YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Bought with the income
of the
ALFRED E. PERKINS FUND

THE,
LIFE

OF

ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, K.B.
.FROM
HIS LORDSHIP'S MANUSCRIPTS.
(ABRIDGED FROM THE QUARTO EDITION.)

BT
The Ret. JAMES STJNIER CLARKE, F.R.S.
librarian to the Prince, and Chaplain of His Royal Highness'? Household.
AND
JOHN M' ARTHUR, Esq. ZL.D.
Late Secretary to Admiral Lord Viscount Hood.

CRESCERKTQUE MIHI EX EO IPSO HDUCIA, QUOD POSSIT IN HOMINIS
UNIUS VIRTUTE TANTUM MOMENTI ESSE.
Th\ LIV. HIST. XXVIII. $3.'

LONDON:
BRIXTBD BT T. BENSLEY, BOLTCOURT, FLEETSTRMET,
IfOR T, CADELX AND W. DAVIES, IN THE STRAND,
1810.

DEDICATION TO THE QUARTO EDITION.

TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
GEORGE AUGUSTUS FREDERICK / -
THE PRINCE,
PRINCE OF WALES, DUKE OF CORNWALL AND ROTHSAY,
LORD OF THE ISLES,
FIRST KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER,
VICE ADMIRAL OF THE COASTS OF DEVON AND CORNWALL;—
SIR, When the United Kingdom
expressed its sorrow at the death of the ever
to be lamented Nelson, which even the
Glory of the great Victory of Trafalgar could
not abate ; your Royal Highness, actuated by
your own feelings, and by a greatness and
benignity of Mind which have ever distin-
b

VI
guished your Character, was graciously
pleased to offer to represent the Nation's
Grief, as Chief Mourner, at the Public Fu
neral which the Country voted to one of its
brightest Ornaments. And afterwards, when
the Annals of his life and services were to be
given to the Public, your Royal Highness
was moreover pleased to request, that the
whole of the late Admiral's Manuscripts in
the possession of the Right Hon. William
Earl Nelson, as well as the Letters which
had been addressed to His Royal Highness,
Admiral, the Duke of Clarence, should be
furnished to form the history of a Life, which
is to be held out as an example of Heroism
and professional Talent to future Generations,
The Life of Lord Nelson, Sir, with
your permission, is now dedicated to your
Royal Highness. Those Patriotic Principles
which under your auspices were fostered and
encouraged, are in the following pages with
your sanction recorded, the sanction of the
Prioce of that Country for which Nelson

Vil

fought and died ; of the Prince by whom he
was cherished whilst living ; and by whom his
Memory, after death, was honoured in a
manner that was congenial with the enthu
siasm and tenderness of his distinguished
Character.

JAMES STANIER CLARKE.
JOHN M'ARTHUR.

ADVERTISEMENT

tO TBE

QUARTO EDITION.

In addition to the sanction, ' and leading assistance,
which this Life of Lord Nelson received from -the
Patronage of The Prince, the communications of
H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, and the uniform atten
tion of William Earl Nelson; a very extensive Collect
tion of the noble Admiral's Letters was sent, at the
Viscountess Nelson's request, by Earl St. Vincent, and
every assistance was afterwards given which his Lordship
could bestow. The very interesting Correspondence with
Lady Nelson, that marks through a long interval the
private character and feelings of her Husband, in the
vicissitudes and various professional incidents of his
life, was kindly though reluctantly granted. The va
luable Collection of Letters addressed to the late Lieut.
Gov. Locker, was furnished by that Officer's daughter.
Admiral Lord Hood directed the whole of his Naval
Papers to be examined, and such of them to be inserted
as tended to throve light on those operations iri the Me
diterranean, in which Nelson during Lord Hood's com-

mand had been engaged. Our thanks are also due to
Lord Hotham, to Lord Keith, Sir Andrew Hamond, Sir
R. Bickerton, and to the Admirals Lutwidge, Sir C. M.
Pole, Sir J.T.Duckworth, Holloway, Foley, &c. &c. To
the Captains G. Cockburn, J. E. Foote, Hon. H. Black
wood, Sir E. Berry, Sir T. M. Hardy, Hon. Courtney
Boyle, and Captain W. S. Parkinson. To Major General
Stewart, Right Hon. G. Rose, the Hon. F.W. Wynd-
ham, Mr. F. Drake, Mr. Spencer Smith, Mr. H. Ross,
Mr. Davison, Mr. Whidbey, Lieutenant Brbmwich, and
to many other Officers and Gentlemen ; whose names are
not omitted through any want of attention, but lest the in
sertion of such a number might have an appearance of
ostentation. There remains, however, one Nobleman
whose kindness cannot be passed unnoticed, the Earl of
Egremont, without whom the interest of the work would
have been considerably lessened ; and our acknowledg
ments are due to a distinguished Friend, whose early and
zealous countenance of this laborious undertaking will
ever be remembered with gratitude.
The chief object in this Life has been to ascertain,
and sometimes perhaps more minutely than the generality
of readers may approve, the private feelings and motives
of this extraordinary man, as well as the great prin
ciples of his public and professional character. Yet this
has been a most arduous task ; and its performance is
more easy to cavil at than to accomplish — it bas, how
ever, been attempted.

xl
The various services of the noble Admiral in the earlier
parts of his Public Life, particularly at the conclusion
of the American war and in the peace which followed,
have been minutely traced : in order to mark, as far as
could be, those troubles and disappointments which he
encountered in common with other men, and the anxious
moments and neglect which he endured, until at length
his wishes were gratified in being again employed at the
commencement of the French War in 1793. — Neither
labour, nor expense, have been spared to complete the
present undertaking ; and the Life is now submitted to
the Public, with a perfect consciousness that superior
abilities, but not greater industry or impartiality, would.
have rendered it more worthy of the Fame of Nelson
and of the patronage of his Country.
T» h •ga.Qen ev, tfpurttv a,t}\uir
Eu <T a.KSiiv Ssutspa. ju.01—
'g' AfLforspQiiri $' avr,p
O; ay ryY.iip<n\ xai eXij,
Srjpayoy vtyirtov SeSeKtau.
(Pindar, Pythia Carmen I.)
" To enjoy Success is the first Happiness,
To be admired for great Actions is the second;
But the Man who has and enjoys both.
Receives the chief Crown of Honour."

THE

LIFE, &c.

BOOK I.
FROM 1770 TO 1778.
Whilst serving . on loard his Majesty's ships Raisonalle,
Triumph, Carcase, Sea-Horse, Worcester, Lowestqffe,
and Bristol.
I. Horatio Nelson was the son of the Rev.
Edmund Nelson, Rector of Burnham Thorpe, in
the county of Norfolk, and of Catherine his
wife ; who was sister to Captain Maurice Suck
ling, Comptroller of the Navy, and daughter of
Doctor Suckling, prebendary of Westminster,
whose grandmother had been sister to Sir Robert
Walpole Earl of Orford.
He was born on the 29th of Sept. 1753, in
the parsonage-house at Burnham Thorpe, and
received the name of Horatio, which had pre
viously been given to an elder brother who died
young, from the late Earl of Orford, who was
his godfather. At a proper age Horatio was sent
to the high school at Norwich, and was after
wards removed to one at North Walsham.

2
Towards the close of the year 1770, during the
Christinas holidays,, when the Rev. Edmund Nel
son was at Bath for his health, and the greater
part of his family, then consisting of eight chil
dren, was left at the parsonage-house at Burn
ham Thorpe, in Norfolk; Horatio, then in his
thirteenth year, wlio had often expressed a wish
not to be a burden to his father, happened to read
in the County paper the appointment of his mo
ther's brother, Captain Maurice Suckling, to the
Raisonable of 64 guns. Upon which he exclaimed,
'Do, brother "William, write to my father at Bath,
and tell him I should like to go with uncle Mau
rice to sea.' William, who had been the constant
companion^ of Horatio, and was little more than
seventeen months older than his brother, wrote
accordingly. Various disappointments with the
difficulties of a narrow income, had chilled in the
mind of Mr. Nelson all idea of patronage from his
connections. The daring resolution, however, of
his boy Horatio gradually warmed the less san
guine mind of the father; and infirm health ren
dering him anxious not to lose an opportunity,
which seemed to offer so desirable a provision for
pne of his sons, he resolved to write to Captain
Suckling. From the answer which Mr. Nelson
received, the following passage is remembered:
f What has poor Horace done, who is so weak,
* The present Earl Nelson;

that he above all the rest should be sent to rough
it out at sea? But'let him come; and the first time
we go into action, a cannon ball may knock off
his head and provide for him at once.'
Such were the domestic incidents which de
cided the profession of Nelson. The Raisonable
not being ready for sea, the two brothers returned
after their Christmas holidays were over to their
school at North Walsham, where Horatio remained
until the spring of 1771- During his continuance
at this school, two anecdotes have been recol
lected Avhich were descriptive of his future cha-
. racter. The master, the Rev. Mr. Jones, had
some remarkably fine pears which his scholars
had often wished for; but the attempt to gather
them was in their opinion so hazardous, that no
one would undertake it: when Horatio, on seeing
all his companions staggered, came forward and
offered to brave the danger. He was accordingly
one night lowered down from their dormitory by
some sheets tied together, and thus, at a consi
derable risk, secured the prize: but the boldness
of the deed was all that the young adventurer
regarded; for, on being hauled up again, he
shared the pears among his school-fellows, with
out reserving any for himself; and added, I only
took them because every other boy was afraid. Five
guineas were offered the next morning to discover
the plunderer: but young Nelson was too much
beloved for any boy to betray him. The other
anecdote is characteristic of that inflexible honour
u 2

4
which marked the subsequent actions of our noble
countryman. When the brothers, William and
Horatio, were once going to school on their po
nies, William, who did not much like the journey,
having advanced a short distance from his father's
gate and found that a great deal of snow had
fallen, returned with his brother to the parsonage,
and informed Mr. Nelson, ' That the snow was
too deep to venture.' If that be indeed the case,
replied the father, you certainly shall not go ; but
make another attempt, and I will leave it to your
honour. If the road should be found dangerous, you
may return: yet remember, boys! I leave it to your
honour. They accordingly proceeded; and al
though various difficulties presented themselves
which offered a plausible reason for their return
home, Horatio was proof against them all, ex
claiming, We have no excuse I Remember, brother,
it was left to our honour.
II. Having quitted the school of North Wal
sham, in the spring of 1771, Horatio accom
panied his father to London, and was thence sent
to join the Raisonable, 64 guns, then lying in the
Medway. On his arrival in the stage at Chatham,
he was put down with the other passengers, and left
to find his way alone to the ship. After wandering
about without being able to find the means of get
ting on board, he was at last observed by an officer;
who, happening to know his uncle, took Horatio
home and gave him some refreshment. Captain
Suckling did not come down until some days after

his nephew; whose health had been much impaired
by an aguish complaint, and who was an utter
stranger to every one.
The Raisonable did not long remain in commis
sion, but was paid off on the amicable adjustment
of our dispute with the Spaniards, respecting the
harbour of Port Egmont. in the Falkland islands.*
During the month of May, Captain Suckling was
appointed to the Triumph, 74 guns, stationed as a
guardship in the Medway; which being consi
dered as too inactive a life for his nephew, he
was sent to the West Indies in a ship belonging
to the house of Hibbert, Purrier, and Horton,
under the command of Mr. John Rathbone, who
had served as master's mate with Captain Suck
ling, during the former war, in the Dreadnought,
On their return home, Horatio was again received
by his uncle on board the Triumph in July, 177SI.
Whether Mr. Rathbone had wished to retain his
charge in the merchant service, or that some
of his mates had inadvertently expressed senti
ments reflecting on the hardships which officers en
dured in the king's service, b is now impossible tp
b The horror which Nelson conceived against the royal navy
may he contrasted with a recent instance of partiality for it, in the
master of a merchantman : who at the age of twenty-one years felt
such ardour for the King's service, that he actually gave up the
lucrative command of a West-India ship for the station of mid
shipman, in the hopes of one day obtaining a higher rank in, the
royal navy. The insertion of his name would wound the great
modesty of his character.
B 3

ascertain; but Nelson in his Memoir * says, 'If
I did not improve in my education, I came back
a practical* seaman with a horror of the royal
navy, and with a saying then constant with the
seamen, Aft the most honour, forward the better
man. It was many weeks before I got in the
least reconciled to a man of war. However, as
my ambition was to be a Seaman, it was always
held out as a reward that if I attended well to
navigation, I should go in the cutter and decked
long-boat which were attached to the command
ing officer's ship at Chatham. Thus by degrees I
became a good pilot.'
Anno III. The enterprise of Nelson appears
jem. 15. to |)ave |jeen £rst cane(j forth, on hearinar
of the Voyage which the Earl of Sandwich pro
posed to his Majesty in 1773, in consequence of an
application from the Royal Society. The conduct
of this voyage was given to the Hon. Capt. C. J.
Phipps, d who had volunteered his services; and
the Racehorse and Carcass bombs, as being the
strongest sort of vessels, were fitted in the most
complete manner for the undertaking. Two
masters of Greenlandmen were employed as pi
lots' for each ship, whose ordinary establishment
was departed from by appointing an additional
« Quarto edit, pages 3 and 4.
d On the l6th of June, 179O, he was raised to the rank of a
peer of Great Britain ; and dying on the 10th of October, 1792,
was succeeded by his brother, the Right Hon. Henry Phipps, now
(I8O9) first lord of the Admiralty

7
number of officers, and entering effective men
instead of the usual number of boys; which cir
cumstance is alluded to by Nelson in his Memoir.
The senior officer's ship was the Racehorse; and
the Carcass, in which Nelson sailed as the cap
tain's coxswain, was given to Skeffington Lut
widge, Esq. now Admiral of the White. From
the same Memoir is also extracted the following
passage. — ' When the boats were fitted out to quit
the two ships blocked up in the ice (August6 1st
and 7th) I exerted myself to have the four-oared
cutter raised upon, which was given me with twelve
men; and I prided myself in fancying I could na
vigate her better than any other boat in the ship.'
Mr. d'Auvergne, now Captain Philip d'Auvefgne,
Prince of Bouillon, who with Nelson had been ap
pointed to the Expedition, made all the sketches
that were taken during the voyage and afterwards
engraved; he was also charged with the meteoro
logical register.
There is an anecdote recollected by Admiral
Lutwidge, which marked the filial attention of
his gallant coxswain. Among the gentlemen on
the quarter-deck of the Carcass, who were not
rated midshipmen, there was, besides young Nel
son, a daring shipmate of his to whom he had
become attached. One night, during the mid-
watch, it was concerted between them that they
should steal together from the ship, and endeavour
e Quarto edit. vol. I. page 4, and 10 — 12.
B 4

8
to obtain a bear's skin. The clearness of the nights
in those high latitudes rendered the accomplish
ment of this object extremely difficult: they how
ever seem to have taken advantage of the haze of
an approaching fog, and thus to have escaped
unnoticed. Nelson in high spirits led the way
over the frightful chasms in the ice, armed with
a rusty rriusket. It was not however long before
the adventurers were missed by those on board ;
and, as the fog had come on very thick, the
anxiety of Captain Lutwidge and his officers was
very great. Between three and four in the morn
ing the mist somewhat dispersed, and the hunters
were discovered at a considerable distance, attack
ing a large bear. The signal was instantly made
for their return; but it was in vain that Nelson's
companion urged him to obey it. He was at this
time divided by a chasm in the ice from his shaggy
antagonist, which probably saved his life; for the
musket had flashed in the pan, and their ammuni
tion was expended. Never mind, exclaimed Ho
ratio, do but let me get a blow at this devil with the
but end of my musket, and we shall have him. His
companion finding that entreaty was in vain, re
gained the ship. The Captain, seeing the young
man's danger, ordered a gun to be fired f to terrify
the enraged animal : This had the desired effect;
but Nelson was obliged to return without his bear,
f See in quarto edit. vol. I. page 6, an engraving of this scene
from a design by R. Westall, Esq. R. A.

9
somewhat agitated with the apprehension of the
consequence of this adventure. Captain Lutwidge,
though he could not but admire so daring a dis
position, reprimanded him rather sternly for such
rashness, and for conduct so unworthy of the situ
ation he occupied ; and desired to know what mo
tive he could have for hunting a Bear? The being
thought by his Captain to have acted in a manner
unworthy of his situation, made a deep impression
on the high minded coxswain; who pouting his
lip, as he was wont to do when agitated, replied,
' Sir, I wished to kill the bear, that I might carry
its skin to my Father.'
On the return of the Racehorse and Carcass
to England, they were paid off Oct. 15, 1773;
when Mr. Nelson was soon recommended by his
uncle to Captain Farmer, of the Sea-horse, 20
guns; attached to the squadron g destined for the
East Indies, under the command of Admiral Sir
Edward Hughes, with his flag on board the Salis
bury, 50 guns, Captain George Robinson Walters.
In the Seahorse, Nelson found a sincere friend in
the master, the present Captain Surridge; and
commenced an intimacy with some of the most
valuable of his professional connexions. Previous
to the sailing of the squadron, he formed his first
acquaintance with a young gentleman on board
g The other ships consisted of the Coventry, 28 guns, Captain
B. Marlow; Dolphin, 24 guns. Sir John Clerke, Knt. ; Swallow,
16 guns, Captain James Pigot.

10
the Salisbury, th« present Admiral Sir Charles Pofe^
and aftenvards became acquainted during the
voyage, and their continuance in the Eastlndiesj
with the late Sir Thomas Troubridge, Captain
B. Hallowell, Captain Thomas Bertie then named
Hoare, and several other naval officers.
Nelson was stationed in the foretop of the Sea
horse at watch and watch, as it is termed; and his
exemplary conduct whilst on that duty, soon at
tracted the regard of his friend the master of the
ship, in whose Avatch he was. This officer perceiv
ing in the CQurse of a long voyage that the young
man was extremely attentive to his duty, and
obedient to his superiors, recommended him to
the particular notice of Captain Farmer; who
then placed him on the quarter-deck, and rated
him as midshipman. After he had thus obtained
the first'step to rank" as an officer in the British
navy, he was frequently in fine weather indulged
by the officer of the watch to tack the ship, which
he performed like a thorough seaman, and cave
his orders with all the authority of a lieutenant.
His appearance at this time, according to the re
port of Captain Surridge, was that of a boy with
a florid countenance, rather stout and athletic-
but unfortunately, when he had been about eigh-
h It is a singular fact, and which deserves tbe attention of our
government, that Midshipmen possess only a nominal rank in the
service : as they receive no Commission they may be disrated at
the pleasure of a Captain, and be made to serve before the mast.
r

11
teen months in India, he caught a malignant dis
order which nearly baffled the power of medicine.
He was thus not only reduced to a mere skeleton,
but for some time entirely lost the use of his limbs;
and if it had not been, as he acknowledges, for the
kindness of Captain Pigot, who brought him home
in the Dolphin, * his spirit would have been thus
early extinguished. During his continuance in
the Seahorse, no person of his years ever paid
more attention to the duties of his profession:
'His ardent ambition,' adds Captain Surridge,
' was to make himself thoroughly acquainted with
the most minute part of a seaman's duty,'
During their return to England, the spirits of
young Nelson, which had been lowered by this se
vere illness, were frequently much depressed.. The
busy and interesting scene he had been obliged
to forego, and the remembrance of friends whom
he had left, altogether weighed so heavily on his
mind, as quite to unman him : when one evening
the following singular train of thought occurred,
as he related it long afterwards to Mr. R. W.
Spencer, during their walks amidst the romantic
scenery of Downton Castle, the seat of Mr. Knight.
' I felt impressed with an idea that I should never
rise in my profession. My mind was staggered
with a view of the difficulties I had to surmount,
and the little interest I possessed. I could dis
cover no means of reaching the object of my am-
* The Dolphin sailed from the East Indies in 1776.

12
bition. After a long and gloomy reverie, in which
I almost wished myself overboard, a sudden glow
of patriotism was kindled within me and pre
sented my King and Country as my patron: My
mind exulted in the idea. — 'Well then,' I ex
claimed, ' I will be a Hero, and confiding in Pro
vidence I will brave every danger.' The spirit
of Nelson revived; and from that hour, in his
mind's eye, as he often declared to Capt. Hardy,
a radiant orb was suspended which urged him
onward to renown.
The humane attention of Captain Pigot, and
the change of climate, were of the greatest ser
vice to the relaxed constitution of his friend.
During his absence from England, Captain Suck
ling had succeeded Sir Hugh Palliser as comp
troller of the navy in April 1775; an event which
was favourable to the future prospects of his
nephew. The Dolphin was paid off at Wool
wich on the 24th of September 1776; and Nelson
was immediately appointed by Admiral Sir James
Douglas, to act as fourth lieutenant of the Wor
cester, 64 guns, Captain Mark Robinson, k then
on the point of sailing with a convoy to Gibral
tar. The testimony which that officer gave to his
skill and judgment, previous to his obtaining a
confirmation of the rank of lieutenant, is thus
k The first ship which this officer commanded, on being ad
vanced to post rank, August 13, 1/60, was the Vanguard} the first
ship in which Nelson served as an Admiral., with the command of
a squadron.

IS
mentioned by him in his Memoir. ' — ' In this
ship I was at sea with Convoys till April 2, 1777,
and in very bad weather. But although my age
might have been a sufficient cause for not intrust
ing me with the charge of a watch, yet Captain
Robinson used to say, He felt as easy when I was
upon deck, as any officer in the ship.' On his arrival
at Gibraltar with the convoy, he first beheld that
sea which was destined to be the principal theatre
of his future glory; and from the Worcester, soon
after his return to England, he was confirmed in
his rank as lieutenant. ,
Anno IV. The day on which Nelson passed
Mutm l9< his examination was the 8th of April, 1777.
The following is all that has been remembered by
his brother. On being shewn into the room, he
at first appeared somewhat alarmed. At the head
of the table sat his uncle Maurice, as Comptroller
of the navy, who had purposely concealed his re
lationship from the examining captains. When
his nephew had recovered from his confusion, his
answers were prompt and satisfactory, and indi
cated the talents he so eminently possessed. The
examination ended in a manner very honourable
to him: Upon Avhich his uncle immediately threw
off his reserve, and rising from his seat intro
duced his nephew. The examining captains ex
pressed their surprise at his not having informed
them of this before: ' No,' replied the indepen-
l Quarto edit, vol, I- page ,5.

14
dent Comptroller, ' I did not wish theyounker to
be favoured: I felt convinced that he would pass
a good examination, and you see, gentlemen, I
have not been disappointed. ' The next day, April
the 9th, Nelson received his commission as second
lieutenant of the Lowestoffe frigate, 32 guns, Cap
tain William Locker, then fitting out at Sheerness
for Jamaica; which not only advanced him to the
second step in his profession, but was the means
of introducing him to one of his earliest and most
valuable friends.
As the first lieutenant of the Lowestoffe was
absent on leave, Nelson was soon ordered to the
rendezvous for pressed men, which at that time
was opened near the Tower; there not being any
vessel lying in the river to receive them. During
this service he commenced his acquaintance and
uninterrupted friendship with the present Lieute
nant Bromwich, at that time a midshipman, who
afterwards served under him for .many years. This
officer, who is now warden m of the dock-yard at
Portsmouth, describes Lieutenant Nelson as beino-
then so extremely ill and weak; that one cold
night, whilst they remained on duty near the
Tower, Mr. Bromwich was obliged to take him
on his back, and carry him instantly to the ren
dezvous; where his recovery from a fainting fit
was for a long time uncertain.
¦" A place which he obtained through the interest of his noble
friend.

15
The Lowestoffe sailed from Spithead for the
Jamaica station, on the 16th of May, 1777, with
the Grasshopper sloop of war, Captain Truscott,
to reinforce the squadron under Vice Admiral
Clarke Gayton, an old and gallant officer, who
had been appointed lieutenant in 1727, when Gib
raltar was attacked by the Spaniards. On the 4th
of July, the Lowestoffe, Grasshopper, and a con
voy of eighteen sail of merchantmen, anchored in
Carlisle bay, Barbadoes. On the 7th the Lower
stoffe sailed for Jamaica, and arrived on the 19th
in Port Royal harbour. The depredations of the
Americans, and our inveterate enemy the French
with American commissions, called at that time
for all the activity of the squadron, and its cruisers.
were extremely alert. Much credit had been re
cently acquired by a Mr. Jordan, an acting lieu
tenant, whom the admiral had appointed to the
Racehorse schooner of 10 guns, for his action
with a rebel privateer called the Guest, 16 guns
and 16 swivels ; which, after a contest of upwards
of two hours, had been resolutely carried by board
ing. This circumstance, and the continued insults
of our enemies, were not lost on the zealous emu
lation of Nelson, and rendered even a frigate not
sufficiently active for the purposes of his ambition.
He therefore got repeatedly appointed to the com
mand of one of the Lowestoffe's tenders ; and a
similar situation was also given to one of Captain
Locker's midshipmen, the present Captain Cun?

16
ningham, now commissioner of the dockyard at
Woolwich. It was the happy talent of Lieutenant Nelson,
throughout every period of his eventful life, to
gain the love and confidence both of his superiors
and inferiors ; and there cannot be a greater proof
of this, than the following letter ° which he ad
dressed, during one of their cruises, to Captain
1 Locker; whose state of health was more preca-r
rious than his own. Lowestoffe, at sea,
Aug. 12, 1777.
" MY MOST WORTHY FRIEND,
' I am exceedingly obliged to you for
the good opinion you entertain of me, and will
do my utmost that you may have no occasion to
change it. I hope God Almighty will be pleased
to spare your life, for your own sake, and that of
your family : but should any thing happen to you
(which I sincerely pray to God may not), you
may be assured that nothing shall be wanting on
1 my part for the taking care of your effects, and
delivering safe to Mrs. Locker such of them as
may be thought proper not to be disposed of.
You mentioned the word Consolation in your
letter — I shall have a very great one, when I

" Captain Locker's collection of letters, belonging to his son,
Edward Hawke Locker, Esq. now secretary to Admiral Sir Ed
ward Pellew, Bart. Commander in Chief in the East Indies.

17
think I have served faithfully the best of friends,
and the most amiable of women.
' All the services 1 can render to your family,
you may be assured shall be done, and shall never
end but with my life; and may God Almighty of
his great goqdness keep, bless, and preserve you
and your family, is the most fervent prayer of
your faithful servant, ' Horatio Nelson.'
Oxx the 26th of August, vthe Lowestoffe, and'
Gayion tender, topk ah American sloop laden
with rice,. and returned to Port Royal on the 1st
of October to refit; whence they again sailed the
6th of November, on a second cruise,and on the
20th, between Cape Maize and Cape Nichola,
they took ° the American letter of marque.
In the anecdote which Nelson has given of him
self in his Memoir, when sent to board this vessel,
his memory seems in a slight degree to have failed
him. This error has been corrected through the
information of Lieutenant Bromwich, who, with
the present Captain Thomas Dundas, was at that
time a midshipman on board the Lowestoffe.
The first lieutenant alluded to, now an admiral
on the retired list, never left the ship. On receiv
ing his Captain's orders to board the prize, he
went below to put on his hanger ; the hanger
0 See the Memoir, (quarto edit.) and an engraving representing
this scene, page \6, from a painting by R. Westall, Esq. R. A.

18
was mislaid, and could not immediately be found.
In the meantime Captain Locker came on deck,
extrerhely anxious that the prize should be in
stantly taken in charge, as he apprehended it
must otherwise founder. Perceiving, to his asto
nishment, that the Lowestoffe's boat was still
alongside and in danger of being every moment
swamped, from the heavy sea that was running,
he exclaimed, Have I no officer in the ship who
will board the prize? Lieutenant Nelson, with
his usual goodness of heart, still waited for the
return of his superior officer ; but, on hearing
the Master volunteer his services, immediately
hastened to the gangway, and, getting into the
boat, said, It is my turn now, and if I come
.back it is yours. The American vessel was so
completely water-logged, from having carried an
heavy press of sail, that Nelson's boat went in on
deck and out again with the scud. When he at
length got oh board, he was long separated from
the Lowestoffe by the gale; and for some time
Captain Locker felt very uneasy for his safety.
On the 9th of December, 1777, the Lowestoffe
sailed a second time from Port Royal, on a cruise
between the northern side of Hispaniola and the
Bahama Keys. During this cruise Lieutenant
Nelson took the command of another tender
Which had been captured by the Lowestoffe, and
was called the little Lucy after a daughter of
Captain Locker. They cruised together until
the 31st of the month, when the Lowestoffe re-

19
turned to Port Royal to heave down and new
sheath her bottom; a custom which was then
yearly observed by every ship on that station.
Whilst this was doing, Lieutenant Nelson re
mained at sea in the little Lucy; and on the 9th
of February, when off the West Corcos, sent some
account to Captain Locker of a prize which he
had taken.
Admiral Sir Peter Parker having been ap
pointed to succeed Admiral Gayton, arrived at
Port Royal March 3, 1778. On the 6th of May
following, the Lowestoffe sailed on her third
cruise, and with the Lucy tender again in com
pany. On the 27th they chased a strange ship
and schooner, in the Corcos passage; and, on
coming up, they spoke the former and found her
to be the Inconstant French frigate, commanded
by the Chevalier de Cuverville, who seemed to be
convoying an American schooner; as was then the
custom with the French though at peace with
England. Lieutenant Nelson immediately deter
mined to examine the schooner, though actually
under the very muzzle of the frigate's guns* and
accordingly stood with the little Lucy ahead of
the Lowestoffe. A volley of small arms was sud
denly poured by the frigate into the tender, when
Captain Locker threw out her signal to come
under the Lowestoffe's stern : upon which Nel
son hoisted out his boat, and eagerly asked his
captain, If it would not be advisable to bring
the Tender's men on board, as a brush with the
c 2

20
Inconstant seemed inevitable. — ' At all events,'
replied Captain Locker, ' I am determined to
examine the schooner.' The Chevalier, per
ceiving they were resolutely bent on doing this,
refrained from any further resistance. The-
schooner was accordingly examined, and proved
to be French property.
On the 17th of June in the same year, 1778,
despatches were brought out in the Bristol to •
Captain Locker; in consequence of which Lieu
tenant Nelson and his men were removed from
the tender into the Lowestoffe, and on the 24th
they returned to Port Royal. The increasing ill
health of Captain Locker afforded but a faint
hope, that he would be able to enjoy the benefit
of a French war in the West-Indies.
Through the zealous friendship of this officer,
who loved Nelson like one of his own children,
the patronage of Admiral Sir Peter Parker p had
been secured, on his succeeding Admiral Gayton.
At the request of Captain Locker, Lieutenant
Nelson was now appointed third of the flag ship
the Bristol; and was succeeded in the Lowestoffe
by Lieutenant Cuthbert Colli ngwood, from the
Hornet sloop. The patronage of so valuable a
friend as the Commander in chief, was at that time
of the greatest importance to Lieutenant Nelson ;
who in the month of July had lost his uncle, Cap
tain Maurice Suckling. The zealous and active
p Sir Peter Parker, created a baronet in i;82, succeeded Earl
How in 1799 as Admiral of the Fleet.

21
disposition of Nelson soon recommended him to
'the particular notice of the worthy admiral, at
whose house he became a welcome guest. In
Lady Parker he found a second mother ; and his
merit soon advanced him to be first lieutenant ef
the flag ship. On the 5th of September, the
Bristol, Captain Caulfield, in company with the
Lowestoffe, Captain Locker, and some other
ships, sailed from Port Royal and cruised off
Cape Francois until the 17th of October. Dui>
ing this cruise the squadron took seventeen sail
of French St. Domingo ships. On the Sth of
December, 1778, Nelson terminated his services,
as Lieutenant, on board the flag ship of Sir Peter
Parker, and was again succeeded by Lieutenant
Collingwood.'1 Captain Nelson's promotion to the rank of
Commander, took place at this time on his being
appointed to the Badger brig ;. and as Captain
Locker did not leave Jamaica for England, on
account of his health, until the ensuing year,
1779, he must have witnessed the rapid success
. of his endeavours to serve this officer.
Anno V. The personal appearance of Captain
iEtat. 21. Neisori at this period of his. life, owing
to his delicate health and figure, was far from ex-
1 The present Admiral Lord Collingwood. Lieutenants Mac-
namara, Nelson, and Collingwood, were all made Commandsr*
out of the Bristol within seven or eight months of each other.
Captain Macnamara, who afterwards went into France with
Captain Nelson, died an Admiral about five years since.
c 3

n
pressing the greatness of his intellectual powers.
From his earliest years, like Cleomenes the hero
of Sparta, he had been enamoured of glory, and
had possessed a greatness of mind ; Nelson pre
served also a similar femperance and simplicity of
manners: Nature, as Plutarch adds of the noble
Spartan, had given a spurr to his mind, which
rendered him impetuous in the pursuit of what
ever he deemed honourable. The demeanour of
this extraordinary young man was entirely the
demeanour of a British seaman: When the ener
gies of his mind were not called forth by some
object of duty, or professional interest, he seemed
to retire within himself and to care but little for
the refined courtesies of polished life. In his
dress he had all the cleanliness of an Englishman,
though his manner of wearing it gave him an air
of negligence ; and yet his general address and
conversation, when he wished to please, even at
this time possessed a charm that was irresistible.
At the time of Nelson's appointment to the
Lowestoffe, and the confirmation of his rank as
lieutenant, Captain Maurice Suckling had drawn
up for the use of his nephew, some admirable in
structions relative to his conduct and professional
duties. This interesting manuscript, of which
only a very inconsiderable part has been recover
ed, was seen in the Lowestoffe by Mr. Bromwich,
' Kivtpov a flops fy fvtrei itgoa-Exstro, %ou pi-to. efodpo'tyroi
offii) tff os ro fyoLwopewv aei xx\ov. Plutarch) Cleomenes.

23
who also remembers the following introductory
passage :
' My dear Horatio, Pay every respect to your
superior officers, as you shall wish to receive
.respect yourself.'
His Father, the Rev. Edmund Nelson, had also
early impressed the mind of his son, as may be seen
from the first letter to Captain Locker, with a
high sense of an overruling Providence, and of
the sublime principles of Christianity. This
sense, preserved by an affectionate correspond
ence between the father and his gallant son, laid
the foundation of Nelson's character and fame on
a. wide and solid basis, and gave peculiar value to
his Friendship, his Valour, and his Patriotism.

END OF B00£ THE FIRST.

c4

BOOK II.
From 1778 to 1797.
I. The eventful Period, on which we are now
entering, requires to be elucidated by every
document that may throw light on those occur
rences, which have had such an effect on the
general aspect of Europe. The connexion of
our American colonies with the mother Country,
was at length destroyed by the assistance and
machinations of France, insidiously conducted
by her marine minister, M. de Sartine: Who
thus unwarily prepared the misfortunes and ruin
of his own monarch ; and was, in great mea
sure, the cause of that political earthquake,
which has since destroyed the independence of
nations, and shaken the pillars of the civilized
world. The War commenced Avithout any public offi-;
cial declaration from either government; except
that, on the 18th of March, (the day after the
French declaration of a Treaty of commerce with
the Americans had been presented to the house
of Commons,) the French had issued an order
to seize all British ships that were in their ports;
and ou the 27th, an embargo had been laid by
the English ministry on French vessels. Rear

25
Admiral Duff was sent to the Mediterranean,
Rear Admiral Barrington to the Leeward Islands,
and Vice Admiral Byron, on Lord Howe's de
siring to be recalled from America, was ap
pointed to succeed him on that station. Such
was the general state of Naval Affairs, when the
second book of this work commences.
It has been already mentioned, that Captain
Maurice Suckling died in the month of July,
1778, during the time his nephew had been thus
actively employed as a lieutenant in the West
Indies. Captain Suckling for three weeks pre
vious to his death, had been attended by Nelson's
father, and their conversation one day turned
upon the future prospects of their relation : ' At
all events,' said Captain Suckling, ' we have
made the young man a Lieutenant, and he may
now fight his way along. It was my intention
to have left him equally with the rest of your
children, five hundred pounds ; but I will send
for my lawyer and do something more for poor
Horace. Do not fear, brother; your son will
never want friends.' — Soon after this, Captain
Suckling experienced so severe a relapse, as to
render it impossible for him to execute his in
tentions, which were soon entirely frustrated by
death. His Sword which Nelson afterwards so
much valued, became the property of his liberal
friend, Mr. William Suckling, of the Custom
house, and was by him presented to Captain Nel
son on his return to England. The history of this

26
sword is curious, but very difficult to ascertain.
It was the opinion of a person, now dead, who
was well acquainted with the Walpole family,
that this Sword had originally belonged to the
gallant. Galfridus Walpole; who, on the 26th of
March, 1711, lost his right arm in the Mediter
ranean, when commanding the Lion of 60 guns,
in an Action with four French ships, each mount
ing 60 guns. On marrying a Walpole, Captain
Maurice Suckling is thought to have received
this Sword. His gallant nephew from the time
he possessed it, wore it constantly when on ser
vice, and considered it as an old and faithful
servant, that would never fail to support him in
battle. Captain Nelson remained so short a time as
Commander in the Badger brig, to which he
had been appointed at the beginning of Decem
ber, 1778, that his name was never inserted in any
of the printed lists. His services from that pro
motion, to his being made post into the Hinchin-
brook, on the 11th of June, 1779, were confined
at first, as he informs us in his Memoir, to the
Mosquito shore, and the bay of Honduras •
whence he returned with the unanimous thanks
of the settlers. He was afterwards employed in
protecting the northern side of Jamaica from
the depredations of privateers; and the follow
ing letters to Captain Locker, give some account
of the proceedings of the Badger, whilst on that
station.

27
The first,5 in which mention is made of a
prize that had been taken by the Badger, is
dated off the N. E. end of Jamaica, April 50,
1779- ' 1 hope, my dear Sir, with all my heart,
you are much better than when I left you, and
that you will not be obliged to go home on ac
count of your health. I sincerely wish it was
in my power to shew some small return, for t.he
very many favours I have received ; but I am
sure you do not think me ungrateful. If you
come on the north side and I hear of it, I will
,come in. I know you will be pleased with this
little earnest of success; but we have had a good
deal of plague with her, and were two days before
we could find the French papers: at last we found
them in an old shoe.'
On- his return from this Cruise, being in want
of men, he involved himself in some perplexity,
by pressing a few hands from a vessel called the
Amity Hall; and as this had given uneasiness to
his friend, Captain Locker, it produced the fol
lowing explanation : ' ' I am very sorry, my dear-
Sir, that I made you so uneasy about the men
pressed from the Amity Hall; but I will relate
the story, in particular for Mr. Taylor's satisfac
tion, whom I should be very sorry to disoblige,
as he has been so exceedingly civil to me; and
also upon your account. ' When I first saw the
' Captain Locker's collection of letters.
1 Ibid. Badger, May 13, 1779.

28
ships in Port Antonio, I took them for part of the
Cork fleet; and sent the boat for men, with orders
not to press from homeward-bound ships: They
went on board two, and did not meddle with their
people; but thirty-five men on board the Amity
Hall tempted them to bring five. I was not
pleased when they were brought on board, and
came into port on purpose to return them ; for I
had not a thought of keeping any of them. The
Master came on board in a most impertinent man
ner, and, with very abusive language, told me he
should take the law. — I cannot say but I was warm
to be talked to in such a manner. However, I
immediately returned two men and a neutral;
but told him I should keep the other two, for his
improper behaviour: this is all the matter. If
you tell the story, I beg you will mention, that
the Master forgot to advertise, that he had on
board two deserters from the Badger. I am
afraid the Admiral has got the wrong end of the
story: if you think proper, mention the truth. I
see you are quite settled about goino- home
which in all probability may happen before you
can hear from me again; but I shall always write
to you in England. The friendship you have
shewn me, I shall never forget; and though I
lose my best friend by your going, I would not
have you stay a day longer in this Country. May
health and happiness attend you.'
His humanity and presence of mind were soon
after this particularly noticed, whilst the Badger

29
was at anchor in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Early
in the ensuing month of June 1779, his Majesty's
ship Glasgow, 20 guns, commanded by Captain
Lloyd, took fire soon after she had come to an
anchor in the same bay. Captain Nelson imme
diately manned the Badger's boats, and forced the
crew of the Glasgow who had thrown themselves
into the sea, to return to their ship. He then
directed them to throw their powder overboard,
and to point their guns upwards : Owing to this
resolute conduct, no lives, except that of the
^Master, were lost: but the ship was burnt to the
water's edge. — On the 7th of June, he sent the
following account of what had passed to Captain
Locker, dated off St. Anne's. ' I suppose, before
this, you have heard of the fate of the poor Glas
gow, indeed it was a most shocking sight; and
had it happened half an hour later, in all proba
bility a great.many people would have been lost.
She anchored at half past three, and at six she
was in flames, owing to the steward's attempting
to steal rum out of the after-hold. Captain Lloyd
is very melancholy indeed on the occasion; and
I sincerely wish I was at Port Royal for his sa'ke,
and that of the ship's company, who are falling
sick very fast with the constant rains we have
had since we left Montego Bay: and we have no
place on board the Badger to shelter such a num
ber of men. I suppose I have letters at Port
Antonio from you, but I have not been there
these three posts; and am much afraid I shall be

so
obliged to go round the west end, and attempt
the south side ; the current having set us nine
leagues to leeward these last twenty-four hours,
although we have had favourable winds. I beg
you will remember me very kindly to Mr. Ross,
and Captain Deane, who I hope is got well. May
health and happiness attend you.'
It was in the year 1779, and probably about this
time, that Captain Nelson first became acquainted
with that enterprising and gallant Seaman, the
honourable Captain William Cornwallis; who has
thus retraced the origin of their acquaintance.
" His attention to me was, I believe, in conse
quence of the late Captain Walter Young, who
might perhaps have said something in my favour
to Nelson, when a lad: Captain Young had for
merly served with Captain Suckling, and was
afterwards five years a Lieutenant with me in
the Guadaloupe; he was well known to be a most
excellent officer, and I always found him a most
honourable and disinterested man. From his ad
vice and instruction, it is probable that Nelson
early learnt to despise mercenary objects, and to
turn his thoughts wholly to glorious deeds, in
which he succeeded beyond all example."
II. In about a twelvemonth after the com
mencement of hostilities with France, her adepts
in diplomacy succeeded in irritating the wretched
government of Spain; which led her into a war
with Great Britain, though contrary to the inte
rests and even the inclination of the Court of

31
Madrid. The Spanish Ambassador accordingly
received orders to return, having first presented
a Manifesto, dated London, June 16, 1779; which
was the next day laid before both Houses of Par
liament. On the 19th a Proclamation was issued
for making reprisals on Spain; and on the 13th of
July, an admirable answer to the Manifesto was
transmitted to their Ambassador, the Marquis
D'Almedovar, by Lord Weymouth.
Amidst the various means that were then em
ployed to call forth the energy and daring spirit
of the Nation, the noble conduct of his Majesty
cannot be passed by unnoticed; Who, on the 15th
of June, entered his third son, Prince William
Henry, now Duke of Clarence, as a Midshipman
in the royal navy. This produced the following
encomium from the Spanish Admiral Langara:"
" Well does Great Britain merit the Empire of
the Sea, when the humblest stations in her Navy
are supported by Princes of the Blood."
On the 11th of June, 1779, three days previous
to his Royal Highness' being entered a midship
man on board the Prince George, Admiral Digby,
his future friend, Captain Nelson, was made Post
into the Hinchinbrook, 28 guns; one of the
enemy's merchantmen sheathed with wood, which
u During the month of January, 1780. This anecdote, men
tioned by Colonel Drinkwater in his history of the Siege of
Gibraltar, (page 90) is not there quite correctly stated. Prince
William did not inform Don Juan that his boat was readyj nor
was his Royal Highness then on board.

32
had been taken, and purchased into our service.
Captain Nelson was at sea in this ship, when the
arrival of Count d'Estaing at Hispaniola from
Martinico, with a powerful fleet and army, threat
ened the safety of Jamaica. With his usual zeal,
Nelson immediately proffered his services both to
the Admiral, and Governor General Dalling, aud
was accordingly appointed to command the im
portant batteries at Port Royal. In a letter to
Captain Locker, dated from that place, Aug. 12,
the measures are described that had been taken
to secure Jamaica.
' Jamaica is turned upside down since you left
it. The Count d'Estaing is at the Cape with
twenty sail of the line; and a flag ship, with eight
or nine more, are at Port-au-Prince : The latter
fleet fell in with the Charon and Pomona in the
night, but they got off by good sailing. They say
that there are twenty thousand men at the Cape
ready to embark, and five thousand at Port-au-
Prince. He arrived at the Cape last Saturday
v fortnight with one hundred and twenty-five sail,
men of war and transports,, and passed Captain
Lambert's squadron, which arrived here yester
day, in a very thick day; so that all our ships are
in port, except the Hiuchinbrook, Hoiftd, and
Porcupine; which we have reason to believe are
taken, as reports are very strong from the Bahama
Islands.— .Now I have told you what we may ex
pect, I will tell you the measures taken to defend
the Island. Five thousand men are encamped

S3
between the ferry and Kingston, one thousand
in Fort Augusta, three hundred at the Apostles
Uattery, and we expect to have five hundred in
Fort Charles. Lion, Salisbury, Charon and Janus,
are in a line from the Point to the outer Shoal,
Ruby and Bristol are in the Narrows going to
Kingston, to rake any ships that may attack
Fort Augusta ; the Pomona, and Speke Indiaman
above Rock Fort, and Lowestoffe at the end of
the Dock-wall. Expresses go to-morrow morn
ing to all quarters. Resource and Penelope are
to cruise off the east end. Four fire-ships are
down here, two of them commissioned.
' I have fairly stated our situation, and I leave
you in England to judge what stand we shall
make : I think you must not be surprised to hear
of my learning to speak French. I hope you have
had a good passage, and are now in peace and
plenty with your family. Ross * has behaved in
a very- public spirited manner; he has sent the
Gayton and his vessels to the admiral, and even
his negroes into the batteries. I know we shall
have your wishes for success. May health, peace,
and happiness, always surround you and your good:
family, to whomT beg to be kindly remembered,
is the constant wish of your devoted humble ser
vant, Horatio Nelson.'
Notwithstanding the force collected by d'Es
taing, and which if it had been brought against
* Hercules Ross, Esq.
D i - .

34
Jamaica with the promptness and skill of a Nel
son, might have inflicted a severe blow on our
West India colonies, nothing was done by the
enemy. General Dalling, therefore, was left at
liberty Y to execute a plan, which originated in
himself, and had been highly approved of by Lord
George Germain, then Secretary of State for the
American department ; to take Fort San Juan, on
the Rio San Juan, which runs from the great
American lake Nicaragua into the Atlantic, and
thus to obtain possession of the cities of Granada
and Leon : by which means the communication
of the Spaniards would have been cut off, be
tween their northern and southern dominions in
America. III. The command of the naval force was given
to Captain Nelson, and that of the troops to Cap
tain John Poison.2, The following letter* to Cap
tain Locker, dated Port Royal, January 23, 1780,
notices this appointment. ' I sailed in the'Hin-
y It is a singular circumstance, and one that has been noticed
by Mr. Macpherson in his late valuable Annals of Commerce-
that the planters, and others concerned in the island of Jamaica,
should have taken this opportunity to present a petition to the
House of Commons, February 10, and another to the House of
Lords, February 21; Wherein they represent, ' that Jamaica
was totally destitute of defence, and owed its being a British co
lony, to the mere accident of the forces of the°enemy bein°-
directed to another object.'
1 Who had, for that service, the brevet rank of Major; now
Colonel Poison.
" Cfiptain Locker's collection.

35
chinbrook from Port Royal in the middle of Sep
tember (1779) to join the Niger and Penelope.
We took four sail, for which I shall share about
eight hundred pounds sterling. You, and many
others, will be very sorry to hear of the death of
that worthy good man, Captain Joseph Deane.
He died on the 12 th of January, and was buried
the next day at Green Bay, b amidst the tears of
his officers and ship's company and his many
friends  Our mess is broke up: Captain
Cornwallis and myself live together. I trust I
have made a friend of him ; which I am sure*'
from his character, you will be glad to hear.
' The Admiral says he will give me the first fri
gate : he has appointed me to go with an Expedi
tion, which is now on foot, against the city of
Granada upon the lake of Nicaragua : how it will
turn out, God knows. I do not expect to return
before the beginning of June. Collingwood de
sires to he very particularly remembered to you,
and Mrs. Locker. The Admiral sails with the
fleet on Tuesday next the 25th of January, to
meet, if he can, the Count de Grasse; who has
been cruising these some weeks past, between
Capes Nichola and Maize, with five sail of the
line. You must not be surprised to see me in
England after this trip; for if my health is not
much better than it is at present, I shall certainly
come home : all the doctors are against my stay-
k A burying-place for seamen in Jamaica.
D2

36
ing so long in this country. You know my old
complaint irimy.breast? it is turned out to be the
gout got there. Cuba, and all your acquaint
ance in this part of the world desire to be kindly
remembered to you, and none more so than Cap
tain Cornwallis, who has, I assure you, a very high
esteem for your character. Glover is very ill; I
hardly think he will get over this cruise. I have
been twice given over, since you left this country,
with that horrid disorder the gout. I must now
bid you adieu; wishing you every thing you can
desire in this life.'
Anno Captain Nelson's orders from the Ad-
Mut. zi. mirai} Were strictly confined to the Convoy
of the transports to the Spanish main, and the
.landing of the troops; after which he was to leave
the Expedition to Captain Poison. Jealousies,
such as often render our bestc concerted plans
ineffectual, had not been dormant on this occa
sion, so that Nelson, who was insensible to every
thing that did not promote the glory of his
Country, on reaching the Spanish main, found it
absolutely necessary to take an active part.
c The command of this Expedition was originally destined fos
General Garth, accompanied by his brother, at present aid de
< camp to his Majesty : The present Earl of Harrington to be se
cond in command, with his own regiment, in which were Lord
Mulgrave, Major Richard Crewe, the Hon. General Paulet, Lord
Henry Fitzgerald, the Hon. Henry Lascelles, the Hon. Frederick,
now General St. John, and many others. Dr. Moseley was ap
pointed Surgeon General of theExpedition, but remained with the
army at Jamaica.

37
*The Expedition d sailed at the beginning of the
year, (1780), The small army which was des
tined for it, consisting of about two hundred
'regulars of the 60th and 79th regiments, one
hundred men of Major Dal rym pie's Loyal Irish
corps, and two hundred Jamaica volunteers;
embarked on 'board the several transports that
had been prepared ; and left Port Royal on
the 3d of February, under convoy of the Hin-
chinbrook, Captain Nelson. Their course was
first directed for the Mosquito shore, to receive
.some of the Indians on board. On the T4th of
February they arrived at Cape Gracias a Dibs, a
town of Honduras; where the soldiers were en
camped on a large plain, about a mile from the
sea, called Wank's Savanna. The soil of this plain
was found to be swampy, affording water at only
a foot or two below the surface. Between this
Savanna and the sea was a large river, called also
-Wank's, surrounded by Scot's grass and man
groves, to a considerable distance ; so as to gene
rate unwholesome air and to seclude the sea
breezes from the camp. Whilst at this place,
A Two accounts have been published of this Expedition. One
by Dr.Moseley, in his Treatise on Tropical Diseases; and the other
by"Dr. Dancer, who was physician to the troops that were sent.
His account has become extremely scarce, and, from Dr. Dancer's
having been an eye-witness of what passed, it has been princi
pally referred to for the following account. It was originally
printed at Jamaica in J 781 , and is dedicate'd to General Dalliog
the Governor.
D 3

38
however, the whole number in the hospital did
not exceed thirty; until they were joined by
Captain Dalrymple and Mr. Schomberg, from
JBhjck River, with a party of men of the 79th
regiment, whose health was in a most deplorable
state. The troops being re-embarked on the
10th of March, they in a few days left Cape
Gracias a Dios; and after anchoring at several
places on the Mosquito shore, the appointed ren
dezvous for the Indians who were to proceed with
thenij they arrived on the 24th c at the River Iian
Juan: the men in general being in good health,
and in great spirits, from the idea of having so
nearly reached their destination.
Here, as already observed, according to the
orders which Nelson had received from Sir Peter
Parker, the services of the Hinchinbrook were
to terminate; as her Captain had convoyed the
troops to the Spanish Main. But, to use his own
words, preserved in some memoranda taken at
that time, ' There not being a man who had ever
been up the river, or had an idea of the distance
of any fortification from its mouth, Capt. Nelson
manned the Mosquito shore craft, and two of the
Hinchinbrook's boats, and carried the soldiers up
to the castle of San Juan.'
About two hundred regulars, being now disem
barked from the transports with the necessary

e From Dr. Dancer : according to the Nelson papers it was on
the 28 tH.,

39
equipment of ammunition and stores, proceeded
up the river with the Indians in their several
crafts. It being the latter end of the dry season,
the river f contained very little water and was
full of shoals and sandy beaches, which rendered
the passage exceedingly difficult: the men were
frequently obliged to quit the boats, and unite
their utmost exertions in getting them along
through a number of shallow channels which had
previously been explored by the Indians, who
wefe sent before for that purpose. This labour
continued for several days after they left the
mouth of the river, until they arrived in deeper
water, when they made a quicker progress. But
the men were much exposed to injury from the
violence of the sun, for seven or eight hours
every day; besides a still more intense heat that
was reflected from many dry shoals, covered with
a whitish sand which sometimes rendered the air
intolerable; and this was followed by as dangerous
an exposure to the heavy dews at night. The
brunt of this arduous fatigue occasioned by row
ing up the boats such a length of way, not with-
f The river San Juan, according to Dr. Moseley, has many
unwholesome marshes on its sides, and the adjacent trees grow
so thickly, as to intercept the rays of the sun j consequently the
earth beneath their branches is covered with rotten leaves and
putrid vegetables. The torrents of water that fall for weeks to
gether, during the periodical rains . which begin about the middle
of April, give the river a tremendous aspect. The blackness of
the nights, accompanied with horrible tempests of lightning and
thunder, constitute a magnificent scene of terror.
D 4

40
standing the currents^ shoals, and rapids or falls,
which impeded their progress, was chiefly sus
tained by fhe British seamen, and Indians : ' The
soldiery,' adds Dr. Dancer, 'partly from igno
rance in those matters, and partly from that
indolence which was the natural effect of their
situation, were frequently of very little use.'
On the 9th of April, 1780, this advanced party
arrived at a small island in the river, called San
Bartholomew, which commanded the navigation
in a rapid and difficult part. This island, situated
about sixteen miles below the Castle, was de
fended by a small semicircular battery, mount
ing nine or ten swivels; and was employed by the
Spaniards as a look-out, with twelve or eighteen
of their soldiers stationed there. This O ut-post
was, boarded by Captain Nelson, to use his for
cible g expression: With an intrepidity, that was
irresistible, he headed a few of his seamen, and
leaped upon the beach. The place, on which he
had precipitated himself, was so muddy, that he
found considerable difficulty in extricating him
self; but he would admit of no delay, and, ad
vancing without his shoes, he stormed the battery.
In this gallant exploit he was bravely supported
by Captain Despard. The Spaniards were panic
struck at the daring promptness df the attack, and.
in vain endeavoured to escape, being stopped by
the, Indians, who had been posted higher up for
that purpose. E See Memoir, quarto edit. p. 22.

41
Capt. Nelson, during this march,had been in im
minent danger from one of the poisonous Serpents
of the Country. Being excessively fatigued, he
had ordered his hammock on one of their halts,
to be slung under some trees. During his sleep,
that extraordinary animal called the Monitory*
Lizard, from its faculty of warning persons of the
approach of any venomous animal, passed across
his face; which being observed by some of the
attendant Indians, they shouted and awoke him.
He immediately started up, and throwing off the
quilt, found one of the most venomous of the in
numerable American serpents, curled up at hjs
feet. From this providential escape, the Indians,
who attended, entertained an idea that Nelson
was a superior being under an especial protec
tion ; an idea, which his wonderful abilities and
unwearied exertions tended to confirm.
By the 11th of April, 1780, they came in sight
of the Castle of San Juan, and on the 13th the
Siege commenced ; which, with so small an army,
was not carried on without much fatigue and dif
ficulty. The Castle surrendered on the 24th of
April, and soon afterwards the disaffection and
desertion pf the Indians became general. Cap*
tain Nelson's memoranda make it, April 29th.
Previous to this, their want of provisions had
been so great, that they were obliged chiefly to
h For an account of this beautiful animal, see Shaw's Zoology,
Vol. HI, Part I, p. 214.

42
snbsist on a broth made by boiling the Monkeys
that were caught. A sort of food, which Nelson
often declared nothing could induce him to touch,
after seeing their appearance in the Copper. 'So
general,' says Dr. Dancer, ' was the illness at this
time, and ever afterwards, that independent of
the few who were well enough to do garrison
duty, we had not orderly men sufficient to assist
the sick.— From the month of April, when the
Castle surrendered, until ' October when the
army returned to Bluefields, and for some time
afterwards, the rains continued with now and
then an interval of a few days to fall in prodi
gious quantities; and occasionally with the most
dreadful thunder storms. The exhausted and de
bilitated state which most of the men were in, on
being re-embarked for Bluefields, an English
settlement about twenty leagues to the north
ward, rendered the situation and air of a ship's
hold mortal to them, and a great number died
on their passage.'
Dr. Moseley, in mentioning this illustrious
Officer, subjoins the following testimony to the
skill and valour which he then displayed: { It
was on our San Juan Expedition, that he com
menced his career of glory. When unfortunate
contentions had slackened the ardour for the
j Dr. Moseley informs us, that a few of our men, who were
the most likely to live, were left behind in the Castle; in order if
possible to keep possession of it, until further orders were received
from Jamaica.

43
public service, Captain Nelson did not suffer
any narrow spirit to influence his conduct. He
did more than his duty ; where any thing was to
be done, he saw no difficulties: not contented
with having carried the armament safe to the
harbour of San Juan, he accompanied and assisted
the troops in all their difficulties. He was the
first on shore at the attack of Saint Bartholomew,
followed by a few brave seamen and soldiers, in
the face of a severe fire., The undauntedness of
the act frightened the Spaniards, who from the
nature of the ground might have put him and his
party to death : but they ran away and abandoned
the battery. By his example and perseverance,
the Indians and seamen were encouraged through
their toil in forcing the boats against the current
up the river; otherwise not a man would have seen
San Juan Castle. When they arrived at the Castle,
as prompt in thought as bold in action, he ad
vised the carrying it instantly by assault: He
knew the seasons were at hand, and that there
was no time to be lost. — Misunderstandings, op
positions, and delays, the ruin of many military
operations, were the origin of the failure of this:
but even these perplexities and disappointments,
great as they were, would not have defeated the
Expedition ; had the first detachment thatGeneral
Dalling sent, taken San Juan castle in two hours,
instead of sitting down formally before it for
eleven days.'
On the arrival of the Victor sloop, which sailed

44
from Jamaica, with a reinforcement, on the 10th
of April, Captain Nelson received -the intelli
gence that he had been appointed by Sir Peter
Parker to the command of the Janus, forty-four
guns; vacant by the death of Captain Bonovier
Glover." Captain Nelson was succeeded in the Hinchin-
brook by Captain, now Lord Collingwood, and
returned to the harbour at Bluefields only one
day previous to the surrender of the Castle; and
thence embarked for Jamaica in the Victor sloop,
which was commanded by Captain Samuel Hood
Walker, a nephew of Lord Hood, who was after
wards lost in a hurricane, as it was supposed, off
Savannah la Mar. Captain .Nelson found Mr.
Tyson1 in this sloop, who had been his purser in
the Badger the whole time he commanded her.
Nelson was so completely debilitated by the dy
sentery and worn out by fatigue, that on the
arrival of the Victor at Port Royal, they were
obliged to take him on shore in his cot; and in
this manner he was first conveyed to the lodging
house of his former black nurse Cuba Corn
wallis, who has saved the lives of many naval
k A brave officer, who expired just before Commodore Corn
wallis's gallant action with a very superior force, on the 20th of
March, 1780. From ill health, he died as the noble Commo
dore expressed himself, ' in the very hour he so ardently wished
to see.' He was the son of the celebrated author of Leonidas.
1 Mr. Tyson was afterwards secretary to Lord Nelson, and
was with him in that capacity at Naples in 17 gg.

45
officers, and obtained her freedom from the
brave and npble Admiral of that name.
In the despatches to 'General Dalling which
announced the surrender of Fort San Juan, and
came to Jamaica in the Victor sloop ; Major '
Poison made the following, and first official
acknowledgment of Nelson's professional merit.
. ' Captain Nelson, then of the Hinchinbropk,
came up with thirty-four seamen, one serjeant,
and twelve marines: I want words to express the
obligations I owe that gentleman. He was the
first on every service, whether by day or night.
There was not a gun fired,but was pointed by him,
or Captain Despard, chief engineer, who has
exerted himself on every occasion. I am per
suaded if our shot had held out, we should have
had the fort a week sooner. As Captain Nelson
goes to Jamaica, he can inform you of every
delay and point of service, as well as I could, for
he knows my very thoughts. The bearer, Lieu
tenant Mounsey, can inform your Excellency of
many things that may escape my memory: he is
a ver}r good officer, and commanded the party I
sent to reconnoitre the look-out; and began the
attack of it in concert with Captain Despard and
Captain Nelson, who with his seamen volunteered
that duty.'
The Spaniards retook Fort San Juan, as soon as
the season permitted; but previous to this, our
troops had reached the lake Nicaragua.
Captain Nelson soon after his arrival at Port

46
Royal sent his congratulations to General Dalling,
the Governor of Jamaica, on the taking of Fort
San Juan-; and received the following compli
mentary answer, dated Kingston, May the 30th.
* Thanks to you, my friend, for your kind con
gratulations: to you, without compliment, do I
attribute in great measure the cause.'
The private letter which General Dalling after
wards sent from Jamaica to Lord George Ger
main, will close the account of Captain Nelson's
services on the San Juan Expedition.
' June 29, 1780. My Lord, I have hitherto
neglected a piece of justice, due to the services
of Captain Nelson, of H. M. S. Hinchinbrook,
who convoyed the first detachment of troops to
St. John's. On his arrival there, the command
ing officer experienced every kind of assistance
aud attention from him: he left his ship in the
harbour, and accompanied the first division up
the river to the fort, with some of his seamen ; he
then dedicated himself to erecting the batteries,
and afterwards to fighting them. Unfortunately
for the service he was obliged to return to the
harbour, being appointed to another ship at this
island; but he remained at the fort until the day
before it surrendered. I most humbly entreat
that his Majesty will be graciously pleased,
through your Lordship, to manifest a satisfac
tion of Captain Nelson's conduct; and in case
that a co-operating squadron should have been
determined on for the Southern Ocean, that he

47
may be employed on that service. Captain
Nelson's constitution is rather too delicate for
the service under my direction on this northern
one. As such minds, my Lord, are most devoutly
to be wished for government's sake, I once more
venture to urge this suit.'
IV. As soon as his health was in the smallest
degree re-established, Capt. Nelson took the com
mand of the Janus; but, experiencing a, relapse,
could only retain it for a short time : during which
he commenced his acquaintance and future inti
macy with the Captains Duckworth, Macnamara,
Russel, &c. Towards the end of August, 1780,
his indisposition had so greatly increased, that the
faculty declared he could not recover in the West
Indies, and Dr. Moseley in particular urged the
absolute necessity of his immediate return to
Europe. The Admiral's permission is dated Sep
tember the 1st, and soon afterwards Nelson em
barked on board his Majesty's ship the Lion,
commanded by the truly noble and gallant Wil
liam Cornwallis.
In the Commander of the Lion, Capt. Nelson
had already found a mind congenial with his own;,
the same Valour, Zeal in service and' Simplicity
of manners appeared in their respective cha
racters. They had recently distinguished them
selves under the Commander in Chief, and were
now returning to enjoy their well earned laurels
in the bosom of their beloved Country. The con
versation and kindness of such an Officer was par-

48
ticularly grateful to Nelson, both during the
voyage and on their arrival in England; and he
often afterwards was heard to declare, that under
Providence, he considered Captain Cornwallis as
the m second preserver of his life. The hospi
tality which he had received at the penn of Sir
Peter Parker in the West Indies, was renewed at
the Admiral's residence in London.
When the Lion had arrived in England, Cap
tain Cornwallis immediately forwarded to the Re
verend Edmund Nelson, an account of his sou's
health, and requested him to come to London,
that he might accompany his son to Bath. On
the 23d of January, 1781, Captain Nelson sent the
following account of himself from Bath, to Cap
tain Locker. — ' I have been so ill since I have
been here, that I was obliged to be carried to
and from bed in the most excruciating tortures.
But, thank God, I am now upon the mending
hand. I drink the waters three times a day, and
bathe every other night; besides drinking wine
which I think the worst of all.' — In another
letter, January 28th, he adds, ' I do not sit very
easy under the hands of a doctor: although I
give myself credit this once, for having done
every thing, and taken every medicine that was
ordered; so that Dr. Woodward, who is my phy
sician, says he never had a better patient. I
have not quite recovered the use of my limbs,
, m See Memoir, quarto edit. Part II, page 23.

49
yet my inside is a new man. '—To this letter suc
ceeded a third from Bath, dated February 15,
1781. ' My health, thank God, is very near per
fectly restored, and I have the complete use of
all my limbs except my left arm. I most sin
cerely wish to be employed and hope it will not
he long. If I am not employed, I intend coming
to town in March, and expect when I come to see
a fine trio (of naval portraits) in your room. Pray
give my best compliments to Captain Pole, and tell
him I hope we shall renew our acquaintance. I
must now wish you a good night, and drink your
health in a draught of my physician's cordial and
a bolus. Adieu!' — After eleven weeks bathing
he entirely recovered the use of his limbs: when
on going to settle with Dr. Woodward, the small-
ness of the demand produced a generous alterca
tion between them. ' Pray, 'Captain Nelson,'
exclaimed that worthy physician, ' pray allow me
to follow what I consider to be my professional
duty. Your illness, Sir, has been brought on by
serving your King and Country; and, believe me,
I love both too well to be able to receive any
more.' Anno V. On the 16th of August, 1781, he
i£«t. *3» was appointed to commission the Albe
marle frigate, 28 guns, at Woolwich; and on
the 21st he wrote to Captain Locker: " I have
been very busy in getting my ship's company in,
order for service, they are, in my opinion, as
good a set of men as I ever saw, indeed I am per-
E

50
fectly satisfied with both officers and ship's com
pany; all my marines are likewise old standers.
I have been so ill as hardly to be kept out of bed,
and have been but twice from the ship since her
arrival." Hjs orders arrived soon after this, and
are dated October 23, 1781 : he was to take the
Argo, and Enterprise, under his command, and
proceed to Elsineur for the homeward bound
trade. He was also informed, that he might pro
bably be reinforced by some ships from Commo
dore Stewart's squadron, who was off the Texel.
lt would be difficult to fix on any station, more
fatally adapted to destroy the feeble constitution
of an officer, worn out by the sultry heats of San
Juan and the climate of the West Indies, than
the cold and aguish atmosphere of the North Sea.
This appointment certainly made a deep impres
sion on Nelson's mind; since long afterwards, as
appears from his Memoir, when alluding to this
circumstance, he added, " And it would almost
be supposed, to try mj constitution, was kept the
whole winter in the North Sea." — Such ideas do
not remain in the mind of any Seaman, without
producing very serious evils in the Service; and it
is the more necessary to mark this, since the same
neglect being afterwards repeated at intervals,
had nearly deprived this Country of the achieve
ments of a Nelson.
On the 29th of October, 1781, the Albemarle,
with the Enterprise, 28 guns, Captain J.W. Payne,
and the Argo, 44, Captain Butchart, sailed from

51
the Nore for the Baltic, and arrived at Elsineur
on the 4th of November. The armed Neutrality
was then nearly at a close, and a usual jealousy
of this Country prevailed in some of the northern
courts. On coming to anchor off Elsineur, the
Danish Admiral merely sent a midshipman on
board the Albemarle, desiring to be informed
what ships had arrived, and to have their force
written down. " The Albemarle,' exclaimed
Nelson, ' is one of His Britannic Majesty's
ships; you are at liberty, Sir, to count her guns
as you go down the side, and you may assure
the Danish Admiral, that if necessary they
shall all be well served." Reciprocal civilities
afterwards took place, and the neglect of the
Danish commander was forgiven, in not sending
an officer of higher rank on board the Albe
marle. On the l£th of November, 1781, Captain
Dickson arrived in the Sampson, 64 guns, and
as the senior officer took the command of the
squadron. On the Sth of December ensuing,
they left Elsineur with 260 sail of merchant
men and arrived in safety in Yarmouth Roads,
whence, on the 22d, 1781, Captain Nelson, in
writing to his friend Capt. Locker, said, " What
fools the Dutch must have been not to have
taken us into the Texel. The Convoy consisted
of 260 sail, and they behaved as all Convoys,
that ever I saw did, shamefully ill; parting com-
e 1

52
pany every day. One hundred and ten sail are
now in the Roads."
During this voyage to Elsineur, Captain Nel
son gained a considerable knowledge of the
Danish coast and its soundings, which after
wards proved of such advantage to his Country;
and he also commenced an intimate friendship
with a brother officer, whose greatness and good
ness of mind were congenial to his own, that ever
to be lamented character John Willett Payne.
The Albemarle arrived in the Downs, on the 3d of
January, 1782, from Yarmouth Roads, when Cap
tain Nelson went on shore to call on the senior
officer, the Hon. Keith Elphinstone. During
his absence from the ship, there came on so
heavy a gale that almost all the vessels on that
station drove, and the Brilliant store ship, belong
ing to the ordnance, came athwart hawse of the
Albemarle. After much difficulty, Captain Nel
son got on board his ship which had lost her
bowsprit and foremast.
On the 3d of February, 1782, the Albemarle
arrived at Spithead, and on the 2d of April he
wrote to Captain Locker, dated Portsmouth,
April 2d, ' I am ordered to Cork to join the
Daedalus, Captain Pringle, and to go with a Con
voy to Quebec; where, worse than all to tell, I
understand I am to winter. Many of my naval
friends have advised me to represent my situa
tion to Admiral Keppel, and they have no doubt

53
but he would give me other orders, or remove
me; but as I received my orders from Lord Sand
wich, I cannot help thinking it wrong to ask
Mr. Keppel to alter them. I am exceedingly
happy at Charles Pole's success: in his seaman
ship he shewed himself as superior to the " Don,
as in his gallantry, and no man in the world was
ever so modest in his account of it.'
The Albemarle, having been blown out to sea
from Kingsale Roads, during the night of the
thirteenth, anchored on the eighteenth in the
Cove of Cork ; when Lieutenant Osborn second
Of the Albemarle being appointed to the Preston,
Captain Nelson procured an acting order of the
senior officer, Captain Bennett, for his old ship
mate and follower Mr. Bromwich. On the 20th
of April, he sent Captain Locker word of their
safe arrival : " I know your goodness will say,
I wonder how Nelson does? I answer, He is quite
well, better than for a long time past; and he
hopes by his return all your complaints will be
removed. Remember me kindly to the Bradley's,
and do not forget me to Commissioner Kirk, nor
to Charles Pole when you see him — never was
there a young man who bore his own merits with
so much modesty." On the 27th of May they
made St. John's Harbour, Newfoutidland, and
came to an anchor there. By the 1st of June,
Captain Nelson heard overland that his Commo-
n Capture of the Sanla Catalina, Spanish frigate, by the Suc
cess, Captain C. M. Pole.

54
dore was in Capelin Bay, about twenty leagues to .
the westward; and on the same day in writing to
Captain Locker, he said, " We have heard the
news ° from the West Indies, but not the parti
culars : It is reported that the Duke blew up in
the action. — I hope to God it is not true, I had
rather the French were at the devil than to have
lost Captain Gardner, p he is a real loss to the
service. My second Lieutenant was appointed
to the Preston and left the ship at Cork, the
other lieutenant not having joined, I gave Brom
wich an order to act as one-. He does his duty
exceedingly well as an officer, indeed I am very
well off, they are all good. The Albemarle
joined the Commodore and convoy in Capelin
Bay on the 5th of June, whence they sailed on the
17th; and having been escorted by the Leocadia
and iEolus frigates to the entrance of the river
St. Lawrence, they arrived with their convoy at
the Isle of Bee, in that river, on the second of
July. On the 4th of June, 1782, the Albemarle sailed
on a cruise, and on the 14th captured an Ame
rican fishing schooner belonging to Cape Cod;
which had nearly completed her voyage, and con
tained in her cargo nearly all the wealth which
the master V>f her possessed. Not having any
officer on board who was acquainted with Boston
* Sir George Rodney's Victory, April 12.
P The late Admiral Lord Gardner.

' 55
.Bay and the adjacent shoals, Captain Nelson
ordered the master of the fishing schooner to
come on board the Albemarle, and act as her
pilot. The poor fellow, whose name was Carver,
had a large family that anxiously expected his
return, earnestly hoping that this trip might
prove fortunate. He instantly obeyed without a
murmur; and, leaving his little vessel, exerted
himself to discharge the orders of Captain Nelson
with fidelity. But his conduct was not unnoticed
by that great and good man, who at length thus
addressed his prisoner: " You have rendered us,
Sir, a very essential service, and it is not the
custom of English Seamen to be ungrateful. In
the name therefore and with the approbation of
the officers of this ship, I return your schooner,
and with it this certificate of your good conduct.
Farewell ! and may God bless you !"
The American, full of astonishment and grati
tude, returned on board his little vessel blessing
the noble Captain of the Albemarle and his gene
rous crew: When, on opening the paper, he found
the following security in case he should again be
captured. — These are' to certify, that I took the
Schooner Harmony, Nathaniel Carver, master, be
longing to Plymouth;* but, on account of his good
Services, have given him up his Vessel again. Dated
on board His Majesty's ship Albemarle, 17 th of
1 On the western shore of Gape Cod Bay, in the State of Mas-
sachusets, the first town that was built in New England.

56
August, 1782. Horatio Nelson. The original
manuscript, so highly honourable to the British
Navy, is framed and hung up in the r house of
Isaac Davis, Esq. a gentleman of Boston. May
similar instances of liberality and forbearance, on
each side, destroy those jealousies between Engr
land and America, which it is so much the inte
rest of their enemies to foment.
The grateful Master of the schooner came off
to the Albemarle afterwards, at the risk of his life,
with four sheep, some poultry, and a quantity of
vegetables, as a present to her Captain; and a
most valuable one it proved, since the scurvy was
raging in the ship. For a long time Carver pe
remptorily refused to be paid, but was at length
reluctantly compelled to receive it, lest he should
offend Captain Nelson: and here again that illus
trious Seaman displayed another instance of his
humanity, for the whole of the American's pre
sent was shared equally amongst the sick.
On the 14th of August, 1782, at two P. M. the
Albemarle was chased by four French sail of the
line and the Iris frigate, who had come out of
Boston harbour. Captain Nelson immediately
wore; and, on finding that ' they all beat him in
sailing,' as. is described in his s Memoir, ' he
boldly ran amongst the numerous shoals of St.
George's Bank.' Owing to this presence of mind,
r From the information of Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart.
' Quarto edit, page 33, where he seems to have forgotten the;
exact number of ships.

57
and that skill in pilotage on which he so justly
valued himself, he effectually separated his ship
from the superior force of the enemy. The fri
gate warily continued the pursuit, on which the
Albemarle at six o'clock shortened sail and hove
to. This seemed to stagger the Iris, who by sun
set had nearly got within gun-shot of her antago
nist, and during the night she escaped; on which
the Albemarle again stood into Boston Bay, but
saw nothing of the frigate.
By the 23d of August, so many of his crew had
suffered, and were daily sinking under the scurvy,
that Captain Nelson ordered his ship to stand
away for Quebec, intending to have gone through
the strait of Canso. Owing to contrary winds, it
was the 9th of September before they could get
up to the Isle of Bee, where they procured a
pilot; who, on the morning of the 15th, anchored
the ship abreast of Cape Torment. At six A. M.
they weighed, and made sail with light airs of
wind through the north traverse; but at nine it
fell calm, and the ship drifted amongst the Shoals.
The pilot, who was frightened out of his senses,
earnestly entreated the Captain to go back to the
anchorage they had left in the morning. No, ,
replied Nelson, I have a great number of men
sick on board : I am bound to Quebec, and there
Iwill.go: '-Upon which,' adds Lieutenant Brom
wich, ' we turned to, and warped the ship through
the north traverse, to the utter astonishment of

58
the pilot. On the 17th we anchored at Quebec,
and sent our sick to the hospital.'
During these repeated visits to Quebec, Cap
tain Nelson first became acquainted with Mr.
Alexander Davison, at whose house he expe
rienced the utmost hospitality, and from whom,
both at this time, and long afterwards, he received
innumerable acts of kindness. The sanguine mind
of Nelson often required the cool and steady
reason of a friend to regulate the common oc
currences of private life: his extraordinary cha
racter displayed no inconsiderable portion of
knight-errantry, and like the most celebrated
warriors in the annals of chivalry, ' he devoted
himself equally a la Guerre, at a V Amour.
The Albemarle sailed on the 20th, from Bee
roads for New York, in company with the Pan
dora, Captain Inglis, and 23 sail of transports;
and on the 1 1th of November arrived at Sandy-
Hook, where Captain Nelson found Admiral Lord
Hood in the Barfleur, with twelve sail of the line.
When he waited on Admiral Digby, Lord Hood
was present and saw the Captain of the Albemarle
for the first time. You are come, said Admiral
Digby, on a fine station for making Prize money.
Yes, Sir, replied Nelson, but the JVest Indies is
the station for Honour. He soon afterwards went
t < La Guerre, 1' Amour, et la Religion, formoient, comme on
sait, la base de cette • institution singuliere.' , Histoire Litcraire
des Troubadours, (torn. i. p. 35.)

