, La Tour du Pin, and others, who would have constituted more than half the Council, and without whose consent no decision could properly have been taken. But they were certain that those brave Knights would have re- jected with horror the dishonourable Treaty which they were anxious to conclude, and it was found more expedient to ignore, than to consult them. Equally inaccessible to the unjust prejudice which sees crimes every- where, and to the culpable injustice that tolerates them, we have been guided in our enquiries into the events at Malta by those principles only which honour avows, and which equity prescribes, we have not advanced a fact without the proof before our eyes. Throughout the whole proceedings, truth has demonstrated to us, that Ferdinand Hompesch is attainted and convicted of improvidence, cowardice, and perfidy, upon which considerations we, the Knights ' M.P.L., MSS. 420 ; Animal Register, 1798, pp. 275, 276. RUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 375 of the Grand Priory of Russia, and others present at St. Petersburg, regard Ferdinand Hompesch as deposed from the rank to which we elevated him, and by virtue of our own laws we hold ourselves absolved from the obedience which we should owe him as our chief, and we invite our brethren of the other Grand Priories to unite with us in a proceeding which honour has rendered indispensable, and fi*om which we could not abstain without participating in the opprobrium which Ferdinand Hompesch, Ransijat, St. Tropes, and others have so justly deserved. We throw ourselves into the arms of our August and Sovereign Protector, Paul I, Emperor of All the Russias. In the meantime, Hompesch, unaware of the machinations pro- ceeding against him, took immediate steps to address his repre- sentative at St. Petersburg, and the Grand Priory of Russia there, of what had befallen the Order, never doubting their allegiance. These letters were written three days after his arrival at Trieste from Malta, whence he had sailed on the 17th June 1798. [Translation.] To THE Venerable Bailli Count de Litta. Trieste, 2hth July 1798.1 The fatal circumstances, which have compelled us to abandon our residence of Malta, have profoundly afflicted oui- heart, but the hope, that with the consent of the Sovereigns our Protectors, the chief place of our Order may be found in some honourable and fixed abode, sustains and consoles us. You will remit to the Venerable Grand Prior and Chapter of Russia the letter enclosed herewith, by which they are enjoined to attend to the affairs of the Gi'and Priory during the period prescribed by our statutes, and to fulfil with perfect exactitude and union the duties enjoined by our wise laws. With regard to the sums received and in your possession, and which you will continue to manage, we now order yon to retain them in your own hands, as well as those which you may hereafter receive, in order that they may be available for the indispens- able expenses which will be incurred during the negotiations which will soon be commenced for the maintenance of our Order. Feeling perfectly assured of your zeal in its behalf, we rely upon you with perfect confidence. (Signed) Hompesch. Trieste, 2bth July 1798.2 To THE Venerable Grand Prior and Chapter of Russia. You will have been profoundly afflicted upon hearing that an imperious necessity has compelled us to remove from Malta our resi- dence and the chief place of our Order ; but our mutual consolation in these misfortunes must be found in the maintenance of a perfect ^ M.P.L. MSS. 421. • * Ihid. 376 A HISTOKY OF MALTA nnion between the Chief of the Order and its members, and to attain that object our dearest efforts will be directed. On your side, you will attain this by your constancy, in drawing together more closely the ties of brotherhood by strictly performing your duties. You cannot have any doubt but that my paternal solicitude will be exercised, in obtaining as promptly as possible, through the medium of the Princes our protectors, a place where we may assemble, and where we may together recommence the exercise of our laws, and re-establish our statutory tribunals, but at the present moment it is impossible for us to fix a date, however dear to our heart will be the time for us to be found in the midst of our very dear and well-beloved friends, members of the Order. In the meantime, and in virtue of the holy obedience which is your duty, we order you not to seek by the i>emoval of the Common Mother ' a pretext for the discontinuance of your assemblies, but on the contrary to continue as usual, and if possible with more zeal than ever, to attend to the affairs of your Priory. (Signed) The Grand Master, Hompesch.' But all these efforts were of no avail ; a scapegoat had to be found, and Hompesch was to be the victim ; the spurious letter ascribed to De Tigne had succeeded in alienating not only the Grand Priory of Russia but also the ruling sovereigns of Russia and to some extent Austria. The only possible chance for the restoration of the Order was now deemed by the recalcitrant Knights to be that of placing themselves entirely under the sovereignty of the Czar. For this purpose, on the 26th of the following month, the Grand Priory of Russia issued the following protest : — Protest of the Grand Priory of Russia. Thui'sday, 26th August 1798.1 We, the Baillies, Grand Cross, Commanders, Knights of the Grand Priory of Russia, and other Knights of St. John of Jerusalem at an Extraordinary Assembly, at the Priorial Palace of the Order, in the Imperial residence of St. Petersburg, being obliged to turn our attention towards Malta, what profound grief must we now feel in beholding that ancient and noble theatre of our glory, treacherously sold by a Convention as null in its principles as it was infamous in its effects. What indignation must we not experience in reflecting, that after an insignificant attack of some hours, the cowards who bore the name of Knights surrendered that bulwark of Christianity, which the example of their predecessors and the sacred laws of honour enjoined them to defend to the last drop of their blood, to banditti a hundred times more infidel than those against whom the duties of their profession armed them. In the course of a war of seven centuries, the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem experienced more than once the vicissitudes of fortune ; more than once did the alarmed Christians behold the ^M.'P.L^USS, 4,20; Anntial Register, 1798, -p- 276. RUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 377 Shield of Faith, if we may so call it, bi'oken befoi'e its defenders, and the entire Order preserving no other refuge but in the hearts of its Knights. But the most noble always signalised theii' various successes, and their glory in the most disastrous reverses was as much respected as it was acknowledged to be splendid in their most brilliant exploits. Since the origin of the Order and until now, the name of one traitor alone has sullied its annals ; by what fatality do we now see it precipitated into the abyss of disgrace and ignominy, and by those very persons who were enjoined to preserve it ? If the speedy punishment of Amaret did not remedy the evils which his perfidy occasioned, it at least testified the principles of this illusti"ious corps. Grlory ! glory ! upon Villiers de I'lsle Adam, and opprobrium upon his infamous adversary. If it depends upon us at the present moment to wash off, in the blood of traitors, the crimes they have committed in shamefully bartering the ancient and superb inheritance of honour which our ancestors transmitted, let us at least show with energy the just resentment, hatred, and contempt, with which their felony inspires us ; let us reject with horror the vile treaty which will dishonour them for ever, and devote them irrevocably to that remorse and infamy which will for ever be their portion. For ourselves, united under the glorious auspices of Paul I, the August Emperor of All the Russias, and the Protector of our Order, We protest in the face of God, and in the presence of all those with whom honour and fidelity are still regarded as virtues, against everything that perfidy has permitted to the detriment of oui' Order. We solemnly disavow every proceeding contrary to the sacred laws of our Constitution. We regard as degraded from their rank and dignities all those who drew up, accepted, or consented to the infamous treaty that suiTendered Malta, as well as all those who shall be convicted of having co-opei'ated directly or indirectly in that work of iniquity. We renoimce from this time all sort of connection with those unworthy, infected, and corrupted members. Finally, we will never acknowledge for our brethren but those who shall manifest the conformity of their principles with ours by adhering to the present protestation, whilst we reserve to ourselves the power of extending or renewing the same according to the exigency of the case. In the faith of which we have proposed the present act, we have unanimously accepted and stamped it with the seal of the Grand Priory of Russia. Dated at St. Petersburg this day, Thm-sday, 26th August 1798. This protest was immediately confirmed by Paul I, who issued the following declaration : — Declaration op the Emperor op Russia.^ St. Petersburg, 26th Augtist 1798, Having attentively examined the acts presented to us by the Baillies, Knights of the Grand Cross, the Commanders and Knights of the Grand Priory of Russia, as well as the other Knights of the illustrious Oi"der of ' Anntial Register, 1798, p. 276. 378 A HISTORY OF MALTA St. John of Jerusalem, assembled in the Palace of the said Priory in our capital, acts which contain first, a protestation against the prejudicial conduct of the ci-devant Grand Master of the Order, Ferdinand Hompesch, and other Knights who have violated their engagements in surrendering, without any defence, their principal city and their whole State, and made a dishonourable capitulation with the chief of the Fi*ench who attacked the Island of Malta, stipulating only for the personal advantage of the Grand Master and his adherents ; 2""*^' the confidence of the members of that Oi'der in us, as its protectors, marked by the desire that we should attend to its preservation, and an expression of readiness to submit to any arrangements which we might think necessary to make for its benefit. We hereby confirm the said acts in their full force, and to testify our acknowledgements for the zeal of the members of the illustrious Order of St. John of Jerusalem we take all the well disposed of the corps under our supreme direction. We promise, upon our Imperial word, not only to maintain it in all its institutions, privileges, and honours, but also to employ all means in our power for its re-establishment in the respectable state which it formerly held, and with which it contributed to the advantage of Christianity in general, and of every well-governed State in particular. Not satisfied with obtaining" the sanction of Paul I to their proceedings, the Russian Priory approached His Holiness the Pope, for the purpose of obtaining his approval of the steps they had taken. Accordingly, on the 27th September, the Bailli de Litta forwarded a copy of the Czar's declaration, and that of the Priory's protest to His Holiness. Pius VI, who was then residing at the Carthusian Monastery of Cassini, near Florence, an exile from his dominions, at first appeared disinclined to condemn Hompesch, but finally replied on the 17th October 1798, as follows^ :— [Translation.] The Monastery at Cassini, Florence, 17^;^ October 1798. Pius P. P. VI. To MY WELL-BELOVED SoN, — Salutation and Apostolic Benediction. By £Cn extraordinary and singular coincidence we received your dispatch from St. Petersbui^g, dated the 27th ultimo, at the same time as another from the Chevalier Hompesch at Trieste. The latter asks us for a dispen- sation of the noviciate, and of the Carovane for the probationers, while you place before us, by a protest and by manifesto, the demerits of the said Hompesch, with- regard to the Order. To the latter, Hompesch, we have replied, that being, as he is, uxider censure and protestation of the Knights of the Russian Priory, he is not at present in a position to obtain from us the petition he has advanced, nevertheless as the Russian Priory so far is alone in this action, it is insufl&cient to declare him fallen from the magisterial dignity ; therefore it ' M.P.L., MSS. 420. KUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 379 will be necessary to wait for the decision of the other Langues, to verify whether Hompesch is guilty of the crime which is laid to his charge by the said Priory. But in order that whilst the investigation of the truth of the circum- stances is being conducted, and that the Russian Priory should not be prejudiced in any extraordinary emergency which may arise, a Knight of the said Priory might be deputed, who would be furnished with the authority of the Grand Master, in accordance with the prescriptions of the Order. Such is the answer we have sent to Hompesch at Trieste, and such is our reply to you, in order that you both may be instructed as to the course to be followed, and adapt yourselves thereto. Whilst we remain, &c. (Signed) Pius. To THE Bailli Count de Litta, St. Petersburg. His Holiness, on the same date, informed Hompesch that he had received copies of the manifesto and protest issued by the Grand Priory of Russia, and that in consequence thereof, he. His Holiness, was unable to accede to certain requests which Hompesch had made, until such time as he had answered satisfactorily the charges made against him, and had become repossessed of the authority of which he had been deprived. The letter ran as follows ^: — lb-id. 17 th October 1798. Pius P. P. VI. To MY WELL-BELOVED Sox, — Salutation and Apostolic Benediction. On the same day we received two letters, one from you, dated Trieste the 30th of the past month of September, wherein you petition us to grant a dispensation in favoui^ of the probationers of your Order in Convent, and in the ' Carovane,' without prejudice to their seniority. The other letter is one, from the Bailli Litta at St. Petei-sburg, under date of the 27th of the past August, covering a manifest and a protest issued by the Russian Priory, wherein we are told that you have been charged by the members of that Priory to acquaint us thereof. In these documents it is alleged that, by unquestionable evidence, you have been found wanting in your duty towards the Order, and youi' pei-sonal honour ; and that consequently you have forfeited the magisterial dignity, and all the rights appertaining thereto, and that such forfeiture must apply to all who have accepted, or consented directly or indirectly to the cession of the Island, and therefore they desire no longer to acknowledge, or have any connection or con*espondence with unworthy and corrupt members, or acknowledge as brethren, those who do not accept the terms and principles contained in the protest they have forwarded to us. In such state of the case, you can readily understand that we cannot grant your requests until you are cleared from the imputations laid to your charge, and restored to those rights from which they declare you have fallen. ' M.P.L., MSS. 420. 380 A HISTORY OF MALTA It is time that the deposition of a Grand Master cannot depend upon the vote of a single Priory, and that it should be necessary for the other Langues to adhere thereto. In the meanwhile, for the government of the Russian Pi'iory, they can depute one of their own body to administrate and provide for the needs which might occui', until such time as the facts have been heard and examined with all impartiality. We remain, &c. (Signed) Pius. Whilst this correspondence was proceeding, Hompesch was, at last, made aware of the intrigues being conducted against him at St. Petersburg, and on the 12th October he accordingly published the following protest, appealing to the friendly Powers, more particularly to that of Naples, and forwarded a copy also to His Holiness the Pope. Protest op His Highness the Grand Master, etc.i The Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem of the Holy Sepulchre and of St. Anthony of Vienna, in his own private name, as well as in that of the entire Oi'der of which he is the legitimate Chief and Representative, protests before God, and all Sovereigns, and befoi^ the entire Universe, against the effects of the internal revolution which the French Republic brought about in the Island of Malta, also against the seduction, by means of which that Republic perverted some members of that Order, attracted a number of the inhabitants of the city, allured and deceived the fidelity of the people, and rendered vain the means of defence, and made futile all military dispositions. Protests, further, against the hostile invasion by troops, at the very moment the Order was fulfilling towards them the duties of neutrality and of the most considerate hospitality ; against their manifest and unjust usurpation of its property, rights, &c. Formally protests against the document, maliciously called Convention,' conceived and dictated in the form and manner we have seen, by the Commander in Chief Bonaparte. This document is nothing moi'e than a violent law imposed by infamous traitors over whom the enemy prevailed to accomplish his designs by means of the French and Maltese Deputies and other rebels there, and then depriving the Grand Master and Council of the power to examine and refuse the said Convention. Specially protests against his compulsoiy eviction and departure from the Island, to which he was subsequently forced, never having pretended, or could he pretend, to cede the Sovereignty to any Power, without the consent of His Majesty the King of the Two Sicilies, to whom alone the Sovereignty of the Island belongs, an acknowledgment which, as formerly, the Order always owes to His Majesty for a Principality over which he at all times preserves his rights. The Grand Master energetically protests against all which personally refers to him in the Second Article of the Convention, believing it to have been maliciously invented and inserted, whether it regai'ds the pecuniary * De Villeneuve-Bargemont, vol. ii. p. 413 ; M.P.L., MSB. 420, RUSSIA'S CONNEXION WITH THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN 381 compensations, or that of the Sovereignty, which they (the Deputies) by means of French influence wished him to renounce, detesting and rejecting for ever all such, as having never been desired or solicited by him in any manner whatsoever. The Grand Master further protests against all or any other Acts, whether private or public, made subsequently to the Convention, con- sidering them as the resvilt of undue and overwhelming violence, in defiance of public and international rights, and as such, absolutely null and void. And finally, in order that the present formal and solemn protest, conceived and resolved fi'om the first moments when, under the auspices of the August Emperor and King, the Order and its Chief regained the opportunity of freely expressing their sentiments and desire, in this city of Trieste ; having previously made known and manifested to whom without controversy the Sovereignty of the Island of Malta belongs, and further to all the friendly Powers and Protectors of the Order. The Grand Master in his own name, as well as in that of all the Oi'der, respectfully submits this protest to His Majesty the King of the Two Sicilies, as he will also to all other Sovereigns. (Signed) Hompesch. Trieste, 12th October 1798. On the 30th October, Hompesch addressed the following pathetic appeal to the Emperor Paul : — Lettre du Grand MaItre a l'Empeeeur Paul P"' 30 Octobre 1798, de Trieste.i Sire, — Ma profonde douleur, la surprise causee par un evenement inattendu, mon juste etonnement de me voir expose aux plus atroces calomnies, qui ont pu egarer les membres du Prieure de Russie, remplissent d'amertume mon ame, et empoisonnent tous les momens de ma vie. Mais ce qui finit de m'accabler et de m'aneantir, c'est I'opinion de Votre Majeste Imperiale, declaree dans le decret qui suit le manifesto imprime du Grand- Prieure de Russie ; c'est son courroux. J'y succomberais sans doute, si la connaissance que j'ai de la justice et de I'equite de Votre Majeste Impei-iale ne m'inspii^ait et de I'espoir et de la force; si je ne savais pas que la gi-andeur d'ame de Votre Majeste Impe- riale, ne se laissant bornei- par aucune prevention, surmont[e] les entraves de I'opinion et embrasse genereusement la verite. Ce sont. Sire, ces qualites respectables dans lesquelles je mets toute ma confiance. Je ne rappellerai point a Votre Majeste Imperiale sa clemence marquee envers moi, ni les bons graces dont elle a daigne m'honorer. Je ne ferai pas mention de mon zele, et de mon empressement pour m'en rendre digne en faisant tous les efforts pour seconder ses vues, efforts qui m'ont suscite des ennemis innombrables et qui sont peut-etre la soui'ce de mon malheur. Dans tout autre situation, les bontes de Votre Majeste Imperiale envers ^ De Villeneuve-Bargemont, Monume7is des Grands Mattres de I'Ordre de St. Jean, vol. ii. p. 410. 382 A HISTORY OF MALTA moi, et mon entier devouement a ses desirs, pourraient me servir d'appui ; dans la presente, ou je suis oblige d'implorer sa justice et son equite, eclairee de ramour pur de la verite, elles ne saui^ient etre d'aucun poids. Un Prince, opprime par un tissu horrible d'iniquites, est aux pieds du son trone et demande respectueusement et vivernent de potcvoir se justifier vis-a-vis cCelle. Votre Majeste Imp^riale vaudra-t-elle, pourra-t-elle lui refuser ce bienfait ? On a abuse, Sire, de la credulite de beaucoup de niembres du Prieure de Russie et, qu'il me soit permis de le dire, on attente a surprendre la religion de Votre Majeste Imperiale. De vils calomniateurs se sont addresses au Prieure de Russie, et, en forgeant les accusations les plus absurdes, ils Font amene a publier un manifeste diffamant qui base sur une f ausse supposition, c'est-a-dire, celle qui fait accroire au monde que j'ai pu adherer a un projet dicte et publie par les Fran^ais, et sans autre approbation que celle des traitres et rebelles convenus secretement avec les ennemis. A peine arrive a Trieste, je n'ai rien eu de plus pressant que de soumettre a Votre Majeste Imperiale un projet de protestation contre cette piece. Ce projet a ete porte par le Courier Liberali au Bailli Litta, avec I'ordre de le presenter a Votre Majeste Imperiale ; il m'est parfaitement inconnu si ce projet a eu le sort de passer sous les yeux de Votre Majeste Imperiale. Au reste, j'ose le dire, je nae crois rassure sur ma conduite, d'apres les efforts inexpiimables que j'ai f aits contre le club gangrene que m'entoiu*ait, trop nombi-eux pour que je pusse m'en defaire et dont je ne pouvais pas eloigner les individus, la Constitution de I'Ordre ne me permettant point d'eloigner un dignitaire quelconque. Comment mes ennemis ont-ils front de soutenir, et comment ceux qui me connaissent plus intimement ont-ils pu supposer un moment que moi, glorieux d'etre le chef de I'elite de la Noblesse de I'Burope, j'ai pu avoir I'idee d'echanger cette destinee contre un avantage quelconque, meme celui d'une couronne ? Et pourtant Ton voudrait fait accroire que j'ai ete assez lache de me laisser prendre par I'appat imaginaire d'une pHncipaute en Allemagne. Pardonnez, Sire, cette idee m'abime, et rien que la justice connue de Votre Majeste Imperiale sei*a capable de relever mon esprit ; j'espere tout de sa clemence. Je m'y resigne tout entiei- ; un mot gi*acieux de Votre Majeste Imperiale me fournira les moyens de me justifier vis-a-vis d'elle, me rendra la vie, et je ne vivrai des ce moment que pour donner a Votre Majeste Imperiale des preuves de ma plus vive reconnaissance et du plus prof ond respect avec lequel j'ai I'honneur d'etre, Sire, Oobbett, vol. iii. p. 682. 424 A HISTOKY OF MALTA portion of the proposed definitive treaty regarding the island being in the same terms ; and he was thus instrumental in obtaining a revision in one or two important points, the principal being that of the incorporation of a Maltese Langue in the Order.^ The Maltese deputies were duly informed that, under the existing circumstances, the utmost that could possibly be done for them was being attempted by His Britannic Majesty's Government, which drew from them their grateful acknowledgment in the following letter : — [Translation.] From the Maltese Deputies to Lord Hobart. London, 2nd April 1802.2 My Lord, — The deputies of the Islands of Malta and Gozo have the honour of presenting to your Excellency the warmest thanks for all that you have deigned to do in favour of their nation. We are not ignorant, my Lord, of all that you must have had to over- come in order to insure the tranquillity and happiness of our country. The defence of it which you have been pleased to undertake is worthy the loyalty and magnanimity of your nation. Being unable to have the honour of forming a part of the Empire of his Britannic Majesty, by a faithful submission, we shall have that of being always united to it by an afEectionate gratitude. In transmitting to our latest descendants the story of our revolution, we shall tell them, that without the assistance of Great Britain our ruin must have been inevitable ; and the date of our happiness will be the date of the protection with which your Excellency has honoured us.^ We entreat" you, my Lord, to permit us at a seasonable opportimity to lay before you that which would complete the felicity of the Maltese nation, and to tender you, if you please, the homage of the lively gratitude and respectful devotion with which we have the honour, &c. (Signed) Le Marquis Testaperrata. „ L'Abb^ Mallia. „ L'Abb^ Ricaude. „ Antoine Mallia. „ Ph. Castagna. „ Michel Cachia. Lord Hobart's reply was couched in the following words : — Lord Hobart to the Maltese Deputies, Downing Street, 20^;^ April 1802. Gentlemen, — I have the honour to forward you by order of the King a copy of the Xth Article of the definitive treaty of peace concluded in Amiens, from which you will learn of the new arrangement agreed ' i.e. in the Treaty of Amiens, signed March 27, 1801. For details respecting, this treaty and the negotiations leading up to it, see the next chapter. — J. H. R. 2 Cobbett, vol. iii. p. 867. ^ The admission conveyed in this sentence disposes of the rodomontade in the other papers sent in by the Maltese deputies. — J. H. R. MISSION OF MALTESE DEPUTIES TO ENGLAND 425 upon by the Contracting Powers for the future government and trade of Malta. Prom the time in which the abandonment of Malta became an indis- pensable sacrifice on the pai't of His Britannic Majesty in oi'der to ensure a general peace,i one of the principal objects of his desire has been that of witnessing the happiness and prosperity of the Maltese nation increased and assured in such a manner as to render her able to participate in the authority through which her interests will have to be governed, as well as to avail herself of all the advantages relative to trade which her geo- graphical position offers them in a manner so singular, and His Majesty experiences the most sincere and constant satisfaction, believing that these great and important advantages have been at last granted them by the Act of the Contracting Powers in the Treaty of Amiens. I am now able to inform you that your letters of the 1st March, 2nd and 5th of the cuiTent April, have been received. With regard to the first, as its date is prior to that of the definitive treaty, you must be aware that I could not give you an earlier reply, seeing that it was delivered to me at a most critical moment of the negotiations, and I have deferred repljdng to this letter with less regret, knowing that the interests of the Maltese were being anxiously defended and considered by His Majesty's Govern- ment as far as the circumstances would permit. In your letter of the 2nd instant I have had the satisfaction to receive the testimony which you offer for the success of the efforts made in favour of your compatriots, and with the most sincere pleasure I have to inform you that having placed this letter before the King, His Majesty has been graciously pleased to declare his great satisfaction at the expressions it contains. In reply to the letter dated the 5th instant, it will be sufficient for me to assure you in genei'al terms, that His Majesty will employ all his influence to obtain a due execution of the treaty regarding Malta, according to the true intentions and true spirit of said treaty. The fidelity, the attachment, and the good conduct of the people of Malta and Gozo, during the time in which these Islands have been con- nected with the British Government, have entitled them to any protection which [it] may lie in the power of His Majesty to grant. I feel happy at being able to avail myself of this occasion to express to you my satisfaction, with regai-d to the prudent, disci-eet, and honourable conduct which you have observed dviring the whole period of your stay in this country. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Hobart. Great efforts had been made both by Russia and that section of the Order resident in St. Petersburg to frustrate the mission of the deputies. On the 2nd April 1802, Lord St. Helens, the British Minister at St. Petersburg, was able to inform Lord Hawkesbury that a memorandum had been issued by the Provincial Council of State of the Order in that city, denouncing them as unrepresentative. The Council had been informed by the Bailli Caraccolo de St. Erami, their Minister at Palermo, that they were not representative, ' See my Life of Napoleon I, vol. i. pp. 352-3, for the disputes at Amiens concerning Malta, which nearly ended the negotiations. — J. H. E. 426 A HISTORY OF MALTA and that the entire population of Malta had shown the most lively disquietude since the embarkation of the deputation. The despatch goes on to say ^ : — Jamais peut-etre il n'y eut un gouvei^nement plus doux, plus modere, plus paternal que celui des Grands Maitres — nulle taxe, nuUe imposition ; point d'injustices, ni de vexation[s] ; tribunaux composes par la noblesse et le tiers etats du pays; les habitans entretenus, soldes, nourris, defendus aux frais de I'Ordre. Tels etaient les avantages dont ils out jones pendant pres de trois siecles sans la moindre plainte de leui' part. Les seules i-eclamations sont venues de deux classes pi^ivilegies, celle des nobles et celle des pretres. The note closes by giving reasons for excluding Maltese nobles from the class of chevaliers, mainly because of the difficulties which would ensue if a Maltese knight were elected Grand Master ! The deputies had an interview with His Majesty the King at Kew on the 11th April, which is referred to in the 'Annual Register' in the following passage : — As His Majesty was coming out of church, he was met by several gentlemen from Malta, who had been waiting for some time to see the King. His Majesty was accompanied by Earl Morton. The King con- versed a long time with the Maltese gentlemen. It must create some surprise that those gentlemen who attended as ambassadors from their State should not be admitted officially to a regular audience. Surely this did not proceed from any servile fear of the displeasure of Bonaparte to our Ministers. It must be observed here that the arrival of the Maltese deputies during the interval between the preliminary and definitive treaties could not but be very embarrassing to the British Ministry. Whilst anxiously desirous of faithfully fulfilling the engagements they had entered into with France in the first treaty, and in their earnest wish for peace, they nevertheless could not but sympathise with the Maltese deputies, and deplore the sacrifice which had to be made, nor were they for this reason in a position to grant an official and regular audience to the deputation until the treaty had been signed.^ Soon after the receipt of Lord Hobart's letter of the 20th April, the deputies sailed for Malta, where they arrived at the end of May or beginning of June, when they presented to their constituents the following report : — ^ Foreign Office, Russia, No. 50. ' Sir Alexander Ball and W. A. Miles (see his Correspondence, vol. ii. pp. 323-6) were anxious to further the aims of the Maltese deputies, and regretted the chilling reception given to them by Ministers. At Ball's request Miles drew up privately one of the memorials which the Maltese presented to our officials (see post), and Miles advised them that their Island could never be independent, because its food supply could support the population only for three months. — J, H. R. MISSION OF MALTESE DEPUTIES TO ENGLAND 427 [Translation.] Dear Fellow Citizens,^ — Upon our safe aiYival in this our island it becomes oui' duty to report to you the manner in which we have performed the duties attached to the high office of representing you at the Royal Coui^t of London, and the line of argument we adopted in supporting the rights of the Maltese our fellow citizens, and obtaining for them the utmost advantage. At the first audience which we had with His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Loi-d Hobart (Minister for War and the Colonies) on the 8th of last February, and in obedience to the instructions communicated to us by you, previous to our departu.i'e, we expressed above all other things the ardent desire of the Maltese to become an integral part of the British dominions, from which Government they had ah'eady received signal proofs of its beneficence. Such expression of our feeling would, we felt assured, be most gratifying to that Royal Court, rendering it most favourably disposed, and engage it in all eventualities to support the rights to which the Maltese nation is entitled. To this declaration of ours the Minister replied in feeling terms, assui'ing us on behalf of the Sovereign, of His Majesty's gracious acknowledgment, and informing us f mother, that "what had been established in the preliminary articles of the treaty of peace was the result of the circumstances in which Europe was actually placed, and that Great Britain, having i^atified these preliminaries, she was bound to keep them, and, thei^efore, compelled to relinquish the sovereignty of Malta. Under these cii-cumstances, we then considered it our duty, in accord- ance with the instructions received, to claim at least the pi'otection of England, towards which Power the Maltese had given proofs of the greatest attachment, and in order that by her authority and influence Malta might obtain the most favoui^able conditions. These most f avoui'able conditions we conceived to be, freedom to return under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, or independ- ence under the protection of England or the United Powers. To this end tended all our expressions. To strengthen our arguments, we mentioned that not only the natural rights which belong to all men justify us in demanding not only the above, but also those rights which result from privileges granted to the Maltese by our ancient sovereigns, demonsti^ating that such privileges had always been respected in the past by the Emperor Charles V. when granting the Island in fief to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and even by the French in the capitulations between them and the said Order, when Valetta was surrendered. Not satisfied with an oral declaration of these views, advanced with all the zeal in oui' power, we repeated same in a written memorial addressed to the English Minister, and presented on the 1st March, in which we expressed the pain we had experienced in witnessing the unhappy lot which had befallen to our country in being prevented from becoming one of the signatory parties in the capitulations agi-eed upon between the British General and the French upon the surrender of Valetta. 1 M.P.L., MSS. No. 380. 428 A HISTORY OF MALTA We further maintained that the treatment which the Maltese had received was that of a conquered people, whereas they ought certainly to have been considered, if not the sole conquerors of their own Island, at least as allies of England and the other Powers who had contributed to the captiu-e of the city, and as a people who had shed their blood, as well as treasure, in the purchase of their libei-ty. We further took the advantage of laying oui' case, with all the argu- ments we could bring to bear upon it, before all people of influence, who might aid our cause at Court. Although oui' repine sentations made no little impression upon the British Minister, nevertheless, he was not in a position to remedy the past. The ratifications of the preliminai'ies of peace, it was alleged, made it necessary to place the Island of Malta again under the dominion of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. Knowing full well, that the whole object of placing Malta again in the possession of the Order of St. John was to secure its perfect neutrality, we expressed in the most positive manner the impossibility of the Order to maintain such pretended neutrality, that, in fact, the idea of neutrality was contrary to the secret constitution of the said Order. To add weight to our assertions, we gave an account of past events regarding the said Order, proving up to the hilt its absolutely necessary dependence upon one of the Powers of Europe, rather than that of any of the others. And we must not omit stating that we, with great warmth, defended our nation from the effects of the injurious accusations which the Order has circulated to our cost at the various Courts, describing us as rebels and traitors. Owing to the cii'cumstances we have related, we found ourselves at last compelled to dwell only on endeavouring, as far as possible, to mitigate the evil, and to improve the prospects of the Maltese about to be replaced under the sovereign dominion of the Order. For this purpose we adopted all the means at our disposal, which might in effect free the Maltese for the future fi'om the vicissitudes they have suffered in the past, by giving to them also a voice in the government of their own country, in order that they might maintain by their influence and their additional strength that neutrality which the Powers requu^ed. If on these points all our demands have not been granted in full, the fault must be attributed to the political circumstances of the times. It is a well known fact that, owing to the discussion which followed our representations, the conclusion of peace was delayed for a considerable time, and various couriers were successively despatched to the British Envoy (at Amiens) on this account, and we are persuaded that you will be fully convinced of our having, with every possible means, promoted the interests of our country, when you deign to compare Art. IV of the pre- liminary treaty of peace with the conditions of Art. X of the definitive treaty. Our last efforts on your behalf were made for indemnity, for we remembered well with what warmth your instructions on this point were conveyed to us, and we, therefore, upon various occasions appealed most earnestly that such should be granted. If these efforts have not been successful, the disappointment cannot be attributed to Great Britain, aided though she was by our co-operation. Nor will it be necessary to adduce any further reason to convince anyone. MISSION OF MALTESE DEPUTIES TO ENGLAND 429 whosoevei' he may be, that England was not in a position to obtain for the Maltese such indemnity. On her part she had to abandon the Island, with the loss of considerable advantages, together with the expense incuri-ed in acquiring its possession. These are sufficient reasons for her declining to support this claim — a claim which, without doubt, she would have paid (as on various occasions she proclaimed she would) had the Island remained under her dominion. It is, therefore, with gi^eat sorrow that we have to announce what the British Minister said to us in mitigation of the pain it gave us to hear, viz. : ' that if the Maltese do not succeed in obtaining such indemnity from the Order of St. John upon their arrival in Malta, the expenses they had been put to must become an indispensable sacrifice, for a sacrifice of much greater proportion each nation had to suffer, in their desire to obtain peace.' But, in order that the sacrifice which had thus to be made should fall upon each individual Maltese in proportion to their means, we suggested to the English Minister that it would only be equitable that such expenses (in the event of their not being otherwise paid) be liquidated by Maltese possessors of property (landed or otherwise) in proportion to theii' rentals. And, finally, our last effort was made by reminding the English Minister of the various difficulties which might arise after the Order had been re-established in the Island, and when the future civil adminis- tration had been decided upon, and which might, later on, be encountered in the execution of the conditions — difficulties which might unfortunately nullify the advantages gained by the Maltese in the definitive treaty, and we, therefore, demanded the adoption of those remedies which we con- sidered applicable to the case. The English Minister promised that the assistance of England would be given to us, and he assured us further, that her good offices would be engaged with the other guaranteeing Powers in securing the independency of Malta, and that to such end the spirit of the definitive treaty should be faithfully observed. Such also were the expressions of His Britannic Majesty when, in presence of the Royal Family, we were honoured with an interview, upon taking our leave to return to Malta. In order to secure the fulfilment of all that had been promised, we deemed it expedient to demand that the Resident British Minister about to be appointed to Malta should be endowed with all those powers and qualifications which would inspire confidence amongst the Maltese, and maintain with force their rights. We further on this occasion requested, for the security of our com- merce, that the use of the British flag might be granted until the cessation of hostilities between the Order of St. John and the Barbary States, promised by the contracting Powers, had been verified. Nor did we omit, finally, to make the opportune entreaties that the widows, wounded, and well-deserving of the country should continue to receive the pensions which had been accorded them by the English Government, that all the battalions should participate equally with the English and the Neapolitans in the prize money of Malta, and that the Maltese slaves resident in Algiers should be liberated, as had been done with those in Constan- tinople, and other Ottoman dominions. Having faith in all that has been done with regard to our Island, and relying upon tlie vigilance and power which our fellow citizens will for th© 430 A HISTORY OF MALTA futiu'e exercise in maintaining their ancient rights, as well as those lately acquired, by means of the Ministers of the guaranteeing Powers attached to the Order of St. John, we have not the slightest doubt but that Malta in the future will enjoy that good fortune, of which up to the present time she has been deprived. This we desire from the bottom of oiu* hearts ; we have striven to obtain it for her, with all the zeal and fidelity we possess, in fulfilment of the commission entrusted to us. It remains for you and all our fellow citizens to support her, rendering her firmly established, and adding to the glory of the Maltese name. We trust that you will be able to approve of all that we have done regarding the commission you charged us with, in the like manner in which the Royal Court of London publicly approved oui' conduct during the whole time of our stay, giving proof of same by the manner in which we were hospitably received, and, further, by the last letter forwarded to us by the Minister under date of the 20th of April last. The satisfaction which I'esults from having faithfully fulfilled our duty, and in having rendered some service to onr country, leads us to forget all that we have suffered in its accomplishment, and we shall consider ourselves happily rewarded by obtaining your approbation. (Signed) Marquis Don Mario Testaperrata, &c. Some doubt has been raised as to which of two appeals prepared for presentation to His Majesty the King was officially delivered by the deputies, although it is a positive fact, that a copy of the representation, prepared in Malta in November, was forwarded to the British Ministry by Commissioner Cameron, and received by them, sixteen days before the deputies arrived in London.^ On a printed copy of the memorial in question, preserved in the Public Library of Malta, numbered 1900, there is a MS. remark of the late Sir Ferdinand V. Inglott, Collector of H.M.^s Customs in that island, to the following effect : — ' This document was deemed too libellous to be presented as a State Paper, and therefore another Memorial was draAvn up by Mr. Miles, at the request of Sir Alexander Ball (then in England), a copy of which was sent to me. — F.V.I.' The Reverend Charles Popham Miles (editor of the ' Correspondence of William Augustus Miles ') explains that ' the Memorial drawn up by his father (referred to above) was written in French, and is a document of some length, reviewing the position of the Maltese when under the government of the Order. It touches on the appearance of the French squadron off Valetta in June 1798, mentions the artifice of Bonaparte to effect a landing of his troops, and how, con- trary to treaty, he succeeded through the treachery of the Order ; and shows that in 1800 the Maltese militia, although undisciplined as soldiers, compelled the French to capitulate and retire, whereupon the English entered the harbour and took possession of the island, at the special desire of the inhabitants. '^ These latter statements, so at variance with the true facts of the ^ C.O.R. Malta, No. 3. ^ Miles, Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 326. MISSION OF MALTESE DEPUTIES TO ENGLAND 431 case, induced the Reverend Mr. Miles to add : — ' Internal evidence plainly indicates that portions of this document were dictated by the deputies themselves/ He proceeds, ' There is extant in Malta the original Memorial in Italian, brought over and signed by the deputies, II Marchese Mario Testaferrata, Dr. Emmanuele Riccaud, Filippo Castagna, Michele Cachia Sacerdote, Dr. Pietro Mallia, and Antonio Mallia. The deputation was accompanied by Antonio Casolani as the confidential agent of the Government, and Eugenie Formosa as his clerk.' 'Why Sir Alexander Ball should have requested Mr. Miles to draw up another memorial after the deputies had arrived in London does not appear ; but the fact is so.' ^ A copy of the memorial prepared for the Maltese deputies by Mr. W. A. Miles is in the Malta Public Library. ' Miles, Correspondence, p. 327 (Note). See also pp. 323-6 for the whole of Miles's dealings with the deputies. — J. H. R. CHAPTER XX THE TREATY OP AMIENS During the six months which intervened between the dates of the preliminary and the definitive treaties of peace, Russia proposed that if a Maltese Langue were added to the Order (one of the proposi- tions then being discussed) it should only be granted provided that candidates for knighthood therein first presented proofs of their nobility, knowing well that in eifect such a clause, if agreed to, would in most instances render the privilege nugatory. This suggestion was doubtless instigated by that section of the Order then residing at St. Petersburg, who were violently opposed to the admission of Maltese to the Order under any condition. Lord St. Helens was requested by the Russian Government to convey this proposal to the British Cabinet, which was accordingly done in the following letter to Lord Hawkesbury : — [Synopsis.] 22nd December 1801.^ He states that the Russian Minister requests that in the arrangements being made relative to the future government of Malta the stipulation of the article which relates to the natives of Malta should be to the following effect, viz., ' That the natives of Malta should be admissible to employments and ofl&ces within the Island, and be capable of becoming Knights of the Order on their furnishing the proofs required by the statutes.^ Later on, another difficulty arose as to who should bear the cost of the temporary garrison which it was proposed should be supplied by the King of Naples. A suggestion that the expense should be defrayed by England and France would have been approved by Russia, the Czar's Ambassador in London leading Lord Hawkesbury to believe that if France disagreed, England would, in such case, withdraw from the arrangement. On this point. Count Woronzow, Russian Ambassador at London, wrote to Lord Hawkesbury as follows : — 1 F.O. Eussia, 49. 432 THE TREATY OF AMIENS 433 [Synopsis.] 2nd February 1802/ Referring to the subject of Malta, and the proposal that Malta should be garrisoned by the King of the Two Sicilies, and the cost of the garrison to be defi*ayed by England and France, this arrangement the Emperor of Russia will guarantee with pleasure. He proceeds to say that if, as Lord Hawkesbury had told him on that day, France was beginning a tergiverser,' the Britannic Government would compromise itself very much with the Russian Government if it abandoned on this account an arrangement which had been represented as vital. He suggests the putting into writing the article respecting Malta, submitting it with a note to the French Plenipotentiaries at Amiens, informing them that if they do not consent to it, the English troops will not abandon possession. Before the negotiations could be brought to a close, and quite regardless of the interests of the Maltese people, the French Government proposed that ' the Order of Malta should be modified with respect to its composition, that instead of an order of Knighthood, it should become simply an Order of Hospitality, conformably to its primitive institution, and that the Fortifications should he demolished, and the Island converted into a great Lazaretto, appropriated to the equal accommodation of all the different nations which trade in the Mediterranean and the Levant/ ^ The English Government, however, would not consent to this proposition, and when finally all difficulties, so far as England and France, together with her allies, Spain and the Batavian Republic, were concerned, were at last adjusted, the definitive treaty was duly signed at Amiens on the 27th March 1802. The tenth article, which concerned Malta, was to the following effect : — Art. X. The Islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino shall be restored to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, and shall be held by it upon the same conditions on which the Order held them previous to the war, and under the following stipulations. 1st. The Knights of the Order whose Langues shall continue to subsist after the exchange of the ratifications of the present ti'eaty, are invited to return to Malta as soon as that exchange shall have taken place. They shall there form a general chapter, and shall proceed to the election of a Grand Master to be chosen from amongst the natives of those nations which preserve Langues, if no such election shall have been already made since the exchange of the ratifications of the preliminary articles of peace. It is understood that an election which shall have been made subsequently to that period shall alone be considered as valid, to the exclusion of every other which shall have taken place previous to the same period. 2nd. The Goveraments of Great Britain, and of the French Republic, being desirous of placing the Order of Saint John and the Island of Malta in a state of entire independence of each of those Powers, do agi*ee that ' F.O. Russia. No. 50. - Cobbett's Weekly Political Register, vol. iii. p. 1857. 2 F 434 A HISTORY OF MALTA there shall henceforth be no English nor French Langues, and that no individual belonging to either of the said Powers shall be admissible into the Order. 3rd. A Maltese Langue shall be established, to be supported out of the land revenues and commercial duties of the Island. There shall be dignities with appointments and an Auberge appropriated to this Langue. No proofs of nobility shall be necessary for the admission of Knights into the said Langue ; they shall be competent to hold every office and to enjoy every privilege in the like manner as the Knights of the other Langues. The municipal revenue, civil, judicial, and other offices under the Govern- ment of the Island shall be filled at least in the proportion of one-half by native inhabitants of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. 4th. The forces of His Britannic Majesty shall evacuate the Island and its dependencies within three months after the exchange of the ratifications, or sooner if it can be done. At that period the Island shall be delivered up to the Order in the state in which it now is, provided that the Gi'and Master, or Commissioners fully empowered according to the statutes of the Order, be upon the Island to receive possession, and that the force to be furnished by His Sicilian Majesty as hereafter stipulated be arrived there. 5th. The garrison of the Island shall at all times consist at least one half of native Maltese, and the Order shall have the liberty of recniiting for the remainder of the gax-rison, from the natives of those countries only that shall continue to possess Langues. The native Maltese troops shall be officered by Maltese, and the supreme command of the garrison, as well as the appointment of the officers shall be vested in the Grand Master of the Order, and he shall not be at liberty to divest himself of it, even for a time, except in favour of a Knight of the Order, and in consequence of the opinion of the Council of the Order. 6th. The independence of the Islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, as well as the present arrangement, shall be under the protection and guarantee of Great Britain, France, Austria, Russia, Spain, and Prussia. 7th. The perpetual neutrality of the Order, and of the Island of Malta and its dependencies, is hereby declared. 8th. The ports of Malta shall be open to the commerce and navigation of all nations, who shall pay equal and moderate duties. These duties shall be applied to the support of the Maltese Langue in the manner specified in pai'agraph 3, to that of the civil and military establishments of the Island, and to that of a lazaretto open to all flags. 9th. The Barbary States are excepted from the provisions of the two preceding paragraphs until, by means of an arrangement to be made by the contracting parties, the system of hostility which subsists between the said Barbary States, the Order of Saint John, and the Powers possessing Langues, or taking part in the formation of them, shall be terminated. 10th. The Order shall be governed, both in spiritual and temporal matters, by the same statutes that were in force at the time when the Knights quitted the Island, so far as the same shall not be derogated from by the present treaty. 11th. The stipulations contained in paragraphs 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10 shall be converted into laws and perpetual statutes of the Order in the customary manner, and the Grand Master (or if he should not be in the Island at the THE TREATY OF AMIENS 435 time of its restitution to the Order, his representative), as well as his successors, shall be bound to take oath to observe them punctually. 12th. His Sicilian Majesty shall be invited to fui'nish 2,000 men, natives of his dominions, to serve as a garrison for the several fortresses upon the Island. This force shall remain there for one year fi'om the period of the restitution of the Island to the Knights, after the expiration of which term, if the Order of Saint John shall not, in the opinion of the guaranteeing Powers, have raised a sufficient force to garrison the Island and its dependencies in the manner proposed in paragraph 5, the Neapolitan troops shall remain until they shall be relieved by another force judged to be sufficient by the said Powers. 13th. The several Powers specified in paragraph 6, viz. Great Britain, France, Austria, Russia, Spain and Pmssia, shall be invited to accede to the present arrangement. Anticipating adverse criticism of the treaty by the Russian Government, and in explanation o£ some alterations in details which the French Government insisted upon, Lord Hawkesbury instructed the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg to represent to that Gov- ernment the motives which had induced his Court to give way on certain points. The substance of his dispatch was as follows : [Synopsis.] Lord Hawkesbdry to Lord St, Helens. Downing Street, 30^7i March 1802.1 [He annoim^ces the signature of the Treaty of Amiens on 27th March ; on the subject of Malta (the 10th article) he wi'ites at some length in explanation.] The arrangement which has been made is slightly different from that proposed originally to Count Woronzow and the instructions to Lord Comwallis, but very little vai-iation in the spii'it of the treaty is made by the alterations. The election of the Grand Master, if it has ah-eady taken place in consequence of the declaration of the Emperor of Russia, is to be considered as valid ; if not, this election should take place without further delay. The Knights should be summoned to meet on the spot. [With i^espect to the guarantee he trusts that the extension of the guai^ntee to the Great Powers will likewise be thought advantageous.] It is of the greatest importance that Youi* Excellency should use your best endeavours to represent this ai^rangement to the Russian Government in its true point of view, and you will urge them to induce those Knights over whom His Imperial Majesty may have influence to repair immediately to Malta, and to concur in the election of some independent and respectable person for the office of Grand Master. The British Government was also anxious that it should be kno"svn by those whom it most closely concerned what had been the motives ' F.O. Russia, 50. 