' 59
on board the Barfleur and anxiously requested
Lord Hood to ask for the Albemarle: a favour
which was not obtained from Admiral Digby
without much difficulty, so highly was Nelson's
professional merit then esteemed. It was in
America, and at this period, that,Nelson became
acquainted with a distinguished Officer, he after
wards so much regarded, his Royal Highness
Prince William Henry, now Duke of Clarence;
who had been serving in the capacity of a mid
shipman under Admiral Digby, but on Lord
Hood's arrival went, by his Majesty's directions,
on board the Barfleur. His Royal Highness has.
been pleased to describe this first interview with
Captain Nelson, and his personal appearance at
that time: ' I was then " a Midshipman on board
. the Barfleur, lying in the narrows off Staten
Island, and had the watch on deck ; when Cap
tain Nelson of the Albemarle came in his barge
alongside, who appeared to be the meerest boy of
a Captain I ever beheld, and his dress was worthy
of attention. He had on a full laced uniform, his
Jarik unpowdered hair was tied in a stiff Hessian
tail of an extraordinary length; the old-fashioned
•flaps of his waistcoat added to the general quaint-
ncss of his figure, and produced an appearance
which particularly attracted my notice, for I had
never seen any thing like it before, nor could I
u From minutes of a conversatioip with his Royal Highness at
Bushey Park.

60
imagine who he was, nor what he came about.
My doubts were, however, removed, when Lord
Hood introduced me to him. There was some
thing irresistibly pleasing in his address and con
versation; and an enthusiasm, when speaking on
professional subjects, that shewed he was no com
mon being. Nelson after this went with us to the
West Indies, and served under Lord Hood's flag
during his indefatigable cruise off Cape Francois.
Throughout the whole of the American War, the
height of Nelson's ambition was to command a
line of battle ship; as for Prize-money, it never
entered his thoughts : he had always in view the
character of his maternal uncle. I found him
warmly attached to my Father, and singularly
humane. He had the honour of the Kind's service,
and the independence of the British Navy parti
cularly at heart, and his mind glowed with this
idea as much when he was simply Captain of the
Albemarle, and had obtained none of the honours
of his Country, as when he was afterwards deco
rated with so much well earned distinction.'
There is an anecdote respecting him, whilst
on this station, which cannot be better related,
than in the words of Lieutenant Bromwich.
" The day before we sailed, Captain Nelson went
on board the Barfleur; when Lord Hood said to
him, " I suppose, Sir, from the length of time you
were cruising amongst the Bahama Keys, you
must be a good pilot there." " My Lord," replied
Nelson, " I am well acquainted with them; but

61
my second lieutenant is far my superior in that
respect."—' I was therefore,' adds Mr. Brom
wich, ' sent for by Captain Knight, who asked
me many questions respecting the Bahama Keys,
as it was expected that the French would attempt
some of the passages betAveen them, and I was in
consequence ordered to hold myself in readiness
for that service. ' I never heard of this proof of
my worthy Captain's good intentions towards me
from himself, but by means of some officers who
were present.'
The Albemarle sailed with Lord Hood's fleet
for the West Indies, on the 22d of November.
On which the French squadron, under the Mar
quis de Vaudreuil, left Boston, intending to go
to Cape Francois, off which Lord Hood had sta
tioned his fleet; but as the enemy were informed
of this by a neutral vessel, they in consequence
pushed through the Mona Passage and got into
Porto Cavallo, on the coast of the Caraccas. In
writing to Captain Locker, Feb. 25, 1783, Nelson
said, ' My situation in Lord Hood's fleet must be
in the highest degree flattering to any young man,
he treats me as if I were his son, and will, I am
convinced, give me any thing I can ask of him.
Nor is my situation with Prince William less flat
tering: Lord Hood was so kind as to tell him
(indeed I cannot make use of expressions strong
enough to describe what I felt) that if he wished
to ask questions relative to Naval Tactics, I could
give him as much information as any officer in the

62
fleef. He will be, I am certain, an ornament to
our Service. He is a Seaman, which you could
hardly suppose, every other qualification you may
expect from him; but he will be a disciplinarian,
and a strong one. A vast deal of notice has been
taken of him at Jamaica, he has been addressed
by the Council, and the House of Assembly was
to address him the day after I sailed. He has his
levees at Spanish Town, they are all highly de
lighted with him : With the best temper and great
good sense, he cannot fail of being pleasing to
every one.'
The Albemarle, on the 2Qth of March, looked
into Porto Cavallo, and found there eleven sail
of the line, two frigates, a ship armed en flute, and
several merchantmen. The next day they exa
mined Curacoa harbour; and, when betweenPorto
Cavallo and laGuira, took a King's launch belono"-
ing to the Spaniards with an illustrious foreigner
the Count de deux Ponts, M. L}rnch, and several
French officers of distinction, who formed a part
of the French squadron and had been on a visit to
Caracca de Leon. After endeavouring to procure
what intelligence he was able, Captain Nelson
with a liberality which his distinguished captives
well knew how to appreciate, immediately granted
them their liberty. The Albemarle returned to
Port Royal; and, on the 9th of May, accompanied
His Royal Highness Prince William, who was on
board the Fortunee, Captain Christian, on his visit
to the Havannah. H.R.H.was also attended by the

63
Captains Goodall, Rowley, and Merrick. Lord
Hood * followed with the fleet, and remained off
the place until His Royal Highness' return.
On the 1 1th of May, the Albemarle sailed from
the Havannah for St. Augustine, East Florida,
with despatches from Lord Hood; on the 19th
she stood for England, and on the 25th of June,
1783, anchored at Spithead. The ship was paid
off in Portsmouth harbour on the 3d of July.
,jCaptain Nelson immediately went to London,
whence, on the 12th, he thus continued his cor
respondence with Captain Locker, from lodgings
in Salisbury Street. ' My time, ever since I
arrived in town, has been taken up in attempt
ing to get the wages due to my Good Fellows, for
various ships they have served in during the war.
The disgust of the Seamen to the Navy, is all
owing to the infernal plan of turning them over
from ship to ship; so that men cannot be attached
to their officers, nor their officers care the least
about the men. My'ship was paid off last week,
and in such a manner as must flatter any officer,
particularly in these turbulent times; the whole
ship's company offered, if I could get a ship, to
enter for her immediately. But I have no
thoughts of going to sea, for I cannot afford to
live on board in such a way as is going on at pre-
* His Lordship sent as a present to tho Governor of the Ha-
' vannah, a Sirloin of beef that had been roasted and a buttock
that had been boiled iu England.

64
sent. Yesterday Lord Hood carried me to St.
James's, where the King was exceedingly atten
tive. On Monday, or Tuesday, I am to be at
Windsor, to take leave of Prince William pre
vious to his embarkation for the continent.
Captain Merrick, a young man of Lord Hood's
bringing up, is to be with him.'
The following letter to Mr. Ross, gives an inte
resting display of Nelson's feelings at the close
of the American War, it is dated from Salisbury
Street, August 9, 1783. ' My dear friend, I am
sure you are well convinced that nothing but my
being ignorant where to direct to you, could have
hindered you from being troubled Avith my non
sense. The innumerable favours I have received,
be assured 1 shall never forget; and any oppor
tunity that shall offer of my making some small
return, you may always command — but I have
done. You have long looked on me with a
favourable eye, and I believe that. I don't Avant
gratitude. I have closed the War without a for
tune ; but I trust, and from the attention that
has been paid to me believe, that there is not a
speck in my character; True Honour I hope
predominates in my mind far above riches.'
A„no VI. In a preceding letter to Captain
.ffitat. z6. Lock;erj Nelson had expressed his deter
mination to remain unemployed during a Peace ;
and this he said, not only from motives of eco
nomy, but from an inclination at the moment to
indulge the natural independence of his disposi-

65
tion. But the stagnation of an inactive life on
shore, soon produced that restlessness Avhich
forms a peculiar feature in the character of our
seamen. He therefore resolved to visit France,
in company with his friend Captain Macnamara
since dead, that he might acquire that knoAvledge
of the French language Avhich is of so much ser
vice to a naval officer. The only account that
remains of their Tour, is contained in the folloAv-
ing letters to Captain Locker; the first of Avhich
is dated from St. Omer, Nov. 2, 1783.
" Our Travels, since we left you, have been
extended to much greater length than I appre
hended; but I must do Captain Mac the justice to
say, it Avas all my doings, and in a great measure
against his advice: however experience bought is
the best, and all my inexperience I have paid
pretty dearly for. We dined at Canterbury the
day we parted from you, and called at Captain
Sands's house, but he was just gone out to dinner
in the country, therefore Ave did not see him.
We slept at Dover, and next morning at seven
o'clock put to sea with a fine N.W. wind; and at
half past ten Ave Avere safe at breakfast in Mon
sieur Grandsire's house at Calais — his mother kept
it when Hogarth composed his Gate of Calais.
Sterne's Sentimental Journey is the best descrip
tion I can give of our Tour. Mac advised me to
go first to St. Omer, as he had experienced the
difficulty of attempting to fix in any place where
there are no English. After dinner we set offin-

66
tending to go to Montrieul, sixty miles from
Calais. They told us we travelled en poste, but I
am sure Ave did not get on more than four miles
an hour. At Marquees, we Avere shewn into an
inn, they called it, I should have called it a pig
sty. We Avere put into a room with two straw
beds, and with great difficulty they mustered up
clean sheets, and gave us two pigeons for supper
upon a dirty cloth, and laid wooden handled
knives. O Avhat a transition from happy Eng-
v land ! But Ave laughed at the repast, and went
to bed Avith a determination that nothing should
ruffle our tempers.
" Having slept very Avell, Ave set off at day-light
for Boulogne, where we breakfasted: this place
Avas full of English, I suppose because wine is so
very cheap. We Avent on after breakfast to Mon
trieul. Next clay, Saturday, Ave proceeded upon
our tour; leaving Montrieul Avith great regret,
Ave reached Abbeville at eight o'clock. I deter
mined, with Mac's advice, to steer for St. Omer,
where Ave arrived last Tuesday. We lodge Avith
a pleasant French family and have our dinners
sent from a traiteurs. There are two very agree
able young ladies, daughters, who honour us with
their company pretty often; one always makes
our breakfast and the other our tea, and we play
a game at cards in the evening: therefore I must
learn French, if it is only for the pleasure of talk
ing to them, for they do not speak a word of Eng
lish. If Charles Pole is arrived, and you Avrite to

67
him, give my kind respects; I esteem him as a
brother." His next letter is dated from the same place,
"St. Omer, Nov. 26, 1783. My mind is too much
taken up Avith the recent account of my dear
Sister's death, to partake of any amusements. If
I am not in England before the Avinter is over, I
shall go to Paris in the spring; Avhere I have re
ceived a most polite invitation from the Officer
whom I detained off Porto Cavallo. I did not
know his rank at that time, nor afterwards until
I came here — he Avent by the name of the Count
de Deux Ponts. He is a Prince of the empire, a
general of the French army, knight of the grand
order of St. Louis, and Avas second in command
at the capture of York Town : his brother is heir
apparent to the electorate of Bavaria, and the
Palatinate. The present elector is eighty years
of age, and this nobleman's brother is upon his
death-bed. So most probably I shall have had the
honour of taking prisoner a man, who. will be a
sovereign prinqe of Europe, and bring into the
field near a hundred thousand men."
During this continuance at St. Omer, the inti
macy which they had formed with some agreeable
daughters of an English clergyman, Mr. Andrews,
fascinated the susceptible heart of Nelson. To one
of these ladies he became gradually much attached,
and she Avas in every respect worthy of his atten
tions. There was only one obstacle that prevented
their union, butthat Avasan imperious one — neither
F 2

68
of them Avas sufficiently independent. Nelson was
therefore reluctantly obliged to retreat, and to
hope for better days. But his connexion Avith
this worthy family did not entirely terminate on
this occasion : Miss Andrews had a brother, now
a Captain in the royal navy, who commenced his
career in the profession in 1778, under the aus
pices of Lord Howe ; and had returned to his
family at the late peace. This gallant officer,
who has since been rendered incapable of ser
vice, by the fatigue and hardships he experi
enced in the discharge of his duty, became from
that time a follower of Captain Nelson.
At the beginning of 1784, he appears to have
returned to England, and Avas soon asked by Lord
Howe, who then presided at the Admiralty, if he
Avished to be employed? To which he answered
in the affirmative. Accordingly at the end of
March he was appointed to the Boreas, 28 guns,
destined for the Leeward Islands.
Captain Nelson Avas desired to carry out Lady
Hughes and family toSirRichard, who commanded
on that station ; and in this ship, the Rev.William
Nelson became again, as he had been at school,
the companion of his gallant brother, and em
braced the opportunity of visiting the West
Indies: he also occasionally officiated as chap
lain, as, from the rate of the ship, the Boreas
could not have one appointed. Some occur
rences Avhich took place after the Boreas had
left the river, are detailed in the following letter

69
to Capt. Locker. — "Portsmouth, April 21, 1/84.
Since I parted from you, I have encountered
many disagreeable adventures. The morning
after I left you, we sailed at day-light, just after
high Avater. Wednesday I got into a quarrel
with. a Dutch Indiaman Avho had Englishmen on
board; which we settled though with some diffi
culty: the Dutchman has made a complaint
against me; but the Admiralty fortunately haAX
approved my conduct in the business, a thing
they are not very guilty of where there is a like
lihood of a scrape. And yesterday, to complete
me, I Avas riding a blackguard horse that ran
aAvay Avith me at Common, carried me round all
the works into Portsmouth by the London gates,
through the town, and out at the gate that leads to
Common, Avhere there was a Avaggon in the road,
which is so very narrow that a horse could barely
pass. To save my legs, and perhaps my life, I
was obliged to throw myself from the horse,
Avhich I did with great agility; but unluckily
upon hard stones, Avhich has hurt my back and
my leg, but done no other mischief. It Avas a
thousand to one that I had been killed. To
crown all, a young girl was riding with me, and
her horse ran away with mine; but most fortu
nately a gallant young man seized her horse's
bridle a momeht before I was dismounted, and
saved her from the destruction Avhjch she could
not have avoided."

70
Anno VII. On the 19th of May, 1784, the
/Etat. 26. j3oreas sailed for her station at Barba
does and the LeeAvard Islands. Captain Nelson
Avas at that time a very young man, and had not
been many years on the Post list; yet he tho
roughly understood every branch of the naval
service, and with the utmost zeal and perse
verance daily- and hourly studied every thing
that could possibly tend to promote its advan
tage. A time of profound peace Avould seem
unlikely to offer opportunities, for a display of
those talents Avhich his comprehensive mind pos
sessed; but, as he himself often said, " a Captain
of a man of Avar, if he does his Duty, will find
sufficient to occupy his mind, and to render
service to his Country, on any station,^either in
peace or war."
The Boreas arrived at Madeira on the first of
June ; and on the second, after breakfast, the
Governor sent the Major of his guards, Avith his
state barge, to convey Lady Hughes and her
suite on shore, Avhich was politely declined. At
half past ten, the ship being completely manned,
Lady Hughes and her daughter, attended by
Captain Nelson, two lieutenants, the lieutenant
of marines, and the Rev. William Nelson, Avent
into the barge; and as soon as she Avas got to a
convenient distance, she Avas saluted with eleven
guns and three cheers, which were returned
from the barge. Captain Nelson was also ac-

71
companied by ten midshipmen; so that nothing
could have a more respectable appearance. This
was his constant mode of paying visits of cere
mony : because, in his opinion, it Avas highly
beneficial to his young gentlemen in their pro
fessional career; and it is to be lamented that
this mode, from its great utility, is not more
generally adopted in the service.
On Tuesday, June the 8th, 1784, the Boreas
got under sail. From the experience which he
possessed of the pernicious effect of the West
India climate on Europeans, who had not been
accustomed to it, he gave such directions as
proved of Avonderful utility, and tended in a
very remarkable degree to preserve the health
of his crew, during the vicissitudes of a four
years station. The Boreas arrived at Barbadoes
on the 26th of June. It Avas no small degree of*
satisfaction to Captain Nelson, to find himself
senior Captain and second in command on that
station. During the passage of the Boreas down
to Antigua, to be laid up for. the hurricane
months, he paid a visit to Fort Royal, and St.
Pierre, Martinico. On quitting Martinico they
stood over for English Harbour, Antigua, where
they found the Latona with a broad pendant
hoisted. The surprise of Captain Nelson on see
ing this Avas rather increased than lessened, on
reading the following Order Avhich had been issued
by Admiral Sir R. Hughes :
Mem, In consequence of the Orders given

72
by my predecessors, Lord Rodney, and Admiral
Pigot, directing the Commanders of his Majesty's
ships and vessels to put themselves under the
command of Sir John Laforey, during their stay
in English Harbour, &c. You are hereby required
and directed to obey the orders of Resident Com
missioner Moutray, during the time you may
have occasion to remain in English Harbour;
and the said Resident Commissioner has my
Orders to hoist a broad pendant for that pur
pose, on board any of his Majesty's ships, in that
port, that he may think proper.
Signed, R. Hughes.
Captain Nelson, having Avell Aveighed the Ad
miral's Order, and the tenor of it, concluded that
he could not, and ought not, to put himself under
the command of a Resident Commissioner; and
as this Resident Commissioner's hoisting a broad
pendant Avas not consistent with the service, since
he only enjoyed a civil situation, he exclaimed,
" 1 know of no superior Officers besides the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, and my seniors
on the Post List." He therefore determined to
resist this innovation; and the moment that his
ship had anchored, he sent an order to Captain
Sandys of the Latona, to strike the Commis
sioner's broad pendant, and return it to the dock
yard, which was done accordingly: But to prove
that he was not actuated by any other motive in
this proceeding, than the good of the Service, he
went on that very clay and dined with the Com-

73
missioner, and brought him the first intelligence
of his pendant being struck. Admiral Sir R.
Hughes, Avho Avas then lying at Barbadoes, as
soon as he heard of Avhat had taken place, sent
an account of it to the Admiralty, who approved
of Captain Nelson's conduct.
When the hurricane months Avere over, and
Avhilst the Boreas remained at anchor in Nevis
road, a French frigate passed to leeward close
along shore. According to Captain Nelson's
information, Avhich proved to be correct, this
frigate had been sent to make a. survey of our
West India islands, and had on boardtwo general
officers and some engineers. He therefore gave
orders to accompany the French ship, that he
might prevent them from executing their inten
tions. The Boreas accordingly got under weigh,
and pursuing the frigate, found her the next day
at anchor in the road of St. Eustatia. Captain
Nelson anchored at about tAvo cables length on
the frigate's, quarter. After the interchange of
salutes and other mutual civilities, both himself
and his officers Avere the next day invited by the
Dutch governor to dinner, to meet the French
officers; and an opportunity Avas thus afforded
Captain Nelson of making known his intentions,
which he gladly embraced: He informed the
Captain of the frigate, with a courtesy Avorthy
of an experienced Statesman, " that understand
ing; it Avas the Avish of the French to honour the
British West India islands with a visit, hp had

74
taken the earliest opportunity in his power to
accompany them in his Majesty's ship the Boreas,
that such attention might be paid to the officers
of his Most Christian Majesty, as every English
man in the Islands would be proud of an oppor
tunity of sheAving." The French officers having
made repeated attempts to elude his vigilance,
but Avithout effect, abandoned their project and
beat up to Martinico. The Boreas immediately
beat up for Barbadoes, and never lost sight of
the frigate until she was safe in Martinico,
Avhence she had originally sailed.
Anno . VIII. At the close of this year and
iEtat. zj- tne beginning of the ensuing one, 1785,
Captain Nelson, having no declared enemies to
contend Avith, began to pay an extraordinary at
tention to the commercial interests of his Coun
try, in the West Indies: Avhich proved an effectual
support to his Majesty's order in council, July
the 2d, 1783, respecting the American trade
thither, and became highly honourable to Nel
son's professional abilities. His active spirit
Avould never allow him to remain idle on any
station, even during a time of peace, nor to
suffer the smallest wishes of his Sovereign to be
neglected. He observed, that our West India
islands swarmed with American vessels, to the
great detriment of the British trade and com
merce. For the Americans, taking advantage of
the registers of their vessels prior to their inde
pendence, and issued, as they said, Avhilst they

75
were British subjects, Avere uniformly counte
nanced by the planters, merchants, and officers
of the customs of our different islands, to the
aggrandizement of individuals, and the injury of
the commerce of the mother country. He there
fore was determined to put a stop, as soon as
possible, to this illicit trad*. It Avas on this oc
casion, and from the cabal formed by men Avhose
duty it particularly . Avas to aid and support the
patriotic spirit of Nelson, that a correspondence
commenced between him and General Sir Thomas
Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands; in
Avhich the former clearly pointed out the steps to
be taken at so important a crisis. But this zeal
and unusual mode of giving advice to a superior,
awakening the military jealousy and irritating
the pride of the governor, he replied, " That old
Generals were not in the habit of taking advice
from Young Gentlemen." — The indignation of
Nelson was roused, and his ansAver Avas remark
able: I have the honour, Sir, of being as old as the
Prime Minister of England, and think myself as
capable of commanding one of his Majesty's ships as
that Minister is of governing the State. -
Captain Nelson Avas Avell aware, that after the
ratification of the Peace in 1783, the Americans
became as much foreigners as any other nation;
and therefore, by the 12th of Charles the Second,
Avhich said, " That no foreigners, directly or in
directly, shall have any trade or intercourse Avith
his Majesty's West India islands; the ships to bq

76
British built, and navigated at least by three-
fourths British Seamen;" — he on that authority,
notwithstanding the message he had received
from the governor, and the powerful opposition
that was forming against his individual exertions,
ordered all American vessels to quit the Islands
in forty-eight hours; and declared, that in case
of refusal, or their presuming to knd their car
goes, he Avould seize and prosecute them in the
court of admiralty.
Thus did the astonishing capacity of Captain
Nelson, with that firmness which denotes a
great mind, at once discern how deeply and
dangerously' the best and clearest interests of
his Country would be affected by the infraction
of our Y inalienable Naval Rights ; not only sanc
tioned by our navigation acts, but established by
the law of nations. He determined, therefore, to
continue his utmost exertions, Avhilst he remained
on that Station, in checking the illicit trade then
carrying on between the United States and our
islands in the West Indies, in Aressels belonging
principally to the Americans. Without any other
information, he knew generally, that its Naviga
tion Acts did no more than adapt government to
the circumstances of this Country and its Colo
nies. Experience taught him, that pursuing the
Avise policy of this system, our naval strength had
advanced to that greatness of Avhich he was a

y From the notes of the Right Hon. George Rose,

77
most competent Avitness; and he had, Avithin hit
own observation, evident proofs of the evils that
Avould arise, as Avell to our commerce, as our
shipping, by pursuing a different line of con
duct. Since on board almost every vessel that
was stopped under his orders, Avere found large
quantities of the manufactures of other nations,
intended for the suppty of our islands.
Actuated by the strong z impression made on
him by these considerations, he adopted very
effectual means for preventing evils of so much
magnitude; taking upon himself, thereby, a se
vere and extensive responsibility, and certainly
without sufficient light to have guided almost
any other man in the same situation. With the
public interest always in view, he never thought
of personal consequences; and with an intelli
gence, spirit, and energy, almost peculiar to
himself, he checked the mischievous practices,
which have been alluded to, by repeated seizures,
at the risk of damages and expenses that might
have involved him in ruin. His judgment, how
ever, proved to be equal to his zeal.
In the mean time, the Americans, who had so
considerably profited by this intercourse, en
couraged by their friends on shore, as Avell as by
the Collectors and Comptrollers of the different
customs of the islands, resisted the threats and
orders of Captain Nelson.
">¦ From the notes of the Right Hon. G. Rose.

78
-, The innumerable difficulties under which he
had long laboured, now continually increased.
The Planters were to a man decidedly hostile to his
conduct. The Governors and Presidents of the
islands gave him no support; and the Admiral,
wavering between both parties, and having no
decided opinion, merely addressed a memoran
dum to Captain Nelson, advising him, " to be
guided bytheAvishes of the presidentsof the coun
cil, " Avhich not being an Order, the intrepid com
mander of the Boreas steadily pursued his course.
On the arrival of the Boreas at Nevis, 1785, he
found four American vessels there, deeply laden,
and with Avhat are termed the island colours fly
ing, Avhich are white with a red cross. These
vessels were immediately visited, and the masters
of them directed, as they knew they Avere Ameri
can vessels and had American cargoes on board,
to hoist their proper colours and leave the island
in forty-eight hours. They denied being Ameri
cans, and refused to obey the orders of Captain
Nelson. Upon which an examination of their
creAvs took place on board the Boreas, in the
Captain's cabin, and before the judge of the ad
miralty, who happened to be on board; Avhen
they all confessed that they Avere Americans
and that their vessels and cargoes were wholly
American property. They Avere accordingly pro
ceeded against in the court of admiralty at Nevis-
and notwithstanding the opinions and pleadings
ef the greater part of the learned council of the

79
different islands, Avhohad assembled to defend the
Americans— in the hope of proving that Captain
Nelson, Avithout a deputation from the customs,
was not authorised to seize the traders; that great
officer pleaded his own cause so ably, and refuted
their specious arguments so completely, that the
four vessels Avith their cargoes were condemned
as legal prizes to the Boreas.
The American masters on going ashore with
their respective followers, Avere interrogated by
an attorney, Avho had been purposely prepared by
the cabal, as to the place, and the manner, in
which the depositions had been taken; and noAV
a new scene of duplicity ensued. The Masters,
led on by this attorney, were induced to declare,
that when they gave their depositions they had
been put into bodily fear; for a man with a draAvn
sword (the sentry as is usual at the cabin door)
had stood over them during the Avhole proceed
ing. Other similar falsities, equally ridiculous,
were added; and in consequence, an action of
damages to a considerable amount was imme-
diately commenced against Capt. Nelson: OAving
to Avhich, he was confined to his cabin for many
weeks, Sundays excepted. The Marshal fre
quently came on board to arrest him, but by fair
words, the first lieutenant, Mr. James Wallis, was
always able ta elude his vigilance.
In a letter to Captain Locker, dated March 5,
1786, he entered at large on this business; and,
after some previous observations, thus described

80
the delicacy of his situation with Sir R. Hughes.
..." 1 must either disobey my Orders, or disobey
Acts of Parliament: I determined upon the
former, trusting to the uprightness of my inten
tions, and believing that my Country Avould not
alloAV me to be ruined, by protecting her com
merce. I first sent to Sir Richard, expatiated on
the Navigation Laws to the best of my ability,
told him I was certain some person had been giv
ing him advice, Avhich he Avould be sorry for
having taken, against the positive directions of
Acts of Parliament; and that I Avas certain he
had too much regard, for the commerce of Great
Britain, to suffer our Avorst enemies to take it
from us. At a time Avhen Great Britain was
straining every nerve to suppress illegal trade at
home, Avhich only affected the revenue, I hoped
Ave should not be singular in allowing a much
more ruinous traffic to be carried on under the
King's flag, and, in short, that I should decline
obeying his Orders, until I had an opportunity of
seeing and talking to him, at the same time mak
ing him an apology. At first, I hear he Avas going
to send an officer to supersede me; but having
mentioned the business to his Captain, the latter
said, " he believed all the Squadron thought he
had sent illegal orders; therefore did not knoAV
how far they Avere obliged to obey them." This
being their sentiments, he could not try me here;
and now he finds I am right and thanks me for
having put him so.

81
" I told the Custom-houses, I should after such
a day seize all foreigners I found in our islands,
and I kept them out to the utmost of my power
until that time. The Custom-houses fancied I
could not seize without a deputation, therefore
disregarded my threats; in May last I seized the
first. I had the governor, the customs, all the
planters upon me: subscriptions were soon filled
to prosecute me, and my Admiral stood neuter,
although his flag was then in the roads. Before
the first vessel Avas tried, I had seized four others;
and having sent for the masters on board to exa
mine them, and the marines on board the vessels
not allowing some of these masters to go on shore,
I had suits taken out against me, and damages
laid at the enormous sum of 40,000/. sterling.
When the trial' came on, I was protected by the
judge for the day; but the marshal Avas desired to
arrest me, and the merchants promised to indem
nify him for the act. The judge however having
declared he would send him to prison if he dared
to do it, he desisted. I fortunately attached my
self to an honest lawyer; and, don't let me forget,
the President of Nevis offered in court to become
my bail for 10,000/. if I chose to suffer the arrest;
he told them I had only done my duty; and al
though he suffered more in proportion than any
of them, he could not blame me. At last after
a trial of two days we carried our Cause, and the
vessels Avere condemned. I was a close prisoner
on board for eight weeks; for, had I been taken,

82
I most assuredly should have been cast for the
whole sum. I had nothing left but to send a
memorial to the King, and he was good enough
to order me to be defended at his expense, and
sent orders to General Shirley to afford me every
assistance in the execution of my duty; referring
him to my letters, as there was contained in them
what concerned him not to have suffered.
" The Treasury, by the last packet, transmitted
thanks to Sir Richard Hughes and the officers
under him, for their activity and zeal in protect
ing the commerce of Great Britain. Had they
known Avhat I have told you, and if my friends
think I may without impropriety tell the story
myself, I shall do it when I get home, I do not
think they would have bestowed thanks in that
quarter, and neglected me. I feel much hurt
that after the loss of health and risk of fortune,
another should be thanked for what I did, and
against his orders. I either deserved to be sent
out of the Service, or at least to have had some
little notice taken of what I had done: They
have thought it Avorthy of notice and yet have
neglected me. . . . But I have done my Duty,
and have nothing to accuse myself of.
" Most probably the next time you see me will
he as a Benedict— I think I have found a Avoman
Who will make me happy. I will tell you more
of this shortly, for my paper is full. Adieu, my
dear friend; and believe that I am, with the most
unfeigned regard 4ind esteem, yours faithfully."

83
Amidst the variety of occupation Avhich .
thenceforward continued to harass and distract
his thoughts, Captain Nelson does not seem to
have given his friend the account of this attach
ment which he had intended. Mrs. Nisbet, the
young and accomplished Avidow of Dr. Nisbet,
who had been physician to the island of Nevis,
was the daughter of Mr. Woolward, and hadJnot
attained her eighteenth year when she became
acquainted with Captain Nelson. Mrs. Nisbet
was at St. Kitts, Avhen Captain Nelson, in 1784,
paid his first visit to her uncle Mr. Herbert, the
president ef Nevis, whose liberality at the trial
of the Americans has been mentioned; and a
letter from a female friend gave her the follow
ing account of her future husband:
" We have at last seen the little Captain of the
Boreas, of Avhom so much has been said.. He
came up just before dinner, much heated, and
Avas very silent; yet seemed, according to the
old adage, to think the more. He declined
drinking any wine; but after dinner Avhen the
president as usual gave the three following
toasts, the King, the Queen and Royal Family,
and Lord Hood, this strange man regularly filled
his glass, and observed that those were always
bumper toasts Avith him; which having drank,
he uniformly passed the bottle and relapsed
into his former taciturnity. It Avas impossible,
during this visit, for any of us to make out his
real character; there Was such a reserve and
o 2

84
sternness in his behaviour, Avith occasional sal
lies though very transient of a superior mind.
Being placed by him, I endeavoured to rouse his
attention by shewing him all the civilities in my
power; but I drew out little more than Yes and
No. If you, Fanny, had been there, Ave think
you would have made something of him; for you
hav£ been in the habits of attending to these
odd sort of people."
The following letter, so honourable to his cha
racter, is one of the first that was addressed to
Mrs. Nisbet: " Boreas, English Harbour, Sep
tember 11, 1785. I had buoyed myself up with
hopeSj that the Admiral's schooner would have
given me a line from you; but the tidings she
brought of the release of poor Mrs. Herbert from
this Avorld, sufficiently apologise for your not
thinking of an absentee. Yet this believe from
my heart, that I partake in all the sorrows you
experience; and I comfort myself that hoAvever
great your grief at this moment may be, at
losing a person Avho Avas so deservedly dear to
you, as your good aunt, yet when reason takes
place, you must rather have pleasure in knoAving
she is released from those torments, she had
undergone for months past. Time ever has,
and in the present instance I trust may have
a tendency to soften grief into a pleasing
remembrance, and her unspotted character must
afford you real comfort. Call Religion to your
aid; and it will convince you that her conduct

85
in this Avorld, was such as insures everlasting hap
piness in that Avhich is to come.
"'" I have received a letter from Mr. Herbert,
in ansAver to that which I left at Nevis for him.
My greatest Avish is to be united to you; and the
foundation of all conjugal happiness, real love
and esteem, is I trust Avhat you believe 1 possess
in the strongest degree towards you. I think
Mr. Herbert loves you too Avell not -to let you
marry the man of your choice, although he may
not be so rich as some others, provided his cha
racter and situation in life render such a union
eligible. I declare solemnly, that did I not con
ceive 1 had the full possession of your heart, no
consideration should make me accept your hand.
We knoAV that riches do not always insure happi
ness; and the Avorld is convinced that I am supe
rior to pecuniary considerations in my public and
private life, as in both instances I might have
been rich. — But I will have done, leaving all my
present feelings to operate in your breast; only
of this truth be convinced, that I am your affec
tionate Horatio Nelson."
On the 3d of March, 1786, when off the island
of Deseada, he addressed the following letter to
Mrs. Nisbet; which, together with the sincerity
of his attachment, displays his religious turn
' of mind and affectionate fraternal disposition:
" Separated from you what pleasure can Ifeel?
none, be assured: All my happiness is centred
with thee, and Avhere thou art not, there I am not

86
happy. Every day, hour, and act, convince me
of it. With my heart filled Avith the purest and
most tender affection, do I write this; for Avere it
not so, you know me well enough to be certain,
that even at this moment I would tell you of it.
I daily thank God, Avho ordained that I should be
attached to you. He has, I firmly believe, in
tended it as a blessing to me, and I am well
convinced you will not disappoint his beneficent
intentions. Fortune, that is money, is the only
thing I regret the Avant of, and that only for the
sake of my affectionate Fanny. But the Al
mighty who brings us together, will, I doubt
not, take ample care of us and prosper all our
undertakings. No dangers shall deter me from
pursuing every honourable means of providing
handsomely for you, and yours; and again let me
repeat, that my dear Josiah shall ever be consi
dered by me as one of my own. That Omnipo
tent Being Avho sees and knows Avhat passes in
all hearts, knows Avhat I have Avritten to be my
undisguised sentiments tOAvards the little fellow."
" In order to support himself against the SAvarm
of open and concealed Enemies, Avhich his con
scientious attention to his professional Duty had
brought upon him, and to which he alludes in his
letters to Mrs. Nisbet,he had employed every pru
dential means which the then limited circle of his
political connexions in England afforded. Besides
his memorial to the King on this subject, he had
represented the whole of these transactions, with

87
the conduct of the different officers of the reve
nue in the West India islands, to the then Secre
tary of State; and had suggested to him the only
mode that could be adopted, to remove every
shadow of pretence for the intercourse of the
Americans with these islands to the general pre
judice of British subjects, as Avell as the autho
rity that should be given to Officers of the
Navy to seize all illicit traders, without being
deputed by the officers' of the customs and the
^xcise. The step he recommended government
to take Avas, to change the registers of all vessels;
and he also proposed many other similar im
provements and commercial regulations con
nected Avith our West India trade, Avhich form
the act that was passed under the appellation of
the Register Act, a the judicious restrictions of
Which have materially contributed to our haval
superiority. By this act it was amongst other
things established, " That after the first day of
August, 1786, no vessel should be accounted
British, unless she >vere built in the British domi
nions, or taken as a prize. Every vessel was
ordered to have her name, Avith that of the port
she belonged to, conspicuously painted on her
stern; and a register to be taken out, wherein,
amongst other things, should be mentioned the
names of the owners, Avho were all to reside in
* 26 Geo. III. c. 60, entitled An Act for the further increase
and encouragement of Shipping and Navigation.

88
the British dominions, unless some of them were
members of British factories abroad. No ship
built in the United States of America, during the
existence of any prohibitory acts, was entitled to
be registered unless an especial order to the
contrary Avas issued by the privy council, in con
sequence of services rendered to the public by its
owners." — But the Avhole of this act, b as origi
nating in the judgment of this zealous officer, is
well worthy of attention ; and, Avith other acts of
a similar nature, demands the minute investiga
tion of professional men in the navy.
Whilst Captain Nelson \vas so long confined to
his ship by the shameful prosecution that had
heen allowed to be instituted against him, some
one of his indignant officers, Avhen in conversa
tion, happened to use the Avord Pity — Pity ! ex
claimed Nelson, Pity, did you say? I shall live,
Siri to be envied; and to that point I shall always
direct my course.
The following letter to Mrs. Nisbet is de
scriptive of his character, and is dated " Bo
reas, May 4, 1786, Barbarous Island.—Never,
never, do I believe, shall I get aAvay from this
detestable spot: Had I not seized any Ameri
cans, I should uoav have been Avith you : But I
should have neglected my duty, Avhich I think
your regard for me is top great for you to have
b Four copies of this Act were amongst Lord Nelson's papers,
and also two copies of the act 26 Geo. III. c. 40. entitled, an Act
for regulating the production of manifests, &c.

89
wished me to have done — Duty is the great busi
ness of a Sea Officer. All private considerations
must give way to it, hoAvever painful it may be.
I trust that time Avill not have lessened me in the
opinion of her, whom it shall be the business of
my future life to make happy. — Bless you, bless
you. Ever, with the greatest affection, your
Horatio Nelson.'
About the month of July, 1786, Admiral Sir
Richard Hughes, being recalled, was directed to
deliver up his command to Captain Nelson; Avho
Avas the senior officer then left on that station.
The folloAving letter displays the exquisite
sensibility of his feelings, and also forcibly marks
hoAv much his mind had been harassed by a con
scientious discharge of his professional duty.
" Boreas, English Harbour, August 19th, 1786.
My dearest Fanny : Having seen in this day's
newspaper that a vessel cleared out from St.
John's to Nevis a few days ago, I feel vexed not
to have had a letter in the office for you : hoAv-
ever, if I can help it, I will not be behind-hand
again. To write letters to you, is the next
greatest pleasure I feel to receiving them from
you. What I experience Avhen I read such as I
am sure are the pure sentiments of your heart,
my poor pen cannot express ; nor indeed Avould I
give much for any pen or head that could describe
feelings of that kind; they are Avorth but little
Avhen that can happen. My heart yearns to you,
it is with you, my mind dAvells upon nought else

90
but you. Absent from you I feel no pleasure, it
is vou, my dearest Fanny, who are every thing to
me. Without you I care not for this world, for
I have found lately nothing in it but vexation and
trouble. "These, you are Avell convinced, are my pre
sent sentiments, God Almighty grant they may
never change. Nor do I think they will: indeed
there is, as far as human knoAvledge can judge, a
moral certainty they cannot; for it must be real
affection that brings us together, not interest or
compulsion which makes so many unhappy. As
you begin to know something about Sailors, have
you not often heard that salt water and absence
always Avash away love? Noav I am such a here
tic as not to believe that faith, for behold, every
morning since my arrival, I have had six pails of
salt Avater at day-light poured upon my head, aud
instead of finding what the Seamen say to be true,
I perceive the contrary effect ; and if it goes on
so contrary to the prescription, you must see mc
before my fixed time. At first I bore absence
tolerably, but now it is almost insupportable; and
by and by I expect it -will be quite so. But pa
tience is a virtue, and I must exercise it upon this
> occasion whatever it costs my. feelings. I am
alone in the Commanding Officer's house Avhile
my ship is fitting, and from sun-set until bed
time I have not a human creature to speak to;
you Avill feel a little for me I think. I did not
use to be 0Arer fond of sitting alone. The mo-

91
ment old Boreas i-s habitable in my cabin, I shall
fly to it to avoid mosquitoes and c melancholies."
His feelings Avere at this time much hurt, at
not receiving any thanks of approbation from
our government at home: He alludes to this in
a letter to Captain Locker, dated Boreas, Eng
lish Harbour, Sept. 27, 1786. " It is au age since
I had the pleasure of hearing from you, yet be
assured, my good friend, that my gratitude for
the many favours I have constantly received,
does not fail; no, they are fresh in my remem
brance. — If you got my letter from Barbadoes in
May last (I ought to be ashamed of .the, date)
you. Avill have some idea of my troubles. Nor
will they ever end, as I plainly perceive, Avhile I
am in this country. This must alwa}'s be the
case, Avhere officers neglect their duty; theii
rogues thrive, and certainly there is not a cus-r
tom-house officer, governor, Sac. that I have met
with, who has done his duty; therefore the latter
party is kept up and my hands remain full of
business. It is not more strange than true, that
I Avas not only obliged to support myself against
the most violent prosecutions that could be laid
against an officer, but instead of being supported
-by my Admiral, I was obliged to keep him up,
for he was frightened at this business; which, al
though I hope it is now completed, he appeared
c All these letters to Mrs. Nisbet, before her marriage' with
Captain Nelson, have been furnished by Mrs. Ross, her Ladj-
ship's relation.

92
ready I thought, Avhen he got home, to receive
any thanks that might be offered him for his
alertness and attention to the Navigation of
Great Britain. God knoAvs, I envy no man's
praises; but don't let them take what is due to
others. I have been since June so very ill, until
lately, that I have only a faint recollection of
any thing Avhich I did. My complaint ai as in my
breast, such a one as I had going out to Ja
maica. The doctors thought I was in a consump
tion, and gave me quite up : but that Great Being
who has so often raised me from the sick bed, has
once more restored me and to that health Avhich
I very seldom enjoy."
This indefatigable servant of his Country noAv
turned his mind towards correcting the abuses in
the dock-yard at Antigua, as Avell as amongst the
contractors, prize agents, Greenwich hospital
money, &c. Avhich, both on this station and on
his return home, he pursued Avith his usual ar
dour. But in the progress and accomplishment
of this great national service, on which his mrnd
Avas noAv so constantly employed, he Avas during
the month of November, 1786, joined and sup
ported by his Royal Highness Prince William
Henry, Captain of the Pegasus/ The friendship
that had before subsisted between these illus-

d His Royal Highness arrived in November, 1786, on the
Leeward Island station from Halifax in Nova Scofia, which
place he had reached on the 8th of October.

93
trious Seamen, had been kept up by an occa
sional correspondence; and they now formed
that permanent regard for each other, which
became so highly honourable and beneficial to
both. From the month of November, 1786, to
the end of the spring in 1787, Avhen the Prince
Avent doAvn to Jamaica, his Rbyal Highness and
Captain Nelson dined alternately Avith each
other. " It Avas this era, as his Royal Highness
acknoAvledges, e that first formed his character
as a naval officer, and was employed in a manner
highly gratifying to his feelings. It was then,
added the Prince, that I particularly observed the
greatness of Nelson's superior mind. The, man
ner in Avhich he enforced the spirit of the Navi
gation Act, first drew my attention to the com
mercial interests of my Country. We visited the
different Islands together, and as much as the
manoeuvres of Fleets can be described off the
headlands of Islands, we fought over again the
principal naval actions in the American Avar. Ex
cepting the naval tuition which I had received on
board the Prince George, Avhen the present Rear
Admiral Sir R. G. Keats, K. B. Avas lieutenant of
her, and for whom both of us equally entertained
a sincere regard, my mind took its first decided
naval turn from this familiar intercourse with
Nelson." < From minutes of conversation with his Royal Highness ths
Duke of Clarence:

$4
The high opinion which Nelson entertained
of Prince William Henry, is fully marked in
a letter to Captain Locker, dated English Har
bour, December QQth, 1786. " You must have
heard long before this reaches you, that Prince
William is under my command: I shall endeavour
to take care that he is not a loser by that circum
stance. He has his foibles, as Avell as private men,
but they are far overbalanced by his virtues. In
his professional line he is superior to near two
thirds, I am sure, of the list, and in attention to
orders and respect to his superior officer, 1 hardly
know his equal — this is Avhat I have found him."
On the first day of the new year, 1787, in
which his marriage took place, the correspond
ence with Mrs. Nisbet is thus continued. " What
is it to attend on Princes? let me attend on you
and I am satisfied. Some are born for attendants
on great men, I rather think that is not my par
ticular province. His Royal Highness often tells
me he believes I am married, for he never saw a
Jover so easy, or say so little of the object he has
a regard for: When I tell him I certainly am not,
he says, " Then he is sure I must have a great
esteem for you, and that it is not what is (vul
garly) I do not much like the use of that Avord,
called love." He is right, my love is founded
on esteem, the only foundation that can make
the passion last. I need not tell you, Avhat you
so well know, that I wish I had a fortune to settle
On you; but I trust I have a Good Name, and that

95
certain events Avill bring the other thing about,
it is my misfortune, not my fault. You can marry
me only from a sincere affection; therefore I
ought to make you a good husband, and I hope
it Avill turn out that I shall. You are never
absent from my mind in any place or company.
I never Avished for riches but to give them to
you; and my small share shall be yours to the
extreme. A happy new year! and that many of
them may attend you, is the most fervent Avish
of your affectionate Horatio Nelson."
" Boreas, Montserat, Feb. 11. I anticipate
Avith pleasure our meeting, for never do I feel
truly happy when separated from you. Length
of time often, too often, gives proof of the fail
ings of human nature, and how difficult it is to be
perfect; you have given me a proof that your
goodness increases by time. These I trust Avill
ever be my sentiments ; if they are not, I do
verily believe it will be my folly that occasions
it. Never think otherwise, than that I am in
the fullest sense of the Avord most affectionately
your Horatio Nelson."
The marriage of Captain Nelson and the ac
complished Frances Herbert Nisbet, at length
took place in a very private manner at Nevis,
on the 11th of March, 1787. The bride was
given away by his Royal Highness, avIio Avith
many others congratulated their friend in hav
ing borne off the principal faA'ourite of the island.
An early opportunity was taken to inform Cap-

96
tain Locker of this long-Avished-for event: " Bo
reas, on her passage to Tortola, March 21, 1787.
Mv time since November, my dear friend, has
been entirely taken up in attending the Prince
on his tour round these Islands. HoAvever, ex
cept Granada, this is the last; Avhen I shall repair
to English Harbour and fit the Boreas for a
voyage to England. Happy shall I be when that
time arrives. No man has had more illness, or
trouble on a station than I have experienced;
but let me lay a balance on the other side — I am
married f to an amiable Woman, that far makes
amends for every thing. Indeed, until I mar
ried her, I never knew happiness, and I am
morally certain she will continue to make me a
happy man for the rest of my days. I shall have
great pleasure in introducing you to her. Prince
William did me the honour to stand her father
upon the occasion; and has shewn every act of
kindness, that the most sincere friendship could
bestow. His Royal Highness leaves this country
in June, by which time I hope my orders Avill
arrive, or that somebody Avill be appointed to
the command. The Avonder to me is, that any
independent man Avill accept it, for there is no
thing pleasant to be got by it. Farewell, my
dear Sir, and believe me to be ever your affec
tionate Horatio Nelson."
t His sister had just before this been married, February 26tb^
to George Matcham, Esq. at Bath.

97
There Avere, hoAvever, some of his brother
officers, who feared lest so early a marriage
might abate the Enterprise and Patriotism of
their friend; and their apprehensions on this oc
casion, form an additional proof of the great
expectation which professional men then enter
tained of his future eminence. It Avas the
remark of his and Mrs. Nisbet's intimate ac
quaintance, the late brave Capt. Pringle, g when
he met one of the Commodore's officers, on the
day after his marriage — The Navy, Sir, yester
day lost one of its greatest ornaments, by Nelson's
marriage. It is a national loss that such an officer
should marry : had it not been for that circum
stance, I foresaw that Nelson zvould become the
greatest man in the service. But this excellent
officer did not sufficiently know the Avoman,
whom Captain Nelson had married: she pos
sessed all the attractions of her sex, Avith a
sound judgment, and a cultivated understand
ing. And her husband often declared, as many
of his followers have asserted, that he considered
this marriage of equal service to his character,
as any naval exploit he had accomplished. No
step Avas ever taken, nor any letter despatched,
Avithout first being submitted to the opinion of
this respected counsellor.
That neither his professional zeal nor ardent
patriotism Avere abated by the above event, is
evident from some letters that were found
g Who died an Admiral jn Scotland.
H

98
airiongst his papers, addressed to Sir C. Middle-
ton, now Lord Barham, and to the late Duke of
Richmond; Avhich prove hoAvmuch Captain Nel
son was afterwards harassed, by resolutely perse
vering in the detection of public frauds in the
West India Islands.
' I enclose j'ou the accounts of the fraud from
March to June, 1782  It will be necessary I
should tell you avIio these gentlemen are, that
have given the information : they were the part
ners of  ** Mr. W. is a very shrewd
sensible man. Mr. H. is likewise a man of busi
ness. W. has been in various departments of
government, in St. Lucia, Barbadoes, &c. and
assures me, he can discover all the frauds com
mitted there, as easy as these, if government
think proper to reward them. Indeed they do
not seem to be playing the fool; for if nothing is
recovered they desire nothing, and of what, is
actually recovered, only a certain per centage.'
The following is the letter Avhich he sent to
the Duke of Richmond, on that subject. " My
Lord, the subject of this letter Avill, I trust, ren
der ail apologies unnecessary for my addressing
myself to you. A few days ago, Mr. H. and W.
merchants in the island of Antigua, came to Eng
lish Harbour, to communicate to his Royal High
ness, and myself, that they were privy to great
frauds which had been committed upon govern
ment. .... The Ordnance being in your Grace's
department, I shall not trouble you Avith any

99
other, but be as explicit as I am able. As his
Royal Highness could not attend to this business,
he desired me to make the necessary inquiries,
and to take such steps as I should think proper.
.... These gentlemen, as will-appear by the en
closed letters, are not publishers of this fraud
merely for the honour of serving the public;
interest has its Aveight. I send you an account
of one quarter's fraud, a.nd I examined several in
the books: but they declined my having more,
until they Avere satisfied government Avould re
ward them in proportion to the frauds discovered.
As a man, Avho has more than once stood forward
to detect and bring to punishment those who are
guilty of defrauding the public, I may venture to
express myself freely  In Antigua, in the
different departments, at least they say 300,000/;
at St. Lucia as much; at Barbadoes not far short;
and at Jamaica, upwards of a million. What of
this may be recovered, if any, I know not: hoAv-
ever, this good effect it surely will have, that of
preventing the like in future.
' Probably by the time your Grace receives this
letter, theBoreasAvillhavesailedforEngland, where
I shall ever be ready to give your Grace any infor
mation you may wish to receive. But there is one
observation, Avhich I beg leave to make : It will be
said, "Vouchers are produced,and merchants have
attested that they are at the market-price:" In
this country the market-price is what an article
will sell for; and there is no merchant here, but
H 2

100
Avill declare, that in signing Vouchers for each
other, they never look at the article, saying, A
thing is always worth zvhat it xviil bring : therefore
Vouchers are, my Lord, no check in this country.
I have the honour to remain, &c.'
Such were the unAvearied and successful exer
tions of the renowned and envied Captain of the
Boreas; who, even in a time of peace, opened a
series of intrepid Duty, by which he might estab
lish the solid foundation of his future eminence.
It Avas thus that this great officer raised himself
into public notice, Avithout the adventitious aid
of Interest. The great connexions which he
gradually formed, Avere brought oniby an admi
ration of his extraordinary merit; they had nei
ther been solicited with abject flattery, nor were
they preserved by any mean subserviency.
The dignity with which Captain Nelson sup
ported the character of Senior Officer on the Lee-
ward Island Station, under many circumstances
new and unprecedented, . will be long remem
bered by all Avho had the honour to serve under
him during that period ; for no Commander ever
studied more to render the station agreeable to
to all classes, of officers and men, than he uni
formly did. During the term of three years
that Captain Nelson commanded the Boreas in
the West Indies, not a single officer or man died
out of her Avhole complement; a similar circum
stance of good health can scarcely be produced.-.
The mode he adopted Avas as follows. He never

101
suffered the ship to remain longer than three or
four days in any island at a time ; the Boreas Avas
always on the wing, and when it happened that
any other ships Avere in company, Captain Nelson
was continually forming the line, exercising fhe
men, and chasing. In the hurricane months,
when he was obliged to remain at anchor in Eng
lish Harbour, he encouraged music, dancing, and
cudgelling, on board; and the officers, particu
larly the younger ones, acted plays, which kept
up the spirits of the ship's company, and caused
their minds to be constantly employed.
The Boreas sailed for England, in the month
of June, 1787- The first step which he seems to
have taken after his arrival, respecting his pro
ceedings in the West Indies, Avas am immediate
communication with Mr. Pitt; to which in a few
days the following answer Avas returned from that
Minister's private Secretary, Mr. Smith, dated
" Downing street, 31 July, 1787- — Sir, 1 am
desired by Mr. Pitt to acquaint you, that he has
received the favour of your letter of the 26th
instant; and thatthepapers, Avhich you have had
the goodness to transmit, are now under the con
sideration of the Board of Treasury."
On the 16th of August, Sir Charles Middleton
sent to Sheerness the following encouragement
and directions to Captain Nelson, in answer to
his previous communication. — " Sir, Taking it
for granted that the Boreas would have been paid
off soon after her arrival, I waited your being in

102
toAvn, to acknowledge the receipt of the accounts
you sent me relative to the naval officer's de
partment at Antigua. As the subject of your
letter required much consideration how to act,
and at the same time precaution to securethe
evidence you had pointed out, I took the op
portunity of the packet, then ready to sail, to
desire you Avould use every means in your poAver
to bring forward the evidences; relying on the'
Navy Board to recompense any services they
may render the public by their information. I
thought it necessary too, as the Commissioners of
Inquiry Avere employed at the time your letter
arrived, in investigating the business of the Navy
Office," to lay the information before them ; and
soon afterwards I had a note from Lord HoAve,
Avho, I found, had received similar information
from you. In this state the business is at pre
sent, and you will of course believe, that it will
be again taken up on your arrival in toAvn ; be
fore Avhich time it may be proper to revolve in
your mind, Avhat steps may be necessary for bring
ing forward the evidences."
On the 3d of October 1787, Avhen Avriting to
Captain Locker. Nelson mentioned his having
applied to Lord Howe: "I have asked Lord
Howe for a ship of the line; but Boreas is
victualled for three months, and ready for sea,
and I am ordered to hold myself prepared to sail
the moment my Orders come on board. My
health, thank God, Avas never better, and I am
fit for any quarter of the globe."

103
The uncertainty in Avhich he was thus, kept,
was succeeded by a strange and unexpected mor
tification: If Sir Charles Middleton, in the
month of August had expected that the Boreas,
as was customary, Avould have been paid off soon
after her arrival; Avhat Avere the feelings of her
gallant Captain and crew, on finding themselves,
after their fatigues in the West Indies, kept at
the Nore until the 30th of November, actually
serving as a slop and receiving ship! The form el"
felt this neglect very sensibly ; and if it had not
heen for the kind interference of an Officer, Avho
stood deservedly high in the confidence of Lord
Howe, Captain Nelson, to use the words of a most
intimate friend of his, " Avas so dissatisfied with
the ill usage he had received, that I am certain,
had he possessed the means of living indepen
dently on shore, he Avould never have gone to
sea again. " From another respectable authority,
it is also stated, " That whilst he felt so keenly
the unpleasant duties that thus were imposed
upon him, Nelson seldom or ever quitted his ship,
or associated Avith his brother officers; but Avas
observed to carry on the duty with strict and
sullen attention. On the morning Avhen his
Orders were received to prepare the Boreas for
being paid off, he communicated Avith much
emotion, to the Senior Officer commanding his
Majesty's ships and vessels in the river Med way,
the following extraordinary resolution; — " I noAv
. rejoice at the Boreas being ordered to be paid

104
off, Avhich will release me for ever from an un
grateful Service; as' it is my firm and unalterable
determination, never again to set my foot on
hoard a King's Ship. Immediatelyafter my ar
rival in town I shall Avait on the first Lord of the
Admiralty, and resign my Commission." — The
Senior Officer's arguments and expostulations
were urged in vain: he, therefore, immediately
employed his secret and friendly interference
with the first Lord of the Admiralty ; and the
result was, that on the 29th of November, the
day before the Boreas Avas paid off, her Captain
received a kind letter from Lord HoAve, inti
mating his Avish to see him on his arrival in town.
Captain Nelson accordingly waited upon his
Lordship, who received him Avith much civility;
and after some explanations relative to Transac
tions in the West Indies, Lord Howe appeared
so perfectly satisfied, that he offered to present
him to his Majesty on the first levee day, Avhich
Avas done accordingly.
IX. Amidst that variety of business which
demanded attention on his return to England,
Avere the difficulties Avhich a zealous and indepen
dent mipd had brought upon him. He also failed
not, by every means in his power, to fulfil the
promise Avhich he had made to his Royal High
ness Prince William, of counteracting Avhatever
had been opposed to the merited reputation of
his illustrious pupil, and to the friendship they
had so invariably presen'ed for each other: in

105
Which he Avas supported by tire advice and expe
rience of Captain Locker; between Avhose resi
dence at Kensington, and the house of Mrs. Nel
son's uncle in Cavendish Square, Captain Nelson's
leisure hours were chiefly divided. His health at
this time Avas in a very precarious state; and as he
dreaded the effects of an English winter after so
long a continuance in the West Indies, he de7
termined to visit Bath, that he might drink the
Avaters, and bathe there. On the 26th of De
cember he therefore left Mr. Herbert's, accom
panied by Mrs. Nelson.
From Bath they visited an uncle of Mrs. Nel
son's at Red-land; and then, as appears from the
following letter to the same friend, proceeded to
Exmouth. During his stay at Exmouth he visited
Prince William at Plymouth; and thence sent
the following letter, which is without any address,
but, as it would appear from the contents, seems
to have been written to Messrs. H. and W. in
the West Indies. — " Plymouth, April 26, 1788. —
Gentlemen: I have only this moment been ho
noured with your letter of February 13th, and
am surprised you have not received one from
me, dated at the Nore in September last, more
especially as I sent it to Sir Charles Middleton;
he having desired me to Avrite to you, stating,
that a most honourable and liberal confidence
might be reposed in him. Sir Charles has not
only the abilities, but the poAver of doing more

106
for you than I ever could have; and, I am as
sured, as much Avishes to bring these iniquitous
frauds to light. This is his public character, I
have not the honour of knoAving his private one.
Repeatedly I have seen Sir Charles Middleton,
and he told me that every step should be taken;
nay, that one of the officers was not likely to go
out again to Antigua.
" Lord Howe told me, he had consulted Avith
the Navy Board, and that they Avould receive
any communication from you, or myself, and
would do Avhat was right ; and further said, that
you Avere entitled, on making good these repre
sentations, to a most liberal reward.
"From Mr. Pitt, I had an acknoAvledgment,
that the papers were received by him, and had
been sent to the different departments. I shall
go to town very shortly, and will call on Sir
•Charles Middleton; and, if he thinks fit, I shall
see your answer to the Navy Board : at all events
I shall desire it. You may rest assured, that no
steps shall be left untaken by me to accomplish
the discovery of these mal-practices, and to get
you the reward, Avhich I have not the least doubt
you will so well merit. I must nevertheless ap
prize you, that my interest in this country is very
small; therefore do not build on Avhat I can do
for you : Indeed little else buf my Integrity and
Public Spirit can bring such an humble individual
as myself into notice: however the goodness ef

107
the cause Ave are engaged in, Avill support itself
at all times; more especially, I dare say, Avith
such an upright character as Mr. Pitt.
" His Royal Highness commands me to say,
that Avere he placed in a situation where he could
he of any service to this Cause,. he Avould most
assuredly sift it to the bottom : but that at pre
sent, not having been from this port since his
arrival, he can only give his good Avishes for the
accomplishment of what you have begun.
" I am much obliged by your good wishes in
respect to myself. All his Majesty's naval officers
would have acted the same upright part, which
you are pleased to suppose I should."
Thus the very extensive Public Frauds Avhich
had been long committed Avith impunity in the
West Indies, Avereat length put in a proper train
to be provided against in future. An immense
saving Avas made to government, and its attention
directed to similar peculations in other parts of
our extensive Colonies. No reward, however,
nor any mark of commendation, seems in conse
quence , to have been conferred on Captain Nel
son. It is not so much the Honours, that are at
length liberally bestoAved on Officers Avho are
Avorn out in the Service, Avhich preserve a spirit
of Heroism and Enterprise in our Navy ; as an
attention to humble individuals, Avho, like Nelson
,at this period of his life, have only their Integrity
•and Zeal to bring them into notice ; .and whose

108
valour has been disciplined in the rigid school
of adversity.
Among the private friends, Avhom his talents
and exemplary conduct had at an early period
secured to him in the West Indies, the name df
Hercules Ross, Esq. has been already mentioned;
and to this gentleman, Avhilst at Exmouth, Nelson
thus delivered his sentiments Avithout reserve: —
" May 6, 1788. My dear friend : You have, as
Avell as myself undergone a great change since
we last met; and I hope and have been told,
are united to an amiable woman, the greatest
blessing heaven can bestow. — But in another re
spect, my friend, you have got the start of me.
You have giA'en up all the toils and anxieties of
business ; whilst I must still buffet the Avaves —
in search of what ? Alas ! that thing called Ho
nour, is now thought of no more. My Integrity
cannot, I hope, be amended ; but my fortune,
God knows, has grown worse for the service :
so much for serving my Country. But the devil,
ever willing to tempt the virtuous, (pardon this
flattery of myself), has made me offer, if any
ships should be sent to destroy his Majesty of
Morocco's ports, to be there; and I have some
reason to think, that should any more come of it
my humble services will be accepted. I have in
variably laid down, and followed close a plan of
what ought to be uppermost in the breast of
an officer: — that it is much better to serve an un-

109
grateful Country, than to give up his own Fame.
Posterity will do him justice: An uniform course
of Honour and Integrity seldom fails of bringing
a man to the goal of Fame at last. — But to what
am I getting ? Into a sermon ! — Mrs. Nelson joins
in compliments to Mrs. Ross; and believe me
ever, my dear friend, your affectionate Horatio
Nelson." On leaving the beautiful scenery of Exmouth,
they passed through town in their Avay to his
favourite cottage, the parsonage of Burnham
Ihorpe; of which he could never speak in ab
sence Avithout being affected. He called, as Avas
his custom, at the Admiralty ; and not obtaining
an interview with Lord Howe, sent him the fol-
loAving letter: " My Lord, 1 have tAvice, since
my arrival in town, done myself the honour of
calling on your Lordship, in order to pay my
personal respects; and to assure you that as I
ha\Te always been, so I continue ever in readi
ness to undertake any duty, to Avhich the Admi
ralty may think it proper to appoint me. My
Zeal for his Majesty's service is as great, as I
once flattered myself your Lordship thought it.
" I had hopes that the Admiralty Avould have
ordered me the same alloAvance at least, as was
given to a Junior Officer left in the command at
Jamaica; and I hope your Lordship Avill giA-e me
countenance in an application for it. I trust it is
incontrovertible, that I did my duty Avith the
most rigid exactness, and that the business of

110
the Naval Yard Avas never paid more attention
to, than by myself. The Navy Board I am
sure, at this moment, are inclined to believe,
that the difficulties said ^ by their officers to be
thrown in the Avay of their duty by me, arose
only from my close investigation of their con
duct; Avhich prevented their impositions from
taking effect. Every artificer and seaman em
ployed in the Naval Yard receives additional
pay; and shall the officer Avho has the conducting
of the Avhole business be the only one (in this
instance) who is neglected? I trust in your
Lordship's answer it Avill not prove so. The
trouble I was at in developing those Frauds, it. is
most true, was no more than my duty; but
indeed, my Lord, I little thought that the ex
penses attending my going so often to St. John's,
a distance of twelve miles, Avould have fallen
upon my pay as Captain of the Boreas."
When Captain and Mrs. Nelson arrived at the
Parsonage of Burnham Thorpe, they had no
thoughts of residing there; but only intended to
pay their Father a visit, preparatory to their
going to France, as Captain Nelson had ex
perienced great inconvenience from not under
standing the French language, a most useful and
essential part of a Naval s Officer's education.
Mrs. Nelson Avas on this occasion to have been
an assistant; as from having- Ion"' been in* the
habit of receiving the French officers, avIio
came recommended from the governors of their

Ill
Islands to her uncle, she had attained a thorough
knowledge of their language. However, at their
father's entreaty, they soon altered their plan.
His joy at seeing this Son was so great, that he
declared it had given him new life. " But,
Horace," exclaimed the venerable Rector, " it
Avould have been better that I had not been thus
cheered, if I am so soon to, be bereaved of you
again. Let me, my good Son, see you whilst I
can: age and infirmities increase, and I shall
not last long." — The Avishes of a Father thus de
livered Avere unanswerable: Captain and Mrs.
Nelson therefore became his constant guests,
and the latter his nurse and companion.
It is extremely interesting to contemplate this
great man, when thus removed from the busy
scenes in Avhich he had borne so distinguished a
part, to the remote village of Burnham Thorpe.
His mind, thought so entirely taken from its
proper element and sphere of action, could not
remain unoccupied. He Avas soon, therefore,
engaged and Avith considerable zeal, in cul
tivating his father's garden, and in learning
to farm the adjoining glebe; but the former
Avas his principal station : he Avould there often
spend the greater part of the day, and dig,
as it Avere, for the sake of being Avearied. At
others,' he Avould renew the early pastime of his
childhood, and Avith a simplicity that Avas pe
culiar to him, when his mind was not employed
on the great objects of professional duty, would

112
pass many hours amidst the woods, in taking the
eggs of different birds; Avhich, as he obtained,
he gave to Mrs. Nelson, who at his express de
sire always attended him. He sometimes also
employed his time, Avhen his eyes would admit
of it, in reading; and particularly such peri-
odical works of the day as he could procure;
but oftener in studying a variety of Charts,
and in Avriting, or in drawing Plans. His
great object Avas to be employed; and though
the expenses of a Ship in time of peace, some
times induced him to repress his enterprising and
sanguine mind, he could not abate its energy.
During his continuance in this Retreat, when
he had one day gone to purchase a pony at
a neighbouring fair, the following event took
place. Two men, whose appearance savoured
greatly of Bow Street, entered the Parsonage
abruptly and asked for Captain Nelson. On
being told that he was gone out, but that Mrs.
Nelson Avas at home, they desired to see her:
Avhen having made her repeatedly declare, that
she Avas really and truly the Captain's wife, they
presented her with a Writ, or Notification, on
the part of the American Captains, who had laid
their damages at 20,000/. and desired her to give
it to her husband at his return.
Captain Nelson having bought his pony, re
turned Avith it to the Parsonage: when, to his
utter astonishment and distress, he received the
notification which had been left with his wife.

113
They A\'ho best knoAV the irritable mind of Nel
son, and the sudden paroxysms Avhich it some
times displayed,»may best imagine his sensations
at that moment.- This Affront, exclaimed the in
dignant servant of his Country, I did not deserve:
but never mind: — I'll be trifled with no longer. I
shall write immediately to the Treasury; and if go
vernment will not support me, lam resolved to leave
the Country.
He accordingly acquainted the Treasury Avith
Avhat had happened, and added, that if a satisfac
tory answer were not sent him by return of post,
he should take refuge in France. The Avhole plan
Avas then arranged Avith his usual promptness and
decision; and it was settled that his elder brother,
Maurice, should accompany Mrs. Nelson to the
Continent in ten days after her husband. For
tunately a favourable answer Avas received; and
probably the following one, Aihich was found
amongst his papers, and seems to have been sent
through his friend Captain Pringie. ' ' May the
Ath (Avithout the date of the year, but, as
would seem, 1788). My dear Nelson: I have
just time to tell you, that I have this morn
ing got Mr. Rose"s ansAver, Avhich is, ' That
Captain Nelson is a very good officer, and need
be under no apprehension, for he will assuredly
be supported by the Treasury:' Of Avhich I give
you joy." To this letter may be added the fol-
loAving extract from, the- Notes of the Hon.
G. Rose, " His representations were all at-
i

114
tended to, and every step which he recom
mended Avas adopted. He thus put the Investi
gation into a proper course, Avhich ended in the
detection and punishment of some of the parties
whose conduct had been complained of."
IX. The anxiety and importunity with which
Capt. Nelson in vain solicited the Admiralty for
"active employment, during. the year 1790, Avhen
the conduct of the Spaniards at Nootka Sound
seemed to render a Avar inevitable, are forcibly
described in his letters. In Avriting to the
Duke of Clarence, on the 24th of June, in that
year, he dwelt on the disappointment he had thus
experienced; a disappointment which preyed so
much upon his feelings, that it had nearly again
induced him to retire from the Service, had not
the urgent remonstrances of Lord Hood to the
contrary prevailed. " Burnham, Norfolk, June
the Qith, 1790. Sir, My not being appointed
to a ship is so very mortifying, that I cannot find
words to express what I feel on the occasion; and
When I reflect on your Royal Highness's conde
scension in mentioning me to Lord Chatham, I
am the more hurt, and surprised. Sure I am, that
I have ever been a zealous and faithful Servant,
and have never intentionally committed any
errors; especially as, until very lately, I have,
been honoured by the notice of the Admiralty."
His constant wish to be employed was increased
during the autumn, by hearing that his old ship
the Raisonable, in Avhich he had commenced his

115
naval Career was to be commissioned, and he
therefore sent the following letter to Lord Chat
ham. " Burnham, Norfolk, Sept. 26, 1790. My
Lord, My wish to be employed is so great, that
I trespass on your Lordship's time Avith a letter.
I am sensible I have no great interest to recom
mend me, nor have I had conspicuous opportu
nities of distinguishing myself; but thus far,
Avithout arrogating, I can declare, that no oppor
tunity has been passed by, and that I have ever
been a zealous Officer. I am sure Lord Hood
Avill bear testimony of Avhat I have taken the
liberty of saying. If the Raisonable is not given
away, I should esteem myself highly honoured
by the command of her."
The above Avas one of the many ineffectual ap
plications which this brave and excellent Officer
made for active employment. He felt he had not
merited neglect, that he had considerable claims
on his Country, and was too indignant to consi
der, how many other Officers had experienced
the same behaviour: that all public Boards were
likely to be affected by partialities and preju
dices, and by the influence of a political interest,
which though often justly complained of, is an
evil that arises from the noblest part of our ad
mirable Constitution.
Towards the end of this year, Captain Nelson
had the comfort to find, that the gallant Corn-.
vWallis still kept him in his memory. " Phcenix,
i 1

116 -
Diamond Harbour, 13th Aug. 1790. Dear Nd-*
son, I lament very much, as I recollect you had
some time past a great inclination to come to this
Country, that a change of circumstances made it-
impossible for me to think of proposing it to you
upon my appointment; for I do declare, that it
Avould have been a great happiness to me to have
had you on this station. The visiting our neAV
settlements at Prince of Wales's Island, and the
Andaman, gives an opportunity for exploring,
Avhich I prefer to the being stuck up in a pom^
pous style at one of the old ones. Our Royal
Duke is, I hear, almost tired of the shore; but
Iioav he Avill be able to employ himself in
time of peace at sea, is not easy to deter
mine. It Avould hoAvever be a pity, that any
of the zeal, and fondness he has so evidently
sheAvn for the Service, should be suffered to
abate; as there is every 'reason to believe, that
Avith his ability he will one day carry its glory to
a greater height than it has yet attained."
In the course of the years 1791 and 1792,
Captain Nelson renewed his earnest applications
to the Admiralty Board, that their Lordships
Avould not suffer him to rust in indolence : until
at last,- finding every attempt ineffectual, he be
gan to give up all hope of ever being again
employed. During the latter year, his zealous
friend the Duke of Clarence having often de
livered his sentiments in the House of Lords, in
a manner that was very gratifying to the princi-

117

pies of Nelson, he addressed a complimentary
letter to his Royal Highness on the 12th of Sep
tember 1792, to which the Duke returned the
following answer. " Clarence Lodge,. Sept. 21,
My dear Nelson; I beg leave to acknowledge
the receipt of your friendly letter of the 12th
instant, which came safely. I am so fully
persuaded of your real regard for me,- my good
friend, that no fresh mark can be Avanting to
convince me: Still hoAvever, at the. present mo
ment, Avhen the Public have two opinions, the
one good, the other disadvantageous of my par
liamentary conduct, I feel highly obliged to you,
as a person qualified to judge, for delivering your
sentiments. - I think it is the duty of eyery sub
ject to prevent, if possible, that confusion Avhich
might throw our Kingdom into theAvretched de
plorable state of Frapce. Assure our common
friends in the West Indies, that I avjII neither
neglect nor desert .them. My best wishes and
compliments atfend Mrs. Nelson, and ever be
lieve me yours sincerely, William.""
. ,In the course of the ensuing month of Novem
ber, his despairing mind was soothed by the fol-
loAving letter from Capt. Cuthbert Collingwood,
Avho seemed born to folloAV him throughout the
whole of his professional career. The following
is an extract: " My dear friend, I am much
obliged to you for your letter, Avhich I received
last month: it Avas particularly Avelcome to me,
as it brought information of the good health of

118
yourself and Mrs. Nelson. You must not be dis-.
pleased that I Avas so long without Avriting to you.
I was very anxiously engaged a great part of the
time, and perhaps sometimes a little lazy : but my
regard for you, my dear Nelson, my respect and
veneration for your Character, I hope and believe
Avill never lessen. God knows when we may meet
again, unless some chance should draAV us again
to the sea shore. I however hope to have long
the happiness of hearing of your welfare. The
times are turbulent, the Enthusiasm for Liberty
is raging even to madness. The success of the
French people in establishing their Republic, has
set the same; principle, which lurked in every
state in Europe, afloat; and those, Avho secreted
it in their bosoms, have noAv the boldness to
avoAV it — to avow a plan for adopting it in the
government of this Country, and to recruit vo
lunteers for carrying their purpose into execu
tion. Misery Avill undoubtedly be the conse
quence of any commotion, or attempt to disturb
our present most excellent • Constitution. God
bless you, and believe me,h my dear Nelson,
affectionately and faithfully yours, Cuthbert Col-
lii/gzvood." — The following testimony of Nelson's
attachment to his Sovereign is without date, but
seems, from the answer returned, to have been
sent to the Duke of Clarence, on the 3d of No
vember, 1792. " Sir, Your Royal Highness
k From the Nelson papers.

119
will not, I trust, deem it improper, although I
have no doubt it will be thought unnecessary, at
this time to renew my expressions of invariable
Attachment not only to your Royal Highness, but
to my King; for I think that very soon every
individual will be called forth, to shew himself, if
I may judge from this county, Avhere societies
are formed, and forming, on principles certainly
inimical to our present Constitution both in
Church apd State. Sorry am I to believe that
many give a countenance to these societies, A\'ho
ought to conduct themselves otherwise.
" In what Avay it might be in the poAver of
such an humble Individual as myself to best
serve my Kino, has been matter of serious con
sideration, and no mode appeared to me so pro-,
per as asking for a ship: accordingly on Saturday
last, Lord Chatham received my letter desiring
the command of one. Still, as I have hitherto
been disappointed in all my applications to his
Lordship, I can hardly expect any answer to my
letter, Avhich has always been? the Avay I. have
been treated. But neither at sea, nor on shore,
can my attachment to my King be shaken. — It
will never end but with my life." On the 6th of
December, 1792, his Royal Highness' returned
the 'following answer. "Dear Nelson, Though
at present the Armament is confined to small
vessels, I much doubt Avhether any fleet Avill be
equipped, and still less do I see any chance for a
rupture between. this Country and France: At

120 4
the same time this pernicious and fallacious
system of Equality, and universal Liberty, must
be checked, or else Ave shall here have the most
dreadful consequences. I perfectly agree with
you, that it is the duty of every Individual to use
his utmost efforts to counteract these incendi
aries; and I hope we shall in Parliament take
vigorous and effectual means to restore tranquil
lity at home. Should matters betAveen the tAvo
Countries grow serious, you must be employed.
Never be alarmed. I Avill always stand your
friend. I Avish you Avould Avrite me Avord hoAv
you and Lord Hood are at present. My best
Avishes and compliments attend Mrs. Nelson,
and ever believe me yours sincerely, William."
That nothing might be Avanting in point of
perseverance in himself, Captain Nelson again
applied to the Board for employment on the .5th
of December; and after earnestly requesting the
command of a ship, he added, Or if their Lord
ships should be pleased to appoint me io a cockle
'boat, i" shall feel grateful. The application,
however, Avas in vain; and he had only one of
those Official Letters, Avhich it is sometimes ne
cessary to send on such occasions, — " Admiralty
Office, 12th Dec. 1792. Sir, I have received
your letter of the 5th instant, expressing your
readiness to serve, and I have read the same to
my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty."
Such was the state of mind and such the expec
tations of Nelson, before the commencement

121
of hostilities with France : until that period his
glory suffered a partial eclipse; but its subse
quent brightness became more uniform and
splendid. What a change did a few years make
in this humble and apparently forgotten tenant
of the parsonage of Burnham Thorpe ! Let the
anxious and too irritable disposition of NaA*al
Officers therefore learn, from the subsequent
achievements of this illustrious Seaman, never to
despair; for, as the Wise Man said, To every thing
there is a Season, and a Time to every purpose under
the Heaven.
X. The year 179S, Avhen the present eventful
contest commenced between the commercial
poAver of Great Britain and the military strength
of France, is also remarkable as being the first
of those twelve remaining; vears in the life of
Nelson, throughout which he maintained a ca
reer of Glory which is almost Avithout a parallel in
History. It is hardly possible to conceive, that
in so short a period, an individual in the British
Navy, who had then remained for nearly five
years in obscurity, unable to procure the com
mand of a Ship, should from this time gradually
rise, by his professional exertions alone, to such
a height, as gave him a decided preeminence
OA-er the many and renowned warriors of the
British nation.
.v.™ When it at length avos found neces-
jEut. 35. sarv |,v our government, not withstand-

122
ing all its pacific intentions, to appeal to the
decision of arms, the Duke of Clarence imme
diately exerted himself to fulfil the promise Ire
had made to his friend; in Avhich his Royal
Highness was seconded by Lord Hood. Captain
Nelson, Avas in consequence appointed to the
Agamemnon, so early as the 30th of January,
1793, and commissioned his ship on the 11th of
February. His previous feelings at the prpspect
of this event taking place, Avere expressed in a
letter to his Avife, dated London, Jan. 7th.
" Post nubila Phoebus ! after clouds come sun
shine : The Admiralty so smile upon me, that
really I am as much surprised as when they
frowned. Lord Chatham yesterday made many
apologies for not having given me a ship before
this time; and said, that if I chose to take a
sixty-four to begin Avith, I should be appointed
to one as soon as she was ready; and Avhenever it
Avas in his poAver I should be removed into a
seventy-four. Every thing indicates War. One
of our ships, looking into Brest, has been fired
into; * the shot is now at the Admiralty. You will
i The Childers sloop, Captain Barlow (now Sir Robert Barlow,
deputy Comptroller of the Navy), would have been destroyed by
the heavy cross fire that was opened upon her from all the batte
ries at the mouth of Brest harbour, if a gale of wind springing up
had not enabled her to escape. Being a small object, only one
shot hit her, which struck one of her guns, and split it in three
pieces, without injuring a man; the shot weighed forty-eight
pounds.

123
send my Father this news, Avhich I am sure will
please him. Love to Josiah, and believe me your
most affectionate Horatio Nelson."
Previous to the sailing of the Agamemnon from
Chatham, he wrote to Mrs. Nelson at Hilborouohj
March 15, 1793. " If the Avind is to the north-
Avard of Avest, we go down the river to-morrow,
and are ordered to proceed to Spithead with all
possible despatch, as Ave are Avanted, Lord Hood
Avrites me Avord, for immediate service; and hints
we are to go a cruise, and then to join his fleet at
Gibraltar: therefore I am anxious to get to Spit
head. I never Avas in better health, and I hope
you intend a new lease of your life: the not tying
up any of the money left you, I, consider as a
confidence reposed in me, and I shall take care
that it is not misplaced."
The Agamemnon sailed from Spithead on the
1 1th of May, in company with the Britannia, 1 10
guns, Admiral Hotham, the Colossus, Fortitude,
and Courageux, of 74 guns each, and the Me-
leager and Lowestoffe frigates, The following
letter to Mrs. Nelson is dated off Cape St. Vin
cent, June 14, 1793. " We have had the finest
passage and Aveather possible: but have seen no
thing except a poor miserable National brig; which
one of the ships took. I paid Lord Hood a visit
a few days back, and found him very civil, 1 dare
say we shall be good friends again. Six sail of
the line have just parted company, going to Cadiz
to water, of which number is Agamemnon. We

124
shall be in Cadiz to-morrow at twelve o'clock, as
Avell as Lord Hood at Gibraltar. We are all Avell;
my ship remarkably healthy."
'c Agamemnon at sea, Sunday, June 23. We
came out this morning, having completed our
ship Avith every thing except Avine, Avhich is to
be done at Gibraltar. The Spaniards have been
very civil to us : we dined on board the Cancep-
cion of 112 guns, Avith the Admiral; and all re-.
straints of going into their arsenals and dock
yards Avere removed. They have four first rates
in commission at Cadiz, and very fine ships, but
shockingly manned. If those twenty-one sail of
the line which Ave are to join in the Mediterra
nean, are not better manned, they cannot be of
much use. I am certain if our six barges' crews,
who are picked men, had got on board one of
their first rates, they would have taken her.
The Dons may make fine ships, they cannot
however make men.
" A Bull Feast k Avas exhibited, for Avhich the
Spaniards are famous; and from their dexterity
in attacking and killing of these animals, the
ladies choose their husbands. We English had
certainly to regret the Avant of humanity in the
Dons, and Donnas. The amphitheatre Avill hold
16,000 people; about 12,000 were present. Ten
bulls were selected, and one brought put at a
t A particular account of these feasts is given by the Rev. Ed
ward Clarke in his Letters concerning the Spanish Nation, 17O3,

125
time. Three cavaliers on horseback, and foot
men with flags, were the combatants. We had
what is called a fine feast: for five horses Avere
killed, and two men very much'hurt, had they
been killed, it Avould have been quite complete.
We felt for the bulls and horses, and I own it
would not have displeased me to have had some
of the Dons tossed by the enraged animal. How
Avomen can even sit out, much more applaud
such sights, is astonishing. It even turned us
sick, and Ave could hardly go through it — the
dead mangled horses Avith their entrails torn
out, and the hulls coyered with blood, were
too much. HoAvever we have seen one Bull
Feast, and agree that nothing shall tempt us
to see another. The better sort of people never
miss one, if Avithin reach of them ; and the loAvest
will sell his jacket, or go Avithout his victuals,
--rather than be absent. — P. S. Gibraltar, June
the 24th. We arrived here last night, and in a
few days sail shall be up the Mediterranean.
God bless and preserve you."
On the 27th of June, the Agamemnon sailed.
from Gibraltar Avith Lord Hood's fleet, nineteen
Sail of the line, and a convoy of fifty sail of mer
chant ships under the St. Albans, Castor, Bull
Dog, and some other frigates, On the 30th,
Avhen off Cape de Gatte, the Iris, Mermaid, and
Tisiphone Avere sent to Tunis and Tripoli, and
I'Aigle with letters to the Spanish Admiral at
Barcelona. In Avriting to H. R, H. the Duke of

126
Clarence, in the month of August, he said, "We
have spoke many neutral vessels, but got no in
formation which in my opinion could be depended *
on. We saw a fleet off Alicant on the close of
the 7th, and lay-to mid-channel between that
place and Ivica. At day-light we formed our
line, and soon perceived them to be the Spanish
fleet, twenty-four sail of the line. The Dons did
not, after several hours trial, form any thing
which could be called a line of battle ahead.
However, after answering our private signals,
the Spanish Admiral sent down two frigates,
with answers to Lord Hood's letters by I'Aigle,
acquainting him, that as their fleet Avas very
sickly, 1900 men, they were going into Cartha-
gena. The Captain of the frigate added, 'it was
no wonder they Avere sickly, for they had been
sixty clays at sea.' This speech to us appeared
ridiculous; for from the circumstance of hav
ing been longer than that time at sea, do Ave
attribute our getting healthy. The news they
bring is, that the French are preparing their
ships with forges for shot. This if true, I
humbly conceive, Avould have been as Avell kept
secret; but as it is known, Ave must take care to
get so close that their red hots may go through
both sides, when it will .not matter Avhether they
are hot or cold. — July Wth, the fleet has re
ceived orders to consider Marseilles and Toulon
as invested, and to take all vessels of M'hatever
nation bound into those ports. • This has pleased

127
us : if we make these red hot gentlemen hungry,
they may be induced to come out."
The following letters to Mrs. Nelson, and his
father, give a further account of the proceedings
of the fleet. In one from the Gulf of Lyons, to
Mrs. Nelson, dated July 15, he says, "There seem
to be no French ships at sea, at least Ave have seen
nothing like one. We fell in Avith the Spanish
fleet a Aveek ago returning into port, I believe
glad we are arrived ; and they mean to leave us
the honour of keeping the French in order. I
really expect never to see them again. — lS/£.
We have just got a French sloop of Avar of 18
guns, bound from Marseilles to Toulonf Re
member me most kindly to our good father." —
" August Ath, off Toulon. The Admiral has just
sent us Avord, that the Aquilon will proceed to
England Avith Prince Augustus, I therefore send
this letter on board, in case Agamemnon should
be on the look out ; for as Ave sail fast, A\'e are
ahvays employed. Whether the French intend
to come out, seems uncertain ; they have a force
equal to us. Our Jacks Avould be very happy to
see it ; and, as our fleet is in the fullest health, I
dare say Ave should give a good account of them.
I hardly think the War can last, for what are Ave
at war about? Hoav I long to have a letter from
you: next to being Avith you, it is the greatest
pleasure I can receiA-e. The being uuited to
such a good woman. I look back to as to the
happiest period of my life ; and as I caunot here

12$
show my affection to you, I do it doubly to
Josiah, who deserves it as Avell on his own ac
count, as on yours; for he is a real good boy,
and most affectionately loves me. Captains
Lutwidge and Man have been very ill. Lord
Hood has sent to offer me a 74, but I have de
clined it ; as the Admiralty chose to put me into
a 64, there I stay. I cannot give up my Officers*
Lord Hood approved of my reasons, so far well.
If I have not an opportunity of writing to my
good Father, send my kindest remembrances to
him. God bless you, and believe me your most
affectionate husband, Horatio Nelson."
" August 20, off Toulon. My dear Father :
No occurrence. of a public nature has taken place
since our arrival here, and our private ones are
confined to a very narrow sphere, Avhich yet I am
sure will be considered by you a valuable one—
We are all well. The affairs of France in this
country are Avorse "than ever : the guillotine is
every day employed. A master of a ship, Avhom
we spoke from Marseilles, says, there are now
only two descriptions of people in France, the
one drunk ' and mad, the other Avith horror
painted in their faces, are absolutely starving;
yet nothing brings them to their senses. A Peace
with England is Avhat they Avish for ; and Pro
vence Avould, it is said, willingly put itself, as a
separate republic, under the protection of Eng
land. In the Avinter Ave are to reduce Ville
Tranche and Nice for the King of Sardinia, and

129
drive the French from Corsica. It seems of no
use to send a great Fleet here Avithout Troops to
act Avith them.
" I consider you now as at high harvest, and
hope you have good Aveather and good crops. ^1
hear Lady Spencer and the party are at Lucca,
a few miles from Pisa. I think Ave shall be in
England in the Avinter or spring. If the Burn-
hamites inquire for me, make my compliments.
Believe me your most dutiful son, Horatio
Nelson." On the 23d of August, three days after the date
of this letter, Commissioners from Marseilles
came on board the Victory, Lord Hood's flag
ship, Avith full powers to treat 'for peace, expect
ing to be met by Commissioners from Toulon ;
declaring that a monarchical government in
France Avould be the leading object in their ne
gotiation. AproclamationAvas accordingly issued
by Admiral Lord Hood, accompanied by a preli
minary declaration, addressed to the inhabitants
of the toAvns and provinces in the south of France,
Avhich was sent on shore to Toulon and Marseilles.
The rapid success of Carteaux opened the gates
1 In accomplishing this Treaty^ the late Captain E. Cooke> a
relation of Charles Long, Esq. and Admiral Sir Sidney Smith,
rendered essential service. An account of the perils he expe
rienced are given in a letter to his father in law, General Smith
(Naval Chronicle, vol. ii. page 378). The same volume contains
many original documents- of our proceedings on taking possession
of Toulon.

130
of Marseilles to republican fury on the 25th of
August ; and so alarmed the rising patriotism of
the Toulonese, that on the very same day the de
puties of all the sections of Toulon agreed to
Lord Hood's proposal, and declared that the cita
del and forts on the coast should be provisionally
at his disposal. In this state of the negotiation,
Captain Nelson Avas unexpectedly ordered to pro
ceed immediately off Oneglia, and then in
structed to proceed to Naples, Avith despatches
for Sir William Hamilton ; which being done, he
Avas to join the Admiral in the bay of Hieres.
On the third day after Captain Nelson sailed,.
Lord Hood had obtained possession of fort La
Malgue, situated on the right of the entrance of
Toulon harbour ; and on the 29th of August he
anchored in the outer road Avith the fleet, and
took possession of the harbour, arsenal, and ships.
On the same day Captain Fremantle, Avho Avas in
trusted with Lord Hood's despatches to England,
was directed to take Lord Hugh Seymour Conway
on board his ship, the Tartar, and to proceed
with him to Genoa. In performing this service,
the Tartar fell in Avith the Agamemnon at sea,
when Captain Nelson received congratulations
from Lord Hugh on the taking of Toulon, Avith
some detail of the proceedings. — During this visit
to Naples, Captain Nelson was first introduced
to their Sicilian Majesties ; and being lodged in
the house of the English Ambassador, he com
menced that friendship with Sir William and Lady

131
Hamilton, which had aftenvards so powerful an
influence both on his professional and private
life. The only account of this visit that Avas
found amongst his papers, is detailed in the fol-
' lowing letters to Mrs. Nelson.
(1793.) " Begun off the island of Sardinia,
Sept. 7 ; finished at anchor off Naples, Sept. 1 1 . My
dear Fanny, I sent you a line by Lord H.Conway,
who is gone home with Lord Hood's despatches.
As soon as the Treaty Avas concluded, Aga
memnon, a fast sailor, Avas sent off Avith letters to
the courts of Turin and Naples, for ten thousand
troops to secure our possession. I should have
liked to have stayed one day longer Avith the Fleet
when they entered the harbour ; but service
eould not be neglected for any private gratifica
tion. I have only to hope I shall succeed Avith the
King of Naples. The last visit he had Avas from
a Frenchgrenadier m belonging to Mons.Truguet's
Fleet : — bow differently he must feel at present !
"What an event this has been for Lord Hood !
such a one as history cannot produce its equal ;
that the strongest place in Europe, and twenty-
tAvo sail of the line, &c. should be given up Avith
out firing a shot. It is not to be credited.
" Naples, Sept. 14. My other letter will ar-
m With an insolence peculiar to the French republic, the King
of Naples was thus informed, That if he did not, within an hour,
disavow his remonstrance against the reception of Mons. Semon-
ville at Constantinople, war would be declared against him.

132
rive Avith this. Our news Avas received here
with the greatest satisfaction. The King has
twice sent for me, and I dine with him to mor
row, after he has made me a visit Avhich he
is to do on board Agamemnon. We are called
by him the saviours of Itaty, and of his dominions
in particular. I have acted for Lord Hood with
a zeal which no one could exceed, and am to
carry from the King the handsomest letter in his
own handwriting which could possibly be. This
I got through Sir William Hamilton, and the
Prime Minister, Avho is an Englishman. Lady
Hamilton has been Avonderfully kind and good
to Josiah ; she is a young Avoman of amiable man
ners, and Avhodoes honour to the station fo Avhich
she is raised. I am to carry Lord Hood 6000
troops from hence. Remember me to my dear
Father, also to Lord and Lady Walpole. Believe
me your most affectionate husband."
" Agamemnon, Toulon, Oct. 7. As I never
omit an opportunity of Avriting, I shall not let
a ship sail for Leghorn without a letter. I came
here two days since, and shall sail on a cruise to
morrow. Lord Hood is much pleased with me.
Our situation here is Avonderful : the hills are oc
cupied by the enemy, Avho are erecting works for
mortars and cannon. Whether Ave shall be able
to maintain our most extraordinary acquisition,
time only can determine: hoAvever one hour will
burn the French fleet. You Avill not forset me
to my Father."

133
On the next day, October 9th, he received
sealed orders from the Admiral, Avhich Avere not
to be opened until the Agamemnon had reached
the east end of the island of PorqueroU, one
of the Hieres cluster. On opening them, ac
cordingly, Captain Nelson was directed to pro
ceed Avithout loss of time to Cagliari, in the
island of Sardinia, Avhere he would find Com
modore Linzee, to Avhom he Avas to deliver a
packet, and to folloAv his directions. On the
the 12th of October, he thus continued his
correspondence : " My dear Fanny, Every day
at Toulon has hitherto afforded some brilliant
action on shore, in Avhich the sea officers
have made a very conspicuous figure ; Elphin-
stone ° in particular, who is a good officer and'
gallant man. I have only been a spectator;
but had Ave remained, I should certainly have
desired to be landed. Some of our ships have
been pegged pretty handsomely ; yet such is the
force of habit, that Ave seem to feel no danger.
The other day Ave sat at a Court Martial on board
Admiral Hotham, Avhen Princess Royal, a French
74, our friend, three frigates, and four mortar
boats, Avere firing at a battery for four hours ; the
shot and shells going over us; Avhich, extraordi
nary as it may seem, made no difference. The
Ardent, Captain Robert Manners Sutton, brother
to the bishop, Avas much cut up, after behavinw
8 The present Lord Keith.

134
Avith the greatest gallantry and good conduct ;
near thirty of his men Avere either killed or are
since dead of their wounds. Indeed Avherever
our ships or sea officers have had an oppor
tunity, they have all behaved Avell. God bless
vou." 4 XI. Captain Nelson's First Engagement Avith
the Enemy, took place in the Agamemnon, on the
22d of October, when detached from the squa
dron under Commodore Linzee; and is noticed in
a letter to his brother Maurice, dated at Tunis,
Nov. 8, (1793. ) "On the 22d of October, off the
island of Sardinia, having only 345 men at quar
ters, the others being landed at Toulon and in
prizes, Ave fell in with and chased the folloAving
French men of Avar from Tunis — Melpomene, 44
guns, nine and eighteen pounders, 400 men, La
Minerve, 44 guns, nine and eighteen pounders,
400 men, La Fortunee, 44 guns, twelve and
thirty-six pounders, 500 men, Le Fouchet, 24
guns, nine pounders, 220 men, Brig, 14 guns,
nine pounders, 100 men. The Agamemnon,
after a firing of near four hours, so disabled the
Melpomene (as supposed) she being apparently
in a sinking state, that the other ships declined
bringing the Agamemnon again to action, and, as
it appeared, to take care of their companion ;
since they had the option to reneAv the engage
ment for three hours, after the Melpomene hauled
from us. The Agamemnon Avas so cut to pieces

13£
as to be unable to haul the wind towards
them." Captain Nelson, Avho had at that time called
his officers together, amongst other questions
asked them, " From what you see of the state of
our ship, is she fit to go into action Avith such a
superior force against us, Avithout some small refit
and refreshment of our people?" She cer
tainly is not. His orders then were, " Veer
the ship, and lay her head to the AvestAvard ; let
some of the best men be employed refitting the
rigging, and the carpenters getting crows and
capstern bars to prevent our wounded spars from
coming down, and get the wine up for the peo
ple, with some bread ; for it may be half an hour
good, before Ave are again in action." — Lord
Hood, in his letter to the Admiralty, dated
November 13th, did not fail to mention this
event. " On the 22d of last month, the Aga
memnon fell in with the four frigates, that had
left the bay of Tunis, each carrying 28 eigh
teen pounders, and a corvette of 14 nine poun
ders, and had a partial action Avith one of the
frigates, Ayhich sailed superior to the reft ; I
since find they are all arrived at St. Fiorenzo in
Corsica." (1793.) Some further account of this event, and
of the subsequent proceedings of the Agamemnon,
are preserved in the folloAving letters ; the first of
which Avas addressed by Mr. William Hoste, a
midshipman on board the Agamemnon, then in

136
his thirteenth year, to his p father, Nov*. 27.
After giving an account of the negotiation at
Tunis, under Commodore Linzee, Mr. Hoste
thus proceeds : " On the 22d of October, when
running down the island of Sardinia, about two
o'clock in the morning, being off Monte Santo,
twenty leagues to the northward of Cngliari,
Ave saw five sail of ships standing to the N. W :
on observing us, they tacked and stood to the
eastward. Captain Nelson, suspecting them to
be a French Convoy, immediately stood after
them. About three o'clock we were very near
up Avith the hindermost, and at four got within
gunshot. We hailed her in French, but receiv
ing no answer fired a gun ahead, for her to
bring-to, and shorten sail ; when avc observed
her making signals with sky-rockets to her con
sorts, which were at some distance to windAvard.
After we had repeatedly hailed to no purpose, Ave
fired one of our eighteen pounders at her, to
oblige them to shorten sail ; and at the same time
opened our lower deck ports, which frightened
her, as^she immediately made sail to get away;
from Avhich it appears that she took us for a fri
gate. It Avas daylight before Ave got up with her
again, as she had the start of us. About five
A.M. we came within half gun shot, and found
her to be a fine forty gun frigate ; she hoisted
p The Rev. Dixon Hoste, of Godwick, Norfolk, an early
friend of Captain Nelson's family. His son at present com-
rnands the Amphlon.

137
national,colours, and favoured us with a broad
side. We returned the compliment, but our
situation was rather unfavourable, and our shot
did not at all times hit her ; whilst she, owing to
her superiority of sailing, kept her position and
pointed her guns to advantage, firing in an angu
lar direction, which did more execution. She
bravely engaged us in this manner for three
hours, both ships sailing at the rate of six knots
an hour, until by our constant firing it fell calm.
The other frigates were coming after us Avith a
fresh breeze ; consequently we expected to have
warm work, and were therefore anxious to des
patch this gentleman before they arrived : but,
about eight o'clock, by an alteration of the Avind,
our antagonist got out of the reach of our guns.
Our last broadside did infinite damage ; nor was
Avhat Ave had received inconsiderable, as our
rigging was shot aAvay, and our main topmast
broken, which prevented us from going after
the frigate. We had one man killed, and two _
wounded. " By this time the other ships were within a
league of us, the nearest one appeared to be of
the same force as ourselves ; and, as the rest were
coming doAvn with all sail set, Ave expected
nothing less than that they Avould engage us, and
we accordingly prepared for their reception :
but their courage failed them, for we had given
their friend so complete a drubbing, that she
made signals of distress; upon Avhich all of them

138
.Went to her assistance, and hoisted their boats
out. We accordingly pursued our destined course
to Cagliari ; being satisfied with offering them
battle. " Had the breeze continued, we should have
preserved our distance from the other frigates,
and our antagonist must have struck, or sunk ;
though if she had struck Ave could not have taken
possession of her, in sight of a force so superior.
The Agamemnon had only 350 men at quarters,
and consequently Avas not better than a fifty gun
ship. Captain Nelson is< acknoAvledged to be
one of the first Characters in the Service, and is
universally beloved by his men and officers."
(1793.) The following extract from Lord Hood's
Orders dated Nov. 15, to Commodore Linzee then
lying at Tunis, shews that Admiral's confidence
in the zeal and enterprise of Nelson. " You are to
expostulate Avith his Excellency the Bey, q in the
strongest and most impressive manner, on tlie
impolicy of his giving countenance and support
to so heterogeneous a government as the present
one of France; composed of murderers and assas-
q This Bey of Tunis was a Chief of very superior abilities, and
at the conference which Captain Nelson held with him, displayed
a quickness of talents, which even disconcerted the Captain of
the Agamemnon. On being told of the excesses which the French
government had committed, he drily observed, " That nothing
could be more heinous than the murder of their Sovereign : and
yet, Sir," added he, " if your historians tell the truth, your OAvn
countrymen once did the same."

139
sins, who have recently beheaded their Queen
in a manner that would disgrace the most bar
barous savages. And as the four frigates, which
the Agamemnon fell in with, got to St. Fiorenzo
in Corsica, and will probably make for Villa-
franca, Avhenever they are able, as they can get
no supplies at St. Fiorenzo ; I direct you to send
Nelson immediately to cruise from Calvi to the
gulf of Especia, to look out for them ; but not
to let it be known where he is gone, and to take
under his command such ships as he may find on
that station, Avhich are the Mermaid, Tartar,
Topaze French frigate, and Scout brig, and pro
bably the Amphitrite."
During the time in Avhich the Agamemnon
was thus engaged, Lieutenant General O'Hara,
being appointed Governor of Toulon and Com
mander of the forces, had arrived there on the
25th of October, Avith a considerable reinforce
ment; and by his Majesty's commission, Lord
Hood, Sir Gilbert Elliot, and the Lieutenant
General, were appointed Commissioners for ne
gotiating and concluding all civil arrangements
in the south of France. On the 20th of Novem
ber this commission Avas opened, and a declara
tion was made in his Majesty's name, assuring
the inhabitants of protection. But the trea
chery of our perfidious Allies Avas at the same
moment secretly counteracting the able measures
that had been taken, The French army before
Toulon amounted to 40,000 men, and even this
force, after the surrender of Lyons, became

140
daily augmented. Their artillery was com
manded by Buonaparte, then a Captain, avIio
during this Siege first displayed his military
talents, and thus recommended himself to the
notice of Commissioner Barras -—The army of
our Allies, composed of different nations, and
consequently speaking different languages, never
exceeded 16,100: Yet, notwithstanding this dis
parity of numbers, if it had not been for the un
accountable panic Avhich seized the Neapolitan
troops, during the sitting of the council of Avar
that Avas held in the forenoon of Dec. 17th, and
the shameful remissness of Admiral Langara, Lord
Hood's arrangement would have been completely
executed for destroying all the French ships in
the arsenal and bason before the toAvn, together
Avith the magazine, the arsenal itself, and thevari-
ous stores it contained. Ten ships, hoAvever, of the
lineinthe arsenal, with three frigates and two cor
vettes, together Avith the mast-house, great store
house, hemp-house, and other buildings, Avere
•destroyed by Sir Sidney Smith and the officers
under his orders; and three ships of the line,
five frigates, and seven corvettes, besides many
smaller vessels, accompanied the British Fleet.
This memorable transaction is detailed in the fol
lowing letter from Captain Nelson, to His R. H.
the Duke of Clarence. " Agamemnon, Leghorn
Roads December 27, 1793. Sir: My last letter
to your Royal Highness, would convey to you
my opinion of the impossibility of holding Tou-

141
Ion, Avithout a superior Army in the field ; but the
fall of it has been something quicker than I ex
pected, OAving to the foreign troops having but
very badly defended some of the out-posts, as
reported here by several vessels Avith some of the
wretched inhabitants of Toulon. Lord Hood is
said to have attempted rallying the flying troops,
but in vain ; and that he exposed himself to great
danger. The reports, although there is some dif
ference in the telling, all seem to agree that the
folloAving are facts : That on the 1 3th a most
numerous Army covered the hills ; that Lord
Hood issued a proclamation to prepare the inha
bitants forwhat Avould probably happen, the eva
cuation of Toulon ; that on the 17th, at eight
o'clock at night, the enemy made a general
attack on all our out-posts, which lasted the
whole night, many of which they carried Avith
too much ease ; that the other out-posts were
obliged to be abandoned, and the troops to retire
to fort la Malgue : That on the 18th, Lord Hood
ordered .all the Neapolitans to be embarked to
gether, with as many royalists as could find ships
to carry them ; and that our Fleet with that of
Spain Avas anchored under la Malgue. On the
19th, in the morning, such a scene Avas displayed,
as avouUI make the hardest heart feel : the mob
had risen, Avas plundering, and committing every
excess ; many, numbers cannot be estimated, Avere-
drowned in trying to get off; boats upset, and
many put a period to their existence. One

142
family of aAvife and five children are just arrived,
the husband shot himself. Indeed, Sir, the re
cital of their Miseries is too afflicting to dwell
upon. In this scene of horror Lord Hood Avas
obliged to order the French Fleet of twenty sail
of the line, and as many other ships of Avar, to
gether with the arsenal and powder magazines,
to be set on fire: report says one half of that
miserable place is in ashes. The quitting Toulon
by us, I am satisfied, is a national benefit ; both
in money, for our contracts Avill be found to have
been very extravagant, people seeming to act as
if fortunes were to be made instantly; and in
saving some of our gallant English blood, which,
when the muster comes to be taken, Avill appear
to hae floAved plentifully/ The destruction of the
Fleet and Arsenal, and indeed of the Harbour of
Toulon for a number of years, is a great benefit
to England."
(1793.) " Agamemnon, Dec. 27. My dear
Fanny, Every thing which domestic Avars produce
usually has been multiplied at Toulon. In short
all is horror. I have the Count de Grasse under
my command, in a French frigate ; his wife and
family are at Toulon. Lord Hood put himself at
the head of the flying troops, and Avas the admi
ration of every one; but the torrent was too strong.
Many of our posts Avere carried Avithout resist
ance ; at others, Avhich the English occupied,
every one perished. I cannot write all : my
mind is deeply impressed Avith grief. Each

143
teller makes the scene more horrible. Lord Hood
shewed himself the same collected good officer
which he always Avas. — I have only time to say,
God bless you."
In the preceding months of August and Sep
tember, Lord Hood had received pressing letters
from General Paoli, representing the facility
with which the French might be driven from
their posts in Corsica ; the vulnerable points of
attack Avere pointed out, and it was intimated,
that even the appearance of a feAv ships Avould
prove of essential service, provided it should not
be judged expedient to make an attack by them
on any of the forts. His Lordship was therefore
induced to order a small Squadron to sail early in
September for Corsica, under the command of
Commodore Linzee, consisting of three ships of
the line, and two frigates. Soon after the eva
cuation of Toulon, Captain Edward Cooke had
been sent on a mission to General Paoli, to know
the real posture of affairs in Corsica, and Avhat
the General had distinctly to propose, for dis
possessing the French of the posts they occupied
in that island. Captain Cooke returned from
Corsica, and joined Lord Hood in Hieres Bay on
the 7th of January, (17Q4,) and delivered a letter
from General Paoli ; making absolute proposals,
and fresh assurances of the active cooperation
of his brave Corsicans, to drive the French from
their strong holds. In the meantime Captain
Nelson Avas kept cruising off Corsica with a

144
small Squadron, to prevent the French from re
ceiving supplies ; and Lord Hood, having on the
23d of January received a \'ery encouraging-
report from Lieutenant Colonel Moore and Major
Koehler, Avhom he had sent to General Paoli, and
at the same time certain information that the
French had actually embarked at Nice 8000
troops, which Avere at all risks to proceed to
Corsica under convoy of two frigates, a corvette,
and some other armed vessels ; his Lordship that
evening detached three more frigates to Captain
Nelson, the more effectually to line the coast and
to guard Bastia also. The next morning Lord
Hood put to sea, accompanied by sixty sail of
ships and vessels, including army victuallers and
transports, having upwards of 2000 unfortunate
Toulonese on board. The distinguished part
which Captain Nelson took in the succeeding
Sieges of Bastia and Calvi, has tiever yet been
detailed. XII. A letter to Mrs., Nelson, which was dated
off Calvi, January 6th, brings uphis OAvn relation to
the end of that month : — " I left Leghorn on the
3d, and very soon got off here, since which time
Ave have had nothing but hard gales of Avind, and
the heaviest rains I almost ever met Avith. I am
waiting anxiously for troops from Lord Hood to
take St. Fiorenzo, and the frigates Avhich Avill
fall into our hands a few hours after their arrival.
I Avas most unfortunately driven a few miles to
leeAvard two days ago, in the height of the gale;

145
and a frigate took that opportunity of sailing
from St. Fiorenzo to Calvi with provisions. One
of my frigates exchanged a few shot with her,
but at too great a distance to prevent her from
getting in. I had so closely blockaded Calvi,
that they must have surrendered to me at discre
tion; not a vessel had before got in for the six
weeks I have been stationed here. This supply
will keep them aaveek or two longer. — We now
knoAv from a deserter, that it was the Melpomene
who engaged us on October 22: she had twenty-
four men killed, and fifty wounded, and Avas so
much damaged as to be laid up dismantled in St.
Fiorenzo ; she would have struck long before we
parted, but for the gunner avIio opposed it ; and
when at length the colours Avare ordered to
be struck by general consent, we ran into a calm,
whilst the other ships came up with a fresh breeze
and joined their consort. Admiral Trogoff tells
me, she is alloAved to be the finest frigate out of
France, and the fastest sailer ; Ave were unlucky
to select her,.the others Ave could outsail. Had she
struck, I don't think the others Avould have come
down, and I should have had great credit in
taking her from such superior force : now of
course nothing can be knoAvn of that business,
and I have to look out for another opportunity,
Avhich is very scarce here.
" I have just received a most handsome letter
from Lord Hood, he looks upon these frigates as
certain, trusting to my zeal and activity, and

146
kriows, if it is in the pOAver of man to have them")
I will secure them. Linzee Avas to have been here i
for this service, and to settle plans with General
Paoli, the chief of the Corsicans, relative to land
ing the troops, &c. Andrews is my ambassador.
This business going through my hands, is a proof
of Lord Hood's confidence in me, and that I
shall pledge myself for nothing, butAvhat Avill be
acceptable to him.' I have promised my, people
as soon as Ave have taken. Corsica, that I would
ask for a month's- tfsst for them. ^Except to get
provisions, I have not heen 'one hour at anchor
for pleasure, since April 23d; but I can assure
you I never Avas better in health, as is Josiah.
On Sunday I expect Lord Hood and the troops.
"Hoste is indeed a most exceeding good boy, ami
will shine in our Service. We shall talk these
matters over again in a Avinter s evening."
(1794.) In another letter to his Avife, from
Leghorn, Jan. 30th, he mentioned an instance
of his bravery, previous to the landing of the
troops. " I Avas blown off my station on the
28th, in the hardest gale almost ever remembered
here The Agamemnon did well, but lost every
sail in her. Lord Hood had joined me off
Corsica the day before; and would have lauded
the troops, but the gale dispersed them over
the face of the waters. ' The Victory Avas very
near lost, however Ave are safe; a number of trans
ports are missing. I am fearful the enemy wiU
get their troops from France before Lean return

147
>to my station, which Avill be a vexing thing after
my two months hard fag. A circumstance hap
pened a few days past, which gave me great Sa
tisfaction. January 2 1st, the French having
their storehouse of flour near a Avater-mill close
to St. Fiorenzo, I seized, a happy moment, and
landed sixty soldiers and sixty seamen in spite
-of opposition. At landing, our sailors threw all the
flour into the sea, burned the mill, the only one
they have, and returned on board Avithout the
loss of a mail. The French sent 1000 men at
least against; them, and gun-boats, &c. but the
shet went over them, and they were just Avithin
reach of my guns -^it has pleased Lord Hood, but
this dreadful gale may have bloAvn it out of his
memory." On the 3d of February, 1794,' Captain Wolse
ley, of tlie LoAvestoffe, hoisted his colours close
off the fort of Centuri, A\'hen all the vessels in the
harbour immediately displayed national colours.
On the 5th, Captain Nelson ordered him to land
his marines, Avith those of the Romulus, and take
the vessels. Opposition Avas made, and one man
was wounded belonging to the latter ship. Seve
ral of the enemy AA'ere killed, and four vessels
laden with Avine were burnt. The troops, under
the command of Lieutenant General Dundas,
had been disembarked from the squadron of ships
and transports, commanded by Commpdore Lin-
zee, iu a bay in the gulf of St. Fiorenzo, to the
westward of Martello point. On the Sth of
l2

148
February, Captain Nelson, avIio was detached,
sent the following letters to Lord Hood. '' My
Lord : Yesterday at Porto Nuovo they hoisted
national colours as 1 passed, as also the vessels in
the harbour. I went to l'Avisina, but there was
no ship there. . Captain Fremantle tells me, a
ship under Ragusan colours is in Bastia. This
morning being very fine, I anchored off Regliani,
and sent on shore tosay, "That I Avas cometode-
liver them from the republicans, and wished to be
received as a friend : but that if a musket Avas
fired, I would burn the town." The answer from
the Commandant Avas as folloAvs,
We are Republicans ; that zvord alone ought to
satisfy you. It is not to Magginagio, a place with
out defence, you ought to address yourself. Go to
St. Fiorenzo, to Bastia, or Calvi, and they will
answer you according to your wishes. As to the
troops whom I command, they are ready to shew you
that they are composed of French soldiei^s.
" Upon receiving this answer I landed, and
struck the National colours with my own hand
6n the top of an old castle, and ordered the Tree
of liberty in the centre of the town to be cut
doAvn, not Avithout great displeasure from the in
habitants. The military Commandant retired to
a hill about two miles distant, Avhere he paraded
the troops, and kept the national flag flying all
day. We destroyed about 500 tons of wine ready
to be shipped, aud ten sail of vessels."
Whilst the indefatigable Captain of the Aga
memnon Avas thus actively employed on the other

149
side of the promontory of Cape Corse, in pre
venting succours from going into Bastia, Erba-
longa, or any of the villages to the northward of
the capital, the invasion of the Island in the
bay of St. Fiorenzo, had commenced with much
spirit by our troops under Lieutenant General
Dundas, assisted Avith the great exertions of our
seamen; who by dragging gu-ns up the almost
perpendicular precipices, had gained possessionof
the heights above the Tower of Martello.
On the 8th of February, General Dundas and
Commodore Linzee having been of opinion, that
it Avould be advisable to attack this Tower in the
first instance from the bay, the Fortitude, Captain
William Young, and the Juno, Captain Samuel
Hood, Avere ordered to make the attempt ; but
after a cannonade of two hours and a half, during
which the former ship was very much damaged
by. red hotshot, both hauled off. The walls of
this Tower were of a prodigious thickness, and
the parapet, where there was one gun, an eighteen
pounder commanding the bay, arid one six poun
der directed to the height, Avas lined with bass
junk five feet from the Avail, and filled up with
sand ; and although it Avas cannonaded from the
height for tAvo days afterwards, within the dis
tance of one hundred and fifty yards, the enemy
still held out. At length a few hot shot having
set fire to the bas9 junk, they called for quarter.
The number of men found in the Tower was only
thirty- three, two of whom were mortally wounded.

150
Thegallant defence Avhich had been made by them
against a line of battle ship and a frigate by so
few men with only one gun, excited the sur
prise both of our naval and military officers.
Previous to the surrender of the Martello
tower, Lieutenant Colonel Moore had been de
tached Avith some light artillery through a moun
tainous country that Avas Avithout roads, to make?
an attempt on the batteries of Fornelli. On
examining their situation it was deemed expe
dient to return, and to endeavour to transport
some heavy cannon to the heights which over
looked these batteries. This arduous task Avas
accomplished by the officers and seamen of the
navy, after a most severe fatigue during four
days ; and at eight o'clock in the evening of the
17th of February, after a spirited attack, in
"which Lieutenant Colonels Moore and Wauchope,
and Captain Stewart, particularly distinguished
themselves, Fornelli Avas carried, and the bay and
town of St. Fiorenzo were consequently in our
possession. The French having retreated to Bastia, the re
duction of that capital Avas immediately resolved
on by Lord Hood, Avho submitted his plan to"
General Dundas for his cooperation. The Ge
neral declined it, as being impracticable and vi
sionary, Avithout thereinforcement of 2000 troops
Avhich he expected from Gibraltar. Lord Hood
therefore resolved to reduce Bastia with the
naval force, that Avas entrusted to his command.

151
Captain Nelson, Avho as already noticed had
been detached from the fleet, in a letter to his
wife dated at sea February 13, said, " I am just
going into Leghorn to get Avater. Corsica I hope
will fall in due time. Commodore Linzee has the
command of the sea business, Lord Hood is iu
the offing. I have had the pleasure to fulfil the
service I havebeen employed upon, since leaving
Tunis, neither allowing provisions nor troops to
get into Corsica, nor the frigates to come out. I
am next going to cruise off Bastia, to prevent
succours, from getting in there. Corsica is a
wonderfully fine island. We are anxious to hear
how Parliament likes the Avar. I am still of opi
nion it cannot last much longer; not by the
French having an absolute monarchy again, but
by our leaving them .alone, perhaps the Avisest
method Ave can follow. You Avill remember me
in the kindest manner to my Father. . God, bless
you." — On the 19th of February, (1794) he
fancied at l'Avisena, took the tower of Miomo,
three miles distant from Bastia, and drove the
French within gun-shot of the Walls of that city.
On the subsequent taking of St. Fiorenzo,
Captain Nelson sent the following letter to the
Admiral, dated Feb. 22. " I beg most sincerely
to congratulate your Lordship on the taking St.
FiorenZo. We saw plainly, Avhen evening set in
.on the 19th, the fire at Fiorenzo, and had no
doubt but it was the frigates that \vere burning.

152
We Avere close ' to Bastia. Oh receiving your
letter I bore away for the Cape, and am now
going to take another look at Bastia, when I
shall send this letter. To the northward of the
town and three miles distant, troops may he
safely landed ; there is a good road for marching
all the way to Bast;a, but not for heavy artillery ;
probably landing-places may be found to, the
nortliAvard of it', and much nearer than three
miles. I see that the little camp with tAvo guns,
en barbette, is intended to prevent any landing
to the southward, as I make no doubt their shot
would reach to the opening of the lagoon ; but
our troops may land under cover of gun-boats,
and other small vessels, although ships cannot
get inT Every defence of Ijastia is plainly to be
seen from the sea, and in my opinion 'it would
soon fall, i esterday a verv large Swedish ship
from the Levant, laden Avifh corn, was within
tAvo miles of Bastia, and I believe intended for
that port ;- but if not, the boats would have carried
her in, had we not been betAveen her and the
toAvn. Saturday evening : I have just had a boat
off from Erbalonga, they say that our landing at
l'Avisena and marching so near Bastia, has been
of the greatest service to them, as the enemy
intended that night to have come with gun-boats
and troops, and to have burnt all the revolted
villages. All the Corsicans, to the very Avails of
Bastia, have declared for us, and they tell me not

153
much less than 1000 are uoav under the outAvorks
of Bastia ; and indeed Ave have seen the firing of
musketry the whole evening.
" Sunday noon. It is only just uoav that I
have been able to examine Bastia more closely.
I find the enemy every hour are strengthening
their Avorks. The two guns mounted en barbette
are noAv forming a half moon battery. I passed
close Avith Romulus and Tartar, and the enemy
opened their fire from the battery. We directly
dislodged them, and they to a man quitted the
works. The toAvn opened on us also with shot
and shells, but without doing us any damage of
consequence, our guns Avere so exceedingly Avell
pointed, that not one shot was fired in vain ; a
parcel of powder in one of their batteries bleAv
up, and apparently did considerable damage.
Indeed, my Lord, I wish the troops Ave re here.
Bastia, I am sure, in its present state, would soon
fall. 1 don't think the Corsicans have the strong
post General Paoli mentions, or I must have
have knoAvn it. They tell me the garrison of
Fiorenzo is got into Bastia."
(i794.) In consequence of this information,
Lord Hood sailed on the 23d of February, and ap
peared with part of his fleet off Bastia, whilst
another squadron was employed watching some
French ships at Toulon ; and, with his accustomed
perseverance, the Admiral continued to cruise
there for a fortnight, that he might gain every
possible intelligence. Finding that General
Dundas adhered to his former opinion, Lord

154:
Hood demanded, that the remains pf the lltly
25th, 30th, and 6gth regiments, under Lieute
nant Colonel Vilettes, should immediately re
turn on board their respective ships, in Avhich
they had been originally ordered by his Majesty
to serve as Marines ; and were consequentlyborne
on the books, of . those ships, as part of their re*.
spective complements.-
Captain Nelson joined Lord Hood Feb. 27th,
and on the next day the Avhole of the fleet,
except the Agamemnon, and a frigate, were
blown off their station in a gale of Avind. On
the 28th, whilst off Bastia, he gave a more par
ticular account of the Siege, in a letter to his
wife. '• My dear Fanny, I Avrite literally to
say I am well, never better, and in active ser\'ice,
which I like. Lord Hood expresses himself on
every occasion well pleased Avith my conduct.
He is come ou this side himself, but Avould not
bring an older Captain than me; therefore the
naval service at Bastia is intrusted to my direc
tion,, under his Lordship. I have iiqav six fri
gates with me. Our little brush last Sunday,
happened at the moment when part of our army'.
made their appearance on the hills over Bastia;
they having marched over-land from St. Fiorenzo,
which is only tAvelve miles distant. The General
sent an express to Lord Hood - at Fiorenzo
to tell him of it. What a noble sight it must
have been ! indeed on hoard it Avas the grandest
thing I ever saAv. If I had carried Avith me 50Q
troops, to a certainty I should have stormed the

155
toAvn, and I believe it might have been carried.
Armies go so sIoav, that seamen think they never
mean to get forward; but I dare say they act on
a surer principle, although we seldom fail. You
cannot think how pleased Lord Hood has been
with my attack on Sunday last, or rather my re
pelling of an attack which the enemy made on
me. He is gone to Porto Ferrajo for some sup
plies, but will return in two days. I am to an
chor to have communication with the Army.
Bastia is a large town and populous, having
10,000 inhabitants, there is a fine mole for ship
ping. ' If Ave take Corsica, of Avhich I have not
the smallest doubt, I hope Ave shall keep it."
(1794. J On the 2d of March, Lord Hood came
again in sight of the Agamemnon on her station
off Bastia, and on the 3d, made Captain Nelson's
signal to go on board the admiral. — " He ac-
quainted me," adds the Captain in his journal,
" with the retreat of our troops from the heights
and their return to St. Fiorenzo. What General
Dunda3 could have seen to make a retreat neces
sary, I cannot comprehend : The enemy's force
is 1000 regulars, and 1000 or 1500 irregulars.
I Avish not to be thought arrogant, or presump
tuously sure of my own judgment ; but it is my
firm opinion, that the Agamemnon with only
the frigates nowhere, lying against the town for
a feAv hours, Avith 500 troops ready to land Avhen
we had battered down the seawall, would to a
certainty carry the place. I presumed to pro-

156
pose it to Lord Hood, and his Lordship agreed
with me; but added, that he should go to St.
Fiorenzo and hear Avhat the General had to say ;
for it Avould not be proper tp risk having our
ships crippled, without a cooperation of the
Army, Avhich consists of 1600 regulars and 180
artillery men, all in good health and , as fine
tropps as evermarched." , • »
On the 4th, and 5th of March, Captain Nel
son remained off Bastia, and received an order
from Lord Hood to take the Romney, Hon.
W. Paget, under his command. On the 4th he
sent the following continuation of what had passed
to his wife. " My dear Fanny : You will be sur
prised to hear that the English General, Dundas,
has retired from before Bastia Avithout making
an attack : God knows Avhat it all means. Lord
Hood is gone to St. Fiorenzo to the army to get
them forward again. A thousand men avouIcI to
a certainty take Bastia; Avith five hundred and
Agamemnon, I Avould attempt it. Lord Hood
said publicly, That if he thought it proper to
give me three sail of the line and .500 men, he
was sure I should take the to\vn, although pro
bably not the heights; but he would not sacri
fice his seamen and ships in doing what the
finest army of its size that ever marched could,
and wished to do. General Paoli has told them,
that if they don't keep my force low, I shall take
Bastia before they pitch their tents in St. I'io-
renzo: however these are only civil speeches.

157
But we now knoAv that I Avas very near getting
possession on Sunday the 23d. If I bad forceto
go again and cannonade it, I believe I should yet
get it. My Seamen are noAvWhat British Seamen
ought to be, to you I may say it, almost invinci
ble; they really mind shot no more than peas."
(1794.) The following extract from Lord Hood's
letter to Lieutenant General Dundas, dated Vic
tory in Martello Bay, March 6, illustrates the his
tory of the siege of Bastia: " I am honoured,"
said his Lordship, " with your letter of yester
day's date; in Avhich you are pleased to say,
' after mature consideration aud a personal in
spection for several days of all circumstances,
local as Avell as others, I consider the Siege of
Bastia, with our present means and force, to be
a most visionary and rash attempt, such as no
officer could be justified in undertaking,' — In
ansAver to Avhich, I must take the liberty to ob
serve, that hoAvever visionary and rash an attempt
to reduce Bastia may be in your opinion, to me
it appears very much the reverse, and to be per
fectly a right measure; and I beg here to repeat
my ansAver to you, upon your saying two days
ago, that I should be of a different opinion to
what I had expressed, Avere the responsibility
upon my shoulders, — ' That nothing would be
more gratifying to my feelings, than to have the
whole responsibility upon me — ' and I am now
ready and willing to undertake the reduction of
Bastia at my own risk, with the force and means

158
at present here, being strongly impressed with
the necessity of it."
On the 9th of March Captain Nelson Avent on
shore to Erbalonga, and thence to the Corsican
camp, and had a good view of all the enemy's
posts, and the town, Avhich was daily increasing
its means of defence. On the 10th he got back
to his ship, and on the 11th the Romney joined
him Avith letters from Lord Hood, to say that
General Dundas was going home, and that the
Admiral hoped and trusted the troops Avould
once more move over the hill. Captain Nelson
returned the folloAving ansAver. " My Lord,
You may be assured I shall undertake nothing,
but Avhat I have a moral certainty of succeeding
in: had this day been fine, it was my intention
to haA^e towed the Agamemnon in shore, and to
have destroyed the house Avhich the enemy has
fortified for musquetry, and also the new battery
which is nearly finished — I think we should have
been out of the range of shot from the town. I
hope our troops will soon join."
Captain Nelson's journal describes the hard
ships Avhich his men had already endured.
" March 12th, off Erbalonga, five miles from
Bastia. We are absolutely Avithout either Avater,
provisions, or stores of any kind, and not a
piece of canvass, rope, twine, or a nail in our
ship ; biit Ave cheerfully submit to it all, if it
turns out for the advantage and credit of our
country." — The Agamemnon got back to her

' 'isg
•station off Bastia on the 16th of March, and the
same day her Captain, to use his OAvn words.,
sent, an express to Lord Hood to tell him, That
they had nothing to eat. — " Yet," added he,
"if your Lordship lias any Avish for me to re
main off Bastia, I can, by going fo Porto Fer-
rajo, get Avater and stores, and tAventy-four hours
at Leghorn Avill give us provisions. Our refits
ting Avhich Avould take some time, could be put
off a little. My Avish is to be present at the
attack of Bastia; and if your Lordship intends
me to command the seamen who may be landed,
I assure you I shall have the greatest pleasure in
performing that, or any other service Avhere yon
may think I can do most good; even if my ship
goes into port to refit, I am ready to remain.
We are certainly in a bad plight at present, not
a man has slept dry for many months!"
Captain Nelson to Sir William Hamilton, sent by
the Hon. Captain W. Paget, dated off Bastia,
March 27, 1794.
" My dear Sir, Lord Hood having determined
on attacking Bastia, from the reports of officers
in whom his Lordship is pleased to place confi
dence, contrary to the opinion of General d'Au-
bant Avho has succeeded to the command of the
army, he becomes in want of many things which
I am rather inclined to believe. could have been
supplied from the stores at St. Fiorenzo. As to
the final issue of taking Bastia I have no doubt,

160
though Ave have only a small proportion of the
troops who Avere at St. Fiorenzo, consisting of
those u ho had been embarked to serve as marines:
the General thinking it right not to grant his
Lordship a single soldier, aud only a feAV artillery
men. The General even insists on the impro
priety of attacking Bastia, and that as to its con
quest it is impossible. But, my dear Sir, Avhen
was a place ever yet taken without an attempt?
We must endeavour to deserve success, it is cer
tainly not in our power to command it. Colonel
Vilettes of the 69th regiment Avill command the
troops. I shall certainly ahvays be happy to pay
my respects to you; "but if Ave are successful, I
shall feel a greater pleasure in taking you by
the hand at Naples, Avhere my ship has been
ordered to be refitted : for, I own, I cannot bear
the thoughts of shewing myself in a foreign port,
without its being known that the British flag is
triumphant. I am just come from Lord Hood
at St. Fiorenzo; his zeal and activity for the
honour and benefit of his King and Country are
not abated. UpAvards of seventy, he possesses
the mind of forty years of age, and has not a
thought separated from honour and glory. May~
all opposers of such a Character have for their
accusers their OAvn minds, I am sure that Avill be
sufficient. When, before this, Avas the time,
that 2000 British troops as good as ever took the
field, Avere not thought equal to attack 800 French
tifoops, alloAving them to be in strong Avorks?

161
What Avould the immortal Wolfe have done, who
beat the enemy, though he perished in the at
tempt? Our irregulars are surely as good as the
enemy's, and in numbers we far exceed them.
I truly feel sorrow, but I have hope and confi
dence that all Avill end well. I request leave to
present my most respectful compliments to Lady
Hamilton, as does also my youngster. I assure
you and her Ladyship, that I remember with
gratitude the kindness of.you both to a stranger.
To Sir John Acton, being an Englishman, if he
remembers such an humble individual as myself,
and it is not incompatible with your Excellency's
situation, I beg to present my respects."
The Agamemnon continued to remain close
off Bastia from the 27th to the 31st of March,
the boats roAving guard off the mole and town
every night. Captain Nelson also sent the gun
boats to cannonade the town. — Such had been
his continued exertions and such his unremit
ting zeal, previous to the Siege of Bastia. We
are noAv to behold him uniting the talents both
of a naval and a military officer, and accom
plishing under the orders of his noble Admiral,
what had been deemed utterly visionary and
impracticable. XIIL Ong April 4th, 1794, at ten A.M. the
s The following occurrences in the siege of Bastia are chiefly
taken from Captain Nelson's journal, in the possession of the
VisoqiBntess Nelson : in this abridgment they are necessarily con
densed. M

> l62f
troops, consisting of artillery and gunners 66, of
the eleventh regiment 257, of the twenty-fifth
123, of the thirtieth 146, of the sixty-ninth 261,
of the marines 218, 'and of chasseurs 112, total
1183, and 250 seamen, landed at the totfer of
Miomo, three miles to the northward of Bastia,
under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Vi-
lettes, and Captain Horatio Nelson, who had
under him Captains Hunt, Serocold, aiid Bullen.
At noon the troops encamped about 2500 yards
from the citadel of Bastia, near a high rock.
On the 9th, about eleven o'clock at night, the
ehemy opened a very heavy fire upon our camp,
from their mortars and guns,. The alarm Avas
beat, and Captain Nelson fully expected an at
tack. This firing lasted until daylight, and yet,
Avhat Avas- extraordinary, not a single man Avas"
hurt. The tents were much damaged, but from
the troops being under arms they escaped. Lord
Hood sent in a flag of truce on the 1 1th, at seven
o'clock in the morning, by Lieut. Tapper, of the
Victory. This officer on his landing was grossly
abused, until the arrival of Lacombe St. Michel,
the Commissioner from the Convention, when
the .mob became quiet. Having offered his let
ters to St. Michel, our officer was informed by.
the Commissioner, that he could not receiye
Lord Hood's summons: I have hot Shot, he ex
claimed, for your ships, and bayonets for your
troops. When two thirds of our troops are killed,
Twill then trust to the generosity of the English,.

163
" On the Lieutenant's return with this message,"
adds Captain Nelson, " Lord Hood hoisted a red
flag at the main top gallant mast head of the Vic
tory; Avhenour batteries opened on the toAvn, ci
tadel, and redoubt of Camponella,. English colours
having been hoisted on the rock over my tent,
and every man giving three cheers. The enemy
returned a heavy fire during the Avhole day. The
Proselyte frigate anchored off the tower of
Torga, about twelve hundred yards from the.
toAvn battery; and Captain Serocold informed me
that she took fire from red hot shot, and that as
he found the impossibility of getting the ship
off the shore, it being quite calm, he thought it
right to set her on fire in several places, and she
burnt to the Avater's edge.
" April 12th. A heavy fire was kept up by us
during the whole of last night, and this day, ap
parently Avith good effect; the enemy preserving
a continued fire upon us. In the afternoon I
Avent with Colonel Vilettes, Lieutenant Duncan,
R. A. and Captain Clarke, brigade major, Avith a
Corsican guide, to examine a ridge about one
thousand yards nearer the toAvn than our present
position, and, on Avhich the Corsicans kept a
strong guard every night. The enemy's con
tinued fire of musquetry and grape Avas poured
on ,us during the whole evening: unfortunately
the last shot they fired from Camponella^killed
the Corsican guide Avho was standing behind
Clarke, and shot off his right arm and a part of

164
his , right side: Clarke Avas looking over my
shoulder at Camponella, whence Ave were distant
about two hundred and fifty yards. The Torga
battery opened on the 21st of April at day-light
on the town battery and Camponella, and ap
parently with good effect. The enemy kept up
a most heavy fire on us the Avhole day, with shells
and shot, from the citadel, town, Stafforella,
Camponella, a square tOAver, and the two batteries
newly raised under Stafforella. Brigadier Gene
ral D'Aubant came on the heights from St. Fio-
renzp, with all the staff and field officers of that
army, and a guard of fifty Corsicans. The next
day, the 22d of April, the enemy Avere hard at
Avork on the Heights strengthening all their
posts; the natural consequence of the parade of
reconnoitering yesterday. A constant fifing is
kept up night and day."
On the 22d of April he sent thefolloAving letter
to Mrs. Nelson. "1 have great reason to be
thankful to that Being, Avho has ever protected
me in a most Avonderful manner, and in none
more than since my landing here. If it be His
good pleasure, I shall in nothing more rejoice
than in being once more Avith you, Avhen Ave will
talk over all these stories, and laugh at them.
We are here with a force not equal to our wishes
or Avants, and with only half of what is at present
in this island. General D'Aubant will not attack
our enemy with 2000 as fine troops as ever
marched, whilst we are here beating them from

165
post to post with 1000  The Island, how
ever, is tO belong to England, reinforcements
are expected,! and our Generals will, I am sure,
be ordered to act. My ship lies on the north
side of the town, with some frigates, and Lord
Hood is on the south side. It is a very hard ser
vice for my poor Seamen, dragging guns up
such heights as are scarcely credible. The loss
of the enemy, Ave know, has been very great;
report states it as much as 500 killed and Avound-,
ed, ours is not more than 20, the Agamemnon
has to number five amongst them : they are not
the men to keep out of the Avay."
" On the 27th of April," continues the journal,
" Ave began the battery on the ridge for two
eighteen pound carronades, and one twelve
pounder on the spot where Captain Clarke was
wounded ; two hundred and fifty yards from Cam
ponella, nine hundred yards from the citadel,
seven hundred yards from the town. The labour
of getting up guns to this battery was a Avork of
the greatest difficulty, and which never, in my
opinion, would have been accomplished by any
other than British Seamen. On the 1st of May
the new battery opened. The 11th regiment
x and chasseurs Avere removed to the ridge for the
protection of the battery, and the post was
strengthened Avith an additional number of
Corsicans. Forty-five seamen under Lieutenant
AndreAVS Avere also appointed to fight the battery."

166
The following letter, to his' wife, dated May
1st and 4th, renders us still better acquainted
with the tenderness of Nelson's private character.
" I need not, I am certain, say, that all my joy
is placed in you, I have none separated from you;
you. are present to my imagination be where I
will. 1 am convinced you feel interested in every
action of my life, and my exultation in Victory
is twofold, knoAving that you partake of it. Only
recollect that a brave man dies but once, a coav-
, ard all his life long. We cannot escape death,
and should it happen to me in this place, remem
ber, It is the Avill of Him, in whose hands are the
issues df life and death. — As to my health, it was
never better, seldom so Avell. I have no fears
about the final issue of the expedition — It will
be victory, Bastia will be purs ! and if so, it must
prove an event, to Avhich the history of England
can hardly bpast an equal. Time will shew the
enemy's force: if it be small, the Fiorenzo Com
manders ought to be blamed : if it be large, they
are highly culpable, for alloAving a handful of
brave men to be on service unsupported. My
only fears are, That these soldiers Avill advance
Avhen Bastia is about to surrender, and deprive
us of part of our Glory. The King, Ave trust, Avill
draw the line of our deserts. I will tell you as
a secret, Bastia Avill be ours betAveen the 20th
and 24th of this month, if succours do not get in.
Our ships are moored across the harbour's mouth,

167
and three boats from each ship roAV guard every
night. — The toAvn contains 14,000 inhabitants."
1794. " On the 3d of May," adds the journal,
" Ave began a battery for one tAventy-four pounder
and a ten inch howitzer, Avhich Avas finished by
the 7th at night. The Enemy from the first of
this month had shewn several dispositions, as if
they meant to attack this post; but from some
cause they never adA7anced. Five four-pound
field pieces with good abbatis Avould in my
opinion, if the post had been Avell defended, pre
vented their making any impression on it. The
Seamen always slept on the battery Avith their
pikes and cutlasses. Lord Hood, on the Sth, sent
in another flag of truce at eight o'clock, which
was refused : the mayor telling the officer, that
they would return bomb for bomb, and shot for shot.
Opened the tAventy-four pounder and hoAvitzer
Avith the greatest good effect; nor could all the
efforts of the enemy knock down our Avorks'. A
continued and increasing fire Avas kept up on the
towu and outAvorks. In the night of the 12th a
large boat came out of Bastia, she Avas closely
pursued by our guard-boats, and taken : in her
were three deserters, the captain of la Fortunee
frigate, twelve seamen, eight Corsicans, and
thirty wounded soldiers, going to Capraja. Her
despatches were throAvn overboard; but in the
morning of the 13th at daylight, Lieutenant
Suckling of the St. Croix schooner saAV the
packet floating on the Avater, Avhich he took up,

1.68
and brought to me: probably in the hurry of
throwing them overboard, the weight that had
been tied to them had slipped out of the string;
they Avere all letters from Gentili, the commander
in chief at Bastia, saying Iioav much they had been
annoyed by our fire, which had been opened on
them near forty days, and that if succours did
not arrive by the 29th of the month, they must
look upon the town as lost to the republic. These
letters Avere addressed to Salicetti, Lacombe St.
Michel, who had left Bastia, and Santelli. Lord
Hood sent in the boat with her crew and Avith a
Aveek's provisions; and Ave this day got a nine
pounder on the ridge. On the 14th of May, the
enemy displayed a picture on Camponella the
whole day; they did not treat it with insult, and
I think it Avas intended for Lord Hood.11 Our
batteries kept up an incessant fire. During the
night of the 15th, our guard-boats took a boat
from Capraja Avith gunpowder on board, bound
to Bastia, Galeazzini the Mayor's brother Avas in
her; no despatches could be found. The enemy
Avere employed preparing Gardiola for a mortar.
On the 16th they got up a thirteen inch mortar,
Avhich kept up a constant fire throughout the
night. It blowing strong from the nortfiAvard,
three boats attempted to get into the town with
powder and provisions; tAvo Avere taken, but one
got in. From this day, until the 19th, the ene-
1 By way of compliment for having returned their boat with
the wounded men and provisions.

169
my fired more than usually both night and day.
We had also often five shells in the air at once,
all going to Bastia.
u On the 19th of May some means had been
taken to convey a message to Lord Hood, That
if he would condescend to send a boat with a
flag, a Negotiation Avould be entered into for the
surrender of the town and its dependencies.
In consequence, at four o'clock that evening,
May 19th, a flag of truce was hoisted on board
the Victory, and a boat Avent from her to the
toAvn, and one from the town to the Victory.
The enemy from Camponella met us without
arms, and, our officers advancing, they shook
hands,, and Avere good friends : They said it AVas
all over, and thatBastia Avas ours. So many in
terests, hoAvever, Avere to be consulted, that it
Avas the 22d in the evening before our troops
could take possession of the out-posts. — At five
o'clock on the evening of the J 9th, our troops
from St. Fiorenzo had made their first appearance
on the hills; and on the 20th, General d'Aubant
and the whole Fiorenzo army, consisting of the
18th, 50th, and 51st regiments, 12th regiment
of dragoons, with 100 artillery, had appeared
on the hills to take Bastia."
On the 20th, Captain Nelson wrote to his
wife from the camp as folloAvs. " I have the
pleasure to tell you that yesterday afternoon,
the 19th, the enemy sent off a flag of truce to
Lord Hood. The truce still continues, and I

170
hope there will be a surrender of the toAvn in
consequence. Our Fiorenzo army, hearing Avhat
Avas going on here, have marched to the top of
the heights, which Avill probably terrify the
enemy. I always was of opinion, have ever acted
up to it, and never have had any reason to re
pent it, that one Englishman was equal to three
Frenchmen; had this been an English town I am
sure it Avould not have been taken by them. They
havealloAved us to batter it, Avithout once making
any effort to drive us away. I may say truly,
that this has been a Naval Expedition ; our boats
prevented any thing' from getting in by sea, our
Sailors hauling 'up great guns, and then fight
ing them on shore. We expect to take 1000
regulars, 1500 national guards, and a large party
of Corsican troops, 4000 in the Avhole; these will
lay doAvn their arms to 1000 soldiers and marines
and 200 seamen. There is some difficulty about
the terms, and hostilities may recommence for
a day or two longer — but they must submit.
Josiah has been with me at the head of the British
grenadiers, taking possession of the forts and
posts. When I reflect Avhat we have achieved, I
am all astonishment: Providence has ever been
gracious to me, and has been my protector from
the many perils incident to my situation."
" On the 22d of May," continues the journal*,
" our troops at six in the evening marched from
their posts, the band playing God save the King.
At seven, the French colours were struck upon

171
Camponella, Stafforella, Croix de Capuchin,
Monseratto Rock, F^ort St. Mary's, and all the
other out-posts, and the British colours Avere
hoisted under three cheers from every seaman
and soldier. The French troops all retired to
the toAvn and citadel."
The folloAving thanks Avere issued on the 22d,
by Lord Hood, and sent to Captain Nelson :
" The Commander in Chief returns his best
thanks to Captain Nelson, and desires he Avill
present them to Captain Hunt, Captain Serocold,
and Captain Bullen, as well as to every Officer
and Seaman employed in the reduction of Bastia,
for the indefatigable zeal and exertion they have
so cheerfully manifested, in the discharge of the
very laborious duties committed to them, not
withstanding the various difficulties and disad
vantages they have had to struggle Avith; Avhich
could not have been surmounted," but by the. un
common spirit and cordial unanimity that have
been so conspicuously displayed, Avhich must
give a stamp of reputation to their characters not
to be effaced, and will be remembered Avith gra
titude by the Commander in Chief to the end of
his life."
The remaining events, after the capitulation
of Bastia, are thus related by Captain Nelson in
his journal. " May 23d. This morning the
British grenadiers took possession of the town
gates, and the gate of the citadel;' and on the
24th at day-light, the most glorious sight that

172 .
an Englishman can experience, and which, I
believe, none but an Englishman could bring
about, was exhibited — Four thousand five hundred
men laying down their arms to less than one
thousand British soldiers, Avho Avere serving as ma
rines! Our loss of men in taking Bastia, contain
ing upwards of 14,000 inhabitants, and Avhich, if
fully occupied, Avould contain 25,000, was smaller
than could be expected: Seamen killed and who
died of their Avounds, 12, wounded 14. Soldiers
killed, and who died of their wounds, 7, Avounded
23.' Total killed 19, Avounded 37. Officers
wounded, Captain Rudsdale of the 1 Tth regiment,
Captain Clarke of the 69th, and Lieutenant
Andrews of the Agamemnon. By the most ac
curate account Ave can get of the enemy's killed
and wounded, they had, killed 203, Avounded
540, most of Avhom are dead. We consumed
1058 barrels of poAvder, and fired 1 1,923 shot,
and 7373 shells."
His joy at this event Avas accompanied by a
desire to serve a brave soldier. " My dear
Lord, With the most heartfelt satisfaction do 1
congratulate you on the great event of this day,
accomplished by that solid judgment, which no
fears of others could Avarp from that duty
and love of our Country which has ever shone
so conspicuous, My heart is too full to say all
I think; but I must not forget my friend Captain
Duncan, avIio having attained that rank, as I un
derstand, for his services at Toulon, will, I trust,

ITS
have another step through your Lordship's in
terest: the rank of Major, is, as I am informed,
not unfrequentlv given. I need say no more."
In a letter to Mrs. Nelson, he declared that Lord
Hood's thanks to him, both public and private,
Avere the handsomest that man could give.
XIV. Lord Hood, on the return of one of the
cartel ships that carried the garrison of Bastia to
Toulon, during the evening of the 6th of June
received information, that the French Avere pre
paring to sail from that port. He immediately
made the signal to unmoor, aud sent an officer
to Vice Admiral Cosby at St. Fiorenzo, to join
him on his appearing off Martello Point. At six
the next morning, after the Victory had been
some hours uuder sail, Lord Amelius Beauclerk,
Captain of the Juno, came on board Avith a letter
from Vice- Admiral Hotham, who avhs off Toulon,
giving infprmation that the French fleet was
out. On the night of the 8th, Lord Hood was
joinetl by Admirals Hotham and Cosby, and made
sail Avith the squadron tOAvards the islands of
Hieres, sending a frigate on each boAv to look out
for the enemy. On the 10th of June, the French
fleet was discovered close under the land near
St. Tropez, by the frigates ahead. Lord Hood
Avith his squadron endeavoured to get between
the enemy "s ships and tbe land, Avhich a failure
of wind prevented; and he was afterwards morti
fied to find, that by the help of a number of boats
from Antibes. and other places, their ships had

174
been all towed within the shoals in the road of
Gourjean, Avhere they Avere protected by the bat
teries on the islands of St. Honora and St. Mar
guerite, and on Cape Garousse.
The following letter to his Avife, Avhen he
sailed Avith Lord Hood in quest of this French
fleet, serves to sheAv the unabated zeal of Nelson
in the service of his Country, notAvithstanding
the toils of a long Siege heightened by an addi
tional impulse from the idea of his then first
having an opportunity of distinguishing himself
in a line of battle. "... I pray God Ave may meet
this fleet. If any accident should happen to me,
I am sure my conduct will be such as will entitle
you to the royal favour : not that I have the least
idea but I shall return to you, and full of ho
nour; if not, the Lord's will be done. My name
shall never be a disgrace to those Avho may be
long to me. The little 1 have, you knoAv I have
given to you, except a small annuity. I Avish it
Avas more; but I have never got a farthing dis
honestly, it descends from clean hands. What
ever fate awaits me, I pray God to bless you,
and preserve you for your son's sake. I think
ahvays in the most affectionate manner of my
Father; tell him so, and ever believe me your
most affectionate husband."
Such Ave re the ideas of Nelson, Avhen on the
eve, as he thought, of his first general action
Avith the French fleet : his ardent spirit always
entered into the Battle with a full conviction of

175
its dangers, but Avithout indulging any of that
superstitious foreboding Avhich has shaken the
resolution of the bravest seamen. His zeal and
enterprise were now called to a neAv proof at the
Siegeof Calvi.
XV. During the afternoon of the 10th of June,
1794, the Agamemnon parted frOm Lord Hood,
and steered for Cape Corse. On" the 12th, at
eight o'clock, Captain Nelson anchored off the
town of Bastia, and Avent on shore to the Hon.
Lieutenant General Stuart, when it was settled
that all the troops for the expedition against Calvi
should be embarked the next morning at six
o'clock:— The following is Captain Nelson's
Journal of this Siege, with the addition of some
letters that were* written by him whilst on that
service. " Having ordered every transport and victu
aller, except the ships in the mole, to be ready
to sail with me, and a ship laden Avith empty
casks, on the 13th of June by eight o'clock,
every soldier was embarked, amounting to 1450
men, exclusive of officers. At noon made the
signal to unmoor, and at four the signal to weigh.
Sailed in company with his Majesty's ships Dol
phin, Gorgon, and twenty-two sail of vessels.
June the 18th in the morning, at half-past three
o'clock, I went on shore with General Stuart, to
examine the coast, in hopes of finding a better
landing-place ; but we both agreed it conld only
be at the inlet called Porto Agro, though by no

176
means a convenient place for landing guns or
stores, as sunken rocks lie twenty feet from the
shore, with deep Avater betAveen them; and Avith
a common sea breeze such a SAvell sets in as to
prevent boats- from landing. This inlet is three
miles and a half from the town of Calvi.
" Examined the enemy's outposts, and found
them as folloAvs : Mouachesco, about 2200 yards
from the toAvn, on the S. W. side of it. The
Mozello fort, west from the toAvn about 900
yards ; and the Fountain battery in a shoulder
of the hill, between Mozello and San Francesco;
which last stands on a rock on the north side of
the peninsula, and is washed by the sea. The
town itself is apparently Avell fortified, but with
out any ditch."
" The troops were disembarked at seven
o'clock on the morning of the 19th, under the
direction of Captain E. Cooke, R.N. Avith six field
pieces, which the seamen dragged up the hills.
I landed," says Captain Nelson, " in the after
noon Avith 250 seamen, and encamped on the
beach, getting on shore baggage for the army.
By the General's desire I sent the Fox cutter,
with directions for 1 80 of the Royal Louis, the
18th regiment, and 100 of the 69th regiment, to
join as soon as possible. During the whole of
the 20th and 21st it bleAv so strong, Avith a heavy
sea and rain, and Avith such thunder and light
ning, as precluded all intercourse with the ship
ping, most of Avhich put to sea. The Seamen

177
were employed in making roads for their guns,
and in getting up three t\venty-six pbunders to
the Madona, about two miles and a half from the
landing place, ready to act against Monachesco ;
the road for the first three quarters of a mile led
up a steep mountain, and the other part Avas not
very easy. The Aveather became rather mode
rate in the night, but still with thunder, light
ning, and rain."
. This tempestuous Aveather rather abated on
the 22d, when Captain Nelson, though a great
deal of surf was running, got off boats to sueh
of the ships as remained, and employed his
men in landing proyisions which Avere much
wanted, as also powder, shot, and gun-carriages.
During this day a deserter came in from Calvi,
and the Fox returned with 180 of the Royal
Louis. One twenty-six pounder Avas dragged up
the hill, and during the night they hauled two
tAventy-six pounders from the Madona to the
place intended for the battery against Mona
chesco, distant 850 yards; a Avorking party pf
soldiers were at the same time filling sand-bags.
On the 23d the sea became more calm, when ,,
tAvo tAventy-six pounders, and a great quantity of
provisions, shot, shells, and stores, were landed;
at night the Seamen got up another twenty-six
pounder from the Madona, to the battery against
Monachesco, and mounted the three guns; and
the same evening the Agamemnon and trans-

178
ports, which had put tosfea on the 20th and 21st,
returned to their anchorage.
On the 27th, he wrote to Mrs. Nelson, dated
Camp, near Calvi. " My dear Fanny, I sent
you a few lines just as Ave landed, since which
nothing particular has occurred. Dragging can
non up steep mountains, and carrying shot and
shells, has been our constant employments. Josiah
is very Avell, and I have no fears but he will be a,
good man. He js affectfonate, though Avarm in
his disposition, Avhich nothing can cool so tho~
roughly as being at sea, Avhere nobody has en
tirely their OAvn way. Corsica, in respect to
prizes, produces nothing but Honour, far above
the consideration of Wealth : not that I despise
riches, quite the contrary, yet I would not sacri
fice a good name to obtain them. The French
here do not knoAV Avhat to make of us. They
hear Ave are landed, yet have not seen us, nor
have they any idea about our batteries, Avhich
Avhen they open Avill be heavy on them. That
we shall take Calvi in due time I have no man
ner of doubt. You know probably that George
the Third is King of Corsica, chosen by the una
nimous consent of the people themselves, the
best of all titles; they are now our fellow subjects.
The first resolution of the parliament of Corsica
was to declare they Avere Englishmen;., they
might have been mistaken for Irishmen by their
bull. You Avill hear that Lord Hood fell in Avith
, the French fleet on the 10th, but they Avere too-

179
hear the shore for him to prevent their getting
into port. His Lordship wished* td attack them';
a council of flag officers prevented him. You
may be assured he will either take or 'destroy
them, but I trust not before Calvi is ours,' when
I shall immediately Join the fleet."
On the 30th Captain Nelson informed Lord
Hood, that the General had agreed in the neces
sity of landing tAvo tAvelve-pounders on the point
near Cape Revalate, Avhere a battery Avas con
structed, and a midshipman Avith I twelve men
had been stationed there; but that the General
could not afford men to encamp there for its de
fence. The battery against Monachesco Avas to
be opened on the 2d of July, as it had been found
that they could not carry on their battery against
the Mozello, until that post Avas damaged; the
distance from this battery to the landing-place
was three miles. — To this letter Lord Hood re
turned the folloAving ansAver. " My dear Nelson^
I am free to OAvn I have no apprehension of any
second division of ships from Toulon; but am
aAvare there is a fixed determination in the
Convention, that if Lord HoAve does not get
hold of the French fleet from Brest, a consider
able part of it is, I am persuaded, to come into
these seas ; a contingency Avhich it is very, ne
cessary for me to be somewhat guarded against,
and which occasions my letter to General Stuart,
of which I send you a copy. I endeavour to
keep the old adage in remembrance, That pre-
N 2

180
vention is better than cure. I Avill manage to
have men to fight the guns upon Cape Revalate,
if you wish it, and in addition suppose I send
the Royal Louis to encamp there? Ever faith
fully yours."
On the 1st of July, according to Lord Hood's
desire, Captain Nelson went again on board the
Victory, and having landed inside Cape Reva
late, Avas all night employed in moving the guns,
mortars, and howitzers, to Avithin 450 yards of
thp intended battery. On the 2d he made tAvo
trips to the landing-place for stores, at night got
two mortars to their battery, and was engaged
in carrying platforms, &c. till tAvo in the morn
ing In his letter on that day to Lord Hood, he
said, "Through the ignorance and laziness of
people in the different departments, the General
is kept back much longer than he Avished : our
advanced battery, I am sure, will not be made
this night, much to his displeasure: all our guns
are within 300 yards- of the intended works
against the Mozello."
The journal then proceeds.^ July 5 th. "Carrying
junk for mortar platforms, and placing the mor
tars on their beds, getting also things forward for
the advanced battery, 100 seamen were employed
all night. Lieutenant Montray made a battery
for tAvo, eighteen pounders inside Revalate, Avith
25 men. July 6th.- Procuring some planks, and
preparing every thing to be ready to work briskly
in the evening: at half-past nine o'clock a feint

181
of an attack Avas carried on against Monachesco,
which succeeded amazingly well. Not a shot
Avas fired at us ; for the' enemy turned their whole
fire, during the night, towards the post which
they imagined was attacked. By excessive la
bour, and the greatest silence in every depart
ment,, the battery Avas completed for six guns,
within 750 yards of the, Mozello and without
the smallest annoyance, before day-light on the
7th, and the guns brought close to it; but from
unavoidable circumstances, the guns could not
be mounted on the platforms until two hours
aftenvards. The enemy did not fire at us until
the fifth gun Avas getting into the battery, pro
bably never thinking of looking so near them
selves for a battery, when they opened a heavy
fire of grape shot on us: but the Seamen' did their
duty. Considering our very exposed situation,
our loss Avas small in numbers ; yet among those
who fell was Captain Walter Serocold" of the
navy, who Avas killed by a grape-shot passing'
through his head as he cheered the people who
Avere dragging the gun. In him the service lost
a gallant officer, and a most able seaman. Three
soldiers were also killed, one of the Agamemnon's
seamenj and Mr. Thomas Corney, mate of the
Grand Bay transport, who Avas one of, the volun
teers. A little before six o'clock Ave got two
English tAventy-four pounders, and four tAventy-
" A sister of this excellent officer married Dr. Pearce, Dean of
Ely, and Master" of Jesus College, Cambridge.