2 F 2 436 A HISTORY OF MALTA of her policy with regard to the arrangement respecting Malta, and issued the following memorandum : The British Grovernment have been governed by a desire to promote the fundamental and permanent interests of Malta. The geographical position of the Island and its political circumstances make it impossible that it should ever be annexed to any of those Powers unless in a state of things widely different from that in which the preliminary treaty took place. Since it was the sense of the European Powers to maintain the sovereignty of the Order of St. John in Malta, the Grst object sought for by the British Groverament was to destroy the bar by which the Maltese have been excluded from all share in the government of the Island. Let it not be foi'gotten that Great Britain has, while Malta was subject to the British Government, incurred expenses for the security, relief, and comfort of its inhabitants to an amount far exceeding the aggregate of all their losses ; for which expenses no other satisfaction is received than that which arises from the considei^ation of having first I'escued the people from their condition of thraldom. Although the interval of peace between England and France which followed this treaty was destined to be of short duration, the general opinion in England was one of satisfaction. But, as is well known, this feeling soon changed to one of grave concern when it was seen that the First Consul was bent on excluding British trade from France and from her vassal States, while he himself controlled the destinies of the Continent. His intervention in the affairs of Switzerland soon brought England and France to the verge of war ; and the mission to the Levant which he entrusted to Colonel Sebastiani aroused the fears of our Government.^ Equally disturbing was the attitude of Bonaparte towards the Maltese question. Mr. Drummond on the 19th April informed Lord Hawkesbury from Naples that he had seen a letter from the Neapolitan Ambassador at Paris, the Marquis di Gallo, who mentions therein what was said to him on the subject of the Treaty of Amiens by the First Consul, who called * the new arrangement for Malta a romance, which could not be executed.' ^ Notwithstanding the doubts which arose in the minds of the British Cabinet, they, faithful to their engagements, on the 30th April 1802, instructed Lieut.-General the Hon. H. E. Fox, then commanding the British forces in the Mediterranean, to withdraw the Malta garrison, in accordance with the Treaty of Amiens as follows : Lord Hobart to Lieut.-General Fox. Downing Street, 30^;^ April 1802.3 Sir, — I herewith transmit to you a copy of the definitive treaty of peace, signed at Amiens on the 27th ultimo, the ratifications of which were ' See J. H. Rose, Life of Napoleon I, vol. i. cc. xvi., xvii. 2 F.O., Sicily, 17. '^ C.O.R. Malta. No. 8. (1802). THE TKEATY OF AMIENS 437 exchanged at Paris on the 18th instant, and in conformity thereto, I have the honour to enclose His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual directing you (pro- vided that the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, or Com- missioners fully empowered according to the statutes of the said Order to be upon the Island of Malta to receive possession of the same, and provided that the force of 2000 men to be furnished by His Sicilian Majesty be actually an'ived thereon) to deliver within a peinod not exceeding three months from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty aforesaid the said Island of Malta and its dependencies to the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, or to Commissioners fully empowered as aforesaid, with the fortifications thereof, in the state in which they may have been at the time of the signature of the preliminary treaty, and as it is possible that some doubts may arise with regard to the artillery and ammunition belong- ing to the said fortifications. His Majesty is graciously pleased to authorise you to restore, together with the Island, all the artillery and ammunition found therein, at the time they were conquered by His Majesty's arms. Having carried these orders into execution it is His Majesty's pleasure that you do cause to embark such of His Majesty's troops or subjects as may be upon the said Island or its dependencies, together with all the artillery, stores, and other effects now there belonging to the King or any of His Majesty's subjects. The Officer Commanding His Majesty's fleet in the MediteiTanean is dii-ected to co-operate with you in the evacuation of Malta and its depend- encies, and instructions relative to the ultimate disposal of the troops under your command will be communicated to you by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief. (Signed) Hobart. A letter from Mr. Macaulay (Secretary to the Local Government) dated the 26th April, and two from Mr. W. Eton of the 17th and 18th May, describe how this treaty was received by the populace in Malta. [Extract.] Alex. Macaulay to Sir Alexander Ball. Malta, 2Qth April 1802.1 . . . The Italian translation of the definitive treaty has arrived. The most judicious of (the population) acknowledge that the process they carried on against the Order for 200 years is now decided in their favour ; at the same time they are apprehensive of the disadvantages under which they must labour for a length of time. How can this Island support their own Langue ? and who are the individuals who can be elected who have ability, dignity, &c., enough to be proof against influence and intrigues, and to support with propriety and effect the interests of their country ? The Pope is the only sovereign who has yet discovered an inten- tion of returning their estates to the Order of St. John. I endeavour to reconcile to their fate the Maltese who converse with me about the situation and prospects. All the lower classes of people are attached to us, and wish that we should retain possession of the Island. 1 F.O., Malta, 2. 438 A HISTOKY OF MALTA [Private.] Mr. W. Eton to Mr. J. Sullivan. Valetta, 11th May 1802.1 Sir, — We ai^e but just this minute informed that a ship sails for England immediately. I take the liberty of mentioning to you that from pi"ivate letters I have learnt it has been thought that I encoui^aged the Maltese deputation. I did not endeavour to i^esist what I could not prevent, but I can assure you that I promoted sentiments of moderation, and acted in general in such a manner as to gain their confidence and attach to me many of the leading people of the Island, so completely that I have inform- ation of every step they take and every resolution they form. As a proof of this, I am now able to inform you that last night a Council of several of the nobility and popular characters was held at a private house in this city, when it was determined that the Fii^st Jui'at, or Pi'esident of the Senate of Citta Vecchia should invite the different classes to elect representatives to form a Council, according to their ancient privileges, to consider of the interests of the nation, and how to put into effect the articles of the treaty so as to obtain the end proposed by the British Government. This Council representing the nation, they consider as necessary in order to consult with His Majesty's Commissioner and the Commander-in-Chief when affairs of the nation are to be treated of. They seem to be resolved to proceed immediately to the nomination of their Knights (fee. to compose their Langue. I have no doubt but Marquis Mario Testaferrata will be the Grand Prior. People are of opinion that the weight given to the Maltese in ha^dng a Langue has been entirely left to the Grand Master, who is as heretofore a despotic sovereign, with the whole legislative and executive authority in his own hands as Pi'ince of the island, the Order never having had any intei-fei^ence in the government of the nation. It will be necessary to quiet the minds of the people, that besides the French Knights and priests, all those Maltese who were naturalised French- men, and as such possessed Commanderies or were canons in any of the French abolished Langues, should quit the Island. It will require great moderation and indulgence to prevent commotions. The dissatisfied with the treaty make the following observations : That the Maltese will be more respected than they wei'e befoi-e. That their vanity will be flattered and their consequence increased by having a Langue. That by the French Langues being abolished the Island will be in less danger of falling into the hands of France, but that, on the other hand, their revenues are i-educed to a trifle by the want of the French Langues. The expense increased to the nation by the Maltese Langue. Commerce again annihilated by the abolishing of the free-port. The Grand Master, without any control, sole despotic sovereign, and besides nominates their officers. Heretofore the whole troops, they observe, were Maltese, and the Militia trusted with arms, which in 1761 amounted alone to 16,000 men. The courts of justice and all offices which required learning, were always 1 C.O.R. Malta No. 6 (1802). THE TREATY OF AMIENS 439 occupied by Maltese. I hope the deputies who are satisfied will prevail on their countrymen to be so when they return — they ai'e looked for with anxiety. I thought it would be interesting to you to leai-n how the treaty was received here. I have the honour, xa them the advantages of the fr-ee port, will reduce their commerce to its former insignificancy. They complain very loudly that there is no restraint on the power of the Grand Master, their Langue, as well as the others, having no concern in the government of the people. Grod send we may find means to quiet the fermentation that now exists, and probably will rise to a greater degree. I have the honoui- to be, &c. (Signed) Wm. Eton. PS. — Since writing the above Mr. Cameron has received a letter from the First Senator or Jurat of Citta Yecchia. I do not learn that there are many candidates for the Cross. What some years ago would have been a high gratification to the vanity of the Maltese is now held in contempt. By the English they have been treated with so much distinction and affability that, feeling no humiliation from a class of men who assumed no insulting superiority of rank, they had nothing to wish on the side of honoui'. It is too late an hour for Mr. Cameron to write on these subjects, but he will send a messenger in a few days. After all, I hope we shall get quietly out of the Island, and that is all we can expect. There has been no re- joicing here for the peace. I believe no one would venture to illuminate. I take the liberty of writing privately all these things, because I pi-esume you wish to learn what the Maltese think. (Signed) W. Eton.2 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 6 (1802). - With regard to this last letter, it will be well to refer to the chapter which treats of Mr. Eton and the Consiglio Popolare. (Note hy Mr. Hardman.) CHAPTER XXI DISCUSSIONS AND COEKESPONDENCE RELATING TO MALTA (1802 to March 1803) The definitive Treaty of Amiens was severely criticised by the Opposi- tion in both Houses of Parliament, led by Lords Grenville and Spencer in the House of Lords, and by Windham in the Commons. The attacks were principally directed against the re-establishment of the Order in Malta. Lord Grenville stated that ' the Order by the new regulations was impoverished in finance, it had become degraded in reputation, and that it must soon sink into a gang of low, needy, and unprincipled adventurers.' ^ It was further stated that ' the independence of Malta was not safe in the hands of a Neapolitan garrison, whose monarch had become a vassal of France in all but the name at a time when the French Consul, Bonaparte, was President of the French Republic, with a French army constantly in the heart of Italy, and with Piedmont united to France.^ Bonaparte was thus in a position to take Malta from His Sicilian Majesty at any time by demanding Malta or Naples. As for the six guarantors — France, Great Britain, Austria, Spain, Russia, and Prussia — four of these had no naval force, or were situ- ated at an immense distance from the island, and the sixth, Prussia, in abject submission to France, then in possession of her arsenals, her fleet, and her armies.^ Nor was it certain that Russia would agree to accept the responsibility to which she had been invited.' This proved eventually to be the case. At the sitting of the 3rd May 1802, Windham (then member for Norwich) denounced the treaty in still more forcible terms. Referring to Malta Mr. Windham said : By the preliminaries Malta was not to belong to France or England, 1 See, too, Cobbett, vol. ii. pp. 512, 1239. ^ Bonaparte by the Senatus Consultum of 21st September 1802 definitively annexed Piedmont to France. A little earlier he annexed Elba. For the alarm felt in England about Malta see a letter in Cobbett, vol. ii. pp. 838-844. — J. H. R. ^ PrnBBian policy, then directed mainly by Haugwitz, was almost entirely subservient to France, which then helped her to gain very largely in the secularisation of clerical domains then being planned, and completed in February 1803. — J. H. R. 440 DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENC&-1802-3 441 but to be restored to the Order, under the protection of a third Power, generally supposed to be Russia. It was originally conceived that Malta was not to be given up, but that would not now be a proper matter for dis- cussion. We shall take it simply upon the condition of the preliminaries. Instead, however, of providing for Malta in the spii'it of the preliminaries, a covered way has been devised by which England is completely ousted and Prance put into possession. That such at least will be the result I have no doubt. The first considei-ation that occui's is, how is the Order to be supported ? We know the internal revenue of Malta does not exceed £30,000, a sum not more than equal to the support of the Grand Master, the various charitable institutions, and the supply of grain. These three objects absorb all the revenue of every description which the Island affords, so that for guards, garrison, and the defence of the place there will be no provision at all. Of the revenues that formerly belonged to the order, those in France, Bavaria, and different parts of Germany have been confiscated, and those which lay in Spain are on the eve of being so, making in the whole at least four-fifths of its ancient revenue, and reducing its revenue merely to that produced by the Island, to the amount of about £30,000, as I have ah*eady stated. Thus situated the Order must soon fall for want of support. I shall not dwell upon the disgraceful mode of modelling it upon the French regular or noble-democratic form. It is not of this I complain, but of putting it under the protection of Powers under the influence of France. For what is the Neapolitan garrison in fact but a French garrison ? But supposing it is now under the influence of France, how is that influence provided against by the article which removes the hands of the Neapolitan Government. The plan is that we shall evacuate the Island in three months. This stipula- tion is peremptory. Then comes another clause, enjoining that it shall be delivered up generally, btd not attaching to the former clause and saving to the Order. Next comes another clause, still more material, which says that the neutrality of the Order is proclaimed. What is meant by this it is difficult to understand, and may be variously interpreted. It may be neutrality to say that ships of wai- to any number belonging to the neutral nations may come in, or that they shall be all alike excluded. A third way may also be conceived — I mean the admission of an equal number of ships of all nations. Now see the effect of this neutrality in the event of a future war. In such a war France would have for her allies cex'tainly more maritime Powers than England ; she would at least have Spain and Holland, while we should probably not have one. Supposing, then, the number of vessels of each power admissible at Malta to be six, France would have these eighteen ships for oui^ six, and so in the same proportion whatever should be the number. Had this stipulation been in the pre- liminaries, surely it would have been canvassed and set right in the definitive treaty. ... If I wanted a voucher for all this, I find one in a French paper, [' Le Mercure de France,'] received this day, and which, if translated, I should have read as part of my speech. In it the wiiter talks of Malta as of a place that by the terms of the treaty must eventually belong to France.^ ' Cobbett, vol. ii. pp. 1206, 1207. The passage above referred to conies from the Mercure de France, a publication appearing every ten days, not only under the 442 A HISTORY OF MALTA Lord Grenville on the day following (4tli May 1802) spoke mach to the same effect in the House of Lords. At the sitting of the 13th of the same month Windham returned to the subject as follows : ^ After the discussions that we have already had regarding the situation in which our interests in Malta are left by the ti^eaty, it is nnnecessaiy to enlarge upon the advantages which the French have gained by the stipula- tion of neutrality. It is clear that, including the force of their allies, Spain and Holland, they may have eighteen ships of the line in its neutral port while we have no more than six. But these points of detail are of inferior importance. The whole disposition of the island of Malta renders the stipulation of neutrality fictitious. The garrison must in fact be French. It is vain to talk of the mummery that there shall not be this Langue or the other Langue. The whole is French. If any man denies this to be the case, I shall be very happy to see his opinions and his reasons recorded, that they may be compared with the future result. So far from having restored the Order of Malta, we have by the arrangements of this treaty made war upon it in the very spirit of French principles. This little Order, which contained in itself the great characteristics and distinc- tive qualities of that which the French Revolution served to destroy, we have now concurred to overthrow. The little phial which contained the essence of the old principles Ministers have diluted, and not even with common water, but with water taken from the puddle. In this degrada- tion, how can its ancient spirit be kept up ? Nay, it is already understood that the German Knights refuse to sexwe in a body so degraded and fallen off from its original and peculiar character. As to the notion that JSTeapolitan troops can form any security for the independence of the Island of Malta, who does not see that the idea is wholly ridiculous ? The proceeding is a perfect syllogism. If Malta is put into the hands of Naples, and Naples is in the hands of France, Malta to be sure is in the hands of France. In truth the case of Malta is a virtual and total sur- render, with a ridicule in the manner infinitely disgraceful to the reputation of our national counsels. Far better would it have been to have made an absolute cession of it, and thus have acquitted a claim to compensation and equivalent, than to have formed a vain and futile pretence to establish its neutrality and independence. At present our footing and interest in the Mediterranean, which used to be reckoned of so much importance, are utterly abandoned. In this and in various other points there is a mai'ked variation between the preliminaries and the definitive treaty, to the dis- advantage of this countiT- immediate patronage and influence of the French Consul, but also of the political department, which is actually conducted under the inspection of Lucien Bonaparte himself. 'In the conditions relative to Malta that important fortress, which the friends of England had so often assigned to her, everything is favourable to France, both in the provisional regulations and the definitive arrangements. As long as the island is Neapolitan it will be French, and to make it cease to be so, will require the concurrence of the Great Powers. If one day the Maltese Langue should become dominant, the position, the wants, the temper, the nature of that Langue would bring it under the influence of the French Government.' (Note by Mr. Hardman.) ' Cobbett, vol. ii. p. 1291. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1802-3 443 This acrimonious debate in the House of Commons was continued the next day, when the opinion of many members was held ' that the effort to give a preponderance to the Maltese Langue would signally fail/ The Order, it was observed, ' was well known to pride itself upon its high nobility ; that candidates for the new Langue would have to be accepted from individuals of inferior social rank, and that it might be received as a foregone conclusion that the Knights of the Order would not associate with such new members. The insincerity of Bonaparte, however, was soon discovered, for a month to the day after the signature of the definitive treaty, viz. the 27th April 1802, there appeared in the 'Madrid Gazette' an edict of the King of Spain, by which he annexed in perpetuity to the royal domains the Langues and possessions of the Order of Malta in Spain, keeping the direction of the civil administration and leaving the spiritual to the authority of the Church and Holy See.^ This action on the part of Spain was the more reprehensible as she was one of the signatory parties to the treaty, the chief object of which was to provide for and maintain the independence of the Order, but as an ally of France she was compelled to submit to the dictates of the First Consul. Notwithstanding these pi'ovocations, the British Government in its desire of peace endeavoured to carry out faithfully the stipula- tions of the treaty. To the information conveyed by Monsieur Otto to Lord Hawkesbury, under date of the 23rd May, that the First Consul had nominated General Vial as Minister-Plenipotentiary to the Order, and Island of Malta, the British Government replied on the day following, that the King had appointed Sir Alexander John Ball as his Minister to the Order, who would at once proceed to Malta, and be instructed to concert with General Vial the necessary measures for carrying into effect the arrangements relative to that Island as stipulated in Article X of the Treaty of Amiens. Accordingly, on the 9th June Ball was ordered to return to Malta, where he arrived on the lOtli July ; Vial followed from Paris, and arrived in Malta on the 21st August. Before the period fixed for the British evacuation of the Island the Order of Malta (which, according to the terms of the treaty, was to consist of the Langues of Italy, Castille, Arragon, Germany, Bavaria and Malta) was materially curtailed and enfeebled by the suppression of the Langues of Castille and Arragon. More recently the Langue of Bavaria had been suppressed, and also that part of the Italian Langue comprised in Piedmont and the Duchy of Parma, which had become united to France. These measures reduced the Order to a mere skeleton, and rendered its sovereignty and indepen- dence a mere mockery.^ 1 Cobbett, vol. i. p. 663. - Ibid, vol, iii. p. 440. 444 A HISTORY OF MALTA Russia made no official objection to the arrangement of the pre- liminaries, but with regard to the definitive treaty, whilst agreeing to the natives being admitted into the service of the Civil Govern- ment, she would not consent to the creation of a Maltese Langue, or the admission of natives to knighthood, unless her suggestion of the 22nd December 1801 were adopted, and further complained that her protectorate over the Order had been completely ignored in the treaty. She objected to rank merely as one of the six guaran- teeing Powers, and refused, when invited to provide financially for Malta's defence and maintenance of the Order's independence, although agreeing to the neutrality of the Island, or its occupation by the King of Naples, until the restoration of the Order.^ The British ambassador at St. Petersburg sent the following letter to the Hon. A. Paget : [Extract.] St. Petei^bui'g, 1st May 1802. ... I am afraid that the business of Malta is as much at sea as ever, notwithstanding all the pains and labour bestowed upon it by the plenipo- tentiaries at Amiens, who, by the way, seem to have acted somewhat injudiciously in giving to that subject a degree of apparent importance, which it by no means desei-ved, by placing in the body of the treaty a series of insignificant details, which would more pi-operly have been reserved for a separate convention. Be that as it may, the Court of Russia appears determined to refuse its accession and guaranty to the said proposed aiTangement, under the plea or pretext that in framing the clauses in Ai*t. X which relate to this particular point sufficient attention was not paid to the Emperor's dignity ; and besides this, the Russian Ministers either are or affect to be so much dissatisfied with the conduct of the contracting parties in appearing to set aside the move px'oposed from hence for the election of the new Gi'and Master of the Order, that they have seinously in contemplation the breaking off all connection between the Russian Priory and the body of the Order, by creating the former into an independent and separate community. There seems to be likewise great reason to believe that the conduct of Russia in this particular will be imitated by various other Powers concerned, and particularly by Austria. In these cii'cumstances, therefore, how is it possible to suppose that the miserable remnants of the Order after being thus stripped of perhaps nine- tenths of the revenues that constituted its principal support, can be in a condition either three months hence, or at any future period, to take upon themselves the charge of maintaining and defending a possession like Malta, where the mere expense of repairing the fortifications would probably absorb more than the whole national revenue of the island. Further, in a dispatch which Lord St. Helens sent to Lord Hawkesbury on 12th May 1802, he wrote : It is impossible for His Imperial Majesty to subscribe to an arrange- ment which is so sti'ongly in opposition with that which had been settled ' Paget Papers, vol. ii. pp. 50, 51, 56, 57. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1802-3 445 between the Courts, and to lend himself in consequence to the guarantee that is asked from him.^ A further effort was made by Lord Hawkesbury to conciliate the Czar on the 3rd June through the medium of Lord St. Helens. Importance was laid upon the necessity of the two Imperial Courts (Russia and Austria) acceding to the guarantee required; but the Czar Alexander continued obdurate, as will appear from the following synopsis of Lord Hawkesbury's dispatch to Lord St. Helens : [Synopsis]. Srd June 1802.2 He trusts that the Emperor of Russia will make no fiu'ther difficulty in acceding to the invitation to guarantee. It must be equally the policy of His Majesty and the Emperor of Russia that Malta should become independent of France. . . . His Sicilian Majesty has agreed to furnish the force required fi'om him by the 12 par. of the Article X. of the treaty. If the Emperor accedes, Lord St. Helens is to lose no time in communicat- ing the intelligence to Sii' Alex. Ball, whom His Majesty has appointed envoy to the Order of St. John. This communication is of impoi'tance, as the evacuation of the Island by His Majesty's troops will depend on the notification being made in the Island that the two Imperial Courts accede to the guarantee. Notwithstanding all this uncertainty as to the future. Lord Hobart on the 9th June informed Mr. Cameron that Sir Alexander Ball was, leaving England to take up the appointment of His Majesty's Minister to the Order, in accordance with the treaty of the 27th March, and would relieve Mr. Cameron of his functions as Civil Commissioner in the Island. On the same day Lord Hobart issued the following instructions to Sir Alexander Ball : Downing Street, 9th June 1802.^ . . . On your amval in Malta you will take an early opportunity to inform General Vial that His Majesty being solicitous to fulfil, with the most scrupulous good faith, the engagements which he has contracted by the definitive treaty of peace, you are ready to concert with him the necessary measures for giving effect to the stipulations contained in the 10th Ai'ticle of the treaty. You will take particular care that the two provisions {i.e. that the Grand Master or Commissioner duly authorised for the purpose be upon the Island to receive possession, and that the force of 2,000 men to be furnished by His Sicilian Majesty be actually arrived) should be literally effectuated ; and should any difficulty or demur arise with respect to either of them, you will distinctly declare that His Majesty cannot consent to relinquish possession of the Island until they are effectuated conformably to the spirit and letter of the stipulations of the 10th Article of the ti-eaty. ^ Foreign Office, Kussia, No. 50. - Ibid. No. 50. ^ Foreign Office, Malta, No. 2. 446 A HISTORY OF MALTA The only substantial difficulties which are likely to occui- relate to the election of the Grand Master, or to the Governments of Russia, Austria and Prussia accepting the invitation which has been made to them to become guarantees. His Majesty's Government is willing to consider as valid and to acknowledge as Grand Master the individual whom the Pope may select for that dignity from amongst the Knights (chosen for the office by their respective Chapters). These preliminaries being carried out, you will signify to the Com- mander-in-Chief that he may proceed to execute his order for the evacua- tion of the Island. Finally, you will endeavour by all the means in youi- power to ensure the attachment of the native inhabitants of Malta to His Majesty's Govei^nment, and to fi-ustrate the attempts of any foreign Power to acquire a predominant influence over the inhabitants, or over the government of the Order. About this date the Russian Minister at the Court of St. James, Count Worontzow, angered at what he considered the neglect of Russia by England in the Treaty of Amiens, took a prolonged leave from his Embassy, and during his absence the Russian Charge d' Affaires, Baron Nicolai, informed Lord Hawkesbury of the objections which the Czar had raised against certain dispositions contained in Articles X. and XIX. of the Treaty. In reply to these strictures. Lord Hawkesbury on the 10th June informed the Hon. A. Paget, then British Minister at Vienna, that Lord St. Helens had been instructed to explain that the principal objection ui-ged by Russia, viz. that the election of a Grand Master which had taken place under the auspices of the Emperor of Russia was set aside, is evidently founded on a misconception of the Xth Ai'ticle. The first paragraph stipulates that the Knights of the Order whose Langues shall continue to subsist after the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty are invited to retura to Malta as soon as that exchange shall have taken place. They shall there form a General Chapter, and shall proceed to the election of a Gi'and Master, to be chosen from amongst the natives which preserve Langues, if no such election shall have been already made since the Eatification of the preliminary articles of peace. These last words were intended to refer to the contingency of an election having taken place on the Continent in consequence of the proclamation of the Emperor of Russia, which election, if it should have happened, was to be considered as valid. His Majesty has, therefore, no hesitation in saying that he shall be ready to consider the proceeding as a valid election, and that any one of the individuals who were then named, and who may be selected by the Pope and confirmed as Grand Master, His Majesty will acknowledge, and will be ready to put him in possession of the Island of Malta, provided he will engage to cari-y into effect the stipulation of the Xth Article. Lord Hawkesbury therefore hopes that the Emperor of Russia will be satisfied as to the only objection of moment that has been offered, and will now readily DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE -1802-3 447 accept the guarantee of the Island, and that the Emperor of Germany will make no fui-ther difficulty in acceding to the invitation, which will be officially sent (in conjunction with the French Minister) , to become one of the guaranteeing Powers.^ ... If the Emperor consents to become a guarantee to the arrangement respecting Malta, intelligence is instantly to be sent to Sir Alexander Ball, Minister- Plenipotentiary to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem 'as the evacuation of the Island by His Majesty's troops will depend on the notification being made in the Island that the two Imperial Courts accede to the guarantee.' Notwithstanding all Lord Hawkesbury's efforts to induce the Czar to give way on the contested point, Lord St. Helens on the 9th July writes to say that he regrets that he is unable to confirm his favourable expectation that the Emperor will consent to guarantee. Monsr. Kotschoubey is satisfied with the explanations of Great Britain on the subject of the Election of the Gi-and Master, but the Emperor is still inflexible ; he (the Empei^or) adhei^ed to his former determination in this business, as expressed in his ostensible instructions to the Bai^on de Nicolay.^ In due course the provisional Act which Mr. Paget had concluded with the Court of Vienna, containing this latter Government's accession to and guarantee of the arrangements respecting Malta, was received by Lord St. Helens, and conveyed to the Russian Government ; but all to no purpose. On the 1st August Prince Kourakin informed him ' that the fact of the accession of the Court of Vienna to the treaty is not a sufficient reason to make the Emperor change his resolution, because the two Courts are in different positions in the matter,' ^ As there appeared to be little probability of an early solution of the difficulty, Lord St. Helens immediately acquainted Sir Alexander Ball with the hitch which had occurred in the proceedings, and on the 2nd August went on to say, ' that if the difficulty continues, a fresh concert of measures must necessarily be adjusted between the contracting parties previously to the evacuation of His Majesty's troops, and that he might look forward to the probability of their having to remain in the Island for several months to come.' 4 This proved to be the case, for the Czar continued to refuse his guarantee, as may be seen by Lord St. Helens' letter to Paget of 1st August 1802.5 Owing to the delay experienced in obtaining the guarantee of the Powers, matters with regard to Malta came to a deadlock. On the 21st July 1802 Bonaparte informed Whitworth 'that on ' Both Germany and Prance subsequently acceded to the proposed guarantee. " Foreign Office, Russia, No. 50. •■* Ihid. No. 50. ■* Ihid, I have omitted some extracts and details inserted here by Mr. Hardman, as being of slight importance. — J. H. R. " See Paget Papers, vol. ii. pp. 58-60. 448 A HISTORY OF MALTA Malta depended the question of peace or war; that on no terms would England be permitted to retain Malta ; that he would rather she should have the Faubourg St. Antoine than that Island.' ^ And on the 21st of the following month the French Government requested 'that facilities should be given to accelerate the removal of 2000 Neapolitan troops from Naples to Malta, which the British Minister at Naples had not been authorised to facilitate, the motive alleged being that the stipulations which ought to precede the evacuation by the British troops had not been fulfilled, and that, consequently, the evacuation oould not yet take place.' Lord Hawkesbury replied on the 23rd August, ' that England was prepared to carry into effect the article respecting Malta the moment the other three Powers of Europe had guaranteed its execution.' The despatch was as follows : Downing Street, August 23rd, 1802.2 The undersigned has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Monsr. Otto's note of the 21st instant.^ When the Neapolitan Grovemment notified to Mr. Drummond, the King's Minister at Naples, that the 2000 ti-oops which His Sicilian Majesty had selected to serve in Malta were ready to proceed to their destination, that gentleman declined taking any step to facilitate their embarcation till he should receive intelligence of the arrival of Sir Alexander Ball in that Island, and till he should be infoi-med, that the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces had made suitable prepai'ations for their reception. By the last advices from Malta it appears that Sir Alexander Ball had arrived there on the 10th last month, and that after having confeiTed with Greneral Fox upon the subject, he had written to Mr. Drummond that there was no impediment whatever to the immediate reception of the Neapolitan troops, and that their quarters would be prepared accordingly. The undersigned has the honoTU* to state this to M. Otto as the most satis- factory answer which he can give to his note. It is probable, therefore, that the troops of His Sicilian Majesty are already embarked and on their passage ; but to prevent the possibility of any unnecessary delay or misconception the most explicit instructions will be immediately forwarded to Mr. Drummond on this subject. With regard to the other points in M. Otto's note, the undersigned can only repeat what he has before stated to him, that His Majesty is most sincerely desii'ous to see all the stipulations of the 10th Ai'ticle of the definitive treaty carried into effect with the utmost punctuality and with the least possible delay. With this view he takes this oppoi'tunity of observing to M. Otto that, by the very last despatches from the English Ambassador at St. Petersbm'g, the French Minister at that Court had not even then received any instructions from his Goverament relative to the steps to be taken, in concert with Lord St. Helens, for inviting the Emperor to become a guarantee of the provisions and stipulations of the ai'ticle in question. ' Mr. Hardman has antedated this conversation, which occurred on Feb. 21, 1803. — J. H. R. 2 Cobbett, vol. iii. p. 1014. ^ M. Otto was the French charge d'affaires in London. — J. H. R. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1802-3 449 The French Minister at Berlin was in the same predicament. The under- signed therefore requests that M. Otto would have the goodness to represent these circumstances to his Government, and to urge them, if they have not already done it, to transmit without delay to theii* Ministers at those Courts the necessary instructions for bringing this pai't of the business to a conclusion. The undersigned requests M. Otto to accept the assurances of his high consideration. (Signed) Hawkesbury. Further correspondence of an acrimonious nature passed between the two Powers on other subjects than that of Malta, notably that of the right of hospitality shown to the French Royal Family and French emigres resident in England, resulting in a refusal of the English Government to accede to the French demands, closing their despatch of the 28th August 1802 with the following words : The French Government must have formed a most erroneous judgement of the disposition of the British nation, and of the character of its Government, if they have been taught to expect that any representation of a foreign Power will ever induce them to consent to a violation of those rights on which the libei-ties of the people of this country are founded. ^ Late in September or early in October the rumour that the Bailli Rospoli had been appointed Grand Master of the Order of St. John by Pius VII on the 16th of the former month, reached Malta, which caused some disappointment in the Island. Intimation of this feeling was forwarded by Sir Alexander Ball to Mr. Drummond, on the 8th October, in the following note : " The appointment of Chevalier Rospoli as Grand Master was totally unexpected here (Malta) . He has no party whatever on the Island, and is by no means a favoui"ite amongst the Maltese, who represent him as extremely avaricious. The adherents of Tomasi and the creditors of Hompesch are much disappointed. The latter I find owes from £30,000 to £40,000, which he contracted during the canvas for his election.' These various difficulties which confronted the British Government compelled them at last to take a decisive step, and on the 17th October Lord Hobart instructed Sir Alexander Ball and General Villettes to postpone the evacuation of the islands until further orders. The dispatches are as follows : — [Most Secret]. Downing Street, 17th October 1802.* To Sir Alexander Ball, Bart. Sir, — Circumstances having recently occurred which, in the con- sideration of His Majesty's confidential servants, have rendered it advisable * Cobbett, vol. iii. p. 1013. It is further to be observed that not till September 16th or I7th 1802 did the French Envoy at St. Petersburg receive the instruction from Paris formally to invite the Czar to give his guarantee for the Maltese arrangement. — J. H. R. ^ De Villeneuve-Bargemont, vol. ii. p. 447. * Foreign Office, Sicily, 18. * C.O.R. Malta, No. 5 (1802). The circumstances referred to by Lord Hawkesbury were the French occupation of Switzerland and the probability of war arising between Great Britain and France on that subject. On October 7th Lord Hobart wrote urging the retention of the Cape of Good Hope by the British Forces. — J. H. R. 2 6 450 A HISTORY OF MALTA to suspend for the present all measures for evacuating the Island of Malta, I am directed by the King to signify to you His Majesty's commands that you do continue in the exercise of all the functions of Civil Commissioner upon the Island until his further pleasure upon that subject shall be communicated . If any remonstrance should be made to you in consequence of your declining to proceed in the act of restitution upon the ai-rival of the Grand Master or of any Commissioner empowered by him to receive possession of the Island, you will refer to the paragraph of the 10th Article of the treaty, which specifies the Powers that were to be invited to become guarantees to the arrangement therein made ; and in answer to such remonstrance you will declare, that as the Courts of St. Petersburg and Berlin have not yet acceded to the measure, you do not consider your- self authorised to terminate His Majesty's authority in Malta until you shall have received particular instructions to that eifect fi'om your own Court. I shall explain myself more fully to you in my next despatch ; in the meantime I confide entirely in your discernment, prudence, and ability for abstaining from such measures, as may be calculated to excite jealousy in consequence of His Majesty's troops remaining in the possession of Malta. And that whilst you cautiously avoid the disclosui'e of the object of these instructions, you will so direct your conduct as to do nothing that may have the effect of weakening your authority and influence under any circumstances. Enclosed I send you a copy of the orders which I have been directed by His Majesty to communicate to Major-General Villettes, or the officer in the command of the British troops in Malta. (Signed) Hobart. [Most Secret.] Downing Street, 17th October 1802.1 To Major- General Villettes. Sir, — Circumstances having recently occui^red which render it advisable, that the former orders relative to the evacuation of Malta should be suspended, I am commanded by the King to signify to you His Majesty's pleasure that you do continue to occupy the said Island with his troops until his Civil Commissioner shall notify to you that the evacuation may take place ; and if in the meantime any of His Majesty's land forces coming from Egypt shall arrive in the port of Malta, that you do require the officer who may be in the command of the said troops to land such part of them as can conveniently be accommodated, and direct him to proceed with the remainder to Gibraltar. Enclosed I send you a copy of the instructions that have been sent to the Earl of Cavan. (Signed) Hobart. The decision of the British Government to postpone the evacuation of the islands had its due effect on the French and Russian Governments. Great Britain felt unable to evacuate Malta until the French Government not only faithfully fulfilled all the stipulations 1 Ihid. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1802-3 451 of the Treaty of Amiens, but also those of Lun^ville of the 9th February of the year previous. By Article 11 of this latter treaty the independence of the Batavian Republic was guaranteed, and upon the strict observance of this article the British Government laid stress. Whilst matters were in this position, in November 1802 General Andreossy was sent to England as the representative of France.^ On the 3rd of this month, the English and French Ambassadors at the Court of St. Petersburg had an interview with the Russian Chancellor, Woronzow, for the purpose of obtaining the Emperor's sanction and guarantee to the 10th Article of the Treaty of Amiens, without which it was held that either of the two Powers (France and England), upon the first diiference between them, would look upon themselves at liberty to seize upon the Island. As a result of this interview between the English and French Ambassadors with the Russian Chancellor, the latter on behalf of his Government addressed to the British Cabinet the following dispatch, dated the 12th November : [Translation.] St. Petersburg, I2th November 1802.2 The Chancellor of the Empire having received the orders of the Emperor relative to the invitation made to his Imperial Majesty by the two principal contracting parties to the Treaty of Amiens, to accede in quality of guarantee to this treaty so far as relates to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and theii' restoration to the possession of the Island of Malta and its dependencies, is authorised to give to the communication of the 22nd October the following reply : His Majesty the Emperor from the moment of his accession to the throne (23rd March 1801) has constantly shown so strong a desire to seize every opportunity which presented itself of giving to the two principal contracting parties to the Ti'eaty of Amiens the most unequivocal proofs of his sincere desire to do whatever might be agreeable to both of them, and to contribute as far as was in his power to re-establish and to confirm the continuance of the peace existing betwixt them, that it cannot now be supposed that his invariable sentiments on this point can have suffered any change. On the other hand, the two Governments are too equitable not to acknowledge that it is beyond the power of the Emperor to yield to the demands made to him in virtue of the 10th Article of the Treaty of Amiens, which fixes the future establishment of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, since it is under every consideration impossible for His Imperial Majesty to accede as a guarantee to stipulations which are not only contrary to wishes expressed relative to the Order, honoured by the interest he felt in their favour, and the protection he had pledged himself to give ' General Andreossy had distinguished himself in Italy and Egypt. Later on he was French Ambassador at Vienna in 1809. For his instructions and his conduct in England see P. Coquelle, Napoleon and England (1803-1813), Eng. edit., 1904. — J. H. R. 2 . Cobbett, vol. iii. p. 853. 2g2 452 A HISTORY OF MALTA them, but which would be inconsistent with what had been agreed upon anterior to that treaty betwixt His Imperial Majesty and one of the two contracting Powers with respect to the said Order, and relative to the independence and neutrality of the Island of Malta. This consideration, as important in itself as it is necessarily supported by considerations of a different kind, has obliged the Emperor not to accede to the pressing requests which have been made to him on the point by the Court of London, in spite of the ardent desire of His Imperial Majesty to comply with the wishes expressed on this subject. The dispositions which that Court has manifested to accede to the wishes of the Empeixjr with respect to the Order and the Island of Malta, and the readiness expressed by the French Govei^nment to concert measures for promoting the same end, have not failed to be felt with corresponding sentiments of gratitude by His Imperial Majesty. But the obstacle which opposed his compliance with their wishes was not weakened, since the public and formal Act continued still contradictory to the known and expressed intention of His Imperial Majesty, and that it was for this Act that his guarantee was solicited. Since, however, one of the pi'incipal difficulties is removed by the nomination and acknowledgement of the Grand Master, His Majesty the Emperor, desirous of giving to the conti'acting parties to the Treaty of Amiens the clearest proofs of his friendship, and wishing to omit nothing on his part which can tend to consolidate the general tranquility of Eui'ope, has determined to propose to the two Governments the only plan which under existing cii'cumstances can furnish the possibility of waiving the demand which they have mutually made, and this plan would be, that the two contracting Powers should form a convention or some other Act supplementary to the Treaty of Amiens, by which the 10th Article of the said treaty relative to the Order and the Island might be modified, altered, and completed with respect to several of its dispositions agreeably to the stipulations of the first arrangement agi^eed upon by His Imperial Majesty ; which by this means being fully and formally re-established would receive the same sanction as the treaty of which they then would form an integi'al part. If the two Powers believed that such a supplementary article could be agreed upon, His Majesty the Emperor would hasten to accede to it in quality of guarantee, and to share the obligations attached to such a character with the Courts of Vienna, Madrid, N'aples, and Berlin. His Imperial Majesty would do this the more readily because, in com- plying with the wishes of the two Powers, he would only follow the impulse of his own feelings on this subject, from which he is desirous of giving them manifest and reiterated proofs of his good will by concurring in all possible cases with their wishes. The Chancellor by order of the Emperor, that in this affair no delay might be supposed to arise on the part of the Court of Russia, hastens to subjoin a project of the articles which may serve as the basis of a supplementary Act alluded to above, in case the two Powers should be inclined to accede to it. The Chancellor of the Empire, in communicating these instructions to General Hedouville, Minister-Plenipotentiary of the French Republic, which express the intentions of the Emperor in answer to the note of the 22nd of October, has the honour of repeating to him his high consideration. (Signed) C. Alexander de Woronzow. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1802-3 453 [Ti'anslation.] Conditions upon which His Imperial Majesty of All the Russias is WILLING to accede TO THE STIPULATIONS OF THE IOth ArTICLE OP THE Treaty op Amiens, delivered to the British Ambassador at St. Peters- burg on the 24th November 1802. 1. The acknowledgement of the sovereignty of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem over the Island of Malta and its dependencies ; the acknowledge- ment of the Grand Master and of the civil government of the Order, according to its ancient institutions, with the admission into it of native Maltese. Upon this point, as well as upon every other that may relate to its interior organisation, the legal government of the Order shall have the power to enact and prescribe such regulations as it may judge best calcu- lated to promote the future welfare and prosperity of the Order. 2. The rights of the King of the Two Sicilies, as Suzerain of the Island, shall remain upon the same footing as they were previous to the war, which is now terminated by the Treaty of Amiens. 3. The independence and the neutrality of the Island of Malta, its ports and dependencies, shall be secui'ed and guai'anteed by the respective and contracting Powers, who shall mutually engage to acknowledge and maintain that neutrality in all cases of war, whether between each other or between any of them and any other Power, not excepting His Sicilian Majesty, whose rights of suzerainty shall not extend so as to enable him to cause a departure from the neutrality of the Island as guaranteed by the pi*esent Act. 4. Until the Order shall be in a situation to provide by its own resources for the maintenance of its independence and neutrality, as secured by the preceding article, as well as for the defence of their principal residence, the different forts shall be occupied by His Sicilian Majesty's troops, who shall send a sufficient force for the defence of the Island and its dependencies, the number of which shall be agreed upon by his said Majesty and the two contracting Powers, who shall take upon themselves conjointly the expense of maintaining the whole of the said troops so long as the defence of the Island shall continue to be entrusted to them, during which period the said troops shall be under the authority of the Grand Master and his Government. 5. The present Additional Act shall be considered as forming an integral part of the Treaty of Amiens, the same as if it had been inserted therein word for word, and shall be executed in like manner. 6. Their Majesties the Emperor of All the Russias, the Emperor of the Romans, the King of Spain, the King of the Two Sicilies, and the King of Prussia, shall be invited to accede to this Act as guarantees. (Signed) Comte Alexander de Woronzow.^ Before this dispatch of the Russian Government could reach England Lord Hawkesbury, on the 14th November, desired Lord Whitworth to be extremely cautious in his communications with the French Government, should the subject of the Island of Malta be introduced, as follows : — ^ Papers presented to Parliament on May 18th, 1803, pp. 48, 49. 454 A HISTORY Of MALTA [Extract.] Lord Hawkesbury to Lord Whitworth. Downing Street, 14 C.O.R. Malta, No. 9 (1803). 472 A HISTORY OF MALTA them they may depend upon the solicitude of His Majesty's Govern- ment to support them in the attainment of this essential object. The duplicate of this letter will be conveyed to youi' Lordship by the Casher sloop of war, which sails for England in the course of this day. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. On the 14th March Lord Whitworth acquainted Sir John Warren, British Ambassador at St. Petersburg, of the critical position of affairs in the following dispatch : Paris, Uth March 1803.1 . . . You are not now to learn that it is on the subject of the evacua- tion of Malta that the two Governments are at issue. I have been instructed a fortnight ago to declare that until means are found to dis- sipate those alarms for the safety of Egypt which the conduct of the First Consul has excited, His Majesty does not think himself justified in giving up a point on which the safety of that country, and eventually that of his own possessions, so materially depends. In answer to this, assurances have been given that the First Consul has no present views on Egypt ; that he has delayed his projects on that country, not because he does not wish for it, but because he is certain it must one day belong to him, either by a private agreement with the Porte or by the dissolution of the Turkish Empire. This the First Consul told me himself. The question now became more acute. On the 15th March the French Ambassador, General Andreossy, received the following note from Lord Hawkesbury : Downing Street, Ibth March 1803.2 . . . Under these circumstances His Majesty feels that he has no alternative, and that a just regard to his own honour, and to the interests of his people, makes it necessary for him to declare that he cannot consent that his troops should evacuate the island of Malta until substantial security has been provided for those objects which, under the present circumstances, might be materially endangered by their removal. With respect to several of the positions stated in the Note, and grounded on the idea of the Tenth Article being executed in its literal sense, they call for some observations. By the 10th Article of the Treaty of Amiens the Island of Malta was to be restored by His Majesty to the Order of St. John upon certain conditions. The evacuation of the island at a specified period formed a part of those conditions ; and if the other stipulations had been in a due course of execution, His Majesty would have been bound by the terms of the treaty, to have ordered his forces to evacuate the Island. But these conditions must be considered as being all of equal effect ; and if any material parts of them should have been found incapable of execution, or if the execution of them should for any circumstance have been retarded. His Majesty would be warranted in deferring the evacuation of the Island until such time as the other conditions of the article could ' Browning, op. cit. p. 118, ^ Ibid. p. 113. DISCUSSIONS AND COERESPONDENCE— 1802-3 473 be effected, or until some new arrangement could be concluded which should be judged satisfactory by the contracting parties. The refusal of Russia to accede to the aiTangement, except on condition that the Maltese Langue should be abolished ; the silence of the Court of Berlin with respect to the invitation that has been made to it, in consequence of the treaty, to become a guaranteeing Power ; the abolition of the Spanish priories in defiance of the treaty, to which the King of Spain was a party ; the declaration of the Portuguese Government of their intention to sequestrate the property of the Portuguese prioi-y, as forming a part of the Spanish Langue, unless the property of the Spanish priories was restored to them — these cii'cumstances would have been sufficient, without any other special grounds, to have warranted His Majesty in suspending the evacuation of the island. CHAPTEE XXII DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO MALTA (From April 1803 to July 1803) During the month of April a final attempt at an amicable arrangement upon the points at issue was made by Lord Hawkes- bury in his dispatch of the 4th of that month.^ He therein authorised Lord Whitworth to present to the French Government a project ' which, under the present circumstances, would meet the ideas of His Majesty's Government, which would afford security for those objects which are considered as endangered by the unequivocal disclosure of the views of the First Consul, and which at the same time might entirely save the honour of the French Government/ ^ The project was as follows : 1st. Malta to remain in perpetuity in the possession of His Majesty. 