182
six pounders mounted on their platforms, in de
fiance of all opposition. At ten o'clock opened
our fire from this battery on the Mozello and
Fountain battery; not a gun from the town can
bear upon us, being so much covered by the
Mozello. We also opened our Hill battery of
tAvo tAventy-six pounders and a twelve-inch mor
tar, 1500 yards from the Mozello, av ith the Royal
Louis battery of three thirty-six pounders and
tAvo twelve inch mortars in the rear, and to the
left of our advanced battery; all which kept up
during the whole day a constant and heavy fire
on the enemy. At three o'clock in the after^
noon the enemy set fire to the fascines in Mona-
cliesco, and abandoned that post, Avhich the Cor
sicans took possession of."
The enemy repaired much of the fascine bat
tery during the succeeding night, and through
out the Avhole of the 8th, both sides had kept up
a constant and heavy fire. They totally destroyed
two of our twenty-four pounders, greatly damaged
a tAventy-six pounder, and shook our Avorks very
much. " One of their shells," adds Captain
Nelson in his journal, " burst in the centre of
our battery, amongst the General, myself, and
at least 100 persons, and blew up our battery
magazine; but, Avonderful to say, not a man Avas
much hurt.
Captain Nelson to Admiral Lord Hood, dated Camp,
July 10, 1794.
" My dear Lord, I enclose my journal up to
this morning; it contains nothing but the truth,

183
and Avas intended by me as only a friendly, not
an official communication to your Lordship: and
I have to request, that you will alter Avhatever
part you please, Avhich may relate to the miscon
duct of any officer; for Ave must recollect, the
truth is not to be spoken at all times: but with
your Lordship I have no reserve. I think it
possible, that the Mozello may be breached by
to-morroAV night, and am certain it will be so in
one day after the thirty-six pounders are placed
against it, as they are to be 200 yards nearer.
Tavo seamen are dead of their wounds."
The next day, July 12, 1794, Captain Nelson
mentioned the wound which he had received to
the Admiral. " My dear Lord, Reports we knoAV
get about, and as neither time nor many other
circumstances may be mentioned, it is best to say
it myself, that I got a little hurt this morning;
not much, as your Lordship may judge by my
writing." — What this zealous officer so modestly
termed a little hurt, proved eventually to be the
loss of his right eye. — "At day-light on the 12th
of July," as he iuforms us in his Journal, " the
Enemy opened a heaA'y fire from the toAvn, and
San Francesco; Avhich, in an extraordinary man
ner, seldom missed our battery ; and at seven
o'clock I was much bruised in the face and eyes
by sand from the Avorks, struck by shot. The
Mozello was by this time much breached. At
night replaced the guns destroyed, and fired a

184
gun and mortar every three minutes; at half past
twelve the toAvn was on fire, and burnt for three
hours. We had two seamen and three soldiers
wounded."— BothCaptain Nelson and his friends,
for some time deceived themselves Avith a hope
that his eye would be restored, Ai'hen the SAvelling
had subsided; and in Avriting the next day to
Lord Hood, he said, " My eye is better, and 1
hope not entirely to lose the. sight. 1 shall be able
to attend my duty this evening, if a neAV battery
is to be made."
The Enemy still continued, for many days
aftenvards, to carry on the defence of Calvi Avith
considerable spirit and resolution, until they had
nearly exhausted the strength and resources of
their brave opponents. During the Avhole of the
13th of July, a constant fire Avas kept up from the
town, Avhich struck Our battery very often, and
dismounted another twenty-six pounder. — "This
is the fifth gun," adds Captain Nelson, " Avhich
has been disabled since the 7th, Avhen our battery
opened, and having only six guns in it, is quite
. Avonderful. At night Ate landed four eighteen
pounders, Avith a quantity of shot and shells in
PortVaccaja, and Avere employed in getting them
up to the rear of pur Avork ; and here I must ac
knowledge the indefatigable zeal, activity, and
ability of Captain B. HalloAvell, and the great
readiness Avhich he ever sheAvs to give me assist
ance in the laborious duties that are intrusted to
us: by computation, to this night, we may be

185
supposed to have dragged one twenty-six
pounder, with its ammunition and every requisite
for making a battery, upwards of eighty miles,
seventeen of which Avere up a very steep moun
tain." In a letter Avhich he sent to Mrs. Nelson on
the 14th of July, he said, " A fortnight will, I
have no doubt, give us Calvi; but our efforts
here are at such a distance, and so eclipsed by
Lord HoAve's great success at home, that I dare
say Ave are not thought of: however, we must
exert ourselves." On July 17, 1794, he sent
the following account from the camp to Sir
Gilbert Elliot, (Lord Minto) the Viceroy.
"You may possibly, my dear Sir, hear both from
Lord Hood and General Stuart of our operations;
therefore I shall say little more of them, than
that success, I have no doubt, will attend the
General, and no officer ever deserved it more.
The place is strong, and the access to it is diffi
cult; but the principal obstacles are, I hope,
overcome. The Mozello will be stormed this
night, tAvo breaches are made in it, The great
fatigue General Stuart has undergone since our
landing, -has rather injured his health; yet
nothing stops him from seeing every thing done
himself. Our loss has been trifling, not 20 killed
and wounded; amongst the former is Captain
Serocold, and amongst the latter, in a slight-
manner, myself; my* head being ,a good deal
wounded, and my right eye cut down: but the

186
surgeon flatters me I shall not entirely lose the
sight, Avhich I believe, for I can clearly distin
guish light from darkness. It confined me, thank
God, only one day, and that at a time Avhen
nothing particular happened to be going on."
General Stuart, on the l6th, had communicated
his plan to Captain Nelson for storming the Mo
zello on the ensuing night; but the enemy by
their mode of firing during that day. in trying
the range °f the different grounds -which the
besiegers had to pass, seemed to have been aAvare
of their intentions : The storming of the Mozello,
therefore, did not take place at the time intended.
On the 18th every person AA'as busily employed
in getting ready.
> (1794.)" On the 19th of July, at three o'clock in
themorning, a smart fire of musquetry was opened
on the 1 8th regiment, Avho marched into the
Fountain battery Avithout firing a shot, although
the Mozello fired grape upon them. The enemy
abandoned the Avork and trench behind it, and
fled into the town. Colonel Wemyss performed
his duty like an able officer. The two field pieces
under Lieutenant Harrison, Avith the grenadiers
under Colonel Moore, now began to fire into the
breach of the Mozello, and our neAV three gun
battery opened at the same time. The Royal Irish
giving a huzza, the pioneers rushed fonvard
and cut down the palisados, and the troops under
Colonel Moore, after returning the huzza, Avere
in the breach. The enemy Avere panic struck,

187
and fled with such rapidity, that before Major
Brereton with the light infantry could get be
tAveen the Mozello and the toAvn, they had all, ex
cepting four or five, escaped. Captain M 'Donald
of the Royals led up one breach, and Lieutenant
M'Donald the other, both were slightly Avounded.
Thus fell the Mozello, with the loss of only'four
men killed andjsseven Avounded. "I think," adds
Captain Nelson in his letter on the 19th to Lord
Hood, " that General Stuart must be pleased
with our services. I could have Avished to have
had a little part in the Storm, if it had been only
to have placed the ladders, and to have pulled
aAvay the palisados; hoAvever, we did the part al
lotted for us."
On the same day, Lord Hood informed Cap
tain Nelson, that 50 Seamen Avould be sent him
from each of the four frigates, commanded,
under his directions, by Captain Seccombe, and
that 100 would be added from the Victory." — In
a letter on the 22d of July, to Lord Hood, Nel
son, Avith his wonted enthusiasm, exclaimed, "We
Avill fag ourselves to death, before any blame
shall lie at our doors; and I trust, my dear Lord,
it Avill not be forgotten, that tAventy-five pieces
of heavy orduance have been dragged to the dif
ferent batteries and mounted, and all, but the
three at the Royal Louis battery, have been
fought by Seamen, except one artillery man to
point the guns, and, at first, an additional gun
ner to stop the rest; but, as I did not choose to

188
trust a Seamen's armsto any but Seamen, he was
withdraAvn; all the mortars have also been Avorked
by Seamen, every man landed is actually half
barefooted. I am far from Avell; but not so ill
as to be confined. My eye is troublesome, and I
don't think I shall ever have the perfect sight of
it again. In one week at farthest, after our bat
teries are open, I think Calvi Avill be ours." — On
the 31st of July he thus continued his corre
spondence Avith the Admiral, from one of the
batteries. " My dear Lord, I OAvn I rejoiced
Avhen our fire opened against the enemy, being
thoroughly convinced, that all Ave have to guard
against is unnecessary delay; the climate is the
only enemy we have to fear, that Ave can never
conquer. Far be it from me to cast a reflection
on the General's humanity, I admire it; but
there are times, and I think the present is one of
them, when it Avould be more charitable to our
troops to make the Enemy suffer, than for o'ur
brave felloAvs to die incessantly, four or five of a
day. Why might not the General send notice,
that they must remove all their sick from the
lower toAvn to the upper one, for that it may be
a necessary measure to destroy it? In that case
they Avould be so croAvded, that a feAv hours
Avould make them submit to any terms. The
General is veryuiiAvell; and not being able to re
main here last night, I have not heard of him this
morning. This is my ague day" and I hope so
active a scene -will keep off the fit: it has shaken

189
me a good deal; but I have been used to them.
and noAv don't mind them much."— In a letter to
Mrs. Nelson, dated August the 4th, he said, This
day I have been four months landed, except a few
days when xve xcere after the French Fleet, and I
feel almost qualified to pass my examination as a
besieging General."
The folloAving letter to his Royal Highness the
Duke of Clarence, dated from the camp before
Calvi, August 6th and 10th, 1794, retraces the
history of this Siege to that date. "Sir, The
gazette Avill tell your Royal Highness the general
outlines of this Siege, Avhich I believe is novel in ifs
form. We landed about four miles to the westAvard
of Calvi on the 19th of June; on the 19th of July
we were in full possession of every, outpost of the
Enemy, with very trifling loss. Our batteries
were erected Avith impunity, in situations Avhich
the Enemy ought to' have prevented: had they
kept even a moderate look-out, our loss of men
must have been great, every battery being within
reach of grape-shot from its opponent. On the
J9th of July, General Stuart sent in to ask, if
they had any terms to propose to him? their
answer Avas the motto of the town, — Civitas Cal-
vis semper f delis. - We were then only 650 yards
from the centre of the citadel, and they allowed
us to erect very strong batteries under a mask:
they must, and ought to have knoAvnwhat we
were after, without firing a single shot or shell.

190
On the 28th in the morning our batteries, &60
yards from the Citadel Avail, were ready to operi
their force, consisting of twenty-one cannon,
five mortars, and four hoAvitzers. The General
sent in to say, that he should not fire <5n the black
flags (hospitals). This note produced a nego
tiation, by which the enemy Avanted to obtain a
truce for twenty-five days; when, if no succours
arrived, they agreed to surrender the town,
frigates, &c. Lord Hood and the General agreed
to give them six days; but, Avhilst this Avas going
on, four small vessels got in, which gave them
hopes, I suppose, of more effectual relief; for on
the 30th of July they rejected our offer, and our
fire opened Avith all the effect we could expect.
On the 1st of August at eleven o'clock, Avhen
much of the parapet was beat down, and the
houses in the Citadel Avere either in ruins or in
flames, the enemy hung out a white flag, and
requested a suspension of hostilities for a feA?
hours, to prepare terms. In tAventy-four hours
every thing was settled: That on the 10th of Au
gust we were to be put in full possession, and the
garrison, and. such of the inhabitants as chose;
were to be transported to Toulon, without being
prisoners of Avar; provided no effectual succours
were thrown in by the French. Thus is likely to
end the attack of Corsica, the possession of which
Avill I hope benefit our Country. — On the 8th of
August, 1794, the Admiral made knoAvn the thanks

191 >.*:
of both Houses of Parliament, p as commanded
by his Majesty, to the- respective officers, sea
men, -^marines, and soldiers, who had been em
ployed in the different operations, that had been
successfully carried on against the enemy in
Corsica. — During the Siege, and previous to our
taking possession of Calvi on the 10th, according
to the terms agreed on by General Stuart on the
1st of August, the Admiral had sent several de
spatches home, from some of which the following
extracts are taken. In that dated August 5th,
Lord Hood had paid the highest compliment and
rendered the most essential service to Captain
Nelson, by the opportunity that had been given
him to tell his OAvn story: "The Journal I here
with transmit from Captain Nelson, Avill sheAV the
daily occurrences of the Siege. He had the com
mand of the Seamen, and his unremitting zeal and
exertion I cannot sufficiently describe, nor that
of Captain Hallowell; they, took it by turns tp
command in the advanced battery tAventy-four
hours at a time, and I flatter myself that both of
them, as well as the other officers and seamen,
Avill have full justice done them by the General;
it is therefore unnecessary for me to say any
more on the subject." — Lord Hood then pro
ceeded to mention Avith merited commendation,
that able and valuable officer, Captain Serocold
who had fallen during the Siege, and to notice
the services of the Captains Wolseley, Hood, Sir
p Voted on June 20. See 4to Ed. Vol. i. page 188.

192:
C. Hamilton, Sir Harry Burrard, Cunningham,
Macnamara, and Robinson, Mr. Gibson of the
Fox cutter, and Messrs. Harrison and Harrimg-
ton. On the 9 th of August, when off Calvi, his Lord
ship in transmitting duplicates of the above de
spatches, had acccompanied them Avith the fol
lowing spirited remonstrance. "Sir, I sailed
from Martello bay !dn the 7th, and got off here
the next morning. In the eArening, between
eight and nine o'clock, a felucca Avas stopped
coming out of Calvi, and Avas brought alongside
the Victory; the coxswain of Avhich having a
pass from Lieutenant General Stuart, I have the
honour to transmit a copy of it; which is all the
information I have had of the Capitulation; the
General not having made any communication to
me respecting the articles ; and, excepting a de
sire to know on the 2d instant at midnight, if I
would alloAV transports to carry' off the garrison,
and such of the1 inhabitants as Avere desirous of
leaving the island, I have not heard a word from
him since the 29th of last month ; Avhen he came
on board to announce the proposition of Casa-
bianca, the French commandant, for a tAventy-
five days truce. No failure, however great,
'either of official or personal attention Avhich I
may experience, Avill ever make me depart from
that duty I OAve to my King and Country; and
which has invariably been exerted to promote
the good of his Majesty's service to the utmost

193
of my poAver upon all occasions, and I shall enable
Lieutenant General Stuart to fulfil the articles of
the Capitulation he has made : although I am
Avell aware these are not times to complain, I
must state facts. — I oAve it to my character, to
the service, as Avell as to the public, to Avhose
tribunal I shall ever cheerfully submit my con
duct." In a letter to Lord Hood of the same date,
Captain Nelson gave the folloAving liberal tribute
of Praise to those Officers Avho had assisted him
during the Siege. " My Lord, Having trans
mitted my Journal of the Services in Avhich the
seamen have been engaged during the whole
Siege, I have now only to acquaint your Lord
ship of the highly meritorious conduct of every
officer and seaman landed under my command;
to express my sincere acknowledgments for the
yery effectual support and assistance I have re
ceived from the ability, zeal, and activity of Cap
tain Hallowell; and that Lieutenants Edmonds,
Morgan, and Ferrier, Avere constantly Avith the
seamen, fighting the batteries; to which were
joined on the last batteries, Lieutenants Moutray,
Hoy, and Suckling." — Captain Nelson also, men
tioned the services of Lieutenant Harrison, a
transport agent, and of Mr. William Harrington,
master of the Willington and the transport's
men, Avho had all been eager either to serve on
shore, or on board his Majesty's ships. He re
turned on board his old ship the Agamemnon on
o

194
the 11th of August. In a letter to Mrs. Nelson,
dated Aug. 18, he said, "As it is all past I may
noAv tell you, that on the 10th of July a shot
having hit our battery, the splinters and stones
from it struck me with great violence in the face
and breast. Although the blow Avas so severe as
to occasion a great flow of blood from my head,
yet I most fortunately escaped, having only my
right eye nearly deprived of its sight ; it Avas cut
down, but is so far recovered, as for me to be
able to distinguish light from darkness. As to all
the purposes of use it is gone; however the ble
mish is nothing, not to be perceived unless told.
The pupil is nearly the size of the blue part, I
don't know the name. At Bastia, I got a sharp
cut in the back. You must not think that my
hurts confined me: no, nothing: but the loss of a
limb would have kept me from my Duty, and I
believe my exertions conduced to preserve me in
this general mortality. I am fearful that Mrs.
Moutray's son, who was on shore Avith us, will
fall a sacrifice to the^climate ; he is a lieutenant of
the Victory, a very fine young man, for Avhom I
have a great regard."
The fears Avhich he expressed in this letter for
Lieutenant Moutray, were too soon realised by
his death. The following Inscription was draAvn
up by Nelson: " Sacred to the memory of Lieu
tenant James Moutray, R.N. xvho, serving on shore
at the Siege of Calvi, there caught a fever, of which
he died, sincerely lamented, on August 19th, 1794,

195
aged 2 1 years. This Stone is erected by an affec
tionate Friend, xvho ivelL knew his worth as an
Officer, and his accomplished manners as a gentle
man. H. N." In a letter, to Mrs. Nelson, dated
Leghorn, Sept. 12, he added, I " expect to see you
in the fall of the year; and although I shall not
bring with me either riches or honours, yet I
flatter myself I shall bring an unblemished Cha
racter. It always rejoices me to hear that you
are comfortable, and that my friends are atten
tive fo you. I hope Ave shall find some snug-
cottage, Avhenever Ave may be obliged to quit the
parsonage. When Lord Hood leaves this station,
I should be truly sorry to remain: he is the
greatest SeaOfficerl everkneAV, and Avhat can be
said against him I cannot conceive — it must only
be Envy, and it is better to be envied than pitied.
But this comes from the Army, Avho have also
poisoned some few of our minds. The taking of
Bastia contrary to all military judgment, is such
an attack on them that it is never to be for
given." (1794.) Soon after the date of the above letter,
he received an order from Lord Hood, dated on
board the Victory, Sept. 18, to proceed into the
mole of Genoa, with despatches to Mr. Drake,
and there to Avait for further orders. On the
20th, he Avrote as follows, from thence, to Mrs.
Nelson. "This City is without exception the
most magnificent I ever beheld, superior in many
respects to Naples ; although.it does not appear
o 2

196
quite so fine from the sea, yet on shore it is far
beyond it. All the houses are palaces on the
grandest scale. However, I trust Ave shall soon
quit these magnificent scenes and retire to
England, where all that I admire is placed."
Captain Nelson's reception, from the Doge, Avas
far more flattering than he expected, after our
capture of the Modeste frigate. In writing to
Lord Hood on the 23d of September, he gave
the folloAving account of this visit. " On Sunday
evening I Avaited on the Doge, and as Mr. Drake
was not arrived, I found it absolutely necessary
to say something civil. The Doge was much
pleased, and very polite. I Avas received in some
state, the Doge advancing to the middle of the
room. I had the honour also of a senato. On
my departure from the palace, the orders of the
Doge had arrived before me at the gates; where
the captain of the guard told me, he had received
the mandate for opening them at whatever time
I pleased." The following letter from his Father could
not fail to act as a poAverful support on the enter
prising mind of the Son. " My dear Horatio, It
is well known that the predestinarian doctrine is
amongst the creeds of military men — It may
sometimes be useful ; yet it must not exclude the
confidence Avhich Christianity preaches of a
particular Providence, that directs all events. It
Avas an unerring Power, Avise and good, which
diminished the force of the blow by which your

197
eye was lost; and Ave thank the hand that spared
you for future good, for Example and In
struction in many subsequent years. There is
no fear that flattery can come from me ; but I
sometimes wipe away the tear of joy, at hearing
your Character in every point of view so well
spoken pf. Your lot is cast, but the whole dis
posing thereof is of the Lord, the very hairs of
your head are numbered ; a most comfortable
doctrine. Accept, my dear good son, the usual
but most hearty expressions of love and friend
ship • from your affectionate Father, Edmund
Nelson." The following letters to Mrs. Nelson continue
an account of his proceedings: the first is dated
the3d of that month, off Gourjean. "Lord Hood
is gone to Leghorn to receive his despatches by a
messenger, Avho is arrived from England, and
most probably Ave shall only see him to take leave.
Admiral Hotham Avill be Commander in Chief,
and Avith neAV men, new measures are generally
adopted; therefore I can at present say nothing
about myself, except that I am in most perfect
health. My ship's company are by no means re
covered, and we are destined to keep the sea,
until both ship and creAv are rendered unfit for
service. Pray let me hear often from you, it is
my greatest comfort. — I hope you Avill spend the
winter cheerfully. The Wolterton family, (Lord
Walpole) I am sure will be happy to receive you
for as long a time as you please. Do not repine

1&8
at my absence; before Spring I hope we shall
have peace, Avhen we must look out for some little
Cottage. 1 assure you I shall return to the plough
with redoubled glee. — October 15ih. Tavo of my
opponents, whom I fell-in with last year about this
time, are now in England, or near it; the St- Fio
renzo, late la Minerve, and la Melpomene, both
of 40 guns, 18 pounders, two as fine frigates as
are in the Avorld. I have been fortunate in being
present at the taking and destroying of that
Avhole Squadron, and which, but for our disabling
them, intended to have returned to France ;
they are now better disposed of."
On the 10th of November, when Avriting to
Sir Gilbert Elliot, the Viceroy of Corsica, Cap
tain Nelson communicated his ideas respecting
the importance of securing Ajaccio against the
enemy. " If they have an intention of getting
a footing in Corsica, Ajaccio9 is the place they
will attempt; and, should they succeed, Ave shall
find it difficult to drive them out again. I never
Avas there, but it strikes me, they might suc
ceed; for the Corsicans understand nothing of
the art of defending fortified toAvns. You will,
I am sure, receive Avhat I am going to say, as it
q It was from this Town that Buonaparte and his family were
banished in the year 1793. The mayor of Ajaccio, Tartaroli,
who drew up their Sentence iu very strong terms, is now in Lon
don. In 17g4 Tartaroli was President of the criminal tribunal,
and Director General of the Artillery in Corsica,

199
is meant, and will believe that all my Avishes and
desires are to see our CouutrV successful, and the
schemes of our enemies frustrated. I am well
aware it, may be said, and Avith truth, that Ave
have not troops in the Island to defend any one
place properly. I admit it; but in ansAver I re
ply, and am satisfied in my own mind it Anil turn
out so, If the enemy make an attempt, some
troops and artillery stationed at Ajaccio to keep
the gates shut a few days,/ would render their
schemes abortive; and if a Guardship Avere added,
the seamen in case of necessity could go on shore
to man the works : for if the enemy get Ajaccio,
they may remain there Avith their whole fleet,
or leave a single frigate, neither of which we
could attack ; for there are no soundings in the
gulf, and the sea setting constantly in Avould
make us keep at a distance. With this defence
I am confident the place, and I believe I may
say the island of Corsica, Avould be perfecth' safe
until our fleet could get to the enemy, Avhen I
have no doubt the event would be what every
Briton might expect: besides Avehave the incite
ment, if any is wanted, of our home fleet, and
Ave shall not like to be outdone by an)- one.
" I have taken the liberty of mentioning these
ideas respecting the importance of Ajaccio, only
on the belief Avhich I have, that your Excellency
Avill receive it as a private communication. My
situation does not entitle me to give any public
opinion on such a point: as a private one I send

200
it, and shall be happy if it gives rise to a serious
consideration of the importance of that place;
when, I doubt not, much more proper modes of
defence and security will be thought of, than I
have suggested. But, hoAvever that may be, I
am bold to say, none can exceed me in the
earnest desire of faithfully serving my King and
Country." In Avriting to Mrs. Nelson, he added, " The
French say they will have Corsica again. There
has been a most diabolical report here, of Aga
memnon's being captured and carried into Tou
lon, owing to my running into the harbour's
mouth. I hope it has not reached England. Never
believe any thing you may see in the papers
about us, and rest assured, that Agamemnon is
not to be taken easily: no tAvo decked ship in the
Avorld, Ave flatter ourselves, is able to do it. God
bless you, and give us a happy meeting, prays
your affectionate husband, Horatio Nelson."
Captain Nelson to his Royal Highness the Duke
of Clarence.— 11 Sir, Our transports, which had
been detained at Toulon since the time they car
ried over the garrison of Calvi, arrived on the
22d. No reason was ever given for detaining
them; but their sails Avere taken from them, and
during their stay not a man was suffered to go
on shore: they were hoAvever treated tolerably,
until the arrival of Jean Bon St. Andre; who, to
the officer's modest and proper requests, gave
insolent answers, the true characteristic of little

201
minds: a generous enemy would have disdained
the withholding medical assistance from the un
fortunate, Avhom chance had put in their power.
At eight o'clock in the evening of the 20th, their
sails were sent alongside, and a message, that if
they Avere not out of the harbour by twelve o'clock
next day, they would keep them. The English,
poorfelloAvs, Avanted no spur to clear them of such
wretches ; one transport that got aground they
left behind, and she is not yet arrived. The ene
my have fifteen sail of the line ready for sea,
Avith which, they say, they mean to fight our
fleet; and as Admiral Hotham sailed from Fio
renzo on the 25th, to go off Toulon Avith thirteen
sail of the line, they will have the opportunity.
As to the event, I have no doubt it Avill be
victory on the side of the English."
^Annc xii. The Rev. Edmund Nelson, at
the beginning of 1795, as was his cus
tom, sent a parental letter to his son; who,
though at such a distance, had not forgot the
poor of Burnham Thorpe. " Bath, new year's '
day, 1795. My dear Horatio, I have received
your letter> with those , contents which are ex
pressive of a benevolent and truly christian heart;
and I have endeavoured to distribute your Christ
mas gift in the best manner I could think of,
chiefly in a little warm clothing to the AvidoAvs
and orphans, and very old men: blessed is the
man Avho considereth the poor and needy. He

202
who has been marvellously your shield, Avill still
I hope and pray be your protector. Before I see
Burnham, I must shake hands Avith the Agamem
non's Captain, Horatio Nelson, Avhose friendship
as Avell as affection I can rely upon. The pros
pect that Agamemnon Avould soon come into an
English rJort, is for the present clouded ; yet at a
day not far distant it Avill again appear. Old
ships and Avearied men must be repaired. Your
good Avife, Avhose attention to me I cannot suffi
ciently praise, is here. Accept our neAV Year's
gift, Good Wishes, the poor man's all. God bless
you with prosperous events. FareAvell! an affec
tionate father, Edmund Nelson."
(1795.) To Mrs. Nelson, dated Fiorenzo, Jan. 17.
"We have had nothing but gales of Avind, but in
Agamemnon Ave mind them not ; she is the finest
ship I ever sailed in, and, Avere she a 74, nothing
should induce me to leave her whilst the Avar
lasted; for not an hour this war Avilll, if possible,
be out of active service. Much as I shall regret
being so long parted from you, still Ave must look
beyond the present day, and two or three months
may make the difference of every comfort, or other
wise, in our income, I hope Ave have many happy
years to live together, and if Ave can bring 2000/.
round, I am determined to purchase some neat
Cottage, which we should never have occasion
to change. As to Josiah, I have no doubt but he
will be a comfort to both of us; his understand-

203
ing is excellent, and his disposition really good:
he is a Seaman every inch of him."
To his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence,
dated Fiorenzo, Jan. 19- " Sir, Our last cruise,
from December 21, 1794, to January the 10th
when Ave arrived in this port, was such a series
of storms and heavy seas, as I never before expe
rienced ; the fleet Avas tAvelve days under storm
stay-sailjSj. Our ships, although short of comple
ment, are remarkably healthy, as are the troops
in this Island. There is already a difference to
be perceived in the cultivation of the land since
last year. Many hundred acres of pasture are
now covered Avith Avheat; and as the Corsicans
Avill find a ready sale for their corn, wine, and
oil (the tAvo last articles the French suppressed
as much as possible), every year Avill doubtless in
crease the groAvth. The fleet goes to sea on the
22d or 23d, thirteen sail of the line. The French
have fifteen in the outer road of Toulon, and
fifty sail of large transports ready at Marseilles ;
therefore it is certain they have some expedition
just ready to take place, and I have no doubt
but Porto Especia is their object. We expect
soon to be joined by some Neapolitan ships and
frigates: I have no idea Ave shall get much good
from them; they are not seamen, and cannot
keep the sea beyond a passage. I beg your
Royal Highness to believe, that I ever am your
most faithful servant."

204
ToMrs. Nelson. Fiorenzo, January 3 \&t. It
is with inexpressible pleasure I have received
within these two days past your letters, Avith our
father's of January 1st. I rejoice that my con
duct gives you pleasure, and I trust I shall never
do any thing which will bring a blush oh your
face, or on that of any of my friends, lt is very
true that I have ever served faithfully, and ever
has it been my fate to be neglected ; bulthat shall
not make me inattentive to my Duty. J have
pride in doing my Duty Avell, and a self appro
bation, Avhich if it is not so lucrative, yet perhaps
affords more pleasing sensations. I trust the
time will come when I may be rewarded, though
really I don't flatter myself it is near. Lord
Hood told me that my loss of an eye should be
represented, to his Majesty, Lord Chatham car
ried my papers to the King; but noAv he is out, all
hopes Avill be done aAvay. My eye is groAvn
worse, and is in almost total darkness and very
painful at times. But never mind, I can see very
well with the other.
" I believe I shall inform Lord Hood, Avhat I
never told him yet, That after every thing Avas
fixed for the attack of Bastia, I had information
given me of the enormous number of troops we
had to oppose us; hut my OAvn Honour, Lord
Hood's Honour, and the Honour of our Country,
must have all been sacrificed, had I mentioned
what I kneAv. Therefore, you will believe,
what must have been my feelings during the

205
whole Siege, when I had often proposals made to
me by men, noAv reAvarded, to write to Lord Hood
to raise the Siege. Remember me kindly to our
friends at Bristol. I also beg to present my best
compliments at Wolterton."
(1795.) Captain Nelson, in another letter to his
Avife, enters very ably into the political, naval,
and commercial advantages of the Island of Cor
sica. " St. Fiorenzo, February 7th. This day
twelve months, my dear Fanny, our troops landed'
here to attempt , the conquest of the Island, at
least of those parts which the French were in pos
session of; and however lightly the acquisition
of Corsica may be deemed by many in England,
yet I take upon me to say, It was a measure
founded ou great Avisdom ; and during the war
must be ever of the most essential service to us,
and very detrimental to our enemies. After the
evacuation of Toulon, we had no place whatever
of our own for the fleet to anchor in. Tuscany
was wavering, and, although since declared for
us, yet Ave are not certain of her alliance from
one day to another. The French consul at Leg
horn, though not received officially, has never
quitted that place, and Ave knoAv that attempts
have been made to get Tuscany again acknow
ledged by the French as a neutral power; in
which case what security have Ave for our fleet,
and the numerous victuallers and storeships at
tendant on it? Corsica has always supplied Tou
lon with all the straight timbers, beams, decks,

206
aud sides for their ships; they are noAv deprived
of that supply, Avhich Avould have enabled them
by this time to have built a small Fleet; and be
sides, the Corsican tar and hemp formed by no
means an inconsiderable source for the dock
yards at Toulon. Moreover, all our trade Avith
that of our allies, is obliged to make the coasts
of this Island, the ports of which Avould have been
so full of roAV gallies, that no commerce could
haAre been carried on. Nor could our men of Avar
have prevented the evil, for half the twenty-four
hours is calm, Avhen these vessels Avould take the
merchant men, though the Avhole of the British
Navy was in sight. So much for the value of
Corsica, I have done ; the recollection of one
short year brings it to my mind. It Avas Lord
Hood's plan, and it was accomplished chiefly by
Seamen." " Agamemnon at sea, Maixh 10, 1795. We are
just in sight of the French fleet, and a signal is
out for a general chace. We have but little
Avind, and unfortunately the enemy are in shore
of us; hoAvever, I hope the Admiral will alloAv us
to go on, and if the French do not skulk under
their batteries, I trust Ave shall give a good ac
count of them. Whatever may be my fate, I
have no doubt in my own mind but that my
conduct Avill be such, as Avill not bring: a blush
on the face of my friends. The lives of all are in
the hands of Him, who knows best whether to pre
serve mine or not : to His will do I resign myself.

207
My Character and good Name are in my own
keeping. Life Avith disgrace is dreadful. A
glorious Death is to be envied; and if any thing
happens to me, recollect that Death is a debt we
must all pay, and Avhether now, or a feAv years
hence, can be but of little consequence. God
bless you, and believe me ever your most faith
ful and affectionate husband."
(1795.) The following is an account' of Admiral
Hotham's subsequent Action in the Mediterra
nean, Avritten by Captain Nelson, and beginning
from the 8th of March.
" On Sunday, March 8, at fiveP.M. the Mo
selle being near the Gorgona, and making the
signal for a fleet to the westward, the Admiral
made the one to unmoor, and to prepare to
Aveigh after dark; and on the 9th, at five A. M.
the signal was made to weigh, the wind bloAving
a fine breeze from the eastward : at eight o'clock
every ship was without the Melora. The signal
was then made for the Inconstant to look out
W.S.W. Meleager N.W. and the Tarleton, 14
guns, to proceed to St. Fiorenzo, and order the
Benvick to join the fleet. At four P. M. Cape
Corse W.S.W. four or five leagues, little Avind,
the fleet hauled up to the N. W. At half past five,
the Meleager made the signal for the enemy's
fleet, eighteen sail, and at eight the Admiral
r From the Nelson papers, entitled, " Transactions on board
his Majesty's ship Agamemnon, and of the fleet, as seen and
known, by Captain Nelson."

208
made the signal that the enemy was supposed to
be near. March 10th, at day-light the Tarleton
joined, and gave information that a boat came off
from Cape Corse, and told them that the Berwick
had been 5 taken on the 7th. About half past
nine A. M. the signal was made for all the flag
officers, and at ten the Moselle made the signal
for a fleet, twenty-five sail, in the N. W. Signal
for a general chace in that quarter. All day very
light airs, in the evening a light breeze westerly.
At half past five, P.M. the Moselle made the signal
that the enemy Avere upon a wind on the star
board tack. At six, the signal Avas made to form
in tAvo divisions: stood to the northward until
midnight, when the Admiral made the signal to
form in the prder of battle. March 1 1th, at day
light, nothing iu sight ; all day light airs, and
variable, Avith a heavy SAvell from the S. W._ In
the afternoon saw a French brig to the west
ward, making signals ; it was nearly calm all
night, but at times the Avind flew all round the
compass. " March 12th, at day-light, Ave saAV near us
the Princess Royal, Fortitude, and Egmont. At
the distance of four or five miles to the north
ward, the Captain, Illustrious, and Tancredi, a
Neapolitan 74. To the E. S.E. Avere a number
of ships Avith the foot of their topsails out of the
water, and to the south a number of ships, their
' By the French fleet,

209
hulls just rising out of the water. At six the
Egmont made the signal for a strange fleet, and
at the same time the Princess Royal made the
signal for the enemy's fleet, south. We endea
voured to join the Princess Royal, Avhich Ave ac
complished at nine A. M. Light airs, southerly
the enemy?s fleet nearing us very fast, our fleet
nearly becalmed ; at a quarter past nine, Admiral
Goodall made the signal for the ships near to
form ahead and astern of him, as most convenient.
Admiral Hotham made the same signal, and the
Egmont stood from us to join Admiral Hotham,
pur ships endeavouring to form a junction: the ene
my pointing to separate us, but under a very easy
sail; they did not appear to me to act as dfficers
who kneAV any thing of their profession. At noon
theybegan; to form a line on the larboard tack,
Avhich they never accomplished, at two P.M.
they bore down in aline ahead, nearly before the
Avind, but not more than nine sail formed. They
then hauled the Avind on the larboard tack, about
three miles from us, the wind southerly, Genoa
light-house "N. N. E. about fiVe leagues, saAv the
town very plain. At halfpast three P. M. joined
Admiral Hotham, who made the signal to pre
pare for battle; the body of fhe enemy's fleet
about three or four miles distant. At six minutes
past four, the signal Avas made to form the order
of battle on the larboard tack, and .at half past
four, for each ship to carry a light during the
night, at sixteen minutes past five, for each ship

210
to take suitable stations for their mutual sup
port, and to engage the enemy as they came up.
Our fleet at this time was tolerably well formed,
and with a fine easterly breeze; which, had it
lasted half an hour, would certainly have led us
through the enemy's fleet about four ships from
the van ships that Avere separated from the
centre about one mile. At three quarters past
five the fleet hoisted their colours, and at dark,
the wind came fresh from the Avestward. At
fifty-five minutes past six, fhe signal was made to
wear together; Ave had a fresh breeze all night,
and stood to the soutliAvard, as did the enemy.
" March 13th, at daylight, the enemy's fleet
appeared in the S. W. distant about three or four
leagues, Avith fresh breezes. Signal for a general
chace. At eight A. M. a French ship of the line
carried away her main and fore top-masts ; at a
quarter past nine the Inconstant frigate fired at
the disabled ship, but receiving many shot, Avas
obliged to leave her. At ten A. M, tacked, and
stood tOAvards the disabled ship, and two other
ships of the line: the disabled ship proved to be
the Ca Ira of 84 guns,' the tAvo others were the
Sans Culottes, 120 guns, and the Jean Barras, 74
guns. We could have fetched the Sans Culottes
by passing the Ca Ira to AvindAvard, but, on look-

' Previously called the Couronne. French weight, 36, 24, 12
pounders; English, 42, 27, 14 pounders; 1300 men. This ship
was, in 1706, accidentally burnt in Fiorenzo Bay. .

211
ing round, I saw no ship of the line within several
miles to support me; the Captain Avas the nearest
on our lee quarter. I then determined to direct
my attention to the Ca Ira, Avho at a quarter
past ten Avas taken in toAv by a frigate ; the Sans
Culottes and Jean Barras keeping about gun
shot distance on her Aveather boAv. At twenty
minutes past ten the Ca Ira began firing her
stern chaces; at half past ten the Inconstant
passed us to leeAvard, standing for the fleet: As
we dreAV up Avith the enemy, so true did the
Ca Ira fire her stern guns, that not a shot missed
some part of the ship, and latterly the masts Avere
struck by every shot, which obliged me to open
our fire a few minutes sooner than I Avished ; for
it had been my intention to have touched her
stern, before a shot Avas fired. But seeing plainly,
from the situation of the two fleets, the impossi
bility of being supported, and, in case any acci
dent happened to our masts, the certainty of
being severely cut up, I resolved to fire as soon
as I thought Ave had a certainty of hitting. Ac
cordingly at a quarter before eleven A. M. being
Avithin one hundred yards of the Ca Ira's stern,
I ordered the helm to be put a starboard, and the
driver and after-sails to be brailed up, and shiv
ered ; and, as the ship fell off, Ave gave her our
Avhole broadside, each gun double shotted, and
scarcely a shot appeared to miss. The instant all
had been fired — braced up our after-yards, put
the helm a-port, and stood after her again. This

212
manoeuvre Ave practised until one P. M. never
allowing the Ca Ira to get a single gun from
either side to fire on us ; they attempted some of
their after guns, but all went far ahead of us : at
this time the Ca Ira Avas a perfect Avreck, her
sails hanging in tatters, mizen top-mast, mizen
top-sail, and cross-jack yards, shot away. At
one P. M. the frigate hove in stays, and got the
Ca Ira round. N. B. I observed the guns of the
Ca Ira to be much elevated, doubtless laid so for
our rigging, and for distant shots ; and when she
opened her fire in passing, the elevation not be
ing altered, almost every shot passed over us,
very few striking our hull. The captain of the
Ca Ira told Admiral Goodall and myself after
wards, that Ave had killed and wounded 1 10 men,
and had so cut his rigging to pieces, that it Avas
impossible for him to get up other top-masts.
" As the frigate first, and then the Ca Ira, got
their guns to bear, each opened her fire, and Ave
passed within half-pistol shot. As soon as our after
guns ceased to bear, the ship Avas hove in stays,
keeping up as she came round a constant fire, and
the ship Avas Avorked with as much exactness as
if she had been turning into Spithead. On get
ting round I saAV the Sans Culottes, who had
before wore, with many of the enemy's ships,
under our lee-boAv; and standing to pass to lee
ward of us under top-gallant sails. At half past
one P. M. the Admiral made the signal for the van
ships to join him. I instantly bore aAvay, and

213
prepared to set all our sails ; but ¦ the enemy,
having saved their ship, hauled close to the wind,
and opened their fire so distant as to do us no
harm, not a shot, I believe, hitting. Our sails
and rigging were very much cut, and we had
many shot in our hull, and between wind and
water; but, wonderful to say, only seven men
were wounded. The enemy, as they passed our
nearest ships, opened their fire, yet not a shot, as
I saAV, reached any ship except the Captain, who
had a feAv through her sails. — We Avere employed
until evening in shifting our top-sails, and spli
cing our rigging ; at dark Ave Avere in our station.
The signal Avas then made for each ship to carry
a light. What little Avind Ave had was south
westerly all night — stood to the Avestward, as did
the enemy.
( 1 795. ) " March 14th, atdaylight, Ave Avere taken
aback Avith a fine breeze at N. W. Avhich gave
us the weather gage, whilst the enemy's fleet
kept the southerly wind. SaAv the Ca Ira, and
a line of battle ship who had her in toAV, about
three miles and a half from us, and the body of
the enemy's fleet about five miles distant. At
a quarter past six A.M. the signal Avas made for
the line of battle, S. E. and N. W ; and at forty
minutes past six, for the Captain and Bedford
to attack the enemy. At seven A. M. signal for
the Bedford to engage close — Bedford's signal
repeated for close action ; at five minutes past
seven, for the Captain to engage close, the Cap-

214
tain's and Bedford's signals repeated. At this
time the' shot from the enemy reached us, but
from a great distance. At a quarter past seven,
the signal Avas made for the fleet to come to the
wind on the larboard tack; this signal threAV us
and the Princess Royal to leeward of the Illustri
ous, Courageux, and Britannia. At tAventy mi
nutes past seven the Britannia hailed, and or
dered me to go to the assistance of the Captain
and Bedford; made all sail, Captain lying like
a log on the Avater, all her sails and rigging
being shot aAvay, Bedford on a Avind on the lar
board tack. At half past seven, the signal made
to annul coming to the wind on the larboard
tack; at thirty-five minutes past seven, signal
for the Illustrious and Courageux to make more
sail; forty minutes past seven," the same signal
repeated; forty-two minutes past seven, Bedford
to Avear, and Courageux to get into her station.
At this time I passed the Captain, hailed Admiral
Goodall, and told him Admiral Hotham 's orders^
and desired to knOAv if I should go ahead of
him? Admiral Goodall desired me to keep
close to his stern. The Illustrious and Coura-
• i
geux took their stations ahead of the Princess
Royal, the Britannia placed herself astern of me,
and the Tancredi lay on the Britannia's lee quar
ter, At eight A. M. the enemy began to pass
our line to Avindward, and the Ca Ira and le Cen-
seur Avere on our lee-side; therefore the Illustri
ous, Courageux, Princess Royal, and Agamemnon,

215
were obliged to fight on both sides of the
ship. The enemy's fleet kept the southerly wind,
and this enabled them to preserve their distance,
Avhich Avas very great.' From eight to ten we
continued engaging on both sides : about three
quarters past eight, the Illustrious lost her main
and mizen-masts, at a quarter past nine the Cou
rageux lost her main and mizen-masts, at twenty
five minutes past nine the Ca Ira lost all her
masts, and fired very little, at ten le Censeur lost
her main-mast. At five minutes past ten they both
struck, and I sent Lieutenant George Andrews,
as gallant an officer as ever stepped a quarter
deck, to board them ; Avho hoisted English colours,
and carried their Captains, by order of Admiral
Hotham, to Admiral Goodall on board the Prin
cess Royal. By computation the Ca Ira is sup
posed to have about 350 killed and wounded"
both days, and le Censeur about 250 killed and
wounded. F-om the lightness of the air of wind,
the fleets Avere a very long time in passing each
other, arid it Avas past one P. M. before all firing
ceased ; at Avhich time the enemy croAvded all
possible sail to the westAvard, our ships lying
with their heads to the south east and east. Our
fleet had logo guns, and 7650 men; the French
had 1174 guns, and 16,900 men."
u The numbers of killed and wounded in our Fleet were, 73
killed, 272 wounded ; amongst the latter were Lieutenants Rath-
, boneandMiles; and the Masters, Wilson, Blackburn, and Hawker.

216
In writing to Captain Locker from Porto Es.
pecia, March 21, thepeculiar situation in which Ad
miral Hotham had been placed, is noticed by Nel
son with his usual liberality. ' ' You will have heard
of our brush Avith the French fleet, a battle it can
not be called, as the enemy would not give us an
opportunity of closing with them ; if they had, I
have no doubt, from the zeal and gallantry that
was endeavoured to be shewn by each individual,
we should have obtained a most glorious conquest.
Admiral Hotham has had much to contend with:
a fleet half manned, and in every respect inferior
to the enemy: Italy calling him to her defence;
our newly acquired kingdom (Corsica) crying out
might and main; our reinforcements and convoy
hourly expected; and all to be done with a force
by no means adequate to these services. The
French Avere sent out as to a certain conquest;
their Orders Avere positive. To search out our fleet
and to destroy us, of which they had no doubt, if
we presumed to come to action Avith them; their
troops Avere then to have been landed, and Cor
sica retaken. HoAvever, thank God, all is reversed.
I firmly believe they never Avould have fought us,
had not the Ca Ira lost her top-masts, which en
abled Agamemnon and Inconstant to close in with
her, and so to cut her up, that she could not get
a top-mast aloft during the night, Avhich caused
our little brush the next day. Providence in a
most miraculous manner preserved my poor brave
fellows, Avho Avorked the ship in manoeuvring about

217
the Frenchman's stern and quarters, with an asto
nishing exactness and coolness. The action never
ceased for upwards of tAvo hours."
Admiral Hotham's letter to the Admiralty has
been repeatedly before the public, it Avas dated
the lfjth of March, and Avas published in the Ga
zette on the 16th of April. After a general com^
mendation of the officers in his squadron, he con
cluded Avith saying, "It is an act of justice, to
express the sense I entertain of the services of
Captain J. HolloAvay of the Britannia. During a
long friendship with that Officer, I have had re
peated proofs of his personal and professional
talents ; and on this recent demand for experi
ence arid information, his zeal afforded me the
most beneficial and satisfactory assistance."
(1795.) Captain Nelson was disappointed in his
sanguine hopes of falling in with some of the ene
my's crippled ships, that had not been able to gain
their ports ; and his zealous mind, irritated at their
escape, thus in imagination fought the late action
over again, Avith the command vested in himself.
' Fiorenzo, April 1." I am absolutely, my dearest
Fanny, at this moment in the horrors; fearing,
from our idling here, that the active enemy may
send out two or three sail of the line, and some
frigates, to intercept our convoy which is momen
tarily expected. In short, I Avish to be an Ad
miral, and in the command of the English fleet.
11 Viscountess Nelson's collection;

218
I should very soon either do much, or be ruined.
My disposition cannot bear tame and sIoav mea
sures, ure I am, had I commanded our fleet on
the 14th, that either the Avhole French fleet would
have graced my triumph, or I should have been
in a confounded scrape. — Invent on board Ad
miral Hotham as soon as our firing greAV slack in
the van, and the Ca Ira and Censeur had struck,
to propose to him leaving our two crippled ships,
the two prizes, and four frigates, to themselves,
and to pursue the enemy; but he, much cooler
than myself, said, ' We must be contented, Ave
have done very well.' .Noav, had Ave taken ten
sail and had allowed the eleventh to escape, when
it had been possible to have got at her, I could
never have called it well done. Goodall backed
me, I got him to Avrite to the Admiral, but it
would not do : Ave- should -have had such a day,
as I believe the annals of England never produced.
I verily think if the Admiral can get hold of them
once more, and he does but get us close enough,
that Ave shall have the Avhole fleet. Nothing can
stop the courage of English Seamen.
" I may venture to tell you, but as a secret,
that I have a Mistress given to me, no less a per
sonage than the goddess Bellona; so say the
French verses made on me, and in them I am so
covered with laurels, that you Avould hardly find
my salloAv face. At one period I am the dear Nel
son, the amiable Nelson, the fiery Nelson: however
nonsensical these expressions are, they are better

219
than censure, and we are all subject and open to
flattery. The French Admiral is to be tried, and
some of the Captains are under arrest; it is re
ported that the Captain of the Sans Culottes has
run aAvay. The Toulonese Avill not allow the
French fleet to enter their port, but make them
remain in Hieres Bay — telling them, 'To -get out
and execute their former orders, or never to
enter the ports of the republic' They Avere very
much alarmed iri Corsica at the appearance of the
enemy's fleet. So certain were the French of de
feating us, that the mayor a/id all the munici
pality of Bastia Avere on board the Sans Culottes,
to resume their stations."
With his accustomed zeal to be foremost on all
occasions, Avhere the service of his Country re
quired great exertion, Captain Nelson on the
16th of April Avrote to Sir Gilbert Elliot, the
Viceroy of Corsica ; that if an attack should be
made on that island, and Admiral Hotham should
judge it most advisable to remain at anchor in
the defence of it, and no other person should be
thought of as preferable, he then begged leave to
offer himself for the command of such Seamen, as
might be landed.
On the 24th of April he again Avrote to the
Duke of Clarence, dated ' Agamemnon at sea,
off Cape Corse. Sir,! hope and believe, if Ave
only get three sail from England, that Ave shall
prevent this fleet of the enemy from doing fur
ther service in the Mediterranean, notwithstand-

220
ing the red hot shot and combustibles; of which
they have had a fair trial, and found them use
less. They believed that we should give them no
quarter ; and it was Avith some difficulty Ave found
the combustibles, which are fixed ip a skeleton
like a carcass, they turn into liquid, and water
will not extinguish it. They say the Convention
sent them from Paris, but that they did not use
any of them, only hot shot."
XIIL The following letters to Mrs. Nelson give
a retrospective detail of naval operations in the
Mediterranean to the end of April. " St. Fio
renzo, April 12. Rest assured, my dear Fanny,
you are never absent from my thoughts. — If the
folks will give me the Colonelcy of Marines, I
shall be satisfied ; but I fear my interest is not
equal to get it : although I will never allow that
any man Avhatever has a claim superior to myself.
We have just got the thanks of* the Corsican
Parliament and Viceroy, for our gallant and good
conduct on the 15th and 14th day of March;
Avhich they say, and truly, has saved them from
an invasion. The Viceroy's private letter to me
has a very flattering compliment, that cannot but
be pleasing to you: "I certainly consider the busi
ness of the 13th of March, as a very capital fea
ture in the late successful contest Avith the French
fleet ; and the part which the Agamemnon had in
it, must be felt by every person to be one of the
circumstances that gave lustre to this event,
and rendered it not only useful, but peculiarly

221
honourable to the British arms. I need not as
sure you of the pleasure with Avhich I so con
stantly see your name foremost in every thing
that is creditable and serviceable ; nor of my
sincere regard and affection."— So far all hands
agree in giving me those praises, which cannot
but be comfortable to me to the last moment of
my life. The time of my being left out here by
Lord Hood,. I may call Avell spent; had I been
absent, how mortified should I noAv be. What
has happened may never happen to any one again :
that only one ship of the line out of fourteen,
should get into action with the French fleet, and
for so long a time as tAvo hours and a half, and
with such a ship as the Ca Ira. Had 1 been sup
ported, I should certainly have brought the
Sans Culottes to battle, a most glorious prospect !
A brave man runs no more risk than a coward,
and Agamemnon to a miracle has suffered
scarcely any thing. My kindest remembrances
to my Father."
When Avriting to Captain Locker from Leg
horn, May 4, he adds " I flatter myself, if the
promotion of flags comes very low, I shall stand
a fair chance for the Marines, if services in this
Avar may be allowed a claim. One hundred and
ten days I have been actually engaged at sea,
and on shore, against the enemy. Three actions
against ships; tAvo against Bastia in my ship;
four boat actions; and two villages taken, and
twelve sail of vessels burnt. I do not know that

222
any one has done more. I have had the com
fort to be always applauded by my Commanders
in Chief, but never to be reAvarded; and> Avhat is
more mortifying, for service in Avhich I have
been slightly wounded, others have been praised
who at the time Avere actually in bed, far from
the scene of action. But Ave shall, I hope, talk
my opinion of men and measures over the fire
next Avinter at Greenwich."
(1795.) The Rev. Edmund Nelson to hisSon, dated
Bath, May 5. — " I can now, my dear Horatio,
address you in the language of our University,
Bene-et optime fecesti; and I do most heartily re
joice at your acquisition of a fresh never-fading
laurel, obtained in a consciousness of having dis
charged the duties of your station, and by a re
ligious sense of that overruling Providence, Avho
maketh all things Avork together for good fo those
Avho love Him. It is said Avith confidence that
Lord Hood will not go to the Mediterranean ;
having reached St. Helen's he is returned to Spit
head. This is the news of the day. God bless
you. FareAvell."
The report which Mr. Nelson had heard re
specting Lord Hood was correct. This expe
rienced veteran had remonstrated with the Admi
ralty respecting the smallness of the reinforce
ment, Avhich he was ordered to take out to the
Mediterranean, feeling it his duty to do so, in
consequence of the great responsibility- an
nexed to his high situation in the service. The

223
thanks of both Houses were voted on the 10th,
arid 14th of April, to Admiral Hotham, and
the officers, seamen, and marines, under his
command. On the 8th of May the fleet sailed
from Leghorn, and cruised in anxious expecta
tion of the reinforcement from England.
On the 18th of June, Nelson Avrote as follows
to Captain Locker, whilst off Minorca: " We are
now Availing here for the convoy's arrival from
Gibraltar, and as the wind hangs easterly, it may
be some time before they arrive. The French
say, they Avill fight us again, provided Ave are not
more than tAvo or three ships superior. I can
hardly believe they are such fools : pray God
they may. There is nothing but squabbles at
Toulon : one party is in possession of the great
fort la Malgue; the Jacobins, of the arsenal and
town. The fleet came to sea for two days, but
is gone back, and has joined the Jacobins The
Austrians and Piedmontese are only waiting
for ou,r getting to the eastward, to take Vado
Bay, Avhich Avill be a fine anchorage for us. We
have our Avants and our Avishes in the fleet, but
upon the whole we are much more comfortable
than the home fleet, and our people are very
healthy. The scurvy is not known. From the
little I have seen of Mr. Charnock's book," I
x Mr. Charnock, who is lately dead, devoted the greater part
of his life to naval literature; and amongst other works published
that, to which Captain Nelson here alludes, 'in five volumes,' con
sisting of Naval Biography from 1 660 to 1793 ; and also a con
cise life of Lord Nelson.

224
think it a good thing, it will perpetuate the name
of many a brave officer, whose services would
otherwise have been forgotten."
(1795.), Captain Nelson to Mrs. Nelson, dated
St. Fiorenzo, July 1.— " Our convoy having joined
us on the 22d, we made sail for this port, and ar
rived all safe on the 29th, so far Ave are fortunate.
The French fleet of seventeen sail of the line are
out, but only to exercise their men, at least our
good Admiral says so; hoAvever they may make
a dash, and pick up something. We have Zea
lous, 74, and three ordnance ships expected
daily from Gibraltar. I hope they Avill not look
out for them. Tavo French frigates Avere for ten
days very near us, as Ave are informed by neu
tral vessels. I requested the Admiral to let me
go after them; but he Avould not part with a ship
of the line. When the fleet bore aAvay for this
place he sent two small frigates, Dido and LoAves-
toffe, to look into Toulon; and the day after
they parted from us, they fell in Avith the tAvo
frigates. It Avas a very handsome done thing in
the Captains, Avho are Towry and Middleton, and
much credit must be due to these officers, and
their ships' companies. Thank God, the superi
ority of the British navy remains, and I hope
ever will: I feel quite delighted at the event."
This Avas one of the most gallant engagements
of that period. Admiral Hotham's official letter
to the Admiralty, enclosing one from the senior
officer, Captain ToAVry, is dated June 30th. The

225
late Captain Buckoll Avas first Lieutenant of the
Dido. The folloAvinsr short account of this action
was sent home in a letter by the late Captain
George Clarke, A\ho, as first Lieutenant of the
LoAvestoffe, considerably distinguished himself.
"On the 24th of June, 1795, the Dido, a little eight
and tAventy, of nine pounders, and the Lowe
stoffe, a two and thirty, of twelve pounders, had
to contend Avith the superior force of La Minerve,
forty-two eighteen pounders, and L'Artemise, of
thirty-six tAvelve pounders ; each having on board
350 men. The Dido had 200, the LoAvestoffe
220. Can you credit our having gained a com
plete victory, with such odds against us? and
further, that the Lowestoffe had not a man hurt.
The Dido had six men killed, and twenty-one
Avounded ; she AA'as the Commodore, and led on ;
the French Commodore ran aboard her, in con
sequence of Avhich the Dido's mizen-mast Avas
carried aAvay; and, in this close engagement,
the chief part of the men above mentioned Avere
killed and Avounded. At this juncture the LoAve-
stoffe came up, and raked the Frenchman; the
Dido still at him on the lee-boAV. Away Avent
Minerve's fore-mast, boAvsprit, maintop-mast, and
mizen-mast. The other fellow, a most abomina
ble coAvard, after fighting a little, sheered off,
and the LoAvestoffe made after him; but, owing
to superior sailing, he unfortunately got aAvay.
In the mean time, the Dido, avIio had hauled off
to repair damages, made our signal to return, so
Q

226
Lowestoffe tacked, and stood again towards Mi-
nerve; Avhen we favoured her so plentifully with
shot, that she ordered the national flag to be
struck, what three hearty cheers Ave gave!"
The little public notice, Avhich his sanguine mind
imagined had been taken of his arduous services
at the sieges of Bastia and Calvi, weighed at this
time considerably on his thoughts. That addi
tional expense which voluntary offers to serve on
shore had occasioned, certainly deserved some
remuneration: during four months of hard ser
vice in that hot climate, all his ship furniture,
owing to the movements of a camp, was totally
lost. Accordingly, on the 8th of April, he ad
dressed a letter to the Hon. W. Windham, then
Secretary at War, in Avhich Nelson said, " 1
have been Avaiting for Lord Hood's arrival in
these seas, that his Ebrdship might have sup
ported my application for an allowance, Avhich I
believe, from my present length of service on
shore, will be considered as just." After reca
pitulating his various and fatiguing services at
the sieges of Bastia and Calvi, he added, " I trust
I do not ask an improper thing, when I request that
the same alloAvance may be made to me, as would
be made to a land officer of my rank; which,
situated as I Avas, Avould be that of a Brigadier
General, or else, my additional expences paid me.
I have stated my case, Sir, plainly, and leave it to
your Avisdom to act in it, as is proper." — Not to
interrupt the subsequent narrative, Mr. Windham's

227
ansAver is in this place subjoined, dated War-
Office, the 21st of July, 1795. " Sir, I have the
honour to acknoAvledge the receipt of your letter
of the 8th of last month, and to acquaint you,
That no pay has ever been issued under the di
rection or to the knowledge of this office, to
officers of the Navy serving with the Army on
shore." The zeal and patriotism of Nelson Were, Iioav-
eveiyin the meantime, rewarded by a particular
mark of his Sovereign's approbation, which he
had long hoped for, rather than expected. This
intelligence Avas immediately conveyed to him
by his Father, Avho, in the summer of the pre
ceding year, 1794, misled by the reports of the
day, had then also Avritten to congratulate his son
on the same event. " My dear Horatio, I have
this moment (on the King's birth-day) received
full authority to say, that you are appointed one
of the Colonels of Marines, vacated by the pro
motion to flags. God bless you with all the
prosperity this pleasing and much wished for
event can bring with it. It marks your public
conduct as highly honourable, and worthy of the
notice of your Country: it is the general voice
that it Avas Avell and properly given. Hoav emi
nently does such a situation appear above Avhat
ever is obtained by interest or bribery. Myself
and your good wife are full of joy, and we often
amuse ourselves in fixing on the cottage re
tirement, which you are looking forward* to.
Q 2

228
Lord Hood, you will find, is totally retired; yet
I verily believe, he came forward as your friend
in this business. All allow him judgment, as well
as long experience in his profession. I «have
only to add, that so affectionate a Son merits all
that a kind Father can bestoAV, his fervent prayers
that God may long preserve him. Farewell, my
dear son. Edmund Nelson."
This promotion of flag officers Avas dated June the
1st, and on the same day the alteration Avas made
knoAvn in the Naval Uniform, which now distin
guishes the rank of officers by epaulets, and
other suitable insignia. Captain Nelson's ap
pointment to the Marines was announced offici
ally on the 6th of June, but his commission Avas
dated on the 1st of that month; the whole being
graciously intended by his Majesty, to give ad
ditional honour to the commemoration of Admiral
Lord HoAve's victory. The other Captains ap
pointed to the Marines on this occasion, were the
Hon. Thomas Pakenham, and the Hon. George
Berkeley. XIV. On July 4th, Admiral Hotham informed
the Hon. J. Trevor our Minister at Turin, that
in consequence of his Excellency's letter, and of
z subsequent one from General de Vins who
commanded the Austrian and Sardinian armies,
to Mr. Brame our consul at Genoa, Captain
Nelson had been despatched in the Agamemnon,
Avith a Squadron of frigates, being an officer of
approved abilities, that he might give every pos-

O0(

sible assistance to the prosecution of that Gene
ral's operations against the enemy. The Admi
ral's despatches to the Board, contain an account
of the unexpected return of Nelson's squadron,
and the sudden appearance of the French fleet.
Admiral Hotham to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated
Britannia at Sea, July 14, 1795. " Sir, you Avill
he pleased to inform their Lordships, that in
consequence of " General de Vins' letter of the
28th to Consul Brame, I thought it advisable to
send a small Squadron of ships, as early as possi
ble, to give countenance to the General's ope
rations, although the reports as to his success
were extremely various; and for that purpose I
despatched on the 4th instant from St. Fiorenzo
the ships named in the margin, q under the orders
of Captain Nelson ; whom I directed to call off
Genoa for the Inconstant and Southampton fri
gates that Avere lying there, and to take them
with him; if from the intelligence he might ob
tain, he should find it necessary.
" On the morning of the 7th, I Avas surprised
to learn, that the aboA'e Squadron Avas seen in
the offing, returning into St. Fiorenzo, pursued
by the enemy's fleet: which by General de Vins'
letter, the latest account I had received, I had
reason to suppose was certainly in Toulon. Im
mediately, on the enemy's appearance, I made
every preparation to put to sea after them ; and
notAvithstanding the unpleasant predicament Ave
* Agamemnon, Meleager, Ariadne, Moselle, andMutine cutter.

230
were in, most of the ships being in the midst of
watering and refitting, I Avas yet enabled, by the
zeal and extraordinary exertions of the officers
and men, to get the Avhole of the fleet under
weigh that night, as soon as the land Avind per
mitted us to move; from which time Ave neither
saw nor heard any thing of the enemy until the
12th: Avhen, being to the eastAvard, and within
sight of the Hieres Islands, tAvo vessels Avere
spoken with by Captain Hotham of the Cyclops,
and Captain Boys of la Fleche, Avho acquainted
them that they had seen the French fleet n#t
many hours before, to the southAvard of those
islands. Upon which information I made the
signal before night to prepare for battle, as an
indication to our fleet that the enemy was near.
Yesterday at daybreak Ave discovered them to
the leeAvard of us, on the larboard tack, consist
ing of tAventy-three sail, seventeen of Avhich
proved to be of the line: the Avind at this time
blew very hard from the W. N. W. attended with
a heavy swell, and six of our ships had to bend
main top-sails, in the room of those that were
split by the gale in the course of the night.
" I caused the fleet, hoAvever, to be formed
with the utmost expedition on the larboard line
of bearing, carrying all sail possible to preserve
that order, and to keep the wind of the enemy;
in the hopes of cutting them off from the land,
from which we were only five leagues distant.
At eight o'clock, finding they had no other view

231
but that of endeavouring to get from us, I made
the signal for a general chace, and for the ships
to take suitable stations for their mutual support,
and to engage the enemy, as arriving up Avith
them in succession. But the baffling winds and
vexatious calms, that render eA ery naval opera
tion in this country doubtful, soon aftenvards
took place, and allowed a few only of our van
ships to get up Avith the enemy's rear about noon ;
which they attacked so warmly, that in the
course of an hour after, Ave had the satisfaction
to find one of their sternmost ships, viz. FAlcide,
of 74 guns, had struck. The rest of their fleet,
favoured by a shift of wind to the eastward, that
placed them iioav to Aviiuhvard of us, had got so
far into Frejus Bay, Avhtlst the major part of ours
Avas becalmed in the offing, that it became im
possible for any thing further to be effected; and
those of our ships which were engaged had ap
proached so near the shore, that I judged it pro
per to call them off by signal."
The whole of this letter having been repeat
edly before the public, it is only necessary to
add, that VAlcide having caught fire in her fore-
top, before she was taken possession of, blew up
Avith a most aAvful explosion; and although the
boats of the fleet were immediately despatched
to save the creAv, it Avas conjectured that, between
three and four hundred of them perished. On
board our different ships that Avere engaged, ten
Avere killed, and tAventy-four Avounded. Captain

252
Nelson in a * letter to his Royal Highness the
Duke of Clarence, dated July 15, 1795, gave a
further description of Avhat had passed.
Captain Nelson to Earl Spencer. — "My Lord:
I have seen in the neAvspapers that I am made
one of the Colonels of Marines; an appointment
certainly most flattering to me, as it marks to
the world an approbation of my conduct. To
your Lordship I beg leave to express my grati
fication, more especially, as by a letter to Lord
Hood, you declared your intention to represent
my Services in themostfavourablepointof viewto
the King; for Avhich I beg leave to return my most
sincere thanks. In the same letter your Lord
ship observed, that the doubts Avhich had arisen,
respecting the damage my eye had sustained at
the siege of Calvi, made it impossible to say
whether it was such as amounted to the loss of
a limb. I have only to tell your Lordship, that
a privation of sight for every common occasion
in life, is the consequence of the loss of part of
the crystal of my right eye. As I mean not
to press on your Lordship the propriety of con
sidering my loss, I shall conclude by assuring
you, that my endeavours shall never be Avanting
to merit a continuance of your good opinion,
and that I shall ever consider myself your Lord
ship's most obliged humble servant. P. S. Being-
appointed Avith a small Squadron of frigates to
i 4to. Edit. Vol. l. Page 215.

233
cooperate with the Austrian General de Vins,
I cannot alloAV my letter to go, Avithout saying,
that General de Vins appears to be an officer
who perfectly knoAVs his duty, and is well dis
posed to act Avith vigour on every proper oc
casion. The enemy are throAving up strong
works near Albinga; but before [three days are
past, I expect the army Avill be to the. AvestAvard
of them."
Captain Nelson had, hoAvever, very soon rea
son to change his opinion of this General, as ap
pears by subsequent letters ; Avhen in consequence
of his inactivity in the neighbourhood of Vado,
the zealous commander of the Agamemnon waited
on him, and offered to embark the Avhole or any
part of the Austrian army, and transport it to
the rear of fhe French, or to any spot to the
westward of their army, Avhich the General might
think most advisable. It Avas probably in conse
quence of the great errors Avhich Nelson observed
in the conduct of de Vins, and the advantages
which the former perceived any army Avould
possess in harassing an enemy, by being thus
transported from one situation to another, that
he afterwards so repeatedly urged the neces
sity, of having a considerable number of empty
transports in the Mediterranean, for that especial
service. Anno XV. The following letter to Mr. Drake,
'is the beginning of a diplomatic Corre
spondence with that minister, which Nelson

234
continued to the very last. Mr. Drake soon
perceived the extraordinary ability, and as it
Avere intuitive knoAvle'dge of the politics of
Europe, Avhich appeared in these valuable com
munications; and in consequence Avas one of
the first persons, Avho through Lord Grenville '
recommended Captain Nelson to the particular
notice of government.
(1795.) Captain Nelson to Mr. Drake, dated Aga
memnon, Genoa Mole, July 18. — "From the con
versation, Sir, Avhich I had the honour to hold Avith
your Excellency yesterday evening, it appeared
to you, as I oavh it does to myself, that the great
use of the cooperation between his Majesty's
squadron under my command, and the allied
army under General de Vins. is to put an entire
stop to all trade between Genoa, France, and the
places occupied by the armies of France ; and
unless this trade is stopped, it Avas the opinion
of your Excellency, that it Avould be almost im
possible for the allied army to hold their situation,
and much less possible for them to make any
progress- iri driving the French out of the Riviera
of Genoa. By the paper you gave me to read,
it also appears, that probably Nice itself might
fall for Avant of a supply of provisions, forage,
and ammunition, coming from Genoa.
"I have the honour to transmit you a copy of
Admiral Hotham's orders to me, on my coming
' A Nobleman to whom the Nelson family feel themselves
particularly indebted.

235
upon this service; as also, a copy of an order
dated June 17th, off Minorca, which, from the
impossibility of being complied Avith in this coun^
try, amounts to a prohibition of those orders that
had been given in England. I have therefore to
request, that your Excellency Avill write to Ad
miral Hotham, on the subject of the absolute
necessity of stopping all the trade, that may pass
between Genoa, France, and the places that are
occupied by the armies of France, and that Vin-
timigliamust be considered as under that descrip
tion; for if a Genoese vessel may pass Avith impu
nity to that place, nothing can prevent their
going to Nice, and every French port to the
AvestAvard of it.
"HoAvever, Sir, so sensible am I of the neces
sity of vigorous measures, that if your Excellency
will assure me it would be for the benefit of his
Majesty's service, and for good reasons, that" I
should stop all trade between the neutral poAvers
and France, and the places occupied by the armies
of France; I Avill give proper directions to the
squadron under my command for that purpose,
and the vessels and their cargoes shall lie in Vado
Bay, until I can receive my Commander in chief's
directions about them ; or, if your Excellency
thought it proper to send an express to England,
until that answer could return. . ."
(1795.) Captain Nelson to Admiral Hotham, dated
Agamemnon, Vado Bay, July 22. — " I have the
honour to inform you, Sir, that I arrived at

236
Genoa on the evening of the 17th, and found
there two French frigates, la Vestale of 32 guns,
la Brune of 26 guns, and two brigs, the Scout and
Alert. I sailed Avith Mr. Drake from Genoa at
daylight on the 20th, and arrived here yesterday
morning, Avhere I found Mr. Trevor Avaiting for
Mr. Drake. 1 have had a conference Avith the
Austrian General de Vins, Avho seemed extremely
glad to see us. At present I do not perceive any
immediate prospect of their getting on to the
westAvard, it appearing to be the General's opi
nion, that the enemy must be reduced in their
provisions, before the Austrians can make ad
vances; and that for the present famine is to do
more than the sword. You Avill see, Sir, by my
correspondence Avith Mr. Drake, the necessity I
felt myself under to give the orders of which I
have the honour to enclose you a copy, together
Avith my correspondence, and I flatter myself you
will approve Avh at I have clone.
" I sail this evening with Mr. Drake, and Mr.
Trevor,3 for Genoa, at Avhich place it is not mv
present intention to anchor, but to return here
Avith all expedition. The Meleager, Captain
Cockburn, brought in yesterday a valuable
prize :' I have no doubt that her cargo is French
property; the gold, silver, and jewels, Avhich
were found in the cabin, are on board the Aea-
memnon, but things of much more consequence,
s His Majesty's Minister at Turin.
1 Called Nostra Signora de Belvedere.

237
I understand, are in the hold ; indeed I cannot
guess at the value" of the cargo. . In respect to
Vado Bay, had it not been called a Bay, I should
never have named it one ; it is a bend in the
land, and since I have been here by no means
good landing, The Avater is deep, good clay
bottom, and plenty of fresh Avater; open from E.
to S. To the east the land is at a great distance;
but I think a fleet may ride here for a short time
in the summer months."
(3 795.) On the 24th of July, Captain Nelson
thus expressed himself AA'ithout reserve, in a
letter from off Vado Bay to his wife. " What
changes in my life of activity ! Here I am, hav
ing commenced a cooperation Avith an old Aus
trian General, almost fancying myself charging
at tlie head of a troop of horse. Nothing Avill
be Avantiug on my part toAvai"ds the success of
the common cause. I have eight sail of frigates
under my command ; the service I have to per
form is important, and, as I informed you a fevv
days ago from Genoa, I am acting not only
AAlthout the orders of my Commander in chief,
but in some measure contrary to them. Hoav-
ever, I have not only the support of his Majesty's
Ministers, both at Turin and Genoa, but a con
sciousness that I am doing what is right and
proper for the service of our King and Country :
* In another letter he stated, that report had valued her at
160,000/. when she left France.

238
political courage in an officer abroad is as highly
necessary as military courage. To you I may
add, that ray Character stands high with almost
all Europe, even the Austrians kneAv my name
perfectly. When I get through this Campaign,
I think myself I ought to rest. I hope to God
the Avar Avill be over, and that I may return to
you in peace and quietness. A little farm and
my good name, form all my Avants and Avishes."
Amongst the Squadron of frigates, Avhich Cap
tain Nelson mentions in the above letter as being
under his command, was the Inconstant, Captain
T. F. Fremantle, an officer particularly esteemed
by Nelson, and Avho afterwards became associated
Avith him in the greater part of his subsequent
achievements. (1795.) On the 24th of July, on having landed
Mr. Drake and Mr. Trevor at Genoa, the Aga
memnon kept throughout the Avhole night to
wards Vado Bay; and the next morning was
driven by a very heavy gale from the S. W. into
Leghorn Roads. In Avriting to Admiral Hotham
on the 28th, he said, " There are several Aessels
here laden Avith corn for France, some of them
under passports from the Dey of Algiers; how
ever they must be stopped, if met Avith by the
squadron under my orders, and the Ministers
of Genoa, and Turin, Avould be solely ansAverable
for Avhat may be the result. But, Sir, the Avhole
of the necessity of stopping all the Aressels, is
comprised in a very few Avords, that if Ave do not

239
stop supplies of corn, &p. going to France, the
armies will return Avhence they came; and the
failure of this Campaign, from Avhich so much is
expected, Avill be attributed to our want of
energy : for the only use of the naval cooperation
is in preventing any supply of provisions. But
I pray God the Avar may be finished."
Thus did the discerning mind of Nelson, from
that patriotic impulse which it invariably pos
sessed, venture to point out the insufficiency of
the orders he had received, and to open the eyes
of his government to those injuries Avhich the
general cause sustained by the frauds of neutral
vessels. It appears to have been his opinion,
that had Lord Hood remained in the Mediter
ranean, a favourable opportunity then offered
to have regained Toulon ; for in a letter to his
wife, dated Vado Bay, August 2d, after mentioning
that idea, he added, " At the time we got pos
session of it before, the royalists A^ere by no
means so strong at Toulon as they are at this
moment." — The subsequent part of this letter
relates to his private character, and displays that
uniform filial affection, Avhich must have draAvn
doAvn a blessing on all his undertakings : " 1
have been very negligent, Fanny, in Avriting to
my Father; but, I rest assured, he knows I would
have done it long ago had you not been under
the same roof. At present I do not write less
than from ten to tAventy letters every day; which
with the Austrian General and aid de camps, and

240
my own little squadron, fully employ my time :
this I like, active service, or none. Pray draAV
for 200/. my Father and myself can settle our
aqcounts Avhen Ave meet; at present, I believe,
I am the richer man, therefore I desire you Avill
give my dear Father that money."
(1795.) On the same day, Aug. 2, he detached the
Meleager, Captain G. Cockburn,J£ and the South
ampton, off Cape del Mele, in order to ascertain,
Avhether, according to information received from
the General, vessels laden with corn did not
clear out for Barcelona, although actually bound
for Marseilles : should it appear that they Avere
actually bound for Spain, Captain Cockburn Avas
directed to send them into Vado Bay, that they
might be provided Avith convoy; the French
squadron being hourly expected from Genoa. —
In a letter to Mr. Drake on the 6th, he described
the manner in Avhich his Cruisers had been sta
tioned, and marked the difference Avith which
the English and French squadrons had regarded
the neutrality of Genoa. " The disposition and
* This excellent officer, and intimate friend of Nelson, had
sailed from England at the beginning of the French war, as
Lieutenant in the Britannia, and was removed into the Victory
on the first vacancy that took place in tliat ship. He was made
Captain of the Speedy sloop in October, l/§3, by Lord Hood;
and was by his Lordship appointed acting Captain of the Incon
stant in January, 1794, and Captain of the Meleager, in the
following month, which was confirmed by the Admiralty, He
lately commanded the Pompee in the West Indies.