2nd. The Knights of the Order of St. John to be indemnified by His Majesty for any losses of property which they may sustain in consequence of such an arrangement. 3rd. Holland and Switzerland to be evacuated by the French troops. 4th. The Island of Elba to be confirmed to France by His Majesty, and the King of Etruria to be acknowledged. 5th. The Italian and Ligurian Republics to be acknowledged by His Majesty, provided an arrangement is made in Italy for the King of Sardinia which shall be satisfactory to him. The withdrawal of the French troops from Holland ^ and Switzer- land was, however, a sine qua, non on the part of England, and to this France would not agree ; but, before proceeding to extremities, Talleyrand, on the 8th April, in reply to Lord Hawkesbury's note of the 3rd April, wrote : ' The French Government would never consent to anything which ' That the British Government still wished for peace was the conviction of General Andreossy, who on April 4th warned Talleyrand that everything depended on France and the reasonable overtiu-ea she ought to make. See P. Coquelle, Napoleon and England, oh. vii. — J. H. R. * Browning, op. cit. pp. 149, 151. ^ For the importance of securing the actual neutrality of Holland see P. Coquelle, Napoleon and England, ch. viii. — J. H. R. 474 DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 475 might prejudice the independence of the Maltese Order in their island, but that if the English Government could suggest an arrangement which should lead to the termination of the present difficulties, the French Govei^nment would have no objection to meeting them by some special agi'eement. Whilst the difficulties between the two Cabinets appeared irrecon- cilable, those which were occurring locally could also not be satis- factorily arranged, for in the early part of this same month, Mr. A^Court, British Minister at Naples, informed Sir Alexander Ball that, notwithstanding the Grand Master's promise not to visit Malta until affairs wore a more favourable aspect, he contemplated leaving for that Island immediately, urged to that action by the French Minister, Vial, at Malta. An extract from this dispatch is as follows : [Extract.] [Private and Confidential.] William A'Court to Sir Alexander Ball. Naples, Wi April 1803.1 . . . Notwithstanding the assui^ance given by the Gi^nd Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem to Captain Durban, that it was not his intention to attempt visiting Malta until affairs should wear a more favourable aspect, I find that he has changed his intention and means to proceed immediately to that island. The aide-de-camp of Genei^l Vial has the address to engage the Grand Master to adopt this resolution, which is certainly contrary to his own wishes and inclination. He required, and obliged, this weak old man to write a letter to his Government requesting a Neapolitan ship of war to carry him to Malta. The letter was presented to General Acton by the French Ambassador at this Court, and although, as the General informed me, it was evidently written with coolness, and even with unwillingness, it was impossible for this Court to i-efuse its consent to the demand, when backed by the weighty and powerful arguments of the Consular Ambassador. A frigate and corvette have absolutely sailed for Messina, though it is probable that they may be many days on their voyage, in order to offer a passage to the Grand Master. You may, therefore, expect him veiT soon at Malta. Early in the month of March an application was made by Gen. Andreossi to Lord Hawkesbury for the immediate evacuation of Malta. He received for answer that England would by no means consent to the evacuation of that Island until France should explain her conduct with regard to the Morea and her views upon the Turkish dominions in general. A message was sent by His Majesty on the 9th March to his Parliament stating that great warlike preparations were making in France, intended, indeed, as was reported, for the recovery of her colonies, but which might be for any other purpose. That negotiations of the utmost consequence were pending between the two countries, and 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 9 (1803). 476 A HISTORY OF MALTA that in case of an unfavourable issue to them he hoped foi' the support of his Parliament.' The Fii'st Consul has already notified to this Grovern- ment that in the event of another rupture he intends again to take possession of the Kingdom of Naples. He has also announced his dis- pleasure at the continued supplies received from this country by the English at Malta. This last circumstance has thi'own some obstacles in my way with regard to procuring supplies from Calabria, and I shall defer answering Your Excellency's official note upon that subject until I have arranged the business more satisfactorily with this Government. (Signed) William A'Coitrt. Returning to the negotiations between London and Paris^ we note that Lord Hawkesbury in the following dispatch of the 9th April was informed by Lord Whitworth that Bonaparte was resolutely determined to insist upon the evacuation of Malta : [Extract.] Lord Whitworth to Lord Hawkesbury. Paris, 9th April 1803.1 ... If [said M. Talleyrand] the English Government insists abso- lutely on breaking the Treaty of Amiens, the First Consul is determined to go all lengths to maintain it. If the English Government is determined to keep possession of Malta, the First Consul will suiEer himself to be cut in pieces rather than consent to it. In response to Talleyrand's invitation of the 8th April, Lord Hawkesbury, on the 13th, went further into details in expressing the views of the British Government in the following dispatch addressed to Lord Whitworth : — [Extract.] Lord Hawkesbury to Lord Whitworth. Downing Street, 13th April 1803.2 . . . With respect to the assertion so often advanced, and repeated in your last conversations, of the non-execution of the Treaty of Amiens relative to Malta, I have only to observe again that the execution of that article is become impracticable from causes which it has not been in the power of His Majesty to control ; that the greatest part of the funds assigned to the support of the Order, and indispensably necessary for the independence of the Order and the defence of the Island, have been sequestrated since the conclusion of the definitive treaty, in direct repugnance to the spirit and letter of that treaty ; and that two of the principal Powers who were invited to accede as guarantees to the arrange- ment have refused their accession, except on the condition that the part of the arrangement which was deemed so material relative to the Maltese Langue should be entirely cancelled. ^ Browning, op. cit. p. 164. ^ Ibid. p. 170. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 477 I observe in the note verhale of M. Talleyrand he makes use of the expression the independence of the Order of Malta. If this is meant to apply to the Order exclusively, His Majesty would be willing for the preservation of peace that the civil government of the Island should be given to the Order of St. John, the Maltese enjoying the privileges which were stipulated in their favour in the Treaty of Amiens, and that, con- formably to principles which have been adopted on other occasions, the fortifications of the Island should be garrisoned for ever by the troops of His Majesty. In the event of either of these pi'opositions being found unattainable. His Majesty might be disposed to consent to an arrangement by which the Island of Malta would remain in his possession for a limited number of years, and to waive in consequence his demand for a perpetual occupation, provided that the number of years was not less than ten, and that His Sicilian Majesty could be induced to cede the sovereignty of the Island of Lampedusa for a valuable consideration. If this pi'oposition is admitted, the Island of Malta should be given up to the inhabitants at the end of that period and it should be acknowledged as an independent State.' In the event of non-compliance to these demands, Whitworth was instructed under date of the 23rd April to present to the French Government in the form of an ultimatum the following proposals : — First : The possession of Malta by the British for ten years,, during which period the authority, civil and military, was to remain solely in His Majesty, and that at the expiration of that term it was to be given up to the inhabitants, and not to the Order ; provided also that His Sicilian Majesty shall be induced to cede to His Majesty the Island of Lampedusa. Secondly : That Holland shall be evacuated by the French troops within a month after the conclusion of a convention by which all these provisions shall be secured. Thirdly : That His Majesty would consent to acknowledge the new Italian States provided stipulations were made in favour of His Sardinian Majesty and of Switzerland.^ A crisis in the negotiations had now been reached; the British ultimatum had been delivered, and unless France gave way, war was inevitable. It may be desirable here to refer to some of the letters ■written by General Andreossy to Napoleon and Talleyrand, which, were published by Monsieur Coquelle.^ Andreossy, soon after his arrival in England, became convinced that the British people were anxious to maintain peace, and that the question of peace or war rested entirely with France, for on the 2nd April 1803 he addressed Bonaparte as follows : — London, 2»icf April 1803. Citizen Premier Consul, — The English Cabinet have been distressed by the Note which I forwarded to the Secretary of State, and I have not yet received an answer. ^ Browning, op. cit. pp. 182-183. ^ See P. Coquelle, Napoleon and England, Engl, edit., pp. 52-55. 478 A HISTORY OF MALTA Being persuaded that you desire peace, and are in need of it, I am acting in accordance with that principle, but you afford the English Cabinet no means of escape from the unfortunate position in which they have become involved, and however seiious the consequences, it is certain that they will take up any challenge they may receive. It is true that the age and infirmities of the King make him look with an anxious eye on the prospect of being harassed in his latter days by a terrible war, and by the stress of work which such a situation necessarily entails, but the responsible statesmen feel bound to try to secure a peaceful opening for the next reign, which under the happiest conditions must be a stormy one. The prayers, the needs, and the wishes of this country are for peace. God forbid that I should for a moment think that France ought to forego the least of her advantages, and certainly my regard for this country is not likely to lead me astray, but I am morally certain that by appearing not to exert pressure on England you could easily obtain all which is necessary to secure the safety of the French Government, and preserve the advantages it derives from the countries under its control ; you might thus effect the consolidation of that fine edifice which your hands have raised, but which arouses the jealousy of certain Fi'enchmen, who are perhaps more treacherous foes than the London journalists. There is ample material for another rising in the Vendee country, and the chief Powers on the Continent could easily be combined into a coalition against France. I have learnt on the most excellent authority that designs have been fonned on South America. St. Domingo will be a prey to insui'rection. Puisaye has just returned from Canada ; he has sent to tell me that he will not associate himself with any scheme that may be fonned against us. I have considered it my duty. Citizen Premier Consul, to bring to your notice some of the evils that would be the inevitable result of war, and the means by which you may easily preserve peace. The loyalty of my intentions and my devotion to your person will pi^ompt you to pardon my outspokenness. (Signed) F. Andr^ossy. In confirmation of the above he wrote officially two days later to the Minister of Foreign Affairs as follows : — Andr^ossy to Talleyrand. (London) Uh April 1803. Lord Hawkesbury's note (of the 3rd April) still leaves the French Government the alternative of peace or war. It is not a secret desire of the British Government to keep Malta, as Lord Hawkesbury has actually told a person of my acquaintance in these words : We cannot evacuate Malta until we find ourselves in a position to assvu'e Parliament and the nation, that the discussion has assumed a fairly peaceful aspect ; but we do not say, " either Malta or war ! " ' Andreossy concludes thus : DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 479 Everything depends on the French Government ; if it is willing to give an explanation, a satisfactory compromise will easily be arrived at between the two Powers ; if it refuses, war is inevitable, and will be popular in England. If the French Government discusses the matter in a generous spirit, Europe will attribute it to the magnanimity of the First Consul, and to his desire to preserve peace among all the Powers, for no one will dare to suggest weakness as a motive ; in these circumstances peace will be preserved, and England will be persuaded to make a free surrender to the First Consul of anything which he is justified in asking of her. On the same day Andreossy concluded a dispatch to Bonaparte as follows : Never, I believe, in any circumstances were Englishmen more generally agreed on the desii'ability of keeping peace, and you are now in a most favourable position to decide the world's destiny for all time.^ The English proposals of the 23rd April (see ante) were not, however, acceptable to the First Consul. He had decided to retain possession of Holland, but although bent on war, he was desirous of gaining time to complete his preparations.^ The dispatch of the 23rd April was crossed by another of the same date from Lord Whitworth to Lord Hawkesbury, from which an extract is here given : Paris, 2Brd April 1803.3 . . . M. Talleyrand told me that if I had called upon him sooner he should, two days ago, have communicated to me the First Consul's answer,* which was, that no consideration on earth should induce him to consent to a concession in perpetuity of Malta in any shape whatever, and that the reestabHshment of the Order was not so much the point to be dis- cussed as that of suffering Great Britain to acquire a possession in the Mediterranean.^ The British proposals of the 23rd April were presented to Talleyrand on the 26th, and on the 4th May the following counter- proposition was returned by the French Government : — ' That the Island should be garrisoned by one of the three Powers who had guaranteed its independence — either Austria, Russia, or Prussia, instead of Neapolitan troops.^ The day previous Lord Whitworth received from M. Huber the following interesting communication : ^ Archives Nationales (A.F. iv. 1672). ^ See further proofs of this in my Life of Napoleon, ch. xvii., ad fin. — J. H. R. ^ Browning, op. cit. p. 183. * i.e., to the proposals contained in Lord Hawkesbury's dispatch of the 13th April. See ante. '" This last admission is of the highest significance ; it probably clinched the resolve of the Addington Ministry to risk war rather than give way respecting Malta. — J. H. R. 480 A HISTORY OF MALTA [Extract.] M. HuBER TO Lord Whitworth. Paris, Brd May 1803.1 . . . On every such occasion the few men who have in vain laboured to prevent a i*enewal of the war now will vigorously and con- stantly exert themselves to determine and operate an accommodation. Your Lordship knows that, combining together character, situation, and abilities, they form a very strong phalanx and a very desirable association. Joseph Bonaparte (the best of his family) has, on account of his morality and good conduct, a constant, and at times successful, influence on his brother.^ Regnault de St. Jean d'Angely, his intimate friend and confidant, and a Councillor of State, is a man of excellent unsullied character and eminent abilities, and under the several points of view a man of real importance, as well as a very rising man, being high in the favour of the First Consul. M. Malouet, a man whose moral character and talents are well known in England, and are here in high and general estimation — he is an essential member of this little phalanx. Fouche, senator, a very different man from those just named in point of morality, stands notoriously high in point of abilities, energy, and independence of mind ; he has on this occasion been a bold and loud advocate for peace, and alone has dared repeatedly to combat the Consul's mistaken pride and ambition. . . . These different men (each of whom I have thought it right for your Lordship's recollection hereafter to place in his true light), knowing my political creed, and relying on me in every respect, seem earnestly desirous that I should continue to be a medium between England and them. In the course of my co-operation with them I have found such unanimity in principles, opinion, and action (I mean essentially Joseph Bonaparte, Regnault, and Malouet) as to be seriously encouraged and justified in my confidence in their public views, and looking upon them collectively (as long as the Bonaparte family retains the power) as the decided and sure channel to peace whenever the moment arrives, I am very ready to remain in any auxiliary situation, provided I am placed in a convenient and safe post. . . . To the counter-proposals of the French Government of the 4th May Lord Hawkesbury on the 7th gave his final instructions to Lord Whitworth, as follows : Lord Hawkesbury to Lord Whitworth. Downing Street, 7th May 1803.3 . . . The French Government propose that His Majesty should give up the Island of Malta to a Russian, Austrian or Prussian garrison. If His Majesty could be disposed (which, under the present circumstances, he deems impossible) to waive his demand for a temporary occupation of * Browning, op. cit. p. 210. ^ Joseph Bonaparte had negotiated the Treaty of Amiens, and felt a personal interest in upholding it. — J. H. R. ' Ibid. p. 224. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 481 the Island of Malta, the Emperor of Russia would be the only Sovereign to whom in the present state of Europe he could consent that the Island should be assigned, and his Majesty has certain and authentic infoi-mation that the Emperor of Russia would on no account consent to garrison Malta. Under these circumstances His Majesty perseveres in his determination to adhere to the substance of his third project as his ultimatum. Project. 1. The French G-overnment should engage to make no opposition to the cession of the Island of Lampedusa to His Majesty by the King of the Two Sicilies. 2. In consequence of the present state of the Island of Lampedusa, His Majesty shall remain in possession of the Island of Malta until such arrange- ments shall be made by him as may enable His Majesty to occupy Lampedusa as a naval station ; after which period the Island of Malta shall be given up to the inhabitants, and acknowledged as an independent State. 3. The territories of the Batavian RepubHc shall be evacuated by the French forces within one month after the conclusion of a Convention founded on the principles of this project. 4. The King of Btruiia and the Italian and Ligurian Republics shall be acknowledged by His Majesty. 5. Switzerland shall be evacuated by the French forces. 6. A suitable territorial provision shall be assigned to the King of Sardinia in Italy. Articles 4, 5 and 6 may be entirely omitted, or must all be inserted. (Secret Article). His Majesty shall not be required by the French Government to evacuate the Island of Malta until after the expiration of ten years. If the French Government will not consent that the occupation of Malta by His Majesty's forces for ten years should be inserted in the body of the treaty, the Secret Article must be considered as an indispensable part of the arrangement. The French Government declined to accept the British final proposals, which were presented on the 10th May, a result which Lord Whitworth on the day previous had led Lord Hawkesbury to expect. [Extract.] Lord Whitworth to Lord Hawkesbury. Paris, 9th May 1803, 9 p.m.i Joseph Bonaparte has been with me, and I have communicated to him the nature of the project I have to propose. Were I to judge from his language I should consider the business as desperate. He repeatedly assured me that the First Consul would never consent to our possession of Malta unless it were on the ground stated in that part of the project which is meant to be public, and by which such a possession is to be considered as ' Browning, op. cit., p. 230. 2i 482 A HISTORY OF MALTA dependent on the works to be carried on at Lampedusa, and not to exceed a year or two. To this Lord Whitworth refused to assent^ and stated that the last word had been uttered by the British Government on this topic. The negotiations consequently failed, Lord Whitworth demanded his pass- ports, and at 10 p.m. of the 12th May left Paris for London.^ Although the rupture appeared now quite complete, Talleyrand on the following day was ordered by Bonaparte to convey to Andreossy these further instructions, dated the 13th May 1803 : ^ You will employ Citizen Schimmelpenninck (the Dutch Minister at the Court of St. James', and partisan of Bonaparte) or any indirect means to suggest to the British Cabinet that if they absolutely refuse to cede Malta to one of the Powers who are acting as guarantors, we might be willing to permit England to remain in the Island for a fui'ther period of ten years on condition that France should for the same number of years occupy Tarentum, Otranto, and all the positions she occupied in the Kingdom of Naples on the occasion of the signature of the Treaty of Amiens. If this suggestion is favourably received, then let it be known that you are authorised to sign an agreement couched in the following terms : — (1) The British troops shall be permitted to occupy Malta for ten years. (2) For the same period of time the French troops shall occupy, as they did at the time of the signature of the Treaty of Amiens, the posi- tions of Tarentum and Otranto, which they only evacuated in pursuance of Article II. of the said treaty. You must realise. General, that if you have the slightest I'eason to believe that the proposal will not recommend itself to them you must be careful to leave no trace of it, so that it may always be possible to deny that the French Government ever agreed to these terms. The First Consid leaves it to your discretion to decide what use you will make of the authorisation he now gives you. As will be seen by reference to the valuable work of M. Coquelle, 'Napoleon and England' (ch. ix.), nothing came of this overture, which may be regarded as an attempt by the First Consul to delay the rupture, which his decision and that of the Council of St. Cloud had rendered inevitable. War against France was consequently declared by England on the 16th May, and on the same day notifica- tion thereof was conveyed to Sir A. Ball by Lord Hobart in the following dispatch : ^ See Mr. Browning, op. cit. pp. 233-8, for Whitworth's final attempt to come to an understanding with Talleyrand, who (along with Joseph Bonaparte) advised strongly for the acceptance of the British terms in a council held at St. Cloud. Five others voted against them, and they carried the day. Bonaparte's final resolve was strengthened by the arrival of news that the Czar Alexander I. now offered his intervention between the disputants. — J. H. R. * French Foreign Ofiice Supplement, vol. xxxii. fol. 76. Coquelle, Napoleon and England, p. 66. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 483 Downing Street, I6fh May 1803.1 To Sii' Alexander Ball. Sir, — I have received the King's commands to acquaint you that in consequence of the termination of the dissensions lately depending between His Majesty and the French Government (of the probability of which i-esult I gave you notice in my secret letter of the 7th instant) His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris has quitted that capital, and the French Ambassador at this Court will likewise leave London to-morrow morning. In consequence of this event, I am to signify to you His Majesty's commands that you do immediately take preparatory measures for the conveyance of the Neapolitan troops from Malta, and that you acquaint the ofl&cer who may be in chief command of the said troops that a Neapolitan garrison having only been received into Malta in conformity to the provisions of the Treaty of Amiens, the intei-ruption given to the final execution of that treaty by the conduct of France has induced His Majesty to instruct his Minister at Naples to signify to that Court that the continuation of the said troops at Malta is no longer necessary. I am also to signify to you His Majesty's further pleastu'e that you do immediately require General Vial and all persons connected with the French Mission to quit the Island of Malta without delay. And I am further to desire that you will proceed immediately with the formation of the Maltese corps directed in my secret letter of 6th November, according to the instructions therein contained. In regard to the appointment of British ofl&cers, either to command these Corps or to serve in them with the native officers, you will receive special instructions in the coui'se of a very few days. His Majesty has been gi-aciously pleased to appoint you to be his Civil Commissioner to the affairs of Malta and its dependencies, with a salary annexed of £2,000 a year, in the room of Charles Cameron, Esquire, whose salary is to cease from this date. I am desired that you will communicate the contents of this letter to Major-General Villettes. (Signed) Hobart. Two days later, namelyjOn the 18th May, the following justification of their action was made by the British Cabinet in the House of Commons : His Majesty's earnest endeavoui's for the preservation of peace having failed of success, he entertains the fullest confidence that he shall receive the same support from his Parliament, and that the same zeal and spirit will be manifested by his people, which he has experienced on every occasion when the honour of his Crown has been attacked or the essential interests of his dominions have been endangered. . . . His Majesty has, unfortunately, had too much reason to observe and to lament that the system of violence, aggression, and aggrandiseraent which characterised the proceedings of the different Governments of France during the war has been continued with as little disguise since its termination. They have continued to keep a French army in Holland against the will and in defiance of the remonstrances of the Batavian Republic, and in repugnance to the letter of three solemn treaties. They have in a period ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 9. 2i2 484 A HISTORY OF MALTA of peace invaded the territory and violated the independence of the Swiss nation in defiance of the treaty of Luneville, which had stipulated the independence of their territory and the right of the inhabitants to choose their own form of Government. They have annexed to the dominions of France Piedmont, Parma, and Piacenza, and the island of Elba, without allotting any provision to the King of Sardinia, whom they have despoiled of the most valuable part of his territory, though they wei^e bound by a solemn engagement to the Emperor of Russia to attend to his intei"ests and to provide for his establishment. . . . His Majesty was called upon to evacuate the Island of Malta. His Majesty had manifested from the moment of the signature of the definitive treaty an anxious disposition to cai-ry into full effect the stipulations of the Treaty of Amiens relative to that Island. As soon as he was infonned that an election of a Grand Master had taken place under the auspices of the Emperor of Russia, and that it had been agreed by the different priories assembled at St. Petersburg to acknowledge the pei\son whom the Court of Rome should select out of those who had been named by them to be Grand Master of the Order of St. John, His Majesty proposed to the French Government, for the piu^pose of avoiding any difficulties which might arise in the execution of the arrangement, to acknowledge that election to be valid ; and when in the month of August the French Government applied to His Majesty to permit the Neapolitan troops to be sent to the Island of Malta, as a preliminary measui'e for preventing any unnecessary delay. His Majesty consented without hesitation to this proposal, and gave direction for the admission of the Neapolitan troops into the Island. His Majesty had thus shown his disposition not only to throw no obstacle in the way of the execution of the treaty, but, on the contx^ary, to facilitate the execution of it by every means in his powei'. His Majesty cannot, however, admit that at any period since the con- clusion of the Treaty of Amiens the French Government have had a i-ight to call upon him in conformity to the stipulations of that treaty to with- draw his forces from the Island of Malta. At the time when this demand was made by the French Government several of the most important stipulations of the arrangement respecting Malta remained unexecuted ; the election of a Gi'and Master had not been carried into effect. The 10th Article had stipulated that the independence of the Island should be placed under the guarantee and protection of Great Britain, France, Austria, Russia, Spain, and Prussia. The Emperor of Germany had acceded to the guarantee, but only on condition of a like accession on the part of the other Powers specified in the article. The Emperor of Russia had refused his accession, except on the condition that the Maltese Langue should be abrogated, and the King of Pi'ussia had given no answer whatever to the application which had been made to him to accede to the arrangement.! But the fundamental principle, upon the existence of which depended the execution of the other parts of the article, had been defeated by the changes which had taken place in the constitution of the Order since the ^ This omission of the Prussian Government is veiy curious, considering that it was then very Gallophile in policy. — J. H. R. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 485 conclusion of the treaty of peace. It was to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem that His Majesty was, by the first stipulation of the 10th Article, bound to restore the Island of Malta. The Order is defined to consist of those Langues which were in existence at the time of the conclusion of the treaty, the three French Langues having been abolished and a Maltese Langue added to the institution. The Oi'der consisted therefore at that time of the following Langues, viz. of Arragon, Castile, Germany, Italy, Bavaria, and Russia. Since the conclusion of the definitive treaty the Langues of Arragon and Castile have been separated from the Order by Spain, a pai-t of the Italian Langue has been abolished by the annexation of Piedmont and Parma to France. There is strong reason to believe that it has been in contemplation to sequestrate the property of the Bavarian Langue, and the intention has been avowed of keeping the Russian Langues within the dominions of the Emperor. Under these cii'cumstances the Order of St. John cannot now be considered as that body to which according to the stipulations of the treaty the Island was to be restored, and the funds indispensably necessary for its support, and for the maintenance of the independence of that Island have been nearly, if not wholly, sequestered.^ Even if this had arisen from circumstances which it was not in the power of any of the contracting parties to the Treaty to control, His Majesty would nevertheless have had a right to defer the evacuation of the Island by his forces until such time as an equivalent arrangement had been concluded for the preservation of the independence of the Order and of the Island. But if these changes have taken place in consequence of any acts of the other parties of the treaty, if the French Government shall appear to have proceeded upon a system of rendering the Order, whose independence they had stipulated, incapable of maintaining that indepen- dence. His Majesty's right to continue in the occupation of the Island ander such circumstances will hardly be contested. It is indisputable that the revenues of the two Spanish Langues have been withdrawn from the Order by his Catholic Majesty ; a part of the Italian Langue has, in fact, been abolished by France through the unjust annexation of Piedmont and Pai-ma and Piacentia to the French territory. The Elector of Bavaria has been instigated by the French Government to sequestrate the property of the Order within his territories, and it is certain they have not only sanctioned but encouraged the idea of the propriety of separating the Russian Langues from the remainder of the Order. As the conduct of the Governments of France and Spain has there- fore in some instances directly, and in others indirectly, contributed to the changes which have taken place in the Order, and thus destroyed its means of suppoi'ting its independence, it is to those Governments, and not to His Majesty, that the non-execution of the 10th Ai-ticle of the Treaty of Amiens must be ascribed. Such would be the just conclusion if the 10th Article of that treaty were considered as an arrangement by itself. It must be observed, however, that this ai'ticle forms a part only of a treaty of peace, the whole of which is connected together, and the ^ This argument is weighty when it is remembered that the properties of these Langues had supplied the funds by which alone the gi-eat expense of maintaining the fortress of Valetta could be met. — J. H. R. 486 A HISTORY OF MALTA stipulations of whicli must, upon a principle common to all treaties, be construed as having a reference to each other. His Majesty was induced by the treaty of peace to consent to abandon and to restore to the Order of St. John the Island of Malta on condition of its independence and neutrality. But a further condition, which must necessarily be supposed to have had considerable influence with His Majesty in inducing him to make so important a concession, was the acquiescence of the French Government in an arrangement for the secui'ity of the Levant by the 8th and 9th Articles in the treaty, stipulating the integrity of the Tui'kish Empire and the independence of the Ionian Islands. His Majesty has, however, since learnt that the French Govern- ment have entertained views hostile to both these objects, and that they have even suggested the idea of a partition of the Turkish Empire. These views must now be manifest to all the world from the ofl&cial publication of the report of Colonel Sebastiani, from the conduct of that officer and of the other French agents in Egypt, Syria, and the Ionian Islands, and from the distinct admission of the First Consul himself in his commiunica- tion with Lord Whit worth. His Majesty was therefore warranted in consideinng it to be the determination of the French Govei'nment to violate those articles of the treaty of peace which stipulated for the integrity and independence of the Turkish Empire and of the Ionian Islands, and consequently he would not have been justified in evacuating the Island of Malta without receiving some other security whicli might equally provide for these important objects. His Majesty accoi-dingly feels that he has an incontestable claim in consequence of the conduct of France since the treaty of peace, and with reference to the objects which made part of the stipulations of that ti^eaty, to refuse under the present circumstances to relinquish the possession of the Island of Malta. Yet, notwithstanding this right, so clear and so unquestionable, the alternative presented by the French Government to His Majesty in language the most peremptory and menacing, was the evacuation of Malta or the renewal of war. . . . ^ In the debate in Parliament on Friday, the 20th May 1803, four days after the declaration of war against France, Lord Hawkesbury, referring to Malta and Maltese affairs, said it had been asserted, and had been even introduced into periodical publi- cations, that a remonstrance had been made by the Maltese deputies in which they brought forward a grave subject of complaint against the Government of this country for indifference to their just rights and privileges in the arrangement of the definitive treaty. * A fxirther topic not referred to in the documents collected by Mr. Hardman was the sailing from Brest of a French expedition to the East Indies on 6th March. This undoubtedly made the British Government more nervous about its communica- tions with India. As our troops had evacuated the Cape of Good Hope and Egj'pt, Malta was the only point left where we could hinder the French in their movements towards India. For the secret instructions issued by Bonaparte to General Decaen commanding the expedition to India, and the prospect which he held out of war against England in September 1804, see Rose, Life of Napoleon, vol. i. pp. 374, 375. —J. H. R. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 487 This was a charge wliich he felt it necessary on his part to repel in the strongest terms. With this view, he could not do better than direct the attention of the House to a letter written by the deputies subsequent to the Treaty of Amiens, in which they expressed their perfect satisfaction with the conduct held towards them by Ministers, and their gratitude for the exertions which had been resorted to in their favour. Their great object, he did not mean to deny, was the privilege of being under the direct protection and government of His Britannic Majesty, but if this could not be obtained, the arrangement made in their behalf was one which they thought demanded a warm expres- sion of gratitude. Here the noble Lord read a part of the letter which fully justified his statements. The deputies declared that they considered it their highest honour to be admitted to the privi- leges of British subjects. As this, however, was impracticable, they could not without the most affectionate gratitude reflect on the efforts made by Ministers to secure their privileges. These efforts they should communicate, with the history of their country, to the latest posterity, and while they gloried in the continuance of their privileges, they would tell that to the British Government was their protection to be ascribed. At the climax of the negotiations which preceded the declaration of war Mr. William Eton, a discredited official of the Malta Govern- ment (who has been accused of promoting discontent among the people of Malta), arrived in England, furnished with copies of corre- spondence which had passed between the Maltese deputies and the British Government. This correspondence, consisting of the Petition of the Maltese People to His Majesty the King, and the so-termed ' Remonstrance ' of the 1st March 1802 (which have appeared in another chapter of this work), were published in Cobbett's weekly Opposition paper of the 7th May (vol. iii. page 679). Owing to this publication General Gascoyne, at the sitting of the Commons held on the 20th May (four days after the declaration of war), moved for the production of papers respecting ' Representa- tions which had been made to the British Government by the Maltese people from October 1801 to March 1802,' ^ and of the Proclamation issued to the Inhabitants of Malta by Colonel Graham (the future Lord Lynedoch), then member for Perthshire. The motion, being opposed by Lord Hawkesbury and others, was negatived. Colonel Graham observing that so far as the Proclamation which he had issued to the inhabitants of Malta was concerned, he could assure the House, that the production of a copy of it would be altogether useless, and this on a very simple ground. He had issued the Proclamation on his own private opinion of its expediency, and * Cobbett, vol. iii. p. 1637. 488 A HISTOKY OF MALTA not on tlie authority of any orders which he had received from Government.! Thereupon Cobbett, having been provided by his coadjutors, the agitators from Malta, with a copy of the Proclamation which had been moved for and negatived, immediately published it in his next issue of the 28th May, together with other papers reflecting on G-eneral Pigot's character.^ Five days later Mr. Canning moved again for copies of all ' Maltese remonstrances made by the natives of Malta,' and all other papers respecting the intended restoration of the Order of St. John,^ and during the debate which followed on the next day, the 3rd June 1803, Colonel Graham remarked that ' about two hours before he came down to the House, General Pigot called upon him, with Mr. Cobbett's Registers, which probably contained the same papers which had been moved for by an honourable gentlemen (Mr. Canning) yesterday concerning Malta ; and he was particularly requested to say from General Pigot that these papers contained the most gross misrepresentations and charges against his character.' ^ Meanwhile General Pigot addressed the following letter to Lord Hobart : Hertford Street, ^\st May 1803.5 My dear Lord, — I was yesterday honoured with your Lordship's letter, for which I return you many thanks, I shall be exceedingly obliged to you if you will take the trouble of reading the extracts of letters herewith sent you, which passed between Mr. Paget, Sir Alexander Ball, and myself relative to Malta. By these you will see the difficult cai-d I had to play, and that if I had listened to their pressing solicitations of hoisting Sicilian colours, or those of the Order of St. John of Jemsalem, and had not been firm and acted as I did, Malta never would have been considered as a conquest made by the British, or as exclusively belonging to the King of Great Britain ; at the same time, I have not a doubt that the advice they gave was with the best intention. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) H. PiGOT. To the Right Honourable Lord Hobart. At the discussion on the Address, which took place three days later in the Upper House, Lord Melville ^ gave the following cogent reasons for voting in its favour : Now indeed was he (Lord Melville) at liberty to contemplate the possibility of realising an object of so much importance as the settlement of Malta under British protection. Well did he remember the melancholy moments he had passed, when, after reading the definitive treaty, he found Malta exposed to so much danger of falling into the hands of a Power that would employ it for our destruction. The importance of that Island 1 Cobbett, vol. iii. p. 1642. ^ j^^^ ^oj jii, pp_ 759 . 774. ^ Ibid, vol. iii. p. 870. •* Ibid. vol. iii. p. 1751. ^ C.O.R., Malta, No. 9. * Formerly the Rt. Hon. Henry Duncla? — J. H. R. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 489 had long appeared to him to be very great, and Europe had in the most decisive instances witnessed it. By means of Malta it was that the French had attacked and made themselves masters of Egypt. By Malta it was that we had been enabled to recover that possession. If Malta remained in our hands it was impossible that all the efforts of Finance, that all the armaments she could send forth, could obtain possession of Egypt while we with a superior navy had the opportunity of availing oui'selves of the harbours of Malta. Malta, therefore, was to be considered as of infinite importance to the strengthening and security of our Empire in India. He considered it as a great tower erected in the Mediten.'anean, on which the flag of Great Britain, displayed and floating, would hold forth an invitation to the people of the Mediterranean, of the Adriatic, and of the Levant seas to rally round it, and to avail themselves of the protection of this country. As we were now going to war, and as Malta fonned one of the main objects of the war, he wished that its value should be fully understood, and that we should likewise keep in view the necessity of availing ourselves of its advantages to the utmost. It was evident how great interests depended upon the retention of Malta. Wei'e we, then, to give up that possession, which was so essential to those interests ? If, then, we were going to war for Malta, it was our object to animate the courage and reward the achievements of our fleets and armies. We should go to war therefore on this ground as a broad question both of right and of general policy. In this view it was a matter of congratulation that Malta was to be considered as a British object. It was to be considered that we went to the aid of the Maltese, previously engaged in the reduction of the French. We ought, therefore, to secure to the Maltese a wise and suitable form of civil government, to be enjoyed by them under the protection of the British power. This object ought to be prosecuted and settled without any delay, so that when- ever any new negotiation should be set on foot, we might be enabled to say that the people of Malta, under a fonn of government agreeable to their wishes, were now established under the protection of Great Britain. He wished it to be understood that he considered the retention of Malta for ever to be a most essential object, and one which in the relative circumstances of Fi-ance and this country we were fully entitled to prosecute by war. In voting for the Address we therefore voted our concurrence in the war, of which that was the principal object. The attainment of it would be of the utmost benefit to all the States of the Levant, and under our protection alone Malta could be rendered inde- pendent and happy. Lord Pelham spoke in similar terms^ pointing out also that the British Government had honestly striven to carry out the terms of the Treaty of Amiens respecting Malta and had admitted a small body of Neapolitan troops as part of its garrison. He then continued as follows: It was about the 27th January that the French Government began to press in a very peremptory manner the evacuation of Malta, and it was about that period that Ministers thought themselves bound to demand 490 A HISTORY OF MALTA some satisfactory explanations of the pretensions advanced and the views disclosed by the French Government. Circumstances then existed which rendered it necessary to refer back to what had been the conduct of the First Consul from the period when the treaty was concluded. In the course of this review the plain, the irresistible inference was that the conduct of the French Government had been one constant series of acts totally inconsistent with a sincere desire of preserving the peace of the two countries. ... In a formal conference with the ambassador of an independent Power the First Consul had not hesitated to declare that Egypt must sooner or later be in the possession of France. He would put it to the candour and the feelings of their Lordships whether Ministers were not entitled to demand from the French Government some security for its future views relative to Egypt, beyond what the Treaty of Amiens provided. In the continued possession of Malta Ministers conceived that this security could be found, and hence originated the discussions which this subject had created and the importance which the possession of the island afterwards assumed. Malta in the hands of this country could only be viewed as a security ; it could afford to Finance or any other Power no reasonable ground of jealousy or alarm. No other place was so liable to so little objection, and on this ground Ministers rested their claims to its possession. . . . Turning for a moment from these discussions in Parliament to what was happening about the same time in Malta, we notice that during the month of May General Vial made another attempt to induce Ball to order the evacuation of the garrison and to restore the Island to the Order of St. John, alleging that he had received official intimation that the Courts of Vienna, St. Petersburg, and Berlin had consented to guarantee the arrangement made by the 10th Article of the Treaty of Amiens. Ball's reply and report to Lord Hobart thereon, dated the 18th and 24th May respectively, were as follows : Sir Alexander Ball to General Vial. Malta, 18^;i May 1803.1 Sir, — I am honoured with your Excellency's letters of yesterday, stating that you had received official advice from your Government that the Courts of Vienna, St. Petersburg and Berlin have formally consented to become guai'antees to that part of the Treaty of Amiens which relates to the Island of Malta and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Your Excellency is pleased to add, that as the acceptance of all the guaranteeing Powers leaves no longer any apparent reason for delaying the restitution of this Island to the Order of St. John, you desire to know what measures I think proper to take for the accomplishment of the treaty. In answer I have the honoui* to observe that as I have not yet received any official advice from my Court on the subject of Your Excellency's communication, I must decline to act upon any other authority. I have the honoui% &c. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 9 (1803). DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 491 Sir Alex. John Ball to Lord Hobart. Malta, 24th May 1803.1 My Lord, — I have the honour to acquaint your Loi'dship that the French Minister called on me a few day.s ag« to infonn me that he had received official advice from his Govei'nment, of the Coui'ts of Vienna, St. Petersburg and Berlin having formally consented to guarantee the ai-rangenient made by the Tenth Ai'ticle of the Treaty of Amiens with respect to the Island. Enclosed I have the honour to ti'ansmit to your Loi"dship the copy of a letter which the Minister addressed to me on that subject, together with my answer. I could perceive that General Vial had on this occasion two objects in view. The fii'st was to induce me to consent to the evacuation of the garrison upon the ground of every obstacle being now removed, and to effect this he argued that as the authenticity of his information was unquestionable I ought to consider this official communication as a sufficient authority to take immediate measui'es for the completion of the treaty. Finding that I was not disposed to yield to his arguments, the Minister's next endeavour was to persuade me that I might expect to receive orders from my Court to evacuate the Island, hoping, no doubt, that this would certainly opei'ate to detain the fleet under the command of Rear- Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, which was then under sailing orders The Minister acknowledged that the dispatches alluded to were of an old date, and that they had come by way of Naples and Messina. By an order from the Viceroy of Sicily the ports of that Island are shut against all vessels coming from Malta. A malicious and totally un- founded report that the army from Egypt had shown symptoms of the plague during the performance of quarantine in this lazaretto has served for a pretext for this extraordinary measure. Having requested His Majesty's Chai^ge d' Affaires at Naples to remonstrate on the injustice of this proceeding, I am now in daily expecta- tion of hearing that all restrictions on our intercourse with Sicily are removed. It appears that the French Secretary of Legation at the Coui't of Naples has been for some time at Messina, for the avowed purpose of examining the fortifications at that place ; and I must observe to Your Lordship that the above mandate from the Vicex'oy was issued soon after his arrival there. From a variety of cii'cumstances, indeed, there is every reason to believe that, should hostilities commence, the French will instantly endeavour to possess themselves of Sicily. Under this impression, Sii' Richard Bickerton has taken a position which will, he trusts, enable him to frusti^te the designs of France on that valuable Island without detriment to any other objects which His Majesty's Ministers may have in view. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. The Rt. Hon. Lord Hobart, &c. Upon the declaration of war Lord Nelson was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British naval forces in the Mediterranean, ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 9 (1803). 492 A HISTORY OF MALTA arriving in Malta for a brief visit of thirty-six hours on the 15th June. On the 28th of that month he addressed to the Prime Minister a dispatch, from which the following is an extract : [Extract.] H.M.S. AmpMon, 2Sth June 1803.1 To the R-t. Honble. Henry Addington. I arrived at Malta on the 15th June in the evening. The French Minister, General Vial, had left in a Ragusa vessel in the moming. The Maltese are in the highest spirits, and sincerely hope that they will now never be separated from England. ... I consider Malta as a most important outwork to India ; that it will ever give us great influence in the Levant, and indeed all the southern part of Italy. In this view I hope we shall never give it up. I carried out orders from Lord Hobart that General Villettes was to hold 2,000 men at my requisition, if they could be spared from the defence of Malta, for the service of Sicily. The language of General Villettes was natural. The gai^Hson appointed for Malta is not more than on the most economical number of men was judged sufficient, and, looking to the assistance of the Maltese in case of a siege, that these numbers of British troops were only sufficient for the ordinary duties, and that when the Neapolitan troops went away (and he was ordered to send them away) the duty would be very severe, that the addition of Maltese troops when trained and formed would be little better than a well-formed Militia, and however much they undoubtedly would assist, yet they would not be counted as British troops. However, that he should not hesitate in pro- viding 1,200 men and a corps of artillery, to be under the command of General Oakes, a most excellent officer, for the service of Messina when- ever I might call for them, and the Genei^al wished that I should mention this conversation when I had any opportunity of communicating with Ministers (but which opportunity I never can have but in this private and confidential way) On the 17th, at daylight, I left Malta. (Signed) Nelson. The departure of General Vial from Malta, which Lord Nelson mentions, and that of the Chevalier Buzi, was communicated to Lord Hobart by Sir Alexander Ball, in the following dispatch, dated the 26th July 1803. Malta, 26th July 1803.2 To the Right Hon. Lord Hobart. My Lord, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter of the 16th May last in duplicate ; the original has not yet reached me. The Neapolitan troops sent to this Island in terms of the late treaty of peace were on the 14th instant embarked on board of British transports, at the request of His Sicilian Majesty, and conveyed to Syracuse and Messina, at which places they are now in garrison. It is with much satisfaction that I have the honour to inform you that General ' Nicolas, Dispatches of Nelson, vol. v. p. 507. ^ C.O.R. Malta, No. 9. DISCUSSIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— 1803 493 Vial and all persons connected with the French Mission quitted Malta on the 15th ultimo, a few houi-s previous to the receipt of your Lordship's letter. The Bailli Buzi likewise retired from the Island about the same time. I must observe with regret that it will not be possible to complete at present the Maltese corps to the number proposed in the plan I had the honovu- to ti^nsmit to youi^ Lordship on the 13th August last. This difficulty of raising men is pai'tly to be ascribed to the great loss sustained by the Island during the blockade in consequence of the prevalence of an epidemic disease, which proved fatal to many thousands of the inhabi- tants of the country ; but it is probably no less owing to the great increase of trade occasioned by the arrival here of English merchants from Italy, and the constant employ thus afforded to the lower order of people. I trust, however, that the measure I have now adopted of requiring each officer to raise a certain proportion of soldiers before he can receive pay will effect the completion of the corps in the course of the ensuing winter. Permit me to express to your Lordship the deep sense I enter- tain of His Majesty's gracious condescension in having conferred on me so distinguished a mark of his favour as that of appointing me to fill the important station of his Civil Commissioner for the affairs of these Islands. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. CHAPTER XXIII THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION OF MALTA UP TO THE 30tH MAY 1814 We now turn to the narration of the principal events which occurred in Malta from the commencement of Sir Alexander Ball's second period of administration up to the treaty of peace signed at Paris on the 30th May 1814, and confirmed by that of the 20th November 1815. This period of his administration, including the ten months when also acting as Minister-Plenipotentiary to the Order of St. JoliUj lasted from the lOtli July 1802 to the day of his death, the 25th October 1809. During the early portion of this period he not only had to contend with intrigues of emissaries of the Order, who still had partisans in the Island, but had also to defend himself later on against unscrupulous attacks on his character by a Government employe, William Eton, who in 1807 published a work entitled ' Materials for an Authentic History of Malta.* ^ William Eton, for some time previous to his appointment to an official position in the Government of Malta, had acted as Civil Commissary at Guernsey, to hear complaints and adjust all diiferences between the Russian troops and His Majesty's subjects; - and when, in October 1800, the British authorities were seeking for a competent person to officiate as a Commissioner to re-establish the ancient regulations for quarantine in Malta, he applied on the 28th of that month to the Right Honourable Henry Dundas for the situation.