241
acts of my cruisers will soon prove ihcontestibly,
that Genoa is not hlockaded, as all vessels Avill
arrive in perfect security Avhich are not French,
or laden with French property. Cruisers off
Cape Corse, or the straits of Bonifaccio, Avould
not sfop the trade so well as where I have placed
them ; Avere I to remove those ships on the
Especia side of the gulf, nothing could prevent
the escape of the French Squadron, and any
convoy they might choose to carry Avith them.
It ever has been customary to endeavour to
intercept enemy's vessels coming from neutral
ports, and the cruisers off Port Especia are very
little nearer Genoa than Leghorn, and are at
the utmost extremity of the Genoese territory;
for I have been most careful to give no offence
to the Genoese territory, or flag. I am almost
blind, and it is Avith very great pain I' write this
letter." ( 1795. ) Sir Gilbert Elliot, Viceroy of Corsica, to
Captain Nelson, August 7- — "Give me leave my
dear Sir, to congratulate you, on the Agamem
non's supporting uniformly, on every occasion,
the same reputation Avhich has always distin
guished that ship since I have been in the Medi
terranean. I know that it was not Agamemnon's
fault, if more Avas not done on the late cruise.
It gives me great pleasure also to see you em
ployed in your present important service, which
requires zeal, activity, and a spirit of accommo
dation and cooperation, qualities which will not
ft

242
be wanting in the commodore of your squadron.
I consider the business you are about, the expul
sion of the enemy from the Genoese and Pied-
montese territories, as the most important feature
in the Southern Campaign. I am lately returned -
from a sixAveeks tour through the Island, Avhich
afforded me the highest satisfaction, both from
the improvable nature of the country, and from
the general spirit of loyalty and attachment to
the King's country, which manifested itself
wherever I went. I may tell you in confidence*
that Paoli has been endeavouring to stir up mis
chief, during my absence, in this part of the
Island ; and by lies, and inventions, some disturb
ance has been created in the districts adjoining
to his own residence. But by perfect firmness
and proper temper, these attempts to disturb us
are sure of ending in the disgrace of their au
thors, as in truth this one has already nearly done.
It seems that Paoli is not great enough to
reconcile himself to the station of a private man,
and that he still hankers after the CroAvn Avhich
he gave to the King, at a time, indeed, when he
could no longer keep it for himself."
Captain Nelson, in his ansAver from Vado Bay,
on the 18th, said, "If my health and eyes, my
dear Sir, which are now almost Avorn out, can
allow, I Avill endeavour to tell you Avhat occur
rences have taken place. Corsica is never from
my thoughts. I have received lettei's from good
Lord Hood : HoAvever Avrong he might have

243
been in \vrlting.so strongly, and as he alloAvs he-
has, to the Admiralty, the Nation has suffered:
much by his not returning to the Mediterranean;
for an abler head, or heart more devoted to the
service of his country, is not readily to be met
with : and when I think what Lord Bridport did
under Port L'Orient,h on the 23d of June last, I
cannot but sigh.
" Respecting our movements here, they are
very sIoav. General de Vins has been long-
expected, but I fear in vain. He says, he has
flattered and abused the Piedmontese and Neano* A.
litans, yet nothing will induce them to act. A-
plan is noAv concerted between the General and
myself, to embark, if these people will not act,,
five or six thousand men, and to make a landing
between St. Remo, and Vintimiglia. . . I am truly
concerned that Paoli should be troublesome : I
had heard it, but could not give credit to such.
an apparent absurd conduct on his part. I fully
trust, and believe, that your Excellency's mild
and equitable administration will leave the good-
Corsicans little to hope, or fear, from Paoli and
his" adherents. Poor Agamemnon is as nearly
Avorn out as her Captain, we must both soon be
laid up to repair. The Marines has been given
to me in the handsomest manner: the answer
A most gallant action that was never properly noticed by
his Country. LeTigre, 80 guns, Le Formidable, and L' Alexandre, '
74 guns each, were taken.
R %

244
returned to many Avas, The King knows of no officer
xvho has a better claim than Captain Nelson."
(1795.) When writing to Captain Locker,
from Vado Bay, on the 19th of August, he again
referred to Lord Bridport's gallant action: "I
hope Lord Bridport's success, and the appearance
of the emigrants landed in Brittany, Avill bring
this Avar to a happy conclusion. My command
here of thirteen sail of frigates and sloops is not
altogether unpleasant. As I had been so much
in the habit of soldiering this war, the moment
it became knoAvn that the Austrian army was
coming, it Avas fixed that the Brigadier must go.
Hitherto I have succeeded in all my attempts,
and I trust I shall not fail in our present under
taking. Nothing shall be wanting on our part,
as far as my force goes. The Mediterranean
command includes such a variety of duty, when
compared to any other station, that it requires
a man of business."'
The Treaty Avhich the French had concluded
with Spain, was dated July 22, 1795, in which
the Republic of the United Provinces, as being
the allies of France, were included: she also
detached Tuscany, and Prussia, and, soon after
* An extensive correspondence with foreign states, and the
peculiar situation of Italy at that period, rendered the command
in the Mediterranean more adapted to an experienced diplomatic
officer, than to a skilful and brave Seaman, which Admiral Hotham
had shewn himself to be in a variety of instances.

245
the above date, the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel,
from their alliance with Great Britain.
On the 26th of August, 1795, the active mind
of Nelson Avas directed against some vessels of
the enemy, in the bay of Alassio and Languelia,
at that time in possession of the French army,
and serving as their principal rendezvous for
transports and store ships. There Avas but a
very feeble resistance from some of the enemy's
cavalry, who fired on our boats when boarding
the vessels near the shore ; " but, " added Captain
Nelson in Avriting to Admiral Hotham, " I have
the pleasure to say no man Avas killed or
wounded. The enemy had 2000 horse and foot
soldiers in the town, which prevented my landing
and destroying their magazines of provisions and
ammunition. I sent Captain Fremantle of the
Inconstant, Avith the Tartar, to Languelia, a toAvn
on the Avestern side of the bay of Alassio, Avhere
he executed my orders in a most officer-like
manner; and I am indebted to every Captain
and officer in the squadron for their activity;
but most particularly so to Lieutenant George
Andrews, first lieutenant of the Agamemnon,
who, by his spirited and officer-like conduct,
saved the French corvette from going on shore."
— Admiral Hotham, in addition to the thanks
which he conveyed to Captain Nelson and his
officers, on Sept. 1, subjoined the following libe
ral commendation of the former, when he sent
his despatches to the Admiralty, "His officer-

U6
like conduct upon this, and, indeed, upon every oeca*
sion where his services are called forth, reflects upon
him the highest credit."
This enterprise Avas soon succeeded by another
during the night of August 29, under the con
duct of Lieutenants G. AndreAvs and Spicer,
which did not terminate quite so successfully.
It is detailed in the following official account
that was sent to Admiral Hotham, dated Vado
Bay, August 30, 1795. " Sir: Having received
information that a ship laden Avith provisions Avas
arrived at Oneglia, I yesterday afternoon man?
red the tAvo small gallies, taken on the 26th, Avith
forty-four officers and men from the Agamemnon,
and ten men belonging to the Southampton,
under the command of Lieutenant George An
drews, and Lieutenant Peter Spicer of the Aga
memnon; and ordered Lieutenant Andrews to
proceed to Oneglia, and to endeaA'our to take
the said. ship. On his passage doAvn, about nine
o'clock at night, he fell in Avith three large ves
sels Avith lateen sails, Avhich he engaged at ten
o'clock. One of these Avas carried by boarding,
but the men belonging to her, retiring to the
others, cut her adrift, the three vessels being
made fast together. At half past ten the attack
on the other tAvo was reneAved Avith the greatest
spirit; but the number of men on board Avas too
.great, united with the height of their vessels,
for our force; and my gallant officers and men,
after a long contest, Avere obliged to retreat. It

247
is Avith the greatest pain I have to render so long
a list of killed and Avounded. The spirited and
officer-like conduct of Lieutenants AndreAvs aud
Spicer, I cannot sufficiently applaud ;* and every
praise is due to each individual for their exem
plary bravery and good conduct. The vessels
had no colours hoisted, but a Greek flag has
been found on board the prize."
(1795.) On the first of September, he sent from
Vado Bay the following account of what had
passed, Avithsome additional information, to Mrs.
Nelson: — "We haA-e made a small Expedition
with the squadron, and taken a French corvette
and some other vessels, in Avhich affair I lost no
men; but since, I have not been so successful.
I detached Mr. Andrews to cut off a ship from
Oneglia : On his passage, he fell in with three
Turkish vessels, as it has since turned out, who
killed and Avounded 17 of my poor fellows.
Seven are already dead, and more must be lost
by the badness of their wounds; and I am sorry
to add, that the Turks got into Genoa, with six
millions of hard cash : hoAvever, they who play at
bouls must expect rubbers, and the worse success
now, the better, I hope, another time. Our fleet
is still at Leghorn. Collingwood I hear is arrived
in the Excellent, 7 A, Avith the convoy from Eng
land. I am almost afraid, that the Campaign in
this country will end in a very different manner
* These Lieutenants particularly distinguished themselves.

248
from Avhat might have been expected ; but I will
do my best until it finishes."
On Sept. 15, 1795, whilst in Vado Bay, he sent
to Mrs. Nelson his real sentiments on the pro
ceedings of the Austrian army. " I am not,
Fanny, quite so well pleased as I expected with
this Army, which is sIoav beyond all description ;
and I begin to think; that the Emperor is anxious
to touch another four millions of English money,
As for the German Generals, Avar is their trade,
and peace is ruin to them; therefore Ave cannot
expect that they should have any wish to finish
the Avar. I have just made some propositions to
the Austrian General to spur him on, Avhich I
believe he would have been full as Avell pleased
had I omjtted: in short, I can hardly think he
means to go any farther this Avinter. I am noAv
undersail on my Avay to Genoa, to consult Avith
our minister on the inactivity of the Austrians;
and he must take some step to urge these people
fonvard." (1795.) The following letter to Mr. Drake,
Sept. 18, Avas written in consequence of a com
plaint from the" Genoese Government to that
minister. Captain Nelson, Avith his usual firm
ness and judgment, maintains the rights of
British ships of Avar in entering Neutral Ports.
(t The occasion of the Inconstant being fired
upon, as reported to the officer commanding the
Agamemnon in my absence by the Captain of
the port, is as folknvs. When I came in, I was

249
told that no tither ship of Avar could enter the
port; to Avhich I replied, None other was coming
in. The first gun fired on the Inconstant was
only loaded Avith poAvder ; .but as she still ad
vanced, the other Avas fired with shot ahead of her;
when a request Avas sent, that I wouldmake a sig
nal for the ships not to enter the port. The Incon
stant wanted to have communication with me,
therefore stood round the Agamemnon : this can
hardly be called coming into port, at least Ave
do not understand it so. These are the facts as"
stated to me, and I should like to know one
thing, on which must hinge the propriety or
impropriety of the conduct of the Republic.
Would not the Republic, in any situation of danger
whatever, admit more than five ships inside the mole
heads? If they answer No, I have but little to
say : but ifthey ansAver Yes; hoAV could they tell,
that the Inconstant was not obliged from some
cause or other to make for a port?. No inquiries
Avere made; and the first notice Avas a shot, to
say, Whatever may be your distress, you shall not
enter here, nor find protection in Genod Molt.
Much more might be added, but I am sure, Sir,
you Avill do what is right. If I were to give
chase to a French ship of war, and she Avent into
Genoa Mole at a time Avhen there were, more
than five ships in the mole, and they did not
fire and turn her out, I Avould instantly attack
her on their OAvn reasoning, JVe will protect five,'
and no more."

250
. *In a letter to Sir Gilbert Elliot" about the
same time, he added, "If the Admiral could
give me one 74, I verily believe Ave should even
yet gain possession of Nice. Mr Drake perhaps
has told you Iioav we Avere obliged to manoeuvre
about the General: but the politics of Courts,
my dear Sir, are I perceive so mean, that private
people Avould be ashamed to act in the same Avay ;
all is trick and finesse to Avhich the Common
Cause is sacrificed. The General Avants a loop
hole, and I hope he Avill not have one ; he shall
not if I can help it, for I Avant Ville Franche for
a sood anchorage this Avinter. From Avhat mo-
tive I know not, I hope from a good one, but
.the General sent orders to attack the enemy's
strongest post, St. Espirito, and after an attack
of ten hours it was carried. The General seems
pleased, and says if he can carry another, the
Enemy must retire, Avhich Avould give us the
country as far as Oneglia: Then comes a fresh
objection, which I am preparing against. He
will1 say, "I cannot hold an extent of sea coast
of forty miles : I must give up Vado, for the
enemy at Oneglia are on my left flank, and the
Piedmontese will not attack them." — Time and
opportunity hoAvever may do much. Mr. Drake
has just received his appointment to land at the
head quarters of the Austrian army, and I rejoice
at it. The loss of the Austrians in the last attack*
' Lord Minto's Collection.

25t'
was one' thousand killed and wounded. It gives
me pain to hear such bad accounts of the beha-r
viour'of many of the Corsicans; Avhat they can
be at, is impossible for me to guess, unless French
gold has found its Avay amongst some of their
chiefs. But I hope they will yet be quiet, and be
no longer troublesome to. your administration, -
which has done so much for them."
On the 9,1st, he Avrote tp his father and Mrs,
Nelson, and thus frankly stated his opinion re
specting the co-operation of the Austrians. "I
have been, in concert with his Majesty's minisr
ter, very hard at work in pushing the Austrian
-General forward ; and yesterday morning gpt
them to make an attack, that has been success
ful, and they have carried the centre post, on
the ridge of mountains occupied by the French
troops. , The action lasted ten hours, and if the
General will carry one other point, we shall gain
thirty-three miles of country. Another plan is
in agitation; Avhich, if the Admiral Avill give me
transports to carry a certain number of troops;
will astonish the French, and perhaps the Eng
lish. The General, if he can be brought^to
move, is an Officer of great abilities; but the
politics of his Court so constantly tie his hands,
that he cannot always do Avhat he thinks proper.
However, if the Army does not move, our mi
nister who is fixed at head quarters, will endear
vour to withhold the remainder of the Emperor's
Joan, say gift: this is an all-poAyerful motive

%5%
witha Gen-man court, and for which the lives
of their subjects are held in no estimation. I
am become a politician, almost fit to enter the
diplomatic line. Sept. 24. I am just arrived at
Leghorn ; and have received a most honourable
testimony of my conduct, which has been trans
mitted from the Austrian General to our minis- '
ter., It has not indeed been in my power to
perform much, but I have done all I could to
serve the Cause."
The preceding opinion which he had ex
pressed, respecting the conduct of the Aus-
trians, was, confirmed by Mr. Drake, in a letter
to Admiral Hotham, Sept. 22, 1795; and that
minister at the same time mentioned the high
estimation which de Vins and the Austrian
Generals entertained of the abilities of the Cap
tain of the Agamemnon. "Understanding that
Captain Nelson has already informed your Ex
cellency of every thing Avhich has passed of late
between him, General de Vins, and myself, I
forbear troubling you with a repetition of those
circumstances. I confess, that I do not believe
General de Vins is seriously inclined to under
take the expedition in question ; but your Ex
cellency may nevertheless think it necessary to
act precisely, as if there Avere no doubt of the
sincerity of the General's professions. What
ever may be the event, we certainly must all
be desirous of avoiding even the shadow of an
imputation, that a failure of the Campaign in

253
Italy should be attributed to a want of exertion
on our part.— I cannot in justice to the abilities,
judgment, and activity of Captain Nelson, omit
mentioning the "very high estimation in which
that officer is held by General de Vins, and the
other Austrian General Officers; and. I have
thought it my duty to transmit to his Majesty's
Ministers at home, the handsome testimony
which our Allies bear to the zeal and good con
duct of this Officer, whom you selected to com
mand the Squadron cooperating with them."
The various and important services which
Captain Nelson b performed with his little Squa
dron, formed a striking contrast with, the slow
and unprofitable operations of the poAverful
Austrian army, that Avas to have acted Avith
him. The former employed his force to the very
utmost of its ability, and constantly detached
his frigates so that each could best furnish its
respective assistance, to promote the general
object in view. — On the 2d of October, he di
rected Captain Cockburn, in the Meleager, to
run along shore as far to the Avestward as Cape
Garoupe, and thence to stand over as near Qu>
sica, as from winds, Aveather, and information,
he might judge necessary for intercepting sup
plies going to St. Remo; on which station he
t> Captain Nelson did not obtain a Commodore's pendant until
the arrival of Sir John Jervis ; when the former received what
is termed a ten Shilling pendant, and afterwards a broad pendant,
with a Captain under him.

254
was to continue for eight or ten days. The
active mind of Nelsbn was also employed in
devising some stratagem, that might induce the
French squadron to sail from Genoa: they how
ever eluded his design, Avhich he noticed in
writing to Mrs. Nelson, from Vado Bay, Oct. 5.
"As soon as the French Squadron kneAv of my
absence, they made a push, and I fear are all
got off. Tavo of our frigates were seen firing
at them ; but I have not much expectation of
their success. It Avas a near touch, for I came
.back the next morning, after they had sailed on
the preceding evening. I am vexed and dis
appointed. I must submit, and hope for better
luck another time; yet a squadron of French
Ships Avould have so graced my triumph. In the
opinion of the Genoese my squadron is con
stantly offending; so that it almost appears a
trial betAveen us who shall first be tired, they of
complaining, or me of answering them. Hoav-
ever, my mind is fixed, and nothing they can
say will make me alter my conduct towards
them. — I have just received a very affectionate
letter from his Royal Highness the Duke of
Clarence, and he appears to remember our long
acquaintance with much satisfaction : one of
his expressions is, I never part with a letter of
yours, they are to me highly valuable. He finds
me unalterable, Avhich I fancy he has not always
done iu those he has honoured Avith a preference."

255

Captain Nelson to Mr. Drake, dated Agamemnon,'
Vado Bay, Nov. 12.
(1795.) "My dear Sir, I had yesterday morn
ing a letter from General de Vins, informing
me that the Tartans Avere Avithdrawn from Bora:1-
hetto, and that he thinks his position too strong
for the French to succeed in any attack they
may make. Nothing, I am sure you Avill be
lieve, Avill be Avanting on the part of my squa
dron to cover the General's flank by sea. I
have requested the General to. establish signals
by guns, when I should be with him before they
got well warm in the attack. Flora and a brig
are noAv cruising off Noli and Pietra, but I fear
they may be blown off the coast. The Aveather
is so severe, that either the French or Austrians
must quit the hills; and as some Austrian soldiers
have died with the cold on their posts, the enemy
cannot be very comfortable, A feAv days must,
I think, give a turn to the face of affairs. Kel-
lerman, I understand, visits every post once in
twenty-four hours, and says every thing to en
courage the soldiers.
" Reports say, and I believe it is true, that
Admiral Hotham has struck his flag and given
up the command, as also Admiral Goodall, and
that Sir Hyde Parker commands the Fleet until
Sir John. Jervis.'s arrival. Captain Frederick has
hoisted a distinguishing pendant, and commands.
the third division of the Fleet. This cannot, my
dear Sir, but make me feel, that I am the first

256
officer commanding a Squadron destined to
cooperate Avith the Austrians and Sardinians, Avho
has been Avithout a distinguishing pendant: most
have had a broad pendant, but' that I neither
expected, nor wished for; yet I think, as I have
had the pleasure to give satisfaction to our
Allies, that the Ministry, if you thought proper
to represent it, Avould order me a distinguishing
1 pendant from my having this command, or some
other mark of their favour. Pray excuse this
part of my letter, I am assured you will do
what is right for me."
Captain Nelson to H. R. H.the Duke of Cla
rence,* Genoa Roads, Nov. 18, 1795. — "Sir: Al
most every day produces such changes in the
prospect of our affairs, that in relating events
I hardly know Avhere to begin. The two Armies
are both so strongly posted, that neither is wil
ling to giA^e the attack ; each Avaits to see which
can endure the cold longest. The French Ge-
l
neral has laid an embargo on all the vessels qn
the coast, near a hundred sail, and it Avould not
surprise me if he Avere meditating a retreat, in
case his plans do not succeed; Avhich I hope
they Avill not, as the prevention of them in a
great measure depends on our naval force under
my orders. This has called me here, where a
circumstance has arisen that has given us the
alarm sooner than was intended.
* Prom bu Royal Highness's collection.

257
" An Austrian Commissary was travelling from
Genoa towards Vado* with 10,000/. sterling, and
it Avas known- he Avas to sleep at a place called
Voltri, about nine miles from Genoa. This
teYnptation Avas too great for the French Cap
tain of the Brune, in concert with the French
Minister, to keep his word of honour; and the
boats of that frigate, with some privateers, Avent
out of the port, landed, and brought back the
money. The next day, the 1 1 th of November,
recruiting Avas publickly carried on in the toAvn
of Genoa, and numbers enlisted ; and on the 13th
at night, as many men as could be collected
were to sail under convoy of the Brune, and to
land and take a strong post of the Genoese,
between Genoa and Savona. A hundred rpen
were to have been sent from the French army
at Borghetto, and an insurrection of the Ge
noese peasantry Avas to have been encouraged ;
which I believe Avould have succeeded for seve
ral miles up the country. General de Vins
must have sent four or five thousand men, pro
bably, from his army, which Avould have given
the enemy a fair prospect of success in their in
tended attack. The scheme Avas bold, but I do
not think it would have succeeded in-all points.
" HoAvever, my arrival here on the 13th in
the evening caused a total change: the frigate,
knowing her deserts, and Avhat had been done
here before Avith the transports and privateers,
hauled from the outer to the inner Mole, and
is got inside the merchant ships, with her paw*
S ' '

258
der out, for no ships can go into the inner Mole
Avith poAvder on board; and, as I have long ex
pected an embarkation from the French army
from the AvestAvard to harass General de Vins,
there I Avas fully on my guard. Whilst I remain
here no harm can happen, unless, which private
information says is likely to take place, that
four sail of the line and some frigates are to
come here, and take Agamemnon and her squa
dron. What steps the Austrian Generals and
Ministers ¦will adopt to get redress for this, I
fear, alloAved breach of neutrality on the part
of the Genoese, government, I cannot yet tell.
It is a very extraordinary circumstance, but a
fact, that since my arrival respect to the neutral
port has not been demanded of me; if it had,
my ansAver Avas ready, That it xvas useless and im
possible for me to give it. As the breach of the
neutrality has not been noticed, I fancy they
are aAvare of my ansAver, and therefore declined
asking the question. ..I beg leave to subscribe
myself, your Royal Highness's most attached and
faithful Horatio Nelson."
(1795.) Admiral Goodall did not strike his
flag, Avithout taking leave of his friend, dated
Pisa, November 8. "I could not, my dear
Nelson, leave the fleet Avithout saying, Avhat
satisfaction it gave me to read in the public
papers, Admiral Hotham 's letter to the Ad
miralty on your late success : It afforded me
additional pleasure, as I had so Avarmly recom
mended your being employed on that service,

259
from the high opinion I had of your bravery
and activity. Go ori, and prosper." Commodore
Nelson also about the same time, received the fol
lowing letter from his Father. "If your promises,
my dear Horatio, and assurances of a speedy re
turn, could be made good by an act of your oavh,
they Avould remain as unalterable, as a Persian,
or a Median laAv; but both your good Avife and
myself perceive, that Ave must not depend, at
present, on seeing you. — The unhappy emigrants
could gain no footing in their native Country.
A Dutch Avar is commenced. The minister con
tinues to have a great majority in every thing.
Sir Charles Middleton has left the Admiralty.
You have the treasure of a self approving mind ;
for a Avhile, therefore, retire from incessant fa
tigue. Whatever mav be the emoluments of
your long and severe service, they are attended
Avith a reputation, Avhich will endure, I believe,
as long as the English Annals remain; and let
me say, such a Wealth will descend and prove inva
luable to your survivors. My feeble and imper>-
fect petition is daily offered, that the same Pro
vidence Avhich hitherto has ever been your
shield and buckler, in the hour of danger, may
still preserve you from The arroAv that flieth
by day, and the pestilence that Avalketh in dark
ness. In days of peace, you Avill, I hope, enjoy
your Cottage: Agreeably to your wishes Ave
have taken a small house here for three years ;
the sun must return upon us before I can revisit
s 2

260
Burnham. God bless you all. Farewell. Edmund
Nelson. "
iEuT°8 *^- Towards the end of the year,
1795, Captain Nelson received an order
to put himself under the command of Admiral
Sir John Jervis, K. B. dated on board the Lively,
in Gibraltar Bay, Nov. 19. The only acquain
tance Avhich the Captain of the Agamemnon had
Avith this officer, Avas in having been introduced
to him by £aptain Locker, for Avhom tbe Admi
ral entertained the highest regard. Without
presuming to discuss the merit, or demerit of
this great naval Commander, it is necessary here
to remark, that Nelson found in Sir John Jervis,
a mind perfectly congenial with his own ; active,
enterprising, and determined to pursue against
all obstacles, whatever experience, or the pass
ing events of the day pointed out as his pro
fessional or political duty. With the reputation
Avhich he had gained in the various gradations
of the service, AA'as united a thorough knowledge
of the politicks of the British empire, and of
Europe, and a keen discrimination of the real
character and abilities of those officers Avho
served under him. Naturally of an ambitious
disposition, and professionally a strict discipli
narian, he despised the trammels, and sometimes
perhaps forgot the feelings Avhich repress com
mon minds; and being determined strictly to.
execute the important duties that Avere intrusted
to him, he resolved, that every person in the

261
Fleet should rigidly do the same. Such in brief
was the great Naval Officer, Avho noAv superseded
Vice Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Commander in
Chief in the Mediterranean for the time being,
after Admiral Hotham had struck his flag and
returned to England.
One of the first official communications, Avhich
Captain Nelson made to his new Admiral, Avas
a succint d Retrospect of the Vado Campaign,
the greater part of which has been already in
serted. He declared, that OAving to the Agamem
non's staying at Genoa, he had the consolation
to feel so many thousands of Austrians owed
their safety, by the pass of the Bocchetta being
kept open, and amongst others General de Vins
himself. The ingratitude Avhich the Allies of
Great Britain so constantly displayed, to the
utter ruin of themselves and the subsequent
bverthroAV of the political balance of Europe,
Avas rendered still more remarkable, by being
directed against the established fame of Captain
Nelson, and that of the Officers Avho served Avith
him. A greater instance of the degradation of
the European States cannot easily be reserved
for posterity. Notwithstanding all that the re
solute Captain of the Agamemnon had performed,
his acknowledged integrity, his perseverance,
Avhich neither the indolence nor the half mea
sures of others could abate, they, fabricated a
Note, Quarto Edit. Vol, 1; Page 242.

262
malicious falsehood reflecting on that integrity,
and, having poisoned the mind of the good old
King of Sardinia, endeavoured to abate the con
fidence which his OAvn government began to
place in his services. An official communication
from Mr. Drake, gave Captain Nelson the first
intelligence of their designs: yielding, therefore,
to the impulse of his indignant sensations, and
conscious of his uprightness, he immediately ad
dressed the following letter to Lord Grenville,
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated
Agamemnon, Genoa Road, November 23, 1795.
"My Lord, Having received, from Mr. Drake,
a copy of your Lordship's letter to him in Oc
tober, enclosing a paper highly reflecting on the
honour of myself, and other of his Majesty's
Officer's employed on this coast under my orders,
it well becomes me as far as in my poAver lies,
to Avipe away this ignominious stain on our cha
racters. I do, therefore; in behalf of myselfj
and much injured brethren, demand, That the
person, whoever he may be, that Avrote, or gave
that paper to your Lordship, should fully and
expressly, bring home his charge; which, as he
states that this agreement is made by numbers
of people on both sides, there can be no diffi
culty in doing. We dare him, my Lord, to the
proof. If he cannot, I do humbly implore, that
his Majesty Avill be most graciously pleased to
direct his Attorney General to prosecute this
infamous libeller in his Majesty's courts of laAV;

263
and I likewise feel, that, Avithout impropriety,
I may on behalf of my brother Officers, demand
the support of his Majesty's Ministers : For, as
if true, no punishment can be too, great for the
Traitors, so, if false, none can be too heavy for
the Villain, who has dared to allow his pen to
write such a paper. Perhaps I ought to close
my letter here; but I feel too much to rest easy
for a moment, Avhen the honour of the Navy
and our Country, is struck at through us; for if
ten Captains Avhom chance has thrown together,
can instantly join in such a traitorous measure,
it is fair to conclude Ave are all bad.
" As this traitorous agreement could not be
carried on but by concert of all the Captains,
if they were on the Stations allotted them ; and,
as they could only be drawn from those stations
by orders from me, I do most fully acquit all my
brother Captains from such a combination; and
have to request, That I maybe considered as
the only responsible person for what is done
under my command, if I approve of the conduct
of those under my orders, Avhich in this most
public manner I beg leave to do: for Officers
more alert, and more anxious for the good and
honour of their King and Country, can scarcely
ever fall to the lot of any commanding officer;
their names" I place at the end of this letter.
e Captains Fremantle, Hope, Cockburn, Hon. C.Elphin-
stone, Shields, Middleton, Plampin, Brisba.n.e, T. Elphinstone,
M'Namara.

264
For myself, from my earliest youth I have been
in the naval Service; and, in tAvo Avars, have been
in more than one hundred and forty skirmishes
and battles, at sea and on shore; have lost an
eye, and have often bled in fighting the enemies
of my King and Country: and God knoAvs, in
stead of Riches, my little fortune has been dimi
nished in the service: But I shall not trouble
your Lordship further at present, than just to
say, That at the close of this Campaign, where
I have had the pleasure to receive the appro
bation of the Generals of the allied poA\-ers; of
his Excellency Mr. Drake, Avho has been always
on the spot; of Mr. Trevor, Avho has been at a
distance; Avhen I expected and hoped from the
representations of his Majesty's Ministers, that
his Majesty Avould have most graciously conde
scended to have favourably noticed my earnest
desire to serve him, instead of all my fancied ap
probation, to receive an accusation of a most
traitorous nature — it has almost been too much
for me to bear: Conscious Innocence, I hope,
Avill support me."
As the subject of this letter was of so delicate
and extraordinary a nature, it Avas deemed expe
dient, previous to its meeting the public eye, that
it should be laid before the Hon. Mr. Trevor;*
f The original letter was transmitted by the Viscountess Percival
to the Hon. Mr. Trevor, and his subsequent answer in explanation
of the subject is addressed to her Ladyship, dated Nbv. 29, 1807„

265
and the following is the answer which he trans
mitted. "I return you the very energetic let
ter of my late noble friend; it Avas no doubt
addressed to Lord Grem ille, from Avhom the
paper alluded to must have been officially sent
to Mr. Drake. A scandalous and calumniating
suspicion prevailed at that time amongst the
Allies, that there existed a criminal conniA-ance
between the British cruisers in the Mediterra
nean, and the coasting vessels of the enemy;
Avhereby they were permitted to land their car
goes for the supply of the French army in the
Riviera of Genoa. . .1 never saAv the injurious
paper in question. From his ignorance of naval
affairs, the Austrian Commander, Avho felt the
effects of the misfortune Avithout sufficiently
attending to its cause, easily listened to the mis
representations that were made to him upon the
subject, and transmitted them to his Court;
Avhence, or through the medium of that of Turin,
they reached England. The accusation Avas pro
bably vague and general: it does not appear
that any names Avere mentioned; the nature and
the channel of the information, did not admit
of any public refutation of it, and Commodore
Nelson s letter, as well as Mr. Drake's ansAver,
Avould have been more than sufficient to oblite
rate in a moment any attention that might have
been given to it by government.
" With regard to the mention made in Nel-
.son's letter, of my approbation of his conduct,

266
I cannot help adding a little on that subject,
because it belongs to one of the circumstances
in my life, Avhich I recollect Avith the greatest
pleasure. It Avas I think in 1795, that this great
man, Avith Avhom I had been in official corre
spondence, and with Avhom and Mr. Drake many
conferences had been held on board the Aa:a-
men; non, and Avhom I even then looked up to
Avith admiration; sent me a letter expressive of
uneasiness and disappointment, that his ardour
and faithful services had not been more favour
ably attended to by government, and requesting
me to furnish him Avith a letter to Ministers
expressive of my sense of his services, as far as
they had fallen Avithin the sphere of my obser
vation, or knowledge, I have often regretted
that this letter, Avhich subsequent events have
since made a curious and interesting document,
Avas burnt Avith my papers at Turin; but I possess
a copy of my ansAver to it, Avhich concluded
with these Avords, And I shall ever consider it as
the proudest circumstance in my life, that such a
character, as Commodore Nelson's, should have
thought a testimonial of mine could add any thing
to its lustre."
{1795.) His correspondence Avith Mrs. Nelson,
occasionally gives a nearer vieAv of the real sen
timents of this great and extraordinary man.
On the Cd of December, Avhen at sea, he said,
" Lord Hood Avill have discovered, that from
my last letter to him respecting the defeat of

267
the Austrians on the 23d of November, the loss
of Vado Avould consequently follow. Tell hiraj
the French had collected full a hundred sail
of vessels, in case of failure, to carry off their
troops; they had also ten or tAvelve gun-vessels,
as many privateers, and a man of Avar brig. I
described to the Admiral the great service that
the destruction of these vessels vvould be of*
many of them being laden with corn, on Avhich
the French General had laid an embargo; and,
as I had not force enough, I begged of the Ad
miral, if he came to sea, to look at this fleet
himself, offering, if he Avould permit me the ho
nour, to lead the Culloden and Courageux to
the attack, and Avith my then squadron of fri
gates, to take or destroy the Avhole: I pretend
not to say, the Austrians Avould not have been
beat, had not the gun-boats harassed them, for
on my conscience I believe they Avould; but I
believe the French would not have attacked, had
we destroyed all the vessels of war, transports,
&c. The Austrians, by all accounts, did not
stand firm. The French, half naked, Avere de
termined to conquer or die; and had I not,
though I own against my inclination, been kept
at Genoa, from eight to ten thousand men Avould
have been taken prisoners, and amongst the
number General de Vins himself. For the
French plan, well laid, Avas to possess a post in
the road these people fled by, retreat it could
not be called, for, except a part of the army

268
under General Wallis of about ten thousand
men, it Avas, the Devil take the hindmost. I
had a lieutenant, two midshipmen, and sixteen
men taken at Vado; the purser of the ship,
who Avas there, ran Avith the Austrians eighteen
miles Avithout stopping: the men Avithout any
arms whatever, officers Avithout soldiers, Avomen
without assistance. Thus has ended my Cam
paign  Let the blame be Avhere it may, I do
not believe any party will seriously lay it at my
door; and if they do, I am perfectly easy as to
the consequences. I sincerely hope an inquiry
may take place, the Avorld Avould then knoAV
hoAV hard I have fagged, — Sir John Jervis ar
rived at St. Fiorenzo on the 29th of November,
to the great joy of some and sorroAv of others."
(1795.) In a letter to Sir Gilbert Elliot, dated
at sea, Dec. 4, ,he gave an ample detail of these
disastrous events near Genoa. "My Campaign
is closed by the defeat of the Austrian army,
and the consequent loss of Vado and every
place in- the Riviera of Genoa; and I am on my
way to refit poor Agamemnon and her miserable
ship's company at Leghorn.* We are, indeed,
worn out. . Except six days, I have never been
one hour off the station. The extraordinary
events which have taken place near Genoa; and
the plan which was laid by the French, to take
post between Voltri and Savona, perhaps you
are acquainted Avith; if not I will inform you.
Seven hundred men were enlisted and embarked,

269
with 7000 stand of arms, on board the Braave
French frigate in Genoa, and many small lateen
vessels. These, on a certain night, Avere to haAre
landed in a strong post between Voltri and
Savona, to be joined in small feluccas by 1000
men from Borghetto; and an insurrection of
the Genoese peasantry, we have every reason
to believe, Avould have been made for forty
miles up a valley towards- Piedmont: but the
money going from Genoa, tempted these people
to make an attack before their time, which
certainly caused the plan to miscarry. Great
preparation being made at Genoa, the Agamem
non Avas called for might and main, to prevent
the plan, Avhich I most effectually did; and so
fearful Avere the Imperial Minister and General
of my leaving Genoa, that I Avas told, if I quit
ted Genoa, the loss of 3000 Austrians would be
the certain consequence. Thus I Avas placed in
a cleft stick; if I left Genoa, the loss of 3000
men Avould be laid to my charge, and if I Avas
not at Pietra, the gun-boats Avould unmolested
harass the left flank of the army, and their defeat
might very probably be laid to the Avant of as
sistance from gAgamemnon."
The Agamemnon arrived at Leghorn Dec. 6*,
1795; and on the 8th, Captain Nelson informed
Sir Hyde Parker, that the Lowestoffe and con
voy, OAving to the precaution of leaving the
g See Quarto Edit, Vol. 1. Page 248. His letter to Mr. Draly?,

270
Meleager, Captain Cockburn, off Vado, had
been saved. He received some information of
the appearance and state of the French Army,
after their late victory, from his officers Avho
had been made prisoners at Vado, and he com
municated this account, on the 18th of Decem
ber, 1795, Avhen writing to his wife. "I have
had letters from my poor lieutenant and mid
shipmen, telling me, that feAv of the French
Soldiers are more than 23 or 24 years old; a
great many do not exceed 14 years, all Avithout
clothes; and my officers add, they are sure my
barge's crew Avould have beat a hundred of
them, and that, had I seen them, I should not
have thought if the world had been covered
Avith such people, that they could have beat the
Austrian army. The oldest officers say, they
never heard of so complete a defeat, and cer
tainly Avithout any reason. The King of Sar
dinia was very near concluding a hasty peace
in the panic: hoAvever, I believe, Ave shall noAv
make peace, Avhen the Emperor must do the
same." (1795.) In a letter to Sir John Jervis, Dec. 21,
Captain Nelson said, uBy the first zveek in January,
I hope tliat Agamemnon will be as fit for sea as a
rotten ship can be. I have written to Genoa, di
recting Captain Cockburn to take the ships in
that port under his protection to Leghorn; but
should they, from any change of circumstances,
not wish to leave Genoa, the Meleager is then

271
to join me here, by Dec. 31, Avhen I shall order
Captain Cockburn to be ready for sea." — When
the Agamemnon came into dock to be refitted,
there Avas not a mast, yard, sail, or any part of
the rigging, but was obliged to be repaired,
owing to the shot she had received. Her hull
had been long secured by cables served round.
(1796.) If we consider the political aspect of
Italy, at the beginning of this year, Ave shall
perceive an extraordinary Avant of national
energy, and a general Aveakness throughout its
different States, accompanied with that fatal
supineness Avhich has generally preceded the
dissolution of all governments. The royal house
of Sardinia, the guardian of the Alps and con
sequently the natural bulwark of Italy, Avas in*
deed represented by the good Monarch, Victor-
Amedee, as great and as much beloved as any
of his illustrious ancestors; but the intrigues
and seditious practices, Avhich the French fo
mented throughout the whole of his Piedmon-
tese dominions, rendered the zeal of this Sove
reign ineffectual, and even his poAver precarious.
The court of Naples, OAvlng to the spirit of its
Queen, Avho at that time Avas convulsed at the
name of a Frenchman, appeared ready to make
exertions for the support of the good cause; but
a variety of reasons„prevented this Court from
acting Avith a corresponding degree of energy.
The Nation Avas loyal, but its Government had
grown feeble; and its Statesmen had no fixed

272
principle of public integrity. — The unfortunate
Pontiff, Pius VI. although deeply affected at
the impending dangers, entertained hopes of
averting the ruin Avith Avhich the States of the
church of Rome Avere threatened, by remaining
inactive and becoming a silent spectator of
the ovenvhelming devastation. That excellent.
Prince, Ferdinand, Grand Duke of Tuscany,
with the highest sense of moderation and libe
rality, Avas assisted by the great political abili
ties of his Minister Manfredini and the diplo
matic experience of the Comte Carletti; but
both Avere foiled by the neAV measures and bare
faced depredations of the French, Avhose rapacity
they vainly expected to lull asleep by unbounded
concessions. The Republic of Venice Avas go
verned by the Doge Manin, and by some dis
tinguished Senators, avIio whilst they Avished at
any rate to preserve their independence, Avere
at the same time fearful of forfeiting their landed
property in Terra Firma. The Doge of Genoa,
Brignolje, though Avell intentioned, Avas a man
of no abilities; nor Avere his colleagues in go
vernment, in any respect, his superiors. The
Genoese Nobles, although proverbially proud,
and retaining an utter detestation of the French,
had all considerable sums of money invested in
the French funds, and were all equally jealous
of the good King of Sardinia, Avhom they con
sidered as the natural enemy of their indepen
dence. They also Avished to take advantage of

273
the general confusion, to become in a great mea
sure the exclusive carriers of the French; and
for a long time deluded themselves by believing,
that Avhen the Directory had sworn destruction
to monarchies, they had resolved to spate re
publics. Such was the general State of Italy, Avhen the
destroying genius of Buonaparte Avas sent to
consummate its misery. Having through the
means of Barras and a marriage with the lady
he recommended, obtained the command of the
French army in Italy, this young and enterpri
sing General arrived at his head-quarters early
in the spring of 1796". General Beaulieu Avas
appointed, after some time, to" the conimand of
the Emperor's forces, and General Colli con
tinued at the head of the Sardinian troops.
On the 6th of January, 1796, whilst the Aga
memnon remained at Leghorn to refit, Captain
Nelson in Avriting to his wife, said, "The French,
I am certain, Avill this Spring make a great exer
tion to get into Italy, and I think Sir John Jervis
must be active to keep them out. They zvill im
prove on their last year's folly. I am convinced
in my mvn mind, that I knozo their very landing
place. If they mean to carry on the rear, they must
penetrate into Italy. Holland and Flanders, zoith
their own Country*, they have entirely stripped. Italy
is the gold mine; and, if once entered, is without the
means of resistance."
On the 19th of January, the Agamemnon
T

274
joined Sir John Jervis' fleet in Fiorenzo Bay,
where Captain Nelson had his first interview
Avith that Admiral; Avho, notAvithstanding the
jealousy and envy that prevailed against Nel
son, very soon became his steady and liberal
patron. The next day the folloAving account of
his reception was sent to Mrs. Nelson. "We
Avere received, not only with the greatest atten
tion, but with much apparent friendship. Sir
John Jervis' offer of either the St. George, 90, or
Zealous, 74, was declined; but with that respect,
and sense of obligation on my part, Avhich such
handsome conduct demanded of me. I found
the Admiral anxious to know many things,
which I was a good deal surprised to find had
not been communicated to him from others in
the fleet; and it Avould appear, that he Avas so
well satisfied with my opinion of Avhat is likely
to happen, and the means of prevention to be
taken, that he had no reserve Avith me respect
ing his information and ideas, of Avhat is likely
to be done. He concluded by asking me, If I
should have any objection to serve under him,
Avith my flag; my answer was, That if I were
ordered to hoist my flag, I should certainly be happy
in serving under him ; but if Agamemnon were or
dered to go home, and my flag were not arrived,
I should on many accounts xvish to return to Eng-
gland; yet still, if the war continued, I should be
very proud of the honour of hoisting my flag under his
command: and, I rather believe, Sir John Jervis

275
writes home this day, that if the Fleet is kept
here, my flag, on a promotion, may be sent to
the Mediterranean. The credit I derive from
all these compliments must be satisfactory to
you; and, should I remain until peace, which
cannot be very long, you will I sincerely hope
make your mind easy."
The Rev. Edmund Nelson to his Son Horatio,
dated Jan. 4, 1796.
" The commencement of a new Year, calls on
a Father's tender and affectionate feelings, to
rejoice Avith you on the many extraordinary
escapes you have experienced, Avhich do evi
dence a providential hand that has guarded you
from impending dangers: may that > Great and
Good Being still be your Shield and Defender.
I have also further joy in perceiving those self-
approving reflections, which arise from a con
sciousness of having done all, that the great
trust reposed in you could require; and this
you must feel iu the highest degree. May you,
my dear Son, add year to year through a long
life, Avith the indescribable delight, that your
oavii heart condemns you not  The almost
daily proofs of your faithful observance of your
various professional duties, are pleasing com
pensations for your long absence: every dis
appointment has its consolation, every storm its
succeeding sunshine, and we bring this home
immediately to ourselves. You are noAv in the
very meridian of life, and have daily oppor-
T 2

276
tunities of growing rich in knoAvledge, of filling
your honest and well disposed heart Avith the
stores of good grain, which in time to come,
when the mental powers shall decay, shall prove
a treasure and make, good Avhat time has stolen
aAvay. Old age is only made pleasant by happy
reflections, and by reaping the harvest Ave have
sown iu youth. Be assured, my good Son, I
now regret to find that my stock in this respect
is low: my education, situation in life, and op-
portunities of improvement, have been all against
me. But, thank God! I still retain some sources
of delight. My setting Sun is clearer than
Avhen it Avas mid-day. My blessings are innu
merable, my Avishes most abundantly fulfilled.
God bless you ! and prosper all you undertake.
Farewell. Edmund Nelson." — Such letters,- as
Mr. Roscoeh observes of one addressed by Lo
renzo de Medici to his celebrated Son, may be
considered as the guide of the future life and
fortunes of the person to whom they Avere ad
dressed: they could not fail of making a lasting-
impression on his affectionate and religious dis
position. (1796.) Captain Nelson soon perceived, that
the active and enterprising mind of Sir John
Jervis Avas congenial Avith his own. Before the
Agamemnon sailed from Fiorenzo, they had fre
quent conferences together, and the former Avas
h Vol. II. 8vo. edition, p. lflS.

'277
not long in acquiring that confidence from his
Admiral, Avhich gradually enabled Nelson to at
tain the summit of his*own ambition, and even
tually to promote the renown of his Commander
in Chief. His correspondence Avith Sir John
Jervis, at first, merely gave the official detail
of the services on which the Agamemnon was
employed. To Mrs Nelson, Gulf of Genoa, Jan. 27, 1796.
" I sent you a line just as I was getting under
sail from St, Fiorenzo. The fleet was not a little
surprised at my leaving them so soon, and, I
fancy, there was some degree of envy attached
to the surprise; for one Captain told me, You
did just as you pleased in Lord Hood's time, the
same in Admiral Hot ham's, and nmo again xoitk
Sir John Jervis; it makes no difference to you who
is Commander in chief: I returned a pretty strong
ansAver to this speech. — My command here is to
prevent any small number of men from making
a descent in Italy."
Off the Hieres Islands, in continuation, Feb. 17-
"Time, my dear Fanny, will soon wear aAvay,
when Ave shall, I doubt not, possess a Cottage
of our OAvn and an ample income to live on, if
not in luxury, at least in comfort. As yet, I
appear to stand well with Sir John Jervis, and
it shall not be my fault, if I do not continue to
do so, my conduct has no mystery: } freely
communicate my knoAvledge and observations,
and only wish, that Avhatever Admiral I serve

278
under, may make a proper use of it. God for
bid, I should have any other consideration on
Service, than the Good of my Country. — I am
noAv sent to examine the state of the ships in
Toulon; their numbers Ave knoAv full well, but
the accounts of the state they are in, are so
contradictory, as fa leave us uncertain. Sir
John Jervis is at present inferior to the French :
they have built five sail of the line since Ave left
Toulon, — (Feb. 28.) I am noAv on my Avay to
Genoa, having been joined by the Admiral on
the 23d, off Toulon. The French have thirteen
sail of the line and five frigates ready for sea;
and four or five Avhich are in great fonvardness,
are fitting in the Arsenal. Sir John Jervis from
his manner, as I plainly perceive, does not Avish
me to leave this station. He seems at present
to consider me more as an associate, than a
subordinate officer; for I am acting Avithout
any orders. This may have its difficulties at a
future day; but I make none, knoAving the up
rightness of my intentions. He asked me, if I
had heard any more of my promotion? I told
him, no: his answer Avas, "You must have a
larger ship, for we cannot spare you, either as
Captain or Admiral. "
From Genoa Mole the Agamemnon sailed to
Leghorn to refit; but previous to this, Captain
Nelson on the 4th of March requested further
information from Mr. Trevor, respecting the
actual state of Sardinia. On the 16th, when at

279
Sea, he fonvarded to Sir John Jervis a part of
this diplomatic correspondence: "I beg leave,
Sir, to transmit copies of all the letters that have
passed between me and his Majesty's Ministers
at Turin, Genoa, and Naples, that you may be
in full possession of my conduct, and know Avhe-
ther I am worthy the honour of commanding
the Squadron intrusted to my direction. My
last letter to Mr. Drake, dated yesterday, is of
so very important a nature, and the opinion I
have given so. very decisive, that. I must request
you will send me your ideas of my conduct, as
soon as possible: should it unfortunately be dis
approbation, I have only to regret that my abi
lities are not equal to my zeal."
(1?96.) The following extracts are from the
letters that Avere enclosed to the Commander in
Chief, the principal of which Avas one that had
been received from Mr. Drake, dated Milan, r
March 6. "My dear Sir, It was with great
satisfaction that I learnt from your letters, Feb.
28, and March 2, your safe arrival at Genoa,
after so perilous a passage to Toulon. — I have
given directions to Mr. Brame, to communicate
to you and Sir John Jervis, or any officer you
may depute, Avhatever intelligence he may re
ceive from Toulon, interesting to our Navy. I
suppose the alarms respecting the Duchy of
Masso Carrera are subsided for the present ;
but I do not think it by any means an improba
ble conjecture, that the Toulon armament may '

280
be directed against the Gulf of Especia, in order
to procure -an entry for the French troops into
Italy, on that side .... I am so deeply involved
in business of various sorts, that I cannot at
present get aAvay from this place, othenvise I
should endeavour to see you at Genoa; that I
might confide to you some operations Avhich I
have lately proposed to Lord Grenville and his
Majesty's Ministers, and in which I have taken
the liberty of mentioning you for the principal
actor. I expect an answer to my proposals in
the course of this month, and if they are agreed
to, I shall make a point of seeing you, as \rell
as the Admiral, Avherever you may be, either
at Leghorn or Genoa. I cannot venture to say
more than this, in a letter by the common post.
I have every reason to hope, that the Emperor
will be able to reassume his superiority in this
quarter. No Commander in Chief is yet ap
pointed in the room of de Vins; but the famous
General Beaulieu is arrived here, and if he does
not actually command, he will undoubtedly have
a very considerable influence on the military
operations. I shall give you some ideas of the
plans Avhich it is intended to folloAv, by a future
opportunity. All prospects of peace have com
pletely vanished, and I suppose the armistice on
the Rhine Avill soon give place to hostilities.
The French government holds a very high lan
guage; but I am credibly informed, that its
arrogance is confined to the gazettes, and the

281
sittings of the two Councils. The Directory
trembles, and feels' conscious that its credit, nay
even its existence, depends on the issue of the
first battle."
(1796.) Mr. Drake having returned for a feAv
days unexpectedly to Genoa, requested an im
mediate interview Avith Captain Nelson, who
had sent an official communication to his Ex
cellency, dated March 15: "Having receh'ed
information, on Avhich I am told I may depeud,
that Salicetti is now here Avith other Commis
sioners, for the express purpose of expediting
the operations of the French army, towards the
invasion of Italy; and that one of the three
columns into Avhich that army is to be divided, is
either to penetrate through the Genoese terri
tory, or to be conveyed coastAvays to take pos
session of Port Especia, which will instantly
give them the flat country as far as Leghorn,
and no doubt but a small army appearing before
Leghorn, Avould Avithout any difficulty make
themselves masters of it; I therefore feel it my
duty, as Commanding Officer of his Majesty's
squadron employed on this coast, and in . the
absence of the naval Commander in chief, to
state clearly the fatal consequences Avhich Avill
attend this plan of the French commissioners.
The possession of Port Especia will ahvays give
an easy access to every part of Italy, even to
the kingdom of Naples, and also security to
transports, ships of war, and small vessels; and

282
I moreover beg it may be understood, that if
the French flotilla proceeds along the coast, our
ships of Avar cannot molest them; not being able
to approach the coast, from the shalloAvness of
the water. I must besides observe, that the
enemy possessing Leghorn, cuts off all our sup-
plies, and of course our fleet cannot ahvays be
looked for on the northern coast of Italy. I
therefore beg leave to state, that to obviate
these misfortunes, tAvo plans are necessary to be
attended to : the first, and best, is the possession
of Vado Bay ; this done, as far as human fore
sight can discern, Italy is safe; the next is the
taking of Port Especia — and, as a sea officer, I
beg leave to say, that unless one of these plans
is adopted, my Admiral, and Commander in
Chief of his Majesty's fleet, cannot ansAver for
the safety of Italy from any attempts that may
be made on it coastAvays."
On the 16th of March, having seen Mr.
Drake, Nelson sent a second letter to his Ad
miral, giving him an account of that interview.
" Mr. Drake having expressed a Avish to see me,
to communicate many things, Avhich he did not
think it right to trust to paper, I arrived yes
terday morning at Genoa, Avith Meleager and
Blanche, and held a conference Avith him. The
same cause, which prevented him from writing,
prevents me from entering fully on the part of
the plan intimated in his letter, and Avhich at
present is submitted to the consideration of

283
Ministers: but, Avhen I have the honour of
meeting you, I am at full liberty to communi
cate it; for I Avould receive no information, or
plans, which I might not freely communicate to
you. Mr. Drake expressed himself pleased at
your determination to give the Austrian General
a meeting, Avhenever he chose to bring his army
on the coast: but, at the same time, he said, he
found it extremely difficult to make them hear
of the Riviera, although he had pressed very
much to have the plan of the last year carried
into execution; Avith the exception, in the first
instance, of penetrating into Provence. The
Commander in Chief of the Army Avas not yet
fixed on ; but it was understood, that the Arch
duke was to be the nominal, and General
Beaulieu the active Commander in Chief; that
Beaulieu wished to meet the French in the
plains of Lombardy, and then to folloAv up the
blow Avhich he had no doubt Avould be decisive.
"I could not help observing, That the very
reason why the General Avished to meet them
in a particular place, would of course be the
reason Avhy the French Avould not penetrate by
that route;' and that respecting the information
Avhich I had received, of the intention of the
Directory to order the movement of their army
in three columns, one by Ceva, another by the
pass of the Bochetta, and another to march
through the Genoese territory, or be carried
coastways to Port Especia, which Avould give

284
them an easy entry into the plains of Italy; I
had no doubt the tAvo first would be. feints, and,
the last the real plan.— -I .must .here observe,
that, before night, Mr. Drake had the same in
formation communicated to him; and also, that
a body of troops Avould be embarked on board
the fleet, the moment Richery arrived from
Cadiz, and a push be made for Port Especia.
This information induced me, and if possible more
strongly than ever, to press the measure of
taking Vado, or Port Especia, Avithout delay; and
J added, that without one, or the other Avas-
done, you could not answer for the safety of
Italy coastways, it being noAV perfectly clear
for what the two hundred flat boats Avere built,
and the numerous gun-boats fitted out. Mr.
Drake told me, that he had already urged the
measure of taking Vado, and Avould continue
to do it, and would also instantly press the ne
cessity of possessing Port Especia ; if I Avould
declare, that our naval force should support the
Austrians from attacks by sea; which, I said,
there could be no doubt of, for it would be the
home of our squadron employed on this coast.
He then desired me to give my opinion in Avri-
ting, as the authority of a sea officer would have
more weight than all he could urge; and this
was the cause of my writing the letter, on Avhich
I am so anxious to obtain your sentiments."
Such constant anxiety and exertion of mind,
were almost too much for the constitution of

285
Nelson; for in a letter to Mr. Drake, on the
25th of March, he said, " I do not know Avhen
I have been so ill, as during this cruise, but I
hope a good opening to the Campaign Avill set
me quite to rights. Whilst I receive from your
Excellency, from Mr. Trevor, and my Admiral,
every approbation of my conduct, I should be
a Avretch not to exert myself." — When Avriting
to Mrs. Nelson on the same date, he sent home
to her and his father, the following very ho
nourable testimony to his exertions, from Sir
John Jervis. "I have received by the Blanche,
your two letters, of the 16th and 19th instant,
together Avith the several enclosures,, and copies
of your correspondence at Turin, Genoa, and
Naples; and I feel the greatest satisfaction, in
communicating this public testimony of my
thorough approbation of your late conduct, and
recent correspondence." In his private letter,
Sir John Jervis added, " No words can express
the sense I entertain of every part of your con
duct, and I shall be very happy to manifest it
in the most substantial manner: a distinguishing-
pendant you shall certainly Avear, and I will
Avrite to Lord Spencer about you. In short
there is nothing, Avithin my grasp, that I shall
not be proud to confer on you." — All this, my
dear Fanny, is certainly flattering and pleasant;
and these blossoms may one day bring forth
fruit. I have just read in the papers, that Ad
miral Christian has a red ribbon; and it has

286
given me pleasure to see, that merit, although
unfortunate, is not always neglected. God bless
you, and give us a happy meeting and soon,
is the most sincere wish of your affectionate
husband." On the Sth of April, 1796, the Commodore
sent to Sir John Jervis a most able 'reply to those
complaints of insult and accusations of a breach
of neutrality, Avhich the republic of Genoa con
tinued to forAvard, OAving to French influence,
through its minister the Marquis of Spinola, to
our Court. It concluded in the folloAving man
ner. " Having thus, Sir, ansAvered every part
of the accusation made by the Genoese Minister,
I beg leave tb say a feAv Avords on his conclusion,
which is certainly a most extraordinary one.
To pretend to assert, that although our enemies
take possession of and continue in the republic
of Genoa, Ave are not, by every means in our
poAver, to attack them both at sea and on shore,
will hear reasoning upon ; but I can with truth
declare, that in the act of distressing our enemies
in the republic of Genoa, the greatest forbear
ance and even acts of kindness, have been
constantly sheAvn to individual Genoese. The
republic of Genoa has iioav had six months un
molested fraternization Avith the French army;
» See Quarto Edit. Vol. 1. Page 265 — 267. and also Commo
dore Nelson's conversation with the Baron de Malcamp, Pages
270, and 271.

287
and I am assured, that the inhabitants of the
republic had rather again encounter our fancied
breaches of neutrality, and violation of territory!,
than the fraternal embraces of the French troops,
whioh have been given to their women, their
churches, and olive trees."
(1796.) The Agamemnon's broad Pendant had
not been long flying off Genoa, before the cir
cumstance of the Commodore's arrival, rendered
the diplomatic corps extremely anxious to enjoy
the advantage of that decision and intuitive
conception of the proceedings of the enemy,
which marked the character of Nelson. A mes
sage was accordingly despatched to request his
immediate attendance, and in his letter to the
Admiral, April 9, he seems to chide himself for
an unavoidable delay. " On my arrival off
here, yesterday morning, I Avas so strongly
pressed by the Sardinian and Imperial Ministers
to come into the port, in order that they might
have some conversation with me, that, although
rather against my inclination of anchoring, I
could not refuse; and I ain just going on shore
to meet them. There has been some little
skirmishing between the advanced piquets of
the two armies in the vicinity of Voltri; but it
is generally thought the French will retire to
Savona, Vado, &c. Ceva and Ormea are to be
the two places attacked by them; but I hope
General Beaulieu on his passing the heights of
Vado, may find an opportunity of taking them,

288
and give us the anchorage of Vado Bay. W*e
are on the best terms with the Genoese; and
as far as a private communication to the Secre
tary of State, through Mr. Brame, they are cer-v
tain of our good disposition tOAvards them, and
of our sincere Avishesto see the Republic really
enjoying her neutrality: At the same time, I
desired Mr. Brame to signify, that vessels, to
Avhatever nation they belonged, bound to France
with provisions or stores, Avould be seized; that
I Avished this to be understood, and that the
seizures of vessels belonging to Genoese sub
jects, in the situation alluded to, ought not to
be considered as hostile to the Genoese flag;
for all other nations Avere precisely in the same
situation; To this the Secretary replied, in his
private character, That if merchants Avould run
the risk, it rested with them, and that he did not
think the government had any concern in it;
that he should acquaint the Doge of the conver
sation, and Avas very happy to see me here with
a broad pendant, Avhich Avas saluted. The Secre^
tary Avas full of praises of , the late Austrian
army; not a sixpence of debt had been left be
hind, nor an individual injured by their stay
in the Riviera; contrasting it with the conduct
of the Frei.eh. Salicetti is gone from Genoa.
" I am just returned on board, and enclosed
send you a copy of my note Avhich is gone off
by express to General Beaulieu. The Ministers
of the Emperor, and King of Sardinia, Avere

289
pleased with it; and I hope it Avill meet with
your approbation also. I have found from ex
perience that Ave cannot be too clear with these
gentlemen, and I am determined to leave no
room for them to say, IVc thought you could do this
thing, or the er'icr.
Commodore Nelson's Note to General Beaulieu.
'•Does General Beaulieu Avish the English
squadron should cruise off any particular point
of the Coast, Avhence it may be satisfactory for
the General to see it from the mountains, and of
course be discouraging to the French ? — It Avould
be attended with this risk, That calms, or contrary
Avinds, might put the squadron at a distance, at
the time General Beaulieu may arrive on the
coast: Avould the General, therefore, rather have
us remain at Genoa, with a moral certainty of
joining him in ten, or twelve hours, after the
news of his arrival on the coast is sent to me?
"Next consideration: If General Beaulieu
seuds me notice, at Avhat particular time and
place it is probable he may attack the French, in
that case it is almost certain I could be very near
at hand, and act as opportuuity might offer ; for
instance — suppose the attack is on the heights
over SaA'ona ; the squadron, if the weather be
moderate, could anchor about five or six miles
from Savona, instead of Avaiting at Genoa. These
considerations are submitted to General Beaulieu,
who has only to express his wishes to have them
as far as is possible, complied with." — Notwith-
u

290
standing these wise precautions on the part of
the Commodore, the Austrian attack on the
enemy did not ansAver, as he could have Avished;
for in Avriting to Mr. Drake, April 11, 1796, he
said, ' It had been Avell, but might have been
better; for if I had been fully acquainted Avith
the movements of the Army, I am sure not many
of the French Avould have returned to Savona,
our ships command every foot of the road. I beg
you Avill endeavour to impress on those about the
General, the necessity of punctuality in a joint
operation for its success to be complete. I re
ceived yesterday afternoon at five o'clock, a note
from the Baron de Malcamp, to tell me, that the
General had resolved to attack the French at
daylight this morning and on the right of Voltri:
yet by the Austrians getting too forward in the
afternoon, a slight action took place, and during
the night the French retreated. My movements
I kept secret; and, after the shutting of the gate,
weighed the squadron from Genoa, and at half
past nine I anchored within half gun shot of the
Austrian Camp, sending Diadem and Blanche
to anchor betAveen Voltri and SaA'onna; but fhe
French were aAvare of their perilous situation,
and passed our ships in the night. I do not mean
this as any complaint, but to sheAv the necessity
of punctuality ; for had the'Austrians kept back,
very few of the French could have escaped."
(1796.) The age of the Austrian General,
Field Marshal Beaulieu, Avho was upAvards of 70,

291
though, as Nelson observes in one of his letters,
he still possessed the fire of youth, Avhich for a
short time changed the character of the Cam
paign, must have rendered him a very unequal
match to the enterprising spirit of Buonaparte,
who had scarcely attained his 26th year: his
rapacious love of plunder, and desperate fortunes,
made him prodigal of human blood, and regard
less of the means by which he promoted his own
vieAvs and the Avishes of his republic. Like
Cataline, k he possessed a tongue that could explain,
and a hand that could execute. The consequence
was another defeat of the Austrians, Avhose slow
measures were ill adapted to Avithstand the im
petuosity of half starved soldiers, led on by such
a General. The folio Aving letters from Commo
dore Nelson to Mr. Drake, and H. R. H. the
Duke of Clarence, Avere Avritten subsequent to
the surrender of the gallant Count de Provera,
and to the noble conduct of General Beaulieu at
the village of Dego. The letter to Mr. Drake is
dated April 22 : after noticing the disastrous
events that had taken place, the Commodore
adds, I cannot learn even the number Of the
Austrian army, nor of their loss: had not the
General troops enough ? if not, it is lamentable
indeed. Sir John Jervis only waits until he can
hear something, to form an opinion ; Ave are in
total ignorance. The French have reinforced
k Cicero in Cat. 3. 7.
U 2

292
their seamen at Toulon, to which place Sir John
Jervis will proceed : he Avas in'hopes the presence
of the Fleet might have been of service, but if
that has not been the case, he is better away;
for then no blame can be attached to him. You
will recollect that Admiral Goodall from judg
ment and myself from experience, have uni
formly held out, That it was not in the poAver of
our large ships to stop this coasting business: we
must have a point of land to act from, give us
that, and if supplies then get to the enemy, ex
cept in row-boats, Ave are answerable. I was
placed in the Gulf, to meet the General on
the sea-coast, and my squadron Avould have been
risked to have supported him ; but as he has not
been able to get to the coast, do not let us be
blamed. I Avish Ave had all the French at sea,
there as yet Ave have never failed.'
(1796.) To H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence.
" Sir, I Avish it had been in my power to send
your Royal Highness a good account of the open
ing of the Campaign ; but as the news, good or
bad, must be knoAvn, I think it is proper for me
to give you an exact relation of Avhat has passed.
I shall first call to your recollection a letter of
mine, during the Avinter, Avherein I told you that
I was informed from the French themselves, they
would open the Campaign Avith 80,000 men ; and,
by the first of May, would lay siege to Turin, or
Milan. I shall noAv give your Royal Highness a
brief account of this Campaign, as far as report

293
goes ; for Ave have no official information from
the General.
" On Monday, April 11, the Austrians took
possession of Voltri, ' with 10,000 men; nearly
300 of the enemy Aveie killed, Avounded, or made
prisoners. About 4000 men effected their retreat,
from the attack having commenced tAvelve hours
before the time fixed by General Beaulieu, and
previous to the General's arrival, or I am satis
fied not a Frenchman could have escaped ; and,
by Avhat has folloAA-ed, the disasters commenced
from the retreat of those troops. Our ships so
entirely commanded the road, that had the
General's concerted time and plan been attended
to, I again assert, none of the enemy could have
escaped. These troops retired during the day
and night of the 11th, to Montenotte, about
eight or nine miles on the back of Savona, where
the enemy had about 2000 men posted. At day
break General Argenteau attacked this post with
about 4000 men, not knoAving of the reinforce
ment. He Avas repulsed, and pursued Avith great
loss : 900 Piedmontese troops, 500 Austrians, field
pieces, &c. foil into the enemy's hands. The
killed Ave knoAV not. but it was hard fought. On
the 13th and 14th, the French forced the gorsres
of Millesima, and the village of Dego, Avhich were
well defended, but they Avere carried by superior
numbers. On the morning of the 15th, the Aus-
1 \Vhe:e General Cerroni commanded.

294
trian troops, under Colonel Waskanovick, posted
at Sassello on the right flank and rather in the
rear of the enemy, or as Ave should say on the
starboard quarter, attacked the enemy at Speigno,
and. totally routed them; and not only retook the
20 pieces of cannon Avhich the Austrians had lost,
but also all belonging to the enemy : When un
fortunately the Colonel pursuing his advantage
too far, fell in Avith the main body of the French,
Avho after an obstinate resistance of four hours,
totally defeated him. To add to this misfortune,
General Beaulieu had sent five battalions from
Acqui to support this brave Colonel Waskanovick;
but alas, they arrived too late, and added to the
triumph of the enemy.
"By the best accounts I can learn, the Aus
trians have not lost less than 10,000 men killed,
wounded, and prisoners. The French loss has
also been great, but they can better spare the
men than the Austrians. General Beaulieu has
now AvithdraAvn all his troops from the mountains,
and is encamped at a place called Boseo, on a
plain betAveen Novi and Alessandria, I am yet
in hopes, if the French attack him on the plain,
he may still get on by giving them a total defeat.
The Austrians seem to have been ruined by loss
of posts; but I dare say, it Avas necessary to pos
sess them, and they Avere lost owing to the supe
rior numbers of the enemy.
11 Genoa, two o'clock. The mails are just ar
rived from Milan, and I rejoice that affairs are

295
not so bad as Avas reported. General Argenteau
is arrested, and sent prisoner to Pavia on strong
suspicion of treason. Believe me ever your
Royal Highness's most faithful ser\-ant."
Such Avas the rapid progress of the French in
Italy, under the command of Buonaparte. What
could not be obtained by valour and discipline,
Avas secured by a series of organised treachery,
falsehood, and corruption, which is almost witli
out a parallel in the history of mankind. The
following is the conclusion of one of those decla
matory Orations, Avhich it Avas the custom of this
French General to deliver to his soldiers, after
any signal success. " Nations of Italy ! Our
Army approaches on purpose to burst your fet
ters. France is the friend of every people. Ap
proach our standards with confidence. Your
Religion, your Property, and your Customs shall
all be respected. We Avill carry on War like ge
nerous Enemies ; for Ave have no dispute but Avith
the Tyrants who keep you in servitude."
(1796.) Commodore Nelson to Admiral Sir J. Jer
vis, K. B. dated Genoa, Mole, April .18. — "Sir,
By the time I sail, I Avill make myself master of
the exact force of the enemy that has escaped
us ; report says, tAvo frigates and sixteen trans
ports. They may be alarmed for a night or two,
and it may go off: if you therefore think, Sir,
that the attempt to take the frigates and trans
ports is proper by boats, I beg leave to offer my
self for that distinguished command. The barges

296
and pinnaces will be more than thirty. I think
it may be done; at least, if you approve of the
measure, nothing shall be Avanting on mypart.for
its complete success. My idea is, for ten barges
to attack each frigate, one boat to be especially
appointed with a most confidential officer, to cut
the cable of each frigate, if the Avind is off the
land in ten minutes they must drive put of
soundings, and ten boats would be left for the
attack of the transports. I should Avish you, Sir,
lo consider the matter, and I am then certain
what is proper Avill be done. Tomorrow evening,
at dark, I shall sail from hence and Avill be with
you on Wednesday morning. I grieve Avhen the
French have any good fortune by sea." — The con
voy here alluded to by Commodore Nelson, got
into Vado Bay whilst Sir John Jervis Avas off that
place Avith his Avhole Fleet. In consequence of the
above letter, the Admiral sent Captain Cockburn
to reconnoitre the position of these French fri
gates; but Avhen the Meleager looked into Vado,
it appeared that the enemy had escaped under
cover of the preceding night.
The supply which the French had thus gained,
-weighed extremely on the zealous mind of Nel
son; and this had been increased by the arrival
of fresh supplies, which he had Avitnessed whilst
-on board Sir J. Jervis's ship, and described on
his return, in a letter to Mr. Drake, dated Genoa
Road, April 19th, "To increase my measure of
sorrow, a number of vessels, under convoy of

297
gun-boats, got into Savona Mole and Vado Bay
on Sunday evening. I Avas on board the Victory,
and saAv them myself — pollacres, brigs, and gal
leys. The imperial Miliister, and Mr. Nomis, I
believe, fancy, that because our Fleet saAv them,
it Avas very possible for us to stop their course :
they knoAV but little of Avhat a Fleet can do, and
therefore they are in some measure excusable.
(1796.) The support Avhich Commodore Nelson
so invariably received from his Admiral, and the
scope which thus Avas given for a display of his
great abilities, is highly honourable to the cha
racter of Sir John Jervis. It is but seldom that
humble individuals are thus allowed a preference,
amidst the juggle of political interests, and the
claims of political connexions. Happy is the
Country, and honourable is the Service, in which
such a Avise and noble conduct can long be perse
vered in. The folloAving letter to Mrs. Nelson
describes the effect which such conduct had
on the feelings of her husband, dated Gulf of
Venice, April 24. " You will be informed, from
my late letters, -that Sir J. Jervis has such an
opinion of my conduct, that he is using every
influence, both public and private, Avith Lord
Spencer for my continuance on this station; and
I am certain you must feel the superior pleasure
of knowing, that my integrity and plainness of
conduct are the cause of my being kept from
you; to the receiving me as a person, whom no
Commander in Chief would wish to keep under

298
his flag. Sir John was a perfect stranger to me,
therefore I feel the more flattered;, and Avhen I
reflect that I have had the unbounded confidence
of three Commanders in Chief, I cannot but feel
a conscious pride, and that I possess abilities.
Rest assured, my dearest Fanny, of my unabated
and steady Affection, Avhich, if possible, is in
creasing by that propriety of conduct Avhich
you pursue.
( 1 796. ) Commodore Nelson to Admiral Sir John
Jervis, dated off Loano, April 25.— "This morning
having received information, that a convoy laden
with "stores for the French army had anchored at
Loano, I lost no time in proceeding off that place
with the ships named in the margin. m On my
approach, I was sorry to observe that instead of
a Convoy, only four vessels Avere lying under the
batteries; Ayhich opened on our nearing them,
and the fire was returned as our ships got up,
under cover of Avhich our boats boarded the four
vessels and brought them off: but these vessels"
lying very near the shore, a heavy fire of mus-
quetry Avas kept up on our boats, and it is Avith
the greatest grief I have to mention, that Lieu
tenant James Noble of the Agamemnon, a most
Avorthy and gallant officer, is I fear mortally
Avounded." Captain George Cockburn Avas on the same
day despatched with the four prizes to Leghorn,
¦ Meleager, Diadem, Peterell,

299
Avith orders to rejoin the Commodore as soon as
possible. Sir John Jervis transmitted this offi
cial communication to the Admiralty on the 1 1th
of May, and expressed the satisfaction which he
felt in having an Officer of such zeal, and local
knoAvtedge, in the ihiportant station Avhich the
Commodore occupied.
(1796.) Amidst the general wreck of the Con
tinent of Italy, Avhich Avas noAv daily increased,
the unhappy situation of the good King of Sardi
nia particularly merits attention. Surrounded by
treachery, and insulted by an enemy avIio framed
mischief as it were by a law, this aged Sovereign
was at times even disposed to doubt the sincerity
of his realfriends. And whilst he possessed proofs,
as he assured one of our foreign Ministers, that
aBritish Admiral had in a preceding Century been
AvithdraAvn from his duty by a bribe, his Majesty
did not so implicitly rely, as he ought to have
done, on the honour of the English character.
Commodore Nelson in Avriting to Sir John Jervis
on the 26th pf April, and first of May, noticed
that consequent want of firmness Avhich the Court
of Turin displayed, aud thus concluded:
" I have thus, Sir, got to the end of our naval
business, and shall therefore now take up the ac
count of the proceedings of General Beaulieu,
and the Sardinians, where Mr. Drake leaves off.
The treaty is finished, and an armistice is agreed
on, until the return of the courier from Paris. I

300
never had much faith in the Sardinian Ministers,
after their extraordinary request to me last year,
and I much fear they have not done their utmost
to defend Piedmont, and the French seem to have
understood them. Neither Ceva, nor the strong
posts, were then taken, as I sent you Avord in a
former letter, nor are they to this day. TAventy
thousand French pushed fonvard to Avithin six
miles of Turin : General Beaulieu advancing with
celerity from Acqui, Avas on one side of the plain,
and next day Avould have attacked the French
army. The French had already begun to retreat,
.when an express reached him that an armistice,
and most probably a peace, had taken place be
tAveen the Sardinians and French. Mr. Trevor,
with the Imperial, Neapolitan, and Russian Mi
nisters, waited on the King, to desire that Ales
sandria and Tortona might be delivered up to the
Germans, Avhich Avas peremptorily refused : upon
this the Ministers quitted the kingdom, Avithout
taking leave, and it is very probable we have now
an additional enemy. General Beaulieu is re
treating, I am told, tOAvards the Milanese ; but
how. far he has fallen back, I do not hear. The
French near Acqui are very ill supplied, and the
convoy expected is. of the greatest importance to
their future operations; I am told if it does not
reach them, they must come again to the sea
coast. I learn with pleasure that we knocked to
pieces the largest of the batteries at Loano, and
killed 25 French in it. The place is also very

301
much damaged, which I regret ; but these things
must happen Avhere batteries are situated in a
toAvn. I have authorised Mr. Brame to declare,
should any conversation Avith the Secretary of
State here turn that way, that I Avill never fire
the first shot; and, therefore, if the inhabitants
of the Genoese toAvns prevent the French from
firing, Avhich they can do if they please, their
towns are safe; if they do not, the act rests with
them, P. S. I have great pleasure in saying my
poor Lieutenant, Noble, is still alive, and Ave have
some hopes. — May 2. General Beaulieu's army
has taken post at Valenza, and between that place
and Alessandria. The King of Sardinia, if the
Convention ratifies the treaty, is to give up
Cuneo and Alessandria, some say Suza; the lat
ter place, I believe, as security for his punctual
adherence to the treaty. I have Avritten to Mr.
Drake what I have desired Mr. Brame to say. .."
"As this," added he in writing to Sir J. Jervis,
^ "should be the language of the Secretary of State
here, can he for a moment fancy that I will re
ceive shot and shells from every part of the coast,
and not consider it as a hostile one? This indeed
he may be assured of, that I never have, nor ever
will fire the first shot; but if shot are fired, I will
do my utmost to destroy the batteries firing at
the English flag, although, in doing this, I shall
, guard as much as possible against injuring any
individual Genoese, a Nation Avhich I respect on
many accounts. The Secretary however must

• 302
be sensible, that the fire of cannon once opened,
is terrible to a town."
(1796.) The spirit with which Sir John Jervis
resisted these continual Insults of the Italians,
appears, amongst other documents, from the fol
lowing letter, sent by that Admiral, to the Hon.
W. F. Wyndham, dated, Victory, off Toulon, 5th
of May.' "Sir, I very much admire the manner,
in Avhich your Excellency has treated (he subject
of the outrage committed upon his Majesty's
colours, within the limits of the port of Leghorn,
and I have read Avith indignation the language
held by the Tuscan Minister. I have, in addi
tion, to complain of two flagrant violations of
the Neutrality, which ought to subsist between
the two Courts, in the fort at Leghorn having
fired shot at his Majesty's ship la Minerve, and a
transport under her convoy, and at his Majesty's
sloops, l'Eclair, Vanneau, and the Fox cutter.
After having pledged my Avord of honour to the
late Governor Serrati, that I Avould be answerable
for the conduct of his Majesty's ships under my
command, I little expected so soon to have heard
of an insult, bordering on hostility, committed
against the British nation, not to be endured
for a moment. The crew of l'Horrible are, I
conceive, to be considered as pirates to all in
tents and purposes, and to be tried as such: if
there were any consistency in the French go
vernment, the Minister of that republic at Flo
rence Avould be the first to demand it. There

303
being no tribunal in Tuscany eompetent to the
decision of an act of piracy, I can scarcely be
lieve — because the laAV of nations upon a crime
so destructive to commerce and navigation, is
equally binding on all civilized Countries. I
request your Excellency will have the goodness
to make the strongest remonstrances against
these unjustifiable proceedings."
(1796.) The Commodore left Genoa on the 3d
of May, and on the next day joined the Blanche,
and the Meleager also arrived from Leghorn. In
a letter on the Sth to his Admiral he said, " Yes
terday evening Ave chased into Loano a French
gun-boat, two light brigs, and one deep one,
they came last from the anchorage at Alassio;
but Ave are rather inclined to believe they sailed
at first from Vado : it fell stark calm, as Ave
got Avithin shot, and dark. Several shot struck
the Blanche, and one a hot one, Avhich set her on
fire, but Ave soon got the shot cut out, and toAved
off; her sails and rigging Avere also cut, but not
a man Avas killed or Avounded. With our general
good luck, not a shot struck us, and only one
gun was fired from the squadron ; Ave Avere long
gun shot distant, and it Avould have been merely
a Avaste of poAvder and shot. The enemy have
at least 500 men at Avork building a neAV battery,
and I am Avaiting for a good Avind to get at
them, Avhen I shall fully expect the deep laden
brig. "Two brigs, and several tartans, having got

304
into Finale, which we supposed to be French,
I took the opportunity of the enemy's fancying
Ave Ave re looking at them, to send, the boats of
the squadron, under Lieutenants Culverhouse,
Compton and Drummond, belonging to Melea
ger, Agamemnon, and Peterell, and also Lieu
tenant Grant of the Blanche, to cut out the
vessels at Finale; which they did Avithout a
person in the town, or vessels, knoAving it: but
they were all Genoese, and I released them this
morning, sending a note to the Governor of
Finale, Avhich I trust can do no harm and may
be of some use to us.'
To the same, dated Leghorn Roads, May 18. — I
have felt, and do feel, Sir, every degree of
sensibility, and gratitude, for your kind and
flattering attention, in directing me to hoist a
distinguishing pendant; but as the service, for
which it Avas intended to be useful, is nearly, if
not quite at an end, I assure you I shall have
no regret in striking it; for it Avill afford me an
opportunity of serving nearer your flag, and of
endeaA^ouring to sheAv by my attention in a
subordinate station, that I was not umvorthy of
commanding. Reports are afloat that a Promo
tion is certainly very near; and, if so, the Ad
miralty Avil! either direct my flag to be hoisted
here, or I shall have a land voyage.
"I must noAv, dear Sir, take the liberty of
saying a Avord respecting my health. It cer
tainly h not bad, on the contrary I believe it

305
is better than Avhat medical people assert; but,
I believe, a little rest and the baths of Pisa,
the same nearly as those of Bath, Avould render
me great benefit. If I could without any im
pediment to the service, take twenty days to
fit me for another winter, I should not dislike
it; and yet, perhaps, I shall do without it. — I do
not much like Avhat I have written."
( J 796 ) In a letter to MrS. Nelson, on the 20th
of May, from Leghorn, he mentioned with his
usual gratitude, a relation who had shewn hint
a most generous and marked attention. "This
may possibly find you at Mr. Suckling's;" if so,
I beg you Avill say every kind thing for me.
We are certainly under greater obligations to
him, than to any one, he is a good man, and
a respectable character. — If I am ordered to hoist
my flag in this country, the compliment is great;
and therefore Ave must both' rest contented for
a little time. The French must soon be tired,
and I believe all our Allies are so already. The
Dukes of Parma, and of Modena, have both
made treaties with the French, paying large
sums of money; and, in their treaties, it is spe
cified that certain pictures are to be delivered
to be sent to Paris. The palace of the Louvre
is to have the finest gallery of pictures in the
" The late Mr. William Suckling, of the Custom House, then
residing at Kentish Town, brother to Captain Maurice Suckling,
R. N. died at the close of the year 1798.
X

306
world. The Pope has offered ten millions of
crowns to pf event their coming to Rome; and
it is said they have refused it, unless the famous
statue of the Apollo Belvidere is sent to Paris.
What a race of people ! but they have done
wonders. Reinforcements are coming to join
General Beaulieu; and the inhabitants of the
Tyrol, a hardy and Avarlike nation, are rising to
join the General. If all the states of Italy make
peace, we have nothing to look to but Corsica;
'which, in the present state of its inhabitants, is
not, in my opinion, an object to keep us in the
Mediterranean: we shall, I hope, quit it, and
employ our Fleet more to our advantage."
(1795.) When Avriting to Sir John Jervis, May
30, he thus noticed the arrival of an officer, Avho
afterwards served so long Avith him. " Lieu
tenant Berry joined me in the Comet, and I
have as far as I have seen, every reason to be
satisfied Avith him, both as a gentleman and an
officer. I had a few days ago a plan for taking
the French brig of Avar out of Vado, and in
trusted the execution of it to him : it miscarried
from an unforeseen and improbable event, but
I was much pleased by Mr. Berry's strict atten
tion to my instructions.
"The Meleager joined me yesterday, and I
send you, Sir, all the letters and information
received by her. Mr. Trevor seems to think a
Spanish Avar is almost unavoidable, and that the
French, after all their protestations, will take,

307
possession of Leghorn. My mind is clear, if
they have force to penetrate further into Italy,
they will possess themselves of that place. The
Toulon information is, as I ahvays v thought,
pleasant to know, but never to be depended
upon; all is guess, they may go east, west,
north, or south. These Commissioners' knoAV
nothing, they write a history to get money, and
in this I fancy they succeed Avonderfully well.
I hope to hear from Mr. Drake of the actual
situation of the Armies, and if he has hopes:
should he have none (for he will have them, if
within probability, however distant) I shall not
have the smallest."
(1796.) On May 31, Commodore Nelson'ssqua-
dron gained additional honour. by the capture of a
valuable convoy of arms, intrenching tools, and
ammunition, Avhich had been sent to Buonaparte
for carrying on the siege of Mantua. The fol
lowing is the official account Avhich the Commo
dore sent to Sir John Jervis, dated June 1, off
Oneglia. "Sir, _At two P. M. yesterday, seeing
six sail running along shore, Avhich I believed to
be French, and knoAving the great consequence
of intercepting the cannon and ordnance stores
that I had information Avere expected from Tou
lon, to be landed at S. Pier d'Arena for the Siege
of Mantua, I made the signal for a general
chace, Avhen the vessels hoisted French colours
and anchored close under a battery. I directed
Captain Cockburn of the Meleager to lead me
x 2

308
in, Avhich he did in a most officerlike manner,
and at three o'clock the Meleager, and Agamem
non, anchored in less than four fathoms Avater,
as did soon aftenvards the Peterell and Speedy.
After a short resistance from the battery, and
vessels, Ave took possession of them. It is im
possible I can do justice to the alacrity and
gallantry ever conspicuous in my little squa
dron: Our boats boarded the national ketch,
the Commodore of the convoy, in the fire of
three eighteen-pounders, and one eighteen-poun-
der in a gun-boat. The Blanche and Diadem
being to leeAvard, the former could not anchor
until the vessels had struck; but the boats of
all' the ships Avere active in getting the prizes
off the shore, the enemy having cut their cables
when they surrendered. A smart fire of mus-
quetry was kept up from the shore during the
Avhole of this service. The Agamemnon's masts,
sails, and rigging, are a little cut, but of no
material consequence.
" Much as I feel indebted to every Officer in
the squadron, yet I cannot omit the mention of
the great support, and assistance, I haA'e ever
received from Captain Cockburn, who has been
nearly a year under my command on this sta
tion; and I should feel myself guilty of neglect
of duty, Avere I not to represent his zeal, ability,
and courage, Avhich are conspicuous on every
occasion that offers. Enclosed I transmit you
a list of the killed and Avounded, and of the
vessels taken."

309
t Sir John Jervis transmitted this letter to the
Admiralty, on the 8th of June, 1796, when off
Toulou, and added, "Their Lordships are so
thoroughly acquainted with the vigilance and
enterprise of Commodore Nelson, that I forbear
to repeat his merits."
In writing afterwards to Sir John Jervis, Cap
tain Nelson said, "In my public letter it Avas
impossible to enumerate every individual; but
next to Captain Cockburn, stands Captain Stuart
of the Peterell; Spicer" commanded the boats
which first boarded the ketch, under the heavy
fire, and had a little skirmish when on board,
and to him the Commander surrendered."
(1796.) The gratefulmanner in Avhich the affec-,
tionate disposition of Nelson expressed his obli
gations to his Commanding Officer, and his rigid
determination to remain afloat notwithstanding
a most painful indisposition, are expressed in a
letter dated June 3. *' I feel obligations to you
on every occasion, since I have had the pleasure
of serving under «your command; and I endea
vour by an assiduous attention to my duty, to
merit the continuance of your good opinion. I
shall not go to Pisa at present, we may be useful
here; and, to say the truth, Avhen I am actively
employed, I am not so bad. My complaint is as
0 The following officers, as appears from some memoranda,
were at this time Lieutenants of the Agamemnon, 1. Berry,
2. Spicer, 3. Suckling, 4. Summers. 5. Noble, 6. Compton,

310
if a girth Avere buckled taut over my breast, and
my endeavour, in the night, is to get it loose.
If the service will admit of it, I shall, perhaps,
at a future day take your leave. I Avish, Sir,
that Captain Cockburn had the Minerve; he is
Avorthy of her, or a better ship. My poor soldier
officer (Lieutenant Pearson) Avishes much to go
with me; if it be possible, pray indulge us."
An apprehension which the Commodore some
times indulged, in those moments of depression
Avhich the great exertions both of his mind and
body produced, Avas the painful idea, that having
been so long in the Mediterranean, in an old
and worn out ship, he should be removed from
serving under the flag of an Admiral, Avho had
shewn him such attention. Whilst in this state
of mind, he received one of those encouraging
and flattering letters from Sir J. Jervis, Avhich
never fail to impart additional energy to a
zealous and ingenuous mind. Nelson's ansAver
is dated Fiorenzo, June A, 1796, "I feel highly
flattered by your desire to haA7e me to continue
to serve under your command, Avhich I own
Avould afford me infinite satisfaction; and I there
fore beg leave to propose some measures, that
may still give me that pleasure.
"The first is, although the Agamemnon can
certainly remain in this country for the next
three months, she must be in England before
the winter. Another is, that if a sixty-four is
ordered to go, although Diadeur is certainly iri

311
better plight than Agamemnon, yet in point of
sailing she is much inferior. The third is, if
you really think that the Admiralty Will order
my Flag to be hoisted in this country, that you
A\rould direct me to hoist my pendant on board
any ship you judge proper. You Avill easily per
ceive that my wishes to stay are sincere; Avere
they not, after your kindness to me, I .should
be ungrateful.
June 5th. I am not, Dear Sir, less anxious
than yesterday, for having slept since my last
letter: — indeed I cannot bear the thoughts of
leaving your command. You have placed an
unbounded confidence in me, and, I own, I feel
that no exertion of mine has been Avanting for
a moment, to merit so great an honour."
(1796.) Amidst the excesses and cruelty which
the French at this time committed, it Avas their
custom to sell their Austrian prisoners to the
Spaniards, who transported some of these Avretch;
ed victims to their mines in South America, and
selected the best for recruits. This outrage to
all humanity, was also noticed by the Comman
der in Chief, Sir John Jervis, in the following
letter to Lord Bute: "The French commis
sioners, on the coast of Genoa, make a practice
of selling the Austrian prisoners to the agents
for recruiting the Spanish army. Commodore
Nelson has fortunately had an opportunity of
ineontestably proving the fact, and Avas suppli-
pated by the aforementioned agents nofc to re-

312 '
port upon it. But he has my orders, to make
an exact representation of the case to the
General commanding the Austrian army in
Italy, and a formal complaint may be expected
shortly from the Court of Vienna to that of
Madrid." — In another letter to Mr. Jackson,
Secretary of Legation at Turin, Sir John Jervis
added: "From a Swiss dealer in human flesh,
the demand made upon me to deliver up 152
Austrian grenadiers, serving on board his Ma
jesty's Fleet under my command, is natural
enough; but that a Spaniard who is a noble
creature, should join in such a demand, I must
confess astonishes me; and I can only account
for it, by the Chevalier Caamano being ignorant,
that the persons in question Avere made prisoners
of Avar in the last affair of General Beaulieu, and
are not deserters, and that they Avere most basely
and inhumanly sold by the French, commissaries,
in the western Riviera of Genoa, vto the vile
primps who recruit for the foreign regiments in
the service of Spain. It is high time a stop
should be put to this abominable traffic, a million
times more disgraceful than the African slave
trade; and I trust the strong remonstrances
about to be made by the Court of Vienna, to
the Court of Madrid, xviil produce the desired
effect, In the mean Avhile, I request you Avill
make my acknoAvledgments to Mr. Wickham,
for the judicious manner in Avhich he treated

313
the subject, in his correspondence Avith the
Chevalier Caamano."p
The sanguine mind of the Commodore re
ceived, whilst at St. Fiorenzo, the completion
of his wishes; and,1 on the 9th of June, he thus
expressed to the Admiral the satisfaction which
his kindness had afforded: I rejoice, my dear Sir,
not a little, at the certainty of remaining under
your Command: four hours will change all my mat
ters, and I am very anxious to resume my station.
XVI. He also took an early opportunity to send
home intelligence of this mark of favour Avith
his Commander; which gratified Nelson the
more, from his knoAving that so many Officers
were then moving all their interest to be sent
out to the Mediterranean. The folloAving is
the first letter that was Avritten after leaving
his old ship the Agamemnon, dated Captain, at
sea, June 13. "You Avill see, my dear Fanny,
by the date of this letter, that I have at last
left poor old Agamemnon. Whether it is right
or wrong, time must determine. I have re
mained in a state of uncertainty for a week; and
had the corn ships Avhich were momentarily
expected from Naples, arrived, I should have
Sailed for England. The Admiral has on every
occasion behaved with the greatest attention to
p The communication from Commodore Nelson, which Sir J.
Jervis noticed, when writing to Lord Bute, as incontestably
proving this nefarious traffic, is dated June 5, 1796. See Quarto
Edit. Vol.i. Page 280.

314
me; and, if I am to serve, it is better I should
serve in this country, Avhere I am knoAvn and
respected, than to take my chance by being sent
home and ordered to another station.
On June 19th, the Commodore commenced
his correspondence Avith Colonel Graham, re
specting the operations of the allied Army, and
such communications as he Avished to make to
General Beaulieu; and on the 20th, according
to Sir John Jervis' directions, he also began a
confidential correspondence Avith Mr. Graves at
Rome, on such subjects as came within the limits
of the command between Toulon and Genoa.
In a letter to Captain Locker of the same
date, June 20th, Nelson informed him, that, on
Captain Sutton's declining to go home in the
Egmont, he stood for England in the Agamem
non for more than a Aveek; hoAvever, Avhen it
was known in the Fleet that the Ee-mont did not
return, many wished to go, and the Commander
of the Captain being in a bad state of health,
had the preference: "I left Sir J, Jervis," adds
the Commodore, "yesterday off Toulon, in good
health and spirits, he most particularly desired
me to make his kindest remembrances to you,
and to say, he had not a moment to spare from
the constant correspondence he is obliged to
continue; for our ministers at all the Italian
ports are constantly writing. As to news, the
armies of the French so far outnumber General
Beaulieu, that he has been obliged to retreat

315
into the Tyrol." — It may be here observed, that
notwithstanding the numbers of the French Army
and its skill, it OAved still more to that series of
bribery and treachery, Avhtch gradually became
established into a' Military System: " It is Avell
known," says apolitical Avriter, •' that Buouaparte
one day incautiously declared, That the Austrian
^ , army cost him more than his ozvn." q
(1796.) On the 23d of June, Commodore
Nelson sent the folloAving letter to his Admiral:
" The complaints of the Genoese government,
are so ridiculous, that I hardly know Avhat to
say: if Ave are to allow- the free passage of the
Enemy coast ways, weare useless. The best mode,
in my opinion, is to speak openly — that so long
as the French are in possession of batteries on the
coast, whkh fire on our ships, so long we shall consi
der it as an enemy's coast. I have the pleasure to
declare, our conduct has so completely alarmed
the French, that all their coasting trade is at an
end; even the corvettes, gun-boats, &c. Avhich
were moored under the fortresses of Vado, have
not thought themselves in security, but are all
gone into Savona Mole, and have unbent their
sails." These Complaiuts being afterwards officially
presented against the Commodore, in a most
illiberal manner, he felt himself obliged in
honour to answer them to his Admiral, June 25th,
t ' #
f J send you, my dear Sir, a full reply to th<|
% Nouveaii Iotereti de l'Europe,

316
three complaints of the Genoese Secretary of
State, a copy of Avhich I have also enclosed for
Mr. Drake, that he may ansAver the government
of Genoa, if he thinks it right. The Genoese
can only make these complaints to please the
French; but I cannot think it right, that Ave are
to be traduced to please any Nation on earth."
In this Statement ' the Commodore entered into
a long and necessary detail of facts; and repelled,
with his wonted ability, the uncandid accusations
which the Genoese government had preferred
against him to Lord Grenville, Avithout affording
the Commodore an opportunity, as he declared,
of refuting, or even explaining his conduct: A
measure, added he, which I consider as tending, in a
certain degree, to injure my character, by the possi*
bility of an impression remaining on the mind of my
Sovereign, of my having acted wrong.
The following letter to Sir John Jervis gives
some interesting details of the operations of the
French army under Buonaparte, when taking
possession of Leghorn. " Leghorn Roads, June
the %&th. Sir, I made the best of my Avay to
this place, as I Avrote you word from Genoa was
my intention ; but from calms, and contrary
winds, it Avas yesterday morning before I an
chored in the northern road of this port. The
French took possession of the town about one
» The only copy that remains, which consists of five folio
pages, is in the collection of Earl St, Vincent, dated June 24,

317
o'clock, and immediately fired on the Incon
stant, and a prize of Captain Hood's laden Avith
timber; but Without doing them any damage.
The exertions of Captain Fremantle" must have
been very great; for the Consul, and Mr. Fon-
nereau, tell me, that except bad debts and the
loss of furniture, nothing of any great conse
quence was left in the town. I hear the Go
vernor behaved Avith all the attention in his
poAver to the English, by doubling the guards
on the Mole to prevent them from being mo
lested in getting out their vessels; and, that
when it Avas represented to him, that 200 bul
locks, and some bread, Avere shipping for the
English, his ansAver Avas, Leghorn is a free port,
and shall remain so, until I. receive contrary orders
from the Grand Duke.
" I have just detained a fishing boat from
the toAvn: the troops entered at Porta Pisa, and
marched through Via Grande to the Mole bat
tery. General Buonaparte Avent to the palace
of the Grand Duke, and thence made a visit to
the Governor and took possession of the house
of the English Consul. A French sentinel is
mounted at the gates Avith a Tuscan. Except
the French troops necessary for the batteries,
the rest lie outside the toAvn, on the glacis, for
not one has a tent. The Governor set off di
rectly for Florence. I have Avritten to say,
• Twenty-three sail of square-rigged vessels, and fourteen
tartans, put to sea with this officer.

318
That Avhatever may be their policy, in Avith-
holding a few vegetables and fruit from me,--
yet that their fishing-boats might safely go out
as usual; for Ave never wished to distress inno
cent inhabitants. I intend remaining here for a
day or tAvo, in order to prevent any English ship
from entering, until the neAvs may spread about.
It is then my intention to proceed to St. Fio--
renzo, to get wine, Avood, &c. and thence to go
to Genoa. I find my ship well manned, although
not active."
(1796.) In a letter to Sir Gilbert Elliot, the
Viceroy of Corsica, dated from Sjt. Fiorenzo,
July the 1st, the Commodore further noticed
the proceedings of the French at Leghorn : —
"The English are under infinite obligations to
Spannochi, avIio is suffering for it, and to Cap
tain Fremantle. You may be assured that no
exertions of my oavii Avere Avanting to have got
sooner to Leghorn; but it Avas Thursday noon
before Ave heard the rumour at Genoa, and on
the same day they knew it at Leghorn, Avhen
an express Avas sent me. Calms prevented my
arrival until Monday morning: fortunately my
assistance Avas not wanted, and it Avas owing to
these apparently unlucky calms that so much
property Avas saved."
The good faith of the Governor Spannochi.
1 Spannochi was by birth a Neapolitan, and had commanded,
in 1793, the Guiscardi at Toulon, under tlie Mareshal Forte-
guerri.

319
formed a striking contrast to the ignoble con
duct of those Avho were so ready to make any
peace with the enemies of their Country. The
following are the curious epistles which on this
occasion passed betAveen Buonaparte and the
Grand Duke of Tuscany. " Leghorn, June 29.
Royal Highness, An hour before we entered
Leghorn, an English frigate carried off tAvo
French ships Avorth 500,000 livres. The Go
vernor suffered them to be taken under the fire
of his batteries, Avhich Avas contrary to the
intention of your Royal Highness, and the neu
trality of the port of Leghorn. I prefer a com
plaint to your R. H. against this Governor, Avho
in his whole conduct displays a decided hatred
against the French. He yesterday endeavoured,
at the moment of our arrival, to make the people
rise up against us, there is no kind of ill treat
ment he did not cause our advanced guard to
experience. I should doubtless have been jjysti-
f\cd in bringing him to trial before a military
commission; but from respect for your Royal
Highness, and being intimately convinced of
the spirit of justice, Avhich directs all your
actions, I preferred sending him to Florence,
Avhere I am persuaded, you will give orders to
have him punished severely. I must, at the
same time, return my thanks to your R. H. for
your goodness in appointing General Strasoldo
to supply the army with every thing that was
necessary, he has acquitted himself Auth equal

320
Zeal and success. Buonaparte."— *-To this insolent
abuse of the brave Spannochi succeeded the fol-
loAving letter of his Sovereign. " General, Ge
neral Spannochi, confined by your order, has
been brought hither. It is a point of delicacy
to keep him in arrest until the motives of this
step, Avhich I presume to be just, are known to
me: in order to give you, as Avell as the French
republic and all Europe, the greatest proof of
equity conformably~to the laAvs of my Country,
to which I have always made it my duty to sub
mit myself. I send this letter by the Marquis
Manfredini, my major dpmo, Avhom I request
you to inform in Avhat Spannochi has been cul
pable. You may besides repose full confidence
in him relative to all the objects interesting to
the repose of my subjects. I ardently desire to
receive a letter, Avritten by yourself, Avhich in
the present circumstances may render me com
pletely tranquil, and at the same time confirm
the repose of Tuscany. Ferdinand."
(1796) Early in the morning of the 8th of July,
Commodore Nelson, then close off the Melora,
received a letter from the Viceroy of Corsica,
Avith Avhom he had orders to cooperate in all
respects, respecting his intention to possess
Porto Ferrajo; upon which the Commodore
instantly dispatched the Meleager Avith the
above letter to Genoa, and directed Captain
Cockburn to remain forty-eight hours in that
port, in order to receive Avhatever information

321
could be collected ; Avhilst he himself proceeded
with the Peterell sloop, off Porto Ferrajo. —
During the night he sent in a boat to see Avhe-
ther the French or English had possession of
the place, and found the Southampton lyiiig
there: in the morning, the convoy hoA7e in
sight, and the Inconstant, Captain Fremantle,
was seen working up to join him.
Sir Gilbert Elliot, in his letter to the Go
vernor of Porto Ferrajo, dated Bastia, July 6,
grave him the foUoAvins; reasons for the measures
Avhich the insidious conduct of the French had
induced the Viceroy "fo adopt. " Sir: The
French troops have taken possession of the city
of Leghorn; the cannon of the fortresses have
been directed against the ships of the King in
the road, and the property of his Majesty's sub
jects at Leghorn has been violated, notwith
standing the neutrality of his R. H. the Grand
Duke of Tuscan)*, and the reiterated protesta
tions of the French to respect it. There is like-
Avise reason to believe, that the French have the
same intentions upon the fortress of Porto Fer
rajo, hoping by such means to facilitate the de
signs Avhich they meditate against the kingdom
of Corsica. These circumstances have deter
mined us to prevent the plans of the enemies of
the King, Avhich are equally hostile to the Grand
Duke, by placing at Porto Ferrajo a garrison
capable of defending that place; our only inten
tion being to prevent that fortress, and the a\ hole
T

322
island of Elba, from falling into the hands of the
French. We invite and request you, Sir, to
receive the troops of his Majesty, Avhich will
appear before the place, under the folloAving
conditions :" — According to these, Porto Ferrajo
and its dependencies were to remain under the
government of the Grand Duke; and in the most
solemn manner a promise was made, that the
troops should retire, and the place be restored,
at the peace.
(1796.) This naval station, the chief port of the
island of Elba, Avas by nature very strong, and the
citadel nearly impregnable. It has a fine mole
for vessels of a small draught, and a commodious
bay for large , ships, Avhere they may obtain an
abundance of good water. Captain Stuart of
the Peterell, and Lieutenant Gourly of the
Vanneau, had nobly volunteered their services
to the Commodore, to go in Avith a detachment
of the troops on board their two vessels, and
having beaten doAvn the sea-gate, to force their
way into the town. But though Nelson admired
their spirit, he thought the enterprize too ha
zardous to be attempted. The troops having
been all landed, advanced Avithin musket shot of
the citadel ; and the Commodore, in his letter to
Admiral Sir John Jervis, dated Captain, Porto
Ferrajo, July 10, detailed the proceedings of
the squadron, and of the troops under his
orders, in taking possession of that place. " Sir:
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the

S2S
troops under the command of Major Duncan
took possession of the forts, and toAvn of Porto
Ferrajo, this day at ten o'clock. On my join
ing the convoy from Bastia yesterday forenoon,
Major Duncan having done me the favour to
come on board, Ave concerted on the most proper
methods for speedily executing the instructions
which the Viceroy had given him. The troops
were landed last night about a mile to the Avest-
ward of the toAvn, under the direction of Captain
Stuart of the Petere'll; and the Major immedi
ately marched close to the gate on the Avestern
side, and at five o'clock this morning sent in to
the Governor the Viceroy's letter, containing
the terms which Avould be granted to the town,
and gave him two hours for the answer. At
half past five I came on shore, when Ave received
a message from the Governor, desiring one hour
more to consult with the principal inhabitants.
We took this opportunity to assure those who
Avere Tuscans, that they should receive no injury
Avhatever in their persons, or property.
" Having ordered the ships and vessels into
the harbour, to their several stations before
appointed, the Major and myself determined',
should the terms offered be rejected, instantly to
open the fire of the ships, and to storm the place,
on every point from the land and sea. The har
mony and good understanding between the Army
and Navy employed on this occasion, will I trust
T 2

324
be a further proof of what may be effected by the
hearty cooperation of the tAvo services.
" I cannot conclude without expressing my
fullest approbation of the zeal and good conduct
of every Captain, officer, and man in the squa
dron ; and also, thatjduring the time I Avas neces
sarily employed on shore, my first lieutenant,
Edward Berry, commanded the ship, and placed
her opposite the grand bastion, Avithin half pistol
Shot; and in such a manner as could not have
failed, had Ave opened our fire, to produce the
greatest effect. The place is mounted with one
hundred pieces of cannon, and garrisoned by
400 regulars, besides militia."
(1796.) Commodore Nelson to Sir John Jervis,
dated Leghorn Roads, July the ISth. " Dear
Sir: I hope his Holiness the Pope may yet Avage
war against the French. I have never heard
that he has been in actual hostility against
them. The blockade of Leghorn is complete,
not a vessel can go in or come out Avithout my
permission. Yesterday a Dane came out laden
with oil and Avinefor Genoa: I told him he must
return, or I should send him to Corsica. -His
answer Avas, ' I am a Neutral, and you may take
me, but I Avill not return.' I therefore took pos
session, and intended giving him to a Corsican
privateer; Avhen, in about tAvo hours, he begged
I would alloAV him to return. On this I sent him
back with a letter to the Danish Consul, whence

325
the folloAving is ah extract: Respect for the
Danish flag, and humanity to the owners of this
vessel, impel me to return her into their possession,
and not proceed to those extremities which the laws
-of nations allozv in case of a declared blockaded
port. This I am satisfied Avas a trial of Avhat I
intended; for he said, all the neutrals were deter
mined to come out. If Ave are firm, the Grand
Duke will sorely repent his admission of the
French : his repeated proclamations for the
people to be quiet, have given time to the
French to lay poAvder under all the Avorks; and,
in case of any disturbance, they say, up shall go
the works. Cannon are pointed from the Avail to
every street, and all the cannon and mortars are
mounted ; the famous long brass gun is on the
mole head, and also a mortar. The Grand Duke
declares he yet hopes the Directory will order
Buonaparte to leave Leghorn, but I believe the
French now Avish to get into fortified tOAvns, to
prolong the campaign.
" The Captain has her Avants, but I intend she
shall last until the autumn; for I knOw Avhen once
Ave begin, our Avants are innumerable. I hope
the Admiralty Avill send ouf fresh ships. The
French are fitting out here from four to six tar
tans, Avith thirty-six pounders, to drive me out
of the roads; but I am prepared against fire
vessels, arid all other plans, as Avell as 1 am able.
The tartans, it is said, Avill be out to-night: tAVO
thousand French are arrived, and more are ex-

326
pected. I have only noAv to beg, that Avhenever
you think the enemy Avill face you on the Avater,
you Avill send for me; for my heart Avould break
to be absent at such a glorious time."
( 1 796. ) Commodore Nelson to H. R. H. the Duke
of Clarence, dated Captain, Leghorn Roads, under
sail for Genoa, July 20. " Sir: I Avas this morn
ing honoured with your Royal Highness's letter
of May 30th, and it gives me real satisfaction to
be assured of the continuance of your good opi
nion. Indeed I can say Avith truth, that no one
whom you may have been pleased to honour with
your notice, has a more sincere attachment for
you than myself. It has pleased God this war,
not only to give me frequent opportunities of
shewing myself an Officer Avorthy of trust, but
also to prosper all my undertakings in the highest
degree. I have had the extreme good fortune,
not only to be noticed in my immediate line of
duty, but also to obtain the repeated approbation
of his Majesty's Ministers at Turin, Genoa, and
Naples, as vvell as of the Viceroy of Corsica, for
my conduct in the various opinions I have been
called upon to give, and my judgment being
formed from common sense, I have never yet
heen mistaken.
"You Avill hear of our taking possession of
Porto Ferrajo; if Ave had not, to a certainty the
French Avould, and then they would have been
too near Corsica, Avhere I fear Ave have an un
grateful set of people, and one party acknoAv-

327
ledged friends to the French, which, although
greatly outnumbered by our friends, constantly
makes disturbances. The armistice of the Pope
and King of Naples, Avill I believe come to no
thing; it Avas only done to gain time, and they
will be guided by the success or defeat of the
Austrians. The King of Naples is firm, he has
been by far the most faithful ally of England:
He is at the head of 80,000 men at Velletri, only
two posts from Rome; Avhere the people are ripe
for a revolt, and already declare that the busts,
statues, and manuscripts, shall not go out of
Rome. Tlie French possessing themselves of
Leghorn, so contrary to the repeated pledges
of the Directory, will afford such an opportunity
for all the Italian States to break Avith them
again, that perhaps they may be induced to
give it up : the King of Naples, if they refuse,
would march to attack it, and we are sure of the
lower order at Leghorn. The garrison is rein
forced to 5000 men, and provisions are getting
into the citadel: the French General has told
the inhabitants, that if they are not quiet, he
would bloAV all the works up round the town,
and Avhich in fact Avould bloAV half the toAvn up :
the mines are laid; large vessels are also fitting
with forty-tAvo pounders, and furnaces, to annoy
me ; but I am prepared, as much as possible,
against whatever may happen."
The cordiality which prevailed amongst all
those Avho at this time held high situations in

328
the Mediterranean, is a proof that the interests
of the British Nation had been intrusted to men
of great and liberal minds, avIio wanted no addi
tional impulse or fresh instructions from the
cabinet, to regulate their conduct. " I Avas un
acquainted, " says Sir J. Jervis, in A^riting to
Mr. Wyndham," "with the enterprise against
Porto Ferrajo, until it came into our possession,
having given orders to Commodore Nelson to
cooperate in all respects Avith the Viceroy," The
confidence which the Commander in Chief, the
Viceroy, and the Commodore, uniformly pos
sessed in each other, appears in all their opera
tions; the o,nly object they appeared to covet,
was Honour. " I experience, Sir," said Nelson,
in Ayritjng to Sir J. Jervis, August 1, " the
highest degree of pleasuYe Avhich an officer is ca
pable of feeling, the full approbation pf his Com
mander in Chief; Avhich rnust not be a little

» Amidst those Ministers in the Mediterranean, whose sound
integrity and loyalty were in 1796 opposed to the craft and de-"
mocratic subtilty of the French, the Hon. William Wyndham
particularly deserves notice, as being related to that celebrated
Royalist, Sir Thomas Wyndham, who is mentioned with so much
honour by Hume. ,f A few days hefore his death, in 1636, Sir
T, Wyndham called to him his five sons ,• My children, said he,
ive have hitherto seen serene and quiet times wider our three last
Sovereigns : hut 1 must now ivarn you to prepare for clouds and
storms, factions arise, on every side, and threaten the tranquillity of
your native Country. But •whatever happens, do you faithfully,
honour and olcy your Prince, and adhere te, the Croxvn though it
should hang on a lush."

, ' • 329 ' ,
increased by, knowing that his Commander is
such a character as Sir John Jervis, Avithout dis
paragement orflattery, alloAved to be one of the
first in the service."
The folloAving letter that had been sent to
Mrs. Nelson on the 2d of August, displays those
features of the zealous and sanguine mind of the
Commodore, Avhich must in vain be sought for
in any other communication; " Had all my ac
tions, my dearest Fanny, been gazetted, not one
fortnight Avould have passed during the Avhole
Avar without a letter from me: one day or other
I Avill have along gazette to myself; I feel that
such an opportunity Avill Jbe given me. I cannot,
if I am in the field for glory, be kept out of sight.
Probably my services may be forgotten by the
great, by the time I get home; but my mind will
not forget, nor cease to feel a degree of consola
tion, and of applause, superior to undeserved
reAvards. Wherever there is any thing to be
done, there Providence is sure to direct my
steps. Credit must be given, me in spite of
envy. Even the French respect me: their Mini
ster at Genoa, in ansAvering a note of mine,
Avhen returning some wearing apparel that had
been taken, said, Your Nation, Sit*, and mine, are
made to »hew examples of generosity, as well as of
valour, to all the people of the earth. The folloAv-
jng is a copy qf the note" I had sent him : ' Ge-
* Dated Genoa Mole, June 22, 1 796,

330
nerous Nations, Sir, are above rendering any
other damage to individuals, than such as the
knoAvn laAVS of war prescribe. In a vessel lately
taken by my squadron Avas found an imperial full
of clothes, belonging to a general officer of artil
lery, I therefore send you the clothes as taken,
and some papers which may be useful to the
officer, and have to request you will have the
goodness to forAvard them to him.' — I will also
relate another anecdote, all vanity to myself, but
yOu Avill partake of it.- A person sent me a letter,
and directed as follows, Horatio Nelson, Genoiz.
On being asked how he could direct in such a
manner, his ansAver in a large party Avas, Sir,
there is but one Horatio Nelson in the world. The
letter certainly came immediately. At Genoa,
where I have stopped all their trade, I am be
loved and respected both by the senate and
lower order. If any man is fearful of his vessel
being stopped, he comes and asks me; if I give
him a paper, or say, ' All is right,' he is con
tented. I am knoAvn throughout Italy; not a
kingdom, or state, where my name Avill be for
gotten. This is my gazette. I had a letter a
few days since from H. R. H. the Duke of Cla
rence, assuring me of his unalterable friendship.
With kindest love to my Father, believe me your
most affectionate husband."
(1796.) The Rev. Edmund Nelson to his Son
Horatio, dated July A. " Your affectionate letter
in August, my dear Horatio, is arrived, which

331
brings me fresh assurances, if such were Avant-
ing, that neither time, nor distance, nor multi
plicity of business, can change or shake those
principles of filial affection, Avhich, from a A*ery
early period, have' indicated a mind guided by
true morality and evangelical religion; and those
principles Avill be your support throughout the
period of your life. You are rendering tp the
public every claim it can demand from your pro-'
fessional station: all your time, your talents, and
abilities, are exerted in its service; and though
success -does not always crown our best endea
vours, yet it is a proof of sound judgment, Avhen,
in a series of events, success shews itself to have
arisen from plans of operation founded on pro
fessional knowledge, and depth of thought. The
advantages of an active life are so many, that no
One of common understanding ever hesitated in
preferring Avhat is likely to be useful, both to
himself, aud to society. As it has pleased God
to give you abilities to act, so I trust your OAvn
exertions in using those poAvers will be approved
of, and receive a blessing from an all AA'ise and
gracious Benefactor: O may He continue to pre
serve, direct, and assist all your endeavours in
doing what is right. Weigh in your OAvn scale of
sound' judgment all things Avhich you can best
understand, and from causes discern effects. —
God bless, preserve, and prosper you. Edmund
Nelson." ,(1796\) On the 15th of August, Nelson re-

332
ceived an order Avhich established him Commo
dore with a Captain under him; and on the s,ame
day, Avhen at sea, informed the Admiral, that he
was going to Bastia to consult with the Viceroy
on the subject of the Leghorn expedition. Oh
his arrival there the next day, he appears san
guine respecting the project they had in vieAV,
and the successful event of a Spanish Avar: "All
will be Avell I am satisfied in our Leghorn expe
dition, provided Wurmser is victorious; upon
this ground only have I adopted the measure.
We are impatient for the battle of the 3d; there
are reports at Florence that the Austrians are
checked ; but no account of this had been pub
lished by the French at Leghorn on the 14th.
All the heavy stores are shipping here, and at
St. Fiorenzo, and tAventy-four hours, when the
opportunity offers, Avill be sufficient. I hope we
shall have settled Leghorn before, the Dons, if
they intend it, arrive. I have still my doubts as
to a Spanish Avar, and if there should be one, with
your management I have no fears. Their fleet
is ill manned, and worse officered, I believe, and
they are sIoav. Lord Bute's letter paves the Avay
very clearly for your line of acting: Ministers
seldom commit themselves in an opinion. Should
the Dons come, 1 shall then hope I may be spared,
in my own person, to help to make you at least
a Viscount." (1796.) Commodore Nelson to H. R. H. the
Duke of Clarence, dated August 1Q. "Sir: In

333
the present situation of affairs I will not let slip
an opportunity of Avriting to your Royal High
ness. The check Avhich the Austrians have met
with in Italy on the 3d, 4th, and 5th, must give
another unfavourable turn to the affairs of our
Allies. The French have made the most of it,
and they Avere no doubt masters of the field
of battle. I Avish to say more than I dare to
trust to the post, of the object of an expedition
that was to have taken place the moment
Wurmser became victorious, in which I was to
have been a principal actor. — Our affairs in Cor
sica are gloomy; there is a very strong repub
lican party in that island, and they are Avell
supported from France; the first favourable
moment they will certainly act against us. The
French are endeavouring to get over from the
continent twenty and thirty men at a time, and
they will accomplish it in spite of all Ave can
do. Gentili, a, Corsican, Avho commanded in
Bastia Avhen Ave took irf is arrived at Leghorn,
to command in Corsica. Twenty field pieces
have been sent from here, and are landed near
Ajaccio. " As to our fleet, under such a Commander in
Chief as Sir John Jervis, nobody has any fears.
We are noAv twenty-two sail of the line; the
combined fleet will not be more than' thirty-five
sail of the line, supposing the Dons detach to
the West Indies. I Avill venture my life, Sir-
John Jervis defeats them; I do not mean bv a

334
regular battle, but by the skill of our Admiral,
and the activity and spirit of our officers and
seamen. This country is the most favourable
possible for skill Avith an inferior fleet; for the
Avinds are so variable, that some one time in
tAventy-four hours you must be able to attack
a part of a large fleet, and the other Avill be be
calmed, or have a contrary Avind, therefore I hope
government Avill not be alarmed for our safety,
I mean more than is proper. I take for granted
they Avill send us reinforcements as soon as pos
sible; but there is nothing Ave are not able to
accomplish under Sir John Jervis. I am sta
tioned, as you knpAv, to blockade Leghorn, and
now Corsica may prevent my going to the fleet,
AA'hich I feel very much, but all cannot be as Ave
wish. I assure your Royal Highness that no
small part of my pleasure in the acknoAvledg-
ment of my services, has arisen from the con
viction that I am one of those of Avhom from
your early youth you have been pleased to haA'e
a good opinion; and I have to beg that your
Royal Highness Avill ever believe me your most
faithful Horatio Nelson."
(1796.) The character of the English Nation,
and of the Commodore, is delineated in the
letter which he sent to De Lavilette, Governor
of Leghorn, dated Leghorn Roads, August 22.
"Your Excellency, from the great length of
time you have been at Leghorn, Avell knoAvs
that it is the pride of the English to relieve and

335
alleviate the misfortunes even of their enemies;
much more then Avould it be a pleasure to Eng
land to assist the Tuscans in their distress, from
the breach of faith of the French, and their
most; extraordinary conduct tOAvards a neutral
state: I therefore had given passports to every
fisherman to go out as usual Avith their tartans,
and it is Avith astonishment I find that these
poor fishermen, Avho are obliged to come on
board my Sovereign's ship to obtain that per
mission, Avhich not only maintains a number of
poor Tuscan families, but also supplies the town
of Leghorn Avith fish; are by your Excellency
as president of the health office, subjected to a
quarantine of ten days, although I have given
my Avord of honour, which until noAv Avas never
doubted, that I am Avith my squadron in libera
practica. I must desire, Sir, that you will re
present my liberal conduct, contrasted with yours,
to His Royal Highness your Sovereign. You
must have noticed my long forbearance, in not
having repelled the firing of the batteries against
his Britannic Majesty's ships; you must have
known that it has been humanity, and not Avant
of poAver, towards a toAvn and its innocent inha
bitants belonging to your Sovereign, Avhose
situation I haVe pitied: but noAv, as the enemy
have AvithdraAvn such numbers of their troops,
and the Tuscan soldiers being so superior to the
French, I beg leave to acquaint you, that if in
future one shot is fired at his Britannic Majesty's

336
ships, I shall chastise the battery; and Avhatever
damage may happen to the toAvn, your Sovereign
and the inhabitants of Leghorn must lay the
entire blame on his Excellency Jaques De La
vilette, and not on your Excellency's most obe
dient servant Horatio Nelson."
The Governor in reply, after informing the
Commodore that he had received a copy of his
letter, the original being left in the hands of the
Commandant of the French troops, gave as his
excuse tOAvards the fishermen, that the Commo
dore had not made the public declaration re
specting his squadron, Avhich the regulations of
the office of health required; and that with
respect to the second part of his letter, he had
been misinformed, for the remaining force of
the French in Leghorn Avas much superior to
the Tuscan. " Besides," added the Governor,
" fhe batteries and all the forts are occupied by
the French: I hope therefore, from your mode
ration, and the Avell knoAvn sentiments of gene
rosity of his Britannic Majesty, that you will not
place yourselves in such situations as to be
annoyed by those batteries, and in consequence
attempt to revenge yourselves; Avhich Avould
fall on this innocent and unhappy country."
In a letter to Mrs. Nelson, dated Leghorn
Roads, August 23, the Commodore informed
her, that as soon as affairs Avere settled Avith
the Grand Duke, he should pay his Holiness
the Pope a visit. " I do not think," added he,

337
,{ that he will oppose the thunder of the Vatican
against my thunder; and you -will I dare say
hear, that I am at Rome in my barge. If I suc
ceed,' I am determined to row up the Tyber,
and into Rome."
(1796.) The correspondence of the Commander
in Chief with some of the leading characters in
the Mediterranean, and with the Government at
home, occasionally illustrates the various events
which connect the proceedings of the Commo
dore Avith the operations of the fleet. On the
23d of August, in Avriting to the Viceroy, Sir
John Jervis had touched on the utility of
evacuating Corsica, and obtaining possession of
Porto Ferrajo: "I am free to say," observed
the Admiral, "that if the Corsicans do not man
fully resist the machinations of the enemy, it
would be very bad policy indeed to continue in
possession of the ports longer than is absolutely
necessary for our own convenience. Porto Fer
rajo would be a very good transfer, equally 4
port'ie to Leghorn; and while the Austrians make
any stand in Italy, I conclude it Avill be the
determination of our Cabinet to bolster them
up; for should the fleet be Avithdrawn, the
French would be masters of the Adriatic, give
the laAV to Naples, take possession of Sicily, and
in short overthroAV the Avhole system in Italy.
I enclose fhe copy of a paper I gaVe in to Lord
Spencer, at his request, in October, Avhich Avas
laid before the Cabinet."— On the 28th of Au-

338
gust Nelson had been informed by the Admiral,
that the descent with which the Avestern side of
Corsica Avas threatened, had occasioned Captain
Towry's being placed at Ajaccio to fit out a
flotilla, Avith the following force under his com
mand, Dromedary, Tarleton, Poulette, Bellette,
gun-boat, and yard launches: and on the 30th,
when writing to Lord Bute, the Admiral had also
added respecting Corsica, "at Genoa, at Port
Especia, and Leghorn, are numerous assemblages
of Corsican Emigrants in the interest of France,
waiting to get over in feluccas, Avhile their emis
saries are intriguing Avith too much effect Avithin
the island. To frustrate the intended descent,
I have ordered a flotilla to be equipped at Ajaccio,
in the vicinity of Avhich one of the debarkations
is intended to be made; and another at Alteria,
between Porto Vecchio and Bastia: this latter
I must leave to Commodore Nelson and the
Viceroy to watch, for the numerous objects I
have to attend to have SAvallowed up all my
means, Avhich Avere not large."
(1796.) The dubious neutrality of the Genoese,
apparent in half measures, Avhich a fatal timidity
and selfishness had induced them to adopt, gra
dually brought on an open rupture Avith the Com
modore, notAvithstanding his anxiety to prevent
it. ToAvards the end of August, Mr. Heatley,
agent victualler to the Navy, had come $0 Genoa
from Corsica, and given orders that one hundred
bullocks should be purchased for the fleet. The

339
oxen Avere accordingly procured, and vessels
were chartered to carry them to St. Fiorenzo.
On the 31st of August, the Eclair sloop, Captain
Tyrrell, arrived at Genoa, in order to convoy
the A'essels to Corsica, and was himself supplied
with eight oxen and such other refreshments
as he required; Avhen, on the next day, notice
was given by the Genoese government that the
oxen could not be embarked, for the exportation
of them had been prohibited by a decree in the
preceding year, dated October 30th, 1795; al
though a considerable number had, since that
date, been shipped for the supply of our Navy.y
On the 10th of Sept. the Commodore addressed a
note to the Genoese Secretary of State, desiring
to be informed whether an ansAver Avould on that
day be given to his repeated applications for the
embarkation of the cattle; and he declared,
that if he received none, he Avould in the eve
ning send off an express to Mr. Drake, and Sir
John Jervis; and Avould withdraw his Majesty's
ships from the fort of Genoa.
When writing to Mrs. Nelson on the 10th, he
had touched on the same subject, and Avith less re
serve had spoken of himself, and of the principles
on Avhich he had invariably acted : " I have me
morialised the Senate, and had ah audience of
the Doge, but still these Avise heads are puzzled.
The Doge Avas very curious about me; he asked
y Quarto Edit. Vol. 1 . Page 315.
Z 2

340
my age, said he had heard much of me, that the
blockade of Leghorn was strict beyond what he
could have thought possible ; at the same time
he publickly thanked me for my goodness on
many occasions to Genoese vessels. It has
hitherto, my dearest Fanny, been my good for
tune to have combined the strictest rigour of
my duty with gaining the good will of the par
ties interested. My conduct has been open:
That has been my secret, and it has ansAvered."
(1796.) On the 1 1th of September,another, and
if possible a more flagrant breach of neutrality
and good faith took place at Genoa. The
French had a battery at St. Pier. d'Arena, and
had landed all sorts of warlike stores under the
guns of Genoa. Some deserters having in the
preceding night escaped in a boat, the Commo
dore at daylight, on the 11th, had ordered Lieu
tenant Noble to examine the moles and to en
deavour to regain the boat, but without effect;
and on the Captain's getting outside the mole
head, the Commodore had sent Lieutenant Berry
and two boats, but without soldiers, to examine
the beach of St. Pier. d'Arena: his orders Avere,
If the French battery fired on them, they should
board the vessel which appeared to be landing
something at the French battery; but even if
the case required this, they Avere not to molest
the vessel unless laden Avith warlike stores. On
Mr. Berry's approach the French battery had
fired on our boats; upon which he had boarded

341
the vessel, and finding her laden with warlike
stores, had brought her off to the Commodore.
Whilst performing this service, the battery called
the Lanthorn, had also fired on the English
boats; and afterwards the guns from the forts
at Genoa had opened on the English squadron.
The indignant Nelson immediately dreAv up and
circulated Avhat he emphatically styled, >
Facts for the knowledge of every person in Genoa
and the neighbourhood.
" A French battery at St. Pier. d'Arena fired
on His Britannic Majesty's boats, the french
landing all sorts of Avarlike stores under the guns
of Genoa; the boats boarded and took a French
vessel landing Avarlike stores, abreast of the
French battery, on which all the guns of Genoa
opened a fire on H. B. M. ships, but not a shot
was returned against the Genoese fortresses, and
only three were directed at the French battery
to mark the power of the English, and their
humanity in not destroying the houses and in
nocent inhabitants of Genoa. How can the
serene Government defend this conduct, as
being strictly neutral? The place AA'here the
French erect batteries cannot be considered as
neutral ground. The inhabitants of St. Pier.
d'Arena, and the Genoese soldiers on the bat
teries, will, if they declare the truth, support
the whole of my assertion, That the French fired
first, and that the English boats had committed
no act, good or bad, before the French fired.

<342 ¦•''
Signed, off Genoa, Sept. 11, 1796, Horatio
Nelson." The Commodore having many letters for the
Viceroy of Corsica, and Avishing much to see
him, stood aftenvards for Bastia, and on the
14th, during his passage, Avrote as follows to
the Admiral: "I assure you, dear Sir, on the
most mature reflection, I feel nothing in this
affair to reproach myself Avith; and I shall much
rejoice to find you think the same. Some steps
must necessarily be taken. You have formerly
said, you Avouid pardon my Avriting opinions to
you; therefore, sh; uki not a squadron demand
of the government of Genoa the free admission
of 'their ports? the insu!t and cruelty of firing
on our boats, is, I suppose, more a ministerial
affair; and in case of refusal, then comes the
consideration Avhat is next to be done: are the
French to be attacked at St. Pier. d'Arena? is
the trade of Genoa to be stopped? I mean are
all Genoese vessels to be sent into St. Fiorenzo,
and then ordered to remain v.itli the masters
and crews ou board, in full possession of their
vessels, until the government of Genoa open
their ports and give satisfaction for what has
happened? This last, to be sure, may be easily
got over: I have in some measure taken upon
myself to chastise the French, although sup
ported by Genoa. I shall close this letter Avith
Avhatever conversation I may have with the
Viceroy.

343 v
*'Sept. 15th. It is no small degree of pleasure
for me to tell you, that the Viceroy most fully
approves of every measure I have taken. He
also wishes that the taking and securing Genoese
ships be adopted, as a pledge for the safety of
the English property at Genoa, and as a measure
of reprisal for the conduct of the government.
As the Viceroy Avill Av'rite more fully, I shall not
touch on our intended Expedition."
The letter Avhich Sir John Jervis afenvards
addressed to Mr. Consul Brame, at Genoa, was
written in the original spirit and loyalty of a
British Admiral. " Sir : I have read Avith asto
nishment and indignation, the paper sent to you
by the Secretary of State of the most Serene Re
public of Genoa, Avherein he charges Commodore
Nelson Avith making use of a subterfuge, to
justify the boarding and carrying off a French
tartan that Avas disembarking cannon and ord
nance stores, at San Pietro d'Arena. I have
no doubt you repelled this shameful attack on
the bright honour of the Commodore; Avhich
you were fully enabled to do, by the deserters
being actually in your possession at Genoa, and
the boat in a bay near it. In addition to this,
the enemy having erected a battery to cover
and protect their depot of military stores in the
territory of the most serene republic, Avas jus
tifiable ground for the Commodore to have acted
upon, exclusive of their shameful fire on a small
open boat. I have ahvays respected the flag,

344
and sheAvn friendly regard to the subjects of
the Genoese government; and I am very soli
citous to continue the practice, conformably to
the will and pleasure of the King, my Royal
Master, who is renoAvned for his good faith.
But I desire you will take the earliest opportu
nity to make known to the most serene republic,
That if the representations lately made by the
Viceroy of Corsica, Commodore Nelson, and
myself, are not listened to, and summary justice
done thereon, I shall feel myself bound by every
principle Avhich can govern an officer invested
with the high command I have the honour to
bear, to proceed to Genoa Avith the fleet and to
exact it from the mouths of my cannon."
(1796.) Sir Gilbert Elliot, in a previous letter
to the Commodore, had directed his attention to
the island of Capraja, and had expressed a wish,
that it could be secured in time from the designs
of the enemy. As the Viceroy possessed the
entire confidence of the Commander in Chief,
ho time Avas lost in projecting an Expedition
which Nelson had already hinted at to the
Admiral. The Viceroy in his letter of instruc
tions to the Commodore, dated Sept. 15, began
with recapitulating the provocations Avhich had
compelled the adoption of that measure: the
Genoese government had not only refused satis
faction for its insult and hostility on the 11th,
but had intimated in answer to the represen
tations made on that subject, that all the ports

345
of the republic were shut against the British
ships: hostilities had also beemcommitted against
Corsica, and his Majesty's subjects, by vessels
fitted out at Capraja during the last tAvo years,
contrary to the laws of neutrality; and so far
from any satisfaction having been obtained, the
Genoese Government had even declined to admit
a British Vice Consul at Capraja, who might
have given information of such injurious pro
ceedings, and have restrained the many abuses
of which we had reason to complain. An agent '
of the French republic had also been constantly
established and avoAved at Capraja, Avho had
carried on every species of depredation and hos-
tility; and the enemy had made a practice of
coming over to that island, with stores and am
munition destined for the re-conquest of Corsica:
" I have for these reasons," added the Viceroy,
"judged it expedient to take possession of the
fort and island of Capraja in his Majesty's name,
and to place a British garrison there, until due
satisfaction is made by the government of Genoa
for the abovementioned injuries, and a sufficient
security is obtained against the repetition of
them in future. Under these circumstances I
do not scruple, Sir, to request your assistance
and cooperation, having had many opportunities
of knowing your zeal and readiness on every
occasion of public service. For particulars re
specting the troops, to be embarked on this Ex
pedition, and all other matters relative to its

346
execution, I beg leave to refer you to Lieutenant
General de Burgh, z Commander in Chief." Major
Logan Avho commands the troops, will concert
every point with you and Avill join you in the sum
mons, capitulation, or any other correspondence
which you may find it necessary to have with
the commissioner or commandant of the place."
Having received the troops under the com
mand of Major Logan on board the Captain and
Gorgon, the Commodore immediately sailed
from Bastia, in company with the Vanneau and
Rose cutters, and on the next day Avas joined
by la Minerve, Captain G. Cockburn.^-During
their passage the signal Avas made for the com
mander of the Rose, lieutenant Walker, and of
the Vanneau, lieutenant Gourly, Avho had dis
tinguished himself both at Toulon and Bastia,
to come on board the Commodore, in order to
furnish Avhatever information they possessed re
specting Capraja. LieutenantJGrourly informed
him, that there Avas a place to the northward of
the port, Avhere he thought troops might be
landed close to a tOAver of tAvo guns, near Avhich
a hill Avas situated that looked doAvn upon the
town. The Commodore on hearing this, deter
mined to send 200 men thither in the Rose and
Vanneau, whilst he himself Avould endeavour to
get the other troops on shore near the southern
part of the island. Owing to the excessive calm
z The late Lord Clanricarde.

347
weather, it Avas the 17th of September before
they arrived off Capraja, Avhich had afforded
time to the inhabitants to prepare every thing
for the prevention of their landing; and there
were not more than three places Avhere it Avas
possible for troops to be disembarked. This
opposition, which Avas unexpected, induced Major
Logan to divide his forces, in order to distract
the .attention of the enemy. The Commodore
Avas baffled in his intentions of landing near the
southern part of the island; but in the mean
time, lieutenants Walker and Gourly, having
succeeded in effecting a landing at the northern
end of Capraja after a slight opposition, had
gained possession of the tAvo gun battery and the
adjacent hill, with Avhich information the Rose
was dispatched to the Commodore. Four priva
teers that Avere lying in the harbour with above
300 men on board, as the day closed, made every
preparation to come out; on Avhich lieutenant
Gourly immediately ran the Vanneau off the
harbour's mouth, within half musket shot of the
batteries; this effectually daunted the privateers,.
Avho imagined he Avas backed by other ships,
and as it greAV dark he got under Aveigh, and
worked across, from side to side, until near mid
night, Avhen he Avas opportunely joined by la
Minerve, Captain Cockburn, Avho Avith a light
breeze had come to his assistance.
(17.96.) In his official letter to Sir John Jervis,
dated Sept. 19, the Commodore gave an ac
count of the surrender of the island on the 18th,

348
commended the complete effect which had been
produced by Major Logan's division of his forces,
and declared, that lieutenants Walker and Gourly
had conducted themselves much to his satisfac
tion. " I landed 100 troops under the command
of lieutenant Pierson, Avhom Major Logan and
myself hold ourselves much pleased with for his
management of the capitulation. A party of
seamen were also landed under lieutenant Spicer,
who carried cannon up the mountain Avith their
usual spirit and alacrity. It would be doing in
justice were a distinction to be made betAveen
the tAvo services; all had full employment, and
I am confident but one opinion prevailed, that
of expediting the surrender of the island by
every means in their power.
" I cannot conclude," adds the Commodore in
his official letter, "Avithout assuring you of my
most sincere approbation of the conduct of Cap
tain Cockburn of la Minerve, Captain Dixon of
the Gorgon, and lieutenant Berry, who had the
temporary command of the Captain, and of every
officer and man in the squadron. Tavo French
privateers are taken and tAvo destroyed, Avith
several vessels their prizes, and some magazines
of French property on shore."
Whilst these plans of the Viceroy had been
thus ably and successfully executed, he had re
solved to extend the operations of the Commo
dore; and accordingly ordered the Rose, which
had been sent to him Avith an account of the
surrender of Capraja, to return immediately with

S49
fresh instructions respecting a design on Castig-
lione. The Commodore in his answer said, "I
received your letter on Tuesday morning at
three o'clock,- and immediately Aveighed from
Capraja, Avhere indeed all my business Avas not
finished; but I never can rest idle if any thing
is to be done. I ordered lieutenant Walker to
keep by me, as I Avas totally ignorant of the
navigation, and his cutter Avould be most use
ful in taking out the privateers. It was the
evening before I got to Castiglione, having had
bad Aveather and dangerous navigation, such as-
is rarely met with in the Mediterranean. I stood
under Cape Troya, where I sent my boats on
board some Neapolitan vessels, and afterwards
to some Neapolitan towers on shore. I learnt
that the French had taken possession of Cas
tiglione on Wednesday evening with 500 men,
and the Neapolitan officer expected them every
moment to take possession of his tOAvers. I have
therefore been obliged to bring back your letters,
which I have desired Colonel Montresor to for
ward to Bastia, for my presence is absolutely
necessary at Leghorn."
(1796.) On the 24th of September the Commo
dore informed Mr. Udney, the Consul General
for Tuscany, that all Genoese vessels would be
detained until satisfaction should be given for
the insults that had been offered to his Majesty's
flag, by firing on it, and also for the seizure of
the British shipping and property in Genoa.

350
The fate of this devoted city had long heen
expected and guarded against by the Comman
der in Chief; who in writing to Mr. Drake at
Venice, on the 17th of September, had said,
" I had long, Sir, foreseen the fate of Genoa,
and given Commodore Nelson particular direc
tions to keep his eye upon it. I also discouraged
some merchants, who retired from Leghorn,
sending a valuable cargo thither; but their spirit
of adventure outran my discretion: tAvo empty
transports Avere also ordered to repair to Genoa
to receive the effects of our merchants. I now
despatch orders by his Majesty's sloop l'Eclair to
temporise Avith the serene republic, until he can
secure the factory and their property. Your ab
sence is deplored by us all. Your commissioner
gives a very exact account of the number of French
ships of the line, frigates, and corvettes at Tou
lon ready for sea, with the exception of their
sails not being all bent. We are frequently in
ferior to them in our number of line of battle
ships, and they have betAveen twenty and thirty
frigates and corvettes, Avhile I have not one: the
whole of mine being employed in the Archipelago,
Adriatic, blockade of Leghorn, covering Corsica,
and convoying between Naples and Corsica. I
have the satisfaction to assure you, that there
never Avas a squadron in higher health, order,
or government, than the one I have the honour
to command. I have caused every ship to be tho
roughly caulked at sea, and we are for the most

351
part patched and painted; and when I reflect
that Ave are in the close of the three and twen
tieth week at sea, • I cannot be too thankful for
the goodness of Providence. The Emperor must
employ young and uncorrupt men in the com
mand of his armies, or these devils will run over
them every where: I fear French gold has been
successfully distributed both in his Camps and
Councils." v :
In order to give the infatuated government
of the serene republic of Genoa every oppor
tunity to recollect its OAvn interests, and the
general security of Italy, the Commander in
Chief had sent the Commodore to Genoa, Avith
a flag of truce and an offer to restore Capraja,
on condition that things were placed on their
ancient footing. But nothing could rouse the
degraded spirit of the Genoese senators who
< have since paid so severely for the pusillanimity
and dishonour of their conduct, Avhich laid Italy
open to the perfidy and avaricious extortion of
the French; Avhose army, as they themselves
have acknowledged, must in 1794, and 1795,
have been inevitably starved, whilst its head
quarters were at Nice, if it had not been supplied
by the Genoese.
The Captain being sent from Leghorn to
Ajaccio, an acting order to command her Avas
given to Mr. Berry; and the Commodore, for
the time, shifted his broad pendant on board the
Diadem, 64, Captain G. H. Towry, aud directed

35%
his principal attention to the designs of the
French in Corsica and the important service he
would again have to perform in that island. On
his passage to Bastia to consult Avith the Viceroy,
Nelson, in Avriting to the Admiral, Sept. 28,
1796, delineated those extraordinary powers of
discrimination in his mind, which minutely
searched and investigated every possible event
that was likely to occur: "Sir: During the
course of yesterday, I received repeated infor
mation of the movements of the privateers which
are to carry the Corsicans. On the 25th, each
Corsican Avas paid 100 livres, and they behave
so ill at Leghorn that the French are determined
to send them off, upon their general principle
of acting, If these fellows succeed, so much the
letter for us; and if they do not, xve get rid of a
set of scoundrels.
li Now, Sir, the point for me to consider is,
where the French will land in Corsica? my idea
runs strongly that Porto Vecchio, Avhich is re
ported to be neglected by us, and in Avhich is
a fort, is the object the enemy mean to possess;
if their friends in the island intend to support
them, that port is a sure refuge for their vessels,
and an opening for the introduction of more
troops and supplies. If the Viceroy Avill order
some proper men into the fort, and I find the
Sardine, I will, Avith the Vanneau, Avhich I have
ordered from Leghorn for that purpose, place them
as guard ships in the harbour; and I Avill endea-

353
.Vour to have a frigate off that part of the coast.
If the enemy land nearer Bastia, these vessels
with those AA'hich may be there Avill be sure to
destroy them; although it is possible the men
may get on shore: but I hope from the small
craft which may be sent about the islands be
tAveen Corsica and the main, Ave may get accounts
of their approach. If their intention be to land
on the western coast of Corsica, I take for
granted they Avill never attempt the route by
Cape Corse, which Avould every hour expose
them to the sight of some of our ships, and of
course Avould be fatal to them. Be they to land
on the eastern or Avestern side, I shall act on
the idea that they will proceed to the southAvard
passing Piombino to Castiglione, the last place
in their possession: but if I can get at them on
that coast, I believe »it will be in my poAver to
spoil their expedition. If they are to pass the
straits of Bonifacio, that must be a work of time,
and Ave shall have many chances for their de
struction: no opportunity for Avhich shall be omit
ted by, Sir, your most obedient Servant. P. S.
The French are very angry at our taking Ca
praja: the commissioner was heard to say to
Gentili, / told you zee should have sent 300 men .
and taken Capraja; you nozv see the consequences."
The evacuation of Corsica being at length
determined on, in consequence of the Avar with
Spain, the Admiral sent the information to the
Commodore, September 25, with directions to
2A

354
proceed to Bastia. The Commodore on reaching
Bastia, September 2pth, informed the Admiral
of it. "Sir: Last night on my arrival I received
your most secret orders; but I believe many
people on this island have an idea that something
like your orders is going forward. I shall not
fail to arrange Avhat transports may be necessary
for each port, Avhich is all that I can do until
matters are brought to greater maturitv. The
Viceroy thinks that there will not be more than
about 600 emigrees, Corsicans and French, and
the stores I do not believe are very numerous;
for the ordnance Avhich Ave found in the different
fortifications, the Viceroy Avill not I imagine
think it right to take aAvay. His Excellency is
very much distressed by this measure, and be
lieves the island is at this moment in a most
perfect state of loyalty to the King, and affection
for the British nation: but what strikes me as a
greater sacrifice than Corsica, is the King of
Naples: if he has been induced to keep off the
peace, and has perhaps engaged in the Avar again
by the expectation, of the continuance of our
fleet in the Mediterranean, hard indeed is his
fate: his kingdom must inevitably be ruined."
As the measure of the evacuation of Corsica,
and the AvithdraAving of the fleet had been deter
mined on, the active mind of the Commander in
Chief became anxious for its speedy execution:
"I trust," said he, in Avriting to the Viceroy,
Oqtober 2d, "that by the 20th or 25th instant,

355
every thing Avill be ready for us to proceed,.
The war with Spain is certain, for I have orders
to attack ships of war of that nation, in fleets,
or singly, Wherever I meet them. Hoav unfor
tunate that Commodore Nelson could not have
been put in possession of this in time. I only
received it last night. . . .Your letter to the Duke
of Portland is replete with sound reasoning; but
it was determined to abandon Corsica, in case
of a war with Spain, a year ago."— The active
tnind of Nelson, equally impatient Avith that of '
the Admiral to execute his orders, replied on
the 15th of October to Sir J. Jervis, "As far
as my powers and abilities go, you may rely on
me that nothing shall be left undone whiclrought
to be done, even should it be necessary to knock
down Bastia. Last night I took the Viceroy
and Secretary of State afloat; and at daylight
this morning Avent to General de Burgh, and
told him, that from the embarkation of the
Viceroy, the evacuation and regulation of this
town became entirely military, and of course
devolved on us. I hope the General Avill join
me cordially. I have been to the magazines and
have arranged, as far as I have the means, the
embarkation of provisions; and the General says
he will have proper guards to keep off the popu
lace. I have recommended to him to send for
the municipality, and to tell them that the di
rection of affairs was jn our hands, and that it
would be at their peril Avere they to interfere in
2 a a

356
the 'embarkation of any property belonging to
us. Had not the ships arrived when they did,
yesterday Avould have lost us Bastia; the ships
are laid opposite the toAvn, with springs. I am
sorry to say the con\Toy Avith Southampton, is
not in sight and it is calm, th? Captain is not at
anchor: it is the terror of the ships which will
keep order here. If you could order a ship round
and two transports, they would he very useful.
I have detached a felucca to prepare Capraja,
and shall send Southampton to attend at Elba,
but that eA-acuation not to take place until Ave
are finished here, Avhich according to the present
appearances will be some time. Had not Elba
been ours, our Smyrna convoy and transports, I
believe, would have been lost. I purpose taking
the ships from Leghorn Avhen we are absolutely
•all afloat, or Ave shall have SAvarms of privateers
to torment us."
(1796.) Oct. 17, in continuation. "I have re
ceived your letter, and am going on as Avell as
a heavy surf will permit. The despatches of this
morning are Avonderful: do his Majesty's Minis
ters know their OAvn "minds? If you stay, Ave are
sure of the coast opposite to Elba and the fine
bay of Telamon. It doej not become me to say
a Avord: the national honour and the fate of
Italy cannot, I am confident, be placed in better
hands than yours. The Avhole Aveight is left on
* Counter orders respecting the fleet.

357
you. October 18. We are smoother than we
have been, but still there is a good deal of
surf. I shall strictly attend to all your orders,
and will write more fully to morroAV."
The Avithdrawing of our fleet from the Mediter
ranean, in consequence of the expected junction
of the French and Spanish squadrons, was by no
means consonant to the feelings of Nelson; and
whilst his mind was irritated with the idea of
this retreat, he had thus expressed himself in a
letter to his wife. "We are all preparing to
leave the Mediterranean, a measure which I
cannot approve. They at home do not knoAV
what this Fleet is capable of performing; any
thing and every thing. Much as I shall rejoice
to see England, I lament our present orders in
sackcloth and ashes, so dishonourable to the dig
nity of England, whose fleets are equal to meet
the world in arms; and of all the fleets I ever
saw, I neA'er beheld one in point pf officers and
men equal to Sir John Jervis's, who is a Com
mander in Chief able to lead them to glory."
The Admiral on being made acquainted with
the vast superiority of the Spanish squadron,
Avhieh had entered the Mediterranean Sept. S8th,
determined to leave his station off Toulon to the
care of Captain Troubridge in the^Culloden,
and to proceed to San Fiorenzo to Avater, and
hasten the embarkation. It had been the inten
tion of -the Commodore, on hearing of Sir John
Jervis' arrival at San Fiorenzo, to have gone;

358
over and conversed with him, but this not being
thought prudent, he determined to remain and
act Avith the Viceroy: considerable apprehen
sions had been entertained on the night of the
14th that the citadel would be lost, from the
state in which Bastia was at that time. Still
however, the zeal and resources of Nelson found
the means of executing the important service
on Avhich he Avas engaged. By the 19th the
greater part of the flour, and all the salt pro
visions Avere on board, and they Avere getting off
the poAvder. Noon, Get. 19th. " We have just
received accounts from the municipalit}-, that a
number of French have landed near Cape Corse
and have sent to demand of the municipality,
what part they mean to take. The Viceroy has
informed the municipality, that we wish to quit
them amicably and in the state we promised;
but if they permitted the French to enter the
toAvn, or in any way embarrassed our embarka
tion, that it Avould end in the destruction of the
batteries and Avould be highly detrimental to
Bastia. We shall act I see Avith prudence and
retreat in time. The garrison of Capraja is
arrived." ( 1 796. ) The King of Naples heard with conster-
nation of the late measure that had been adopted,
and beheld the ruin of his kingdom in the retreat
of the British fleet. His Majesty lost no time
in expressing his feelings ou this subject to
Sir John Jervis; who, on the 19th of October,

• 359
returned the following ansAver from Fiorenzo
Bay. "Sire: The gracious condescension your
Majesty has been pleased to sheAV to me, in deline
ating under your royal hand the dreadful effect
which the retreat of the fleet of the King ' my
master from these seas, would have upon your
Majesty's dominions and upon all Italy in the
present crisis, has prompted me to exert every
nerve, to give all the support in my power to
the cause of Religion and Humanity in Avhich
we are engaged.. .Permit me, Sire, to express
the high sense I entertain of your Majesty's
goodness to me, and to assure your Majesty that
I shall be proud of every occasion to give proof
of my profound respect."
(1796.) The Avhole of the evacuation of Bastia
was conducted to the entire satisfaction of the
1
Viceroy, of General de Burgh, and of the Com
modore, Avho afterwards Avent to Porto Ferrajo,
whence the folloAving report Avas made by him
to v the Admiral, dated Captain, Oct. 21. "Sir,
BetAveen the 14th, Avhen I arrived at Bastia, and
the 19th, I Avas joined by Captain, Excellent,
Egmont, and 'Southampton. The ships of the
line were moored opposite the town. The em
barkation of stores and provisions Avhich com
menced on the 15th, Avas continued without in*
termission until the 19th at sunset. In that night
every soldier and other person Avas brought off
with perfect good order from the north end of
the toAvn. It is unnecessary for me to mention

360
to you the fatigue of the Avhole of this duty;
hut I cannot omit to state the merit of every
officer employed on it, and most particularly
that of Lieut. Day, agent for transports; and
much Avhich has been saved may be fairly attri
buted, without disparagement to any one, to his
indefatigable attention, and ability. The Cap-?
tains of all the ships of Avar, although not par
ticularly in their line of duty, never omitted
night and day their personal exertions. This
service Avas carried on with the utmost cordiality
between his Excellency the Viceroy, Lieutenant
General de Burgh, and myself, and I cannot but
think it right to inform you of it."
Anno (1796.) XVII. During the active scene
in Avhich Nelson had been engaged, his
correspondence Avith the Duke of Clarence ex
perienced some interruption; but having com
pleted this important service, the Commodore
took the earliest opportunity to send information
of it to his early and stedfast friend, dated
Captain; Oct. 25. "Sir, I Avas honoured Avith
your Royal Highness's letter of Sept. 2d a few
days past, in the midst of a yery active scene,
the evacuation of Bastia; Avhich being our first
post Avas intrusted to my direction, and I am
happy to say, that not only Bastia, but every
other place in the island is completely evacuated.
The Corsicans sent to Leghorn for the French,
as was natural for them, in order to make their
peace; and the enemy Avas in one end of Bastiaj

361
before we had quitted the other. The exertions
of the Navy on this occasion, as on all others
Avhich I have seen, have been great, and beyond
the expectations of those Avho never will believe
what we are capable of performing. Our troops
are ordered to Porto Ferrajo, which can be de
fended against any number of the enemy for a
length of time; and the port, although small,
Avill hold Avith management our Avhole 'fleet and
transports. As soon as all our transports are
arrived at Elba, Ave are to go out to look for
Man, Avho is ordered to come up: Ave shall then
be tAventy-two sail of such ships as England
hardly ever produced, and commanded by an
Admiral, Avho Avill not fail to look the enemy in
the face, be their force Avhat it may: I suppose
it Avill not be more than thirty-four sail of the
line. . , If I live, your Royal Highness shall have
no reason to regret your friendship for me, and
I will support Sir John Jervis to the utmost of
my power. . . I hope soon to hear that your flag
is flying, Avhich I am sure Avill be most honourable
for yourself and I trust most advantageous for
our King and County. I am, as ever, your most,
faithful Horatio Nelso?},"
On the 11th of the ensuing month of Novem-r
ber, Avhen at sea, he sent a full account of the
Avfiole proceeding to his Royal Highness. "Sir,
What may be thought iii England of our evacua
tion of Bastia I know not, but I conceive myself
to haye a fair right" to be well spoken of, as the

362
feAV facts Avhich I shall state Avill evince, 1 shall
relate them to your Royal Highness, to give you
an idea of the state of our army and the Viceroy
on my arrival.
"On the 14th of October I Avas close in with
Bastia, before daylight, in the Diadem, Captain
Towry. Before the ship anchored I Avent on
shore to the Viceroy, landing opposite to his
house. I found his Excellency very happy at
my arrival, and he immediately requested I
would permit his most valuable papers to be sent
off in my boat, for it Avas impossible to say Iioav
long they might be safe on shore. The Viceroy
then told me the state of the town and country:
that a committee of thirty had taken on them
the government of the toAvn, had sequestered
all the property of the English on shore, and in
the Mole, and also that a plan was laid to seize
his person, that the toAvn Avas full of armed Cor
sicans Avho had mounted guard at every place,
and that our troops Avere in the citadel, except
the guard at his house.
"From the Viceroy I Avent to General de
Burgh, passing through the town full of armed
men, Avhere I learned that as many armed Cor
sicans as British Avere in the citadel, that they
had mounted guard Avith our troops at the citadel
gate, on the batteries, barrier gates, and at the
storehouses of government and of the merchants,
and that it Avas necessary for our troops to stand
to their arms for self defence; in short, that

S63
there Avas not a prospect of saving either stores,
cannon, or provisions. I submitted to the Ge
neral the propriety of shutting the citadel gate
in order to prevent any more armed men from
getting into it, and that I Avould moor the ships
opposite to the toAvn. On my return from the
General and the Viceroy, the merchants, oAvners
and captains of privateers, came to me in tears,
stating the fact of even a trunk Avith Avearing
apparel being refused them, and that they were
beggars Avithout my help: a transport's boat had,
they said, been refused permission to leave the
Mole until she Avas searched, and on nothing-
being found in her they suffered her to pass; a
privateer was moored across the mole heads. I
requested them to be quiet, and that nothing
should be left undone by me for their relief.
About ten A. M. the Egmont, Captain Suttori,
arrived, which I moored the same as the Diadem.
At noon, having made the signal for boats manned
and armed, I ordered Captain ToAvry to proceed
into the Mole with them, and to open the pas
sage for all the vessels who chose to come out;
Avith instructions to take the first English vessel
he came to in toAv, and if he met Avith the small
est molestation he was to send to the municipality
in my name, and inform them, that if the least
impediment Avere throAvn in the Avay in getting
any vessel out of the Mole, or in embarking any
property belonging to the English from the
toAvn, I would instantly batter it doAvn. Captain

364
Sutton very handsomely Avent to Towry's assist
ance, for on the approach of the latter to the
Mole the privateer pointed her guns, and 100
muskets were levelled from the Mole head. On
this Captain Sutton sent my message, and pulling
out his Avatch gave them one quarter of an^hour
for an ansAver, Avhen the ships would in five
minutes open their fire. Upon this the peonle.
on board the privateer, and from the Mole heads,
even to the Corsican sentries, quitted the place
Avith the utmost precipitation, and of course
every vessel came out of the Mole.
" In the afternoon an owner of a privateer
.came to me to say, he had forty hogsheads of
tobacco Avith various other goods in the custom
house, and that the municipality refused to deli
ver them: I directed him to go to the committee,
and say I sent him for his goods, Avhich if
not instantly delivered I Avould open my fire.
In five minutes he returned Avith the keys, and
said the committee turned as Avhite as a sheet,
said not a Avord, but gave him the keys. At
night they made an effort to get duty paid for
some Avine landed, and of course going to be
embarked, by an English merchant. I had only
occasion to send Avord that I Avould pay them a
disagreeable visit if I had any more complaints.
This was a last effort; from that moment not an
armed man Avas seen in the street. Bastia never
had been it Avas acknowledged so quiet and
orderly, since we have been in possession of the.
island.