^ He based his ^ In later years this work has been referred to as an authority in support of the alleged grievances of the Maltese, more particularly -with regard to the pretended suppression of the ' Consiglio Popolare,' a privilege which they asserted had been in their enjoyment since the most remote times, and of -which they had been arbitrarily deprived by Sir Alexander Ball and the British Government. In a copy of Mr. Eton's book -which is to be found in the Malta Public Library there is the foUo-wing annotation : — ' Little credit is to be placed in the statements of this writer or faith in his opinions ; he wrote a history of the Turkish Empire, and I have been told that the object of it was to serve the political purposes of Russia ; he had a place under the Government of Malta, and did not p^ve satisfaction, and held it for a short time, and was not esteemed there. I have heard him spoken of with great disrespect.' Athough much importance is not to be placed upon the statements of anonj-nious writers, nevertheless they are the opinions of a contemporary, to be either confirmed or refuted. (Note by Mr. Hardman.) * The Russian troops serving in Holland in 1799 wintered in the Channel Islands. — T H R 3 C.O.R. Malta, 2. 494 THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 495 application on the gi'ounds that he had been a resident in that Island for three months (fifty days of which he had lodged in the lazaretto), that he had been in favour with the late Grand Master De Rohaii; and that he had been sent there on a mission by Prince Potemkin on behalf of the Russian Government. His mission had been for the purpose, so he asserted : — To examine the state of Malta; to discover the disposition of its inhabitants and the causes of the rebellion which (in 1797) had nearly expelled the Order ; to give Prince Potemkin an account of the cabals among the Knights ; to examine the lazaretto, and to examine the Island of Lampedusa.^ Mr. Eton^s application for the appointment as Superintendent of the Lazaretto was successful, and in May 1801 he was ordered to accompany Mr. Charles Cameron to Malta, to which Island the latter had been nominated His Majesty's Civil Commissioner. Upon his arrival in Malta, Mr. Eton's appointment as Superin- tendent of the lazaretto and Supervisor of the quarantine regulations was duly made public by a Government notice dated the 14th July 1801. The exigencies of the time required a most rigorous application of these regulations (the breaking of Avhich entailed the penalty of death without benefit of clergy), not so much for the preservation of the pubHc health as for political reasons, by preventing the landing of French emissaries or of partisans of the Order of St. John. For this purpose correspondence and printed matter had to pass through the lazaretto for examination, and the information so obtained, when found detrimental to the public weal, was acted upon without scruple. This system of espionage was a necessity of the times, and the Superintendent of the lazaretto (who, if tradition does not belie him, was also a spy in the Russian service) was selected for its administration. In Mr. Henry Dundas's letter, dated the 14th May 1801, acquainting Mr. Cameron with Mr. Eton's appointment, there is sufficient evidence to prove that the latter was to hold the post he was about to occupy independent of the Commissioner, who Avas only ' in some degree to j^cdge of the expediency and propriety of the arrangements Mr. Eton might propose.' This independence, which could only create misunderstanding and friction, was further aggravated by the reprehensible permission to correspond direct with the Ministry in London, Avhich gave him undue importance in the eyes of the people and to their deputies, who later on were to proceed to England for the purpose of pre- senting their petition to the King. ' I keep the details as they are given by Mr. Hardman, but doubt their accui-acy. Eton had earlier been in the employ of the Russian Government ; biit Prince Potemkin, who desired to seize Constantinople in the war of 1787-91, died in 1791. — J. H. R. 496 A HISTORY OF MALTA Within five days of his arrival in Malta he addressed a letter to Mr. J. Sullivan (Under-Secretary of State) which at once stamps the character of the man ; for, in that short space of time, he felt himself qualified to form an opinion of and indicate his antipathy to Captain Ball (which soon developed into bitter enmity, for reasons hereafter related), and declare himself competent to stigmatise a prominent member of Captain Ball's staff. The following is a synopsis of the letter : — [Synopsis.] [Private.] Mr. Eton to Mr. J. Sullivan. Malta, Uh July 1801. i He informs him of his ari'ival with Mr. Cameron on the Island, and of his having re-established the lazaretto and quarantine according to the ancient regulations in force during the Grand Mastership of Rohan, and he goes on to say : ' I cannot refrain from informing you that Mr. Cameron has been received as a Messiah. Mr. Cameron is formed to regain and to secure the affection of a good and gi'ateful people. It is the opinion of everyone, without a single exception, with whom I have spoken, of every description, natives or British, that had Mr. Cameron not arrived an insun-ection would very shortly have taken place. The joy of the people, which was extravagant, has been somewhat damped by the resolution unexpectedly taken by a certain person [Ball] to remain here, and retain near his person a man (Macaulay) abhorred for every species of vexation and insult. General P. (Pigot) everyone who knows him says is himself a good man.' As much of the controversy which has arisen in regard to Maltese affairs has its foundation in Mr. Eton's acts and writings, it is well to ascertain what at the present day can be learnt respecting him. Three months after his arrival in Malta a petition to His Britannic Majesty was prepared, beseeching His Majesty to retain possession of the Island, and a deputation was nominated to proceed to England and present it. Although the primary object of the deputa- tion may have been laudable in itself, it nevertheless embarrassed the Government, then deep in negotiations for peace with France. It soon became reported in England not only that Mr. Eton had encouraged, but that with him had originated the idea of electing a deputation to proceed to the British Court, and that the meetings in connection with the petition and its drafting took place at his house. Five years later Mr. Eton admitted that such meetings had taken place at his house, but added, ' they were held only for the election of the deputies.' Of his intimate relations with these latter whilst they were in England it is sufficient to quote his letter to the Under- Secretary of State dated the 5th March 1802, wherein he pleads for financial help on their behalf. > C.O.R. Malta, 4. THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 497 Owing to the decision of the Powers met at Amiens that Malta should again revert to the Order of St. John, Sir Alexander Ball returned to Malta, where he arrived on the 10th July 1802, as Minister-Plenipotentiary thereto, relieving Mr. Cameron from his functions as Civil Commissioner on that same day. This dual position and authority Sir Alexander was to possess until the arrival of the Grand Master. So complete a change in the settlement of Maltese affairs, as well as in the Chief Administrator, was not congenial to Mr. Eton, whose disappointment was further accentuated by personal dislike of the Public Secretary, Mr. Alexander Macaulay ; and two months after the arrival of Sir Alexander Ball, Mr. Eton, although retaining the appointment and emolument of his office, withdrew from the Island. Aware of the rumours which were current, laying to his charge that of being an unprincipled agitator, promoting discontent and encouraging unfounded pretensions, he looked for his vindication not to Mr. Cameron or Sir Alexander Ball, but to certificates of character obtained from the coterie with whom he was associated. These certificates were dated the 18th August and the 8th September 1802, and appear at p. 223 of his book, and among* the signatories there are the following names : — Marchese Don M. Testaferrata, Fil. Castagna, Luogotenente of Senglea and Cospicua, Michele Cachia, representative of Zeitun, and Ant. Mallia, Lieut. - Governor of Gozo, four out of the six gentlemen who, according to Mr. Eton^s statement, had been elected at his house as deputies to the British Government. With a knowledge of these facts it is reasonable to assume that he had succeeded in inculcating in the minds of these gentlemen opinions which for his personal advantage he intended to promulgate. Soon after obtaining the certificates Mr. Eton sailed for England, and on the 24th December of the same year (1802) there were issued from the press, hut not published, Parts I and II of his book entitled ^ Materials for an Authentic History of Malta. ^ In the following May Mr. Eton proposed to Lord Hobart, then Minister for War, that he should return to Malta via Southern Russia, and buy 40,000 quarters of wheat on account of the Malta Government, to be consigned to His Majesty's Commissioner there. This offer was not immediately accepted, but on the 27th September 1803 he was dispatched on this mission, with orders to buy only 2,500 quarters and sundry stores Sir Alexander Ball being duly informed of what had been done. This wheat was shipped to Malta from Odessa on the 28th July 1804, ten months after Mr. Eton left London. Commissioner Ball in the meantime, having no great confidence in Mr. Eton, dispatched an officer of his own direct to Odessa with an order to purchase 40,000 quarters of wheat. This officer, with the vessels necessary for transport of the wheat, arrived at Odessa 2 K 498 A HISTORY OF MALTA during Mr. Eton's stay in Russia, who, not having been consulted or engaged in the purchase, felt it a personal affront, and returned to England imbued with a desire of revenge. Accordingly, no sooner had he arrived in England than he pre- pared for printing (in 1805) Part III of his work, severely criticising Sir Alexander Ball's administration of the Government of Malta. But for reasons unexplained, which Mr. Eton called ' uninteresting to the public,' this part (No. Ill), like the preceding Parts I and II, voas not published until two years later, when Part IV was added, and the book published in its entirety in 1807. So great a portion of this book is devoted to a description of the ' Consiglio Popolare ' and its attributes, and so much has been said on the same subject in later years up to the present day, that it will be interesting to trace its history from the time it was sought to invest it with legislative power, which Mr. Eton endeavoured to establish in his letter to the Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Sullivan), dated the 18th May 1802. Of the existence of the ' Consiglio Popolare ' from remote times there has never been any doubt; the only question has been, what were its attributes ? Whilst, on the one hand, it was alleged that its functions were simply municipal, it was stated by Mr. Eton and his adherents that the whole legislative authority resided in the ' Con- siglio Popolare.' They maintained also that Sir Alexander Ball had confirmed the fact by convoking an Assembly of Notables, which he termed a Congress, in whose hands lay the power of government during the blockade of 1798-1800. To this assertion Sir Alexander Ball gave a flat denial, as appears from a letter to Mr. Miles dated Malta, the 2nd August 1807, as follows ^ : — Mr. Eton and Mr. Dillon have lately published two books on Malta tending to prejudice me in the public mind and to get me removed from the situation, that they and their friends may come here and du'ect the administration under the Duke of Sussex. I have answered Mr. Eton's charges, and His Majesty's Ministers have been pleased to express in handsome terms their confidence in me. Mr. Eton complains of the dis- content of the Maltese because they are deprived of their Popular Assembly, and he says that the moment they revolted against the French their fk-st act was to convene the ' Consiglio Popolare,' at which I was made President on my landing. This is the most impudent falsehood that ever was asserted. The fact is, Lord Nelson gave me the command of a squadi'on to blockade the French in La Valetta, and to assist the Maltese in the country who were in anns. On my arrival I found the inhabitants split into parties — the former refusing to pay rent, the lower classes going in bodies at night to commit every kind of devastation and plunder. In this state the chiefs were continually applying to me for advice and assistance, and after five months' experience they found themselves under the necessity of requesting me to land and direct the civil and military depai'tments. ' Miles, Correspondence of W. A. Miles, vol. ii. p. 353. THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 499 At this period the Maltese •had never thought of convening an assembly. I perceived the advantages to be dei'ived from having a congress, and I di'ew up a plan of one, which was immediately formed, and at which I Avas President, and I can positively declare this, it was entirely a suggestion of my own, and done with the view of making the assembly bear the odium of the necessary regulations for restoring order. The dispatch from Mr. Windham (the Secretary for War and the Colonies), to which Sir Alexander Ball refers, is as follows : [Extract.] The Rt. Hon. W. Windham to Sir Alexandek J. Ball. (London), Downing Street, Gth January 1807.1 Sir, — . . . I have now to advert to your private communication of the 10th September, on the subject of which I herewith enclose copies of several documents which have been laid before me, conveying such serious charges against your administration, as call for immediate investigation. The favourable sentiments, however, which your meritorious services and established reputation were calculated to produce in the minds of His Majesty's Ministers still remain unshaken, and I have the fullest reliance on youi' being enabled to effectually refute those aspersions which have thus been thrown upon your character, and to prove that your conduct has been invariably guided by such principles as fully justify the high opinion which Government have hitherto entertained of you, and the confidence which His Majesty has condescended to repose in your zeal and abilities. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) W. Windham. In the copy of Mr. Eton's book which is to be found in the Malta Public Library there is, at p. 82, the following annotation by the late Sir Ferdinand Inglott, a Maltese gentleman well versed in the history of Malta : ' Not a single historical document can be produced to prove the assertion that in the " Consiglio Popolare " resided the whole legislative authority ; not one law among the minutes of this body can be found in the Archives. See report of the Royal Com- missioners which sat in 1812. These Commissioners append to their report a most valuable document (which will be referred to later on), drawn up by Mr. Dolci, a lawyer of considerable ability, who proved that the " Consiglio Popolare " Avas neither legislative nor deliberative.' The publication of Mr. Eton's ' Materials for an Authentic History of Malta' was deferred from 1802 to 1807. Although the cause of this delay cannot now be ascertained, it can, nevertheless, from what followed, be readily surmised. During this interval of five years Mr. Eton retained his appointment in Malta, with the emolument attached to it, but was absent from his post; and it was not until the latter year that the period became ripe for the 1 Malta Pub. Library, MS. No. 388. 2 k2 500 A HISTORY OF MALTA publication of strictures on Sir Alexander Ball's Administration. By this means lie trusted to supplant Sir Alexander in the government of the island. In Part III of the said work^ at p. 144, whilst criticising the judicial procedure then in force (1802), Mr. Eton says, ^It may seem somewhat strange that Captain Sir Alexander Ball should have chosen the "Code Rohan" (1782) in preference to that of Vilhena (1721), but it must be remembered that in the latter the "Consiglio Popolare " and the privileges of the Maltese have a place,' insinuating that it was thus evidently the desire of Sir Alexander Ball to trample upon the alleged privileges of the Maltese. Nevertheless, a few pages further on (p. 176) he is compelled to admit that the '^ Code Rohan' does refer to the ' Consiglio Popolare,' and with characteristic inconsistency recommends that, in the event of a new scheme or con- stitution being adopted, a constitution which he was then advocating for the island (at a period, 1805, be it remembered, when its future destiny was still uncertain), the 'Code Rohan' should be admitted as the 'Lex Scripta' (p. 192) until a new code was promulgated, and that no older laws should be valid. This new scheme or proposed constitution is mentioned by Mr. Eton at p. 178 'as a form of government for Malta and Gozo uniting the essential parts of the privileges of the island with the functions of a British governor, and (said to be) drafted in 1802 by some of the first lawyers and some of the nobility and others, which would perfectly satisfy the people.' As, however, it was therein stipulated that, beyond the governorship of the islands, the only other appointment to be left to His Majesty should be that of the Superintendent-General of the quarantine, the post which he (Mr. Eton) then occupied, and that such appointment should be independent of the Civil Government, it would appear that in the compilation of this scheme Mr. Eton's advice was sought for, if not voluntarily given. Mr. Eton's defence of his publication, written in 1807, runs as follows : — In 1802, when I wrote and printed the first and second parts of these materials (the publication of which was, for reasons uninteresting to the public, deferred), I endeavoui^ed to do justice to Sir Alexander Ball, who had presided with great applause in the Congress composed of the Popular Council ( Consiglio Popolare ') and the chiefs of battalions or colonels, and the Maltese generals. That same year I had brought with me from Malta the matter contained in the third part, which I was anxiously requested to translate and publish, as the facts were notorious in every country but this, which they most concern. However, still hoping that those who professed so much attachment to the Maltese would have represented their grievances, I deferred printing them three years, and now only, in the fifth yeai- after I had announced them, I lay them before the public. THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 501 He further acknowledges having been accused of promoting discontent among the people of Malta^ of instigating them to demand the restoration of their ancient rights and privileges ('Consiglio Popolare^), and assuring them of success if they persevered^ and added, by the publication of a certificate to be found at p. 233, ' that it was at the instance of the representatives of the people that these political meetings were held at his house, but for the sole object of proceeding to the election of the deputies sent to London.' Such undeserved and unfounded attacks were keenly felt by Sir Alexander Ball, who, in the words of a contemporary,^ 'was as a master, a parent, or a husband, a model for all ; nor were the Maltese slow to show that they thoroughly appreciated his many virtues, and it is not too much to say that they idolised him. To him they exclusively attributed their emancipation, and in him they rested their hopes for the future.' Mr. Eton, as already stated, published these charges in 1807, and on the 5th May of that year Sir Alexander Ball wrote from Malta to his intimate friend, Mr. Miles, as follows : — I have not wiitten to you as often as I wished lately, having been extremely huiTied by a multiplicity of business, occasioned by the explosion of two powder magazines within eight months ; the ftrst was caused by sham.eful neglect, and the second by mismanagement. I have likewise been attacked by a most unprincipled fellow of the name of Eton, who has a place here of £800 a year, which he has enjoyed dui'ing an absence of four years, but as his conduct and plans have at last been fully developed at the Secretary of State's office, I trust that he will be dismissed.^ It is difficult to understand why Mr. Eton, although absent from the Island, should have been permitted to retain his appointment in the Malta Civil Service from 1802 to 1807 (which was to continue until September 1811), enjoying its emolument in the meanwhile; and the surprise would be greater still when, after the publication of his book in the latter year, charging Sir Alexander Ball in the manner we have seen, we learn that he was still retained, were it not that an explanation is given in a dispatch from the Under- Secretary of State to Sir Alexander Ball on the subject, dated Downing Street, 5th April 1808, as follows^: — Sir, — I received the honour of your letter, returning the anonjTuous letters and papers which had been sent fi'om Malta to Mr. Eton, and which he communicated to Goverament with a view of raising suspicions against your conduct. His view, as well as the views of the writers, have been entirely frustrated, and every justice is done to your character, which accusations of such a nature can never reach. There may, however, have 1 S. T. Coleridge, The Friend, pp. 352, 374. 2 Malta Public Library, MS. No. 392. ^ Ibid. Supplemental Append., C.A. Case on the Marriage Question, page 209. 502 A HISTORY OF MALTA arisen a natural feeling in your mind that the attempts made by Mr. Eton ought not to be passed unpunished, and it must appear as disgusting to the authority of a governor if any officer within his command shall have preferred accusations against him which he has not been able to substantiate, and still be allowed to retain his situation, and this view of the case is certainly jast. At the same time, you will permit me -privately to state that there are many difficulties in the case. Mr. Eton's defence is that he has not brought charges against you, but that he has merely been the channel of transmitting to Government complaints from the Maltese, which complaints it was his duty not to suppi'ess. If he should be dismissed on account of these communications so made, he will endeavour to inflame the public upon the point of his dismissal, and to combine their feelings with the situation of the Maltese, the government over whona is carried on at present necessarily on garrison principles rather than under any i-egular form of constitution. If, therefore, any delay has taken place in removing Mr. Eton, or if it should be found advisable not to remove him at present, you will attinbute [it] rather to the policy of preventing any artful misrepresentations being played off against the Maltese than [to] what is due to your character and authority. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) E. Cooke. There may have been another reason for the leniency displayed towards Mr. Eton during this period, which the Colonial Minister was not then in a position to disclose, and that was Mr. Eton's former connexion with the Russian Government, making the British Cabinet doubtful of his fidelity at a time when the strained political relations between the two Powers had at last culminated in Russia declaring war against England since the 31st of October previous,^ and that consequently, in the effort to retain his loyalty, he was kept in the service of the State. In the absence of documents on this point at the disposal of the present writer, this, however, can only be a matter of surmise. It may possibly be considered by many that undue importance has been given to Mr. Eton in this portion of the volume ; but whoever will meditate upon the conduct of the Maltese deputies when in England, their grateful acknowledgment to the Colonial Minister, Lord Hobart, the report of their mission which the deputies rendered to their constituents upon their return to Malta, and con- trast the same with their demeanour after consultation Avith Mr. Eton, Mr. Vincent Borg, and other malcontents, will admit that much of the ensuing agitation had its origin in Mr. Eton's iniquitous proceedings, and must be laid to his charge. We may remark here, although the topic is not in chrono- logical order, that from the date of Mr. Cooke's letter of the 5th April 1808 until 1811 Mr. Eton, who remained absent from Malta, was yet retained on its Civil Service List, but owing again to his unwarrantable interference in local politics, he was summarily ' In pursuance of the secret Franco-Russian Ti-eaty of Tilsit. — J. H. R. THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 503 dismissed, and the information conveyed to Lieut.-General Oakes by Lord Liverpool, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the following despatch : Downing Street, 18th September 1811.1 Sir, — I have to acquaint you that in consequence of the very improper conduct of Mr. Eton, Superintendent of the Quai*antine Establishment at Malta, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has been pleased to remove him from that situation, which is conferred upon William Pym, Esquire, at present Deputy-Inspector of Hospitals at Gibraltar. Mr. Eton's salary is to be paid to him up to the 25th of the present month, when Mr. Pym will be considered to succeed to the office, and the latter gentleman will be directed to repair to Malta with the least possible delay. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Liverpool.^ Foremost among the many subjects which caused anxiety to ' Sir Alexander Ball was that of the ecclesiastical rights and preten- sions of His Sicilian Majesty and the jurisdiction of the Papal Government in the affairs of the Island. We learn from Captain BalFs report^ of the 26th December 1800 (Avithin five months after the capture of Valetta) that the former claimed the right of nominating a bishop, with the prerogative of appeal in ecclesiastical cases to the Court of the Metropolitan at Palermo, called ' La Tribunale della Monarchia.' The archbishop desired to have a resident Minister in the Island, but this was always resisted by the Grand Masters. The Popes having constituted themselves Superiors of the Order of St. John, had also supreme jurisdiction over the ecclesiastical courts, from whence all cases might be canied to Rome by appeal. If the plaintiffs would not agree which of the two courts, Palermo or Rome, should decide the appeal, the first inhibition from either of the courts determined it. The Pope's Minister, under the name of the ' Grand Inquisitor,' resided in Malta, and held supreme jurisdiction ; he could distribute patents by virtue of which the patentee was out of the reach and power of the Grand Master. It was not necessary that the patented pei^son should wear a clerical dress, and he was not known to be sheltered by the ecclesiastical court tmtil called on by the civil court. A great number of Maltese sought their pi-otection. The only check of the abuse of it was that the number of the patented persons, though very considerable, was limited, and that men engaged in trade could not be protected by these patents. While Sir Alexander Ball was in England, 1801-02 (after relin- quishing his first administration), the Colonial Office again sought his advice on this subject, and in reply he addressed the following letter : — ' Crown Advocate's Case, Mixed Marriages, p. 280. ■' The Earl of Liverpool was the Minister whose acquaintance we have already made as Lord Hawkesbury — J. H. R. 3 Colonial Office Papers, Malta, 1801. Ball's report, 26th December 1800. 504 A HISTORY OF MALTA 23rd January 1802.1 To John Sullivan, Esq., Under-Secretary of State, &c. Sir, — On considering the subject of His Sicilian Majesty's ecclesiastical rights in the islands of Malta and Gozo, I conceive that by the original / grant of the Island to the Order he has only the power of nominating the bishop. He has asserted a right to the jurisdiction over the ecclesiastical courts at Malta, from which an appeal may be made to the Court of the Archbishop of Palermo, which is called 'La Tribunale della Monarchia,' but this has not always been admitted by the Grand Masters. The Archbishop of Palermo wished to have a resident Minister there, in which he was strongly supported by His Sicilian Majesty, who sent the Minister in one of his frigates ; but the Grand Master Pinto sent to the captain of the frigate to inform him that if he landed the Minister he would sink his ship ; this was considered by His Majesty as an insult ; he therefore shut all his ports against Malta. Pinto sent word that, if the ports were not opened to his subjects on the same footing as before, he would make peace with the Barbary States and admit their cruisers into his port. This caused His Sicilian Majesty to open his ports to the Maltese, and not trouble the Grand Master any further on the subject of ecclesiastical rights. During my government the Archbishop authorised a Minister to sell indulgences at Malta, the produce of which would have amounted to three thousand pounds, and was to be sent to him ; as this was a great drain, as well as a tax on the poor, I would not allow it unless the sum would be appropriated to support the poor. The Ai'chbishop will try this every year, but I am of opinion that he should not be allowed to interfere in the ecclesiastical affairs at Malta. The Maltese deputies will be enabled to explain very fully the subject. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Alex. Jno. Ball. Having thus referred to ecclesiastical affairs we may indicate here the various reforms which the British Government were desirous in the interests of the inhabitants to introduce. These consisted of : 1. The right of the Government (on behalf of the Maltese) to nominate one of their own people to the bishopric, which hitherto had been very seldom so bestowed. 2. Rendering the See of Malta perfectly independent of the Metropolitan of Palermo. 3. The abolition of the right of sanctuary. 4. The removal from the ecclesiastical court of the cognisance of all matters in dispute in relation to debts, contracts, and inheritance, subjecting such to the I ordinary civil tribunals of the island ; and 5. Abolishing the exemption of ecclesiastics from lay jurisdiction in all matters not i spiritual. * Whilst many of these proposals had to remain in abeyance for a considerable time, that of the succession to the bishopric might be expected to arise within a few years. Upon the death of Bishop Labini, a native of Bitonto, near Bari, which occurred on the > C.O.R. Malta, No. 5. THE BKITISH ADMINTSTKATION UP TO MAY 1814 505 30th April 1807, the British Government was desirous that Canon Caruana, who had deserved so well of his country, should obtain the vacant see, but as the claim of the Neapolitan Government to the nomination of the bishop, as well as that of his subjection to the Metropolitan of Palermo, had not then been definitely abrogated. His Holiness Pius VII settled the question by raising Monsignor Ferdinand Mattel to that dignity on the 27th September 1807. Before this prelate, however, could take possession of the see a rearrangement of the patrimony attached thereto was considered necessary, and on this subject Viscount Castlereagh on the 1st April 1808 addressed Sir Alexander Ball as follows : — [Extract.] Viscount Castlereagh to Sir Alexander J. Ball. Downing Street, 1st April 1808.1 Sir, — . . . His Majesty has directed me to convey to you his royal commands that you should take the necessary measures for causing Mons. Mattel to be received into the vacant See of Malta. At the same time, I am to signify to you His Majesty's approbation of the suggestions submitted by you in your dispatch of the 7th May last, wherein you state that the annual revenue of the Bishop of Malta should be reduced to an income of £2,000 a year, and that the remainder of the proceeds of the bishopric, amounting to £1,800 a year, should be applied partly to the seminary for educating the clergy, partly for the amelioration of the coudition of the parochial priests, and the remainder to other pious uses. As you have stated that an arrangement of this natui'e would be highly satisfactory to the clergy and the people, I have no doubt that in your arrangement of this business you will take care not to fail in producing the beneficial result you so fully expect, and I am to desire you will take an early occasion of transmitting to me the detail of the measures you adopt. Bishop Mattel died on the 14th July 1829, whereupon His Majesty^s Government took the necessary steps to obtain the appoint- ment of Canon Francesco Saverio Caruana to the vacant see, who, as Capitulary Vicar and Archdeacon, had ruled the Church since the 20th July 1829; and in February 1831, all difficulties having been overcome, he was reported by the Pope's Consistory as qualified for the dignity (preconizato), duly appointed Bishop by Gregory XVII, consecrated on the 15th May 1831, and from that time the British nominee in the person of a Maltese, and in accordance with the desire of the people, has always been adopted. Another subject which Sir Alexander Ball had at heart, and which he strenuously urged upon the attention of the Home Govern- ment, was that of a fitting compensation, to which he considered the Maltese insurgents were entitled. It will be remembered that in ' Malta Public Library, MS. No. 388. 506 A HISTORY OF MALTA his dispatch to Mr. Henry Dundas^ then Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, dated the 6th March 1801, he referred to a rumour then current in the Island that their share of the prize money for the capture of Valetta, which had been promised to them, was not to be granted. As a result of his remonstrance, he had the satisfaction on 3rd March 1803 to inform them by a public notice issued on that date that His Majesty had been graciously pleased to order ^that the sum of one hundred and sixty-seven thousand scudi, equivalent to £13,916 13s. 4d., should be distributed amongst the brave Maltese who had served in the battalions.'^ This beneficent gift was subsequently increased by an additional grant of £8,786 Is. 2d., making in the aggregate £22,703 Os. Qd. ; its distribution was acknowledged by Marquis Mario Testaferrata and Count Francesco Sant (who had been appointed auditors of the accounts) in their report to His Excellency of the 3rd December 1805.^ Notwithstanding the general popularity which Sir Alexander Ball enjoyed in the Island, he had many adversaries, who, either from disappointment at what they alleged were unrequited services rendered to the Government during the blockade, or for other reasons, became his bitterest opponents ; and it is not surprising- to hear that anonjonous letters and papers were sent to Sir Alexander's inveterate enemy, Mr. Eton, for presentation to His Majesty's Cabinet, for the purpose of defaming him and obtaining his recall. None were more assiduous in this direction than Mr. Vincent Borg. Mr. Borg, who had been elected in 1798 Chief of the Birchircara contingent of insurgents, and who, as we saw, asserted that he was actuated by the purest and most disinterested patriotism, yet, nevertheless, on the 20th March 1799, during the siege of Valetta, accepted the guardianship of the harbours of St. Paul and Marsa Scirocco Avith the promise of that of Valetta when captured, and within a fortnight after the fall of that city he was appointed one of the administrators of public property, and further, on the 1st of the following November, nominated Lieutenant of Birchircara, with the emoluments attached to these offices. Referring to Mr. Borg's appeal to the British Government, which he published in 1810, it would appear that for some reason which he does not give ^ he was on the 11th January 1804 deprived of his official employments and told to consider himself under arrest, with a sentinel placed at the door of his abode, and not allowed out of the city for two months, after which he was only permitted to proceed into the country to look after his property and affairs upon obtaining permission on each occasion from the Secretary's office, this sur- veillance continuing for close upon two years. ' Government Proclamations and Notices, M.P.L., C.A. 4. - Baccolta di Vani Cose, p. 268. =* M.P.L. THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 18U 507 Mr. Borg admits that he was called upon to refund several sums which, he asserts, had been borrowed for the service of the camp he had commanded, that he had to refund crowns |^ {i.e. £337) to stop a 'procedure which was threatened ; also 1,000 crowns to the Countess Manduca ; and finally to vacate a store which he occupied, a decision communicated to him by a colleague-admini- strator of public property, whilst maintaining that he had a claim against the Government of 24,000 crowns. There is no desire to enter into the merits of the question, but it is necessary to give this outline of the case in order to explain the bitter animosity which Mr. Borg subsequently displayed against Sir Alexander Ball and his Administration. It is somewhat singular that within a month of the liberation of Mr. Borg instructions were forwarded to Mr. John Richards, a so- termed political agent of the Maltese, to represent to the British Government the alleged grievances of the people, instructions which resemble in form and diction (presumably by the same authors) the complaints which were subsequently embodied in the violent and scurrilous petition forwarded to the King in Council in July 1811, hereafter referred to. In the meanwhile Mr. Eton, who, according to Sir Alexander Ball, had Mr, Borg for an accomplice, completed his work, ' Materials for the History of Malta,' including Part III, which so strongly criticised Sir Alexander Ball's Administration, and published the same in 1807. These accusations and attempts to damage Sir Alexander's character in the estimation of the Home Government, however, proved quite harmless ; and as Sir Alexander stated at the time. His Majesty's Minister expressed the greatest confidence in his government of the islands. It is no doubt true that various reforms in the g'overnment were advisable, and would have been introduced earlier than they were, but at the time they were impracticable ; for it must be remembered that at this date (1806-7) the European political outlook was dark in the extreme ; an attempt to arrange peace between England and France had failed ; ^ that both the Prussians and the Russians had been severely defeated at Jena and Friedland; and that, consequently, it was impossible to say at this period what the future fate of Malta was to be, and whether the detested Order might not after all be reinstated in possession of the island. The desire alone of the Maltese to remain British subjects could but have small weight or influence in the ultimate decision. In the midst of all this turmoil and agitation Sir Alexander Ball died. This sad occurrence took place at San Antonio Palace at 3.17 p.m. of Wednesday, the 25th October 1809, Avhen Edmond ' viz. during the negotiations of the summer of 1806. For the Maltese question as then discussed see Coquelle, Napoleon and England, pp. 113 et seq. — J. H. R. 508 A HISTOKY OF MALTA Francis Chapman, at the time Public Secretary and Treasurer, assumed the reins of government until instructions were received from England.^ Amidst the almost universal sorrow which Sir Alexander's death occasioned, a desire was evinced to erect a monument to perpetuate his memory, and within two months of his demise a committee was formed, consisting of sixteen ' deputies of the nation,' who by the 22nd December presented to the Acting Commissioner, Mr. Chapman, a design of the proposed monument and the following letter " : — [Translation.] Your Excellency, — Having rescued us from the heavy hand of France, having calmed our excited spirits, lacerated by the jealousy of political and conflicting factions, substituting a just and paternal Government in the place of a revolutionary regency, bringing from the farthest coast of the Black Sea abundant supplies of wheat in times of direst necessity, pro- tecting our merchandise on the high seas, compelling oiu' honour on shore to be respected, whilst respecting our religion and our customs, beautifying our Island with gardens, edifices, roads, and planting immense numbers of all sorts of trees. These and many other were the works performed in our country by the late Sir Alexander John Ball. We consider that we should deserve to be branded with the name of ingrates were we to omit after death this acknowledgment of oui' gratitude, which we had so often proffered to him whilst living. Therefore, having decided to perpetuate his memory amongst us, the memory of this Father of the Maltese, by erecting a mausoleum, which will proclaim to foreigners his public worth, and will remind our children of the benefits which we have received at his hands and attest eternal proof of our gratitude, We therefore beg to present to you herewith the design of this proposed monument, and to express a hope that you will be pleased to select a site for it. We flatter oui'selves that you will deign to accede to this request, for we have reason to know that you second all our honest undertakings, and, moreover, that you have at all times proved to be a friend of the Maltese people, (Signed) The Deputies op the N'ation. This monument now stands in the centre of the Lower Baracca. Upon hearing of the death of Sir Alexander Ball His Majesty's Cabinet nominated Sir Richard Keats as Civil Commissioner in succession to Ball, but he was no sooner appointed than he resigned. Lord Liverpool, Secretai'y of State for the Colonies, thereupon, on the 14th April 1810, selected Major-General Hildebrand Oakes (who at the time was in command of the troops stationed in the island) to be Civil Commissioner, which news reached Malta by the cutter Black Joke on the 11th of the following month, the proclamation 1 Brochure, M.P.L., No. 463. ' Hid. THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 509 announcing" Sir Hildebrand's assumption of office appearing on the 12th May.i No sooner had death removed Sir Alexander Ball than renewed agitation followed, in furtherance of the vioAvs held by Mr. Eton, and on this occasion championed by Nicolo Capo di Ferro, Marcliese Testaf errata. A petition to the Throne was prepared, dated the 10th July 1811, embodying the alleged grievances of the Maltese, particularly the continued obeyance of the ' Consiglio Popolare,' and worded as follows : — To His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in His Council.^ We, natives of Malta, faithful subjects of Your Majesty, our elected and gracious Sovereign, induced by several transactions which have taken place in these Islands of Malta and Gozo for the last ten years (directly contrary to that high idea which public fame, and the experience we had during the siege of Valetta, had caused us to entertain of the magnanimous English nation), we take the liberty humbly to represent at the foot of Your Majesty's throne that — The full confidence and entire submission with which the Maltese demonstrated their inviolate attachment to the British Government, submitting themselves to the arrangements of Your Majesty's oflBcers, notwithstanding the full authority which rested with the Maltese, gave to us the strongest motives to hope a friendly and just retuim on their part. Nevertheless, the Maltese saw themselves fatally deluded in their hopes, and their most sacred rights and gi-eatest interests sacrificed to a sordid pobcy. A misused capitulation stipulated by Your Majesty's Officers with the French gamson, without the least participation of the Maltese, unjustly, and without necessity sacrificed our property ; pei-suaded to lay down our arms in the country at the same time that oiu" enemies laid down theirs in the surrendered cities, we saw with the most lively chagrin these our enemies, under our eyes, loading themselves with the plunder of almost the whole nation, and insulting our universal ruin, after we had for two years under the walls of Valetta endured mortality, famine, and sufferings and labour indescribable. The privileges of the ' Consiglio,' after the surrender of Valetta suddenly suspended and suppressed, though with the flattering promise made by Sir Alexander Ball to the representatives, that they should be assembled in future, when the case required, increased the infelicity of our condition. We began from that time to feel the fatal effects of this suppression. Perhaps the most honourable and respectable of the country [wei'e] unjustly oppressed. Just and I'easonable petitions often remained without a sentence, besides several violences, injm^ious to the free exercise of the jurisdiction of the Magistrates ; sudden removals of entire magistracies made at the caprice of His Excellency Ball, without any formality of judgment. Some deputations (assumed by a few persons, among whom were even ^ Brochure, M.P.L., No. 463. - C.O.R., Malta, No. 20 (1812). 510 A HISTORY OF MALTA foreigners, for private purposes witliout any formality of legitimacy) printed in the name of oni' nation, approving of some late Royal Commissioners ; the occupation of public places for the exercise of piety [sic], and the education of youth, by our ancestors solemnly consecrated ; grievances and insults of which both the distance fi*om Your Majesty's throne and the terror which the despotism of His Excellency Ball inspii^ed, obstructed for a long time our just appeals. By false imputations it was endeavoured to stain the character of the faithful Maltese by representing them as a tui'bulent people. All which the language of our most ample px'ivileges, granted by our most ancient Sovereigns, our patience, submission, and confidence in the justice of Tour Majesty dui'ing ten years gave our fidelity the strongest argument of facts, and not of words, and ought to confound our calumniators. Finally, numerous other acts of injustice of which our pinidence imposed on us silence, but a part of which documents are with our elected agent, Mr. John Richards, filled the measure of our misfortunes and sufficiently justified oui^ suspicions and distrust in i-espect to futui-e times. To dissipate, thei^efore, our fears and mistrust, and to further augment the bonds of the warm attachment of our countrymen to Your Majesty's Crown in a manner inseparable, we supplicate Your Majesty to take into consideration the state in which we find ourselves placed, and to look with benignity on our supplications, that we may at length obtain the restitution of our dearest ancient rights, so often promised to us, which will fill the heai-ts of a whole people with gratitude, fidelity, and love. And Your Majesty will have a people the most faithful, and attached to your Crown to defend our Islands. The supplications may be reduced in general terms to the restitution of our ancient sacred rights, violated by the latter Grand Masters of the Order of St. John ; enjoyed by us during the siege of Valetta, expressly stipulated, when with unlimited confidence we delivered up our Islands to Your Majesty's officers ; afterwards taken from us by the late Sir Alexander Ball, and again solemnly promised to us in the name of Your Majesty by the representative of Mr. Cameron : — First. The principal of these our rights are a free I'epresentation of the People or ' Consiglio Popolare,' with the right of sending deputies or memorials to Your Majesty in Council whenever our rights are found to be violated. Second. Independent tribunals. Third. A free Press, but not licentious in matters, and where our Catholic religion shall not be offended. Fourth. A jury either in the manner practised in England, or according to our ancient usage, with the right of appeal in every case from the sentence of the judges to the Consiglio Popolare.' In fine, a Constitution which shall unite the spirit of our ancient, free, and only legitimate government with that of the English Constitution, our religion being always kept inviolate. To obtain our ancient rights we elected by acclamation Your Majesty for our Sovereign. We therefore supplicate Your Majesty, in the name of justice, of humanity, and by all laws, divine and human, and by the lives of twenty thousand persons lost during the siege of Valetta, to be pleased to restore to us our i-ights and privileges, by which the Maltese were THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 511 authorised by their most ancient Sovereigns to give their legitimate consent in every change of Government, which consent cannot be dispensed with without offending justice, which we do not expect from the Government of Your Majesty, whom we cordially elected. The natives of Malta, Youi- Majesty's petitioners (as in duty bound), will never cease to pray. And we profess ourselves the most faithful subjects of Your Majesty. Malta, lOfh July 1811. The tenour of this petition was so offensive that General Oakes considered it his duty to rebuke the signatories in a public notice of the 23rd August as follows : Palace, Valetta, 2,3rd Augtist 1811.1- The King's Civil Commissioner observes with regret that some weak and inconsiderate pei'sons, deceived under specious pretexts, have suffered themselves to become the instruments of a few tui^bulent and factious individuals. They have been seduced to subscribe a paper purporting to be an application to the King for cei-tain changes in the existing form of the government of these Islands, but which is in fact a scandalous libel upon that Government as hitherto administered, and the vehicle of private malignity. The acts of His Majesty's fonner representatives are grossly and insidiously perverted, facts ai'e misrepresented, and the revered memory of one whose long administration, marked as it was by wisdom and mildness, and by the most distinguished benefits to these Islands, had been sanctioned by the gracious approbation of his Sovereign, is ungratefully and vindictively traduced by an unfeeling and disappointed faction. Whilst His Excellency feels himself called upon thus to animadvert upon a proceeding no less dishonourable to the parties concerned than it is disrespectful to the Government, he reflects with peculiar satisfaction that so small a number of individuals, and of those so very few of any respectability, have been seduced by the insidious arts so long and so industriously practised to mislead them. This consideration, added to the well-gi^ounded confidence which the King's Civil Commissioner reposes in the loyalty and attachment of the Maltese at large, whose happiness has long been dear to him, and whose real interests His Excellency shall ever be solicitous to promote, enables him to exercise more generally towards a misguided few the lenity and forbearance which have ever characterised His Majesty's Government in these islands. Few indeed and prejudiced must those Maltese be who ai-e insensible to the supei-ior advantages they possess under the auspices of Great Britain : but if such there are, let them learn from the victims of French oppression, who daily crowd to these shores, as to an envied asylum, how much they ought to appreciate the prosperity and security, which, under the powerful protection of His Majesty's fleets and armies, they so liberally enjoy. If His Excellency has hitherto delayed publicly to notice this extraordinary Memoi-ial, he has been actuated by the desire of affording to those who might have been deceived an opportunity of acknowledging ' Government Proclamation, M.P.L., C.A. 4. 512 A HISTORY OF MALTA their error, and several have accordingly come forward and avowed in writing the gross delusion under which their subscriptions were obtained to the document, and their total ignorance of its contents. The paper in question, such as it is. His Excellency is detei'mined to transmit by the first opportunity to His Majesty's Ministers. By Command of His Excellency. (Signed) F. Laing, Acting Public Secretary. Marquis Testaferrata, nothing daunted^ proceeded to London to support the views of his adherents by personal interviews, if possible, with Earl Bathurst. These views are recapitulated in his two letters to the latter under date of January and 21st April 1812, which are given below. The Marchese Testaferrata to Earl Bathurst. Duke Street, No. 24 Piccadilly, London, January 1812.1 Sir, — Commissioned by some of the most noble and respectable families of Malta to lay before His Majesty the situation of that Island, I take the liberty of submitting the following facts for the consideration of youi' Lordship and the information of His Majesty in Council. From time immemorial the Islands of Malta and Grozo enjoyed the rights and privi- leges of a free people. As far back as the year 1397 King Martin confii^med these rights and privileges. In 1425, on account of the urgent necessities of the kingdom, these islands were mortgaged for the sum of 30,000 florins of gold. Oui^ ancestors, not siibmitting to be governed by a person unscepti-ed, sent ambassadors to the King to repurchase the Island for the same sum, and we returned under the Royal Demanium \_sic\ with oui" former and additional rights and privileges, as is fully to be seen in the deed of King Alphonsus of the 3rd January 1427. The administration of the Government, civil and military, was and remained entirely in oui' hands ; oiu' liberties were preserved to us and jealously guaranteed by a fi^ee representation of the people, or Consiglio Popolai'e ' of the Island. When the Emperor Charles the Fifth assigned Malta and Gozo to the Grand Masters and Knights as a noble feud with limited powers, he guaranteed and preserved our ancient Constitution, and the Maltese, oui' forefathers, before they permitted the infeudation, stipulated by theii' deputies elected by the Consiglio Popolare,' and by the procurators of the Grand Master and Knights for the confinnation of their privileges, customs, and for that state of freedom which we then enjoyed ; and our countrymen, not content, sent for greater security ambassadors to Syi^acuse, whei'e the Grand Master then resided, for the ratification of their privileges, the deed respecting which was executed in 1530 ; and no Grand Master was acknowledged Prince of the Island by reclamation until he had taken before the first senator, at the outer gate of the capital, a solemn oath on the Gospel to maintain inviolate all our ancient rights and privileges. And although several Grand Masters, notwithstanding their 1 Colonial Office Papers, Malta, No. 20 (1812), THE BKITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 513 oath, at various times attempted to limit our rights and privileges, yet such attempts were uniformly resisted by the Maltese. This form of government with the Consiglio Popolare ' was in force until 1782, when the Grand Master Rohan Soubise, supported by the French party, published his ill-judged and despotic code, under which, however, we had still more privileges than we have at this day. Until 1798 the Knights were masters of the fortresses, when they delivered them up to the French [sic], who, soon after committing acts of injustice and violence, the whole Maltese people (except the city, which had been disarmed by the French) took up arms, beat the French in the field, and shut them up in Valetta. All this was done by them- selves, without the assistance of or communication with any other Pow^ar. Some time after the ports were blockaded by the Portuguese, and finally by the English. During the space of fifteen months the war was carried on at the sole expense of the Maltese. They aftei'wards received some assistance fi'om Sicily, mortgaging their lands for that purpose. Dui"ing two years that the war lasted we lost by sickness and the sword of the enemy about 20,000 persons, while our handful of auxiliaries lost not one soldier killed by the enemy. Three days after revolution had taken place we re-established a free government upon the basis of our ancient Constitution, every town or horg icasale) choosing its head or representative, and the people elected four senators, who forraed the chief political body and representation, and these united directed all affairs, civil and military. Two months aftei'wards, during which time the French made several sorties and were repulsed by the Maltese, who, having shut them up more closely in Valetta, we had more leisui'e to establish a more systematic fonn of government, and the people in every town (casal or burgh), having elected representatives, these with the aforesaid senators formed the Congress. Sir Alexander Ball, then commander of the blockade by sea, was by the spontaneous will of the Maltese elected President of the Congress, without whose vote he had no authority whatever ; and though afterwards he was by the King of Sicily appointed his governor, the full power of legislation remained with the Congress. The public Acts existing in the registers furnish proofs of this fact. The French gaiTison, reduced to extremity by famine, were foi'ced to demand a capitulation, and their own council of war determined, in case it was required, to leave hostages, to indemnify the Maltese for all the damages, forced contributions, plunder of the University and Monti di B-edenzione e Pieta, and all other property, public and private, which they had extoi'ted during the siege. At this juncture the English, who styled themselves our military auxiliaries [sic], without our knowledge granted to the enemy a capitula- tion by which, without our consent, we had the mortification of seeing the spoils, even of us their conquerers, carried to France in British ships. The gates of Valetta being opened, the Maltese laid down their arms, and the Congress being dissolved, but with promises that the ' Consiglio Popolare* should be assembled, we permitted the King's officers to occupy the fort- i"esses and to have the administration of the public pi"operty, and by acclamation we elected the King of Great Britain for our sovereign ; but with the express stipulation that our ancient, sacred and only legitimate 2 L 514 A HISTORY OF MALTA rights should be continued without any kind of interruption. We accepted this compact in the confidence we had, and still have, in the honour of the English Government, and what we assert we consider to be inconte stably proved by the letter of Sir Alexander Ball to Mr. Secretary Windham, printed at the Government Press in Malta, in which he says : You are aware, Sir, that when the British first took possession of the Island it was stipulated that the privileges of the Maltese should be preserved and their ancient laws continued in force.' But notwithstanding this, from the year 1800, when we remained fully masters of our own cities, until this day, the ' Consiglio Popolare ' has not been assembled nor have our rights and privileges been in vigour, but we are governed in such a manner that we cannot raise the voice of appeal against any tyranny, however oppressive. During ten years we have not ceased to demand a remedy for the grievances under which we groan. Our deputies sent to London in 1802 demanded it ; my Lord Melville proposed it in the House of Lords ; the Secretary of State, Mr. Windham, was favourable to our cause ; but the Ministry being changed, it was left undone. From that time certain persons who were, and now are, interested in maintaining that despotic form of government under which we groan, have constantly, by intrigues and misrepresentations, misled His Majesty's Government from doing us that justice which otherwise they would have done. When we sent instructions to our agent, Mi\ Richards, to solicit the restitution of our stipulated and hereditary rights, signed by almost all the respectable persons in Malta, he obtained an audience of your Lordship, who only objected to the form, and directed that the petition should be addressed to His Majesty in Council, and signed as the other had been, and delivered to General Oakes, His Majesty's Civil Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief of the troops in Malta, to be by him transmitted to London. Having received this answer from our agent, we altered the form as directed by your Lordship, and we began to sign it. On the 26th July we acquainted the Governor with the instructions we had I'eceived, upon which we were informed that no answer could be given without first knowing the contents of the petition. We again wrote to the Governor, enclosing a copy of the petition, on the receipt of which His Excellency, by letter of the 3rd August, ordered the original petition to be immediately sent to him with the signatures ah-eady put to it. Upon receiving these orders, which we felt obliged to obey, it was delivered to His Excellency, with the express condition that it should be returned to us to add the remaining signatures ; or in case he resolved otherwise that, imperfect as it was, it should be sent to His Majesty in Council. The Governor, relying on his power and ascendancy over those who had offices or employments, the next day called such indi\'iduals, and by persuasion or menace obliged several to retract what they had signed and to sign other papers prepared for or dictated to them. Terror of a power without limit and the promise of preserving a salary induced some to this dishonourable step. All those who refused were deprived of their offices. A counter- declaration was produced by the Government from persons THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 515 in the same dependent situation, and this being signed by a few only, notwithstanding that it was proposed by the Government itself, we may reasonably conclude that the remaining Maltese have the same sentiments as those in the humble petition to His Majesty in Council, and would, had they not been prevented by the strong hand of Government, have expressed them by their signatures. A proclamation was afterwards issued in which we are styled little better than rebels, and the Governor is pleased to say that few persons have signed the petition, when he himself stopped the signing of others ; and he also says that few of these were of any respectability, though they form the principal part of the nobility of Malta. I request the favour of youi' Lordship to confront the respectability of these few with that of the others who, induced by promises or menaces, made counter declara- tions, and to recollect that the one was voluntai'y, the other forced. By this proceeding the internal state of the Island was exposed to the knowledge of the whole world at a most critical moment, a most loyal people, its nobility, and everything that is respectable in Malta, defamed and insulted. The universal surprise of the whole nation, and even that of the English themselves, can scarcely be imagined at seeing a petition addi^essed to the Sovereign, as directed by the Minister of His Majesty, to whom alone appertained the approval or condemnation, suppressed by the sole will of the Governor. I cannot conclude without expressing to your Lordship that the most anxious wish of my countrymen is to know whether His Majesty's Government considers us as appertaining to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or whether it is His Royal pleasure that we be considered as an independent nation. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) N'icolo Capo di Febro, Marchess Testaferrata. The Marchesb Testaferrata to Earl Bathurst, Secretary op State, War, and Colonies. Duke Street, Piccadilly, London, 21st April 1812.1 My Lord, — I had the honour to receive youi' Lordship's letter of the 3rd instant, infoi"ming me that there does not appear to the Prince Regent's Government sufficient grounds for considering the papers Avhich I presented to be, what they profess to be, authorised declarations of the wishes and opinions of the people of Malta, and that I can be considered here only as a private individual, but that it nevertheless was in contempla- tion to send Commissioners out to Malta in order to examine fully into the circumstances of the Civil Government and its laws, and for which information I beg leave to express to your Lordship my most grateful acknowledgments . Ignorant as I necessarily must be of what may be considered here ' as authorised declarations of the wishes and opinions of the people of Malta,' I can only say that the persons whose numerous signatures I had the honour to submit to your Lordship are to be found amongst the most eminent for rank, for talent, and for property in the Island, and would ' Government Proclamation, M.P.L., C.A. 4. 2 l2 516 A HISTORY OF MALTA have been followed by the signatures of the whole population but for the interference of the Governor, the circumstances respecting which I have already had the honoiu' to state to youi' Loi^dship, and that your Lordship will find that these persons have only spoken the genuine wishes and opinions of my countrymen at lai-ge. That your Lordship, however, and the Commissioners who may be sent there may be the better able to judge of the fidelity of my representation as to those wishes and opinions, I take the liberty to subjoin these their following requests, with a copy of the authority under which I act and some of the ancient privileges and rights of the Maltese, as a justification of what I have presented to your Lordship on the 16th JanuaiT, which they are desirous of having recognised : That the ' Consiglio Popolare,' composed of the nobility and of a repre- sentative elected in every casale, shall be restored, in order to form together the first or chief representative body ; that the TJniversita, or Public Bank, shall be put on its former footing, its debts paid, and credits called in and realised ; that the powers of the King's Commissioner shall be defined ; that courts of justice shall be established and rendered independent in giving their sentences ; that the suitors shall not be obliged for the institution of their suits to obtain any licence from the Governor ; that the judges shall not be displaced unless guilty of improper conduct ; that juries shall be established as the basis for the administra- tion of justice ; that the Intendant of Police (an employ of the most delicate natui'e for public secui'ity and tranquility) shall be entrusted to a Maltese gentleman of honour and ability ; that the Casa Santa shall be restored for retu'ement and exercises of piety ; that the Press shall be free ; that the propei'ty of individuals shall be respected ; that the expenses of the war and of the present Mission shall be discharged out of the revenues of the Island, and that such of the grievances of individuals as have been hitherto suppressed shall be heard. For these purposes the Maltese most humbly request that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent will be graciously pleased to appoint Commis- sioners who, with Commissioners to be elected in a general Congress of the Island, may form a plan of government for His Royal Highness's approval, with powers for hearing the complaints of aggrieved individuals. In a word, that measures may be adopted for putting the Maltese under the protection of a Constitution which will render them happy, and for ever unite them to the Crown of His Britannic Majesty. I have the honour*, &c. NicoLO Capo di Ferro, Marchess Testaferrata. Lord Liverpool (then Premier) , however, on the 3rd of April had informed Marquis Testaferrata that he could only receive him as a private individual, and refused to place before the Privy Council the documents of which he had been the bearer. The Marquis was also informed that the Prince Regent contemplated sending to Malta a Special Commission to inquire into the alleged abuses ^and to establish a system calculated to ensure the happiness and prosperity of the Maltese nation.' This information was also conveyed to General Oakes by a letter THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 517 from Lord Liverpool under date of the 5th May 1812, of which the following is an epitome : [Epitome.] He informs General Oakes of the appointment of a Commission to make a full and immediate enquiry into all matters touching the civil government, laws, judicial proceedings, revenue, &c. of the Island of Malta.' The Commissioners were to be A'Court, late Charge d'affaires at Palermo ; BuiTOws, late Chief Justice of Dominica ; General Oakes, Governor of Malta. The arrival in Malta of two members of the Commission was duly announced in the public Press as follows : ^ On Monday, the 29th June (1812), arrived in this port of Valetta, in six weeks from England, a convoy under the protection of His Majesty's frigate Ganymede, on board of which were Messieui^s A'Court and Burrows, Commissioners entrusted, with His Excellency the Lieut. -General H. Oakes, Civil Commissioner in these Islands, by H.R.H. the Prince Regent to enquire into the laws, revenue, and civil government of these Islands, and to report their investigations to the Government in London. The Commissioners are accompanied by Mr. Meyer as secretary, and Lord Herbert as assistant secretary. The result of the labours of this Commission appeared in a very able report dated the ^[h October ma! - This report has never been made public in its entirety, but extracts have occasionally appeared, notably one in a return asked for by the House of Commons and ordered to be printed on the 17th June 1846. The extracts which have been made public treat upon the ' Consiglio Popolare,^ Papal jurisdiction, ecclesiastical establishments. Representative Assembly, and are as follows ^ : Consiglio Popolare. An enquiry into the claims of the Maltese with respect to a Representa- tive Assembly, with rights of discussion and appeal and with powers of legislation, having been particularly prescribed to us in oui' instructions, we have not failed to give to so important a subject all that attention to which it is so justly entitled. The result of our enquiries has been the most firm conviction that these claims, so loudly urged by turbulent and interested individuals, are totally without foundation, and that at no period of theii" histoiy did the Maltese ever possess the slightest pretension or right to a deliberative and legislative assembly. To enter into a long historical detail in order to disprove the truth of the assertions which have been so confidently advanced upon the subject would be foreign to the nature of this report. From the variety of papers, however, which the considei'ation of these ' Extract from II Giornale di Malta, No. 26, of the 1st July 1812, which paper preceded the Government Gazette, and was the first and only newspaper then published in Malta. - C.O.R. Malta, No. 21 (1812). 518 A HISTORY OF MALTA claims lias brought more im^mediately under oiu" notice we have selected one which is particularly entitled to attention from the number of authentic documents upon which it is founded. It will be found in the Appendix to this Report. It was drawn up by a Mr. Dolci, a lawyer of considerable ability, and it may be considered as a refutation of every claim, founded upon the supposition of the former existence of a delibera- tive and legislative assembly. The Consiglio Popolare ' never did, and never pretended to, possess any deliberative or legislative authointy. It was simply an assembly of the people summoned by order of the Crown for the nomination of certain jurats of the TJniversita, which nomination was afterwards submitted to the Sovereign for his approbation. The TJniversita of Citta Yecchia (which, with some alterations in its functions, exists to this day) was a municipal body, charged with the superintendency of the markets, the supply of provisions, the weights and measures, the roads, and public edifices. From this body members were, indeed, occasion- ally sent to Palermo in ordei' to lay before the Sovereign, or his viceroy, any complaints or representations respecting the affairs within its imme- diate jurisdiction, but never upon any occasion did it arrogate to itself the right of legislation, nor in any way presume to interfere with the uncontrolled exercise of the executive power. The meetings from whence these deputations were sent were denomi- nated ' Consiglio deir Universita,' and were totally distinct from the Electoral or Consiglio Popolare.' The early periods of the Maltese history are so extremely confused that it is difficult to trace the origin of these different assemblies or to fix the precise time of their establishment. The first mention of a Consiglio Popolare ' is in the year 1420, when King Alphonso appears to have mortgaged the Islands of Malta and Cozo to Antonio Cardona for the sum of 30,000 florins. An Assembly was at that time convened under this appellation, by order of the procurator of Cardona, for the purpose of electing two Syndics, who might take the oath of allegiance to the new Lord in the name of the people. But the Consiglio Popolare ' (properly so called) appears to have been assembled so I'arely as to induce Mr. Dolci to speak with some degree of doubt even of its power of electing candidates for the office of Jurats, conceiving it rather in those early times to have been an assembly of the people ordered by the Sovereign for some extraordinary occasion like that to which we have just referred. It appears also that the Consiglio Popolare ' and ' Consiglio dell' Universita ' are occasionally confounded by historians, though nothing can be more distinct than their characters of electors and elected. It is, however, to this remote period of history that we are referred by the advocates of a legislative assembly for the proofs both of its existence and of its powers ; but although the obscurity in which it is involved is particvilarly favour- able to the advancement of such or any other pretensions, still there is a sufficient degree of light thrown upon the transactions of this period to enable us to pronounce with the greatest degree of certainty that these claims are without foundation and totally unwarranted by the history of the times to which we are i-eferred. Prom the time of the expulsion of the Saracens in the year 1090 the Islands of Malta and Gozo belonged to the Crown of Sicily by right of conquest. From that period until the THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 519 year 1428 they were commonly conferred upon different subjects as feudal tenures without any particular restrictions whatsoever. In fact it is in no way reconcilable to reason to suppose that these Islands could have been given and taken away thi'ee times in little more than a year by the sole fiat and authority of Martin, King of Sicily, without any opposition on the part of the Consiglio Popolare,' supposing it to have been possessed of those powers of deliberation and legislation with which fancy has been pleased to invest it. The very circumstance of the mortgage of these Islands by King Alphonso in 1420, and again in 1425, proves beyond a doubt that they were considered as a property that might be alienated, sold or mortgaged at pleasure, and the existence of such a power in the Crown appears to us so totally incompatible with the existence of a popular deliberative body as to lead us at once to the conclusion that an assembly so consti- tuted never did nor could exist. In the year 1428 the Universitil, in the name of the people, advanced a sum of 30,000 florins in order to enable the Crown to redeem these Islands from the hands of Gonsalvo di Monroi, and the reasons which led to the offer afford additional grounds for the belief that the master of these Islands (whoever he might be) was absolute and uncontrollable. They (the inhabitants) had experienced so much inconvenience from the frequent change of masters that they were desii-ous of being attached to the Crown of Sicily as an unalienable fief, in order to avoid the heavy contributions and vexatious services which each possessor in succession had never failed to exact. The existence of an absolute despotism can scarcely be more plainly proved. From hence- forward these Islands were never alienated from the Crown until the final cession to the Order of St. John in the year 1530. The Consiglio Popolare ' comes frequently under our notice whilst tracing the histoi-y of the Island from the period of its occupation by the Knights, but here it is admitted, even by the most strenuous supporters of its ancient privileges and authority, to have been nothing more than an assembly for the purpose of electing four candidates, from amongst whom the Grand Master selected one to go to Sicily in order to treat for the purchase of com, and four others from whom he also selected one to be the depositary of the monies of the Universita. Although this assembly bore the name of Consiglio Popolare,' it was more properly speaking a ' Consiglio dell' University,' for it was composed only of the different members of the Universita, persons holding certain fiefs, and others holding those offices, a list of which is to be seen in the Code of Vilhena. It met every year, and had no other powers whatsoever than the election of these candidates, from whom, however, the Grand Masters did not always select the persons to be employed. In the later periods of the existence of the Order of St. John these assemblies were discontinued. Some stress has been laid upon an assembly of the diffei-ent heads of casals convened by Sir Alexander Ball, at the time of the blockade, for the purpose of giving more ready effect to the orders which he found it necessary to issue. This has been ingeniously construed into an acknowledgment of the fonner existence of a deliberative body. Nothing can be more gratuitous than such a deduction. The meeting was convened for the sole purpose 520 A HISTORY OF MALTA before mentioned, and was a representative rather than an electoral body, such as we know the Consiglio Popolare ' to have been. Indeed, so little attention was paid at that time to the existence of any former assembly that it met under the simple title of Congresso. [Recently an attempt to substantiate the assertion that the ancient ' Consiglio Popolare^ possessed legislative power has again been made by certain local politicians. This opinion has been based upon arguments presented by counsel in the case 'In the matter of the validity of certain mixed and unmixed marriages in Malta/ which was argued before the Privy Council in 1891. It would appear, however, that such opinion was derived from Eton's ' Materials for the History of Malta/ a work pronounced by the highest local legal authority as that of a dis- credited official. In reply to such attempts and observations it is only necessary to state that Sir Joseph Carbone (who at the time was Crown Advocate in the aforesaid judicial case) fully confirmed the opinion of the Commissioners of 1812, and at p. 7 of his case answers: With regard to the constitutional history of Malta, it would appear that from 1190 to 1530 that Island was (as part of Sicily) subject to the laws of Sicily. Malta had a local municipal institution, known as the Consiglio Popolare,' which was much less authorised to exercise powers of legislation than is a county council or a vestry in modern times.] Papal Jurisdiction.! The Papal jurisdiction in these Islands is restricted to the receiving of appeals in all ecclesiastical causes, the nomination alternately with the bishop to about sixty small benefices, and the investiture of the bishop at the period of his election with the usual insignia of his office. Ecclesiastical Establishments : Papal Authority." In order to comply in the most satisfactory manner with that part of our instructions by which we are directed to enquire into the ecclesiastical establishments and revenues and the extent of the Papal authority, we judged it advisable to apply directly to the bishop himself (Monsignor Mattel) for infonnation upon these subjects. The statement he was pleased to prepai'e will be found in the Appendix to this Report, and, with the exception of some unfounded claims to the possession of the Church of St. John, it may be considered as entitled to the character of fidelity and accuracy. It will be seen by this paper that there exist in these Islands three ecclesiastical courts for the trial of causes in which the Church is immediately concerned. The first, which is fixed in Valetta, comprises a vicar-general, two judges denominated assessors, an advocate fiscal, an advocate for the poor, and some other inferior officers. The second, which is in Citta Vecchia, and the third, 1 C.O.R. Malta, No. 21 (1812). - Jlidt THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 521 which is in Gozo, are perhaps rather to be considered as branches of the first than as separate and distinct tribunals. They ai"e in everything dependent upon the superior Court of Valetta, and are presided over by two pro-vicars, to whom a very limited authority is accorded. The appeal from the decrees of these tribunals lies either to the Metropolitan Coui't of Palermo (of whose archbishop the Bishop of Malta is a suffragan) or directly to the See of Rome. But on account of the difficulty which at present exists of obtaining access to the Roman Pontiff,^ a permission has been by him granted to the Bishop of Malta to appoint judges, to whom all appeals may be made in the first instance. The advantage resulting from this arrangement is that, in cases which involve any questions of pi'operty, the transfer or payment is immediately made whenever the judge of appeal confirms the original sentence. This, however, is not considered as abrogating the right of the suffering party to appeal to the Roman See, as the two concurring sentences, though they authorise the immediate transfer of the property in dispute, may subsequently be set aside by a decision obtained from Rome. The judges receive fees, but on account of the paucity of the business their amount is inconsiderable, and they all receive additional salaries fi'om the bishop. It is impossible not to perceive that every abuse existing in the secular tribunal of Malta prevails to an equal extent in the ecclesiastical courts. Yet, although we have ventured to recommend their summaiy abolition in the one case, so many difficulties and impediments present themselves in the other that we are reluctantly obliged to confess that they appear at present to be insurmountable. Every act of the British Government with regard to ecclesiastical matters is viewed with so jealous an eye that an infringement of the long- established rights and privileges of the Church (however beneficial to the community) would undoubtedly draw down the indignation of an angi'y priesthood, and, through their means, create a considerable degree of discontent even amongst the people themselves. In these countries it seems to be an established axiom of the Church that no change can possibly prove an amendment ; and it must be recollected that previous to the introduction of any innovation whatever we have not only to obtain the consent of the ecclesiastical authorities on the spot, but also the concurrence and approval of the Romish Chui'ch. It may therefore be more prudent for the present to abstain from any material alteration, either in the jurisdiction or administration of the ecclesiastical courts. The causes which come under their cognisance are not so numerous or important as to call for an immediate interference of the legislatui'e, and we may indulge [in] the hope that, after the clergy shall have witnessed the good effect which we ai'e persuaded will result from the proposed alterations in the secular coui'ts, much of the jealousy and mistrust which at present exist will be removed, and that we may look forward to the time when, even here, innovation will not always be considered as a folly, nor the attempt to improve upon the imperfect establishments of our forefathers as a wild and presumptuous experiment. ' The Pope was then detained by Napoleon at Fontainebleau. — J. H. R. 522 A HISTORY OF MALTA Representative Assembly. [The enquirj'- into the claims of the Maltese with respect to a representative assembly, with rights of discussion and appeal and with powers of legislation, ascribed to the ancient ' Consiglio Popolare ' having proved such pretensions to be futile, the Commissioners of 1812 proceed with their Report, adding the following remarks upon the consequences which they conceived would be the result of the introduction of a deliberative assembly : — ] The inhabitants of Malta (they say) are quiet and well disposed under laws they have been accustomed to reverence ; they are by nature possessed of the most ardent minds, and inflammable passions. A word unguardedly di'opped, or an accusation artfully made, might at any time be sufl&cient to rouse them to acts of the most ungovernable fury ; but in the composition of a numerous body chosen by the suffrages of the people there would also be found individuals capable to discover, and to turn to their own profit, the credulity and violence of their associates. Of these two materials the Consiglio ' would inevitably be composed. The great majority would consist of the illiterate and fanatic ; but these, so far from being any counterpoise to the smaller number of another description, would, on the contrary, offer the readiest and most eifective instruments that could be presented to their hands. The nature and functions of this assembly are still, however, to be ascertained. Even the few discontented persons who are the loudest in their cries for its appointment, the most zealous in their assertions of its former existence as a deliberative body, are unable to give any definition of its duties, its prei'ogatives, or its jurisdiction. Whether its powers supersede those of the existing Grovernment ; whether the chief magistrate has any check upon its deliberations ; whether its decrees have at once the vaKdity of laws — these are questions which no one is prepared to answer ; and this inability (where a pretence has been advanced of its having been made a subject of study) argues clearly that there are no precedents by which we can be guided, no experience of former transactions to which any i^eference can be made. But on what is this Consiglio Popolare ' to deliberate when assembled ? On taxes ? With the exception of a small duty on carriages there are none imposed. On laws ? The limited community of this Island cannot certainly I'equire the annual interference of the legislative power, as in countries of greater extent. On commercial matters ? These must necessarily depend upon the an^angements of the mother country. Little, therefore, remains for the deliberation of this delibei'ative assembly, unless in the plenitude of its power it should proceed to the discussion of the acts of the executive Government so to interfere in the arrangements of the State, Should this concession be made, we will not say to the wishes of the Maltese, but to those of an insignificant and turbulent party, the conse- quences are obvious but unavoidable. Every chimerical project that folly, ignorance, or ambition can frame will be brought forward and discussed. The fury of superstition and the influence of priesthood will be set in motion. The leaders of the assembly must either be bought at the price that vanity may attach to its own importance, or they will oppose the Grovernment in every measure. The elections will be the soui^ce of THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 523 continual tumult and intrigue in the casals, and the assembly itself pro- ductive of every species of disorder in the capital. In a woi'd, it will be the focus of sedition i-adiating fi-om the centre to the extremities, and paralysing all the eft'orts of government. So firmly are we persu^aded of the mischievous effects that would result from entrusting any portion of political power to a people so singularly unfitted to enjoy it, that with a view to the real happiness of the Maltese we have no hesitation in saying, that, were the pretensions to a fonner existence of a deliberative and legislative assembly as clear and incon- testable as they really are obscure and gi'oundless, we should still feel it our duty to recommend most earnestly a positive refusal of its I'e-establish- ment, as a measure fraught with the greatest danger and involving the most I'uinous consequences. — Extract from the Report of the Royal Com- missioners of 16th October 1812.1 At the close of the investigations made by the Commissioners, the Marquis Testaferrata appears to have been somewhat anxious as to the nature of their Report, and evidently feared that he had been unable to substantiate his charges or to convert the members to his opinions, for on the 2nd November he addressed the following letter to Earl Bathurst : — [Translation.] The Marchese Testaferrata to Earl Bathurst. Malta, 2nd November 1812.2 It is rumoured here that the Commissioners before leaving this Island had formed their opinion upon the demands made in the name of the Maltese nation. It is also publicly understood that several English gentlemen (we do not know if on political grounds, or from a spirit of contradiction) had greatly busied themselves in discrediting and oifering every impediment to the vei'y moderate propositions of the Nationalists. But what has most displeased the discreet part of the people is that to the above-mentioned English gentlemen, who have shown themselves so inimical to the rights and privileges of the nation, and to its happiness, there have been commu- nicated all the representations that were made by the Nationalists for the information of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent in Council ; while, on the other hand, they were not made acquainted with any of the many difficulties said to have been advanced by the opposite party, whose conduct in the affaii'S of govei-nment, particularly what interests the country, has contributed not a little to oblige the Maltese to appeal to their Sovereign. Under these impressions the undersigned, together with all persons jealous of the honour and happiness of theii^ country and attached to the Government and to British honoui% ai-e fearful that the representations that have been made to their Sovereign, and the signal favour conferred upon them by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent in sending his ^ Eetum ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, 17th June 1846. 2 C.O.R. Malta, No. 20 (1812). 524 A HISTOKY OF MALTA Commissioners, will be of no avail if the secret opposition of these gentle- men, who have proved themselves so ill-affected towards the nation, should be presented to the Council without there appearing any answer to their baneful representations, and more particidarly if these have had any weight on the minds of the Commissioners ; which is by no means unlikely, as they did not permit any explanation or reply on the part of those who had made their demands, and it cannot be supposed to be in the power of the Comraissioners to get unaided the necessary knowledge of the ancient constitution of Malta, and to distinguish legitimate right from despotism, by which former Governments have often nearly subverted the privileges of the nation. Therefore, if the Commissioners' Report should blindly pass approved, without giving the Maltese an opportunity of knowing its contents, in order that they may deliver such reflections and such documents as may be necessary to dissolve the difiiculties that may have been raised to the prejudice of their national appeal, it is much to be feared that it will occasion a very different result to that intended by H.R.H. the Prince Regent, who certainly was more inclined to favour the Maltese nation than to encumber their rights with new shackles and add gi^eater degradation to theii* civil and political existence. From what is inrmoured here it would appear that it is intended either never to re-establish or greatly diminish the privileges of the people, while others report that the unlimited power formerly enjoyed and still held by the Royal Commissioner over the nation and its magistrates, certainly much more extensive than that exercised by the King in his dominions, will be checked ; and it is said that several Englishmen will be appointed for the purpose of counteracting and resisting every act of despotism. Should this be the case the nation will certainly not be amelioi'ated by the change ; on the contrary, it will be more degraded than it actually is. These rumours occasion just fears that by the introduction of new authority in the persons of Englishmen every shadow of national influence will vanish with regard to the civil government, and instead of the magistrates being dependent on the nation and on the sole authority of a representative and of his Council, composed of elected Maltese, they will be dependent on and influenced by persons not natives, and consequently their authority will be greatly degraded, and in all decisions of the Government which may interest the nation entirely taken away. They will be thus prevented from counteracting such acts of despotism as may take place, either in consequence of false information or from the want of a perfect knowledge of the privileges of the laws of the Maltese, evils that must necessarily emanate from persons not natives being invested with public authority. We flatter ourselves that after the representations made by us to the Commissioners shall have been laid before the Prince Regent in Council so great a misfortune will not befall the nation, which would give a final blow to all its civil liberty. But as it is the duty of everyone to endeavour to avert so unfortunate an event, I take the liberty of submitting these ideas to Your Excellency, begging you will communicate to the persons who have made the present representations all the difficulties the Commissioners have had to encounter THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 525 in not adhering altogether or in part to the proposed projects for the re-establishment of the ancient privileges of the country ; also to acquaint them of the natui'e of the opposition that may have been made by the disaffected to the Maltese nation, men w^ho certainly can care but little for the honoui' of the British Government. I cannot forbear stating to Your Excellency that amongst the Maltese, in common with all other nations, ai'e to be found individuals deprived of every sentiment of honour and love of their country, vv'ho ai*e easily corrupted by any person invested vrith the least character to second his desires, although injurious to the interests and to the honour of their native country. The representations of such men ought, therefore, to make no impression on the Sovereign and his Ministers, should they present a memorial subscribed by a number of Maltese opposing the demands made in favour of the nation, as it will be very easy for me to demonstrate the absui'dity of such opposition, and the little confidence that should be placed in their propositions, which under the authority of the above- mentioned persons tend to destroy the interests and the honour of the very people who incautiously svxbscribed to them. 1 have the honour, &c. (Signed) NicOLO Capo di Ferro, Marchese Testaferrata. During the three months and a half^ in which the Commission was occupied in drawing up their Report (i.e. from the 29th June to the 12th October), there occurred the most momentous of all events in connection with the incorporation of Malta in the dominion of the British Crown. This was the declaration of war by Russia against France, preceding peace with England, which latter was signed on the 18th July 1812. By this act Russia was compelled to recede from the position she had taken up with regard to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and its return to Malta. This circumstance, combined with the disasters which subse- quently befell Napoleon, enabled Great Britain to declare her determination to recognise the people of Malta and Gozo as sub- jects of the British Crown, and to take the necessary steps to introduce various reforms in the government, which Sir Thomas Maitland was shortly to be instructed to carry out. The nature of these reforms was foreshadowed in Lord Bathurst^s despatch to General Oakes of the 15th May 1813, of which the following is an Extract : — [Extract.] Lord Bathurst to Lieut. -General Oakes. War Department, London, 16th May 1813.1 After referring to the work of the recent Commission upon the affairs of Malta the despatch proceeds : In the meantime you may consider yourself authorised to intimate in ' Crown Ad. Case, Mixed Marriages, p. 10. 526 A HISTORY OF MALTA a private manner to the principal individuals in Malta that, while His Majesty's Government thus publicly mark the incorporation of Malta with the dominions of the British Crown, it is not their intention to destroy the laws which at pi'esent exist in the Island, or to make any other changes in the establishment and practice of the courts of justice than such as appear necessary to keep pace with the improved condition of the inhabitants, and as may effectually give to His Majesty's Maltese subjects the fullest security in their persons and property. General Oakes's Administration was now drawing to a close. He had already expressed a desire to be relieved^ but owing to the terrible epidemic of plague which had afflicted the Island since the 16th April he felt bound to remain at his post until the scourge showed some signs of diminution. Meanwhile His Majesty's Government selected Lieut. -General Sir Thomas Maitland to fill the appointment, no longer as Royal Commissioner, but as Governor of the Island of Malta and its dependencies. This appointment was made on the 15th July 1813, and on the 28tli of that month, the following copious and precise instructions were given to Sir Thomas, with unlimited power granted for their due execution : — Earl Bathurst to Lieut. -General Sir Thomas Maitlakd. War Department, 2Qth July 1813.1 Sir, — Since the Island of Malta and its dependencies came under the protection and dominion of His Majesty in the year 1800 no permanent or defined system has been laid down for their government. They appeared at first to be valuable only as affording a secure naval station, from which the enemy's designs upon Egypt or the Levant might be watched and counteracted, and the state of Europe rendered it probable that Great Britain might withdraw her pretensions to the sovereignty of those islands in the event of peace. The circumstances of tlie present war have occasioned a material change in the actual value of Malta, as well as in regard to the importance of our holding a permanent station in the Mediterranean. As a military post, as a naval arsenal, as a secure place of depot for the British merchants, there is no spot in the South of Eui'ope which appears so well calculated to fix the influence and extend the interests of Great Britain, as the Island of Malta. To these weighty considerations must be added that the Maltese people have (with an inconsiderable exception) attached themselves enthusiastic- ally to the British connection, and offer to His Majesty a wealthy and concentrated population of 100,000 persons, whose active industry is most satisfactorily attested by the astonishing increase which has taken place in the trade and general affluence of the Island within the last few years. In proportion as the circumstances of Malta have improved, the inconveniences resulting from an undefined mode of government, from ' C.O.R. Malta, No. 21 (1813). THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 527 defective laws, and an inadequate judicature, have become more obvious, and the anxious desire which the Maltese were understood to possess of being acknowledged publicly as subjects of the British Crown has favoured the disposition of His Majesty's Government to establish the civil authori- ties of the Island upon a pennanent footing, and to introduce such improve- ments in the Maltese law and in the practice of the coui^ts as the improved state of society and the extended relations of the people appear to demand. Commissioners were accordingly sent to Malta in the summer of last year, with powers and instructions to enquire into and to report upon all the circumstances connected with the civil government, the laws, tribunals, revenues and commerce of Malta, in order that His Majesty's Government might be enabled to decide upon the system which it would be expedient to introduce with a view to the lasting prosperity of the Maltese as subjects of Great Britain, and to connect their interests more closely with those of the United Kingdom. You have perused the very able Report which has been made to His Majesty's Government by the Commissioners, and a copy is transmitted herewith for youi' occasional refei-ence. In most of the opinions expressed by the Commissioners His Majesty's Government are inclined to coincide, as it has been resolved to act (with certain modifications) upon several of their suggestions. At the moment when measures were in preparation for putting in execution the proposed arrangements circumstances have enabled His Royal Highness the Prince Regent to commit the government of Malta to yom^ charge, and I esteem myself particularly fortunate in being able to profit by youi' abilities and experience to carry these measures into effect. I have now to communicate to you the intentions of His Majesty's Government respecting Malta, and shall proceed to state them separately under principal heads, viz. : 1. Ofiice and Authority of the Governor. 2. Principal Civil Officers. 3. Suzerainty and Ecclesiastical Affairs. 4. Laws and Courts of Justice. 5. Revenue and Local Interests. The chief authority is vested in the person of the Governor. This officer will hold the King's commission as such, and also as Vice-Admiral of Malta and its dependencies. It is the opinion of His Majesty's Govern- ment that it is highly advantageous to unite the civil and militai-y authorities in the same person, and you will hold the chief command of His Majesty's land forces upon the Island. The authority of the Governor is limited only by the oi-ders of the King. He is responsible to His Majesty and to his country for his conduct ; but his discretion is not to be shackled by any person or by any body of persons resident in Malta. If, however, you shall see fit (either for the better transaction of public business or for other sufficient reasons) to form a Council for the investigation and discussion of such matters relating to the civil interests of the Island as you may think proper to lay before it, you are authorised to do so ; observing that the number of members shall not exceed six, exclusive of the Governor, and that the Bishop of Malta, the President of the High Court of Appeal, the Public Secretary, and the 528 A HISTORY OF MALTA Treasurer of the Island sliall sit in this Council, the other members to be named at your discretion. No business shall be discussed in this Council but what shall have been brought befoi^e them by the Governor himself. The members shall not vote, but merely deliver their opinions and advice, and in case any member shall, after the discussion, disapprove of the course which the Governor may pursue, he shall be at liberty to transmit in writing within twenty -four hours a statement of his reasons for dissenting, and if the member requires it the Governor shall be obliged to send home this protest to the Secretary of State. Having thus detailed the principal civil offices which are to be filled by British subjects, I proceed to point out the objects to which it is necessai'y you should give your earliest attention upon assuming the government. In the first place, it is advisable that you should issue a Proclamation announcing publicly the benevolent intentions of the Prince Regent with regai'd to the Maltese subjects of His Majesty. That it has been His Royal Highness's object to inform himself fully of their real interests, and to consider matui^ely what system it would be most advisable to adopt in order to secure and extend the prosperity of these Islands, at the same time that he united them more closely and permanently with the British Empire. That His Royal Highness, acting in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, thus publicly I'ecognises the people of Malta and Gozo as subjects of the British Crown, and as entitled to its full protection. That the free exercise of their religion is secui-ed to them, and the ecclesiastical establishment will subsist as heretofore. That in regard to the laws by which the Maltese have been accustomed to be governed, and the proceedings of the courts of judicature, the Prince Regent has commanded that such alterations only should be introduced as appear to be imperiously called for by the improved circumstances of the Island, and to be necessary for ensui'ing to all classes of the inhabitants an equal dispensation of justice and for guarding against abuses and delays in the proceedings of the courts. Finally, that His Royal Highness has given to you full powers and instructions to caiTy into effect such changes as may appear indispensable, and to take the necessary measui'es for improving the revenue, extending the commei'ce, and secui'ing to the Maltese people those articles of primary necessity which must be derived from other countries. I am inclined to believe that a declaration of this nature will be pro- ductive of veiy beneficial effects, and that the boon the Maltese receive in their annexation to the British dominion will outweigh the considerations of any partial shock, which the first introduction of British principles might occasion to one or other of the classes of society. Immediately after the issuing of a Proclamation to this effect you will cause the arms or emblems of the Order of St. John to be removed from all the public buildings, and likewise the armorial bearings of the different Langues and Grand Masters, and you will cause His Majesty's arms to be affixed, with due ceremony, to the Governor's Palace, and to any other edifices, when you may think it advisable. Sovereignty of the Islands. Lord William Bentinck has been instructed to take the first favourable opportunity of calling upon the Court of Palermo to renounce, by a public THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 529 declaration, all tlie ancient pretensions to the suzerainty of Malta which have been dormant in the Crown of the Two Sicilies. I have no reason to doubt that this request will be readily complied with ; but, in case of any demur, you will embi'ace eveiy opportunity of marking unequivocally that Malta is to be considered as a possession of His Majesty, totally independent in all its relations of the Crown of Sicily and of every other foreign country. Ecclesiastical Affairs. In regard to the ecclesiastical affairs of Malta it is not the intention of His Majesty's Grovernment to propose any material alteration. The nomi- nation to the bishopric, whenever it may become vacant, is to rest with the King, subject to the final approbation of the Pope. Upon the demise of the Bishop the Governor will make provision for the due administration of the episcopal functions during the interval and will immediately report the event for His Majesty's information. The Grovemor will, at the same time, submit the name of such ecclesiastic (being a native of Malta) as he may consider most fitting to fill this high situation. It appears that upon the appointment of the present Bishop he agreed to relinquish a considerable portion of the episcopal revenue, and that this portion remains in the hands of Government. You will be best able to judge, when upon the spot, whether any and what augmentation to the actual revenue of the Bishop is advisable under present circumstances ; and you will also turn your attention to the question of I'edeeming the debt charged by the Sicilian coui'ts upon the Maltese estates at Lentini, or of exchanging these estates for that which is possessed in Malta by the Benedictine Convent of Catania. The system and practice of the ecclesiastical courts of Malta are mani- festly defective ; but until the minds of the inhabitants shall become more enlightened it appears advisable not to propose any essential alteration. In one respect, however, a variation from the course of proceedings is indispensable. It seems that appeals from the decisions of the courts lay, in the first instance, to the Court of the Archbishop of Palermo, as Metropolitan of Malta as well as of Sicily. The supremacy of this Prelate over the ecclesiastical affairs of Malta must be denied as positively as the pretensions of the King of Sicily to the Sovereignty of the Island. The practice of appealing to the Archbishop, therefore, must be set aside, and appeals from the judgments of the ecclesiastical courts may be brought at once before two judges nominated by the Bishop. I come now to the laws of Malta, and, defective and inadequate as they may be in many respects, it still appears inadvisable to make any sudden or radical alteration in the code. A correction of the vices which are but too manifest in the constitution and practice of the courts is more immediately requisite, and will be productive of more practical benefit , to the people under their present circumstances. The removal of these ( abuses and the gradual progress of information may prepare the way 2 M ) 530 A HISTORY OF MALTA for the future introduction of a more liberal and refined system of law. The power of inflicting torture shall be formally and publicly abolished. An Order in Council will be framed without delay, conveying to you a general authority to carry into effect the alterations in the practice and constitution of the Maltese courts ; to suppress the Consolato del Mare and the Court for the Administration of Public Property, and to annul the privilege of sanctuary in cases of sacrilege, treason, murder, or assassination. The instructions previously given to Cameron in 1801, and those to Maitland in 1813, afford ample proof of the earnest desire of the British Government to ameliorate the condition of the Maltese people and to fulfil the promises made to them on its behalf since the commencement of the occupation, namely : The full protection, and enjoyment of all their dearest rights in their persons and property ; The free exercise of their religion ; ^ and " "iThe maintenance of their ecclesiastical establishment. During the autumn the plague showed signs of abatement, which permitted Maitland to sail for Malta, where he arrived on Sunday, the 3rd October 1813. Upon his arrival he wrote to his friends : ' We breathe very much through a medium of arsenic and brimstone at present, but I am told when I get accustomed to it, it will be quite delicious.' On the 5th Maitland assumed the reins of government, when he issued the following Proclamation and Minute : ^ Proclamation.3 The Right Honourable Thomas Maitland, Governor and Commander- in-Chief of the Island of Malta and its dependencies, Lieutenant- General in His Majesty's army, &c. This day His Royal Highness the Prince Regent's commission appointing the Right Honourable Thomas Maitland Governor and Commander-in- Chief of these Islands, having been read in the Palace, before such of the public functionaries as could with convenience be assembled under present circumstances [the existing plague epidemic] and His Excellency having taken the oaths of office, he is henceforth to be obeyed as such. Palace, Yaletta, ^tJi October 1813. ^ In connexion with this subject the following extract from Governor O'Ferrall's address laid before the Council of Government on the 10th August 1849 may be given: ' Religious liberty is maintained alike by the law and concurrent practice of Malta, whilst the established Catholic religion of the Island' (of which faith he was a member) 'enjoys all its rights, privileges, and property, under a Protestant State, with less of lay interference, than is to be found under Catholic Isovereigns.' (Note of \ Mr. Hardman.) ' ^ Lord's Life of Maitland, p. 142. 3 C.O.R. Malta, No. 26 (1813-14). THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 531 Minute by His Excellency the Governor.^ His Excellency on assuming the government of these Islands is most happy to find that the severe calamity with which Malta has been afflicted is rapidly decreasing, and he is finnly persuaded that a steady, rigid, and unifonn adherence to those wise and salutary restrictions enjoined by His Excellency's predecessor will, within a very limited period, completely eradicate the plague now, and he trusts for ever, from this Island. Until that desirable object be attained it will be impossible for His Excellency to enter upon any of those measures he has been charged by His Royal Master to caiTy into effect, with a view to consolidate and establish on a firm and permanent basis the happiness and prosperity of these Islands. His Excellency, however, cannot refrain from stating to the Maltese, even thus early, the gi-eatest interest His Royal Highness the Piince Regent, acting in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, has been gfi'aciously pleased to take in their welfare — the deep consideration he has given to their hitherto uncertain and unsettled state — and His gracious determination henceforth to I'ecognise the people of Malta and Gozo as subjects of the British Crown, and as entitled to its fullest protection. It will be His Excellency's duty, in carrying into effect His Royal Master's benevolent instructions on this head, to secure to the Maltese in the fullest manner the free exercise of their religion ; to maintain their ecclesiasti- cal establishment ; to introduce such amelioration in the proceedings of the courts of law as will secvire to everyone the certainty of speedy and effective justice ; to make such improvement in the laws themselves as past experience or change of circumstances may have rendered necessary and advisable ; and, in short, to adopt eveiy measure that may be requisite to secure to the inhabitants a full share of that happiness, wealth, security, and prosperity fortunately enjoyed by all the subjects of the British Empire in every part of the world. Until His Excellency can with propriety enter upon this course of proceedings he expects from the public functionaries of all descriptions a steady and energetic adherence to those measures so wisely laid down by his worthy and excellent predecessor, and from the people the calm and temperate endurance of those privations, absolutely necessary to be tolerated under the afflicting circumstances in which they have been placed — circumstances which no human wisdom could avert — but which may gradually be subdued by the energy of Government and the acquies- cence of all ranks in the measures, however painful, yet absolutely necessary to be adopted to that effect. Palace, Valetta, bfh Ocfoher 1813. By the end of January 1814 the Island was considered to be free from the epidemic, which had raged for close upon ten months/ and on the 4th February, Sir Thomas Maitland issued the following Proclamation and Minute, wherein His Excellency expressed his desire ' now to carry into effect the measures of G-overnment with J C.O.R. Malta, No. 26 (1813-14). - The first case was reported 16th April 1813. (Note of Mr. Hardman.) 2 m2 532 A HISTORY OF MALTA which he had been charged by his Sovereign/ and defined a system for the conduct of public business. Proclamation and Minute of Sir Thomas Maitland. 4#7i Fehruary 1814. Proclaifnation. His Excellency the Governor from the cessation of the plague is at length fortunately" enabled to commence carrying into effect those mea- sures with which he is charged by his Sovereign. In his Minute of the 5th October, when he assumed the government of these Islands, he explained to the people of Malta and Gozo that it was His Royal Master's gracious intention to recognise them as subjects of the British Crown, and that in consequence he had assumed the sovereignty of these possessions. His Excellency therefore directs that all the ai-morial bearings and other emblems of sovereignty of every kind, wherever they may be found, be removed, but with that degree of observance and decency due to an Order of great antiquity and much well-deserved celebrity, and that in their place His Majesty's arms be substituted as soon as they can be prepared. His Excellency further dii^ects that all the courts of law within these possessions be hereafter styled His Majesty's Courts of Justice ; that the judges be denominated in all petitions and on all occasions His Majesty's judges, and that in every part of the legal process in these Islands, where the name of the Grand Master may have heretofore been used, the name of His Majesty be in future substituted. Palace, Valetta, Mh February 1814. Minute by His Excellency the Governor. His Excellency having signified in his Proclamation of this date that he is now about to commence those measures with which he is charged by his Sovereign, it becomes necessary in order to do this with effect, that all the depai-tments of Government should have a fixed and invariable rule laid down for their guidance relative to the orders they are to receive, and the applications they may have occasion to make. His Excellency the Governor therefore signifies that in future all orders, of whatever kind, will be given to every department by Govern- ment alone, and that such orders will be issued, as occasion may require, either by the Governor himself or through the office of the Chief Secre- tary to Government, and that no other office whatsoever has any other power or authority to issue orders of any kind. From this general rule are excepted the Administrators of Public Property, who will receive their instructions and orders from the Govern- ment through the medium of the Treasurer. All applications are in like manner to be made from the different departments direct to Government. When the application attaches to a general concern, it is to be made invariably to the Chief Secretary to Government. When it applies to an individual concern it may be made to the Governor himseK or to his pi-ivate Secretary. THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO MAY 1814 533 His Excellency having observed that in several instances an acquies- cence to a proposition made verbally has been deemed sufficient grounds for supposing that Government has approved of such proposal, it is to be clearly understood that no such acquiescence is to be deemed any authority, and that invariably after such acquiescence the proposition must be submitted in writing, through the proper channel, to be regularly and systematically laid before Government, when an answer will be given to such proposition in writing. It is further clearly to be understood that all applications, letters, and repoi'ts of every kind are to be directed to the Chief Secretary to Govern- ment, and above the direction is to be stated, ' On His Majesty's Service,' and every application, letter, or report, not having this direction will be considered null and void. In consequence of the abdication of Napoleon on 11th April 1814, an assembly of the representatives of the Powers took place in Paris for the purpose of arranging terms of peace. By the 30th May the Ministers of Austi-ia, Russia, Great Britain, and Prussia on the one part, and France on the other, were able to complete the treaty, whereby Malta became unconditionally a British Colony in the follow- ing words : — Art. 7. ' The Island of Malta and its dependencies shall belong in full right and sovereignty to His Britannic Majesty.' Art. 32. ' Within two months all the Powers who have been engaged in the present war will send Plenipotentiaries to Vienna to complete at a general Congress the arrangements and dispositions of the present treaty.' Thus did Malta finally become a British possession. But at what cost ! Not only had Great Britain to bear heavy sacrifices in trea- sure prior to the treaty of 1802, but also those experienced during the war of eleven years which followed the rupture of that treaty, a war, so far as England and France were concerned, waged principally on account of Malta. In that period the British casual- ties in Europe amounted to from 25,000 to 30,000 men annually. In the year 1813 her expenditure for the army amounted to £37,000,000, for the Navy £22,000,000, for advances to Conti- nental States £10,000,000 (of which latter sum £316,666 was paid to the Neapolitan Government), and her total expenditure to the enormous sum of £117,000,000. All this by 1814 (from 1803 only) had increased her National Debt by £421,000,000. But this was not all. By the terms of the Treaties of Paris (1814 and 1815) Great Britain relinquished to France all the conquests she had made in the continents or in the seas of America, Africa, and Asia since the 1st January 1792, including Cayenne and Martinique captured in 1809, Guadeloupe and Bourbon in 1810. Also to Holland, in accordance with Articles 6 and 9 of the Treaty of the 30th May 1814, and by a Special Convention ratified in London on the 534 A HISTORY OF MALTA 30th August 1814, all British conquests were restored, with the exception of the Cape of Grood Hope (captured in 1806), Demerara and Berbice, and for these, with other engagements, she paid as compensation the sum of £6,000,000.^ The British conquests so restored to Holland were Surinam, captured in 1804, Cura9oa and St. Eustatius in 1807, Amboyna, Banda and Ternate in 1810, the Moluccas, together with Batavia and her other possessions in Java, captured in 1811. At the Congress of Vienna, when Austria, Spain, France, Great Britain, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Sweden and Norway were repre- sented, and which closed on the 9th June 1815, the Treaty of Paris of the 30th May 1814 was fully confirmed. In consequence of the events of the year 1815 a second meeting of Plenipotentiaries was held at Paris, and on the 20th November 1815 it was enacted by Article VIII, and agreed to by Austria, Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia on the one part, and France on the other, that 'all the dispositions of the Treaty of Paris of the 30th May 1814 relative to countries ceded by that treaty apply equally to the different territories and districts ceded by the present treaty.' ' Martens' Becueil de Traites, vol. x. pp. 57-60 and 715. CHAPTER XXIV A RETROSPECT AND COMPARISON In order correctly to appreciate the benefits which the Maltese people have derived from their connexion with Great Britain, in the limited sense of their commercial and financial prosperity, reference may be made to the following statistical tables, which relate to trade and revenue, population, &c., as they existed in 1798, and Savings Bank accumulations since the opening of the Bank in 1834. A com- parison will be made with the returns for 1905, and intermediate years. Trade and Revenue. In submitting a comparative statement of the trade of Malta and Gozo as it existed in 1798 with that of 1905, it is well to remember that, although these islands have always been cultivated most in- dustriously wherever soil could be found on the rocky surface, their produce at the former period was restricted to cotton, cereals, and oranges — and all three to a very limited extent. According to a MS. in the British Museum, cotton was the chief production of the islands at the close of the eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth centuries. Enough was spun to clothe the inhabi- tants, but the quality of the material was too coarse for any market but Barbary. Spinning was the chief business of the poor. The exportation of the raw cotton was prohibited, but the thread was exported to Barcelona to the value of £500,000 per annum ; oranges for export to about £2000.1 The produce in wheat and barley at the same period, at a time when the population was not very much greater than half its present number, was only sufficient for nine months' consumption, and the imports in consequence consisted of wheat, barley and wine, all three of which were obtained chiefly from Sicily. That the import trade was insignificant is proved by the Customs returns for 1792 to 1796, which are given by Mr. Thornton, late Auditor-General in the Malta Government Civil Service.^ During ' Brit. Mus. MSS., Stowe's, No. 102. - Finances of Malta, p. 35. Captain Ball, in his letter of 15th December 1799 to Dundas, gave £400,000 as the value of the cotton exported. See Chap. xiii. — J. H. R. 535 536 A HISTORY OF MALTA these five years, the average annual Revenue derived from the Customs was as follows : — Indirect tax on bread through the com monopoly . £3,650 Wine £5,800 Duties levied on other articles imported, including tobacco ........ £7,800 £17,250 The manufactured articles or goods for export appear also to have been almost nil, and were comprised of Malta stone, cut for building purposes, cheap cigars, filigree work, and coral.^ During a debate in the House of Commons on the ' Affairs of Malta' held in May 1802, a Return of the Territorial Revenues and Commercial Duties collected within the Islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino previous to the French Occupation of the Islands in the year 1798, was called for. This Return was presented by order on the 12th of that month, and is evidently taken from Captain BalFs elaborate Report of the 26th December 1800, detailed in Chapter xvii. of this work, and for the purpose of comparison is briefly repeated here : ^ 1. Estates allotted to the Grand Master .... 2. Estates belonging to the Treasury, or Common Tesoro 3. Estates of different foundations, become the property of Government ........ 4. Estates belonging to the respective Langues 6. Estates belonging to the College of the Jesuits . 6. Interest of money lent by Government upon mortgage 7. Customs ......... 8. Excise on wine ........ 9. 3^ per cent, on the sale of real property Two days later, during a continuation of the debate. Sir William Young, member for St. Mawes, Cornwall, stated 'that he had recently resided for ten weeks in that island, and was able to affirm that there were not five men there who could be called merchants,' nor under the circumstances could it be otherwise.^ We are further told by Lieutenant ^neas Anderson, of the 40th Regiment, who was quartered in Malta for twelve months, 1800-01, whose 'Journal of the Secret Expedition to Egypt' was published in 1802, that ' the Customs prior to 1798, exclusive of ' See an interesting account of the resources of Malta, dated Malta, 16 June 1800 (probably by Sir Thomas Graham), in the Dropmore Papers, vol. vi. p. 249. — J. H. R. - Brit. Mus. Newspaper Dept. ^ Cobbett's Weekly Register, vol. ii. p. 1325. £ s. d. 8,176 13 5* 972 3 3i 7,832 17 2 1,088 8 9 618 19 4 175 12 2 10,000 5,000 800 634,663 14 2 A KETROSPECT AND COMPARISON 537 the bread tax, gave £10,000 as the revenue of Malta, whilst wine yielded £5000 annually, and that the largest income in the island, with the exception of that of the Bishop, was £400 per annum/ ^ These details indicate the general poverty of the inhabitants. With the advent of a British garrison and a large fleet at the close of the year 1800 trade soon developed, and owing to Bonaparte's Berlin Decree of November 1806, which closed most European ports to British trade, Malta became an important emporium, whence Italy and Central Europe, through the Adriatic, became supplied with goods of British origin. As a result of this action on the part of France some thirty to forty eminent British firms established com- mercial branches in the island, which laid the foundation of trade that for a century has continued to expand in various directions. The Crimean war (1854-1856) left immense sums of money in the islands ; and in later years the opening of the Suez Canal has been of immense benefit to the general trade, owing to the position of Malta and the introduction of steam navigation, which made it a convenient coaling station. Returning to the closing years of the government of these islands by the Knights of St. John, we are informed by Auditor- General Thornton in his work already quoted, ' Finances of Malta,' ^ that the revenue of the islands under that Government was derived from three sources, viz. (a) the General Treasury ; (6) the Magisterial Receipt ; (c) Municipal Services. The income received under the first of these sources, namely (a) the General Treasury, was obtained from dues, imposts, and fees laid upon the dignitaries and commanderies abroad, and therefore for the purpose of this comparative statement cannot be included. From the information obtained through official documents, the average result of the second source, [h) or Magisterial Receipt, con- sisting of revenue derived from rents of landed property and Customs dues, for the period 1778 to 1788 amounted annually to £20,132 whilst that obtained from (e) Municipal Services reached . 8,203 Total . . . £28,335 From 1815 to 1827, under British rule, the gross revenue, according to the same authority, amounted annually to about £100,000.3 From Martin's ' Statistics of British Colonies,' ^ we gather that the revenue of Malta for the years 1828 to 1831 was as follows : ^ Anderson, op. cit. p. 178. ' Thornton, op. cit. pp. 29, 31. 3 Ihid. p. 65. •< Martin, op. cit. p. 583. 538 A HISTORY OF MALTA 1828 £104,034 1829 103,072 1830 102,030 1831 103,086 and for the years 1832, 1833 and 1834, as given by Thornton/ we have this result : Customs and port dues Excise on wines and spirits Grain department Quarantine ..... Chief Secretary and dependent offices Land rent and taxes Judicial departments . Interest of capital Incidental ..... (1) £101,102 (2) £101,710 (3) £104,041 In 1835, owing to the removal of duties upon sixty articles of import, besides a reduction in other duties and taxes, the net amount of revenue was reduced to £95,558. In 1837 the Royal Commissioners who, in September of the year previous, had been appointed by the Home Government to investigate and report on the desirability of reforming the administration of the island informed Lord Glenelg, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the revenue of the Government was obtained from the following sources, the annual produce of each of which was stated, in round numbers, to be as follows : 1832. . £10,511 1833. £11.283 1834. £13,324 14,485 16,107 16,751 35,346 37,314 37,898 7,762 4,212 3,718 1,747 1,954 1,965 27,102 25,827 26,571 3,506 3,363 3,306 171 376 376 472 1,274 132 1. Rents of the Crown lands ........ 2. Small internal taxes (chiefly licences for exercising trades, also a tax on the transfer of landed property, and an auction duty) . 3. Fees of Court and Government offices, postage, receipts of Govern- ment printing office, fines, &c. ....... 4. Duties on imports, tonnage dues, and quarantine dues . £23,000 2,400 5,200 65,000 £95,600 From 1840, the following quinquennial returns, extracted from official reports and Blue Books, are given below : — RETURN OF LIVE STOCK IN MALTA AND GOZO EXTRACTED FROM OFFICIAL RECORDS AND BLUE-BOOKS 1830 1835 1840 1845 1850 1855 1860 1865 Horsei, mules and asses Homed cattle Sheep Goats 4,905 6,457 13.&48 4,729 5,022 6,501 12.535 6,981 4,390 5,372 10,605 3,050 3,878 5,096 10.513 3,641 4,034 3,783 10,846 3,595 4,249 4,897 7.889 2,895 4,374 5,258 9,257 3,658 4,842 6,134 9,197 3,706 Thornton, op. cit. pp. 65, 73. A RETROSPECT AND COMPARISON 539 1870 1875 1880 1885 1890 1895 1900 1904- 1905 Horses, mules, and asses Homed cattle Sheep Goats 4,427 4,312 9,053 3,169 4,217 7,293 10,621 4,334 4,937 8,570 10,478 5,233 6,125 9,005 10,529 5.245 6,978 8,134 10,930 8,463 7,153 7,605 14,800 11,663 10,510 7,877 14,323 15,924 10,426 7.851 18,529 18,419 Population. It has been justly observed that one o£ the most convincing proofs of the prosperity of a country is that of the regular and continuous increase of its population. That of Malta and Gozo, notwithstanding the extremely high rate of mortality amongst infants and children up to five years of age, may be considered satisfactory. Although for the present purpose it is necessary only to commence ^vith the estimated number of the inhabitants at the time of the French conquest in 1798, it may nevertheless be interesting to observe that Avhen Malta and Grozo were ceded by Charles V to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1530, the number of the inhabitants, as given by Bosio, the historian of the Order, was 25,000. In the Malta Public Library ^ there is a copy of a Report prepared in 1572 by the Apostolic Vicar resident in Malta, Monsignor Gaspare Visconti, for the information of Gregory XIII, from which it would appear that owing to some unexplained cause the number of inhabitants had fallen at that period to 18,000. But by 1590 again, according to Bosio, whose historical work was published four years later, the number had increased to 32,500, of which 3,500 were Knights, soldiers, slaves, and prisoners. For the purpose of computing the number of inhabitants prior to 1842 reliance has been placed upon information derived from the registers of the various parish priests, and therefore such estimates can only be deemed approximate ; but in that year a regular census was taken, although the decennial returns on modern lines, as prepared by Giglio, were not introduced until the year 1861. Various authorities, including Bonaparte, Ransijat, and Coleridge, give 100,000 as the number of inhabitants in Malta and Gozo in 1798, of whom, according to General Regnier's report on the capture of Gozo, dated the 11th June 1798, there were from 13,000 to 14,000 in that island. The following tabular statement is given, with the source whence the information is derived : ' M.P.L. MSS. No. xxiii. 540 A HISTORY OF MALTA Tear 1798 1806 1808 1813 1823 1826 1828 1836 2l8t March 1842 31st March 1851 31st October 1861 3rd May 1871 3rd April 1881 5th Aprill891 31st March 1901 iBt April 1906 Source of Information Various authorities Old almanack ...... „ Miscellanea, M.P.L., No. 463 Dr. Burrell, in his report on the plague of that year, returned as the probable number of the population for Malta as 96,403 and for Gozo. . . . 14,400 Official records As per statement in Census report of 1901 Official records Census ,, as compiled by Giglio (exclusive of Garrison and Navy, but includ- ing Malta Fencibles Artillery) . Estimated 100,000 92,824 93,011 110,803 112,204 119,736 115,945 123,148 114,499 123,496 134,055 141,775 149,782 165,337 184,742 205,062 Increase NineYears Annual 8,997 999 Decennial 10,559 1,055 7,720 8,007 15,255 19,705 772 800 1,525 1,970 Quinquennial 20,320 2,032 Savings Banks. The Malta Savings Bank, established by proclamation on the 27th November 1833, was opened for business on the 4th January 1834, whilst that for Gozo was opened on the 1st June 1853. The following statement shows the number of deposits, and the amount to the credit of depositors, at the end of each of the following years, from 1840 : Malta. Gozo. Year h CD Sea s Amount Increase 1 = 1 1 Amount Increase £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1840 9,391 17 1845 23,004 12 9 13,612 16 9 1850 32,180 7 5 9,175 14 8 Returns 1856 47,639 2 15,468 14 7 not 1860 1201 55,568 6 3 7,929 3 3 available 1865 2058 867 110,009 15 54,441 9 9 219 8,580 18 4 1870 2730 672 157,332 18 3 47,323 3 3 196 (■ 23 I decrease 7,082 15 7 ri,498 2 9 (. decrease 1875 2944 214 173,669 6 6 16,336 8 3 196 ( 1 (. decrease 8,258 12 6 1,175 16 11 1880 3761 807 260,906 7 8 77,237 1 2 267 62 12,066 19 5 3,808 6 11 1885 4411 660 323,366 17 10 72,460 10 2 394 137 19,716 8 1 7,648 8 8 1890 5116 705 428,321 8 104,954 2 10 578 im 39,026 11 3 19,311 3 2 1895 5401 285 426,995 8 8 (1,325 12 \ decre 53,917 8 662 84 46,047 11 7,020 9 8 1900 6207 806 480,912 16 11 3 753 91 64,658 13 10 8,611 12 11 1906-6 7316 1108 616,874 10 9 34,961 13 10 1066 303 69,994 17 1 15,336 3 3 A RETROSPECT AND COMPARISON 541 During the seventy-three years of this bank's existence in Malta two runs upon it have occurred, brought about by unprincipled political agitators. The first took place in 1895, when about £50,000 were withdrawn, the second in 1904, when about £44,000 were withdraAvn, but in both instances they were met by the bank without any inconvenience. Note. This chapter cannot be more fittingly brought to a close than by giving an extract from Sir William Thornton's ' Memoirs on the Finances of Malta' (p. 62), which affords the amplest proof of the practical sympathy which the British Government has displayed towards the inhabitants of these islands since the time of their acquisition. From this extract it will be seen that between September 1800 and December 1829 the net amount of £668,666 7s. 2d. sterling was supplied out of the revenues of the United Kingdom, in aid of the civil revenue of these Islands. This sum went towards the re-establishment of the Municipal Grain Institution, the sale of wheat to the public at moderate prices during times of dearth, the construction of granaries, the liberation of Maltese held in slavery in the Bagnio at Constantinople, charitable dispensations to the inhabitants during the plague of 1813 and 1814, and other assistance, as follows : — • 1800. Sept. Yalue of 6,000 Sicilian ounces furnished through £ s. d. the Hon. Arthur Paget, Minister at Palermo 4,444 8 10 Nov. Amount of a draft drawn by Sir A. J. Ball on the Hon. Arthur Paget at Palermo, who re- imbursed himself by means of his own drafts drawn on the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury 2,571 15 1801. Yalue of 40,000 Sicilian ounces furnished through Commissary-General Motz . . 25,417 14 5 1800-01. As much of the value of wheat purchased in Greece in three years, through the agency of Mr. John Tyson, as was discharged by his draft drawn on their Lordships . . . 39,954 12 10 Amount of drafts drawn on their Lordships by Sir A. J. Ball 20,634 11 4 1801-02. Amount of drafts drawn on their Lordships by Charles Cameron, Esquire .... 22,185 16 8 1800-03. As much of the value of wheat purchased in Turkey through the intervention of the Earl of Elgin as was settled for in his account with their Lordships 27,561 16 1 1802. Expenses incurred at Constantinople by the Earl of Elgin for the redemption of Maltese from slavery, and charged by him, in account with their Lordships ...... 3,783 14 3 1805. Value of 32,000 ounces silver retained by the Government of Malta out of a larger sum received from England by H.M.S. A^^rora, Benommee, and Aitnable .... 8,400 Carried forward . . £154,954 9 5 542 A HLSTOEY OF MALTA £ s. d. Brought forward . . 154,954 9 5 1807. Value of 200,000 Spanish dollars received by the said Government from on board H.M.S. Thames 46,666 13 4 1802-09. Amount of drafts drawn on their Lordships by and under the authority of Sir Alexander John Ball during his second administration 225,273 1 1 1814. Net amount derived from fees received on licences to trade with enemies' ports, commencing in 1808, and ending at the peace of 1814, which funds, although a perquisite of the British Treasury, as bearing the charge of the war, were applied in aid of the civil revenues of Malta 37,910 3 7 1814. Amount of money received over from the military chest during the year ending the 30th September 1814 165,875 1811. Surplus of the grant of £18,000 made by their Lordships to indemnify those individuals whose property was destroyed by the explosion of a powder maga- zine in 1806 . . . £18,000 Less amount expended in liquida- tion of the claims. . . 15,909 15 1| 2,090 4 lOh 1815-29, Balance of the money furnished by their Lordships to the agent in London from the 1st January 1815 to the 31st December 1829. Amounts furnished . . £297,230 8 Less amounts refunded by the local Government at various periods 267,944 6 1 29,286 1 11 1827. Amount of money received from the military chest in 1827 to enable the withdrawal from circulation of the copper coinage left by the Government of the Order .... 16,610 12 11| £668,666 7 2 In addition to the evidence which these statistical tables exhibit of the advantages derived by the Maltese people from their connection with Great Britain, there must also be mentioned the substantial help rendered by the Mother Counti-y in times of great distress, as, for example, during visitations of cholera, or in aid of great public works such as the Grand Harbour extension, drainage, water, roads, &c. These latter expenditures have been justified before British Parliamentary constituents on the ground that the British garrison and Navy were benefited by them. Nevertheless, in wealthier colonies it may safely be assumed that the cost of such works would have gladly and exclusively been borne by them, in view of the benefits which accrue to the people by the presence of a garrison and fleet, and consequent increased trade. A RETROSPECT AND COMPARISON 543 Statement of Expenditure incurred by Great Britain for the Military Pro- tection and in aid of the Civil Establishment of Malta, exclusive of the Disbursements for Military Works (Fortifications, Barracks, or Stores) or for Naval Expenditure on the Fleet, or Naval Works, such as Dry Docks, Breakwater, &c. : — 1829. 1 From ' Martin's Colonial History ' ( 1832.) vol. V. p. 280. [ 1900. ") C 1901. )■ From Malta. j 1902. 1903. 1903. 1904. 1904. 1905. } Blue Books. [ £101,181 100,462 • 615,613 16 637,318 19 4 . 719,383 699,057 720,788 It is to be regretted that the statements of amounts expended by the Army upon fortifications, &c., or by the Admiralty on behalf of the Navy, or for naval works, such as dry docks, breakwaters, &c., which of late years have been wenormous, are not available. 544 A HISTORY OF MALTA COMPARATIVE YEARLY STATEMENT OF MALTA REVENUE, 1840 Beut and dues of land revenue Customs .... Transfer duty on immovable property Auction duty . Miscellaneous land taxes and dues .... Import duty ou goods . Store rent on bonded goods Tonnage dues on shipping Office fees of the Customs Quarantine dues Fees Chief Secretary's office Postage of letters . Licences, court fines, &c. Printing office with Gazette Public registry of contracts Dues and fees of Court Jus tice .... Dues of the Charity Institu tion .... Fines and forfeitures Stoppage of salaries of civil officers on leave . Proceeds of art manufacture, home of industry Salaries for separate charity funds .... Money received for convicts' labour .... Money received through con fessional Export duty ou coal Licences .... Incidental receipts . Land sales Fines, forfeitures, and fees of Court .... Sale of Government property Reimbursement Special receipts Miscellaneous Interest . Railway . Water service Stamps Electric lighting £ s. d. 25,188 5 4 1,175 11 126 i IJ 1,594 15 54,678 19 520 19 3,084 5 77 10 3,003 14 122 15 170 9 1845 1850 39 3 3 127 13 4 2,802 1 4 114 16 5 285 11 Hi 126 10 81 127 17 7 928 6 8 91 13 4 £ .s. d. 23,101 1 5f 498 4J 174 9 2i 60,670 13 5 902 16 8 4,124 18 2,282 14 10 87 3 11 148 1 3 2,198 1 Oi 190 18 6 £ s. d 28.033 4 8i 85,587 19 5 1,608 5 509 14 79 8 7 826 18 8 1,642 5 579 2 OJ 27,975 7 li 85,692 9 7 30 19 6 521 10 5 73 4 4 1,519 162 10 61 6,075 18 8| 1,425 6 2\ 414 5 11 3,877 18 2J 1860 £ s. d. 33,937 6 61 94,659 5 9 685 6i 26 17 11 1,374 5 370 16 3f 5,519 17 2i 182 15 6i 759 13 34 4,237 10 li 1865 £ s. d. «,362 17 7i 113,759 5 3 479 6 3 766 18 3 79 2 10 1,949 15 328 16 9i 4,991 19 04 76 3 94 1,031 7 5^ 6,647 13 10 2,168 5 604 2 8i 5,198 11 4i 629 2 84 1,290 3 5i 7,036 2 04 Totals 94,387 2 8 98,107 4 3i 129,293 6 8J 126,738 8 6 144,234 6 64 168,373 17 5 A RETROSPECT AND COMPARISON 545 EXTRACTED FROM OFFICIAL REPORTS AND BLUE-BOOKS. 1870 1875 1880 1885 1890 1895 1900 1904-1905 e, 3. d. & s. d. S s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 35,701 9 lOi 56,598 7 9J 36,970 6 4i 37.910 8 If 39.386 3 Hi 44,583 4 li 44,567 18 2i 45,053 18 5 — — — — 168,729 3 7 193.367 19 2 267,733 7 7 97,029 9 2 109,497 1 1 120,496 19 2 135,907 11 3 160,162 5 8 - - - 1,622 9 2 — — — — — — — 5,791 6 — — — — 148 14 534 15 407 13 9 360 10 3 704 13 7 8,905 14 2 9.331 13 3 8,493 13 8 769 6 6 986 7 7 1.188 10 2 1.758 12 8 4.421 18 11 — — — 93 7 4 122 6 5 129 5 9 7,976 18 9 10.452 1 2 13.337 17 9 15,219 18 4 22,547 11 - - - - - 5,605 5 5f 5,519 5 m 8,002 13 7* 1,529 15 2,914 15 2,968 15 3,115 5 4,153 14 11 - - 62 8 9i 1,000 10 1 218 4 2^ - - - - - 5,353 12 3 5,540 6 ll 6,380 8 3i 5,317 1 81 6,927 4 2i - — — 105 2 412 17 9\ 164 7 81 — — — — 1,379 8 3J 4.467 19 H 2.943 8 41 3,180 19 31 4,454 17 2f 22,623 1 41 24.604 8 8 28,650 15 5 9,044 13 7t 10,892 16 Of 11,926 17 3J 17.784 2 2J 30,591 5 101 — — — _ — — — — 2,773 1 10 _ _ • — 27,376 6 Oh 29.390 1 li 34,223 10 6f _ _ — 5,963 2 7.735 9 7^ 9,929 7 _ — — 8.316 19 9 11.898 3 a 18,701 3 4 _ _ _ — 1.811 3 9i 4.706 14 - - - — — — 13.312 5 6 17,020 9 5 158,630 16 6 172,968 2 8i 183,794 16 li 213,311 9 3f 261,254 5 6i 305,440 14 3f 356,758 6 lOf 467.835 9 4i 2n APPENDIX I THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN AND THE REVENUE OF THE ISLANDS IN 1798 The finances of the Order during the economical government of the early portion of De Rohan's Magistracy (1775-97) had been most satisfactory, but in 1792, the Decree of the French Government abolishing the Order in French territory, with the confiscation of its property therein, was a death blow to its prosperity. Bosredon Ransijat, former Treasurer of the Order, in his work entitled ' The Siege and Blockade of Malta,' gives the following statement of the revenue in 1788, as an average of the previous ten years : — Langues and Priories France Spain livres (franco) Langue de Provence . 477,395 „ d'Auvergne 172,756 „ France 742,823 1,392,974 ,, d'Aragon . 276,137 „ de Castille 375,355 651,492 Priory of Portugal 220,503 „ Poland 15,880 Langue d'ltalie 564,802 „ d'Allemagne . 98,221 „ de Baviere 5,175 In the Island of Malta • 207,602 Total Income 3,156,719 „ Expenditure 2,967,503 olus .... 189,216 Livres Mr. Thornton, who held the appointment of Auditor of Accounts in the early years of the British occupation, in his valuable memoir on the ' Finances of Malta,' takes exception to the above statement, but the result of his investi- gations does not appear to make any very appreciable differ- ence. Mr. Thornton gives as the annual average income for the same period, £136,417 and that of the expenditure 128,533 Leaving a surplus of 547 £7,884 2 N 2 548 A HISTORY OF MALTA As the next decennial Report would have been rendered in 1798, the year of the invasion and capture of the island by the French, it is improbable that such a statement was ever presented; none has been published. Thanks how- ever to a Report which had been called for in the House of Commons during- a debate, and presented on the 12th May 1802 (referred to later on), we learn that the total Revenue of the islands prior to their occupation by the French, amounted to £34,663 14s. 2d. It will thiis be observed that owing to the French confiscations and other European troubles the Revenue had fallen from £136,417 in 1788 to £34,663 14s. 2d. in 1798, or to about one-fourth.' From Bosredon Ransijat we learn that in 1777 a Religious Order of Hospitallers (created in 1590 for the relief of sufferers from a species of leprosy, then called ' St. Anthony's fire ') was constrained to join the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, as being* the nearest in affinity, and after long negotia- tions its property, known as the 'Antonine Estates,' was eventually conveyed to the Knights of Malta, subject to various life pensions, charges, and conditions. These charges upon the property became eventually exceedingly burdensome, for by 1788 the Order had expended upon it £85,675, which by 1792, it was calcvilated, had been increased to £100,000. These large amounts were dis- bursed in the expectation that Ijy 1794 a refunding might reasonably be expected to commence. Unfortunately these anticipations were not to be realised, for owing to the French Republican Government in 1792 confiscating the estates held by the Order in France, their annual income was reduced by close upon £50,000. Three years later a Financial Report was furnished to Grand Master De Rohan, dated the 9th December 1795, showing the loss which this spoliation had entailed to its annual income, amounting to £47,178, in addition to the loss of its aforesaid Antonine Estates, and the £100,000 expended thereon. Although by the strictest economy the expenditure in the following year was reduced by £14,689, there was a deficit of £34,249 in 1796, which, there was every reason to expect, would be constant and permanent, unless the negotiations already commenced between the Grand Master and the Empress Catherine II of Russia were brought to a siTccessful issue. Prior to the dismemberment of the Kingdom of Poland, there were various ' Commanderies' therein, of some considerable value, belonging to the Order, which had fallen to Russia in the third and final partition of that Kingdom in 1795.- De Rohan considered the occasion a favourable opportunity, in view of their exhausted exchequer, to dispatch a special envoy, beseeching Catherine II to become Protectress of the Order. The Bailiff de Litta was selected for the office, as a persona grata, being at the time in the naval service of Russia, but the death of Catherine II in 1796 delayed the negotiations, which were continued under her son and successor, Paul I. These negotiations gave great umbrage to the French Republican Government, which, since the commencement of the Revolution in 1789, and its consequent foreign wars, had been ever on the alert to discover violations of neutrality, for which an account sooner or later would have to be rendered. The Grand Master and his Council were fully aware of the peril thus incurred, but their financial position had become desperate, and although feeling the step taken was hazardous, they knew from sad experience that clemency was not to be expected from France, whilst Russia might become their salvation. Details of these negotiations for placing the Order under the protection of 1 See for some of the economies effected by slave-labour, and the neglect of the works and artillery of Valetta, the details given in the Note stir Malte, of Vaubois, printed in full in Chap. X of this work. — J. H. R. - See Talleyrand's Memoirs, vol. i. p. 210. APPENDICES 549 Russia, together with the original agreement between Russia and the Order of St. John to form a Russian Langue, which had been signed at St. Petersburg, 4/1 5th January 1797, by Alexandre Besborodko, and Prince Alexandre Kourakin on the one part, and Fr. Jules Rene Bailli Comte de Litta, on the other, fell into the hands of Bonaparte at Ancona where he captured the courier bearer of the dispatch.' This step was considered by the French Government opposed to their interests, and an offence further aggravated by the appointment of the Prince of Conde as Grand Prior to the Russian Priory, whilst several commanderies of this new Langue were conferred upon other French political emigres and gave occasion to the Directory to avail itself of the first opportunity, not only to suppress the Order, but to endeavour to possess itself of the island. With the finances of the Order in this hopeless condition, unless a foreign power at once intervened and rendered prompt assistance, with disaffection growing amongst the people, owing to the impoverished state of the island, and discontent fostered by a local Republican party, which yearly increased in number and influence, nothing appeared wanting to favour the designs of Bonaparte, who saw in the possession of Malta a favourable point d'appui, in the direction of either Egypt, the Two Sicilies, or Greece, as circumstances might require. 1 Arch. Nat., AF III 73. See on this topic the information given in the Introduction to this volume, also Corres. de Nap. I, vol. iv. p. 16 ; and De la Jonquiere, Expedition d'Egypte, vol. i. p. G67.— J. H. R. APPENDIX II REPORT ON THE REVENUE OF MALTA, WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS. i26th December 1800?) Note. — A copy of this report is found in the Manuscript Department, British Museum (Stowe MSS. Collection, 918). This document is without signature or date, but from the references made to it in Lord Hobart's instructions to Commissioner Cameron of the 14th May 1801 (who was on the point of proceeding to Malta), it is undoubtedly proved to be that of Captain Alexander Ball, and should be dated the 26th December 1800. The financial portion of this report was presented to the House of Commons by order, on the 12th May 1802, entitled a ' Return of the Revenue of the Islands of Malta and Gozo, prior to the French occupation of 1798.' This report is of the greatest interest and importance, owing to it being the first authentic and reliable statement of the affairs of Malta and Gozo which had been forwarded to the British Government, and by which, Lord Hobart, as Secretary of State for the Colonies, was guided in framing his instructions to the Royal Commissioner (as above referred to) for the future government of the islands. The report further treats of the past administration of the government of the islands under the Order of St. John, and the judicature and commerce. Statement of the Public Revenue of the Islands of Malta and Gozo PRIOR TO the French Occupation in 1798. Beni Magistrali SC. T. G. SC. T. G. Rustici 81,279 8 13 Urbani 477 81,756 8 13 Del Tesoro Beni Rustici 418 19 Molini 294 Case 6,020 6 6 Camera e Botteghe 122 Magazzini 2,867 9,721 7 5 Fondazi&ne Paula Beni Rustici 10,994 10 Case 183 11,177 10 Lascaris Beni Rustici 21,496 10 Case 1,493 6 Camere e Botteghe ....... 5,478 6 Magazzini 5,275 33,743 10 Carried forward .... 136,399 11 18 550 APPENDICES 551 Brought forward Cottone)' Beni Rustici . Urbani Case .... Camere e Magazzini Beni Rustici . Molini .... Camere e Magazzini Perrellos Beni Rustici . Molini .... Case .... Cammere e Botteghe . Magazzini Villhena Beni Rustici . Carnero Beni Rustici . Urbani .... Passalacqua Beni Rustici . Fondazione Marulli Beni Rustici . Urbani .... Lomellino Beni Rustici . Marradas Magazzini Beni Urbani . Caraffa Gironda Beni Urbani . Varie Commende Beni Rustici . Urbani .... Collegia Partite Bollati Beni Urbani do. do. do. do. do. do. Lingue Di Provinza . Alvernia . Francia . Italia Arrago e Navarra . Alemagna Castiglia . Dogana . Sisa sopra il vino Sisa sopra i Beni stabili [Say £34,663 12s.] Totale Varj dei suddetti Beni sono soggetti a pesi ed oblighi. sc. T. G. 136,399 11 18 so. T. G. 3,449 7 2,165 5,402 9 2,587 11 — 13,605 3 10 4 822 3,704 8 — 4,537 2,472 10 14 2,940 3,719 185 1,423 8 19 — 10,740 7 13 210 405 10 1,322 7 — 1,728 5 312 5 195 298 493 476 6 250 88 966 3 5,094 2 1,095 6 — 6,189 8 1,756 1 1 1,754 1 1,410 1,449 9 12 1,605 6 1,369 114 3,182 100,000 50,000 8,000 346,635 6 14 552 A HISTORY OF MALTA Or in other words the different fotmdations in Malta are the bequest of pious individuals. They are burdened with certain annual donations to churches and to convents. The precise sum is not ascertained, but the payment must be continued. Accounts are kept in Maltese denominations, scudis, taris, and grains. Twenty grains make one tari, twelve taris one scudo, and ten scudi make one pound sterling according to the present rate of exchange. Beni Bustici mean lands and gardens belonging to Government. The lands are capable of considerable improvement. The leases which have fallen in during the siege have been renewed for four years only, and the rents raised one-third more than before, without occasioning the smallest discontent. Beni Urbani are houses and warehouses in town or country belonging to Government. They will not immediately yield the estimated rents. Many houses were damaged during the siege and revolution, and will require expensive repairs. Almost the whole of the houses belonging to Government in town are now occupied by British and Neapolitan officers who do not pay rent. The ware- houses situated in the wiarina or wharf are extremely commodious, and will yield a high rent when trade is in a flourishing state. At present the British and Neapolitan commissaries and quartermasters -general have engaged many of them, who do not pay rent. Summary 1. Beni magistral! 2. Del Tesoro 3. Delle diverse fondazioni 4. Lingue . 5. Collegio 6. Partite Bollati 7. Dogana . 8. Sisa sopra il vino . 9. Sisa sopra i beni stabili [Say £34,663 14s.] Totale sc. T. G. 81,756 8 13 9,721 7 15 78,328 7 5 10,884 4 12 6,189 8 1,756 1 1 100,000 50,000 8,000 346,637 1 6 This abridged statement of the public revenue may require an explanation of the terms employed : No. 1. Beni magistrali means lands and houses allotted for the expenses of the Grand Master's household. No. 2. Del Tesoro. This is a property which accrued from legacies and from what was called the depouille or spoglie of deceased Knights. The Order was heir to every deceased knight, and the funds arising from the sale of their effects, after paying the expenses of funeral and wages of servants, were some- times employed to purchase houses or lands. The rents of these houses and lands were administered for the general use and expenditure of the Order by a Board called Commun Tesoro. These rents are now the property of Government. The Commun Tesoro, besides the management of this separate fund, had the superintendence of all the receipts and expenditure of the Order. The Prieurs and Commandeurs who had the management of the estates of the Order in foreign countries were accountable to the Commun Tesoro in Malta, and obliged to remit a fifth, often a fourth, and sometimes a half, and even the whole of their receipts, according to the orders they received from the Chapter- General of the Order in Malta. This was called the Responsions. But the real property of the Commun APPENDICES 553 Tesoro, or the lands and houses which were sometimes purchased with a part of the depouilles, is all that concerns the present Government. No. 3. Diverse Fondazioni. These foundations now become the property of Government, who support out of it all the officers and men invalids who had pensions granted by the Order, and some baillies, commandeurs, and chevaliers, who, on account of their age and infirmities, were permitted by the French to remain on the island. They Avere not accomplices in the treason which delivered the island over to the French, and they lived in convents in La Vallette during the Maltese revolution. No. 4. Lingue. The several languages or tongues into which the Order was divided had each a distinct and separate property here which they could divide among themselves or apply to the purposes of their particular nation. No. 5. Collegio. On the estate which the Order of the Jesuits preserved in Malta ; it was appropriated by the Order of St. John for the support of a college for the education of young men. It is now re-established. No. 6. Bartite Bollati. Means the interest of money lent by the late Order on mortgages, which the mortgager may repay whenever he pleases, but the mortgagee cannot demand his money if the interest be regularly paid. Nos. 7 and 8. Dogana e Sisa. The Customs and Excise Avill produce a much larger sum when the trade of the island is encouraged and protected. The duties were low, and the sums in 7 and 8 are the annual average estimate of their produce when even trade was neglected, and the revenues of the Customs and Excise diminished by exemptions from duties, which were granted to the dignitaries of the Order and by their connivance to indi\adual merchants. When the Customs House was established in the country during the revolution, the duties were lowered, and it would be injudicious to raise them to their former rate until the price of bread is fallen. No. 9. Sisa sopra i heni stabili means 3| per cent, vipon the sale of real property. Univeksity, Monte Pieta, Cokn and Windmills. Four magistrates called Jurats had the management of a Public Bank called University. It was permitted to every one to place his money in this bank, for which he received 3 per cent, interest, and he might demand his money when- ever he pleased. The object of this bank was to supply the island with corn, and to accom- plish it this bank or university had the exclusive privilege of purchasing and selling corn. The government of the Order of St. John conceived it necessary to have always a year's corn in La Vallette, and not to allow any quantity to be kept in the country, lest the internal or foreign enemy should derive an advantage from it, and unless this article is under the immediate and special direction of Government, it is impossible to be secure against the combination or treachery of merchants and the emissaries of hostile powers. The safety of the island in time of war and the maintenance of the labouring poor in time of peace are inseparably connected with it. The Island only produces three months' corn for the consumption of its inhabitants. The monthly expenditure amounts to four thousand salms, consequently thirty-five thousand salms must be imported annually. Were this trade left to the merchants, they would reap the profit of it in years of great plenty, but in years of scarcity the labouring poor would starve if Government did not support them, which the late Order always did, and sometimes at a consider- able loss. It deserves to be remarked that a company of Genoese merchants once offered to contract with the Order of St. John to supply the Island with corn at a fixed price, obliging themselves never to add but one scudo or two shillings 554 A HISTORY OF MALTA sterling to the price of the tumulo in times of the greatest scarcity. But the Government rejected this proposal for the reasons that have been mentioned, and whatever the wisdom of an administration may determine hereafter, it is absolutely necessary to continue this system at present, for supposing no danger could be apprehended from allowing individuals to trade in corn, there are not merchants now on the island who are willing or able to undertake it. Since the surrender of La Vallette corn has been purchased at forty-five scudi and sold at forty, which is one-fourth more than the inhabitants usually paid. The labouring poor are distressed, and the great body of the people regret that this Government will not entirely adopt the regulations established by the Order of St. John. It is now established in part, as much as scanty resources will permit, and the people are assured that it will in time be followed up in all 'its shapes. This and the putting the Monte di Pieta on its former footing are amongst the most popular acts of this Government. Monte di Pieta is an establishment of the government for lending money on goods at 6 per cent., the profits of which netted three hundred pounds a year. When the French arrived here, they plundered this bank of all the pledged articles. It is now re-established, but it will require a capital of five thousand pounds. The French seized upon all the money that existed in the chest of the University likewise. The sufferings of individuals by that act, and the uncertainty in which the inhabitants are in regard to the future fate of the island, prevent the monied men from placing their money in the bank of the University as they used to do under the government of the Order. Windmills throughout the island are the property of the Government. The following is an extract from a report made by the French administrators to the Ministry of Finance : — Les moulins au vent sont d'un gros produit en egard au peu de valeur de leur batise et de I'emplacement qu'ils occupent, et suivant I'usage sous I'ancien gouvernement il n'etoit pas permis a aucun particulier d'en construire. En reservant ces moulins pour un establissement public, nous leur conservions leur valeur qu'ils auroient perdue, s'ils avoient ete mis en vente, parceque du moment qu'ils seroient entres dans la classe des biens particuliers, il auroit ete possible a tout proprietaire d'en faire construire dans les fonds. Cette idee d'un privilege exclusif en faveur du gouvernement pour pouvoir posseder des moulins a vente et y edifier de nouveaux, n'est peut-etre pas bien d'accord avec les principes consacres par notre legislation, cependant ce privilege est une suite de celui que les localites et le salut de la place et de la population exigent. Suivant la commune opinion d'entretenir en faveur du Gouvernement pour I'approvisionment et la vente exclusif des grains. Administration of the Estates belonging to Government. The Grand Master's estates were under the direction of a magistrate called Segret, who had authority to hold a court of justice to examine all causes relative to his administration ; his income arising from fixed fees amounts to £300 a year. The other foundations belonging to Government are admini- stered by agents called CEconomes, who are paid for the money they collect from 2 to 3 1 and even 4 per cent, according to the distance of places and trouble in collecting. Civil Government. The expense of civil government in the Islands of Malta and Gozo is inconsiderable, as judges, magistrates, and officers are paid by fixed fees with no expense to government. There is no abuse, as the annual amount of fees is regulated and publicly known. APPENDICES 555 The annual amount of fees depends upon the number of causes which come before a judge, and upon the business which the officers of the customs, &c., transact. The officers of the Health Office alone receive salaries, and these salaries with sundry expenses amount to £200 a year. The principal expense of the civil government is the maintenance of hospitals. The expense of the hospital for men amounted to £8000 a year, and for women to £2000. They may be reduced to nearly half these sums, as there were great abuses. The expense of a foundling hospital, or more properly speaking, a hospital for poor bastard children, amounted to £600 a year. The Island of Gozo contains twelve thousand inhabitants, it is totally dependent upon this island. All vessels boimd there must come to the port of La Vallette to pay the customs and get pratique from the Health Office, and all vessels outward bound must do the same. The governor's income amounts to £200 a year. There is a court of justice and university, similar to that in Citta Vecchia. Laws. In Malta they have their civil law, statute law, common law, and canon law. They adhere to the last in all their ecclesiastical concerns. Their common law is the usages of the countiy ; their statute laws are the ordinances of the Grand Masters ; but the Roman law is the rule of their procedure in civil and criminal causes. All their statute or municipal laws are comprised in one folio volume, and form a clear and well-digested system of laws. Capital crimes are seldom committed. There was not a prisoner sentenced to be executed for four years before the revokition. Auditors. The governor has four assistants called auditors, some of them at least must be lawyers. They are the governor's counsellors in matters of justice and equity, and sign all the decrees relating to such causes. They assemble for that purpose twice a week. All memorials and petitions are laid before this board. They sometimes order a revision of a cause when litigants complain of the sentence of the courts of justice. Courts of Judicature. The grand court of judicature is held in the city of La Vallette (the capital of the island) and is composed of a president and four judges whose incomes arise from fixed fees paid to the Court. In Citta Vecchia, situated in the centre of the island, there is held a court of justice at which the Captain di Verge (who is lieutenant-governor of that place, and all the country) is president with a judge, who try all the civil and criminal causes relative to the country. But the civil causes with the consent of the parties may be tried in the court in La Vallette. The president's and judges' incomes arise from fixed fees paid to the court. There is a court called the Consulato, for deciding all maritime causes, composed of a judge and two or three merchants, whose incomes arise from fixed fees. There are five cities and twenty-one casals in the island, each having a chief magistrate, who receives certain fees, amounting to £10 a year, and a salary from Government of £20. He has the power with the consent of the parties to try all causes under twenty shillings. APPENDIX III GENERAL VAUBOIS' 'JOURNAL OF THE SIEGE OF MALTA' [From Les Arcliives Nationales, AF III 73.] PART I— FROM SEPTEMBER 1798 TO DECEMBER 1798 In the National Archives in Paris, there is to be found General Vaubois' original report entitled ' Journal du Siege de Malte,' with a dedicatory letter to the First Consul Bonaparte, dated Paris, the 10th November 1800. From a memorandum attached to this report, it appears that the First Consul issued orders for brief and succinct extracts to be pu.blished in the Moniteur. These extracts appeared in the issues of that paper on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of that month. Beyond these extracts, and two or three others which appeared in the military periodical, Sabretache, the 'journal ' has hitherto never been published in its entirety. The appearance of these extracts in the Moniteur aroused the indigna- tion of Villeneuve, who had arrived in Paris from Malta and Port Mahon (after performing quarantine at Toulon), about the end of October 1800.^ JOURNAL OF THE SIEGE OF MALTA. . . . On ne pouvait pas se dissimuler que le clerge ne pouvait qu'etre tres aigri centre le nouvel ordre de choses, et Ton n'ignoroit pas sans doute que I'ascendant prodigieux des pretres sur un peuple superstitieux s'accroit de toutes les miseres de ce peuple. Eh ! bien on disoit sans cesse d'eux et a eux des choses propres a les mettre au desespoir, et a force de repeter qu'on n'auroit jamais de repos qu'on ne les eut deportes, qu'on ne les fusillat, ils sentirent qu'ils n'avoient plus rien a menager ; les revers qu'eprouva notre escadre en Egypte, en etablissant les Anglais maitres de la mer, rendoit les communica- tions presqu'impraticables entre la France et Malte, et entre Malte et I'Egypte.^ Les pretres et les nobles comprirent des lors que nous [ne] en serious long- tems reduits a la faible garnison qui occupait la ville, et leurs projets sedicieux appuyes par la cour de Naples et les Anglais, ils rallierent a leur parti celui des mecontens qui etoient compose d'une grande partie des habitans de I'isle; on faisoit courir le bruit que les Anglais ne tarderoient pas a paroitre, qu'ils 1 Mr. Hardman had included in this Appendix copies of the letters respecting the dispute between Vaubois and Villeneuve, but as the charges of the former are vague and are largely met by the details given above in chaps, xiv, xv, I have judged it well to omit them ; also the first part of Vaubois' Journal of the Siege in which he seeks to account for the revolt of the Maltese by blaming the French civil authorities in Valetta, for which see chap. viii. — J. H. R. 2 This admission is noteworthy. — J. H. R. 556 APPENDICES 557 devoient bombarder la ville, et sur ce pretexte beaucoup de pei'sonnes alloient s'etablir a la campague. On ne pent pas douter que le foyer de la conspiration ne fut dans la ville et il est clair que ses chefs, qui la conduisoient avec beaucoup de dexterite, n'attendoient qu'une occasion favorable pour la faire eclater partout en meme terns. Heureusement un incident hata le moment de I'execution et tout echoua par le defaut d'ensemble. Un agent du commissaire se transporta le 16 Fructidor an 6'"® Rep"' a la Cite Vieille pour y met' re a I'encan I'emplacement du convent des Carmes qui avoit ete reuni a celui de la ville. Une miserable tapisserie qu'il voulut faire enlever de I'Eglise fit naitre des murmures dans la foule : quelques propos imprudens les acci'oissent. L'agent s'echappe avec peine, et retourne precipitemment en ville, oil il rend compte de remeute,en finissant par assurer qu'a son depart tout etoit rentre dans I'ordre. Cependant les tetes s'etoient tellement montees a la Cite Vieille, que le peuple court aux armes, enfonce les portes et massacre la foible gai'nison qui defendoit ce poste. On n'eut dans le jour aucu.n rapport officiel sur cet evenement. Le surlendemain matin on envoia I'accusateur public pour informer sur ce fait : il etoit precede de deux compagnies de caraliiniers qui devoient lui preter main forte au besoin. A peine le detacliement est-il arrive a St. Joseph qu'il est entoure d'une multitude de paysans armes ; et il est oblige de se retirer en se faisant jour avec la bajonette : il rentra en ville apres avoir eu un ofRcier et quelques hommes de blesses.' Depuis ce moment on vit des rassemblements sur toutes les avenues, et les insurges se sont retranches dans les points principaux, comme le chemin derrier le fort Manuel, St. Joseph, la Montee du Cazal Luca, I'entree du Zabbar, &c. Peu de tems apres I'insurrection il parut une escadre portugaise composee de quatre vaisseaux et deux fregattes, qui etablirent leur croisiere devant le port. Le commandant ne tarda pas a envoyer sommer la ville de se rendre. Le General repondit a cette bouffonnerie comme il le devoit. La lettre du commandant portugais etoit accompagnee d'une autre depeche signee par deux individus qui s'intituloient deputes du peuple maltais. Elle etoit en tout sens digne de ses auteurs, Le Ghanoine Garuana et I'avocat Vitale. Le General n'y fit point de reponse. Plusiei^rs personnes sont allees a la campagne dans I'intention de prendre des informations, des Capucins sont sortis par le meme motif, quatres notables de la ville sont partis dans la meme vue ; aucuns de tons ces gens-la ne sont rentres. On voit par tout ce qui vient d'etre dit que la conduite du Commissaire civil avoit f ortement contribue a aliener les esprits ; a la ville, a la campagne son nom n'etoit prononce qu'avec indignation et tandisque le General employait tous les moyens pour faire aimer le gouvernement fran^ais, que I'habillement, les vivres, et la solde des troupes etoient les objets de ses solicitudes perpetuelles, on eut dit que I'autre se faisoit une etude de tout desorganiser, et de porter le decouragement dans tous les coeurs.