365
" The Viceroy consented to go on board my
ship that night, which took off from the General
and myself all concern for his safety. On the
lith in the morning, I landed my troops to take
post at the Viceroy's house, Avhich covered our
embarking place, and a hundred seamen as a
working party; the General ordered about ano
ther hundred men from the troops, for the same
purpose, and the rest kept post in the citadel.
We set heartily to Avork, and continued Avithout
intermission until the 19th at sunset; when I
calculate Ave had saved about 200,000/. sterling
worth of cannon, poAvder, stores, and provisions,
exclusive of baggage, household stuff) &c. &c.
for the poor emigrees could not afford to leave
a rag. Our boats never ceased night nor day.
" On the 18th the French had landed troops
near Cape Corse, about thirty-six miles from
Bastia. On the 19th they sent a message to the
municipality, desiring to knoAV ho av they intended
to receive them; if as friends, they demanded
that the English should be prevented from em
barking. In this state nothing more could be
attempted to be saved: therefore at twelve at
night our troops quitted the citadel, first spiking
the guns, and came to the north end of the to>vn,
where7there is an open line of "ground on which
they could act in case qf being attacked. The
French passing at the back of the toAvn were in
the citadel at one A. M. From its blowing a
gale of Avind, it Avas the daAvn of day Avhen the

366
General and myselfb Avent into the barge, not
one man being left ashore; and Ave took with us
the tAvo field pieces brought doAvn to cover our
retreat. It is impossible I can do justice to the
good dispositions of the General, or the admirable
management of the Viceroy with- the Corsicans,
not one of Avhom but Avept on parting Avith the
latter: even those Avho had opposed his adminis
tration could not but love and respect so amiable
a character. It Avas clear the dread of the French
Avas more predominant in their minds, than dis
like to us; and it Avas this perhaps that led
them to their first unjustifiable resolutions, and
which nothing but the terror of our ships kept
them from adhering to. At this time the Spa
nish Fleet Avas off Cape Corse, but we had a fair
wind, and before night I had eArery \Tessel safe
moored in Porto Ferrajo, for its size the most
complete port in the Avorld."
(1796.) Wlien Avriting to Captain Locker, Nov.
5th, the Commodore had said, "I have seen the
first and the last of Corsica. Its situation cer-
t Commodore Nelson was the last person who left the shore.
On getting into his boat he turned round to tlie Corsican mob,
and with the coolness of a sailor anathematised the whole of their
ungrateful race, adding, JVotu John Corse, folloiv the natural bent
»f your detcstallc character, plunder, and revenge. Seneca, when
describing the Corsicans of his day, used nearly the same ex^
pressions : Lex prima ulci.ei, lex altera vivere-rapto,
Tertia men tin, quarta negare Deos.

367
tainly Avas most desirable for us, but the gene
rality of its inhabitants are so greedy of wealth
and so jealous of each other, that it Avould have
required the patience of Job and the riches of
Croesus to satisfy them. They acknowledge they
are only to be ruled by the governing power
destroying all its enemies, and bribing all its
friends: they already regret our departure. I
need not give you the character of Sir J. Jervis,
you know him Avell, therefore I shall only say he
is worthy of such a fleet as I never before saw
at sea; for he knows how to use us in the most
beneficial manner for our Country. Towry can
want no recommendation to me, or Sir John;
his courage and abilities as a commander have
been eminently displayed, and his qualities as a
gentleman are equalled by feAv and exceeded by
none. I am under particular obligations to him.
My pendant Avas in his ship for three weeks, and
nothing could surpass his goodness to me. I
knoAV Sir John Jervis has the highest regard for
him." >
The next important service on Avhich the Com
modore was engaged was the evacuation of Porto
Ferrajo; and to this Sir John Jervis had alluded,
in a note, in which he marked the neglect which
too many officers experienced who served at a
distance from the immediate notice of their
country. " Without giving Lord Spencer a ,
greater degree of credit than is due to any mi
nister, he certainly is sincere in his professions

368
to you; because he has written to me fully re*
specting you, and has promoted Berry. Unfor
tunately for those Avho serve at a distance, and
do not publish their own achievements in the
newspapers, the value of their services is never
made known to John Bull; and they who dispense
patronage are niggardly to them, while they are
profuse to the young men in frigates, employed
to protect the trade, or the coast. I have much
to say, and shall very soon have to employ you
on a most critical and arduous service. Most
faithfully yours." Accordingly on December
the 10th, Nelson received an order to hoist
his broad pendant on board the Minerve frigate,
Captain George Cockburn, and to take the
Blanche, Captain Preston, under his command,
and Avith them to proceed to Porto Ferrajo, in
order with the assistance of the ships in that
port to convey the troops and stores that had
been landed there to Gibraltar and Lisbon.
"Having experienced," added the Admiral, "the
most important effects from your enterprise and
ability upon various occasions, since 1 have had
the honour to command in the Mediterranean,
I leave entirely to your judgment the time and
manner of carrying this critical and arduous ser
vice into execution."
(1796.) During the passage to Porto Ferrajo
the. Commodore fell inAvith two Spanish frigates;
and the folloAving letters to his Admiral, dated
Dec. 20, give the official account of the capture

369
and recapture of la Sabina. "Sir, Last night'at
ten o'clock, I saw tAvo' Spanish frigates, and di
rected Captain Cockburn in the Minerve to
attack the ship which carried a poop light; the
Blanche bore doAvn to attack the other. I have
not yet received from Captain Preston an ac
count of his action, but as I saAv the Blanche this
morning to AvindAvard with every sail set, I pre- '
sume she has not suffered much damage. Cap
tain Cockburn brought his ship tb close action
at tAventy minutes before eleven, AA'hich con
tinued Avithout intermission until half past one
A. M. Avhen la Sabina of 40 guns, tAventy-eight
eighteen pounders on her main-deck, and 286
men, Captain Don Jacobo Stuart, having lost
her mizen mast, as she did after the action her
main and fore masts, and having 164 men killed
and wounded, struck her colours. You are, Sir,
so thoroughly acquainted Avith the merits of
Captain Cockburn,0 that it is needless for me to
express them; but the discipline of the Minerve
does the highest credit to her Captain and Lieu
tenants, and I wish fully to declare the sense
I entertain of their judgment and gallantry.
Lieutenant' dCuIverhouse, the first lieutenant, is
an old officer of distinguished merit. Lieutenants
c At present Commander of the Pompee, ?4 guns, in which
Ship he particularly distinguished himself as Commodore of part
of tlie Naval force at the taking of Martinique, 1809.
d Lately lost by the upsetting of a boat at the Cape of Good
Hope. 2 B »

370
Hardy, Gage, and Noble, deserve every praise
which gallantry and zeal justly entitle them to,
as does every other officer and man in the ship.
You Avill observe, Sir, I am sure with regret,
amongst the Avounded, lieutenant James Noble,
who quitted the Captain to serve with me, and
Avhose merit and repeated Avounds received in
fighting the enemies of our Country, entitle him
to every reAvard Avhich a grateful nation can
bestoAv. The Minerve's opponent being com
manded by a gallant officer, was Avell defended,
Avhich has caused her liste of killed and Avounded
to be great, as also her masts, sails, and rigging
to be much damaged:"
Dec. 20, seven P. M. in continuation. "Sir, In
addition to my letter of this morning, I have to
acquaint you that lieutenants Culverhouse and
Hardy, Avith a proper number of men, being put in
charge of la Sabina and she taken in tow, at four
A. M. a frigate Avas seen coming up, which by
her signals was known to be Spanish; at half
past four she came to action Avith the Minerve,
avIio cast off the prize, and lieutenant Culver-
house Avas directed to stand to the southAvard.
After a trial of strength of more than half an
e Killed 7, wounded 34, missing 4, supposed to be in the prize.
Officers -wounded, Lieutenant J. Noble, Mr. Merryweather, boat
swain. Petty Officers killed and "wounded, one Midshipman killed.
Captain's clerk wounded, and the serjeant of the 11th regiment
Serving as marines. — Damages. All her masts shot through, and
furniture much cut.

371
hour, she Avore and hauled' off, or I am confident
she would have shared the fate of her companion:
at this time three other ships Avere seen standing
for the Minerve, hope Avas alive that they were
only frigates, and also that the Blanche Avas one
of them; but when the day dawned, it Avas mor
tifying to see there were two Spanish ships of
the line and tAvo frigates, and the Blanche far
to windward. In this situation, the enemy fre
quently Avithin shot by bringing up the breeze,
it required all the skill of Captain Cockburn,
which he eminently displayed, to get off with a
crippled ship: and here I must also do justice to
lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, and express
my tribute of praise at their management of the
prize; a frigate repeatedly firing into her Avith
out effect, and at last the Spanish Admiral quit
ted the pursuit of the Minen'e for that of la
Sabina, which Avas steering a different course, evi
dently Avith the intention of attracting the notice
of the Admiral, as English colours Avere hoisted
over the Spanish. The Sabina's main and fore
masts fell overboard before she surrendered. This
. . is, Sir, an unpleasant tale, but the merits of every
officer and man in the Minerve and her prize,
were eminently conspicuous through the whole
of this arduous day/ The enemy quitted the
pursuit of the Minerve at dark."
f Killed, none j -wounded 10. Officer -wounded, Mr. Hunter,
gunner. — Main-mast much damaged, sails and rigging much cut,
2 B 2

372
The Minerve arrived at Porto Ferrajo on the
27th of December, and Avas there repaired; her
main and mizen masts Avere so badly wounded
that the builder reported them unfit for use.
On the 29th the Commodore sent the Admiral,
Captain Preston's official account of the share
which the Blanche had taken in the late action;
by Avhich it appeared, That Avhen the unexpected
approach of the fresh Spanish ships had prevent
ed Captain Preston from taking possession of
his prize, he wore to join the Minerve; but per
ceiving that the strange ships did not close Avith
his late antagonist, he had again stood after her,
when tbe Spaniard outsailed the Blanche and had
been joined by another ship standing from the
land. Captain Preston particularly mentioned
the steadiness of his first lieutenant Mr. CoAven,
and the great assistance he had received from
Captain Maitland avIio was a passenger on board
to join his ship. — On the same day, Dec. 29,
Nelson transmitted the following note in a flag
of truce by the Fortuna, Lieutenant Gourly, to
Don Miguel Gaston the Captain General at
Carthagena: "I send your Excellency a flag of
truce Avhich carries every Spanish prisoner from
this place, and I request that your Excellency
Avill direct the English prisoners Avith you to be
immediately sent on board. I shall not urge the
humanity attending the frequent exchange of
unfortunate people; it will, I am sure, appear in

373
the same light to you that it does to your Excel
lency's most obedient servant, Horatio Nelson."
On the 29th of December he also transmitted
to Sir John Jervis a correspondence Avith Lieu
tenant General de Burgh, who not having re
ceived any order Avhatever from England, felt
himself considerably embarrassed in withdraAving
the army from Elba; and Avas of opinion that no
decisive steps could betaken or entered on, until
they had heard from England, Naples, or both,
unless something serious should precipitate the
measure, "I Avill at the same time," added the
General, in a letter dated Dec. 28, " confess that
my only motive for urging delay, arises from a
Avish to have myv proceedings in some measure
sanctioned by orders Ave ought to expect, and
by no means from an idea that Ave assist the ser
vice by staying here ; for 1 have ahvays held the
opinion, that the signing of a Neapolitan peace
AVith France ought to be our signal for departure."
(1797.) In writing to Mrs. Nelson, from Porto
Ferrajo, Jan. 13, he said, "I expect Sir Gilbert
Elliot here every hour, he goes doAvn to Gibral
tar with me; he is a good man, and I love him.
As to peace, I do not expect it, Lord Malmesbury
will come back as he Aveht; but the people of
England will, I trust, be more vigorous for the
prosecution of the war, which can alone insure
an honourable peace. Naples is alarmed at hers.
The French Minister is travelling thither with
a train of 300 persons, a printing-press, &c. and

374
a company of comedians, &c. The Pope has not
made his peace, and is most seriously alarmed."
(1797-) The indefatigable Commodore was at
this time extremely anxious to return to Sir John
Jervis; the superior strength of the enemy re
quired every addition to be made to his force,
and the possibility of being absent Avhen a gene
ral Action should take place, under such an
Admiral, had long irritated and depressed the
mind of Nelson. That nothing might be Avanting
on his part, he intended in his passage doAvn
the Mediterranean, as he informed the Admiral,
January 25th, to look into Toulon, Mahon, aud
Carthagena, in order to bring Avith him the latest
apparent state of the combined fleet; and al
though General de Burgh had not thought him
self empoAvered to evacuate Porto Ferrajo, "yet,"
adds the Commodore, " 1 have notAvithstanding
withdraAvn all our naval establishment from that
place, having first completed every ship to as
many stores as their Captains pleased to take.
Every transport is victualled, and so arranged
that all the soldiers and stores can be embarked
in three days."
On the 29th of January, the Minerve sailed
from Porto Ferrajo, with some other ships of
war, and tAvelve sail of transports; and on the
10th of February arrived at Gibraltar, Avhere
the Commodore received Lieutenants Culver-
house and Hardy, with the other prisoners Avho
had been exchanged by the Spaniards. He re-

375
mained one day at Gibraltar, and then proceeded
to the Avestward to rejoin his Admiral The
8 Minerve Avas chased by two Spanish line of
battle ships from the bay, and fell in Avith the
Spanish Fleet off the mouth of the Straits.
(1797.) XVIIL Owing to the easterly Avinds,
it Avas the 6th of February before Sir John Jervis
had reached his station off Cape St. Vincent; and
in writing to Mr. Lempriere the Consul at Faro
on that day, the Admiral had said, " I am with
out the smallest intelligence respecting the move
ments of the Spanish Fleet; its continuance at
Carthagena for such a length of time is incom
prehensible, unless waiting for supplies of stores
and provisions." — On the 10th he informed Cap
tain Lord Garlies that information had been
received of the Spanish Fleet having passed the
Straits; and had ordered him to join Avith the
squadron under his command. On the ISth of
February the Minerve reached the station off
5 From A Narrative, published by Johnson, 1797j °f the l*ro~
ceedings of the British Fleet on the 14th of February, as observed
from the Lively repeating frigate, by Colonel Drinkwater. Nel
son in his memoir (page 25) has referred to this accurate letter,
which has been occasionally resorted to in the subsequent account
of this memorable action. The Colonel informs "us, That on the
Minerve's joining the British Fleet, the Lively frigate was ap
pointed to proceed with Sir Gilbert Elliot, and the gentlemen
accompanying him to England; but there being at that time
reason to expect an approaching Action between the two fleets, the
Lively, at the joint solicitations of Sir Gilbert Elliot and Lord
Garlies, was detained with the squadron until (he event should
be known.

376
Cape St. Vincent, and the same day having com
municated some important intelligence to the
Admiral respecting the force and situation of
the Spanish Fleet, the Commodore Avas directed
to shift his broad pendant on board the Captain,
R. W. Miller, Esq. Commander. During the same
evening Captain Lindsay, in the Bonne Citoy-
enne sloop, arrived with fresh accounts of the
approach of the enemy. Before sunset the sig
nal was made to prepare for battle, and to keep
in close order during the night. Further infor
mation respecting the Spaniards Avas also given
by Captain Campbell,11 an Englishman in the
Portuguese service.
During the Avhole of the 13th, Sir John Jervis,
as he expressed himself on that day in a letter
to the Admiralty, had entertained hopes of fall
ing in Avith the Spanish Fleet; and these hopes
"were," as he said, "confirmed that night,1 by
our distinctly hearing the report of their signal
guns, and by intelligence received from Captain
Foote of the Niger, avIio had with equal judg
ment and perseverance kept company Avith them
for several d.\ys on my prescribed rendezvous,
which from the strong south east Avinds I had
h This officer, who received great kindness from Sir John Jervis,
is said to have declared to the Captain of the British Fleet, that if
he did not lead the Admiral in the right track to fall in with the
Spanish Fleet, he might order him to be run up at the yard-arm.
Some further particulars of Captain Campbell are given in a note
in the second volume of the quarto edition.
i Official account of the action., dated February \Q, \797-

377
never been able to reach, that they Avere not
more than three or four leagues from us."
The anxious hours of the night until the da\vn
of the 14th Avere passed by the Admiral in me
ditating a design, Avhich the most determined
mind Avould have hesitated to adopt, Avithout
that reliance on the zeal, discipline, and valour
of his Fleet, and the attachment both of his
officers and men, Avhich Sir John Jervis had ob
tained. Nor Avould the confidence, as it appeared
Avhich he reposed in these great resources, have
alone induced him to make so daring an attempt,
which he foresaAv nothing short of success could
justify : The honour of his Majesty's arms, and the
circumstances of the war in those seas requiring a
considerable degree of enterprise, formed the official
defence of the Admiral against the apparent te*
merity of assailing an enemy so much his superior :
a safe and skilful retreat Avould have satisfied
both the expectation of the Country, and the
ambition of an ordinary chief. To the bitter
mortification of having been forced to yield the
Mediterranean to a superior enemy, Avere to be
added many severe losses and disasters against
Avhich no foresight could have guarded, and for
which no remedy could be provided.
(1797-) Such had been the situation Of the
British Admiral, when at sunset on the evening
of the 13th of February, the signals of the day
terminated with that for directing the Squadron
to keep in close order during the night. Nor

378
was the situation of the Spanish Vice Admiral,
D. Joseph de Cordova, less critical, notAvith
standing his superiority of force. He had sailed
from Carthagena on the 4th of February, and
on the 5th had passed Gibraltar, when he heard
from an American who had fallen in with the
English Squadron the preceding day, that it
consisted of nine ships of the line only, Avhich
was indeed the fact at that time; for Admiral
Parker with a reinforcement of five ships, and
the Culloden Avhich had parted company in chace
on the first of February, had not then joined.
This information had induced the Spanish Ad
miral to pass by Cadiz, and seek an engagement
Avith an enemy he deemed so inferior. On the
14th Avhen the day broke, a fog at first concealed
from him the exact number of the English Squa
dron; and afterAvards, when the signal was made
from one of his own look-out ships, that the Bri
tish Fleet Avas at no great distance; the Spanish
Admiral relying on the American's intelligence
and erroneously despising the British force, had
paid no attention to it, but suffered his ships to
remain too far extended and in a certain degree
of disorder. The Spanish look-out ship finding
her signal thus disregarded, in order to rouse
the Admiral, as the Captain of her afterwards
expressed himself, instantly made another signal,
That tbe English force consisted of forty sail of the
line. This sudden and alarming information had
more than its intended effect; it perplexed and

379
confounded the Commander in Chief, and spread
a general alarm throughout the Spanish Fleet.
Whilst this trepidation pervaded every ship of
the enemy, Sir John Jervis, to continue his OAvn
words, had anxiously Avaited the dawn of day ;
Avhen being on the starboard tack, Cape St.
Vincent bearing east by north eight leagues, he
had the satisfaction of seeing a number of ships
extending from south Avest to south, the wind
then at Avest by south. His ships during the
night had been kept in the most compact order
of sailing, k and at daybreak Avere seen by Colonel
Drinkwater from the Lively, formed in two
divisions, standing on a Avind to the S. S. W.1
About half past six A. M. the Culloden, Captain
Troubridge, made the signal for five sail in the
S. W. by S. quarter, Avhich had been soon after
confirmed by the Lively frigate, Lord Garlies,
and by the Niger, Captain E. J. Foote, and that
the "strange sail Avere by the Avind on the star
board tack: the Bonne Citoyenne sloop of Avar,
Captain Lindsay, was therefore directed to re
connoitre. At a quarter past eight o'clock, the
Squadron Avas ordered by signal to form in close
order, and in a feAv minutes afterwards the signal
k So obedient were the Captains to the orders of their Admiralj
that every one of the English ships might have been hailed during
the night, from the ship next to her.
1 The first plate annexed to Colonel Drinkwatefs Narrative:
represents this position with the utmost exactness.
¦ Colonel Drinkwater's Narrative, page 10,

380
Avas repeated to prepare for battle. About half
past nine o'clock the Culloden, Blenheim, Cap
tain T. L. Frederick, and Prince George, Admiral
Parker, Captain T. Invin, Avere ordered to chase
in' the S. by W. quarter; Avhich ships, upon the
Bonne Citoyenne's making a signal that she
saAv eight sail in that quarter, were afterwards
strengthened by the Irresistible, Captain G.
Martin, Colossus, Captain G. Murray, and Orion,
Sir J. Saumarez. Soon after ten o'clock the
Minerve, Captain G. Cockburn, made the signal
for twenty sail in the S. W. quarter, and in a
few minutes of eight sail in the S. by W. Half
an hour afterwards the Bonne Citoyenne made
the signal that she could distinguish sixteen,
and immediately aftenvards tAventy-five of the
strange ships to be of the line. The enemy's
fleet Avere now become visible to all the British
squadron. By carrying a press of sail, Sir John Jervis
Avas fortunate in getting in at this time Avith the
enemy's ships, before they had been able to con
nect and form a regular order of battle: such a
moment, as he expressed himself in his official
letter, Avas not to be lost. Confident in the skill,
valour, and discipline of his officers and men,
he felt himself justified in departing from the
regular system; and passing through their fleet
in a line formed with the utmost celerity, tacked,
and thereby separated one third from the main
[ body, after a partial cannonade. The high dis-

381
tinction of leading into action fell to the Cullo-
den, Captain Troubridge; about half past eleven
o^clock thefiring commenced from his shipagainst
the enemy's headmost ships to Avindward.
A copy of the log-book of H. M. S, the Captain,
Commodore Nelson, gives the following correct
relation of her proceedings, on the morning of
the 14th of February. " Between two and tliree
o'clock A. M. heard the report of several guns
to the soutfiAvard which Ave supposed to be the
Spanish Fleet, as Ave kneAv it to be near us. At
four, the Victory south one mile;' at daylight
made the signal for a strange sail to the north
ward. At half past five heard the report of two
guns, S. W. At half past eight set the mainsail.
At ten, up mainsail; moderate and foggy. At
half past ten saAv the Spanish Fleet bearing S.S.E.
four or five miles; the signal to form the line
and chase the enemy. At tAventy minutes before
tAvelve the headmost shjps of our line began to
engage the enemy as they passed us on the other
tack, Cape St. Vincent bearing north ten leagues. .
A feAV minutes before noon Ave opened our fire
on their leading ship and passed nineteen sail of
the line, giving and receiving as Ave passed, our
leading ships having eight of their rear shipslto
tack by breaking the line."
The animated and regular fire of the British
squadron, as vleAved at this time from the Lively
frigate by Sir Gilbert Elliot and Colonel Drink-

382
water," Avas but feebly returned by the enemy's.
ships to AvindAvard, which being frustrated in
their attempts to join the separated division, had
been obliged to haul their Avind on the larboard
tack: those to leeAvard, and which were most
effectually cut off from their main body, at
tempted also to form on their larboard tack, ap
parently with a determination of either passing
through, or to leeAvard of our line, and joining
their friends; but the Avarm reception they met
Avith from the centre ships of our Squadron, soon
obliged them to put about, and excepting one,
the Avhole sought safety in flight, and did not
again appear in the action until the close of the
day. The single Spanish ship thus mentioned by
Colonel Drinkwater as not having put about
Avith her companions, is described by him as
persevering in passing to leeward of the British
line, and being covered with smoke her intention
was not discovered until she had reached the
rear; when she was not permitted to pass Avithout
notice, but received the fire of our sternmost
ships, and as she luffed round the rear, the Live
ly and other frigates had also the honour of ex
changing Avith this tAvo-decker several broadsides.
A part of the Admiral's plan having been thus
crowned Avith success, he Avas iioav able to direct
his attention to the enemy's main body to wind-
«v Colonel Drink water's Narrative, page 12.

383
ward, consisting at this time of eighteen sail of
the line. At eight'minutes" past tAvelve the sig*
nal therefore was made for the British Fleet to
tack in succession, and soon after he made the
signal for again passing the enemy's line. The
Spanish Admiral's plan seemed to have been to
join his ships to leeward, by wearing round the
rear of our line, and the ships which had passed
and exchanged shots Avith our squadron, had
, actually borne up with this yieAV. This design
of D. Joseph de Cordova, more ably conceived
than executed, Avas frustrated by the extraordi
nary presence of mind and enterprise of Commo
dore Nelson, whose station in the rear of the
British line, afforded him an opportunity of ob
serving this manoeuvre of the Spaniards; and who,
well knowing that his Commander in Chief al
lowed a considerable degree of discretion to the
gallantry and judgment of his approved officers,
executed the folloAving bold and decisive exploit,
without dreading any signal of recal. "At
eighteen minutes before one P. M." according
to the Commodore's Log-book, " the Captain
having passed on the starboard tack the last of
the enemy's line of nineteen sail, which Avere on
the larboard tack, the Spanish Admiral in the
Santissima Trinidad bore up, evidently- with a
design to join a division of his fleet of eight sail
of the line, which Avereon the Captain's lee bow,
° Colonel Prinkwater's Narrative, page 13.

384
on Avhich the Commodore ordered the ship to be
wore; Avhen, passing betAveen the Diadem and
Excellent, she Avas immediately engaged by the
Santissima Trinidad a four-decked ship, and tAvo
other three-deckers and several tAvo-deckers ; so
that at one time Ave were engaged by nine line
of battle ships, in Avhich we Avere most nobly
supported by Captain Troubridge of the Cullo-
den. . The Spanish Admiral desisted from his
attempt of joining his other division, and hauled
to the Avind on the larboard tack. About tAvo
P. M. the Culloden having got between us and
the enemy Ave ceased firing about ten minutes,
till we got ahead of her and became engaged as
before. Employed the interval in replenishing
our shot, and repairing our rigging. About
half past tAvo, our sails and rigging being almost
cut to pieces, the Blenheim passed betAveen us
and the enemy: employed as before Avhile our
fire ceased. At three we came to engage seve-
ral of the enemy's line, particularly the San Josef
and San Nicholas; saAv a Spanish two-decker
strike to the Excellent, soon after Ave shot away
the mizen mast of the San Josef, which caused
her to fall on board the San Nicholas to Avind-
ward. At half past three the Excellent passed
us to AvindAvard, engaging the San Josef Avithin
pistol shot as she passed by; on Avhich she and
the San Nicholas fell on board of each other.
The San Josef having lost her mizen mast, the
Captain, Avhose fore top-mast was at thjs time

385
shot aAvay, immediately luffed alongside; pre
pared for boarding, and having engaged very
sharply for a feAv minutes, in which we had fifteen
men killed and Wounded, the Commodore or
dered the ship to be laid on board, Avhen himself,
pCaptain Berry, Noble, and Pierson, and Messrs'.
Samwell, Withers, and Williams, Midshipmen, at
the head of the boarders and troops entered on
board the San Nicholas on the starboard quarter,
and from her boarded the San Josef and hauled
down the colours at five minutes before four
o'clock: the latter mounting 112 guns, Rear
Admiral Winthuysen, and the former 84 guns,
Commodore Geraldino; they Avere both mortally
wounded and died soon after the action ceased.
Commodore Nelson put Captain Berry in charge
of the San Josef and Lieutenant Spicer of the
San Nicholas, with 150 men in each ship: found
the latter on fire, but extinguished it. At five,
all firing ceased. While Ave Avere entangled Avith
both ships, found the San Nicholas to be on fire
again in the fore hold ; but it Avas happily extin
guished by our firemen. The Commodore after
wards Avent on board the Irresistible."
A more circumstantial and animated account of
this memorable enterprise of Nelson, was draAvn
up by himself and transmitted to his friend the
Duke of Clarence Avith a short note , in .which
p Recently promoted ; but still serving with the Commodore as
a Volunteer,
3 C

386
the Commodore said, " The praises and honours^
of my Admiral tell me I may relate my tale :„ I
therefore send your Royal Highness,
A few Remarks relative to myself in the Captain,
in xvhich my Pendant was flying on the most glorious
Valentines Day.
"At one P. M. the Captain having passed the
sternmost of the enemy's ships Avhich formed
their van and part of their centre consisting of
seventeen sail of the line, they on the larboard,
Ave on the starboard tack; the Admiral made the
signal to tack in succession: but perceiving the
Spanish Fleet to bear up before the wind or
nearly so, evidently with an intention of forming
their line going large, and joining their sepa
rated division at that time engaged with some of
our centre ships, or flying from us; to prevent
either of their schemes from taking effect I or
dered the ship to be Avore, and passing betAveen
the Diadem, Captain G. W. ToAvry, and Excel
lent, Captain C. Collingwood, at a quarter past
one o'clock, Avas in close action Avith the head
most and of course leeAvardmost of the Spanish
division. The ships Avhich I kneAV, Avere the
Santissima Trinidad 136, San Josef 112, Salvador
del Mundo 112, San Nicholas 80, San Isidro 74,
with another first rate and a 74 names not
knoAvn. I Avas immediately joined and most
nobly supported by the Culloden, Captain Trou-
b.ridge. The Spanish Fleet from not Avishing, I
suppose, to have a decisive battle, hauled to the

Wind On the larboard tack, which brought the
ships abovementioned to be the leewardmost in
their Fleet. For near an hour, I believe, but
do not pretend to be correct as to time, did the
Culloden and Captain support this apparently,
hut not really, unequal contest; Avhen the Blen
heim, Captain T. L. Frederick, passing betAveen
us and the enemy, gave us a respite and sjckened
the Dons: At this time the Salvador del Mundo
and San Isidfo dropped astern, and Avere fired
into in a masterly style by the Excellent Avho .
compelled the San Isidro to hoist English colours,
and I thought the large ship Salvador del Mundo
had also struck: but Captain Collingwood dis
daining the parade of taking possession of beaten
enemies* most gallantly pushed up Avith every
sail set to save his old friend and messmate, who
Avas to appearance in a critical situation; the
Captain at this time being actually' fired upon
by three first rates and the San Nicholas and a
seventy-four, Avithin about pistol shot distance
of the San Nicholas. The Blenheim being ahead
arid the Culloden crippled and astern, the Ex
cellent ranged up, and hauling up her mainsail
just astern, passed within ten feet of the San
Nicholas, giving her a most awful and tremendous
fife. The San Nicholas luffing up the San Josef
fell on board her, and the Excellent passing on
for theiSantissima Trinidad, the Captain resumed
her station abreast of them and close alongside.
At this time the Captain having lost her fore top
2 c 2

388
mast, not a sail, shroud, or rope left, her Avheel
shot away, and incapable of further service in'
the line, or in chace, 1 directed Captain Millet
to put the helm a starboard, and calling for the
Boarders ordered them to board.
"The soldiers of the 69th regiment Avith an
alacrity which will ever do them credit, and
Lieutenant Pierson of the same regiment, were
amongst the foremost on this service. The first
man Avho jumped into the enemy's mizen chains,
was Captain Berry, late my first Lieutenant;
(Captain Miller Avas in the very act of going also,
but I directed him to remain;) he was supported
from our spritsail yard Avhich hooked in the San
Nicholas's mizen rigging. A soldier of the 69th
regiment having broken the upper quarter gallery
window, jumped in, folloAved by myself and others
as fast as possible. I found the cabin doors fast
ened, and the Spanish officers fired their pistols
at us through the Avindows; but having burst
open the doors, the soldiers fired, and the Spanish
Brigadier (Commodore Avith a distinguishing pen
dant) fell as retreating to the quarter deck on
the larboard side near the Avheel. Having pushed
on to the quarter deck, I found Captain Berry in
possession of the poop, and the Spanish Ensign
hauling down. I passed with my people and
Lieutenant Pierson on the larboard gangway to
the forecastle, where I met tAvo or three Spanish
officers, prisoners to my seamen, and they deli
vered me their sAVords: at this moment a fire of

389
, v.
pistols, or musquets, opening from the Admiral's
stern gallery in the San Josef, I directed the
soldiers to fire into her stern. Our seamen by
this time Avere in full possession of every part of
the ship; about seven of my men Avere killed
and some feAv wounded, and about tAventy Spa
niards. Having placed centinels at the different
ladders, and calling to Captain Miller ordering
him to send more men into the San Nicholas, I
directed my brave fellows to board the first rate,
the San Josef, which Avas clone in an instant,
Captain Berry assisting me into the main chains.
At this moment a Spanish Officer looked over
the quarter-deck rail and said they surrendered;
from this most Avelcome intelligence it was not
long before I Avas on the quarter deck, when the
Spanish Captain Avith a bended-knee presented
me his SAvord, and told me the Admiral Avas dying
of his Avounds beloAV. I asked him on his honour,
if the ship were surrendered? he declared she
was ; on Avhich I gave him my hand, and desired
him to call to his officers and ship's company and
tell them of it, Avhich he did; and on the quar
ter deck of a Spanish first rate, extravagant as
the story may seem, did I receive"1 the savoixIs
of vanquished Spaniards; which as I received I
gave to William Fearney, one of my bargemen,
who put them Avith the greatest sangfroid under
qThe Commodore had originally written, "with William
Fearney one of my bargemen as my aide de camp," but he after
wards drew his pen across it.

390
his arm. One of my sailors noAV took me by the
hand, saying, He might not soon have such another
place to do it in, and assuring me he Avas most
heartily glad to see me there. I Avas surrounded
by Captain Berry, Lieutenant Pierson 69th regi
ment, JohnSykes, John Thompson, Francis Cook,
and William Fearney, all old Agamemnons, and
several other brave men, seamen and soldiers:
thus fell their ships. The Victory passing saluted
us with three cheers, as did every ship in the
Fleet. The Minerver being sent by the Admiral
to my assistance, I Avent on board her and di
rected Captain Cockburn to hoist my pendant
and carry me to the van, and place me on board
any of the liue of battle ships then engaged;
however, before this could be effected, the sig
nal being made to Avear and discontinue the
action, I Avent with Captain Cockburn on board
the Victory, Avhen the Admiral received me on
the quarter-deck, and having embraced me, said
he could not sufficiently thank me, and used
every kind expression, which could not fail
to make me happy. From the Victory I Avent
to the Irresistible, 74, Captain G. Martin, avIio
was ordered to hoist my pendant as my oavii ship
was completely disabled, and she was then taken
in toAV by the Minerve. My bruises were noAV
looked at, and found but trifling, and a few days
made me as Avell as ever."
The ship's Log-book thus continues the official
' Some additions have been made from the original found,
among the Nelson papers.

391
account of the proceedings of the Captain, after
Nelson had gone on board the' Irresistible : "At
six got clear of the prizes. Wore to join the
fleet, having been between them and the enemy,
Avho stood towards us Avith a fresh breeze but
hauled their Avind again. 4 Employed cutting
away the remnant of the foresail and clearing
the wreck of the fore top mast. At seven the
Minerve took us in tOAv; our standing and run
ning rigging Avith all the bending sails being cut
to pieces, our Avheel, fore top mast and fore top
shot aAvay, and our masts seA'erely Avounded, the
main mast having three shot through the heart.
Employed filling poAvder and replenishing shot,
knotting and splicing, and to get ready for battle
again as soon as possible. Found that another
ship of 112 guns, the San Salvador del Mundo,
and the San Isidro, 74 guns, had struck to our
fleet. Our frigates took them in toA\\ Found
Ave had tAventy-four men killed and fifty-six
wounded. In the Spanish prizes Ave took, the
slaughter must have been very great, as there
were people employed all night throAving the
dead overboard."
The result of this memorable day is well knoAvn,
and has been often faithfully narrated. On board
the Captain, Major William Norris of the ma
rines and Mr. James Goodench, a midshipman,
were killed,' Avith tAventy two of the ship's com-
* See Appendix for the list of ships composing the British and
Spanish fleets, Avith an account of tne killed and wounded.

pany : and tAvo pfficers with fifty-four of the crew
were Avounded. The loss of the whole Squadron
in killed and wounded, amounted tp three hun
dred. The Captain, according to Colonel Drink-*
water, fired more shot than is usually given to
a ship pf her rate at her first equipment; and
it was observed, that when -shot or grape were
wanting on board this ship for the carronades;,
the seamen substituted in their place, some nine-
pounders, seven of Avhich Avere frequently dis
charged at one time, and at so short a distance,
that every shot must have done execution: the
Captain expended 146 barrels of poAvder, the
Culloden 170, the Blenheim 180, and the other
ships in the same proportion. If it had not been
for the approach of night, the Santissima Trini
dad, which carried the Spanish Admiral's flag,
would certainly have been taken, as she was
reduced to a perfect Avreck: Colonel Drinkwater
gives it as his opinion, that the close of the day
before the four prizes Avere secured, undoubtedly
saved the Spanish Admiral's flag, from falling
into our hands, The judicious termination of
this glorious Action displayed that vigilant and
collected mind so conspicious in the character
of Sir John Jervis, Avhich was equally unimpaired
by the anxiety that preceded the battle, or the
success that followed it: For had the signal tp
bring to been delayed even five minutes longer,
his prizes Avould have been placed in a very dan
gerous situation, and possibly might have re-

393
verted into the hands of the enemy. From the
situation of both fleets, our ships could not have
formed without abandoning the prizes and run
ning to leeward, the enemy having at that time
at least eighteen or nineteen ships which had
suffered little or no injury, whilst the Captain
was lying a perfect Avreck on board the San
Nicholas and San Josef, and many of our other
ships were so shattered in their masts and rigging
as to be wholly ungovernable.* The Salvador
del Mundo, 112, the San Josef, 112, the San
Nicholas, 84, and the San Isidro, 74 guns, ae»
companied our fleet to Lagos bay.
(1797.) On the 16th of February, Sir John
Jervis whilst in Lagos bay issued his general
thanks to the Officers of his Squadron, declaring,
•'That no language he Avas possessed of could
convey the high sense Avhich he entertained of
their exemplary conduct, and that the late signal
victory Avas entirely to be attributed to their
determined valour and discipline." On the same
day he also sent the folloAving private letter With
his official despatch, to Lord Spencer. "My
Lord: The correct conduct of every officer and
man in the Squadron on the 14th instant, made
it improper to distinguish one more than another.
in my public letter, because I am confident that
had those who were least in action been in the
situation of the fortunate few, their behaviour
¦« Naral Chronicle, Vol IV. page 3f.

394
would not have been less meritorious. Yet to
your Lordship it becomes me to state, that Cap
tain Troubridge in the Culloden led the Squa
dron through the enemy in a masterly style, and
tacked the instant the signal fleAv; and Avas gal
lantly supported by the Blenheim, Prince George,
Orion, Irresistible, and Colossus. The latter
had her fore and fore top-sail yards Avounded,
and they unfortunately broke in the slings in
stays, Avhich threAv her out and impeded the
tacking of the Victory. Commodore Nelson,.
who Avas in the rear on the starboard tack, took
the lead on the larboard, and contributed very
much to the fortune of the day, as did Captain
CollingAvood; and, in the close, the San Josef
and San Nicholas having fallen foul of each other,
the Captain laid them on board, and Captain
Berry, avIio served as a volunteer, entered at the
head of the boarders, and Commodore Nelson
folloAved immediately and took possession of
them both."
(1797-) Commodore Nelson to Mr. Windham,
member for Norwich, dated Irresistible, off Lisbon,
February 26. — "Sir: Particular circumstances
having put the Spanish Rear Admiral's SAvord,
Don Xavier Francisco Winthuysen, into my
hands on the most glorious 14th of February,
and Admiral Sir John Jervis having done me the
honour of insisting on my keeping possession of
it, I knoAV no place Avhere it Avould give me or
my family more pleasure to have it kept, than

395
in the capital city of the county in Avhich I had
the honour to be born. If therefore you think,
Sir, that the Mayor and Corporation of Nonvich
would Avjsh to accept such a present, I have tq
request that you as a Representative of Norwich
would send my letter and the box containing the
sword to the Mayor." — This valuable relic Avas
received by *the Mayor and Corporation Avith
every respect, and is placed in the council cham^
ber of their Guildhall Avith an inscription and
various ornamental devices. ,\
( 1 797- ) Commodore Nelson to Mrs. Nelson, dated
Irresistible, Lisbon, Feb. 28. — "We got up here
with our prizes this afternoon; the more I think
of our late Action the more I am astonished; it
absolutely appears a dream. The Santissima
Trinidad of four decks, lost 500 killed and
wounded; had not my ship been so cut up, I
would have had her; but it is Avell, thank God
for it. As to myself I assure you I never Avas
better, and rich in the praises of every man,
from the highest to the loAvest in the fleet. The
Spanish Avar will give us a cottage and a piece of
ground, which is all I Avant I shall come one
day or other laughing back, Avhen we will 'retire
from the busy scenes of life: ,1 do not hoAve\'er
mean to be a hermit, the Dons will give us a
little money. If my Father should at any time
wish for any part that is in my agent's hands, I
beg he Avould always take it; for that Avould give
me more real pleasure than buying house or land,,

396
I go to sea the day after to-morrow iri this ship
with a Squadron to be off Cadiz, consisting of
the Irresistible, Orion, &c. Sir John Jervis has
already spread the frigates; and I shall return
by the time his fleet is ready for sea."
The manner in Avhich Nelson Avas thus uni
formly selected by his Admiral to command a
detached Squadron Avas peculiarly gratifying,
and heightened that reciprocal confidence and
friendship between them, Avhich rendered such
important service to the general cause. On
leaving' the Tagus Avith this Squadron to Avatch
the motions of the enemy, the Commodore had
also in vieAV to intercept a rich Spanish ship,
which Avas to convey the Viceroy of Mexico and
h\s treasures to Old Spain. — On the 12th of
March, he spoke a vessel from Gibraltar, Avhich
informed him that the Spanish officers and sea-
, men had been pelted and hooted by the mob at
Cadiz. (1797-) The Commodore in a letter to Mr.
M 'Arthur, March 16, has preserved a little of
what Avas also said at Cadiz, after the defeat of
their fleet: the flame of patriotism had not then
aAVakened the national valour and ancient cha
racter of Spain: "Their first report was, That
tlie action happening on a foggy day, Avheri the
fog cleared up they only saAv fifteen sail of the
British line, and therefore concluded that at
least five were sunk. My usual good fortune
attended me, which I krioAV will give you

397
amongst my other friends satisfaction: I only,
got on board the Captain at seven o'clock in the
evening of the 13th. I am iioav off Lagos bay
with three sail of the line looking for the Vice
roy of Mexico, who has two first rates and a 74
with him, but the larger the ship the better the
mark." ( 1 797- ) Sir J. Jervis, K. B. to Commodore Nel
son, dated Victory, Tagus, March 21. — Sir: In
obedience to the commands of the Lords Cohv
missioners of the Admiralty, by far the pleasantest
I ever received, 1 have the honour to convey to
you personally His Majesty's most gracious ap
probation of your distinguished services in the
Action with the fleet of Spain on the 14th of
February, signified through Earl Spencer to the.
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 'V-S,ir
John Jervis also transmitted the thanks of both
Flouses of Parliament, and of the Corporation of
London. (1797.) In some previous letters to Sir John
Jervis, Commodore Nelson had alluded to the
expectation of a promotion of Flag Officers,
which had long prevailed in the Mediterranean.
This event had taken place at home, on the 20th
of February, six days after the late glorious
action Avith the Spaniards, when the Commodore
had been advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral,
As no account hoAve\rer of this promotion reached
Sir John Jervis until the end of March, the
title of Commodore has been retained whilst his

598
broad pendant continued flying;, on the striking
of which, the second period of the life of this
illustrious Naval Officer is concluded. What a
career of glory and of perilous service has been
pursued, since he left the humble parsonage of
Burnham Thorpe in the year 1793; and hitherto
without any of those attendant shades, which so
often appear in the conduct of men of extraor
dinary genius and zealous dispositions. An high
sense of the principles of Revealed Religion^ a
love for his venerable father and the chosen
partner of his life, and an unAvearied regard for
the honour of his King and Country, are visible
throughout the Avhole period. The following
letters Avhich about this time Avere addressed to
him by his early friend and second mother Lady
Parker, and by his Father, may give an addi
tional interest to the close of this second book
of his life, aud connect it with the important and
brilliant career that succeeds.
( 1 79 7- ) From Lady Parker, ™ ' dated Portsmouth,
March 15. — " My dear Nelson: I cannot let Sir
Robert Calder sail from hence Avithout Avriting
you a feAv lines. There are no expressions in
the English language that I am acquainted Avith,
equal to convey the idea Avhich I have of your
gallant and meritorious exertions in your Coun
try's cause upon all occasions. Your conduct
on the memorable 14th of February, a proud
" From the Nelson Papers,

¦ " • « . - ft'
399
day for Old England, is above all praise; it never
was, nor never can be equalled. All that I shall
say is, that your Mother could not have heard
of your-deeds Avith more affection, nor could she
be more rejoiced at your personal escape from
all the dangers to Avhich you were exposed on
that glorious day. Long may you live my dear
Nelson, an ornament to your Country and your
profession, is the sincere Avish of your old Com
mander Sir Peter arid myself, arid every branch
of our family. Pray offer my most affectionate
regards to your truly able and 'gallant Comman
der in chief; he shall henceforth be my Valen
tine. I must request you also to remember me
to dear good CollingAvood in the kindest manner,
I am very happy at the glory he has gained:
remember me also to George Martin, and the
whole of the Invincible Fifteen that I have the
honour of knoAving. God bless you, my dear >
Nelson, your affectionate and sincere friend,
Margaret Parker."
, From the Rev. Edmund Nelson.
"My dear Rear Admiral: I thank my God
Avith all the poAver of a grateful soul for the. mer
cies he has most graciously bestoAved on me, in
preserving- you amidst the imminent perils Avhich
so lately threatened your life at every moment;
and amongst other innumerable blessings I must
not forget the bounty of Heaven, in granting
you a mind that rejoices in the practice of those
eminent virtues Avhich form great and good cha-

400
racters. The height of glory to which yoiir
professional judgment, united Avith a proper de
gree of bravery guarded by Providence, has
raised you, feAv Sons, my clear child, attain to,
and feAver Fathers live to see. Tears of joy
have involuntarily trickled doAvn my furrowed
cheek. Who could stand the force of such ge
neral congratulation? The name and services of
Nelson have sounded throughout the city of
Bath,* from the common ballad singer to the
public theatre. Joy sparkles in every eye, and
desponding Britain draAvs back her sable veil
and smiles. It gives me imvard satisfaction to
knoAv, that the laurels you have wreathed sprung
from those principles and religious truths which
alone constitute the Hero, and though a Civic
CroAvn is all you at present reap, it is to the mind
of inestimable value, and I have no doubt will one
day bear a Golden Apple. Edmund Nelson."
* The honourary Freedom of the City was voted to him March
20, 1797. as a testimony of its high esteem for his brave conduct
under Admiral Sir John Jervis, in the late gallant action with
the Spanish Fleet.

END OF THE SECOND BOOK.

401

BOOK THE THIRD.
From 1797 to 1805.
I. Such Avas the Character and such had been
the professional Services of Horatio Nelson, when
he succeeded in his 39th year to the rank of
Rear Admiral. His great abilities and approved
integrity Avere knovra and acknoAvledged through
out all Europe, 'and had been extolled in the most
liberal manner even by those enemies Avho had
severely felt their ascendancy. As a Comman
der, he not only possessed the most unshaken
valour and inexhaustible spirit of enterprise, but
he also enjoyed the happy and rare talent of in
spiring his folloAvers Avith an unbounded con
fidence of success in Avhatever. he undertook.
The various and Avonderful resources of his mind
provided a remedy for every contingency. Pa
tient of toil and hardship, but not of inaction,
covetous of honour, but not of gold, he anxiously
sought for situations of peril and exertion, Avhere
he might surpass the rest of his profession in
supporting the dignify of his King, and the in
dependence of his Country. The extraordinary,
and as it Avere intuitive capacity of his mind
created for itself opportunities of distinction in
the most forlorn and perplexing situations.
i 2 D

402
The departure of our fleet from the Mediter
ranean had been observed Avith exultation by
our enemies, as it enabled them in greater se
curity to make preparation's for their intended
Expedition from Toulon. The victory of February
tha 14th and the blockade of Cadiz had checked
but not prevented their ambitious designs. As
soon as Sir John Jervis had refitted his fleet at
Lisbon, he proceeded to reinforce Nelson's squa
dron in the blockade of Cadiz ; on which station
the latter had arrived in the beginning of April.
Previous to this the Captain had joined the Rear
Admiral, Avhen he had hoisted his flag on board
his old ship, still Commanded by Captain Miller.
The various and important services which he
had rendered his Country did not fail to make*
that impression on his Sovereign, Avhich the too
auxious mind of Nelson had rather hoped for
than expected; but to be admitted into one of
the noble orders of Knighthood, and Without
solicitation, was a mark of favour peculiarly
adapted to gratify his loyal disposition, and an
ambition which had hitherto been often mor
tified. Information of this intended honour Was
communicated to him by Lord Spencer in the
handsomest manner, on the 17th of March.
Having received instructions from Sir John
Jervis to render the blockade of Cadiz as strict
.as possible, the Rear Admiral issued his orders
accordingly on the 11th of April to the respec
tive Captains under his command; and also in-

403
formed the American and Danish Consuls at
Cadiz, That in future no neutral vessel Avould be
permitted to enter or leave that port, unless by
leave obtained from the Commander in Chief: "I
slrall endeaA-our," added Nelson, Avhen writing
to his Admiral, "by fair means to accomplish
your wishes in the blockade, I have myself no
idea that the Spanish fleet will be ready for sea
for some months; and, I own, Sir, that my feel
ings are alive for the safety of our army from
Elba. If the French get out tAvo sail of the line,
ivhich I am confident they may do, our troops
are lost^ and what a triumph Would that be to
them ! I knoAv you have many difficulties to con
tend Avith, but I am anxious that nothing should
miscarry under your orders. If you think a
detachment can be spared^ I am ready to go and
do my best for their protection. At all events
I trust you will not imagine that my taking the
great liberty of thus mentioning my thoughts;
arises from any other motive than affection to
wards you."
( 1 797.) Sir John Jervis to Rear Admiral Nelson,
dated off Cadiz, April 12 — "DearSir, I return you
very many thanks for your friendly hint about
the garrison of Porto Ferrajo and your offer to
go in quest of it; which I avail myself of bv
sending you orders to proceed with the Captain,
Colossus, and Leander to Gibraltar, and after
they are completed in their Avater and provisions,
to make the best of your way up the Mediter-
2 D %

404
ranean. I have reason to think the garrison is
on its passage to Gibraltar under the charge of
Captain Fremantle in the Inconstant. I left
him to his OAvn judgment, formed on the intelli
gence he might be possessed of at the moment
of departure; promising nothing, but that I
would protect him from Jack Spaniard by block
ing up this port. The Terpsichore and Dido are
going off Santa Cruz in the island of Teneriffe,
to ascertain whether the Viceroy of Mexico be
actually there."
The daring heroism of Nelson on the 14th of
February, Avhich had been rewarded by the mu
nificence of his Sovereign, Avas also marked by
various corporate bodies as claiming their thanks.
In addition to those of the Irish Parliament
Avhich he received from Sir John Jervis, April 19;
he had also transmitted to him the resolutions of
the city of Bristol, and of the Grand Jury of the
county of Stafford, expressive of the high sense
which they all respectively entertained of his
bravery and gallant conduct on that day.
In the mean time being detached from the
fleet to secure the safety of the troops under
General de Burgh, he had been joined off Ca-
brita, on the day after he left Sir J. Jervis, by
the Seahorse, Caroline, and Southampton, and
on the 15th of April by the Meleager. In getting
to the eastward he spoke every vessel he met
with to obtain information, and Avas repeatedly
told, that a French squadron, of four sail of the

405
line, a frigate and a brig, Avas off the southern
end of Minorca. The Southampton parted com
pany in chace; on the 18th and 19th of April he
passed Ivica, and Majorca, and Avithin gun-shot
of Port Mahon Avith a strong wind at N. W.
"which probably," added he, in a letter to his
Commander dated April 21, off the southern end
of Corsica, " bleAV the French ships under St.
Peters in the island of Sardinia: this morning
Avith inexpressible pleasure I beheld the Convoy,
AA'hich I shall hope to see safe into Gibraltar,
and I dispatch Gibson to tell you this good neAVS.
I hope you will, press General O'Hara about Te-
neriffe, Avhat a stroke it.Avould be! All is lest in
Italy, the Avhole state of Venice, is actually
French. Trieste is said to be also in their pos
session, and that Buonaparte is Avithin 150 miles
of Vienna with 150^000 men. The Archduke
Charles is fortifying some pass to make a stand;
but there seems no prospect of stopping these'
extraordinary people."
.(1797.) On the igth of May, whilst the Rear
Admiral AA'as detained in Gibraltar bay, he issued
the orders he had received from. Sir John Jervis,
respecting the subsequent destination and vic
tualling of the ships under Captain Fremantle.
On the 20th, having received a request fro'm
Mr. Simpson, the American consul, to protect
tAvelve American vessels Avhich were lying in the
bay of Malaga, unable to proceed on account of
three French priyateers by Avhom the Americans

400
were closely Avatched; the Admiral returned fqr
ansAver, " I shall immediately grant the pro
tection you have requested, by sending the
Andrprnapbe, Captain Mansfield, tq -morrow off
Malaga, Avho Avill protect the vessels cjose to the
coast of Barbary, where you tell mp they will
Consider themselves safe. In thus freely grant
ing the protection pf the British flag to the
subjects of the United States, I am sure of ful
filling the wishes of my Sovereign, and I hope of
strengthening the harrnony which at present so
happily subsists between the |;avo qations,"—
Having joined the fleet and his ship the, Captain
beipg in so bad a state, Nelson shifted his flag
tOAvards the end of the month on board the
Theseus, Captain Miller still accompanying him;
and Captain Aylmer succeeded to the Captain.
On the 30th of May, the Commander in Chief
having given out hjs orders respecting the firings
pf tAventy-one guns, and three feux de joie, pn
the ensuing birth-day of the King, from each of
the ships pf the squadron, Rear Admiral Nelson
was directed qn sending a dispatch to the Spa
nish Admiral, to inform D. Josef de Mazarredq
pf the royal salute that had been ordered : upon
which Nelson wrote as follows. "I embrace,
Sir^ the opportunity of assuring you pf my high,
esteen} for your character. The 4th of June
being the birth-day of my Royal Master, Sir
John Jervis intends firing a royal salute at eight
p'clock ip the evening, instead of the usual time

407
at one o' clock in the afternoon; and has desired
me to mention it to your Excellency, that the
ladies at Cadiz may not be alarmed.'' Don Josef
with the high spirit of an old Castilian, replied,
"That the general wish of the Spanish Nation coidd
not but accord with so august a motive. "
In Avriting to Mr. M 'Arthur, June 1, he added,
"We are off Cadiz Avith a greater inferiority
than before. We have every day flags of truce,
the Dons hope for peace, but must soon fight us
if the war goes on. I Avish it Avas all over, for
I cannot fag much longer; and, to please our
fleet, I hear that a squadron is looking out in
the limits of this station for the galleons daily
expected : AA-hat a special mark of favour to us,
Avho are enabling them to cruise so much at
their ease. Believe me, dear Sir, your obliged
and faithful servant. P. S. Sam. Hood is gone
I hope to get riches, sure to get honour."
(1797-) The next mark of confidence which
Nelson received from his Admiral Avas the being
appointed to command the in-shore squadron off
Cadiz; a post of honour Avell adapted to so vigi
lant and daring a spirit. It Avas his constant
custom every night, Avhen the boats were on
their stations off the mouth of that harbour, to
be rowed in his barge through the Avhole force,
and, Avith his Avonted attention, to inspect every
thing that was going on. The folloAving order
from Sir John Jervis, June 5, relates to this
perilous service, and Avill convey some idea of

408
the determined manner in which it Avas con
ducted. "The Commander in Chief thinks it
expedient, from intelligence lately received, that
the launches and the barges of the two divisions
under Vice Admiral Thompson and Rear Admi
ral Parker, should assemble on board the Theseus
between nine and ten o'clock every night, armed
with carronades, pikes, cutlasses, broad axes and
chopping knives, a clamp in each boat, wifh
spikes, a sledge hammer, and a coil of small rope
to tow off any armed brig, mortar or gun boat,
that is carried, and folloAv the directions of Rear
Admiral Nelson for the night:" and on the same
day another order Avas issued, that the launches
and barges Avere on that evening to be alongside
the Theseus by half past seven o'clock; and
these Avere supported by gun boats properly fit
ted for that particular service.
(1797.) After the action of February 14, a
letter had inadvertently been published in the
English papers, injurious to the professional
character of one of the Spanish officers; and in
consequence of this, a correspondence ensued
between Admiral Nelson and the Spanish Vice
Admiral Moreno, which commenced Avith the
folloAving note, dated Theseus, June 8. " Sir,
A Spanish officer having said, that you had ex
pressed a Avish to obtain a letter supposed to
have been Avritten from his Majesty's ship Eg
mont, and inserted in an English newspaper,
relating to the action of Feb. 14; every inquiry

409
has been made to obtain the newspaper, and
hitherto Avithout effect. Captain Sutton of the
Egmont has also done every thing in his power,
but Avithout being able to learn whether any
letter from that ship has been published. The
inquiry has however produced from my Com
mander in Chief, Sir John Jervis, the most hand
some testimony of the gallant conduct of a three
decked ship, bearing the flag of a Vice Admiral,
Avho did every thing Avhich a good officer could
do to attempt to cut through the British line,
betAveen the Victory and the Egmont."
Nothing could equal the extreme attention
Avith which the blockade of Cadiz Avas carried
on by the Commander in Chief, and the intelli
gence Avhich he constantly obtained of every
transaction that passed in that harbour. On the
9th of June, in Avriting to the Marine Minister
at Lisbon, Sir John Jervis said, "The French
and Spanish privateers are preparing to elude
the vigilance of this squadron, by, taking out
their masts and passing under the arch of the
bridge at Leon, and taking them in again A\'hen
through, Avith an intention of going out at the
entrance of San Pedro; some Moorish vessels
Avith corn have got in that Avay. I have there
fore ordered the Meleager and Raven to anchor
in front of that channel."
(1797.) Rear Admiral Nelson to Sir J. Jervis,
June 9. — "My dear Sir, The newspaper was at
last found in the night, on the quarter deck, and

410
is gone as you desired: it will I fear militate
against Cordova, if any weight be given to a
newspaper account. Your testimony of Moreno's
conduct Avill no doubt be of service to him; the
trials are commenced, and every day an account
is sent off to Madrid. The heavy charge against
Cordova is not coming into Cadiz with his con
voy, Avhich they say he could have done the day
after he had passed the straits. Morales, it is
expected, will be shot, Cordova broke, Moreno
acquitted. The long trial of the officers Avho
gave up Figueras is jusc finished, and five are
to be shot. All the officers Avho composed the
council of war are to be degraded in their public
and private rank.
(1797.) Admiral Nelson, Avhen Avriting to his
wife, on the 15th of June, mentioned a circum
stance that must have been particularly grateful
to his feelings. Amidst the dreadful commotion
which had taken plape in our Navy during that
year, the Theseus, before she left England, had
been disgraced by the prevailing madness; and
some apprehensions had arisen respecting her
men, ou her first joining Sir John Jervis. For
this reason, amongst others, Nelson had hoisted
his flag on board her; and so ppAverful was the
influence which this extraordinary man had over
the crew, even in their then' state of irritation,
that it not only brought them back to a proper
sense of their duty, but actually attached the
whole ship's cqmpapy to him as if they had been

411
old Agamemnons. The folloAving extract from
his letter will more clearly exemplify this. "A
few nights ago a paper Avas dropped pn the quar
ter deck, of Avhich this is a copy: Success attend
Admiral Nelson! God bless Captain Miller. f We
thank them for tlie Officers they have placed over
us.. We are happy and comfortable, and will shed
every drop of blood in our veins to support them,
and the name of the Thes.eus shall be immortalised
as high as the Captain's. Ship's Compawy."
(1797.) Whilst these transactions had been
going on off Cadiz, and preparations were making
for the bombardment of the town and for an ex
pedition against Teneriffe, the gallantry of pur
seamen had been conspicuously displayed under
lieutenant Hardy, in the road of Santa Cruz.
On the 28th of May, Captain HalloAvell in the
Livejy and Captain Cockburn in la Minerve,
having discovered ap armed brig af that anchqr-
age, had ordered the bqats of the tAvo frigates,
under lieutenant T. M. Hardy of la Minerve, to
proceed into {he hay and attempt the daring en
terprise of cutting the brig out. Accordingly
in the afternoon about bajf past tAvo o'clock,
lieutenant Hardy had proceeded oq this service;
and being gallantly supported by his brother
officers and the seamen, he had boarded the
enemy and carried her; notwithstanding a steady
fire of musquetry from the brig and a heavy
discharge of artillery and small arms from the
town, tp Avhich for want of Avind they were a.

412
long time exposed, as also to the fire of a large
ship lying in the road. The prize proved to be
la Murine French corvette of tAvelve six poun
ders, two thirty-six pound carronades, and 130
men, commanded by citizen Xavier Paumier,
then on shore. The officers avIio particularly
distinguished themselves on this occasion Averc
lieutenants Bland, Hopkins, Bushby, and lieute
nant Bulkeley of the Royal Marines belonging
to the Lively; and lieutenants Hardy, Gage, and
Mailing, of la Minerve : four men Avere Avounded
in the Lively's boats, and ten in those of la Mi
nerve with lieutenant Hardy, avIio was imme
diately advanced for this achievement to the
rank of Commander, and appointed to la Murine.
The affectionate tenderness of the private cha
racter of Nelson, cannot be too generally knoAvn
and admired: In Avriting to Mrs. Nelson June 29,
as Avas his custom previous to his entering on
any service of peril, he had said, " Rest assured
of my most perfect love, affection and esteem
for your person and character, Avhich the more
I see of the Avorld the more I must admire. The
imperious call of honour to serve my Country,
is the only thing Avhich keeps me a moment from
you, and a hope that, by staying a little longer,
it may enable you to enjoy those little luxuries
which you so highly merit. I pray God it may
soon be peace, and that we may get into the
Cottage. — I have to thank many friends for
their kind congratulations, and have had along

413
letter and genealogy from the York Herald, Mr.
Nayler, Avhom I have referred to my brother
Maurice. I have sent my brother my supporters,
crest and motto; on one side a Sailor properly
habited, holding in his hand the broad pendant
on a staff and trampling on a Spanish flag; on
the other side the British lion tearing the Spanish
flag, the remnants hanging doAvn and the flag in
tatters. Motto, Avhat my brother William sug
gested turned into English, Faith and Works. I
hope you "will like them. — I intend my next
winter's gift at Burnham should be fifty good
large blankets of the very best quality, and they
will last for seven years at least. This will not
take from any thing the parish might give. I
wish inquiry to be made, and the blankets or
dered of some Avorthy man; they are to be at
my father's disposal in November. I have re
ceived my dear father's letter, God bless him
and you."
(1797.) On the 22d of June, the Duke of
Portland had sent the folloAving letter from
Whitehall to Sir John Jervis, who had been
created a Peer, by the title of Earl St. Vincent.
" My Lord : His Majesty having heen graciously
pleased as a mark of his royal approbation of
the eminent services of Rear Admiral Nelson,
to nominate him to be one of the Knights Com
panions of the most honourable Order of the
Bath; and it being necessary that he should be
invested with the ensigns of the said Order,

414
which are transmitted to him by this oppor
tunity, I am to signify to your Lordship the
King's pleasure that you should perform that
ceremony: and it being his Majesty's intention
that the same should be done in the most honour
able" arid distinguished manner that circum
stances Avill allow of, you Avill concert and adjust
with him such time and manner for investing
him Avith the ensigns of the Order of the Bath,
as shall appear to you most proper for shewing
all due respect to the King's order; and as may
at the same time mark in the most public man
ner his Majesty's just sense of the zeal and abi
lities which Rear Admiral Nelson has exerted
in the service of his King and Country."
As if it had been in the original and true spirit
of Chivalry, the renowned Sir Horatio Nelson
was destined to keep the vigils of his Knight
hood during the perilous night of the third of
July, at the mouth of Cadiz harbour. On the
evening of that day it had been given out in
orders by the Commander in Chief, That all the
barges and launches Avithout exception, Avith
their carronades properly fitted, and plenty of
ammunition and pikes, Avere to be with Admiral
Nelson at half past eight o'clock on a particular
Service. The garrison of Cadiz at this time
consisted of from 4000 to 4500 men. On the
line Avail facing the bay, seventy pieces of can-
^The fees on this occasion, amounting to 428/. Js. 5d. were1
baid by virtue of the King's sign manual.

415
non and eight mortars had been mounted, and
near Alameda Avere four other mortars ; and from
the Capuchins at the back of the toAvn to the
land point Avere three batteries of four guns each.
Such Avas the strength of the forts at Cadiz Avhen
Sir Horatio Nelson undertook its bombardment,
respecting which, he thus Avrote to Earl St. Vin
cent on the 1st of July. " We will begin this
night by ten o'clock; and I beg that all the
launches of the fleet may be with me by eight,
or half past at farthest, also all the barges or
pinnaces. I Avish to make it a Avarm night at
Cadiz. The town and their fleet are prepared,
and their gun-boats are advanced ; so much the
better. If they venture from their walls, I shall
give Johnny his full scope for fighting. Mazar-
redo will be more than human, if he can keep
the irierchants of Cadiz in good humour. I am
inclined to think he has been out this afternoon.
I intend if alive and not tired to see you to
morrow, and ever to the last believe me your
faithful Horatio Nelson."
The subsequent transactions of that memorable
night were detailed by him in the following offi
cial letter to Earl St. Vincent, dated Theseus,
July 4. " In obedience to your orders, the Thun
der bomb Avas placed by the good management
of lieutenant Gourly her present commander,
assisted by Mr. Jackson master of the Ville de
Paris, Avho volunteered his able services, within
2500 yards of the Avails of Cadiz; and the shells

416
were thrown from her'Avith much precision under
the direction of lieutenant Baynes of the royal
artillery; but unfortunately it was soon found
that the large mortar had been materially injured
by its former services: I therefore ordered her
to return under the protection of the Goliath,
Terpsichore and Fox, Avho Avere kept under sail
for that purpose, and for Avhose active services
I feel much obliged. The Spaniards having sent
out a great number of mortar gun-boats and
armed launches, I directed a vigorous attack to
be made on them; Avhich was done Avith such
gallantry, that they Avere driven and pursued
close to the Avails of Cadiz, and mus^t have suffer
ed considerable loss; and I have the pleasure to
inform you, that tAvo mortar-boats and an armed
launch remained in our possession.
¦ "I feel myself particularly indebted for the
successful termination of this contest to the gal
lantry of Captains Fremantle and Miller, the
former of whom accompanied me in my barge,
and to my coxsAvain John Sykes, Avho in defend
ing my person was most severely Avounded, as
was Captain Fremantle slightly in the attack;
and my praises are generally due to every officer
and man, some of Avhom I saAv behave in the
most noble manner, and I regret it is not in my
power to particularise them. I must also beg to
be permitted to express my admiration of Don
Miguel Tregoyen, the Commander of the gun
boats; in his barge .he laid my boat alongside.

417 A
and his resistance was such as to honour a brave
officer, eighteen of the tAventy six men being
killed, and himself and all the rest Avounded;
Not having a correct list of our killed and
Avounded, I can only state that I believe about
six are killed and tAventy wounded."
Earl St. Vincent to Sir Horatio Nelson.
" My dear Admiral: I congratulate you most
heartily on the events of last night. Every ser
vice you are engaged in adds fresh lustre to' the
British arms and to your character. The letter
is characteristic of your noble soul, and cannot
be improved by the ablest pen in Europe. John
son, first lieutenant of the Emerald, is a -man
after your own heart ; put him in a Avay of taking
a gun-boat, and I Avill ansAver he succeeds or
loses his life in the attempt. I thhik the barges
and launches should come to you to-morrow
after the night has closed, and you will make
your arrangements accordingly; perhaps it Avould
be better to try to carry some fnofe gun-boats
without the bomb ketch. The lieutenant avIio
has the greatest merit in taking a brig, shall be
made Captain of her immediately. "-r-Sir Horatio
replied, July 5th, "I am thankful, my dear Sir,
for your flattering letter, Avhich, as Ave all like,
I Avill believe as much of as I can. To-night my
plan is for Cadiz on the outside of the lighthouse :
Jackson knows a good birth. If the brigs come
• out, we Avill have a dash at therri, and as the
boats will be in three divisions under Captains,-
2 E

418
Ave may expect a little more regularity in case
of any unforeseen event. Your encouragement
for those lieutenants who may conspicuously
exert themselves, cannot fail to have its good
effect in serving our Country; instead of their
thinking that if a vessel is taken, it Avould make
the son of some great man a Captain, in the
place of the gallant felloAv Avho captured her. At
present the Brigs lie too close to each other to
hope for a dash at them, but soon I expect to
find one off her guard, and then— We have
eighty-seven living prisoners now on board, and
near thirty have died of their Avounds. News
from Cadiz this morning is, that some peo
ple were killed in the toAvn, and fifteen were
killed and a great number wounded in the Spa
nish gun-boats."
Lord St. Vincent in a subsequent letter, said,
" You may believe, my dear Admiral, every
thing I say and Avrite of you and to you; my
public letter closes thus, Rear Admiral Nelsons
actions speak for themselves, any praise from my pen
would take from his merit." — His Lordship also
added in this despatch, which is dated July 5,
"The Rear Admiral, who is always present in
the most arduous enterprises, with the assistance
of some other barges boarded and carried tAvo
of the enemy's gun-boats, and a barge launch of
one of their ships of war, with the Commandant
of fhe flotilla. In this short conflict eighteen
or twenty Spaniards were killed, the Comman-

410
danf. and several Avounded; himself and twenty-
five men Avere made prisoners, and the rest SAvarri.
on shore. This spirited action Avas performed
with inconsiderable loss on our part. The launch
of the Ville de Paris sunk by a raking shot from
the enemy's gun-boats; but by the active intelli
gent mind of Captain Troubridge has been got
up, and repaired on board the Culloden."-1— The
noble conduct of John Sykes, Avho is since dead,
Avas thus mentioned by Admiral Nelson, " The
attack of the Spanish gun-boats was a service hand
to hand with swords, in which my coxswain John
Sykes, now no more, tw'we saved my Hife" This
brave man twice saved the life of his beloved
Commander by parrying the Moavs that were
aimed at him, and at last actually interposed his
OAvn head to receive the full force of a Spanish
sabre ; which, fighting as they Avere hand to
hand, he could not otherwise have prevented
from falling on Sir Horatio.
(1797-) During tlie ensuing night July 5, the
Rear Admiral, as he informed Lord St. Vincent
the next morning at half past three, was merely
a spectator. The enemy had got the exact range
of the bomb vessel and boats with both their-shot
and shells; and, as the end had answered of an
noying the town, forty or fifty shells having been
thrown into it, Nelson had taken the caution of
advising Captain, BoAven to tow the vessel off:
one man belonging to the Theseus was killed
* Quarto Edit. Vol. IL page 2.
3 E %

420
and seven badly Avounded, and the ship had re
ceived some shot in her hull. On board the Ur
chin six Avere Avounded. The enemy's gun-boats
kept close under the Avails; "and no opportu
nity/' added Sir Horatio, "was offered Bowen
to make a dash."
The following more circumstautial account was
sent home by Lord St. Vincent to the Admiralty.
"Rear Admiral Nelson ordered a second bom
bardment of Cadiz on the night of the 5th,
under the direction of Captain Bowen of the
Terpsichore, Captain Miller of the Theseus, and
Captain Waller of the Emerald; and appointed
Mr. Jackson, master of the Ville de Paris, to
place the Thunderer, Terror, and Strombolo.
The bombardment produced considerable effect
in the town, and amongst the shipping; ten sail
of the line, amongst them the ships carrying the
flags of Admirals Mazarredo and Gravina, having
Avarped out of the range of the shells with much
precipitation the folloAving morning."
(1797.) The indefatigable exertions made by
the Rear Admiral for a third attempt, in Avhich
he Avas baffled by the winds bloAving too strong
down the bay, are glanced at in his letter to
Earl St. Vincent, July 7; a thousandpiastres had
been promised by the Spaniards, to any of their
Vessels that should take or sink an English sloop,
and five thousand if they should take or sink an
English bomb vessel. "My dear Sir; I am
making arrangements for fixing the ten inch
howitzer in the mortar-boat, and doubt not of

421
succeeding; the other boat is larger and better
calculated for bad Aveather than the one I sent
¦ you to look at; but I shall be more particular in
the plan I have noAV in my head, The informa
tion from Cadiz by a market boat is, that our
shells did much damage, the town Avas on fire in
three places: one shell that fell in a convent
destroyed several priests. Plunder and robbery
were going on, displaying a horrid scene of con
fusion: they added, that representations have
been made to Mazarredo and to Madrid, for the
fleet to go out. At this instant I see an Admiral
moving fonvards, it is Mazarredo! Please God,
I hope the Spanish fleet are coming out; another
Admiral is under sail, and I open my letter to
say they are all on the move."
(1797.) These sudden movements of the Spa
nish flag ships only disappointed the sanguine
hopes of Nelson. On the 9th of July, he in
formed Lord St. Vincent, that although he hoped
enough had been done to force out the Spanish
fleet, yet in case there had not, he would try
them again, "When," he added, "down comes
Cadiz, and not only Cadiz, but their fleet, if
Mazarredo will not come out. As for their shot
flying about the Theseus it will do her good, and
make her the better for your support in some
proud day, not far distant, I hope. Portugal
ought tq be grateful for your attention to her
interest, and so ought little England. The Dons
Avill be tired enough to take a good nap this

422
afternoon. The people of Cadiz are told, that
they have made great destruction amongst us,
and believe it, and reports say their gun and
mortar-boats are to attack our advanced squa
dron the very first calm night. If they succeed
in either destroying some of us, or crippling our
masts, then Mazarredo puts to sea and destroys
you: therefore do not be surprised, my dear Sir,
if you hear a cannonade; I am prepared."
(1797.) H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence to Sir
Horatio Nelson, dated July A. — "Dear Nelson:
I was very happy to find you had executed Avith
so much success and promptitude Lord St. Vin
cent's order for the evacuation of Porto Ferrajo.
I feel for poor Oakes on every account, and
sincerely Avish he Avas safe at home; and believe
me, I am also much concerned at the state of
your own. health. After such long and disthv
guished service you Avill of course get leave to
return. In ansAver to your last letter, I can only
say, that I hope, and believe, our confidence is
mutual ; therefore in future no more apology on
either side is Avanted. Under this idea, I must
begin by defending an officer, against Avhom you
have become prejudiced . , . . . Want of discipline
in some of our home squadrons, and the energy
of infamous incendiaries, had for many months
throAvn the Avhole fleet into a state of democracy
and absolute rebellion. I rejoice that the Theseus
has fallen into such good hands, and I shall shortly
hear that she is in the best order of the Mediter*

423
ranean fleet. One word more about what has
passed at Spithead, Plymouth, and the Nore, and
I will never mention the disgraceful business,
again; but I cannot pass over unnoticed your
remark about short weights and measures. Every
officer must know that by the old alloAvance, the
men on board the King's ships had more provi
sions than they could consume, and that they
always sold a part; therefore an increase of pro
visions Avas not wanted. I Avill not hurt your
mind by relating the horrid particulars of the
late events, but shall conclude the subject by
observing, that in your next you Avill unsay what
you have too hastily expressed. I dread nothing,
as the government here appear to pursue proper
measures, and I am convinced St. Vincent will
keep up his fleet in discipline. Lenity at first is
severity at the last. My best Avishes and compli
ments attend your gallant Commander: my only
acquaintance Avith him is as an officer. His very
great attention and abilities Avere shewn to me
during the Spanish armament, since Avhich time
I have, and ahvays shall respect him.
"You will I am sure always distinguish your
self; aud I am afraid, from the exorbitant de-'
mands of the Directory, that for some time your
fleet will be constantly employed. I am happy
to find you are at last come over to my Avay of
thinking. As circumstances arise pray write,
and ever believe me, dear Sir, yours sincerely,
WlLlIAM."

424
(1797.) In a letter to Lady Xelson, July 12 —
14, Sir Horatio had repeated his Avish that a
Cottage should be purchased for them, as he
adhered to his determination of coming home
on the 1st of October: " I should be glad if the
house Avere bought: and, if you do not object,
f should like Norfolk in preference to any other
part of the kingdom; but do you choose. I am
sure the time is past for doing any thing for
George Tobin; bad he been Avith me he Avould
long since have been a Captain, and I should
have liked it, as being most exceedingly pleased
Avith him. My late affair here will not I believe
lower me in the opinion of the' Avorld. I have
had flattery enough to make me vain, and sucr
cess enough to make me confident. When you
know 1 am sent from the fleet, never calculate
on a letter till you hear I am returned. I am
always sorry when you are disappointed; and as
1 may noAv be absent for a short time, do not be
anxious about letters, for you cannot hear from
me'. Ever believe me your most affectionate
husband." (1797.) IL The detached service to which the
gallant Admiral here alludes, was the long pro
jected expedition toTeneriffe; which, as appears
from a preceding letter to the Commander in
Chief, had originated in the daring suggestion,
of Nelson himself. To the advantages Avhich an
attack on the toAvn of Santa Cruz had previously
offered, Avas noAv added the intelligence that had

425
been received respecting the arrival there of a
rich Spanish ship, El Principe d'Asturias from
Manilla, bound to Cadiz Avith treasure and a rich
cargo. On the morning of the 14th of July, at
half past eight, Sir Horatio Aveighed and stood
towards the main body of the fleet; and at noon
received orders to take, under his command the
Theseus, Captain J. W. Miller, Culloden, Captain
T. Troubridge, Zealous, Captain S. Hood, Lean-r
der, Captain T. B. Thompson, Seahorse, Captain
Fremantle, Emerald, Captain Waller, Terpsichore,
Captain R. BoAven, Fox cutter, Lieutenant Gib
son, and a mortar boat ; and by a sudden and
vigorous assault to attempt the toAvn of Santa
Cruz. Lord St. Vincent, notAvithstanding the
critical situation in which he Avas placed, liberally
alloAved Nelson to select such ships and officers
as he approved from the fleet. The next day,
Saturday the 15th, at six A. M. Sir Horatio and
his squadron made sail to the AvestAvard, Avithout
Avaiting for the Leander avIio had not then joined
from Lisbon, but folloAved him on the 18th; and
in a hasty note he informed the Admiral, That
nothing which ought to be attempted should be left
undone. (1797) Accordipg to the Journal* of their pro-
* Drawn up for the information of Lord St. Vincent under the
direction of Admiral Nelson. The original copy, afterwards
slightly altered, was found amongst the Nelson papers. This has
been referred to and enlarged from a private Journal, which the
Admiral kept until the loss of his arm. Two detailed accounts

426
ceedings, on Sunday, July 16*, Avhen distant thirty
leagues from Cape St. Vincent, they Avere joined
by the Terpsichore. On the 17th the Captains
of the squadron came on board the Theseus, and
received further instructions; and on the 18th
the small armed men Avere directed to exercise
themselves and fire at a target. On tbe 20tb,
when Avithin thirteen leagues distance of Tene-
riffe, a general signal Avas made for the Captains ;
and Captain Troubridge, Avho commanded the
seamen and marines to be landed, received the
following orders :
(1797-) To Thomas Troubridge, Esq. Captain of
H. M. S. Culloden, and Commander of the Forces
ordered to be landed for taking Santa Cruz, dated
Theseus at sea, July 20. — " Sir, I desire you will
take under your command the number of seamen
and marines named in the margin,b who will be
under Captains Hood, Miller, Fremantle, Bowen
and Waller, and the marines under Captain
Thomas Oldfield, and a detachment of the royal.
of these transactions were found amongst some papers in a Spa
nish schooner going home with despatches, captured off the coast
of Barbary in August 1797, by the Alcmene and Andromache
frigates. I* Theseus  200"!