^ II affectoit surtout de repetter que le gouvernement ne nous enverroit aucun secours. La ville etoit en etat de siege, toute I'autorite etoit passe entre les mains du General, et le Commissaire civil avoit cesse ses fonctions. Ce dernier ne parloit d'abord qu'a mettre tout a feu et a sang ; mais des qu'il vit le caractere serieux que prenoit I'insurrection, toute cette puerile jactance fit place a des craintes qu'il cherchoit vainement a dissimu.ler, et sous pretexte de stimuler I'insouciance du gouvernement, il montrait le plus vif desir de repassei- en France. Partage entre la crainte d'etre pris par les rebelles s'il restoit a Malte, et celle de leur etre livre si le batiment 1 This may be compared with the Maltese account of the same skirmish given in chap, ix of this work. — J. H. R. ' In the pre\'ious part (which has been omitted) Vaubois charged the conunissaire civil (Regnaud de St. Jean d'Aiigely) with folly in carrying off the silver from the churches, and other acts, which (he said) were the cause of the Maltese rising. For these questions see chap. viii. — J. II. R. 558 A HISTORY OF MALTA qu'il devoit monter etoit pris par les Anglais, sa tete n'y etoit plus pendant tout le temps qu'il passa en tergiversations sur son depart. Le General avoit assemble un conseil de guerre ou I'on s'occupoit des mesures a prendre dans la situation allarmante oii Ton se trouvoit. II n'ignoroit pas qu'un rassemblement de plusieurs personnes peut etre bon povir discuter et non pour agir, de sorte qu'apres avoir pris ce qu'il pouvoit y avoir d'utile dans les avis de ceux qui composoient le Conseil, il jugea a propos de le dissoudre lorsqu'il se vit persuade lui meme que son existence nuiroit a la celerite et a I'ensemble des operations. Avant d'entrer dans le detail des evenements relatifs au siege et au blocus, il est indispensable de jetter un coup d'ceil rapide sur la situation de la place. Malte est une place tres forte sans doute, mais dont les ouvrages sont d'une etendue immense, et multiplies a I'infini, dont plusieurs sont imparfaits, tandis que des autres ont eprouves des degradations qu'on n'avoit point eu le tems de reparer. Independemment du corps de la place, il existe des forts, tels que Manuel, Tigne, Ricazoli, St. Ange, les deux sites de la Victorieuse et de la Sengle, les deux Cotoners' qui en sont separes, les uns par le port de Marsamucet, les autres par le grand port. La grande Cotoner surtout n'est qu'ebauche, elle n'a point de fosse, le terre plein n'est acheve nulle part et dans plusieurs endroits, des plus essentiels, il n'en existe point, enfin elle ne peut etre consideree que comme un vaste retranchement susceptible de resister a un simple coup de main, en supposant qu'on ait assez de monde pour I'occuper. II etoit d'autant plus important d'erapecher I'enemi de s'en rendre maitre, que I'enceinte de la S*^*' Marguerite qui est derriere n'est pas plus rassurante, et que Ton devoit supposer que les Anglais employeroient tous les moyens que dependroient d'eux pour s'en emparer, puisque c'etoit un moyen assure de detruire I'arsenal et les batimens de guerre qui etoient dans le port. L'artillerie etoit dans un etat de delabrement dont on ne peut pas se faire urie idee. Une tres grande partie des affuts exposes a un soleil brulant etoient hors de service, ou le seroient d'autant plus vite que toutes les plattes formes sont en pierre. Non seulement il n'y avoit point d'afEuts de rechange, mais il s'en falloit de beaucoup que I'armement des pieces fut au complet. Dans cet etat de choses, il falloit tout le zele et I'intelligence de General de l'artillerie soutenue par I'activite et les talens du Citoyen Raulot charge des travaux de I'arsenal, pour se mettre dans un etat de deffense respectable. Au reste la surete de la ville ne fut pas plutot menacee, que tous les moyens, toutes les volontes, tous les efforts se reunirent pour sa deffense. Generaux, ofRciers, troupes de terre et de mer, artillerie, tous jurerent de conserver Malte a la Republique ou de s'ensevelir sous ses mines. L'insurrection des habitans fournit au General des moyens de subvenir aux frais de I'habillement de la troupe, a ceux des effets de casernement, a sa solde, et aux depenses qu'exigoient les rafraichissemens qu'il se procurait malgre le blocus, de Sardaigne et de Barbarie, en attendant que le gouvernement peut venir a son secours sur ce sujet.^ La premiere mesure qu'il prit pour satisfaire a ces besoins importans, fut d'etablir sur les gens aises, un emprunt force en raison de leurs facultes, et en se rendant caution pour la Republique, pourvu que leur conduite ne fut souillee par aucun acte d'incivisme. Le General s'est encore empare de la caisse de I'Universite, de celle des depots, et du Mont de Piete, ainsi que de toutes les creances de ceux qui sont a la campagne, et il n'y aura que les personnes qui n'auront point pris part a la revolte qui pourront un jour etre rembourses. C'est par de semblables dispositions que le General s'est efforce de meriter 1 i.e. Cotonera. — J. H. R. 2 This sentence is very noteworthy. The revolt enabled Vaubois to exact money and supplies which he could not have done from a loyal population. — J. H. R. APPENDICES 559 les suffrages de la brave garnison qui est sous ses ordres. Ses solicitudes trouvent la plus flateuse des recompenses dans le zele infatigable qui anime tous les coeurs. Dans une place d'aussi grande etendue, bloquee par mer, assiegee par terre, en proie aux seditions intestines, depuis cinq mois la garnison est nuit et jour sous les armes, elle a ete plus de deux mois sans vin et sans eau de vie, et personne ne se plaint. Les vaisseaux Le Guillaume Tell et Le Dego [sic] les fregattes La Diane, La Justice et La Garthaginoise, ne pouvant sortir du port a cause de I'escadre Anglais dont il est bloque, on les a mis a I'abris des bombes par un solide blindage. Leurs equipages ont ete employes au service des forts. Leur conduite est la meme que celle des troupes de terre, c'est a dire audessus de tout eloge. Sans ce renfort il eut ete impossible d'occuper la grande Cotoner, a moins de s'affaiblir prodigieusement sur tous les points. Les munitions de guerre ne manqueront pas de sitot. II seroit seulement a desirer qu'on ait une plus grande quantite de boulets de 24 et de bombes surtout de celles de 8 pouces. A regard des subsistances, il y a du bled pour un an et des autres provisions comme : vin, eau de vie, lard, feves, riz, et viande salee pour 8 a 9 mois. Le nombre des malades augmente. Beaucoup de soldats eprouvent une incommodite tres facheuse, qu'on attribue a I'air vif et salin, et surtout au serein penetrant des nuits. Des que le jour baisse ces malheureux sont dans un etat de cecite absolue, et ne recouvrent la vue qu'au lever du soleil. EXTRAIT LiTTERAL DU ReGISTRE d'OrDRES ET DE LA CORRESPONDANCE DU General Vaubois. Ordres. 16 Fructidor an 6 Rep*- (2nd September 1798). Deux compagnies de Carabiniers de la 23*'"'^ demie Brigade d'infanterie legere ont ordre de se rendre demain au matin a la Citte Vieille. L'accusateur public, qu'elles doivent proteger en cas d'evenement, doit les suivre pour informer sur I'emeute qui a eu lieu aujourd'hui. 17 Fructidor (3rd September 1798). Les deux compagnies de Carabiniers parties ce matin, ont trouve a St. Joseph un si grand nombre de paysans armes qu'elles ont ete obligees de rentrer en ville apres avoir eu un officier et deux homme blesses. Ordre au Capitaine du Vaisseau Le Dego de s'embosser pres du magazin a poudre du Coradin pour en faciliter I'evacuation. Ordre a la garde nationale de s'assembler sur la place pour y etre desarmee, ce qui est execute. Ordre au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve d'embosser le vaisseau Le Ghiillaume Tell et la fregatte La Diane, mouilles dans le port de Marsamuscet, de maniere a battre la ville et la carapagne du cote de la Pieta. Ordre a 1' Adjudant-General Brouard de faire fusilier sur la place de Bourmola un rebelle pris les armes a la main, ce qui est execute sur le champ. Les insurgens de la campagne penetrent dans la Cotoner [sic], et enlevent quelques barils de poudre, tandis qu'un de leurs partis entre a Bourmola. Ordre a 1' Adjudant-General Brouard de se rendre a la Citte de Test avec la 80° demie Brigade pour y reduire les rebelles. II a un latitude de pouvoir qui le met a meme d'agir selon les circonstances. II donne ordre au Com- mandant du vaisseau Le Dego, mouille a 1' Arsenal, de s'entraverser sur Bourmola, menace de detruire la ville si les rebelles ne deposent pas les armes, et en cas de refus donne vingt minutes aux femmes et aux enfants pour sortir. Cette mesure vigoureuse ramene la tranquilite. Cependant un bruit court que 560 A HISTORY OF MALTA r Adjutant-General doit etre attaque dans la nuit : Le General Ten fait prevenir et lui recommande la plus grand surveillance. La nuit se passe dans lo plus grand calme. Ordre au Commandant des Armes de faire sortir une chaloupe cannoniere pour observer ce qui se passe sur la cote. Ordre au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve de faire appareiller une fregatte afin d'empecher que rien ne sorte de I'isle, et meme d'envoyer au grand port tout batiment qui tenteroit d'y aborder. 18 Fructidor (4th September 1798). Ordre au General Chanez de Commander des Officiers de ronde qui se succederont pendant la nuit, et d'ordonner que tout le monde ait du feu a dix heures et que la ville soit illuminee. Ordre au Chef du Genie de faire murer solidement toutes les ports de la Cotoner. Ordre au General d'Artillerie d'envoyer des cannoniers des munitions de guerre pour le service de deux pieces situees pres d'un magazin a poudre de la Cotoner dont les rebelles cherchent toujours a s'approcher. On envoye une barque soutenue par une chaloupe cannoniere pour executer la retraite du detachement qui est au fort St. Thomas. 19 Fructidor (5th September 1798). Ordre au Commandant du Genie de faire evacuer les personnes qui habitent dans I'enceinte de la Cotoner, et les autres fortifications. Ordre au Commandant des differents forts de ne pas consommer leurs munitions inutilement. Ordre au Commandant des Armes de prendre des precautions les plus severes pour empecher qu'aucun batiment ne sorte du port. 21 Fructidor (7th September 1798). Le General ecrit au Citoyen Belleville charge d'affaires de la Eepublique a Genes. II lui donne part de la revolte des Maltais, et le prie de lui envoyer plusieurs objets de premiere necessite, comme vin, charbon, &c. 22 idem (8th September 1798). Ordre au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve de jetter 300 hommes et trente cannoniers dans le fort Manuel. Ordre qui reforme les officiers et sous officiers des Chasseurs Maltais, et leur enjoint de quitter I'unifoi'me, motive sur ce que les soldats de ce corps, sans exception out pris part a la revolte. Ordre au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve d'envoyer une chaloupe cannoniere sur la cote du Goze, pour decouvrir si le pavilion national flotte encore sur le chateau et sur le fort Chambray. 27 idem (13th September 1798). On apprend que la garnison du Goze est en possession des forts, et on ne perd pas un moment pour lui envoyer des secours en hommes, vivres et munitions. 28 idem (14th September. 1798). Le Conseil de guerre arrete : 1". Qu'il sera embarque sur les vaisseaux de la Eepublique des matelots Maltais dans la proportion d'un quart des equipages frauQais. 2®. Que les troupes Maltaises faisant le service de la Marine seront embarques comme garnison sur les vaisseaux. 3*. Que les deux vaisseaux et trois fregattes etablissent une crosiere sur la cote.' APPENDICES 561 30 idem (16th September 1798). Plainte au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve centre I'officier qui commandat la chaloupe cannoniere qui a laisse entrer a St. Paul un batiment. 1 Jour Complem'*- (17th September 1798). Ordre au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve de faire partir deux chaloupes can- nonieres pour aller enlever ou bruler le batiment qu'on dit etre entre hier a St. Paul. Le General adresse au Conseil de guerre la lettre suivante : ^ ' . . . Quel parti prendre dans cette position P Voici mes vues que j 'expose au Conseil de Guerre. Comme je suis persuade que rien ne pent mettre a convert ma responsabilite, je lui en fais part et je la prie de le faire consigner sur les registres du Conseil. Je demande qu'il soit expedie des avisos qui fassent pai"venir en France et en Italie notre situation ; que nos demandes soient les plus instantes pour obtenir des forces, des munitions de guerre et des comestibles. Cette mesure doit etre renouvellee jusqu'a ce que nous ayons des reponses rassurantes de notre gouvernement. Je demande que les puis- sances barbaresques soient extremement menagees. Je demande que notre marine protege nos cotes jusqu'a ce que des forces superieures I'oblige de rentrer. Ces forces maritimes doivent consister en deux ou trois fregattes, deux galiottes et quatre speronares. Les chaloupes cannonieres resteront dans le port pretes a etre employees au besoin, mais je prefere les autres batimens legers comme plus propres au service exige. Je demande que la ville soit armee le plus formidablement, et suivant tons nos moyens, surtout qu'on mette du canon en batterie plus qu'il n'y en a, principalement a la Sengle et a la Victorieuse, de maniere que si la Cotoner etoit emportee, on pent arreter I'ennemi dans sa course. ' Je demande que Ton presse extremement la confection des cartouches, et qu'il soit fait une visite exacte pour se procurer tout le plomb qui est dans le pays. Je remarque que dans le cas oil le port seroit bloque, et que les fregattes et autres embarcations soient rentrees, nous pouvons augmenter nos forces de terre au moius de douze cents hommes. ' Je n'ai pas de repugnance a employer quelques Maltais et je crois au contraire qu'il seroit extremement politique d'armer le peuple centre le peuple, mais il faut que ce soit dans une proportion qui ne laisse rien a craindre, et qu'ils soient divises de maniere a ne pouvoir nuire. Des ce moment je pense qu'on pent mettre deux cannoniers Maltais sur six Fran^ais a difEerens postes. ' J'invite le Chef du Genie a ne rien epargner pour assurer les parties foibles de la fortification, et a se concerter avec le General Chanez pour determiner le service le plus sur et le plus propre a tenir les troupes dans la plus grande sur- veillance. Je demande qu'en cas d'attaque sur un point quelconque, il y ait toujours des troupes de la reserve commandees et pretes a marcher sur le lieu indique. Je ne vois aucune utilite aux sorties. Les postes attaques reculeront en fusillant, le soldat se livrera, le pillage sera impossible a arreter. Celui qui est force a prendre les armes sera victime comme le malintentionne. On tuera pen de monde et le soldat egare sera assassine. Les sorties me paroissent done inutiles, nuisibles m^me pour le moment. * Quant aux subsistances, point essentiel, mais qui cependant n'a rien d'effrayant pour nous par rapport a la quantite de bled que nous possedons, je pense qu'entre les demandes que nous devons faire en France et en Italie, nous devons expedier le plus qu'il nous sera possible de batimens neutres pour nous en procurer. C'est le plus grand objet d'utilite qu'ils puissent remplir. Nous n'avons besoin de ces batimens que pour cela, du reste nous ne devons pas songer 1 I omit the first part of this lengthy letter, namely, that which describes the opinions of the general and his officers on the origin of the Maltese revolt. — J. H. R. 2o 562 A HISTORY OF MALTA a nous en servir pour nous. Nous devons ici triomplier ou mourir sur les remparts. * Je demande qu'on surveille ceux-la qui pourroient etre nos ennemis dans I'interieure et que tout crime decouvert soit puni sur le champ. Mais qu'en meme temps on acceuille les habitans tranquilles, qu'on ait I'air de leur temoigner de la confiance, qu'on leur fasse parler, et qu'on employe enfin tous moyens de decouvrir ce qui pourrait se trainer, chaque membre du Conseil de Guerre ayant ses mouches pour obtenir des renseignements surs.' ' S'"^ Jour Complem'^- (19th September 1798). II paroit deux fregattes et Ton fait sortir un vaisseau et une fregatte pour s'en emparer. Bientot on s'appercoit qu'elles sont suivies de quatre vaisseaux, et les notres sont obliges de rentrer. 4""^ Jour Complem"- (20th September 1798). Invitation au Centre- Amiral Yilleneuve d'armer des petits batimens pour intercepter ce qui pourroit venir de Sicile aux rebelles. Ordre au General Chanez de se concerter avec le General d'Artillerie pour faciliter I'evacuation des pieces qui sont dans I'ouvrage avance de la Florianne, qu'on ne sauroit occuper a cause du peu de monde qu'il y a dans la place. Invitation au Commissaire du Gouvernement de faire mettre tous les boeufs en requisition pour le service de I'hopital. 2^"^ Vendemiaire an 7'='"^ (23rd September 1798). Invitation au Commissaire du Gouvernement de faire acheter des vins d 'Alicante et de Malaga pour les convalescens, le vin d'ordinaire etant excessivement rare. Ordre au General Chanez de faire arreter et conduire au fort St. Elme le nomme Dom Annibal pretre et Anglois d'origine. Ordre au General Chanez d'expulser de la ville tous les hommes en etat de porter les armes, dont les noms sont inscrits sur les listes jointes a cet ordre. II y aura autant de detachemens commandes qu'il y a de feuilles. Au present ordre est annexee la liste des officiers publics qui doivent conduire cette expedition, et dont un ou deux doivent se trouver a la tete de chaque detachement. Pareil ordre est donne pour I'evacuation de la Florianne. On battera a cet effet la generale a cinq heures et demie du matin. Le Citoyen Fournier frere d'un des chefs des rebelles doit etre expulse en meme terns que les autres. Sa famille restera en ville. 4 Vendemiaire (25th September 1798). Le General ecrit au payeur de la division, pour le prevenir qu'il va exiger des habitans des cites de Test et de I'ouest un emprunt force, qui doit etre verse dans sa caisse. La garnison du fort Chambray apres avoir repoussee plusieurs assauts, manquant de vivres, s'empare des barques qui sont au port du Miggiaro et se rend a la Valette le meme jour. Ordre au General Chanez : ' 1°. De faire passer dans le jour au fort St. Ange le detachement de la 6™^ demie Brigade qui est a Ricazoli, des qu'il sera releve par les troupes des vaisseaux qui doivent occuper ce dernier fort. ' 2o. II ordonnera au detachment de la 6*"^ Brigade qui a evacue le fort Chambray, et qui est maintenant au fort Manuel de se rendre au fort St. Ange. '3°. II donnera ordre au Battaillon de la 19*"'^ demie Brigade qui est a For Vaubois' letters of 18th September to the Directors see chap. x. ad init, — J. H. E, APPENDICES 563 St. Ange de passer a la Sengle pour se reunir au Battalion qui s'y trouve deja. Par cet arrangement les forts de Ricazoli et Manuel seront occupes par les troupes et cannoniers des vaisseaux, sur lesquels il restera encore une reserve de 400 hommes et cent cannoniers prets a se porter oil le besoin I'exigera. ' Le Contre-Amiral Deci-es est nomme commandant des forts Ricazoli, Manuel €t Tigne.' 7 Vendemiaire (28th September 1798). Le General ecrit aux habitans de Test et de I'ouest la lettre suivante : Les atroces delits commis par vos concitoyens de la campagne, et plusieurs personnes des cantons de Test et de I'ouest, me mettent dans le cas d'avoir recours a un emprunt pour payer la troupe. II faut que le soldat soit exactement paye pour pouvoir arreter son juste ressentiment et contenir dans la plus exacte discipline des hommes qui ont vu leurs compagnons lachement egorges dans Bourmola et dans la campagne. Je vous ai dont compris dans cet emprunt pour la somme de . . . que vous voudres bien payer dans le delai de vingt quatre heures a compte du moment ou vous recevres la presente. Je vous garantis votre argent, et je me rends responsable au nom de la Republique sur la loyaute de laquelle vous pouves compter. Le moindre refus me deviendroit suspect, puisque je suis informe de vos moyens. Je crois agir avec beaucoup de moderation d'autant plus que les lois de la guerre m'autorisent a vous demander une contribution ; les interets vous seront payes a raison de trois potir cent par an. 10 Vendemiaire (1st October 1798). Lettre au Commissaire du Gouvernement pour I'engager a acheter de bled des batimens Grecs qui sont dans le port. Ordre au Commandant de Test de faire sortir les personnes nommes dans la liste qu'on lui fait passer. 13 Vendemiaire (4th October 1798). Ordre au General Chanez : ' Demain 14 du courant il sera fait une sortie par la Cotoner sur le Cazal Zabbar a la pointe du jour. ' Quatre cent hommes armes des vaisseaux se porteront pendant la nuit sur la Cotoner pour garnir le rempart. Le Chef de Bat""- Pouvreau donnera des ordres pour qu'on les y place. ' Huit cents hommes de la garnison de Vest, sans rien tirer de Ricazoli, joints a deux cents hommes de la 17®™®demie Brigade dont une compagnie de Carabiniers et qui passeront pendant la nuit seront rassembles par le Chef de Battalion Pouvreau pour effectuer la sortie sous ses ordres par la porte du Salvator. ' Ces mille hommes se mettront en marche a la pointe du jour et se dirigeront sur le Cazal Zabbar. A portee du Cazal le Command*^- Pouvreau divisera sa troupe en deux pour le tourner et eviter le feu de trois pieces qui s'y trouvent. Cela fait, il fera garder par des forces suffisantes les avenues du Cazal Zeiton et celles du cote de Marsa Scala. II detachera une partie de la troupe pour reduire le cazal, enlever tous les commestibles, les mvmitions de guerre et les canons. II recommandera aux soldats de ne traiter comme enuemis que ceux q\ii portent les armes contre nous. ' Avant d'arriver au Cazal Zabbar, il sera jette des bombes et tire du canon jusqu'a ce que les troupes soient a portee. ■ La sortie durera le moins de terns possible. Pour faire diversion il sortira en reconnoissance cinquante hommes par la porte des Bombes et cinquante hommes par le fort Manuel qui se montreront 2o2 564 A HISTORY OF MALTA sans s'engager au dela de la portee de notre caiion. Toutes les troupes seront en alerte pendant la sortie.' NoTA : — On trouva toutes les avenues du Cazal tellement retranchees qu'il fut impossible d'y penetrer. Le detachement fut contraint de revenir apr&s avoir eu un officier et quelques soldats de blesses. 14 Vendemiaire (5th October 1798). Lettre du General au Consul de la Eepublique Frangaise a Cagliari : * Depms trente deux jours Citoyen Consul, les paysans de I'isle sont revoltes. Quatres vaisseaux portugais et deux autres petits batimens sont devant le port. Envoyes nous du lard, du vin, de I'eau de vie, du fromage, des legumes sees : nous avons du bled abondamment. Vous saves que ce sont des fran^ais qui sont dans Malte et qu'on n'en vient pas a bout aisement. Des vivres et tout ira bien. Je vous recommande instamment cette belle conquete de la Republique. Faites le prix de chaque chose et des notes et nous payerons.' Ordre au Commissaire Ordonateur de Terre de faire enlever toutes les toiles de fil et de coton propres a faire des chemises et de les payer sur estimation faite par des experts. Ordre au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve de faire partir la fregatte La Justice pour porter des depeches au Gouvernement. Le Commissaire Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely en sera le porteur.' 15 Yendemiaire (6th October 1798). Au General Chanez : ' Vous voudi'es bien. General, instruire la garnison qu'il a ete requis pour son usage, du fromage, des salaisons, de la graisse et du beurre. Les proprietaires de ces comestibles ne peuvent ouvrir leur vente au public qu'apres huit jours, epoque a laquelle il faut que les militaires soient pourvus. Ces objets se gatent en magazin. Je ne peux en retarder plus longtems la vente. La Municipalite donnera I'adresse des marchands. ' Je propose aux officiers de leur donner les memes rations de vivres qu'aux soldats. Je compte sur la discretion de ceux qui se trouveroient ne pas en avoir encore besoin. J'aime a croire qu'ils partagent mes sentimens sur la grande economie qu'il faut employer dans la consommation de nos commestibles. Comme moi, ils connoissent la position de la place, ils sauront vivre au millieu des privations dont la perspective nous est offerte.' Ordre au General d'Artillerie de faire transporter six pieces de 24 et deux mortiers sur le Bastion des Capucins de la Florianue et une piece de moindre calibre destine a battre le chemin. II sera aussi transporte une piece de 24 pres les deux mortiers qui sont a la Sengle, et quatre pieces de 24 a la courtine du Bastion de St Francois de Paul. L'objet de ces dispositions est d'empecher I'ennemi de s'etablir sur le Coradin. 16 Vendemiaire (7th October 1798). Supplement a la lettre du 15 au Directoire executif : * Les memes causes produisent les memes effets, j'ai eprouve la guerre civile en Corse ; j'en ai triomphe. Je I'ai vu inevitable avant qu'elle n'eclatat, j'en ai averti. Ici memes causes, memes effets, ordres sages de la part du General en Chef; abus d'un autre cote, mesures mal prises, innovations precipitees, interets compromis, prejuges attaques avec imprudence, dans un pays dont la conquete n'est point consolidee, sans faire attention que ce point est I'appui d'une armee eloignee. Enfin defaut de politique, de conduite, jamais la moindre demarche pour se faire un parti, injustices, formes rebutantes, tout cela a amene la guerre civile. ' Si jamais j'approche de Paris, je verrai le gouvernement, je lui parlerai a coeur 1 I have omitted this letter as it is published in chap. x. of this work. — J. H. R. APPENDICES 565 oiivert, en vrai, sincere et imperturbable Republicain, je lui ferai connoitre que sa sollicitude est souvent paralysee par des individus qui n'aiment pas la Bepublique, et qui I'exposent parcequ'ils ne la servent qne pour eux. Mais quoiqu'il arrive, mes devoirs seront remplis avec un zMe que les obstacles ne feront qu'augmenter. ' Les deux Contre-Amiraux Villeneuve et Decres sont ici, le premier commande la Marine, . . . [PJ fournit du monde, et m'est tres utile.' Le second ne Test pas moins, il a remis le commandement de sa fregatte a son capitaine. Je lui ai donne le commandement de trois forts qui ont des commandants particuliers. Son activite, son intelligence ont multiplies les moyens de deffense. ' Le malheur de I'escadre les a amenes ici, et leur presence m'est d'autant plus utile que je manque de chefs.' 18 Vendemiaire (9tli October 1798). Invitation au Commissaire du Gouvernement de se procurer tout ce qui pent servir a I'habillement de la troupe. 19 Vendemiaire (10th October 1798). Invitation a la Municipalite de I'ouest de faire delivrer cent trente paillasses et autant de couvertures pour le fort Ricazoli. Lettre a la Commission du Gouvernement : ' Je vous prie, Citoyens, de vouloir bien ordonner aux administrateurs du Mont de Piete de suivre scrupuleusement I'administration telle qu'elle existoit, jusqu'a ce que j'ai santionne quelque espece de changement que les cir- constances exigeroient.' Au Commissaire du Gouvernement : — ' Le Gouvernement, quand il existe des tribunaux, ne pent d'autorite obliger les parties a un arbitrage, et quand ce seroit une maniere de terminer les affaires avantageusement pour ces parties, il faudroit qu'elles consentis- sent, et qu'elles ai [st'c] choisi respectivement et avec liberte leurs arbitres. Les affaires qui n'ont pas ete jugees ainsi excitent des reclamations qui me paroissent fondees, je ne puis m'empecher de les prendre en consideration, et rien ne peut empecher qu'elles soient rapportees devant les juges competens.' 22 Vendemiaire (13th October 1798). Ordre a I'Adjudant-General Brouard de faire passer a la Municipalite la lettre ci-jointe pour qu'elle avertisse ceux qui y sont portes de se trouver demain a quatre heures apres midi sur la place de I'Egalite pour organiser une campagnie de cannoniers. II ecrira au General d'Artillerie pour lui en donner avis et I'inviter a s'y trouver. II le priera en meme tems de faire preparer sur la ditte place, les moyens d'instruction, afin que leur zele a apprendre ce metier soit vu de leurs concitoyens. Des pieces legeres seront disposes en consequence. II ecrira au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve d'avertir tous les Fran(?ais des navires marchants qui sont dans le port de s'y trouver pour entrer dans cette organisation. Lettre au Directoire executif dans laquelle le General lui donne part que le depart du Commissaire Regnaud a ete retarde par les vents contraires. II reitere ses sollicitations pour des ravitaillemens. Ordre au Commissaire ordonnateur de terre de payer aux veuves Attard et Trigame les modiques appointemens de leurs maris qui ont ete massacres par les rebelles le jour de la revolte, etant de service a la campagne. lis etoient chefs du corps des Chasseurs. L'un laisse dix enfans, I'autre sept. 1 In view of the accusations subsequently brought by Vaubois against "Villeneuve, this state- ment should be noted. — J. H. R. 566 A HISTORY OF MALTA 24 Vendemiaire (15th October 1798). Ordre au payeur de faire passer a la monoye tous les lingots qu'il a autre les mains. Lettre au Commiss'"®- Eegnaud : ' Des officiers de cliaque corps qui sont chez moi, exigent que je vous ecrive pour vous engager a laisser les fonds qui se trouvent entre vos mains, ainsi que ceux de vos campagnons de voyage. J'ai plaide pour le respect du aux pro- prietes, mais ils m'ont repondus, qu'apres en avoir agi ainsi vis-a-vis d'un etranger, ce seroit negliger mal a propos un secours que des Franpais pour- roient procurer dans cette circonstance, et ils comptent d'advance sur votre empressement a venir a leurs secours. Je delivi'erai la reconnoissance.' 25 Vendemiaire (16tli October 1798). Au Commissaire Ordonnateur de la Marine : ' J'apprends qu'il se brule du bois neuf fourni par la marine pour la troupe. Je vous prie de concerter avec I'ingenieur le depecement de quelques vieux pontons dont la valeur sera infiniment moindre. Le bois neuf nous deviendra indispensable pour I'entretient des affuts qui sont hors de service des les premiers coups.' Ordre au General Chanez de faire executer dans les vingt quatre heures un jugement de la Commission Militaire qui condamne a la peine de mort le iiomme Dumont convaincu d'embaucliage, 26 Vendemiaire (17th October 1798). Au Commissaire du Grouvernement Regnaud : 'J'ai regu hier soir la lettre que vous m'aves ecrite, et par laquelle vous demandes que les malles des voyageurs, et meme la votre qui se trouve sur la fregatte La Justice soient visitees. Pourquoi prendrai-je d'autorite cette mesure, quand des officiers sont venus hier matin et m'ont dit que leui's desirs etoient seulement que si quelques uns de ceux qui se proposent de passer en France avoient des fonds excedant les besoins de la route, ils croyent trouver chez eux la volonte de laisser pour le service de I'armee le surplus de ce qui leur est necessaire en leur remettant une reconnoissance pour etre payes en France.' Au Commandant des Forces Angloises devant le port de Malte : ' Le Bais Asses de Tunis me demande. Monsieur, a sortir du poi't si vous lui garantisses son passage. II a un passeport qu'il vous manifestera. Si vous n'y trouves pas de difficulte et que vous et Messieurs les portugais lui assures son voyage, je lui permettrai de sortir. Je vous prie de vouloir bien me faire connoitre vos intentions.' 27 Vendemiaire (18th October 1798). Au Commandant du Genie : ' L'inquietude que Ton a sur les cavaliers m'a suggere une idee dont je vous fais part et que j'ai communique a Fay, pour que vous vous concerties avec lui pour I'execution a son attelier. O'est de mettre les herses sous la voute audessous de I'entree des magazins a poudre, ce qui formera une double cloture et expose I'attaquant a etre pris entre deux feux. La plus prompte execution je vous prie.' Sommation de I'amiral Portugais : ' Les evenements politiques et militaires survenus depuis un mois, les sen- timens d'humanite qui me prescrivent d'employer tous les moyens possibles pour meuager la vie des hommes, m'engagent a faire de nouveaux efforts pour faire ovivrir les yeux a la garnison frangaise sur I'inutilite et le danger d'une plus grande resistance. ' La reponse faite a la premiere sommation en datte du 25 Septembre a pu flatter I'orgueuil mais elle blesse la raison : la garnison frangaise doit reflechir sur les motifs qu'elle a d'etre persuadee qu'il ne lui reste aucun espoir d'etre secouru. APPENDICES 567 ' Elle saura que cinq vaisseaux Eusses sont devant Alexandrie reunis aux forces navales du Grand Seigneur, que les troupes frangaises laissees en Egypte ont ete battues trois fois par les Mameloucks reunis aux troupes du G-rand Seigneur venues de la Sirie, qu'apres la derniere action le General Bonaparte et le reste de ses troupes etoient entourees sans espoir de retraitte, et que les troupes laissees a Alexandrie avoient refuse de marcher a son secours : que le Grand Seigneur ayant fait enfermer aux sept tours a Constantinople I'envoye des franpais a fait publier un Divan par lequel il invite tons les Musulmans a faire main basse sur les Fran^ais, a les traiter comme traitres et parjures, qui sous I'apparence d'amitie et d'alliance sont venus piller et devaster ses etats. Tripoli, Tunis, et Alger ont repu et mis a execution cet ordre. Un batiment frangais venant de Tripoli, pris devant Malte il y a huit jours, en etoit parti sur son lest et a la hate pour eviter le sort d'etre massacre ou fait esclave. ' L'isle de Corfou est en insurrection contre les frangais et une escadre Anglaise qu'elle y a appelle y est maintenant. Une escadre croise sur les cotes de la Provence, devant le port de Toulon, dout on ne pent rien faire sortir depuis longtems, ainsi que le mande le Sieur Najac dans une lettre au Sieur Escoffier a Malte. II y a environ six semaines que cette lettre a ete interceptee. Le port de l'isle de Malte ne cessera pas a etre bloque ainsi qu'il a ete jusqu'a present. ' II est done certain qu'il n'existe aucun espoir pour la garnison fran^aise de recevoir aucun secour, soit militaire soit d'approvisionnements. La tentative faite par sa garnison contre les habitans de l'isle a du lui prouver qu'ils sont amplement pourvus d'armes et de munitions en meme tems qu'elle a pu servir a lui faire connoitre I'esprit de vengeance qui anime le peuple. ' La consequence, nous, Marquis de Nizza, Chef d'Escadre Commandant le Vaisseau de sa Majeste tres fidelle, Le Prince Royal, reunis a une division de vaisseaux de sa Majeste Britannique, au noms de leurs Majestes, la Reine de Portugal et le Roi d'Angleterre sommons la garnison fran^aise de remettre en notre pouvoir la ville et port de l'isle de Malte et dependances, comme ainsi tous vaisseaux, f regattes et batimens quelconques qui peuvent s'y trouver afin que les habitans de l'isle de Malte puissent rentrer en possession de leurs biens et jouir de leurs droits et proprietes ; nous engageant aux noms de leurs Majestes de laisser a la garnison fran^aise la liberte de retourner en France, de fournir les moyens de I'y transporter avec surete sous la condition que la garnison franonds ou a quelques vaisseaux qui n'ont jamais con^u I'espoir de s'en emparer. II ne faut pas de grandes lumieres en politique pour sentir que I'objet des Anglois est de miner la population et le pays precisement parce qu'ils n'esperent pas s'en rendre maitres. lis detruisent parcequ'un autre doit reparer. Voila I'unique but d'une entreprise a laqu'elle la vanite et I'ambition de beaucoup de vos concitoyens se sont aussi sottement que criminellement associes. lis ont voulu faire la guerre. Nous la ferons avec une fermete et une Constance inebranlable ; et pour triompher de la mauvaise volonte de ceux qui refusent les moyens de la soutenir, rejettant toujours I'idee de m'emparer de I'argenterie des Eglises, quoique j'y sois suffiseniment autorise par les circonstances, je ■declare que ceux qui ne satisferont pas de suitte ou en prenant des termes peu 1 For an account of the situation in Valetta, as stated by deserters, see Vivion's letter of .Tune 19, 1799, to Nelson in Chap, xii.— J. H. E. ' For these exactions see Vivion's letter, referred to in the previous note. — J. H. R. 2k2 612 A HISTORY OF MALTA eloigiies pour le payemeut du nouvel emprunt, auront leur mobilier saisi jiu-idiquement et rendu ou fondu pour subvenir au besoin des troupes, des hopitaux, et des depenses civiles. Aux Chefs des Corps : Je ne vous assemble point, Citoyeus, parceque la derniere fois que cela m'est arrive, il s'est tenu des propos dans la ville. II paroit toujours aux yeux des gens mal intentionnes ou pusillanimes que I'on ne s'assemble que pour determiner la reddition de la place/ Ce mot seul revolte un republicain. Je prends done le parti de vous ecrire sur un objet de la plus grande im- portance. L'histoire du pain, des indiscretions, ces fausses et insipides gazettes ramassees dehors pas des soldats avec une lettre d'envoi ecrite en fran(?ais par I'officier Anglois dont j'ai deja une lettre qui me prouve parfaitement que c'est la meme ecriture. Ces absurdites sont le fruit de la perfidie des Anglois puisqu'elles sont en pleine contradiction avec vine lettre de Calabre du 13 May qui a ete apportee ici par la premiere prise que nous avons faite. Mais toutes ces menees pourroient inquieter les republicains si on ne leur montroit la verite dans tout son jour et coml)ien notre situation doit nous inspirer de confiance. Detruises cette idee fausse sur le pain. Si Ton en faisoit de deux especes, c'etoit sans mes ordres. Cela pouvoit entrainer des abus et augmenter la con- sommation, ce qui est contraire a la loi ; cette espece d'insurrection n'a done aucun motif fonde, et elle a ete soufflee. Assembles vos officiers. Faites leur sentir que la moindre indiscretion fait le plus mauvais effet sur I'esprit d'un peuple aussi ignorant que foible de caractere, et dont la plus grande partie est mal intentionnee. Je compte et je me repose entierement sur votre energie, votre vertu, et votre patriotisme. 6 Messidor (24th June 1799). Au Commissaire Ordonateur de Terre : Vous donneres des ordres pour que I'habillement soit delivre aux corps suivant les quantites determines par I'etat ci joint. Ordre : Des personnes au moins indiscrettes, et qui ne savent pas ce qui existe, font courrir le bruit que les medicamens manquent aux hopitaux, ce qui est faux. C'est d'apres ces prejuges que les Volontaires malades se livrent a des remedes et aux soins de gens hors d'etat de les traiter et qui leur font le plus grand tort^ malgre leurs bonnes intentions. Que les malades aillent done aux hopitaux : il y a des remedes ; les soins sont portes au dernier point, et les medecins apperijoivent un grand changement que la saison ameliorera encore. Je recommande aux Volontaires de se baigner souvent parce que la proprete influe beaucoup sur la sante, de manger des legumes et de faire reflection que dans les pays chauds, le terns des chaleurs est le plus sain, et que les epidemies cessent toujours dans cette saison. Au President de la Municipalite de I'Est : L'orge recueilli pour la Republique ne se bat point. La recolte des par- ticuliers doit nous procurer de la paille en payant. Elle ne vient point au magazin. Faites executer promptement les mesures qui ont ete prises a ce sujet. 1 For this insubordiuation of part of the garrison, see Vivion's letter of June 25th, 1799, iu Chap, xii.— J. H. R. APPENDICES 613 10 Messidor (28tli June 1799). Au Ministre de la Guerre : Citoyen Ministie, Depuis dix mois revolus vous saves que nous sommes assieges par terre et bloques par nier. Une cruelle epidemie, un scorbut teri-ible nous enleve une partie de nos camarades. Une maladie d'un autre genre nous prive d'un grand nonibre de deffenseurs qui sont absolument aveugles, pendant la nuit. L'etendue immense de nos remparts est foiblement gardee. Nous n'entendons parler de rien ; mais nous croyons a I'existence d'une escadre dans la Mediteranee. Combien j'en desire I'arrivee avecardeur! principalement pour triompher de la lassitude qui commence a se manifester et qui me desespere. Pendant neuf mois la volonte unie au courage s'est montre de la maniere la plus satisfaisante : mais je vois de I'abbatement, des indiscretions, des propos imprudens qui font un mauvais effet. Je tache de remonter la machine tant que je peux. Je suis seconde par bien des Braves ; mais combien d'autres manquent de la fermete necessaire pour supporter les privations et les travaux d'un long siege. Les ennemis usent de toutes les foui'beries imaginables. lis jettent des fausses gazettes devant les postes avances. Quelque precaution que Ton prenne, le soldat re 3 That of December 15th, 1799, which inaugurated the Consulate.— J. i±. K. 634 A HISTORY OF MALTA Par le moyen du vin et de I'eau-de-vie que nous avous re(;u, il y aura quatre rations de vin par decade, quatre d'eau de vie et deux de vinaigre. Mais ce n'est pas le plus efErayant encore. C'est que le bled finit exacte- nieut a la meme epoque ; il y a meme strictement parlant un peu moins de bled de ce qu'il en faudroit pour la consommation de Messidor et Thermidor ; mais je siTpporterai a ce qui me manquera par quelques quintaux de biscuit qui me restent. Alors la denree d'absolue necessite sera entierement consommee.' 29 Prairial (18th June 1800). Ordre an General d'Artillerie de faire evacuer les magazins du cavalier de gauche occupes par la G*""" afin de pouvoir y deposer les farines pour les mettre a I'abri de la bombe. 30 Prairial (19th June 1800). Proclamation : Le deux du mois prochain a six heures du matin tout ce qui ne doit pas recevoir du pain, c'est-a-dire tons ceux qui n'ont pas une carte de la municipalite doivent sortir des places. Ceux de Test par la porte du Salvator, et ceux de I'ouest par la porte des Bombes et celle de la Carcare. Ceux de Test doivent etre au nombre de douze cent et ceux de I'ouest quinze cent, a moins qu'il se trouve des habitans de ceux notes pour sortir, qui ayant des ressources pour vivre sans recevoir ni pain ni bled, car decidement ils n'en auront plus des Magazins de I'Universite. 1 Messidor (20th June 1800). Lettre du General Vaubois au General Anglois Graham : Je ne peux me persuader. Monsieur, que vous ayes pris la resolution de ne pas recevoir a la campagne des habitans qui desirent retrouver leurs parens et leurs amis. Si des affaires particulieres a regler les ont retenu jusqu'a present, ils ont toujours pense que la liberte de sortir existeroit jusqu'au moment oil ils pourroient effectuer leur rapprochement. Tout devoit les persuader, et j'ai I'honneur de vous observer qu'ils seroient seuls victimes de ce changement. Ma consommation est reglee, et je ne m'en departirai pas. Dans tous les cas la durete ne retombera pas sur moi. Si le congres de I'isle est compose au moins en partie de Maltais, j'ai lieu d'etre bien surpris de ce manque de bienveillance pour leurs concitoyens, dont un grand nombre a ete retenu ici par mes ordres. Au reste leur reflexion ne se porte pas bien loin dans I'avenir. Etant done convaincu que vous ne persisteres pas dans ce parti, je fais sortir, bien persuade que vous ne feres pas tirer dessus. Ce sera reduire au desespoir leurs parens et amis du dehors. Je me trouverois parfaitement a I'abri du reproche d'inhumanite, et des nations civilisees comme la votre et la mienne, etant incapable de toute espece de barbaric, je ne doute nuUement qu'ils ne puissent se rendre tranquillement aupres de leurs proches. II s'est commis, Monsieur, aupres du Cazal Zabber une atrocite qui surement a excite votre indignation si elle est parvenu a votre connoissance. Des soldats etoient descendus du rempart malgre la deffense, et s'etoient mis dans le cas de recevoir des coups de fusils ou d'etre pris ; un d'eux, entoure, se rendant a ete massacre inhumainement. Vous sentes combien cet infame action excite le courroux du soldat. Puis-je promettre de regler sa fureur si roccasion d'une action exterieure se presente P Cet homme etoit sans armes et sans aucun moyen de deffense. J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c. Le Gen^- Vaubois." 1 The rest of the letter is similar to that of July 18, 1800, quoted in Chap. xiv. — J. H. R. 2 The reply of General Graham of date 21st June 18(X1 will be found in Chap. xiv. near the end.— J. H. R. APPENDICES 635 Au General Chanez : Vous saves, General, que le General ennemi ni'a ecritqu'il ne recevrait plus les habitans que nous voulons faire sortir de la place. II est cependant de la derniere importance de diminuer encore la population. Je prends done le partie d'effectuer encore des sorties — peut-etre que I'ennemi tirera sur ceux qu'on mettra dehors et la peur pourra les i'aire retourner. Pour remplir plus aisement notre objet, et peut-etre dissuader de tirer, il ne faut pas i'aire ouvrir la porte et evacuer par la poterne. Cela sera plus long : mais c'est plus sur. Pour s'assurer encore que tout ce qui se presentera sortira, il faut consigner qu'on ne laisse rentrer en ville aucun baggage qui sera sorti. Alors les sortants seront obliges de prendre leur parti. II faut aussi tacher d'obtenir qu 'aucun militaire ne se montre sur le rempart. Les hommes commandes peuvent se tenir a convert au bas du rempart, et n'attireront point sur eux I'attention de I'ennemi. Au reste venez a onze heures avec les autres Generaux, nous discuterons ces objets. Aux Medecins de I'Hopital Civil : Ce n'est pas par cause de mecontentement d'aucune espece, Citoyens, qu'on a reduit a un plus petit nombre les officiers de sante de I'hopital. II n'est pas dans mon caractere de meconnoitre les bons services de gens recommandables comme vous, mais vous aves dupenser que cela entroit dansun plan de reforme generale qui concourt a la conservation de Malte. Cette raison seule, qui est la plus forte pour moi, me met souvent en guerre avec moi-meme. Je voudrois soulager tout le monde dans ce tems de misere ; mais je fais tons mes efforts pour faire triompher mon devoir de la sensibilite de mon ame. Je sers ma patrie de toutes mes forces et de tous mes moyens. Je crois etre bien different de ces ambitieux Maltais qui ont egare ce peuple en appellant les nations etrangeres. lis ont consomme la ruine totale de cette isle. Puisse la Prance un jour cicatriser ces playes ! Je ne peux qu'applaudir a votre zele cliaritable qui vous porte a soulager les pauvres sans interet. 4 Messidor (23rd June 1800). [Invitation au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve de tenir des embarcations pretes, pour aider les batimens annonces par le gouvernement et qui pourroient se presenter pour entrer dans le port.] 9 Messidor (28th Jmie 1800). [Invitation a la Municipalite de Test de mettre en requisition le sel qui se trouve chez les citoyens qu'on lui indique.] 15 Messidor (4th July 1800). Proclamation : N'ayant pii parvenir encore malgre tous mes efforts, a avoir un denombre- ment exact des habitans, etant d'ailleurs assure que les cartes distribuees pour le pain poi-te la population plus haut qu'elle n'est reelment, et voulant connoitre exactement qu'elle est sa force, II est ordonne ce qui suit : Le 18 du courant les habitans sans exception, de quelque sexe et de quelque age qu'ils soient sont tenus de rester chez eux jusqu'a ce que la verification soit faite. Tous ceux qui ne s'y trouveront pas sont dans le cas d'etre arretes, et de n'avoir plus de part a la distribution du pain. Des FranQais ayant chez eux des Maltais ou des etrangers a leur service sont assujeties [_sic^ a ces visites domiciliaires. Un nombre suffisant de Commissaires Maltais et Fran(jais sera nomme pour faire ces visites en meme tems, afin que cela soit prompt et que les habitans redeviennent libres de vaquer a leurs affaires. A HISTORY OF MALTA A I'entree des Commissaires dans chaque menage, les chefs de famille ou les personnes habitantes seules presenteront la carte du pain qui leur a ete donnee precedemment. lis feront paroitre aux yeux des Commissaires tons les individus qui jouissent du pain porte sur cette carte. Les Commissaires seront munis de feuilles divisees en colonnes qu'ils rem- pliront comme il est indique au dessus de chaque colonne. L 'operation finie, les Commissaires rapporteront les feuilles a la Commission du Gouvernement. 16 Messidor (5th July 1800). Instruction qui doit etre lue aux Commissaires charges du recensement avaut de commencer leurs operations. L'objet des operations que vous allez faire, Citoyens n'est pas seulement de procurer le recensement exact de la population, ce qui facilitera une juste dis- tribution du pain, mais de connoitre ce que les habitans peuvent avoir chez eux de bled, farine, huile et sel, principalement chez les meuniers et les boulangers oil vous deves trouver de la farine. II n'est pas juste que les habitans qui ont des provisions en tirent du magazin commun. Faites done la perquisition la plus exacte sans distinction de per- sonne. Tenes une note de ce que vous aures trouves de ces objets et des per- sonnes a qui ils appartiennent. Si c'est du bled ou de la farine, retenes la carte de distribution de pain a ceux qui en ont, et ecrives au dot de cette carte ce qu'ils possedent. Nous parviendrons ainsi a diminuer la consommation. 25 Messidor (14th July 1800). Au Citoyen Dubelet, Recteur du College : Penetre, Citoyen, de la situation malheureuse de plusieurs exchevaliers, je n'ai cesse depuis la petition que vous m'aves presente de chercher le moyen de venir a leurs secours, enfin j'ai pu me procurer cinquante louis que vous voudres bien remettre aux denommes ci-dessous : Clugni, Belmont, Rabastens, Vinson, Rayberti, Watour, Leaumons, Latour, Pestelle et Bellet. Ces cinquante louis vous seront remis par le Citoyen Chartier. Ils serviront de payement aux vingt cinq ecus qu'ils recevoient par mois pour ceux de Prairial et Messidor, Sommation du Gen^' Comm''' les troupes Angloises dans I'isle : 17Juilletl800. Monsieur, — Je me fais I'honneur de vous annoncer que j'ai eu ordre de prendre le comman dement des troupes formant le blocus de la Valette. J'ai emmene avec moi un renfort considerable et je suis d'heure en heure dans I'attente d'etre joint par un corps de troupes Brittanniques encore plus conside- rable que les circonstances de la guerre n'avoient pas permis d'envoyer ici. II est inutile de vous representer combien la flote du Roi mon maitre bloque com- pletement votre port et empeche les approches d'aucun secours. La Division de petits batimens dont elle s'est emparee si recemment, vous en est une preuve suffisante, et la misere de vos gens doit vous le mettre a chaque instant sous les yeux. C'est par amour de I'humanite que je vous presse de ne pas imposer plus long-tems des malheurs accumules sur votre garnison et sur les habitans en les exposant aux desastres inevitables qui doivent s'en suivre si vous persistes a rester en possession de la Valette. Vous aves deja rempli completement vos devoirs envers votre pays et vous aves merite sa reconnoissance. Ne negliges pas ce titre par vos efforts a une courte prolongation de blocus eu sacrifiant les troupes en les livrant ulterieure- ment a la misere et a la destruction. La consequence est telle que vous ne pouves vous flatter d'obtenir a I'avenir des conditions telles qu'elles ponrroient vous etre accordees en ce moment. APPENDICES 637 Si par ces considerations vous etes porte a entrer en quelques negociations pour la reditiou de la place et des forts qui sont sous votre commandement, moi de mon cote je vous enverrai un officier de marque pour etablir des termes tels qui puissent conduire cette affaire a une favorable conclusion. Je siiis, Monsieur, &c. Pigot, Major General. 29 Messidor (18th July 1800). Eeponse du General Vaubois a la Somraation du Gen'' Comm*^- les Troupes Angloises dans I'isle : J'ai re^ue, Monsieur, la sommation que vous m'aves fait I'honneur de m'envoyer hier 28 Messidor. Nous ne pouvons nous rendre aux propositions que vous nous faites. Vous croyes que nous avons satisfait a ce que le service de notre patrie exige. Nous sommes bien eloigne de partager votre sentiment. Nous croyons avoir encore beaucoup a faire. L'attaque de Malte exige une grosse armee. Notre situation pent se prolonger bien loin, et nous ne commettrons pas le crime de I'abreger un instant. Notre resistance nous acquerra surement votre estime. J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c. Gen'- Yaubois. Au Ministre de la Guerre : Le Citoyen Baste, lieutenant de vaisseau porteur de vos depeches du 4 Prairial est entre dans ce port avec la felouque La Legere le 3 Messidor. . . . FA great part of this letter is very like that of July 18th to the Minister of Marine quoted near the end of Chap. xiv. The last parts of it contain new matter and are as follows.] Un autre fleau, c'est que I'eau commence a devenir rai-e. II en est peu tombe cette annee. La culture que fait le soldat est indispensable pour la nourriture et pour eviter les maladies. II faut cependant y apporter beaucoup de reserve pour ne pas epuiser nos citernes, car il n'en tombera pas encore de long-tems. Enfin, Citoyen Ministre, je suis a tout autant qu'il est en moi. Si nous triomphons, le souvenir de nos peines deviendra une source de satisfaction. Si nous sxiccombons toute ma vie est empoisonnee. Au 15 Thermidor nous serons au pain avec un peu de vin et d'eau de vie, en Fructidor au pain seul, et a la fin de ce mois il ne nous restera plus rien de tout. La pauvre population perit de misere. Les dissenteries se deelarent. Tout le monde, militaires et habitans est rempli de vers. Comment pourroit resister ce pauvre peuple qui n'a qu'un peu de mauvais pain et de I'eau? S'il avoit de I'huile il s'estimeroit heureux. Joignes a cela la peur extreme que les femmes ont des bombes ce qui occasionne des maladies scrofuleuses que les medecins attribuent aux suppressions occasionnees par la frayeur. Ah ! Citoyen Ministre qu'elle situation dechirante ! Au premier Consul de la Eepublique franpaise : Subervie,* Aide de Camp du General Lannes qui a ete retenu ici par une cruelle maladie, n'a pu apres son retablissement passer en Egypte a cause du blocus, et m'a servi d'aide de camp pendant le Siege. II est charge de vous remettre cette depeche. II a servi avec moi avec distinction, et si son General n'eut ete en pleine guerre, j'aurais eu de la peine a le lacher. C'est m\ de ces bons sujets d'ont I'avis a toujours ete de conserver Malte ou de perir. . . . . . . Par des economies poussees encore plus loin, le bled durera une grande parti de Fructidor, et peutetre meme tout Fructidor ; mais le peu de population qui reste perit d'inanition et de maladie. Cette misere vous feroit horreur. ... 1 Subervie afterwards had a successful career. At Waterloo, as general, he commanded a light cavalry division, which checked the advance of Biilow's corps. — J. H. R. 638 A HISTORY OF MALTA ... Si par bouheiir pour nous, une escadre venoit nous ravitailler et nous jetter du monde, il ne faudroit pas que les vaisseaux entrassent dans le port. Les bombes en couleraient necessairement quelques uns. Mais en mettant trois a quatre mille hommes a terre au dela de la ligne de circonvallation de Tennemi, on detruiroit toutes les batteries qui environnent le port. C'est a mon avis, derriere les ouvrages faits entre Ricazoli et Marsa Scala qu'il faudroit effectuer cette descente. En me concertant avec le commandant, j'aiderois I'operation par des sorties, qui, je crois ne seroient pas bien difficiles. Alors les vaisseaux entreront sans rien craindre. De I'autre cote du port I'operation seroit trop long et trop penible a executer. Je change d'avis, Citoyen Consul, et ne vous envoye pas Subervie. Le bruit court que nous avons une escadre dans la Mediterrannee, que beaucoup de batimens sont expedies pour nous ravitailler, 3 'attends qu'il nous arrive quelque chose d'heureux pour vous I'envoyer, et vous faire 1 'amelioration de notre sort. Le tems presse : je vois s'approcber I'instant du mauvais pain seul, et je crains I'epidemie causee par les vers : elle commence a se manifester. Au Citoyen Bertin Comissaire Ord"" de la Marine a Toulon : Je vous remercie bien sincerement et des bonnes nouvelles que vous nous aves donnes et des Moniteurs que vous m'aves envoye. Depuis vos lettres des 28 Floreal, 7 et 19 Prairial arrivees par le Citoyen Baste sur la felouque La Legere, dont les deux premieres etoient des duplicata, je n'en ai point recue d'autres. Le seule petit batiment, Ld Marguerite, etoit entre pen de tems avant la consommation de son chargement jusqu'au 10 ou 12 Thermidor. Passe ce terme il ne nous restera que du pain. Juges combien je suis presse d'en voir arriver d'autres. C'est la farine et I'huile qui doivent composer la plus grande partie des chargemens. Ces objets sont de necessite absolue. Quand on manque d'autres comestibles, on fait la soupe avec de I'huile, on fait cuire les legumes que Ton cultive, et s'il nous en arrivoit en quantite suflRsante on pourroit soulager la population qui perit de misere et de maladie. Quoique des felouques portent peu, je serois bien d'avis d'en multiplier I'envoi : Tout est en faveur des batimens a rames dans cette saison des calmes. Le sort de Malte est toujours bien precaire, puisque nous n'avons de subsistance qu'au jour le jour. L'objet doit etre de gagner le mois de Brumaire. Pour y parvenir il faudroit environ 8000 quintaux de farine, 600 quintaux d'huile, du vin, du lard, des legumes calcules a raison de 6000 rations par jour. II est sur qu'en nourrissant des hommes comme nous le faisons depuis deux ans, a moins du tiers de ration on epargne beaucoup ; mais la nature succombe. D'ailleurs ce qui existoit dans la ville est consomme, et le peu qui reste est d'un prix a etonner tovite I'Europe. Ah, mon cher ordonateur, il faut avoir ete assiege deux ans pour savoir ce que c'est. Tout le naonde ici a le corps rempli de vers. Jugez des craintes que cela me donne qu'une fievre vermineuse ne se declare. Notre disette sera peuteti-e suivie d'une epidemie. Nous en avons deja eprouve deux. Un scorbut destructeur qui enlevoit une partie de nos braves, et une optalmie qui rendoit une partie de la garnison aveugle. Mais notre deter- mination a toujours ete de sauver Malte ou de perir. Son salut ne depend plus de nous. Repevons de quoi subsister et Malte est a la Republique. Depuis vos lettres revues nos armees ont surement continuee [_sic^ de vaincre ; mais nous ne savons rien. Pourquoi ne pas nous envoyer quelques petits bateaux comme I'esperonare que nous avons expedie, pour porter des lettres et des nouvelles P Nous nous en nourrissons. Cela soutient notre courage. Nous n'entendons plus les bombes et les boulets quand nous savons que la Republique APPENDICES 639 triomphe. Comptes sur la reconnoissance des deffenseurs de Malte qui se joindra a celle de la Republique. Au Commandant des Armes a Toulon : J'ai re?ue, General, votre lettre du 19 Prairial qui m'a ete remise le 3 Messidor par le Citoyen Baste, lieutenant de vaisseau arrive ce jour la. Je n'ai point reQue la precedente. De tout ce qui a pii etre expedie pour notre ravitaillement, il ne nous est arrive que La Marguerite} Nous avons commence la consommation de son chargement le 1"'' Messidor. II etoit tems. Le mois de Prairial s 'etoit passe sans autres comestibles que le pain. Cette cargaison, en la faisant durer trois fois autant quelle le devroit d'apres la loi, nous menera jusqu'au millieu de Thermidor. Juges a qu'elle extremite nous sommes reduits. Le blocus exact et les calmes rendent I'entree des batimens bien scabreuse. Cependant nous esperons que le genie de la Republique en amenera une partie a bon port. Que faut-il, mon cher General, pour nous sauver P Six batimens qui reussiroient a I'hiver, saison des grandes esperances. Mais ce qui soutient notre espoir, c'est la marche triomphante des armees. Par arrangement ou par conquetes n'occuperons-nous pas la Sicile ? Le premier Consul veut la paix, mais il ne I'accordera surement qu'avec des grandes siu'etes, surtout avec le Roi qui est cause de notre detresse." Tons les chargemens qu'on nous destine doivent etre composes d'huile et de farine. Ce sont les deux articles les plus importans. Avec du pain et de I'huile pour faire la soupe, et pour cuire les legumes que nos soldats cultivent, on pent exister. Nous nous embarrassons fort peu des bombes et des boulets. Qu'il nous arrive de quoi subsister et nous nous deffendrons. [He then refers to the diseases now prevalent at Valetta.] Au Ministre de la Marine : Les eloges que vous donnez, Citoyen Ministre, a la garnison de Malte sont sa plus douce recompense mais seront-ils couronnes par le succes ? . . . Par de nouvelles economies, je prolongerai la duree du bled une partie de Fructidor, a ce que j'espere. II est cependant de fort mauvaise qualite par ce qn'il y a quatre ans au moins qu'il est en fosse. Telle est notre situation exacte. Peignes-vous mes inquietudes. Le courage et la fermete ne manquent pas, mais I'estomac les commande. Nous sommes habitues a tres peu, mais il faut ce tres peu. 2 Thermidor (21st July 1800). Au General Chanez : Le fort Manuel etant gene pour tirer ses vivres pendant le jour par la nouvelle batterie qui tire sur les barques employees a les transporter, je vous prie de donner des ordres pour qu'il puisse les repevoir a neuf heures du soir. La porte de Marsa Muscet s'ouvrira en consequence, et les vivres passes elle sera refermee. 3 Thermidor (22nd July 1800). Invitation au General d'Artillerie d'activer les travaux a faire au front de Ricazoli qui regarde la terre, afin de menager le moyen d'eteindre par un feu vif les batteries de I'ennemi situees de maniere a inquieter les batimens qui pourroient se presenter pour entrer dans le port. 1 It is difficult to reconcile this with the statement that two other small vessels had arrived, except ou the supposition that they came from different ports. — J. H. R. " He had heard of Marengo (June 14th) and the re-conquest of N. Italy ; and stated at the close of his letter that he hoped the French were at Naples.— J. H. R. 640 A HISTORY OF MALTA Ordre au Commissaire Ordonateur de la Marine de fournir au fort Ricazoli les objets necessaires pour y etablir des signaux de jour et de nuit, afin d'avertir le fort Salvator des batimens qui se presenteroient pour qu'ils puissent diriger son feu sur les batteries emiemis. Le General informe I'accusateur public, que des mulets out ete tues dans la partie de Vest malgre la defifense qui en a ete faite. II I'invite a prendre des informations sur ce delit et a poursuivre les auteurs. 9 Thermidor (28th July 1800). Ordre du jour : II vient de m'etre rapporte que de mauvais sujets indignes du nom Francais, et de porter I'habit militaire faisoient courir le bruit qu'on alloit diminuer la ration de pain. Cela est de toute faussete. Jamais cette pensee n'est venue au General qui se fait un si grand honneur de vous commander. L 'ordre du Gouvernement est de soutenir Malte jusqu'a la derniere once de pain ; mais je sens que puisqu'il n'est pas possible de vous donner d'autre nourriture, il seroit cruel de diminuer ce qiii est indispensablement necessaire. Courage, braves soldats. Faisons tout ce que I'honneur et le service de notre patrie exigent. La France et I'Europe ont les yeux ouverts sur vous. Continuous de prouver jusqu'a la fin que nous sommes de courageux Republicains. Faites moi connoitre les laches qui cherchent a emouvoir les esprits. Quelque soit leur grade, qu'ils soient deshonnores, et punis en criminels ; I'honneur nous en fait un devoir. Le Citoyen Eoujeol de la 41*""® demie Brigade se trouvant a I'hopital par suite des ses exces, y sera consigne tout le terns qu'il y demeurera. 10 Thermidor (29th July 1800). Ordre du jour : Le tems des privations est arrive. Celui du courage et du patriotisme ne fait qu'augmenter. Des secoiu'S nous sommes promis ; il [sic] ne le sont pas en vain. L'ordre precis du Gouvernement est de tenir jusqu'a la derniere once de pain. Les deffenseurs de Malte, converts d'honneiir aux yeux du monde entier ne savent qu'obeir a la voix de la patrie. Les rations des deux dernieres decades de Thermidor seront distribuees ainsi qu'il suit : Pain, une livre et douze onces. Biscuit une once de plus c'est a dire 4 onces. Vin trois fois par decade. Eau de vie une fois par decade. Yinaigre deux fois par decade. Du lard le 15 de la seconde decade seulement. Deux fois des pates cette seconde decade seulement. 13 Thermidor (1st August 1800). Invitation a la Municipalite de faire des recherches exactes chez certains particuliers que Ton soupQonne avoir de I'huile en assez grande quantite et qui ont deferre jusqu'a present de la vendre, malgre le prix excessif ou elle est. 21 Thermidor (9th August 1800). Au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve : Vous m'aves fait part il y a quelques jours, General, du projet de faire partir les fregattes La Diane et La Justice? Qu'elle n'a ete ma surprise d'apprendre que ce projet ete [sicl devenu public ? II faut que ceux a qui vous etes oblige de donner vos ordres d'execution ne sachent pas garder le secret. Au reste j'ai beaucoup reflechi sur cette affaire depuis notre entretien et voici le resultat de mes reflexions : Ce n'est pas une vaine demonstration de devoirs remplis que nous cherchons, C'est de sauver 1 See the letter of Villeneuve of August 21st, 1800, in Chap, xv.— J. H. R. APPENDICES 641 reelement ces batimens a la Republique ; si uous sommes dans le cas de ceder ce pays a I'ennemi faute de vivres. L'ordre de tenir et I'espoir du gouveme- ment de nous voir prolonger la deffense de cette place autant qu'il est possible est un devoir qu'accompagne toujours I'esperance. Tout doit done suivre la meme marche. Si les deux fregattes partent, nos feux sont eteints sur une grande partie des fortifications. Nous ne sommes plus en deffense. Vous saves en outre qu'on ne pent pas deblinder les fregattes et les preparer sans que cela soit vu de la campagne. Les precautions se prendront done de la part de I'ennemi en consequence. II n'y a done qu'un coup de vent qui pourroit assurer le succes de ce depart. L'evenement du Ghdllcinme Tell nous le prouve. D'apres ces considerations, je pense qu'on ne peut fixer le depart de ces batimens avec sagesse qu'a I'epoque ou nous aurons totalement perdu I'espoir d'etre secourus, c'est-a-dire au 15 Fructidor. Je vous soumets mon avis, il est la suite de beaucoup de reflexions. 1 Fructidor {19th August 1800). Au Ministre de la Guerre : Citoyen Ministre, — Jusqu'a ce jour, les precautions prises par le Gouvernement pour nous ravitailler ont ete infructueuses. Nous sommes au pain seul depuis le 15 Thermidor, et ce pain va nous manquer. Nous n'en avons plus que jusqu'au vingt du courant : il faudra done que j'entre en negociations le 15' si rien ne nous arrive. Yous ne pouves vous peindre le desespoir de cette brave garnison qui ne voit aucune fruit des travaux et des privations qu'elle a supportee pendant deux ans, sauf la gloire qui ne peut leur etre enlevee. Je partage sa fa^on de penser et il ne faut rien moins que I'impossibilite physique pour me resoudre a capituler : mais nulle espece de ressource : L'ennemi n'a point de magaziu : il tient sur des batimens le pen de subsistance qu'il fournit a I'isle. II n'est done aucun moyen de resister a la plus entiere famine. C'etoit pendant le premier hiver surtout qu'il falloit nous fournir de quoi lasser I'ennemi. Des les premiers jours du siege nous avons su nous reduire a tres peu de chose. Nous esperons tous que la France rendra justice a notre conduite ; mais cela ne satisfait pas de braves gens moins occupes d'eux que de leur patrie. Je compte demander qu'on nous conduise a Marseille, si nous obtenons, comme je I'espere de rentrer en France, nous pensons que vous voudres bien donner des ordres pour que novis y trouvions des a comptes d'appointemens de solde. Que deviendroient ces pauvres officiers a qui il ne reste aucun moyen d'existence, et qui ne sont pas vetus ? La troupe aussi n'a sur le corps que des habits de toile. L'entree de la saison rigoureuse leur rend necessaire des habits de drap a son arrivee. Si nous obtenons toutes les conditions honorables que je demanderai, il vous restera une troupe qu'on peut conduire partout conti'e les ennemis de la Republique, quoiqu'elle ait grand besoin de repos. Recevez les respects d'unJRepublicaiu desole. 2 Fructidor (•20th August 1800). Au Citoyen Bertin Comm""®- Ordonateur de la Marine a Toulon : Aucun des batimens qui nous ont ete destines, et que vous m'annoncies par votre lettre du mois de Prairial ne sont arrives. Depuis le 15 Prairial nous sommes au pain pour toute nourriture. Ce pain, notre derniere ressource, va finir. Je serai oblige d'entrer en pourparler le 15 du courant. II ne me restera du bled que pour cinq jours au plus. II me faut au moins ce tems pour terminer les articles et ne pas exposer la garnison a mourir de faim. Si vous aves encore quelque batiment qui nous soit destine, calculez sur cette epoque. 1 i.e. on September 2nd. On that day he summoned a council of war, and opened negotiations with Genei-al Pigot on September 4th.— J. H. R. 2 T 642 A HISTORY OF MALTA Si d'ici au 15 il entre quelque chose, nous continuerons nos travaux et nos efforts. Si Malte est perdu c'est ma desolation. 6 Fructidor (24th August 1800). Au Contre-Amiral Villeneuve : Vous sentes comme moi, General, la necessite de ne pas degarnir des postes deja tres foiblement occupees. En meme terns je m'interesse aussi fort qu'on pent le faire a la conservation des deux fregattes de la Republique. Je ne me connois pas en marine : Si vous croyes qu'elles puissent echapper par leur marche a I'ennemi, en ne leur donnant que le nombre d'hommes necessaire a la manoeuvre, I'inconvenient me paroit moindre que de les perdre sans ressource : cela devient done un devoir.^ Je comptais les demander par des articles de la Capitulation ; mais je doute qu'on ne les accorde. Vous pouves done tirer de la Victorieuse les quarante hommes que vous me demandes ; mais sans prendre les cannoniers qui se trouvent a des postes essentiels. La chose me paroit de tres difficile execution mais en restant dans le port elles seroient infailliblement perdues. Tel est le resultat de ma fa^on de voir ; elle est guidee par I'interet de la Republique que j 'imagine bien entendu. 9 Fructidor (27th August 1800). Au Payeur de la Division : II est tems de songer au secours que je pourrai donner a des fonctionnaires publics qui se refugient en France. Le mois dernier nous avions envie de donner un ecu aux soldats. Vous devies deja avoir entre les mains un a compte consequent : il est aise de calculer ce qui reste a venir : mais pour plus de regie je crois qu'il vaudroit mieux qu'ils i'e?usseut de I'Universite que de vous. Leurs mandats ne seront peut-etre pas des pieces comptables pour vous. 14 Fructidor (1st September 1800). Au General Chanez : Vous voudres bien, General, convoquer le Conseil de Guerre de la Division qui devra s'assembler demain 15 du courant chez moi a dix heures du matin. II doit etre compose des Generaux et officiers super ieurs de terre et de mer, des commandants des corps, des commandants des forts quelques grades qu'ils ayent, et des deux Commissaires Ordonateurs des deux services. 17 Fructidor an 8 Rep« (4th September 1800). Au Commandant des troupes Angloises dans I'isle de Malte : Par votre lettre dattee du 1 7 Juillet dernier, vous me proposes, Monsieur, d'envoyer a la Valette un officier de marque pour traitter. L'honneur me permet de le recevoir si vous persistes a ce qu'il se presente. Je vous garantis qu'il sera re^u et respecte comme doit I'etre un officier revetu du caractere qu'il aura. Entrant des ce moment en negociation pour capituler, je vous previens que je viens de donner ordre pour qu'on cesse toutes hostilites. J'espere que vous voudres bien en donner de semblables. J'ai l'honneur d'etre &c. Vaubois. ^ This admission should be noted, as it hears on the suhsequent dispute between Vaubois and Villeneuve. See ' Journal du Siege ' Pt. 1 ad init. — J. H. R. APPENDIX IV [Note. — The italics in this appendix are those of Mr. Hardman. They have been made for the purpose of emphasising such passages as have been refuted by official documents.] NOTE BY THE LATE MR. HARDMAN ON MALTESE HISTORIES What is the fons et origo of the agitation which has existed for so long a period amongst a certain class of Maltese inhabitants, an agitation which continues to this day, notwithstanding the admitted benefits which the people have derived from their connection with Great Britain for now more than a century P We are told by those who profess to be leaders of public opinion — 1st. That having regard to General Graham's (Lord Lynedoch's) proclamation of the 19th June 1800, and the subsequent agreement between the English and French commanders at the capitulation of the French garrison on the 5th September 1800, the British Government has broken faith with them as a people who had fought for and won their independence. 2nd. That the Islands of Malta and Gozo were not British military conquests, for the reason that in the operations which resulted in the captui'e of the fortress the Maltese as belligerents were the principals, the British but auxiliaries. 3rd. That by their own military exploits they have gained the right of self or home government, although acknowledging that the importance of Malta is due to it being a military and naval station which must necessarily be dependent upon and in possession of a foreign European power. 4th. That such self-government existed during the occupancy of the islands by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem in the form of a ' Consiglio Popolare,' which the British Government arbitrarily abolished, and have since declined to restore. Three generations having now almost passed away since the events referred to occurred, local politicians of the present day derive their information on the subject and rely exclusively upon fragmentary Avritings of contemporary partisans or of those who immediately followed them. In this category there may be named Eton, Dillon, Marchese Testaferrata, Monsignor Bres, Mitrovich, Baron de Piro, Baron Azopardi.' 1 Much of the controversy which has ai-isen on this subject is due to the political writings of the two individuals last named, the one an aspirant to the government of tlic islands, the other a paid advocate of a faction. (Note by Mr. Hardman.) 643 2 T 2 644 A HISTORY OF MALTA In order more clearly to define the alleged grievances, it will be well to submit the following extracts from these writers, and by subsequent references the student will be able to form a correct judgment as to their accuracy or otherwise. MR. W. ETON. In 1807 Mr. Eton, an ex- Government employe, published a work entitled ' Authentic Materials for a History of the People of Malta,' which appears to have had great influence at the time in creating a strong anti-Govemment feeling in the islands, and on this account it deserves a special reference, which is devoted to it in connection with the ' Consiglio Popolare.' See Chap, xxiii. DILLON'S MEMOIR, 15th MAY 1807. Page 6. — ' Whatever rights the Order of St. John possessed to the sovereignty of the Island, so far as they concerned the relations between the Order and Great Britain, they have passed to us (the British) through the medium of the French, who had legally acquired them by reason of the surrender which the Order made to them. The Order voluntarily abandoned the Island, and has certainly no legal right to be re-established in Malta, which it had voluntarily surrendered. ' It might have defended the Island, and did not do so.' Page 8. — ' The French garrison was driven by the Maltese wnthin the lines of the fortifications, and were on the point of dying of famine, a7id ivould have had to surrender to the Maltese if the combined fleets had not appeared, or if they had delayed their arrival.' Page 10. — ' It must be remembered that Sir A. Ball is the person who from the beginning induced the Maltese to accept the British protection, and suspended the form of Government which they had estahlished for themselves, and further that he is the person who reintroduced the Code promulgated in 1782 by the Grand Master De Rohan, which destroyed the franchises of the Island, and suppressed the " Consiglio popolare," as dear to this people as our Chamber of Commons is to us.' * MARCHESE TESTAFERRATA. Letter to Earl Bathurst, dated January 1812.- '. . . The administration of the Government, civil and military, luas, and remained entirely, in our hands, our liberties were pi-eserved to us, and jealously guaranteed by a free representation of the people, or " Consiglio popolare" of the Island. ' . . . Until 1798, the Knights were masters of the fortresses, when they delivered them up to the French party, who soon after committing acts of injustice and violence, the whole Maltese people (except the city which had been disarmed by the French) took up arms, beat the French in the field, and shut them up in Valletta. All this was done by themselves without the assistance of or communication with any other Power, Some time after the ports were blockaded by the Portuguese, and finally by the English. ^During the space of fifteen months the war was carried on at the sole expense of the Maltese. ' They afterwards received some assistance from Sicily, mortgaging their lands for that purpose. ' During two years that the war lasted we lost by sickness and the s^vo7-d of the enemy about 20,000 persons, while our handful of auxiliaries lost not one soldier killed by the enemy. ' . . , The French garrison, reduced to extremity by famine, were forced to demand a capitulation, and their o'wti Council of War determined, in case it was required, to leave hostages to indemnify the Maltese for all the damages, forced contributions, plunder of the University and Monti di Redenzione e Pieta, and all other property, public and private, which they had extorted during the siege. ' At this juncture the English, who styled themselves our military auxiliaries, without our knowledge granted to the enemy a capitulation by which, without our consent, we 1 For Sir Alexander Ball's vindication on this point, see Chap, xxiii, 2 Colonial Oflace, Malta, No. 20. APPENDICES 645 had the mortification of seeing the spoils, even of ns their conquerors, carried to France in British ships. ' The gates of Valletta being opened, the Maltese laid down their arms, and the Congress being dissolved, but with promises that the " Consiglio Popolare " should he assembled, we permitted the King's officers to occupy the fortresses and to have the ad- ministration of the public property ; and by acclamation we elected the King of Great Britain for our Sovereign, but with the express stipulation that our ancient and sacred and only legitimate rights should be continued without any kind of interruption. ' We accepted this compact in the confidence we had, and still have, in the honour of the English Government, and what we assert we consider to be incontestably proved by the letter of Sir Alexander Ball to Mr. Secretary Windham, printed at the Government press in Malta, in which he says : " You are aware, Sir, that when the British first took possession of the Island it was stipulated that the privileges of the Maltese should be preserved and their ancient laws continued in force." ' But notwithstanding this, from the year 1800, when we remained fully masters of our ownn cities, until this day, the " Consiglio Popolare " has not been assembled, nor have our rights and privileges been in vigour, but we are governed in such a manner that we cannot raise the voice of appeal against any tyranny, however oppressive.' MONSIGNOR BRES. [Translation.] Extract from a Letter addressed to the Commissioners, Messrs, Oakes, A'CouRT, AND Barrows, dated 8th July 1812.' ' Nobody can have the impudence to deny that the Maltese alone, h]/ their oicn efforts, broke the French thraldom, made themselves independent, forming their own govern- ment, and spontaneously elected as their Sovereign the King of England, and being seconded by the Auxiliary Powers (England, Portugal, and Sicily) as allies, di'ove the French out of the principal fortifications of Malta.' GEORGE MITROVICH. 31st July 1835. ' The Claims of the Maltese.' Page 3. — ' On the breaking out of the insurrection against the French Republicans in September 1798, the first measiu-e of the Maltese was to re-establish this Council (Consiglio Popolare) , ^vhich had. been despotically suspended by the latter Grand Masters of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, to ivhich tliey then gave the 7iame of " Congress." This Congress was composed of representatives of the clergy, and of the people of the whole country freely elected, and had appointed as President Sir Alexander John Ball, then commanding His Majesty's naval forces in the blockade of Valletta. ' When the British troops took possession of the fortifications in September 1800, the Congress was suspended by Sir A. Ball, the very m,an icho had stipulated with the Maltese, and promised its preservation. He established a system of government entirely arbitrary and despotic, contrary to the expectations of the Maltese, and instead of allowing them to be governed by their ancient laws, conformably to the spirit of the British constitution, he adopted the detested code of Rohan, which had already destroyed some of their privileges, and which code is in force in the island to this day.' ADDRESS BY GEORGE MITROVICH TO THE MALTESE. November 1835. 'Immediately the English troops took possession of the fortifications, the Congress was dissolved by Sir A. Ball, ^vho had promised to tnaintain it. ' General Pigot, who took up the reins of government after Ball's departure, promised to the Maltese by means of a proclamation " the enjoyments of their liberty." ' The well-beloved Chevalier Charles Cameron, upon his arrival soon afterwards, took occasion, in his noble and interesting proclamation to the Maltese, to express himself as follows : " His Majesty accords you his full protection and the enjoyment of all your dearest rights." ' iMS.,M.P.L. 386. 646 A HISTORY OF MALTA BARON GIUSEPPE DE PIRO. From De Piro's ' Squarci cli Storia,' published in 1839. [Translation.] Page 7. — 'Malta was gained by the English, not hy the expenditure of millions, not by lengthy negotiations or Moody battles, for not even the life of a single soldier was lost, but owing to the heroic efforts of the Maltese and their voluntary submission to England.^ Page 9. — ' It is true that the assistance rendered in the first instance by the Portuguese,' then by the King of Sicily, and also the British blockade, contributed largely in completing the glorious work of the Maltese, of whom 20,000 perished by the labours and disasters of the ivar. ' . . . Further, if the fortune of war had not favoured the British fleet at Aboukir, would not all the consequences of the hostilities commenced and sustained by the Maltese have fallen upon them exclusively ? If such a calamity (as a British defeat) had happened, they would have had to support all the evils consequent on the step (the insiu'rection) which they had taken. Why then, when successful, should they be deprived of the consoling idea that they themselves had been the principal factors in prociu'ing their emancipation ? ' " Page 11. — ' It was in the interest of Great Britain to obtain an island of so much importance -without costing her the slightest sacrifice.' Page 27. — ' That in the political catastrophe of the fall of Malta to the French, no treachery existed, either on the part of the K)iights or the Maltese.' Page 32. — ' Poussielgue must have reported to the Directory that there would be nothing to fear from the Knights, but only from the people, ^vho had an affection for the Order, and ivho tvere much averse to Republican maxims' Page 37. — ' The Maltese ^uere deeply attached to their Government.'' Page 41. — ' There never was a population more affectionately attached to its Govern' ment than that of the Maltese toivards the Order.' Page 45. — ' That in addition to the riches which the Maltese drew from the abundant revenues of the Order, they xvere generally governed with benevolent consideration, and on occasions ivhen individual Knights committed an abuse the offended parties received due protection, and their cause was vindicated by the Gh'and Master. ' Moreover, all were treated according to their merit and condition of life, promenad- ing wherever they wished, participating in the sport of jjursuit of game, whilst the educated civilians were received in their circle by the Knights in the most friendly manner, entering together into all the amusements and pastimes which the island afforded, ' The weaker sex ivere approached by the Knights with all the respect due to their position or respectability, but as in all places and at all times there have been women and families of doubtful reputation, it is certainly no wonder that there were such who received the attentions of such members of the Order who did not observe the sanctity of their vows, of whom it niust be admitted there were not a few, particularly during the latter days of their rule.' * 1 The Portuguese Fleet under Admiral Marquis de Nizza formed part of Nelson's command, aud their arrival off Valletta and participation in the blockade was due to Nelson's express orders to that effect. (Note by Mr. Hardman.) 2 The reader must here be reminded that the above statement is founded upon the grossest distortion of an historical fact. The Maltese insurrection against the French Avas directly due to the British victory at the Nile; it did not occur previously to the event, as the above pai-agraph implies. The battle and annihilation of the French fleet at Aboukir took place on the 1st and 2nd August, aud the Maltese insuri-ection broke out on the 2nd September 1798, five days after the information ivas received in Malta by one of the escaped battleships, the ' Guillaume Tell ' (Admiral ViUeneuve), which took refuge in Valletta harbour together with the frigates ' Diane ' and ' Justice ' on the 28th August. (Note by Mr. Hardman.) 3 De Piro, at page 10, eulogises Samuel Taylor Coleridge's work entitled ' The Friend,' a few chapters of which treat of Maltese affairs. We refer the reader to a quotation therefrom, concerning the profligacy of the Knights, which will be found in Chap. ii. of this book, entitled ' The social condition of the Maltese people at the close of the eighteenth century.' (Note by Mr. Hardman.) APPENDICES 647 Page 57. — De Piro denies the fact that Bonaparte ridiculed the desire of a Maltese member of the deputation, who sip^ned the Convention on board L'Orienf, and who wished the insertion of an Article therein, guaranteeing rights and privileges to the Maltese people, and goes on to say : ' Bonaparte's hilarity had reference to the Chevalier Frisari's protest safeguarding the suzerain rights of His Sicilian Majesty.' Whereas according to the memoirs of the Grand Master's Secretary Doublet (published sub- sequently to De Piro's 'Squarci'), who was present at the Convention in an official capacity, it is distinctly stated at pages 207 and 215 ' that it ^l'as the Ex- Auditor Muscat, a Maltese, who desired an article to be inserted granting to the Maltese the exceptions and pi-ivileges of his nation, to which Bonaparte, much amused, remarked that privi- leges no longer existed nor corporations, and that the law was the same for all.' Page 58. — ' The English coimnanders, military and naval, found themselves at the head of an armed and victorious people, provided with every need as to munitions of icar, as well as food, guarded by formidable fleets, and no other enemy before them than a small and discouraged garrison closed within the walls of Valletta, reduced to the lowest straits by famine, which in a few days they would have had to surrender at discretion ; and yet such commanders placed in this advantageous position signed the most shameful capitiilation, one not dared to be hoped for by the French, without seeking for the intervention of anj^ of the chiefs of the Maltese, and bartered away arbitrarily the blood of 20,000 Maltese who fell in the war, aisolving the French Qovernment from any indemnity for all the waste, destruction, extortion, arid many damages committed by them against the Maltese.' BARON GIUSEPPE DE PIRO. MS. No. 359 in the Malta Public Library. [Translation.] An Abridged History of the Island of Malta and its Dependencies. Extract. — ' Notwithstanding the many reasons which the Maltese had for complaining of the government of the Knights Hospitallers, nevertheless the compensations which they enjoyed under the Order were many, and, speaking generally, they sincerely loved the Knights, out of gratitude for the many benefits which their country had received during their riile.' Page 9. — ' But neither they (the English) or the Neapolitans tooh part in the hostilities up to May 1800.' BARON AZOPARDI. Collection of Various Annals, Ancient and Modern, useful and interesting, concerning Malta and Gozo. Compiled by the late Baron Azopardi, and Published in 1843 — which may be accepted as the common and accepted opinion held in the Islands. Page 350. [Translation.] — ' Regai'ding the Treaty of Paris, 1814, the Maltese may well congratulate themselves upon the fact that, in virtue of this treaty, Malta and its Dependencies belong from this date to Great Britain, she being then in possession of the Islands, due to the voluntary donation made her of them by the Maltese in 1802, and for the retention of which Great Britain declared war against France, after the rupture of the Treaty of Amiens.' Such is the literature, and such are the malicious misstatements, and none other, which are at the disposal of the Maltese youth, illustrating this period of their country's history. Is it therefore surprising that the Maltese people entertain the opinions which the majority of the local Press, from interested motives, do their utmost to disseminate? These w^riters, it will have been observed, attribute the acquisition of Malta by the British nation to the expulsion of the French in 1800, when, as they assert, it became a spontaneous gift on the part of the inhabitants. 648 A HISTORY OF MALTA This view is quite erroneous ; the capitulation of the French garrison, be the cause thereof what it may have been, was only the prelude of the final possession. The subsequent destiny of Malta was a question beset with inter- national difficulties, and its eventual acquisition by Great Britain was the result of a long, protracted, and bloody war of twelve years (1803-1815) waged by Great Britain on account of Malta, a war which cost the mother country many thousands of her sons' lives and increased her national debt by £421,000,000, the burden of which is being paid by the British people to this day, and will have so to be paid for many generations to come. The Author, who for fifty years has made Malta his second home, and counts amongst the Maltese many valued and esteemed friends, would sincerely regret if, owing to the publication of the result of his researches, he should wound their pardonable susceptibilities ; but his sole object has been to learn the truth for the benefit of those most interested in the question, and to ascertain whether Great Britain can justifiably be accused of the offences which have been laid to her charge. There is no desire to excite political discussion upon disputed points, which have been rendered controversial from the lack of reliable information, but by supplying original and official papers referring thereto, which until lately have been either inaccessible or unknown to the general public, this effort is made, to make clear what in many instances partisan malevolence has distorted. INDEX Abdilla, Chev. G., 191, 416 Abdilla, V., 198 Abela, G., 115, 416 Abercromby, Sir R., 306, 308, 810, 315, 322, 325, 326, 336, 350 Dispatches from, 338 Dispatches to, 309, 323, 324 A'Court, M. W., 475, 517 Actou, Gen., 36, 43, IJO, 137, 177, 178, 193, 227, 230, 233, 243, 251, 267, 325 Addington Ministry, 401 Aguis, G. B., 191, 209 Aguis, L., 184, 191, 195, 200 Aleosi, Marchese S., 344 Algiers, 41, 91, 349 Alios, M. C. de, 221, 227 Amati, Chev. de, 60, 61, 66, 71 Amiens, Treaty of, 432-439 Ancona, 242, 362 Audreossy, Gen., 451, 472, 477, 478, 482 Anglo- Bavarian Langiie, 56 Arena, Francesco, 373 Armed Neutrality League, 398 Army of the East, 29-31 Arnault, M., 79 Astor, C, 80, 582 Attard, T., 115, 191 Aussety, L. de V., 170 Austria, 34, 399 Maltese afraid of, 22 and Knights of Malta, 154, 200, 389 Axiach, 191 Azzopardi, G., 115, 204, 643 Ball, Sir A. J., 38, 130, 133, 137, 139, 140, 141, 153, 157, 158, 161, 167, 168, 171, 172, 173, 176, 177, 178, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 194, 195, 196, 197, 199, 201, 205, 207, 208, 209, 211, 212, 213, 214, 216, 218-224, 225, 229, 231, 235, 247, 250, 251, 263, 269, 276, 279, 284, 288, 300, 315, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 341, 401, 405, 419, 423, 426, 437, 449, 475, 483, 490, 491, 492, 497, 501, 519, 598, 604, 617 Commander of Malta, 242, 337 Ball, Sir A. J.~cont. His position, 338 Retirement of, 341-346 Reports on Malta, 346-349 Minister to the Order, 443, 444, 447, 448, 466, 467, 471 Administration of Malta, 494-507 Opposition to, in Malta, 506-507 Denies Eton's allegations, 498 Death of, 507 Balzan, 191 Bamberg Gazette, 372 Banca di Ginati, 62 Barbara, 7, 11, 14, 17, 32, 51, 255 Barbaro, Romualdo, 51, 52, 229, 344 Bardonenche, 7, 69, 70 Barer, Bailli de, 373 Barker, Capt., R.N., 130 Barras, 67, 68 Barres, Bailli des, 373 Baste, E. de V., 293, 303, 308, 637 Batavian Consul, 56, 64, 71 Bathurst, Earl, 512, 515, 523, 525, 526 Beaufort, 69 Beauharnais, Eugene de, 13 Beaussier, 148, 151 Belleville, M., 183, 574, 588 Belliard, Gen., 45 Belmont, Bailli de, 374 Bennet, Capt., 287 Berry, Sir E., 38. 288, 291 Berthier, Gen., 59, 66, 74, 80, 81, 111 Berthollet, 74, 81 Bezborodko, Comte A. de, 362 and «., 385 Bezzina, P. P., 114, 115 Bickerton, Adm. Sir R., 491 Bighi, 232 Bigot, Capt. A., 166 Birchircara, 191, 196, 247, 249, 259, 296 Blackwood, Capt., R.N., 288, 290 Blaymey, Lt.-Col. Lord, 228, 230 Blerus, 121 Bonaparte, Joseph, 481 Bonaparte, Napoleon, 32, 35, 39, 42, 45, 64, 66, 68, 69, 71, 72, 76, 77, 92, 100, 101, 112, 128, 144, 157, 180, 260, 265, 649 2 T 3 650 A HISTORY OF MALTA Bonaparte, Napoleon — cont. 320 n., 362, 367, 370, 380, 395, 397, 400, 426, 460, 463, 467, 621 Dispatches on importance of Malta, 8, 12 Dispatches to, from Malta, 89, 90, 564, 580 At Passeriano, 10, 68 Commands Army of the East, 30 Arrives off Malta, 33 Sends ultimatum to Grand Master, 46 Draws up convention of surrender, 60 Lands in Valetta, 64 Orders inventory of treasures, 74 Orders concerning government of Malta, 79-88 Offer to cede Malta to Russia, 398 Attitude towards Maltese question, 436 Dispatches to, 477, 479 Abdication of, 533 Bonici, G., 52, 344 Bonnai, G., 416 Bonnani, 58, 60, 61, 62 Bonn vita, G., 70 Borg, v., 167 «., 170, 172, 173, 186, 187, 190, 191, 204, 209, 229, 416, 502, 506, 507 Bourde, Capt., 76 Bourgeois, B., 70 Bourrienne, 72 Bovard, Capt., 163 Boyle, Lt.-Col., 257, 273 Bray, de, 180 Bres, Monsignor, 643 Breuvart, 69, 192 Briffa, 110 Brouard, Adj. -Gen., 121, 163 and n., 200, 255, 559, 565, 581, 614, 627, 629, 630, 631 Broiighton, Capt., 261, 291 Brueys, Adm., 10, 11, 14, 16, 31, 102 Bruno, 57, 60 Bugeja, L., 115 Burgoyne, Sir J., 333 Bixrmola, Fort, 62, 64, 559, 610 Burrows, Mr., 517 Busuttil, B., 417 Buttigieg, P., 191, 229, 416 Buzi, Chev., 466, 467, 492 Cachia, M., 190, 191, 204, 209, 229, 416, 419, 422, 424, 431, 497 Caffarelli, Gen., 72 Calbeja, F., 191, 571 Callija, F., 204, 229, 416 Callija, M. A., 417 Cameron, C, 350, 358, 405, 409, 417, 418, 419, 430, 439, 444, 495, 497 Proclamations by, 358-359 Dispatches from, 359, 404 Camilleri, N., 110, 416 Camilleri, S., 417 Capefigue, 7 Capo Maestro, 191 Caprara, Cardinal, 466 Caraffa, A. B., 191, 204, 209, 229, 416 Cardona, Lt., 215, 279 Cardou, Col., 154 Carovane, 6 and n. Caruana, F. S., 80, 115, 117, 131, 135, 138, 153, 167, 169, 170, 172, 176, 178, 190, 191, 204, 209, 215, 229, 505, 557 Caruana, G., 204, 209 Caruana, L., 190 Caruana, V., 70, 80 Caruson, 7, 14, 16, 19, 46, 56, 70, 80, 163 n., 198, 365 Casalani, A., 405, 431 Casal Asciak, 247, 249, 257, 267 Casal Attard, 33 Casal Dingli, 191 Casal Lia, 33, 186, 191, 315 Casal Nadur, 47 Casal Sciara, 47 Casal Zabar, 118, 167, 173, 191, 257, 259, 297 563 Casha, G., 191, 229, 416 Cassar, Dr., 198, 417 Castagna, F., 191, 204, 209, 229, 416, 419 423, 424, 431, 497 Castlereagh, Viscount, 505 Caulfield.'Capt., 206 Cavalieri, Forts, 198 Cavazza, Capt., 163, 165 Chambray, 47 Chanez, Gen., 121, 160, 281, 560, 562, 563, 564, 581, 586, 591, 601, 603, 608, 628, 630, 635, 639, 642 Chapman, E. F., 508 Chetanti, G. M., 416 Chiapi, A., 373 Chircop, 191 Ciantar, P., 80 Cibon, 149 Cilia, A., 416 Cirillo, Marquis de, 194 Citta Vecchia, 30, 33, 51, 52, 64, 78, 106, 114, 115, 117, 119, 120, 122, 135, 138, 160, 161, 175, 184, 191, 200, 203, 217, 247, 257, 259, 296 Clugny, Bailli de, 374 Cockades, 94 Coleridge, S. T., 2 Colleredo, Grand Prior, 392 Commenda, 6 Commino, 199 Cooke, E., 502 Corfu, 159 7)., 194, 196, 214 Corradino, 259 Corso, P. S., 416 Cospicua, 115, 135 Coste, v., 150, 151 Coulonibe, E. de V., 293, 308 Crendi, 191 Cresswell, Capt., R.N., 140 Curmi, 191 Curso, S., 191 INDEX 651 Ciu-tis, Sir R., 40 Cutajar, F., 416 Dacla, 69 Dalli, F., 191, 204, 229 Dalli, O. B., 417 Dalli, S., 416 Damato, A., 416 D'Angely, E. St. Jean, 5, 77, 80, 89, 91, 92, 103, 104, 105, 121, 123, 125, 126, 142, 143, 150, 151, 154, 191, 565, 566, 571 Debono, M., 417 Decres, Adm., 31, 101, 145, 149, 272, 280, 281, 286, 288, 302, 563, 564, 578, 615, 626, 627, 629, 631 Dejean, M., 121, 179, 182 Delicata, M. G., 63, 344 De Piro, Marchese V., 113, 115, 117, 135, 138, 170, 172, 190, 643 Desaix, 32, 33, 46, 49, 75 cVHenngel, 121 d'Hennezel, Gen., 281, 319 d'Hilliers, B., 32, 34, 46, 48, 49, V7 Dienne, Chev. de, 373 Dillon, Mr., 643 Dixon, Capt. M., R.N., 212, 288, 289 Dolomieu, Chev., 58, 59, 68, 70 Dommartin, Gen., 52 Dorell, F., 63, 64, 80, 197 Dorrail, Baron, 70 Dot, 121, 283, 315 Doublet, M., 7, 53, 69, 70, 148, 150, 158, 179-182, 232, 284, 293 His book on Malta, 53-58, 60-63 Drummoud, Capt., R.N., 158 Drmnmond, Mr., 436, 448 Duchayla, Adm., 31, 33 Dugua, Gen., 76 Duncan, Major, 268 Dundas, H., 4, 236, 250, 263, 271, 309, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 329, 337, 344, 488, 494 Du Pin, Bailli La T., 45, 51, 366 Durazzo, M., 230 Ebner, N., 197 Eden, Sir M., 9, 154, 364 Elliot, Sir G., 66, 180 Erskine, Major-Gen. Sir J. St. C, 235,237, 246 Escoflaer, Capt., 168 n. Esteve, P. M. G., 75, 91 Eton, W., 356, 405, 420, 437, 487, 494-503, 507, 509, 643 Eynaud, 7 Fabin, G., 416 Fardella, Col., 325 Farrugia, 110 Fay, 7, 69, 70, 200, 366, 566 Fermech, 197 Ferroni, 115 Fim, 69 Fione, F., 63 Foley, Capt., R.N., 158 Foligno Convention, 400 Foote, Capt. E. J., 76 Formosa, E., 431 Fournier, Baron, 103, 185, 191, 195, 200 Fox, Gen. H. E., 235, 236, 242, 243, 246, 249, 264, 271 , 272, 273, 294, 325, 409, 436 France — Directory : Dispatches to, 8, 67, 76, 77, 91, 93, 100, 101, 103, 104, 119, 121, 123, 125, 130, 132, 142, 143, 148-152, 155, 159, 170, 179-183, 232 n., 279- 284, 286, 287, 292-294, 301-303, 308, 310, 311, 564, 565, 578, 584, 586, 588, 594, 601, 605, 617, 619, 621, 622, 628, 630, 631, 632, 633, 637, 639, 641 Dispatches from, 13, 14, 256 Minutes of, 67 Proposals concerning Malta, 463-482 War declared against, 482 Francesco, Fra, 373 Fremeaux, de. See Batavian Consul Frendo, G., 191, 204, 209, 229, 373, 416 Frendu, C, 80 Fricor, 373 Frisari, Bailli, 60, 62, 65, 365 Gafa, Chev. G., 191, 204, 229, 416 Gafa, S., 191, 204, 209, 416 Gage, Capt., R.N., 108, 113, 130, 203 Gaivoard, E. de V., 151 Galea, L., 344 Galea, P., 63, 115 Gallo, Marquis di, 137, 141, 436 Ganteaume, Adm., 31 Gai-at, 65 Gargur, 191 Gatt, S., 191, 204, 209 Gatto, Count L. M.,!229 Gauchi, F., 63, 229 Gauchi, S., 344 Gavino, E., 63 Gellel, E., 416 Godoy, 8 and n. Goodhall, Capt., R.N., 262 Gordon, Capt., 323 Gourgaud, Gen., 35 Gozo, 34, 45, 46, 47, 74, HI, 120, 132-134 140, 156, 199, 213 (Also under Malta) Graham, Gen., 4, 231, 235, 236, 240, 242, 243, 252, 276, 294, 305, 308, 318, 323, 324, 326, 328, 487, 634 Dispatches from, 225, 246, 249, 256, 259, 264, 266, 268, 269, 273-275, 278, 295- 298, 304, 326, 329, 633 n., 634 «. Gras, 69 Greicher, 69 Grenville, Lord, 36, 113, 129, 141, 154, 200, 204, 209, 218, 244, 300, 307, 325 328, 339, 364, 390, 397, 398, 440 652 A HISTOKY OF MALTA Grognet, B., 344 Grumier, Jurat, 63 Grungo, Judge, 80 Gudia, 191, 249 Guido, 7, 56, 57, 60, 63, 70 Guilermi, Capt., 166 Guipony, 121 Gunson, Mr., 274 Guye, 148 Hadilla, C. G., 204, 229 Hamilton, Lady, 177, 223 and n., 294 Hamilton, Sir Wm., 35, 36, 37, 43, 110, 113, 129, 137, 141, 158, 177, 194, 199, 200, 207, 208, 209, 223, 238, 243, 244, 245, 247, 253, 262, 267, 294 Hardenberg, 399 Hardy, Sir T. M., 41, 222 Hawkesbiuy, Lord, 401, 402, 404, 425, 432, 435, 436, 443, 444, 445, 448, 453, 455, 456, 462-465, 466, 476, 479, 480, 481, 487 Herri, E., 70, 191 Hili, S., 417 Hobart, Lord, 350, 405, 409, 417, 418, 420, 421, 424, 427, 436, 445, 449, 462, 471, 483, 488, 492, 502 Hompesch, Ferdinand, 8, 9, 20, 45, 50, 52, 5^58, 60, 68, 69, 71, 72, 77, 78, 100, 154, 174, 180, 326, 362, 363, 365, 372, 373, 375, 376, 378, 379, 380, 381, 383, 385, 389, 390, 392-395, 421 Hood, Capt., R.N., 108 Hoste, Lt., R.N., 108 Huerel, A., 115 Tnglis, Lt. C, R.N., 291 Italinsky, Chev., 245, 247, 263, 265, 307, 325, 398 Jamaison, Dr., 266, 267 Junot, Gen., 45, 59, 60 Keats, Sir R., 508 Keith, Lord, 230 and n., 265, 266, 270, 284, 298, 306, 331 n., 349 Dispatches from, 268, 271, 272, 276, 339 at Malta, 270, 274, 339 Knights of St. John- Causes of the ruin of, 1-6 Death of de Rohan, 8 Election of Hompesch, 8-9 Poussielgue's report on, 19-28 Income of Grand Master, 27 Secret correspondence code, 53 Conduct of, during attack on Valetta, 54 French charges against, 65 Certain Knights expelled, 69, 80 List of traitors, 70 Knights of St. John — cont. Debts of, 100 Hopes of restoration, 129, 228, 318, 358 Russia's protection of, 154, 203, 208 ?;., 218, 242, 378 Russia's connexion with, 361-395 Attempts to return to Malta, 216, 359 Czar of Russia Grand Master of, 235, 358, 363, 383-385, 387, 391-392 and the Pope, 378-380, 385-386, 462- 463, 505 Opposition to restoration of, 405-431 Restoration under Treaty of Amiens, 433 Finances of, 546-549 Kornan, Baron de M., 68 Kourakin, Prince A., 362 Labini, Bishop, 3, 51, 64, 94, 182, 504 Lachaise, 104 Langues, of the Order of St. John, 6 and n., 318, 433-435, 443 Lannes, Gen., 33, 49 Lascaris, 69 Leoben, Preliminaries of, 72 Lewis, Capt., R.N., 325 Ligondez, 54, 55 Lindenthal, Lt.-Col., 246, 247, 257, 260, 265, 266, 269, 273, 297 Litta, Count de, 361, 362, 364, 375, 378, 379, 382, 383 Liverpool, Lord, 516 Lochey, Lt.-Col., 140 Long, Capt., R.N., 291 Lorenzi, G., 169, 176, 185 Luca, 191 Luneville, Treaty of, 399 Luzzi, Prince de, 221, 227, 251, 253 Macaulay, Alex., 359 n., 416, 437 Maddalena, 33 Maffei, Prevot, 388, 389, 392, 393 Magen, 198 Maistre, Count E., 197 Maitland, Sir T., 525, 526, 530, 532 Maling, Capt., 214 Mallia, A., 417, 419, 423, 424, 431, 497 Mallia, P., 191, 204, 209, 229, 416, 419, 423, 424, 431, 622 Mallia, T., 416 Malta — Ammunition supplied to insurgents, 109, 138 Arrete referring to, 30 Arrival of Nelson off, 135 Assembly of Deputies, 191 Ball's summons to surrender, 219-220 Bonaparte's attack on, 29-73 Bonaparte's reorganisation of govern- ment, 79-88 British blockade of, 125-335 INDEX 653 Malta — cont. British expenditure in, 300 British plans for government of, 209, 336-338, 494-534 Complaints concerning, 340 British protection for, 199 British reforms in, 525-530 Bruey's visit to, 17-18 Capitulation of, 74 Captain Ball lands in, 199 Causes of conquest of, 67 Civil Commission of, 351 N/^ Civil marriage introduced, 89, 93 Commission of Government, 85 Commission sent to, 517 Eeport of, 517-523 Convention of surrender, 60-63, 71 Congress of the chiefs, 184-189, 203, 208, 211 D'Angely's reports on, 144-149, 155-157 Deputies' report on, 427-430 Discussions in Parliament on, 440- 443, 483-490, 536 Ecclesiastical troubles in, 503-505 Education in, 86-87 Election of Hompesch, 8 Eton's book on, 494-503, 645 Expose of conduct of, 65-66 Finances of, 541 Food supply, importance of, 142 n., 145, 169, 171, 176, 178, 193, 207, 226, 228, 240, 243, 252, 253-255, 261, 323 n., 401 Forged report on, 364-371, 372-374 French garrison at, 76, 105, 109, 112, 125, 135, 145, 160, 196, 199, 200, 207, 215, 222, 258, 260, 310 French government of, 74-106 French preparations against, 29-31 Health laws, 82, 86 Histories of, 643-648 Hospitals in, 86, 88 Importance of, 8, 12, 32, 129, 130 n., 153 «., 185, 233 n., 272, 294 Inventory of treasures in, 74^75 Jealousies among the insurgents, 153, 158, 161, 172, 176, 215 Judicial Courts of, 352 Maltese Regiment, 24, 76, 103, 294, 326, 345, 368 Compensation for, 505-506 Methods of assault, 23 Monasteries in, 84, 88 National Guards in, 83, 115, 119 Naval apprentices in, 83 Naval conscription in, 83 Need of money in, 230, 231, 233, 234, 241, 243, 258, 274, 307, 325 Negotiations for evacuating, 404 Nelson's questions on, 132-134 Nelson's memoranda on, 137 Population of, 539 Post Office in, 86 Malta — cont. Poussielgue's report on, 19-28 Production and revenue of, 250, 352, 535-539, 544-545, 550-555 Public Library of, 53, 68, 71 Religious bodies in, 84, 85, 87, 88 Regulations affecting, 93, 97 Repeal of unpopular laws, 192 Reports concerning, 135, 295-298 Republican Party in, 7 Revolt of the Maltese, 76, 106 et seq. Reasons for, 77-100 Nelson informed of, 108, 112 Savings-banks in, 540 Sickness among troops, 264, 266, 267, 268 Slavery abolished in, 81, 349 Social condition of, 1-6 Surrender to the English, 318-335 Conditions of, 319-322 Suspension of arms, 59 Summonses to surrender, 109, 139, 308 n., 566, 579, 598, 619, 636 Replies to, 109, 140, 566, 621, 636 Taxes pnd imposts, 85 Tribunal of Commerce, 93 Vaubois' notes and reports on, 126-129, 130-131, 556-642 Volunteer corjis in, 82 Manduca, S., 52, 113, 115, 117, 135, 138, 170, 172, 190, 229 Manoel, Grand Master, 5 Manoel, Fort, 24, 33, 45, 62, 64, 118, 145, 149, 160, 163, 165, 177, 263, 296, 319, 558, 560, 563, 583 Marchese, S., 63 Marchese, V., 63 Marengo, 299 and ?;. Marsa Muchetta, 145, 164, 165, 173, 309, 356, 587 Marsa Scirocco, 45, 46, 50, 75, 112, 155, 157, 170, 213, 230, 245, 247, 249, 257, 292, 297, 337 Martin, Capt., R.N., 245, 275, 318, 322 Masson, 114 Master, Mr. (British Consul), 41 Mattei, Bishop, 505 Mauritius, 32 Mayer, de, collection of MSS., 68, 72 Mechain, 144 and n., 147 Medicis, 69 Melan, Chancellor B., 58, 64 Melleha Bay, 34 Melville, Lord. See Dundas Menard, 121, 158, 159, 163, 165, 255 Mesgrigny, Chev. de, 45 Metrovitch, 643 Miari, Cav., 58, 59 Micabiba, 191 Mifsud, G., 191, 204, 229, 416 Miles, W. A., 426 7*., 430 Miller, Capt., R.N., 290, 291 Minto, Lord, 278, 398 Mirabite, Capt., 175 654 A HISTORY OF MALTA Moncrief, Brig.-Gen., 300, 323 Monge, 74, 80 Montebello, G., 191,204, 229, 416 Mornas, P. de, 7, 48 n., 68, 70 Muscat, Dr., 56, 60, 61, 63, 70, 417 Muscat, J., 63 Muscat, v., 115 Musci, G., 115 Musta, 191 Naples, King of, 60, 103, 111, 131, 134- 135, 137, 141, 142, 158, 169, 171, 176, 178, 184, 188, 191, 192,204, 208, 211 Naples, Nelson at, 110, 141, 190 n. Naples, Queen of, 211 n., 400 Narbonne, Fritzlar, Coimt de, 65 Nasicar, 249 Naxaro, 191 Nelson, Adm. Lord, 37, 38, 40, 103, 108, 109, 110, 112, 130, 132, 141, 157, 158, 159, 184, 189, 193, 200, 205, 212, 236, 242, 244, 256, 261, 270, 276, 278, 284, 294, 298-299, 306 Dispatches from, 133, 139, 168, 177, 178, 184, 199, 211, 233, 235, 236, 240, 241, 249, 265, 270, 492 Dispatches to, 153, 157, 158, 161, 168, 169, 171, 178, 185, 186, 190, 194, 195, 196, 199, 204, 205, 208, 209, 210, 211, 213-216, 218, 220, 221,^222, 223, 225, 227, 228, 229, 231, 232, 238, 239, 240- 241, 247, 251, 252, 253, 276, 284, 285, 324 Deputations to, 135, 185 Memoranda concerning Malta, 132-134, 135, 137, 492 Command in the Mediterranean, 491 Neven, Chev., 216, 366 Nile, Battle of the, 100-106, 129 n. Nisbet, Capt., R.N., 130, 203 Nizza, Adm. de, 108, 113, 126, 131, 224, 230, 236, 241, 246, 567, 616, 617, 619 Noblot, 121 Notabile. See Citta Vecchia Oakes, Major-Gen. H., 508, 511, 517, 525, 526 O'Hara, Chev., 364, 365 Olivier, G. B., 63 Oswald, Col. J., 328 Otto, M., 401, 402, 443, 448 Paget, Hon. A., 295, 307, 315, 325, 327, 328, 339, 396, 398, 401, 444, 446 Parisio, P., 191, 204, 229 Parnis, 216 Passeriano, 10, 68 Patey, Lt. J., R.N., 291 Peace of Campo Pormio 10 Peard, Capt., R.N., 271 Pelham, Lord, 423, 489 Pennes, Bailli de, 45, 59 Perree, Adm., 270 Petitions of Deputies, 57, 405, 512 Pigot, Major-Gen., 306, 308, 315, 319, 322, 329, 345, 350, 488 Dispatches from, 310, 316, 323, 324, 327, 637 Dispatches to, 315, 325, 336 Pinto, Gi-and Master, 504 Pius VI, Pope, 378-380, 383, 385-386 Pius VII, Pope, 462^63, 505 Ponsonby, Sir F., 53 Poi-te des Bombes, 115, 117 Portelli, Dr. M. A., 63 Portuguese fleet, 108, 113, 137, 177, 224, 236, 243 Poussielgue, 7, 14, 32, 59, 68, 70, 80, 365 Report on Malta, 19-28 Preville, Chev. de, 48 v. Preziosi, L., 63 Rabastens, Bailli de, 374 Rabato, 47, 114, 191 Raczynski, Chev., 362 Ragusa, 12 Ragusa, Duke of, 29, 33, 48, 49 Ramla, 34 Rampon, L. de V., 152 Ransijat, Bosredon, 3, 7, 51, 59, 60, 61, 65, 69, 70, 77, 80, 89, 90, 92, 192, 365 Rapon, Capt., 150, 159 Rastadt, Congress of, 44, 61, 71, 180 Regnaud. See D'Angely ' Representation,' the Maltese, 63, 410 Reunion, 32 Reveau, A. V., 63 Reynier, Gen., 32, 33, 46, 47, 49 Riband, Consul, 99, 103, 104 Ricasoli, Fort, 24, 33, 45, 55, 62, 64, 118, 120, 145, 149, 160, 200, 210, 222, 225, 258, 263, 275, 293, 296, 297, 318, 322, 337, 558, 563, 626 Riccaud, E., 416, 419, 423, 424, 431 Ridoli, Fra, 373 Rights of belligerents refused, 200 Rohan, de. Grand Master, 8, 179, 180, 361, 362, 421, 495 Rohan, Fort, 50 Rospoli, Grand Master, 449, 461, 462 Roussel, Lt., 80, 163 Rouyer, 54, 55, 69 Russia, 129, 154, 189, 206, 208, 218, 231, 316 n., 444, 445, 446, 460 Bonaparte's jealousy of, 85 and n. Conditions concerning Treaty of Amiens, 451-453 Declares war against France, 525 Fleet in Mediterranean, 159 n., 246 n., 264, 329 Grand Mastership of the Czar, 235, 358, 363, 383-385, 387 INDEX 655 Russia — cont. Grand Priory of, 376, 379, 382 Intrigues iu Malta, 169, 174, 176, 177, 185, 203, 208, 263, 309 and n. Nelson's dispatch to Emperor of, 233 Policy of, in Malta, 361-395 Treaty with Malta, 76 Troops in Malta, 158, 203, 210, 231, 250, 268, 329 Sachet, 70 Sade, Chev., 180 and «. Safi, 191 Said, A., 191, 204, 229, 416 St. Angelo, Fort, 62, 64, 71, 120, 145, 149, 160, 197, 337, 558, 562 St. Antonio, 118, 191, 214, 259, 296 St. Elmo, Fort, 24, 45, 55, 62, 64, 120, 145, 149, 160, 163, 198, 210, 263, 562 St. Erami, Bailli C. de, 435 St. Helens, Lord, 425, 435, 441, 445, 447, 461 St. Ildefonso, 66 St. Joseph, Fort, 259 St. Julian, 33, 46, 52, 60 St. Michele, Fort, 115 St. Paul's Bay, 46, 47, 48, 112, 213, 216, 245, 247, 257, 294, 337 St. Poix, Bailli de, 374 St. Priest, 7 St. Roque, 257-258 St. Tropez, Chev. de, 45, 71 St. Vincent, Lord, 35, 37, 39, 40, 108, 134, 210, 212 Saliba, L., 229 Samra, 259 Sandelleau, 69 Sapiano, M., 115 Saumarez, Sir J., 38, 107, 109, 110, 113, 131 n., 135 Savoye, Abbe, 167, 184, 185, 191-195, 200 Scebberas, Baron C, 126 Scerri, Dr. E., 204, 209, 229, 416 Schembry, B., 56, 57, 60, 63, 70, 80, 197 Scherer, Gen., 148 and n. Schoenau, Bailli de, 44 Scifo, B., 63 Scifo, S., 63 Sea jDower, influence of, 212 and v. Ships, names of — Alceste (Fr.), 34, 47 Alerte (Fr.), 14 Alexander, 38, 39, 107, 110, 130, 137, 140, 141, 153, 157, 158, 161, 167, 168, 176, 185, 186, 199, 205, 209, 211, 212, 218- 224, 230, 241, 245, 270, 271, 275, 276, 285, 287, 290, 297, 299, 323, 338, 344 Alfonso de Albuquerque, 108 Alliance, 235 Alphonzo, 200 Anemone (Fr.), 99 Appolonie, 164 Ships, names of — cent. Aquilon, 107 Artemise, 14, 15, 66 Assaillante, 100, 101, 152 Athenien, 159, 272, 303, 311, 313 Audacious, 40, 107, 134, 135, 139, 141, 212, 241, 270, 271 Aurora, 206 Badine, 207, 270, 629 Bellerophon, 40, 107, 178 Bellone (Fr.), 281, 287, 292, 629, 630, 631 Benjamin, 212, 221 Blach Joke, 508 Bonne Citoyenne, 38, 107, 110, 130, 200, 205, 212, 232, 255, 261, 276 Boudeuse, 164, 207, 216. 309, 593, 595, 603 Bulldog, 259 Carrere, 272 Cnrthaginoise, 101, 131, 559 Causse, 102 Champion, 288, 289 Cisalpine, 39 Commerce de Marseille, 629 Conquerant, 107 Cornish Hero, 16 Culloden, 40, 107, 110, 239, 242, 245, 248, 249, 253, 257, 276 Defence, 40, 107 Dego, 115, 131 Desiree, 126, 151 Diane (Fr.), 100, 101, 107, 108. 131, 133, 139, 149, 165, 272, 293, 303, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315, 322, 559, 578, 581, 640 Diego (Fr.), 101,559 Dorotea, 168 Dover, 236 Dubois, 11, 16 Earl St. Vincent, 108, 211 El Corso, 212, 270, 271 Emerald, 38, 200 Etoile, 47 Falcao, lOS Flora, 38 Fortune, 16 Foudroyant, 178, 224, 239, 245, 270, 271, 275, 276, 284, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294, 298, 299, 339, 350 FranMin, 107 Frontin, 17, 18 Galathee, 163 Ganymede, 517 Genereux, 104, 107, 270, 271, 273, 275, 292, 330, 629 Goliath, 40, 133, 135, 139, 141, 177, 178, 212, 214 Gorgon, 269, 273 Guillaume Tell, 16, 100, 104, 107, 108, 131, 133, 139, 149, 166, 170, 255, 269 n., 272, 275, 279, 280, 282, 283, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 302, 322, 330, 559, 578, 581, 629, 630, 631, 632, 641 Hoche, 579 656 A HISTORY OF MALTA Ships, names of — cont. Hysena, 211 Incendiary, 130, 139, 141, 168 Justice (Fr.), 14, 15, 17,66, 100, 101, 107, 108, 126, 133, 139, 149, 165, 176, 272, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315, 322, 559, 566, 578, 581, 640 Leander, 41, 42 Legere, 637, 638 Lion, 212, 220, 276, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292 Mahon, 325 Majestic, 40, 107 Malta (formerly Chiillaume Tell), 289 Marguerite (Fr.), 301, 308, 631 n., 638 Minorca, 276, 290 Minota7ir, 40, 107, 135, 141, 178, 241, 242 Muiron, 272 Mutine, 41, 42, 43, 108, 135 Niohe, 313 n. Northumberland, 245, 248, 249, 257, 270, 271, 276, 318 Orient (Fr.), 32, 46, 58, 60, 61, 64, 71, 103, 367 Orion, 38, 107, 109, 110 Penelope, 276, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 300 Perseus, 158, 259 Phwton, 275 Pierre, 39 Pluvier, 47 Princess Charlotte, 264, 299 Principe Real, 108, 567 Queen Charlotte, 268, 270, 272, 274, 276 Rainha de Portugal, 108 Retuza, 157 St. Giovanni, 133 St. John (Fr.), 77 St. Maria, 133 St. Sebastian, 108, 229 Seahorse, 76, 79 Sensible (Fr.), 15, 76, 79 Serieuse, 48 Sirene, 157 Souverain Peuple, 107 Spartiate, 107 Speedy, 250 Stromboli, 158, 206, 212, 227, 228, 261, 276, 323 Success, 220, 270, 271, 275, 276 S^uiftsure, 40 Terpsichore, 38, 109, 113, 130, 139, 141, 203, 205, 207 Thalia, 110, 203, 205, 213 Theseus, 40, 107 Tonnant, 107 Transfer, 232, 252, 325 Vang^Lard, 38, 39, 42, 107, 110, 135, 141, 191 Vauiois, 153 Victoria, 218 Ships, names of — cont. Victorieuse, 312 Ville de Marseille, 270, 271 Vincejo, 265, 273, 276, 291 Zealous, 40, 108 Sicily, 78, 179, 185, 186, 189, 193, 203, 210 Siggeui, 191, 204 Soleil, Captain, 313, 314 SoltikofE, Bailli, Count N., 391 Songa, Bailli de, 365 Spain, 65, 66, 71, 443 Spencer, Lord, 37, 184, 209, 230, 440 Spencer, Mr., R.X., 291 Spiteri, A. P., 63, 114 Spiteri, G., 114 Stendardi, 69 Stewart, Lt.-Col., 310 Strickland, Sir G., 71 Stuart, Sir C, 4, 203 Sulkowski, 49-50 Suspension of Arms Act, 59 Switzerland, 29, 189 Syracuse, 137, 176 Tabone, S., 52 Taliba, S. L., 204, 209 Talleyrand, 9, 143, 154, 155, 230, 391, 403, 455, 456, 465, 477, 478, 479, 482 Views on Malta, 12, 13 Tanjore, Sultan of, 32 Tanti, M., 200 Tarscien, 191, 259, 267 Testaferrata, G. L., 63 Testaferrata, Baron M., 56, 60, 63, 416, 419, 423, 424, 430, 431, 438, 497 Testaferrata, N. C. di F., 509, 511, 515, 523, 643 Testaferrata, Pietro P., 63, 344 Teuma-Castelleti, F., 52, 113, 115, 117, 135, 138, 170, 172, 190, 229 Thompson, Capt. T. B., 41 Thugut, Baron, 154, 364, 393, 398 Tigne, Bailli de, 364, 370-375, 376 Tigne, Fort, 33, 45, 52, 62, 64, 160, 173, 263, 285, 296, 318, 322, 337, 558, 563, 615, 633 Tippoo Sahib, 32 Tolentino, Treaty of, 29 Tommasi, Bailli, 45, 59, 366 Elected Grand Master, 466 Torregiani, Dr., 54, 56, 60, 63 Toussard, 7, 69, 70 Ti-eaty of Amiens, 432-439 Treilhard, 123 Trigance, 115 Tripoli, 91, 104, 127, 148, 149, 151, 186, 577 Troubridge, Sir T., 40, 42, 177, 211, 239, 242, 244, 246, 247, 251, 252-255, 261, 265, 284, 288, 289 Tunis, 41, 91, 104, 120, 127, 148, 151, 177, 186, 401 INDEX 657 Turkey, 81, 210 Tuscany, Grand Duke of, 41 Udine, Conference at, 11 Udney, Mr. (British Consul), 37 University of Valetta, 56, 86 and n. 92, 359, 411 and n., 614, 633 Usacoff, Adm., 265 89, Valetta, 17, 24, 33, 45, 48, 49, 80, 106, 108, 115, 135, 176, 184, 191, 196, 199, 210, 212, 213, 217, 218, 227, 256, 264, 300, 306, 325, 337, 355 Blockades of, 113, 163-166, 168, 231, 257-260 Carmelite church in, 54 Central school of, 86-87, 99 Events in, 52-58 Instructions on surrender of, 277-278 Occupation of, by French, 64 Reports on, 196-198, 200, 207, 247- 248, 281-284, 345 Surrendered to Graham, 318-335 Vargas, Bailli, 46 Varisi, P., 63 Vassallo, M., 66, 114, 416 Vatanges, 115 Vathier, C. de V., 151 Vaubois, Gen., 32, 33, 46, 48, 49, 64, 75, 77, 89, 90, 92, 103, 109, 111, 113, 114, 120, 125, 126, 130, 132, 140, 142, 148, 152, 160, 163, 165, 182, 190, 192, 197, 198, 201, 214, 218, 231, 255, 279, 283, 287, 292, 301, 311, 312, 314, 317, 322 Journal of the Siege, 556-642 Vence, Gen., 152 Venice, 13 Verga, Capt. di, 229 Vial, Gen., 443, 468-471, 490, 492 Villeneuve, Adm., 16, 31, 101, 104, 126, 145, 148, 149, 151, 163, 170, 272, 281, 286, 301, 308, 311-314, 322, 561, 562, 564, 570, 575, 600, 616, 632, 635, 640, 642 Villeneuve, Capt., 101 Villettes, Gen., 409, 450, 492 Vitale, Gen. E., 113, 114, 115, 117, 167, 170, 172, 174, 190, 191, 204, 229, 557 Vitale, Gaetano, 115 Vivion, Lt. J., 167, 213-218, 248, 266, 323, 337, 602, 603 491, 140, 279, 560, 622, 131, 209, 259. Warren, Sir J. B., 454, 459, 472 Whitworth, Sir C, 208 n., 209, 263, 390, 397, 401, 447, 453, 455, 456, 463, 465, 466, 472, 476, 479, 480, 481 Williams, Mr. (British Consul), 72 Windham, Mr., M.P., 440-442, 499, 501 Woodhouse, Mr. J., 135 Woronzovi^, Count, 432, 435, 446, 457 Zammit, F., 416, 417 Zammit, G. N., 63 Zarb, S., 191, 204, 209, 229, 416 Zebbing, 191 Zeitun, 191, 247, 249, 257, 259, 297, 563 Zurico, 191 PRINTED BY 8P0TTISW00DE AND CO. LTD., COLCHESTEB LONDON AND ETON DATE DUE NOV 1 3 1976 NOV 2,;^ 1976 5 JUL 2 4 1S85 CAVLORD PRINTED IN US A UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A A 001 426 158