Culloden  200
Zealous  200
Seahorse  100
Terpsichore ... . 100
Emerald  100
900

Exclusive of commissioned Officers
> and servants.
The Leander had not then joined,

427
artillery under Lieutenant Baynes, all of whom
are iioav embarked on board his majesty's frigates
Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald. With this
detachment you will proceed as near to the town
of Santa Cruz as possible, Avithout endangering
your being perceived ; when you will embark as*
many men as the boats Avill carry, and force
your landing in the north east part of the bay of
Santa Cruz, near a large battery. The moment
you are on shore I recommend you first to at
tack the battery ; which when carried, and your
post secured, you "will either proceed by storm
against the toAvn and mole-head battery, or send
in my letter, as you judge most proper, contain
ing a Summons of which I send you a copy ; and
the terms are either to be accepted or rejected
in the time specified, unless you see good cause
for prolonging it, as no alteration Avill be made
in them : and you Avill pursue such other me
thods as you judge most proper for speedily
effecting my orders, which are to possess myself
of all cargoes aud treasures which may be landed
in the island of Teneriffe. Having the firmest
confidence in tjie ability, bravery, and zeal of
yourself, and of all placed under your command,
I have only heartily to -vish you success, and to
assure you that I am your most obedient and
faithful servant, Horatio Nelson."
(1797.) To the Governor, or Commanding Officer
of Santa Cruz, the Summons of Sir Hoi'atio Nelson,
Knighf of the most Honourable Order of the iBath,

428
Rear Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in
Chief of his Britannick Majesty's forces by sea and
land before Santa Cruz ; dated Theseus, 20th July.
— "Sir, I have the honour to acquaint you, that
I am come to demand the immediate surrender
of the ship El Principe d'Asturias from Manilla
bound to Cadiz, belonging to the Philipine Com
pany, together Avith her Avhole and entire cargo;
and also all such other cargoes and property as
may have been landed in the island of Teneriffe,
and not intended for the consumption of its in
habitants. And, as it is my earnest Avish that not
one individual inhabitant of the islapd of Tene
riffe should suffer by my demand being instantly
complied with, I offer the most honourable and
liberal' terms; which if refused, the horrors of
war that Avill fall on the inhabitants of Teneriffe,
must be by the Avorld imputed to you and you.
only ; for I shall destroy Santa Cruz and the
other towns in the island by a bombardment,
and levy a very heavy contribution on the
island. The following judicious Regulations were re
commended by him.— First, That the boats of
each ship should be kept together by towing
each other, Avhich will keep the people of each
ship collected, and the boats in six divisions will
be nearly got on shore the same moment. Se
condly, The marines of each ship of the line to
e See Quarto Edit. vol. ii. page 30.

429
be put in their launches, Avhich will carry therfL
Thirdly, The moment the boats are discovered
by a firing being made on them, the bomb ATes-
sel to commence her fire on the toAvn, and to
keep it up till the flag of truce is hoisted from
either the enemy, or from us. Fourthly, That
a Captain should be directed to see the boats put
off from the beach, that m°re men may be
speedily got on shore with the field pieces;
Fifthly, Frigates to anchor as soon as possible
after the alarm is given, or the forces are ashore,
near the battery in the N. E. part of the bay.
Sixthly, Immediately as the forces are ashore,
they are to get in the rear of the battery marked
S. in the N E. part of the bay, and to instantly
storm it, and also to take post on the top of the
hill which is above it. Every ship to land the
number of men as against their name expressed,
with a proper proportion of officers : And the
Captains are at liberty to send as many more
men as they please, leaving sufficient to manage
the ship, and to man the launch and another
boat Every Captain, that chooses, is at liberty
to land and command his seamen, under the di
rection of Captain Troubridge.
" It is recommended to put on the seamen as
many marine coats or jackets as can be procured,
and that all should have canvass crop belts. The
marines to be all under the orders of Captain
Oldfield, the senior marine officer, and he is re
quested to put himself under the direction of

43(3
of Captain Troubridge, as is lieutenant Baynes of
the royal artillery with his detachment."
The experience, and the cautious mind of Neh
son endeavouring to anticipate every possible
obstacle, appear throughout the Avhole of these
Orders and Regulations ; Copies of Avhich having
been sent to the respective Captains, the boats of
the squadron Avere in the afternoon hoisted out
to take the force, to be landed from the different
ships, on board the Seahorse, Terspichore and
Emerald frigates ; and a general signal Avas then
made, for the Captains of those ships to repair on
board the Admiral and receive the following
final Orders :
"July 21. The Culloden's officers and men
with only their arms, to be ready to go on board
the Terpsichore at one P. M. this day, to carry
with them four ladders, each of Avhich is to have
a lanyard four fathoms long, a sledge hammer,
Avedges, and a broad axe. The boats oars to be
muffled either Avith a pieCe of canvass or ker
sey. H. N.
' Memorandum. The Culloden and Zealous each
to make a platform for one eighteen-pounder,
the Theseus a sley for dragging cannon. Each
ship to make as many iron ramrods as possible, it
being found that the wooden ones are very liable
to break when used in a hurry. The Seahorse
to make a platform for one nine-pounder.' —
Having received these orders, the Captains Avent
on board the frigates, and stood for Teneriffe.

451
* On Friday the 21st of July, I directed,' adds
the Admiral in his Journal, ' to be embarked on
board the Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald
frigates, 1000 men, including 250 marines ; at
tended by all the boats of the Squadron, scaling
ladders, and every implement Avhich I thought
necessary for the success of the enterprise. I di
rected that the boats should land in the night,
between the fort on the N. E. side of the bay of
Santa Cruz, and the town/ and endeavour to
make themselves masters of that fort ; which
Avhen done, my summons to the Governor was to
be sent in, and half an hour alloAved for its ac
ceptance or rejection. Although the frigates*,
by tAvelve o'clock, approached Avithin three miles
of the intended place of debarkation ; yet from
the unforeseen circumstance of a strong gale of
wind in the offing, and a strong current against
them inshore, they were not able to get Avithin a
mile of the landing-place before the day daAvned,
and discovered our force and intentions to the
Spaniards. At half past three on the morning
of the 22d, the Theseus and squadron bore up
for Santa Cruz, and at half past four we saw
the Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald off the
island, with the mortar- boat, and the ships' boats
pulling off shore.
" On my approach, Captains Troubridge and
d According to a private letter, "About two miles to the east
ward of the town."

432
BoAven, with Captain Oldfield of the marines,
came on board to consult Avith me Avhat Avas best
to be done ; and were of opinion, that if they
could possess themselves of the heights over the
fort above mentioned, it could be stormed ; to
Avhich I gave my assent. At nine the frigates
anchored inshore, off the east end of the toAvn,
and landed their men. Stood off and on Santa
Cruz Avith the line of battle ships, and Avore oc
casionally. At ten o'clock made the signal to
prepare for battle, intending to batter the fort
Avith the line of battle ships, in order to create
a diversion ; but this Avas found impracticable,
not being able to get nearer the shore than three
miles, from a calm and contrary currents ; nor
could our men possess themselves of the heights,
as the enemy had taken possession, and seemed
as anxious to retain, as Ave were to get them.
Thus foiled in my original plan, I considered it
necessary for the honour of our King and Coun
try, not to give over the attempt to possess our
selves of the toAvn, that our enemies might be
convinced there Avas nothing Avhich English
men were not equal to ; and confident in the
bravery of those avIio Avould be employed in the
service, I embarked every person from the shore
on tlie 22d at night.
"On the 24th of July, I got the ships to an an
chor about two miles to the northward of the toAvn;
and made every sheAv for a disposition of attacking
theheights, Avhich appeared toanswer the end from

433
the great number of people they had placed ,on
them. The Leander, Captain Thompson, joined in
the afternoon, and her marines Avere added to the
force before appointed, and Captain Thompson
also volunteered his services. At half past five in
the evening the squadron anchored a feAv miles to
the northward of Santa Cruz ; and at six the
signal Avas made for boats to prepare to proceed
on service as previously ordered."
" At eleven o'clock at night," adds the Jour
nal, " the boats of the squadron~containing be
tAveen 6' and 700 men, Avith 180 on board the
Fox cutter, and about 70 or 80 in a boat we had
taken the day before, proceeded in six divisions
tOAvards the town. The divisions of the boats
Avere conducted by all the Captains, except Fre
mantle and Bowen, avIio attended with me to re
gulate and lead the Avay to the attack ; every
Captain being acquainted that the landing
Avas to be made on the Mole, Avhence they Avere
to hasten as fast as possible into the great square,
- and there to form and proceed on such services
as mioht be found necessary. We were not dis-
covered until half past one o'clock, Avhen being
within half gun shot of the landing place, I di
rected the boats to cast off from each other, give
an huzza, and push for the shore. The alarm
bells immediately rang, and a fire of thirty or
forty pieces of cannpn, with musquetry from one
end of the town to the other, opened upon us ;
but nothing could stop the intrepidity of the
Captains leading the divisions. Unfortunately,
2 r

434
the night being extremely dark, the greatest
part of the boats did not see the Mole; but went
on shore through a raging surf, Avhich stove all
the boats to the left of it. It Avas only Captains
Fremantle, Thompson, BoAven, and myself, with
four or five boats who found the Mole; which
was instantly stormed and carried, although de
fended apparently by four or five hundred men,
and the guns, six tAventy-four pounders, were
spiked : but such a heavy fire of musquetry and
grape shot Avas kept up from the citadel and
houses at the head of the Mole that we could not
advance, and nearly all were killed or Avounded.
Having at this moment5 my right arm shot
through, I Avas carried off to my ship."
Previous to their making this last desperate
attempt, the gallant Sir Horatio Avith some of
the Captain* of his squadron, had agreed to meet
at supper on board the Seahorse, Captain Fre
mantle, at Avhose table the lady Avhom he had
lately married in the Mediterranean presided.
Nelson on leaving the Theseus, being sensible of
the extreme danger to Avhich he Avas about to be
exposed, had called his son in laAV lieutenant
Nisbet, Avho had the Avatch on deck, into the
cabin, that he might assist in arranging and
burning his mother's letters: when perceiving
that the young man Avas armed, he had begged
•This last sentence is only found in the rough MS. of this
Journal dictated by the Admiral, and drawn up by the secretary $
and has a pen drawn across it, as if Nelson had resolved not to
speak himself of the wound he had received.

435
ofhiih earnestly to fefnain behind, adding, Should,
we both fall, Josiah, what would become of your
poor Mother ? The care of the Theseus. falls to yon ;
stay, therefore, and take charge of her'. Sir, re
plied Nisbet, the ship must take care of herself, t
will gO with you to night, if I never go again.
Thus attended by his son in law, Nelson had
proceeded from the Seahorse to the Mole of
Santa Cruz; and had there received his severe
wound through the 'right elbow, as he Was iii
the act of draAving hjs sword arid stepping but
of the boat. This Sword Avhich he had so long"
and deservedly valued frorii respect to his uncle
Maurice Suckling, was grasped when falling in
his left hand, notAvithstanding the agony he en
dured. Lieutenant Nisbet, who had remained
close to him, saAv his father in law Avounded from
the tremendous fire Of the Spaniards, and heard
him exclaim, I am shot through the arm, I am d
dead man! Nisbet placed him at the bottom of
fhe boat, and observing that the sight of the
quantity of blood that had rushed from the shat
tered arm seemed to increase the faintnCss, he
took off his hat to Conceal it. He then with
'great presence of mind examined the state of
the Wound, and holding the shattered arm so as to
stanch the blood, he took some silk handkerchiefs
from his neck and bound them tightly above the
1 According to the information of an Officer who was present,
the same fire from the enemy which wounded Admiral Nelson,
also wounded seven other men in their right arms.
2 F 2

. 436
lacerated vessels; but for this attention, Nelson
as he afterwards declared, must have perished.
Mr. Nisbet was assisted by a seaman of the name
of Lovel, one of the Admiral's bargemen; who,
having torn his shirt into shreds, constructed
a sling for the Avounded arm. They then col
lected five other seamen, and at length with
their assistance got the boat afloat, which had
grounded from the falling of the tide. Having
thus far succeeded, Lieutenant Nisbet took one
of the oars that remained, and ordered the man
Avho steered to go close under the guns of the
batteries, that they might be safe from' their
tremendous fire. The voice of his son in law
enforcing this judicious order, roused Sir Ho-
ratio^from his fainting state, and he immediately
desired to be lifted up in the boat, that, to use
his own Avords, "he might look a little about
him:" he Avas accordingly raised by Nisbet. The
destructive fire of the enemy amidst the dark
ness of the night Avas sublimely dreadful: a
painful uncertainty prevailed respecting the fate
of his brave companions; Avhen_, on a sudden, a
general shriek from the crew of the Fox Cutter,
Avhich had sunk from a shot she had received
under Avater, made the noble Admiral forget his.
own weak and painful state. Many were rescued
from a Avatery grave by Sir Horatio himself,.
whose humane exertions on this occasion added
considerably to the agony and danger of his
wound: Ninety seven men, including lieutenant
Gibson, Avere lost, and eighty three were saved.

437
Some^ account of Avhat passed after the Admi
ral had been Avounded, is contained in a letter
from Mr. Hoste, one of the midshipmen, to his
father. "At two o'clock in the morning Admi
ral Nelson returned on board, being dreadfully
Avounded in his right arm Avith a grape shot. I
leave you, Sir, to judge of mj' situation, Avhen I
beheld our boat approach with him Avho I may
say has been a second father to me, his right
arm dangling by his side, whilst with his left
he jumped up the ship's side, and displayed a
spirit that astonished every one. He underwent
the amputation Avith the same firmness and cou
rage that have always marked his character.. At
four o'clock several of the boats returned to the
ship, not having been able to land on account of
the heavy fire that Avas kept up by the enemy.
At daylight the enemy began to cannonade the
shipping, Avhich Ave returned, and soon silenced
them. We now began to entertain bad hopes
of our men Aiho had landed, and not Avithout
reason; for in less than half an hour afterwards,
a boat, that had escaped from the shore, informed
us that all our people Avere obliged to surrender,
having stipulated that they should be sent on
board their respective ships, Avhich Avas granted
by the governor. At nine, a flag of truce came off
from Santa Cruz Avith a Spanish officer, and the
Captain of the Emerald, Avho besides other bad
news informed us, that lieutenant Weatherhead

438
Avas mortally Avounded. On Sunday the 30th,
Jlis body Avas committed to the deep, and three
yollies of musquetry were fired in honour to his
memory." Captain Fremantle was severely Avounded in
fhe right arm soon after the Admiral, and for
tunately meeting Avith a boat on the beach, had
been instantly conveyed to the Seahorse. For
the proceedings of Captain Troubridge and of
the officers Avho Avere Avith him, Sir Horatio re
ferred Loro" St. Vincent to the folloAving letter;
and added, " I cannot but express my admiration
of the firmness Avith Avhich Captain Troubridge
and his brave associates supported the honour of
the British flag ; and I must not omit to acquaint
you Avith the satisfaction I received from the
conduct of lieutenant Baynes of the Royal artil
lery, 'not only from the ardour with Avhich he
undertook every service, but also from his pror
fessional skill."
(1797-) Captain Troubridge to Sir Horatio NeU
son, K.B. dated Culloden, July 15. — "Sir, from
the darkness of the night I did not immediately
hit the Mole, the spot appointed to land at, but
pushed on shore under the enemy's battery close
to the soutlnvard of the citadel; Captain Waller
landed at the same time, and tAvo or three other
boats. The surf Avas so high many put back ; the
boats Avere full of Avater in an instant, and stove
against the rocks, and most of the ammunition,
jn the men's pouches was wet. As soou as I had

439
collected a feAv men, I immediately advanced
with Captain Waller to the square, the place of
rendezvous, in hopes of there meeting you and
the remainder of the people ; and I Avaited about
an hour, during Avhich time I sent a serjeant,
Avith two gentlemen of the town, to summon the
citadel. I fear the serjeant was shot on his Avay,
as I heard nothing of him aftenvards. The lad
ders being all lost in the surf, or not to be found,
no immediate attempt could be made on the
citadel; I therefore marched to join Captains
Hood and Miller, Avho I had intelligence had
made good their landing, Avith a body of men,
to the S. W. of the place I did. I then endea
voured to procure some account of you and the
rest of the officers, but Avithout success. By day
break Ave had collected about eighty marines,
eighty pikemen, and one hundred and eighty
small armed seamen; these I found Avere all avIio
remained alive that had made good their landing:
Avith this force, having procured some ammu
nition from the Spanish prisoners Ave had made,
we were marching to try Avhat could be done
with the citadel Avithout ladders; when Aye found
the Avhole of the streets commanded by field
pieces, and upAvards of 8000 Spaniards and 100
French under arms, approaching by every ave
nue. As the boats Avere all stove, and I saAv no
possibility of getting more men on shore, the
ammunition Avet, and no provisions, I sent Cap
tain Hood with a flag of truce to the Governor,

440
to declare, ' I Avas prepared to burn the town",
Avhich I should immediately put in force, if he
approached one inch farther;' and at the -same
time I desired Captain Hood to say, ' It Avould
be done with regret, as I had no wish to injure
the inhabitants; that if he would come to my
terms I was willing to treat;' which he agreed
to. I had the honour to send you a copy of them
by Captain Waller, which I hope will meet Avith
your approbation, and appear highly honourable.
The following parly Avas sent with the flag of
truce: 'Santa Cruz, July 9,5th. That the troops,
&c. belonging to his Britannic Majesty shall em
bark Avith all their arms of every kind, and take
their boats off, if saved, and be provided with
such other as may be Avanting: In consideration
of Avhich it is engaged on their part, that they
shall not molest the town in any manner by the
Ships of the British squadron now before it, nor
any of the islands in the Canaries, and prisoners
shall be given up on both sides. Given under
my hand and Word of Honour, Sam. Hood.
Ratified by T. Troubridge, and J. Antonio
Gutierrez." Captain Troubridge thus concluded his letter.
" From the small body of men, and the greater
part being pike and small armed seamen, Avhich
can be only called irregulars, w ith very little
ammunition in the pouches but what had got Avet
in the surf at landing, I could not expect to suc
ceed in any attempt upon the enemy, Avhose su-

441
perior strength I have before mentioned. The
Spanish Officers assure me they expected us, and
Avere perfectly prepared with all the- batteries
and the number of men already mentioned under
arms. This, with the great disadvantage of a
rocky -coast, high surf, and in the face of forty
pieces of cannon, will shew, though Ave Avere not
successful, Avhat an Englishman is equal to; and
I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that Ave
marched through the town on our return with
the British- colours flying at our head. P. S. I
beg also to say, that when the terms were signed
and ratified, the Governor in the handsomest
manner sent a large proportion of wine, bread/
&c. to refresh the people, and shewed every
mark of attention in his power."
Nothing could surpass the steady and decided
valour Avhich the whole of the selected band of
heroes displayed on this memorable though un
successful enterprise. Their last attempt Avas
certainly .daring and hazardous in the extreme,
and it was considered by them all" as the forlorn
hope. — Having paid their last melancholy duty
to the remains of the gallant BoAven, Avhose fall
was a loss to his Country, Sir Horatio Nelson
immediately sent off his despatches to Lord St.
Vincent on board the Emerald, Captain Waller,
Avhich sailed on the next day, July 28. Of these
the folloAving is a copy. liTheseus, off Santa Cruz.
Sir, In obedience to your orders to make a vigo
rous attack on the town of Santa Cruz in the

44?
island of Teneriffe, I directed, from the ships
under my command, 1000 men, including ma^
rines, to be prepared for landing. under the direc
tion of Captain Troubridge of H. M. S. Cullo
den, and Captains Hood, Thompson, Fremantle,
BoAven, Miller and Waller, Ayho very handsomely
volunteered their services; and although I am
under the painful necessity of acquainting you,
that we have not been able to succeed in our
attack, yet it is my duty to state, that I believe
more daring intrepidity Avas never shewn than
by the Captains, Officers, and men, you did me
the honour to place under my command; and
the detail Avhich I transmit you hereAvith, will I
hope convince you that my abilities, humble as
they are, have been exerted on the present occa
sion. Enclosed I also transmit you a list of killed
and Avounded;8 and amongst the former it is with

£ List of the Killed, Wounded, and Drowned, at the Attack of
Santa Cruz.

Killed.

Wounded.

Drowned.
Seamen and
^Marines'.

Total
Killed.

Total
Wounded and
Drowned.

Seamen.

Marines.

Seamen.

M arines.

8 1
a l
285
0

42 2 5
0
030

25 1219 1
13 9
11 0

0
6 2
4 1
200

3436 000
4
1017

12 3 5
6 2 8
80

54
21

5
141521
17
Total
28
18
OO
15
101
44 ,
206
Officers killed. Richard Bowen, Captain of the Terpsichore.'
George Thorpe, first Lieutenant of ditto. John Wetherhead,
the deepest sorrow 1 have tp place the name of
Captain Richard BoAven of H. M, S, Terpsichore,
than Avhom a more enterprising, able and gallant
Officer does not grace his Majesty's naval ser
vice; and with much regret I have to mention
the loss of lieutenant John Gibson, Commander
of the Fox cutter, and* great number of gallant
officers and men."
(1797-) By the same conveyance the dejected
Nelson sent the folloAving private communica
tion to his Admiral, descriptive of the pain he
endured both in mind and body; dated Tlteseus,
July 27. " My dear Sir, I am become a burthen
to my friends and useless to my Country, but by
my letter Avrote the 24th you Avill perceive my
anxiety for the promotion of my son in laAir
Josiah Nisbet: Avhen I leave your command I
become dead to the Avorld, I go hence and am
no more seen : if from poor Bovven's loss yon
think it proper to oblige me I rest confident yon
Avill dp it; the boy is under obligations to me,
hut he repaid me by bringing me from the mole
of Santa Cruz. I hope you Avill be able to give
Lieutenant of the Theseus. William Earnshaw, second- Lieute
nant of the Leander. Raby Robinson, Lieutenant pf the Marines,,
Leander. Lieutenant Baisham, Marines, Emerald. Lieutenant
Gibson of the Fox cutter drowned.
Officers wounded. Rear Admiral Nelson, right arm shot
through. Captain Thompson, Leander, slightly. Captain Fre
mantle, Seahorse, in the right arm. Lieutenant J. Douglas,
ditto, in the ha»d. Mr, Wajts, midshipman, Zealous,

444
me a frigate to convey the remains of my car
case to England. God bless you, my dear Sir,
and believe me your .most obliged and faithful
Horatio Nelson."
Before the squadron left the island of Tene
riffe, mutual civilities had passed between Sir
Horatio and D. Juan: the former had requested
the Governor to accept of a cask of English beer
and a cheese, and he in return had sent the Ad
miral a couple of large flasks of the best Canary
Avine. {1797') Earl St. Vincent to Sir Horatio Nelson,
August 16. — My dear Admiral, Mortals cannot
command success, you and your companions
have certainly deserved it, by the greatest de
gree of Heroism, and Perseverance, that ever
Avas exhibited. I grieve for the loss of your
arm, and for the fate of poor Bowen and Gibson,
with that of the other brave men Avho fell so
gallantly. I hope you and Captain Fremantle
are doing well; the Seahorse shall carry you to
England the moment her Avants are supplied.
All the Avishes you may favour me with shall be
fulfilled, as far as is consistent with Avhat I OAve
to some valuable officers in the Ville de Paris.
Yours most truly and affectionately."
Sir Horatio Avent on board the Admiral the
same day, but came back to his OAvn ship at four
in the afternoon. His official leave to return to
England is dated August 20, by Avhich time the
Seahorse had got properly fitted for the passage.

445
Being arrived at Spithead, he received the Ad
miralty's permission on September 2d to strike
his flag, and immediately proceeded Avithout de
lay to his Father and Lady Nelson at Bath. His
letter, as he imagined, had not long preceded
his arrival. The difference of the hand-writing
had at first perplexed the readers, and it Avas
some time before Lady Nelson had discovered
with inexpressible anguish that it Avas actually
Avritten by her Avounded husband. They had
heard of an expedition on which a part of Lord
St. Vincent's fleet had been detached, and pain
ful rumours had prevailed: neither of them had
resolution to read it. The dreadful change in
the well known hand -writing created an uncer
tainty, Avhich magnified all that could have hap
pened. At last Mrs. Bolton, a\ ho Avas on a visit
to her Father, at his request disclosed the con
tents; she Avas sincerely attached to her brother,
and for some minutes their affectionate sympathy
rendered them insensible to the joy of his return.
Whilst they Avere alternately expecting and de
spairing of his arrival, Lady Nelson one evening
suddenly distinguished the sound of her husband's
voice, directing his carriage Avhere to stop. The
^affectionate mind and filial regard of a son so
long ahsent, Avere reAvarded by the blessings of
an aged Father and by the tenderness of the
faithful partner of his early and more humble
fortunes. (1797.) A Surgeon of the name of Nicholls

446
attended Sir Horatio dilring his continuance at
Bath; when notwithstanding the pain which
he experienced, he was not unmindful of those
friends zchose adoption he had tried. On the 8th
of September Avhen Avriting to Sir AndreAv Ham
mond, Bart, at Weymouth, he thus delivered his
opinion respecting the late expedition to Tene
riffe. " My dear Sir Andrew, I have ever been
fully sensible that you have spoken of my ser
vices in the most flattering manner; and for this
last mark of your kindness, I cannot sufficiently
thank you. Success covers a multitude of blun
ders, and the Avant of it hides the greatest gal
lantry and good conduct. You Aviil see by my
Journal, that the first attack on the 21st of July,
under Troubridge, completely failed; and it was
the 25th, before it could be again attacked,
which gave four days for collecting a force to
oppose us ... . My pride suffered; and although
I felt the second attack as a forlorn hope, yet
the honour of our Country called for the attack,
and that I should command it: I never expected
to return, and am thankful."
On the 20th of September, 1798, he had the
freedom of the ancient City of Bristol trans
mitted to him by Mr. S. Worral; and on the
22d, a letter from the Heralds Office Avas sent to
signify his Majest}''s gracious intention of in
vesting him Avith the Ensigns of the most Ho
nourable Order of the Bath, and to request his
attendance at St. James's for that purpose on the

44?
37th. The honour of this Order, and the gra
cious manner of his King when investing him
with the insignia of it, made a lasting impression
on the mind of Nelson. It was owing to the
high estimation in which he ahvays held this
badge of eminence, that he aftenvards placed
the other numerous marks of distinction he had
acquired, round the star of the Bath; since he
uniformly considered that as the centre of the
whole galaxy, and therefore wore it the nearest
to his heart. This, however, occasioning an
appearance of preference to some foreign Orders,
that were necessarily placed by this arrangement
above that of the Bath, it became altered.
(1797.) Sir Horatio Nelson to Earl St. Vincent,
dated London, Sept. 18. — " My dear Lord, I shall
be brief at first. I had a very miserable passage
home, and this day am not the least better than
when I left good Dr. Weir; and Cruikshanks
has me now in hand. I found my domestic hap
piness perfect, and I hope time will bring me
about again; but I have suffered great misery.
My general reception has been just what I Mash
ed, for I assure you they never forget your name
in their honest praises. I have now a favour to
beg Of you. After George Cockburn's gallant
action with the Sabina, I directed a gold hilted
sword to be made for him, Avhich I had hoped to
present to him myself in the most public and
handsome manner; but as Providence has de
creed othenvise, I must beg of you to present it

448
for me. My good friend Grey will, I hope,. in
quire and get it out of tire Argo. I feel confident
of your goodness. Good Captain Locker has
just been with me, and made the most kind in
quiries after you. I am not to go to the levee ,
until the end_of next Aveek. Lady Nelson sends
her love. , God bless you."
During the month of October,, whilst he con
tinued in this state of suffering, at the lodgings
of a Mr. Jones in Bond street, Nelson had one
night retired to his bed-room after a day of con
stant pain, hoping Avith the assistance of laudanum
to enjoy a little rest; Avhenthe exhilarating neAvs
of Admiral Duncan's Victory threAv the Avhole
metropolis into an uproar. . The. first idea that
presented itself to the family, was an alar riv of
some dreadful fire. The mob knocked repeatedly
and violently at the door, as the house had not
been illuminated. It Avas at length opened by a
servant,' wh6 informed them, that Sir Horatia
Nelson who had been so badly Avounded lodged
there, and could not be disturbed. A general
interest for the valuable life of their honoured
Admiral, for an instant repressed the joy which
Duncan's victory had occasioned: "You Avill
hear no more from us to night,'' exclaimed the
foremost-of the party; and that universal sym
pathy for the health of Nelson Avhich pervaded
even the minds of the krWest; of his countrymen
Avas clearly sheAvn, no subsequent visit being paid
by the mob, notAvithstanding the tumult that pre
vailed. -

'449
(17970 As soon as his health Avas in some
degree established, Nelson* with that devout
sense which *A\as so strongly impressed on his
mind, Avent to the clerk of St. George's church,
and left Avith him the following hpaper: An Officer
desires to return thanks to Almighty God for his
perfect recovery front a severe xvound, and also for
the many mercies bestazced upon him. Dec. 8. for
the next Sunday. It was the 13th before he A\-as
pronounced fit for service. He afterwards at
tended in the procession to St. Paul's on the 19th
of the same month, when our religious Monarch
rendered public honour to the Supreme Being for
the naval victories that had been gained.
Towards the close of 1797, Admiral Nelson
received information from Lord St. Vincent
that he had written to Lord Spencer, and had
desired that the Foudroyant might be fitted for
Sir Horatio's flag as soon as she was launched ;
his Lordship also added that John Sykes Avas
gunner of the Andromache. The Foudroyant
not getting so forward as had been expected, the
Vanguard, Dec. the 19th, was commissioned for
his flag; and on the 10th of January, 1798, Nel
son in writing to Lord St. Vincent from Bath,
infortrfed him, that the Vanguard was rigged,
had her ground tier on board, and nearly 400
men. ' "I hope," added he, "to be with you early >
hThe original is in the possession of tlie Rev. Mr. Greville, of
St. George's. 2 © ' ,

450
in March, for to you I trust I am going, unless
you are destined for the Channel. I have been
much flattered by the kind notice of Lord Lans-
doAvn, Avho speaks of you in the manner you
ahvays ought to be spoken of."
IIL' (1798.) The Vanguard sailed from Black-
stakes to the Nore early in March, and Avas welt
officered. In addition to those mentioned by
the Rear Admiral in his letter, Mr. W. S. Par- '
kinson Avas third lieutenant, Henry Compton
fourth, J. Adye [fifth, Bladen Capel sixth;
Captain of marines W. Faddy, Lieutenants of
marines Noble, Young, and Hare; Master Mr.
W. Clod, Chaplain Rev. Mr. Comyn, Purser
Mr. Sheppard, Surgeon Mr. Jefferson, and Ad
miral's secretary Mr. J.Campbell. Captain Berry
passed the Downs in the ship on the 12th of
March, and proceeded to Portsmouth.
In taking leave of that domestic happiness
which had proved such a solace to his mind, a
gloomy foreboding hung on the spirits of his
affectionate wife, which Sir Horatio exerted him
self to disperse: "My ambition," he exclaimed
" is satisfied, I now go to raise you to that rank
in Avhich I have long wished to see you."
On the 1 6th of March, the Rear Ad
miral received his orders to hoist his flag on
board the Vanguard, and he immediately made
every preparation to join his ship. On the 28th
he left London for Portsmouth, and on the Qth
of April, after an ineffectual attempt to get to

451
sea on the first, as he has mentioned in his
Memoir, he sailed Avith a fair Avind from St.
Helens. When the Vanguard had joined Earl
St. Vincent's fleet off Cadiz, Sir Horatio sent
the folloAving letter to Lady Nelson. — " I joined
the fleet yesterday, and found Lord St. Vincent
every thing I wished him; and his friends in
England have done me justice for nay zeal and
affection towards him. I have my fears that he
will not be much longer in this command, for I
believe he has Avritten to be superseded, Avhich I
am sincerely sorry for. It Avill considerably
take from my pleasure in serving here; but I
Avill hope for the best. The Dons have, I find,
long expected my return with bomb vessels, gun
boats, and every proper implement for the de
struction of Cadiz and their fleet. They have
prepared three floating batteries to lie outside
their Avails to prevent their fancied attack; and
lo, the mountain has brought forth a mouse; I
am arrived Avith a single ship, and Avithout the
means of annoying them. — The Admiral probably
is going to detach me Avith a small Squadron, not
on any fighting expedition ; therefore do not be
surprised if it should be some little time before
you hear from me again. I direct this to our
Cottage, Avhere I hope you will fix yourself in
comfort, and I pray that it may very soon please
God to give us peace. England will not be in
vaded this summer. Buonaparte is gone back
2 c i

452
to Italy, where 80,000 men are embarking for
some Expedition. With every-kind Avish that
a fond heart can frame, believe me, as ever,
your most affectionate husband."
Earl Spencer to Admiral Earl St. Vincent, dated
March 30, 1798.
"My Lord, I am very happy to send you Sir
Horatio Nelson again, not only because I believe
I cannot send you a more zealous, active, and
approved Officer, but because I have reason to
believe that his being under your command Avill
be agreeable to your Avishes. If your Lordship
is as desirous to have him Avith you, as he is to
be Avith you, I am sure the arrangement must be
perfectly satisfactory." — The noble Admiral re
plied on May 1, "I do assure your Lordship,
that the arrival of Admiral Nelson has given
me neAV life, you could not have gratified me
more than in sending him; his presence in the
Mediterranean is so very essential, that I mean
to put the Orion and Alexander under his com
mand, Avith the addition of three or four frigates,
and to send him aAvay the moment the Vanguard
has delivered her Avater to the inshore squadron,
to endeavour to ascertain the real object of the
preparations making by the French."
In consequence of the information Avhich Earl
St. Vincent had received from Naples, he on the
2d of May ordered Sir Horatio Nelson to Gibral
tar, as soon as the trade bound thither, Avhich
had come to Lisbon under his orders, appeared

453
in sight; and, placing a small Squadron' under
his command, instructed him on completing his
water and provisions in Rosier Bay, to put to
sea with the line of battle ships and such of the
frigates as happened to be there, and Avhen all
communication Avith the garrison had closed, to
open his sealed orders: The Rear Admiral was
therein ordered to proceed up the Mediterranean,
and endeavour to ascertain by every means in
his poAver, either upon the coast of Provence or
Genoa, the object of the projected expedition by
the French.
(1798.) After his Squadron had been thus de
tached, and had considerably proceeded on the
service on which it had been ordered, Earl St.
Vincent, on the 19th of May, received the fol-
loAving most secret instructions from the Admi
ralty, dated May 2. In the first place the noble
Admiral Avas informed, That in order to prevent
the fleet and armament fitting out at Toulon from
accomplishing their object, Rear Admiral Sir R.
Curtis had been ordered to proceed Avith a rein
forcement, and join his Lordship; Avhich having
taken place, the Admiral was to lose no time in
i Squadron to -which Admiral Nelson -was appointed May 2, 1 798,
ly EarlSt. Vincent.
Vanguard, Orion, Alexander, Caroline, Flora, Emerald, Terp
sichore, Bonne Citoyenne. — Admiral Nelson had' requested to
have the Leander, Captain Thompson ; but Lord St. Vincent
sent word, that it would not be advisable to detach that ship
from the rock.

454
sending a squadron consisting of twelve sail of
the line, and a competent number of frigates,
under the command of Some discreet Flag Officer,
into the Mediterranean, Avith instructions to him
to proceed in quest of the said Armament. The
board also added, that they had received on that
day, May 2d, a letter from Lord Grenville, sig
nifying the King's pleasure, That any Ports in the
Mediterranean should be considered as hostile, those
of the Island of Sardinia alone excepted, of which
the governors or chief magistrates should refuse to
permit the Commanders of any of his Majesty's ships,
arriving therein, to procure supplies of provisions,
or of any articles xvhich they might require.
(1798.) With the secret Instructions which the
Commander in Chief had thus received from
home, Lord Spencer had also sent a private
and confidential letter from the Admiralty, dated
April 29, respecting the appointment of Sir H.
Nelson to command a detached squadron. This
communication, which Avas received also on the
19th of May, displays the great abilities of the
First Lord as a Statesman. It dAvells at consider
rable length on the late proceedings of the cabi
net, the state of the continent, and the probable
intentions of the French armament at Toulon,
The appearance of a British squadron in the
Mediterranean, Ayas declared to be a condition
on which the fate of Europe at that moment de^
pended. Every nerve Avas to be Strained, and,
considerable hazard incurred in effecting it. Yet

455
Government entirely left it to LordSt.Vincent's
determination, either to rriake a detachment from
his fleet, or to take his Avhole force into the Me
diterranean; and the defeat of the purpose of
the Toulon armament, Avhatever it might be, Avas
to have a preference to the great advantages
which had hitherto been obtained, from the con
stant check Avhich the noble Admiral had kept
on the Spanish fleet in Cadiz. This 'check hoAV-
ever was if possible to be continued; and it Avas
hoped that it might be found practicable, to send
a detachment from the fleet into the Mediter
ranean sufficiently strong to attain the end pro
posed. "If you determine," adds Lord Spencer,
" to send a detachment into the Mediterranean,
I think it almost unnecessary to suggest to you
the propriety of putting it under the command
of Sir H. Nelson, whose acquaintance with that
pirt of the world, as Avell as his activity, and
disposition, seem to qualify him in a peculiar
manner for that service. We shall take care to
send you out ships, which are the best suited for
foreign service of any that Ave have to dispose
of, in order to make your fleet as effective as
possible. The noble Admiral lost no time in sending the
purport of these Instructions to Sir Horatio; and
directed him, After ranging the coast of Pro
vence and the Western Riviera of Genoa, to
leave one of the best of his frigates, and the
Bonne Citoyenne, to watch the motions of the

450 , »
enemy; whilst he himself with the rest of the
squadron, having taken in Avater and provisions
for six months at Gibraltar, should proceed Avith
the utmost despatch to the station before Cadiz.
(1798-) Owing to the severe Aveather Avhich
Sir Horatio and his little squadron experienced,
on the 22d of May, it Avas a considerable time
before these additional Instructions reached the
Vanguard. On the 17th, when off Cape Sicie,
Admiral Nelson sent Lord St. Vincent the fol
lowing official intelligence, which had been that
morning obtained by the capture of la Pierre,
French corvette of six guns, and 65 men, that
had sailed from Toulon on the preceding night:
"The French General, Buonaparte, arrived at
Toulon ten days, ago, to command the secret
Expedition preparing to sail from that port. Ves
sels with troops frequently arrive from Marseilles,
who are daily embarking in the numerous trans
ports. According to some, Buonaparte Avas ex
pected to go in the Sans Culotte, which is said
to have 3000 men on board, including her com
plement. It Avas not, however, generally believed
that Buonaparte Avould embark; butnooneknows
to what place the Armament is destined. Nine
teen sail of the line are in the harbour, and
fifteen apparently fitted for sea: yet if is said,
that only six are to sail Avith the transports noAV
ready, and that about 12,000 men are embarked.
Admiral Brueys has his flag in L'Orient, 120
guns. You Avill see by Sir James Saumarez's

457
account, that they have cavalry on board." In
a private note he also added, Be assured I will
fight the French fleet the moment I can find them;
until then adieu.
Such had' been the high spirit and exultation
of the gallant Admiral, when during the night
of the 20th of May, being in the Gulf of Lyons,
his Avhole Squadron, and in particular the Van
guard, Avas exposed to the fury of one of those
sudden tempests in the Mediterranean which
Virgil has so correctly described. The piety of
Nelson Avas only equalled by the fortitude and
resources Avhich he displayed. "I ought not,"
he said Avhen Avriting to Lady Nelson on the
24th of that month, " to call Avhat has happened
to the Vanguard by the cold name of accident:
I believe firmly, that it Avas the Almighty's good
ness to check my consummate Vanity. I hope it
has made me a better Officer, as I feel confident
it has made me a better man. I kiss with all
humility the rod. Figure to yourself a vain man,
on Sunday evening at sunset, walking in his
cabin Avith a Squadron about him Avho -looked up
to their Chief to lead them to Glory; and in
Avhom this Chief placed the firmest reliance, that
the proudest ships, in equal numbers, belonging
to France, would have bowed their flags, and
Avith a very rich prize lying by him ; figure to
yourself this proud conceited man, Avhen the sun
rose on Monday morning: his ship dismasted,
his fleet dispersed, and hirpself in such distress

458
that the meanest frigate out of France Avould
have been a very unwelcome guest. But it has
pleased Almighty God to bring us into a safe
port (St. Peter's, Sardinia,) Avhere although we
are refused the rights of humanity, yet the Van
guard will in two days get to* sea again, as an
English man of Avar. The exertions of Sir James
Saumarez, in the Orion, and Captain A. Ball, in
the Alexander, have been Avonderful; if the ship
had been in England, months Avould have been
taken to send her to sea: here, my operations
will not be delayed four days, and I shall join
the rest of my fleet on the rendezvous."
A more particular account of the distress of
the squadron in the Gulf of Lyons, was given by
Sir Horatio in a letter to Lord St. Vincent, Avho
in his ansAver informed the Admiral, that he con
sidered what had passed as a most providential
event. It enabled Nelson not only to complete
a supply of Avater, and to secure his junction Avith
the reinforcement under Captain Troubridge,
Avhich took place soon aftenvards; but it also,
in a most extraordinary manner, preserved his
squadron from the poAverful fleet Avhich sailed
Avith Buonaparte from Toulon, on the very day
of the tempest, and, in the thick Aveather that
came on, must have passed the British ships at
not many leagues distance.
In a former letter, Sir Horatio had mentioned
the arrival of Buonaparte, and his supposed in
tentions at Toulon; and it may be of service to

459
the reader to be reminded of Avhat had been the
proceedings of the Corsican. — After the subju
gation of Venice, May 12, and the Treaty of
Campo Formio, Oct. 17, 1797; Buonaparte, sati
ated for a time Avith plunder and the disorgan
ization of unhappy Itahy, had returned to Paris
and directed his thoughts to other objects, on
which his own restless ambition and the sharp
ened rapacity of his soldiers might be employed.
Egypt, even during the French monarchy, had
been regarded Avith military attention; and the
invasion of it as an out-post to India, had occu
pied the minds both of the Empress of Russia,
and the Emperor Joseph. In the k letters from
the French army that Avere aftenvards taken by
Admiral Nelson's squadron, and Avhich are inva
luable for giving an exact account of the real
opinions and projects of our enemies; Kleber,
in Avriting to the Directory, delivered the real
sentiments of his nation respecting Egypt. "I
know all the importance of the possession of
Egypt: I used to say in Europe, that this Coun
try Avas for France the point of strength, [le point
d'appui,'] by means of Avhich, she might move at
will the Commercial System of every quarter of
the Globe; but to do this effectually a powerful
lever is required, and that lever is a Navy. Ours
has existed."
£ In three partsj the first published in 1798, the second in i;pp,
jnd the third part ip 1§00,

460
The following letters continue his correspon
dence to the 15th of June.— " May 31. My
dear Lord, My pride was too great for man;
but I trust my friends will think that I bore my
chastisement like a man. It has pleased God to
assist us with his favour, and here I am again off
Toulon. — June 11. The Mutine, Captain Hardy,
joined me on the 5th at daylight, Avith the flat
tering account of the honour you intended me
of commanding such a fleet."
IV. This reinforcement Avhichhad been select
ed from the very best ships of Earl St. Vincent's
Fleets consisted of the Culloden, 74, Captain T.
Troubridge; Goliath, 74, Captain T. Foley; Mi
notaur, 74, Captain T. Louis; Defence, 74, Cap
tain John Peyton ; Bellerophon, 74, Captain H.
D. E. Darby; Majestic, 74, Captain G. B. West-
cott; Zealous, 74, Captain S. Hood; Swifture,
74, Captain B. HalloAvell; Theseus, 74, Captain
R. W. Miller; Audacious, 74, Captain Davidge
Gould, which ship joined Captain Troubridge on
his entering the Mediterranean; and to this force
was aftenvards added, the Leander 50 guns,
Captain T. B. Thompson.
(179S.) On the joyful intelligence of a Squa
dron, having been detached from Lord St. Vin
cent's fleet into the Mediterranean, Sir William
Hamilton, Avho had not then heard that Nelson
had been appointed to the command, had sent
the folloAving letter from Naples on the 9th of
June, on board the Queen Esther privateer, ad-

461
dressed to the commanding officer of the King's
fleet in the Mediterranean. "Sir, Lord St.
Vincent will, I hope, have been informed by my
letter of th« 15th of April last, of the distressed
situation of this Country. I have just received
a letter from Sir Morton Eden at Vienna dated
May 24th, informing me, that a Treaty of De-'
fensive Alliance between the Courts of Vienna,
and Naples had actually been signed; and that
the succours respectively stipulated, are 60,000
men on the part of Vienna, and 40,000 on the
part of Naples. Sir Morton Eden sends me also
by order of Lord Grenville, a copy of a despatch
from his Lordship, dated April 28th; in which I
am ordered, as Avell as Sir Morton Eden, to en
force the absolute necessity of obtaining from
this Government, the free and unlimited admission
for his Majesty * Ships into the Ports of his Sicilian
Majesty ; and also every species of provisions and sup
plies usually afforded to an Ally ; and Avhich his Ma
jesty may so justly expect to receive from Italy,
when cooperating to deliver that Country from
a scene of Oppression and misery Avhich it has
hardly ever experienced, even in the worst pe
riods of its history. I am at this moment labour
ing Avith the Sicilian Government, but have not,
as vet, got a decisive ansAver with respect to the
opening of their ports, without reserve, to the
King's ships ; but 1 have already had the strongest
assurances, that no species of Provisions, or
Stores, which this Country affords, will be denied

462
them. ... All Italy, Sir, looks upon the King's
Fleet you have the honour of commanding, as
its guardian angel from the ruin with Avhich it
has been so long menaced; and without that
protection, sooner or later it must fall. Judge
then how happy we shall be to see a squadron. of
the King's fleet in the bay of Naples."
(1798.) On the 16th of June, the Neapolitan
Government received the neAvs, That the English
squadron had been discovered from the top of
the Island of Ischia, coming from the AvestAvard.
On Avhich Sir William Hamilton immediately
sent off the first good sailing boat he could pro
cure, with all the intelligence he had acquired
respecting the enemy: "That the first division
of the Toulon Armament had arrived off Trapani
in Sicily on the 5th of June, and had been there
joined, on the 7th, by the second division, making
sixteen sail of the line, Venetian and French:
That Buonaparte was on board the Sans Culotte;
that ten frigates, tAventy gun-boats, some brigs
#nd cutters had also been seen, Avith about 280
transports, said to contain at least 40,000 troops.
That they had detached a frigate near the Island
of Farignana, Sicily, on Avhich an officer had
landed and acquainted the Commandant, that
Buonaparte had desired him to say, The approach
of the French fleet need not give any uneasiness
to his Sicilian Majesty, zvith whom the Republic
was in perfect Peace, and that the Armament he
commanded, , had another object, not Sicily. The

463
French, both in Sicily and in Pantelleria, made
made every inquiry after a British squadron
being in the Mediterranean, Avhich report they
did not believe. Accounts had also been re
ceived, that Buonaparte Avas off Malta with
tAventy four ships of the line, and 80,000 men.
The French had taken a Maltese brig, just off
the Island; the Maltese Avere all under arms, and
preparing for a vigorous defence. "-
On the return of Captain Troubridge Avho had
been sent into Naples, the squadron stood for
the Faro di Messina, and passed through- that
celebrated Strait on the 20th of June Avith a fair
Avind. — On the same dajr, Sir Horatio sent an
express, through the Vice Consul of Messina,
to Sir William Hamilton, Avho returned the fol-
loAving ansAver on the 26th. — " I flatter myself
that you must have been informed, before you
passed the Faro, that Malta had been treacher
ously given up to the French Republic on the
12th instant; but perhaps you may not- have had
a copy of the infamous Convention between the
Order of Malta, and the Republic, under the me
diation of his Catholic Majesty, and therefore I
send you the enclosed copy of it. . . All our pre
sent dependence is on you, my dear Nelson; and
I am convinced that what is in the poAver of
mortal man to do, you will do. That God may
protect you, and the brave band you have the
honour of commanding, in so just a Cause, is
the constant prayer of your truly attached Wil
liam Hamilton."

46*4
On the 27th of May, Captain Hope with the
frigates, Avhich had been separated from the
squadron in the tempest of the 22d, arrived in
the bay of Naples; having in vain endeavoured
to obtain any intelligence of Sir H. Nelson. Cap
tain Hope, having received every assistance from
the Neapolitan Government in getting in his
bread and Avater, sailed with the frigates from
Naples, June 30th, in quest of the Admiral, and
still without success. He Avas also aftenvards
folloAved by some of the best of the Portuguese
ships under the Marquis de Niza, Avho was equally
unfortunate. In the meanAvhile, Sir Horatio being baffled
by the departure of the enemy from Malta on
the l6th, from executing a plan Avhich he had
formed for attacking them Avhilst at anchor at
Goza, immediately on receh'ing such intelli
gence from the Murine brig on the 22d, had
made the signal to bear up, and steer to the S. E.
Avith all possible sail. "At this time," adds the
Narrative of the proceedings of his squadron
which is referred to by him in his Memoir, "Ave
had no certain means of ascertaining that the
enemy were not bound up the Adriatic. From
the day Ave bore up, until the 29th of June, only
three vessels Avere spoken with; two of Avhich
came from Alexandria, and had not seen any
thing of the enemy's fleet; the other came from
the Archipelago, and had likeAvise seen nothing
of them. This day Ave saAv the Pharos of Alex-

465
andria, and continued nearing the land with a
press of sail, until we had a distinct vieAv of both
Harbours; and to our general surprise and dis
appointment, we saAv not a French ship in either."
That no time, hoAvever, might be lost, he im
mediately shaped his course to the northward,
for the coast of Caramania; and on the 29th whilst
at sea, amidst the agitation and disappointment
which he experienced at not meeting Avith the
Enemy, sent an account of his proceedings and.
of the 'motives Avhich had actuated his conduct,
to Earl §t. Vincent.
(1798.) From the Coast of Caramania Avhich
the Squadron made on the 4fh of July, they
steered along the southern side of Candia, carry
ing a press of sail both night and day Avith a
contrary Avind. The Admiral endeavoured, as
he informed Lord St. Vincent, to keep in the
opening of the Archipelago, in latitude betAveen
36 and 37 N. steering with all sail to the Avest-
Avard. On the 18th being in sight of Sicily, and
short of water, he determined to enter the port
of Syracuse; and although no person Avas ac
quainted Avith the harbour, yet by the skill and
judgment of the officers every ship arrived safely,
and immediately proceeded to get in Avater, Avine,
lemons, and bullocks Avith all possible expedition.
"This," adds the Journal of their proceedings,
" Avas the first opportunitytliat the Vanguard had
1 See Quarto Edit. Vol. II. Page Go.
2 H

466
enjoyed of receiving Avater on board, from the
6th of May; so that not only the stock of that
ship, but of several others of the squadron, was
very-nearly exhausted." Lest any impediments
might have arisen to the Admiral, in obtaining
this supply, Mr. Tough, his Britannic Majesty's
Consul General in Sicily, had on the 22d of June
sent Sir Horatio Avord, "That any kind of re
freshments, or provisions Avhich the fleet might
stand in need of, he could readily procure at
Palermo, and that he only waited for the honour
of his commands." The port of Syracuse, how
ever, at this time offered a more convenient and
ready supply; and every precaution had been
taken, which the exertions^of our Ambassador
at Naples and the influence of Lady Hamilton
C/Ould devise, that no possibility of delay, through
the secret machinations or threats of the French,
might unexpectedly arise. In Avriting to Lady
Nelson, from Syracuse, July 20th, he said, "I
have not been able to find the French fleet to my
great mortification, or the event I can scarcely
doubt. We have been off Malta, to Alexandria
hi Egypt, Syria, into Asia, and are returned here
without success: hoAvever no person will say that
it has been for Avant of activity. I yet live in
hopes of meeting these felloAvS; but it Avould
have been my delight to have tried Buonaparte
on a Avind, for he commands the Fleet, as Avell as
the Army. Glory is my object, and that alone.
God Almighty bless you."

467
(1798.) On the 25th of July, he sailed from
Syracuse: Irritated beyond measure that the
French should so long have baffled his vigilance,
it was Avith difficulty he could endure the tedious-
ness and uncertainty of the night; and the officer
bf the Avatch had frequently scarcely left the
cabin, when he Avas again summoned to declare
the hour, and to surmount the persuasion of the
Admiral that it must certainly be day-break.
It had occurred to him, on leaving Syracuse,
that some authentic intelligence might possibly
be obtained in the Morea. The squadron, there
fore, at first steered for that coast, and made the
Gulf of Coron on the 28th of July. Captain
Troubridge was immediately despatched in the
Culloden to obtain intelligence from the Turkish
Governor; and without detaining the squadron
returned in a feAv hours with a French brig prize
in toAV and Avith information, That the enemy
had been seen steering to the S. E\ from Candia,
about four weeks before: the inhabitants of
Coron entertained the most serious apprehen
sions from the French Armament, and the most
perfect detestation against that mpeople>. During
the same day also a strange sail passing through
the fleet, was examined by the Alexander, and
further intelligence communicated by her to the
Admiral. Sir Horatio immediately determined
to return to Alexandria, and the English squadron
« Journal of the Proceedings of the Squadron.
1 H 2

468
accordingly, with every sail set, stood again for
the coast of Egypt.
The confidence which prevailed amongst the
French Avas consistent with their character, and
with the preparations Avhich had been made to
give their fleet all the strength and ability that
the Republic and its Allies could supply. Gene
ral O'Hara, Governor of Gibraitar, in writing
thence to Admiral Nelson, June 15, said, "the
French are very sanguine as to the issue of this
mighty Armament, Avhich they say has been so
Avell planned that all Europe is to be astonished
at the greatness of the Enterprise; but I trust
my dear Sir Horatio, yon Avill be able to defeat
all their mighty purposes." — The force opposed
to this armament Avas only a detachment from
one of the numerous squadrons, by Avhich Great
Britain supported its own liberties, and endea
voured to prevent the subjugation of other poAv-
ers. This detachment had been a considerable
time at sea in pursuit of the enemy, and many of
the ships, especially the Vanguard, had received
only a temporary refit after the tempest in the
Gulf of Lyons. The boasted French Armada Avas
fresh from the dockyards of Toulon and Venice,
and had experienced no disaster. The French
vanity Avas also cherished and augmented by
their General, avIio Avas destined to receive a
lesson in Egypt, that ill suited his ovenveening
and destructive ambition. The Narrative of
their proceedings, from July the 1st Avhen they

469
were off the old Port of Alexandria, is thus- given
by Admiral Brueys, in a "letter to Bruix the
French Minister of the Marine, dated on board
L'Orient, July 12, 1798— "Citizen Minister:
Previously to our arrival off the old Port of Alex
andria, I had dispatched the Juno to bring the
Consul on board. Citizen Magallon arrived on
the first of July, and informed us, that an Eng
lish Squadron had appeared in line of battle off
the Port of Alexandria on the 28th of June, that
they had detached a brig to the toAvn, and that,
on its retun, they had made sail to the N. E. : the
squadron Avas supposed to consist of fourteen
ships of the line. . . .The Commander in Chief,
Buonaparte, desired to be put on shore imme
diately: I therefore came to anchor on the
Coast, and, during the night, succeeded in land
ing 6000 men in a creek to the Avest of the old
Port, near a Castle called Marabou, about tAvo
leagues from the City. Not the slightest oppo
sition Avas made to our descent. I disembarked
all the troops, and the baggage belonging to
them; and on the 7th of July, having satisfied
myself that our ships of war could not get into
the Port for Avant of a sufficient depth of Avater
at the entrance, I ordered the Venetian ships,
(le Dubois and le Causse of 64 guns each,, and
n Intercepted letters of the French Army in Egypt, by the
Fleet under the command of Sir Horatio Nelson. Part I. page 40.

470
two or three frigates,) and the "transports tq
come to an anchor there; and stood off with the
thirteen sail of the line and the three frigates^
Avith an intent of mooring in the road of Be-:
quieres, or Aboukir.
" I arrived there in the afternoon, and formed
a line of battle at two-thirds of a cable's length;
the headmost vessel being as close as possible tq
a Shoal to the N. W. of us, and the prest of the
fleet forming a kind of curve along the line of
deep Avater, so as not to be turned, by any means
in the S. W. This position is the strongest Ave
could possibly take in an open road ; where Ave
cannot approach sufficiently hear the land to be
protected by batteries, and Avhere the enemy
has it in his poAver to choose his OAvn distance. • .
It is vexatious that there is not a Port Avhere a
Fleet can enter; but the old Port, pf which we
have heard so much, is shut up by a reef of
rocks, some under, and some above Avater; form-
° According to a letter from Jaubert to Bmix, dated on board,
L'Orient, July 4th, the Transports from Toulon, Marseilles,
Genoa, Ajaccio, and Civita Vecchia, amounted to 203 sail:
Another letter from a person of the name of Boyer tpage 148,)
makes them 400 sail, under convoy of fifteen sail of the line,
two of which were armed en fute, fourteen frigates, and several
smaller ships of war.
p La Fortune corvette, 18 guns, commanned by Citoyenne
Marchand, Enseigne de Vaisseau, was afterwards detached from
the fleet, on the 2ath of July, to cruise ofFDamiettaj and was
•aptuied on the 10th of August by the Swiftsure.

471
ing a number of narrow channels, where the
depth is only from 23 to 25, and 30 feet. The
sea, too, is commonly very high: Thus you see,
that one of our seventy-fours Avould be in ho
small danger there, especially as she would inevi
tably go to pieces in a feAv minutes after touching
the ground.
"To gratify the wishes of the Commander in
Chief, Buonaparte, 1 have offered a reAvard of
10,000 livres, to any Pilot of the Country Avho
would undertake to carry the squadron iii; but
none of them will venture to take charge of a
single vessel, that draAvs more than tAventy feet.
I hope, hoAvever, that Ave shall succeed in finding
a channel by which our seventy-fours may enter;
but this can only be the result of many laborious
and painful experiments. I have already engaged
tAvo intelligent officers in this business; Captain
Barre, commanding at preseutl'Alceste, and Ci
tizen Vidal first lieutenant. If they find a chan
nel, they Avill buoy it for us; and Ave may then
enter without much danger. The depth Avithin
the reefs increases to fifteen fathoms, but the
getting out of the harbour Avill, in all cases, be
very difficult and very tedious, so that a squa
dron Avould engage to a vast disadvantage.
: "I have heard nothing further of the English.
They are gone, perhaps, to look for us on th&
coast of Syria; or rather, and this is my priyate
opinion, they have not so many as fourteen sail
of the line, et que ne se trouvant pas en nombre m-

perieur, Us n'uuront pas juge a-propos de se mesurer
avec nous."
Such Avas the situation and state of mind of
the French, on having eluded the vigilance of
the British Admiral, and made good their landing
in Egypt. In the meantime, the resolute Nelson,
and his select band, pursued their second course
to Alexandria. "The fatal intelligence," said
Admiral Ganteaume in Avriting to qBruix, "re
ceived from time to time by neutral vessels, an
nounced the return of the enemy's squadron. It
had been seen off Candia steering to the Avestward,
Avhich unhappily confirmed us in the opinion,
that it had no orders to attack us. On the 21st
of July, hoAvever, tAvo of the enemy's rfrigates
reconnoitred us." _ " On tlie 1st of August," ac
cording to the Vanguard's Journal, "at one P.M.
moderate breezes, and clear: the Avind north.
We saw Alexandria bearing S. E. seven or eight
leagues. At a quarter past tAvo recalled the
Alexander aud SAviftsure, Avho had been detached
the preceding evening by signal on the look-out
tOAvards Alexandria. At half past tAvo hauled bur
Avind, unbent the best bower, took it out of the
q Intercepted letters, Part I. page 21 Q.
r These were some of tlie frigates that were in search of Sir
Horatio Nelson ; and whose appearance unfortunately, just at
that time, alarmed the enemy, and induced them to adopt mea
sures of precaution and security, which considerably augmented
the difficulties that our Admiral had to surmount. Had these
frigates been able to join, not a ship of the enemy would have
escaped.

473 A
stern port and bent it again. At four, Pharaoh's
ToAver S. S. W. distant four or five leagues, the
Zealous, Captain S. Hood, made the signal for
the French fleet. At five bore up for the enemy,
sounding in 15, 14, 13, 11, and 10 fathom."
The only plan that had been previously ar
ranged in case they found the Enemy at anchor,
was for our ships to form as most convenient for
their mutual support, and to anchor by the stern.
This Avas worthy of the great officers Avho com
manded in the Squadron, and sheAved the confi
dence Avhich Nelson placed in their abilities.
Captain T. Foley, who Avas one of the first of this
select band of Officers, happened to lead the fleet'
in the Goliath. He had ahvays kept close to the
Admiral on his. lee bow, and rejoieed to find him
self the van ship on such a day; but this post of
honour, Avas for a few minutes disputed with him
hy the Zealous, Captain S. Hood, whose abilities
equally merited the proud distinction: Captain
Foley set his top-gallant studding sails for a short
time, and thus preserved his situation as the van
ship. — It had long been a favourite idea with this
officer, which he had mentioned on the preceding
evening to Captains Troubridge, and Hood,
That a considerable advantage Avould arise, if
the enemy's fleet Avere found moored in line of
battle in with the land, to lead between them
and the shore, as the French guns on that side
were not likely to be manned, or to be ready for
action.

474
On the Island of Bequieres, the French had
established two batteries, Avhence, hoAvever, they
were unable from their distance to do any injury.
As our squadron advanced, they opened a steady
fire from the starboard side of their Avhole line,
full into the boAvs of our van ships. The silent
progression of the English Avas observed by their
enemies with astonishment: On board of each
ship thecreAV Avas employed aloft in furling sails,
and beloAv in tending the braces, and in hauling
a range of cable on deck preparatory to their*
anchoring by the stern. At twenty-eigr.t mi
nutes past six, P. M. the French hoisted their
colours. Captain Foley had intended to fix himself on
the inner boAv of.le Guerrier: he kept the Go
liath, therefore, as near the edge of the sbank as
the depth of Avater Avould admit; but his anchor
hung a little, and, having opened a tremendous
fire, he drifted to the second ship before his an
chor Avas clear. Then bearing up he shortened
sail, anchored by the stern inside of the second
""A rough sketch of the Bay of Aboukir had been taken out
of a French ship, in ballast from Alexandria to Bhodes, by Captain
Hallowell, and given by him a few days previous to the Ac
tion, to Sir H. Nelson, who was afterwards wounded in looking
over it. It was stained with his blood; and he afterwards told
one of his Captains tliat he had sent it, as that^officer thinks, to
the British Museum. This was examined the evening before the
action by Captain Foley, who was the only officer that possessed,
in Benin's Collection, any Chart of Aboukir. It was afterwards
popied, and given to most of tlie squadron.

475
pf the enemy's line, le CoHquerant, and in ten
minutes shot away her masts. The Zealous, Cap-
fain S. Hood, observing what had passed, took
the station which the Goliath had intended to
have, and anchored by her stern on the inside
or larboard boAv of le Guerrier, which she tptally
disabled in tAvelve minutes. The third ship that
doubled the enemy's van Avas the Orion, Sir James
Saumarez, which passed to Avindward pf the Zea
lous, and opened her larboard guns, as long as
they bore, on le Guerrier; then passing inside
pf the Goliath, and being annoyed by a frigate,
the Orion yaAved as much as enabled her to sink
this opponent by a tremendous fire; when Sir
James hauled round tOAvards the French line,
and anchoring inside between the fifth and sixth
ship from le Guerrier, tpok his station, Avith that
gallantry he had so often displayed, on the lar-
hoard bow of le Franklin and the quarter of le
Peuple Souverain, receiving and returning the
fire pf both. The sun Avas verging to the hori
zon, when the Audacious, Captain Gould, having
poured a heavy fire into le Guerrier, and le Con-
querant as she passed betAveen them, fixed herself
on the larboard boAv of the latter -ship, and
afterwards engaged le Peuple Souverain. The
Theseus, Captain Miller, folloAved; and going
* In a note sent during tlie battle, on board the Vanguard by
Captain Gould, dated August 1, he said, " I have the satisfaction
to tell yeu le Conquerant has struck to the Audacious: the-
slaughter oo board her i? dreadful."

476
betAveen the Zealous and le Guerrier, barely at
sufficient distance to avoid being entangled Avith
the shattered rigging, poured a dreadful broad
side into her boAv, and brought down le Guer-
rier's remaining main, and mizen mast; the
Theseus then passed on the outside of the Go
liath, -and anchored ahead of her, inside,of their
third ship, le Spartiate, about the same time that
the Orion had got Avell into her station. The
fire from the French line commenced from their
second ship le Conquerant; then folloAved le
Guerrier, le Spartiate, l'Aquilon, le Peuple Sou
verain, and le Franklin: "All the Van," added
the French Admiral, "were attacked on both
sides by the Enemy, who ranged close along our
line. They had each an anchor out astern, Avhich
facilitated their motions and enabled them to
place their ships in the most advantageous po
sition." >
Anno Whilst the advanced officers in the
ut. 40. gj.jj.jj.j^ Squaclron Avere thus proving- them
selves worthy of that experience and decision
which' directed the Avhole, the Admiral himself
had entered into action Avith the remainder of
his force; and Avas the first ship that anchored
on the outer side of the enemy, Avithin half pistol
shot of le Spartiate, the third in the French line
of battle. The original plan of attack Avhich he
had intended to have adopted, if Captain Tole}'
had not judged it expedient to lead within the
French line, Avas to have kept entirely an its

477 .
outer side; and to have stationed his ships, as
far as he Avas able, one on the outer bow and
another on the outer quarter of each of the
enemy. This would have certainly produced a
most destructive fire, and would have caused
our shot to have crossed clear of our OAvn ships.
Owing to a standingvOider, in case of coming
to auction, the squadron Avore the white or St.
George's ensign, Avhich displayed the Cross; arid
lest through any random shot his colours should
be carried aAvay, Admiral Nelson had six ensigns,
or flags, flying in different parts of his rigging.
The Vanguard having thus anchored in eight
fathom water, without the third ship Jn the
enemy's line, at half past six o'clock veered half
a cable, and in a minute opened a most destruc
tive fire so as to cover the approach of the other
ships, the Minotaur, Bellerophon, Defence, and
Majestic, Avhich respectively passed on ahead of
their Admiral. Captain Louis, in the Minotaur,
nobly supported his friend and Commander, and
anchoring next ahead of the Vanguard, took off
the fire of l'Aquilon, the fourth in the French
line. The Bellerophon, Captain Darby, passed
on ahead, and dropped her stern anchor on the
starboard bow of the enormous L'Orient, the
seventh ship in the enemy's line; whose differ
ence of force was above seven to three, and the
weight of ball from her lower deck alone ex
ceeded that from the whole broadside of the Bel
lerophon. N The Defence, Captain Peyton, took

478
his station with great judgment ahead of the1
Minotaur, and engaged le Franklin of 80 gunsy
the sixth ship of the enemy on the starboard
bpAV, by Avhich the line remained unbroken;
which sixth ship bore the flag of Admiral Blan-
quet du Chelard, second in command. The Ma
jestic, Captain Westcott, after being entangled
with the ttiain rigging of one of the enemy's
ships astern of the Admiral, from Avhom she se
verely suffered, swung clear; and closely engag
ing l'Heureux, on the starboard bow, received
also the fire of le Tonnant, the enemy's eighth
ship, which soon made dreadful havoc on hoard
the Majestic.
The remainder of the Squadron, the Culloden,
Alexander, Swiftsure, and Leander, in the next
place claim our attention. Captain Troubridge,
who had been detained by the towing of the
prize Avhich he had taken off Coron, had obtained
leave by signal, Avhen two leagues to the east
ward of the Admiral, to cast off the vessel. Like
the rest of the squadron - he kept constantly
sounding as he advanced; but he Avas so much
astern of them, owing to the above-mentioned
cause, that Avhen our \'an ships Avere nearing the
French, the loAver deck ports of the Culloden
were, owing to her distance, what seamen term,
just out of the Avater. The day was iioav closing
in, Avhich added considerably to his difficulties;
when suddenly, after having sounded and found
eleven fathom water, before the lead could again

479
be hove, the Culloden was fast aground ori the
tail of the shOal running from the small island of
Bequieres, on which were tAvo batteries of the
enemy; notwithstanding his OAvn incessant ex
ertions, Avith those of Captain Thompson in the
Leander, and Captain Hardy in the Mutine brig,
both of Avhom immediately came to his assistance,
the Culloden could not be got off so as to enter
into the action. The sufferings and agitation of
Captain Troubridge, whose presence in the battle
would have been severely felt by the enemy, ,
corresponded Avith his determined character and
zealous disposition: the Culloden did not get
afloat until the next morning. It Avas hoAvever
some satisfaction to the mortified spirit of her
Captain, that his ship served as a beacon to the
Alexander, Captain A. Ball, and the Swiftsure,
Captain B. HalloAvell; which from having been
detached, as already mentioned, Avere late before
they could get into action. The gallant manner
in which they at last entered the bay of Aboukir
and took their stations, notAvithstanding the dark
ness that prevailed and their utter ignorance of
the situation of the other ships of their squadron,
is still spoken of with admiration by their bro
ther officers. It formed a most brilliant event
in the battle of the Nile. It was eight o'clock
before they reached the scene of action ; when
the darkness, which was only interrupted by the
flashing of the guns, rendered it extremely diffi
cult to distinguish their own squadron. The pre*-

480
caution of Nelson had indeed directed his ships
to hoist four lights horizontally at the mizen
peak of each, as soon as it became dark; but
when the SAviftsure was bearing down she fell in
with Avhat appeared to be a strange sail. ,, Orders
were immediately given by Captain Hallowell
not to fire, as her disabled state Avould prevent
escape if an enemy; and from her sails being
loose, and the way her head Avas, it seemed pro
bable that she might be an English ship; she
afterwards proved to be the overpoAvered Belle
rophon, Avhose lights had gone overboard Avith
her mizen-mast. Captain Darby had been him
self Avounded, tAvo of his lieutenants Avere killed,
and nearly 200 men Avere killed or wounded ; his
remaining mast falling soon afterwards, and kill
ing another of his lieutenants Avith several officers
and men, he Avas unable to regain his station.
This Avas noAV opportunely occupied by the Swift-
sure, and at a most critical moment. At five
minutes past eight, "Captain HalloAvell began a
steady and Avell directed fire on the quarter of
le Franklin, and the boAvs of L'Orient; and at
the same instant the Alexander passed under the
stern of the French Admiral, and anchored with-
inside on his larboard quarter, raking him and
keeping up a severe fire of musquetry on his
decks. Admiral Blanquet in his account, said,
"At eight o'clock at night, the ship Avhich Avas
u From the Voyage up the Mediterranean by Mr. Willyams,
Chaplain of the Swiftsure, page 51.

481.
Engaging L'Orient on the starboard quarter,
notwithstanding her advantageous position, was
dismasted, and so roughly treated that she cut
her cables, and drove rather far from the line;
but at this very moment, the tAvo ships that had
been perceived astern of the Fleet and were quite
fresh, steered right for the centre: the Action
in this part then became extremely warm." — The
last ship Avhich completed the fate of the enemy,
was the Leander. Captain Thompson, finding
that nothing could that night be done to get off
the Culloden, advanced with the intention of an
choring athwart hawse of L'Orient; but le Frank
lin Avas so near her ahead, that there was not
room for him to pass clear of both. He then
took, with much judgment, his station athwart
hawse of le Franklin; for as that ship did not lie
exactly in a. line with L'Orient, but rather on
her starboard bow, he had the power of raking
both, and was so close to them, that the fire from
the Leander was very destructive.
At length l'Orient struck her Colours, and
appeared in flames. The French Admiral had
supported the honour of his flag Avith undimi
nished firmness: he had previously sustained
three desperate wounds, one of which was upon
his head,; yet could not be persuaded to quit his
station on the arm-chest. Admiral Blanquet in
his account added, "Admiral de BrueyS received
a shot which almost cut him in two; he desired
not to be carried below, but to be left to die
a i

482
upon deck: he survived only a quarter of an
.hour. Those of the Etat major and of the ship's
company of L'Orient Avho had escaped death,
convinced of the impossibility of extinguishing
the fire which had <rot down to the middle sjun-
deck, endeavoured to save themselves. Com
modore Casa Bianca and his son only, ten years
old, who during the action gave proofs of bra
very and intelligence far above his age, were not
so fortunate: they Avere for a time seen in the
water on the Avreck of L'Orient's mast, not being
able to swim, seeking each other until three
quarters past ten, Avhen the ship bleAv up and
put an end to their hopes and fears. Le Frank
lin's decks Avere covered with red hot irons, pieces
of timber and rope on fire. This ship was on fire
the fourth time, but providentially got it under.
Immediately after the explosion of L'Orient the
Battle every Avhere ceased, and Avas succeeded
by a most profound silence. The sky Avas ob
scured by thick clouds of black smoke Avhich
seemed to threaten .the destruction of the two
fleets. It was a quarter of an hour before the
creAvs recovered from the kind of stupor they were
thrown into." — Nor did the renoAvned flag of
Nelson triumph without its share pf peril: Sir
Horatio himself was dreadfully wounded, and as
it was for a time thought mortally in the head.
Seven of the bow guns of the Vanguard had been
three times cleared, and one repeatedly, of the
men stationed at them, who Avere either dead, or

483
desperately Avounded. The brave Captain Faddy
of the marines fell Avith many of his men: the
decks of the Vanguard streamed Avith blood.
Twenty-seven of her creAv were killed, and sixty-
eight wounded.
During the heat of the Battle, and Avhen Nel
son had received his severe wound in the head
from a piece of langridge shot, some circum*
stances occurred which marked his character and
disposition. On being Avounded, he had been
assisted in going beloAv; Avhere, desiring that he
might Avait until his turn came, it Avas some time
before he was discovered by the surgeon. The
pain Avas intense, and Nelson felt convinced that
his Avound Avas mortal. A large piece of the skin
of his forehead which had been cut to the bone,
hung doAvn over his eye, and not having any
sight from the other he Avas left perfectly blind.
Mr. Jefferson assured him, on probing the Avound,
that there Avas no immediate danger. He would
not, however, indulge any hope; and having de
sired Mr.Comyn his chaplain to convey his dying
remembrance to Lady Nelson, he ordered the
Minotaur to be hailed, that he might thank her
brave and gallant Captain,. Louis, for coming up
so nobly to the support of the Vanguard : The
intervieAV affected all who beheld it. After the
dreadful explosion of L'Orient he Avas persuaded,
though with some difficulty, to go to bed; but
still continuing restless,, he got up and signed
' Captain T. M. Hardy's commission for the Van-

484
guard, as Captain Berry was to go home with
the despatches, and Captain Capel's for the
Murine. Such is the general outline of the memorable
events Avhich took place on the first and second.
of August 1798; Avhich, to use Admiral Blan-
quet's Avords, " will ever be remembered Avith
the deepest sorrow by those Frenchmen Avho
possess good hearts." — Victory, said Nelson in
one of his letters, is certainly not a name strong
enough for such a Scene as I have passed : he there
fore justly styled it a conquest; in which, ac
cording to the comparative force of the English,
and French, dravra up by his order, the latter
had a superiority of 184 guns, and of 3, 162 men.
Of these, after the Action, 5,29,5, were killed,
drowned, burnt, or missing. It should also be
remembered, that their squadron was anchored
in a strong and compact line of battle, describing
an obtuse angle, defended by every means Avhich
the ingenuity of the first engineers in Europe
could devise; flanked Avith gun boats, mortar
vessels, and four large frigates, Avith a battery
of guns and mortars at the entrance of the bay;
and the whole manned by soldiers and seamen
who had undergone no previous fatigue, and had
remained nearly a month at anchor. Yet not
withstanding this vast superiority and these
advantages, their boasted Armada was nearly
destroyed or captured ; and had not Sir Horatio
been so severely wounded, it was generally

485
thought byhis Captains, that every ship ©f the
Enemy Avould have been taken. On board the
English squadron, 16' officers, 156 seamen, and
46 marines were killed; and 37 officers, 569, sea
men, and 78 marines Avere "Avounded. The brave
Captain Westcott fell amongst those Avho on this
occasion gave their lives for their Country. In
addition to the ships that were destroyed during
the Action, there remained afterwards in pur
possession, two ships of eighty guns, le Franklin
and le Tonnant, seven Seventy-fours, and la For
tune of eighteen guns. — The folloAving thanks
addressed to the Captains, Avere issued by Sir
Horatio Nelson, August 2d, off the mouth of the
Nile. "The Admiral most heartily congratulates
the Captains, Officers, Seamen, and Marines of
the Squadron he has the honour to command, on
the event of the late Action; and he desires they
Avill accept his most sincere and cordial Thanks
for their very gallant behaviour in this glorious
Battle. It must strike forcibly every British
Seaman, how superior their conduct is when in
discipline and good order, to the riotous beha
viour of lawless Frenchmen. The Squadron may
be assured the Admiral Avill not fail, ?with his
despatches, to represent their truly meritorious
Conduct, in the strongest terms to the Comman
der in Chief."
(1798.) On Friday morning, August 3d, the
x See the returns subjoined to the Gazette letter, Appendix
N°2.

486
French flag Avas still observed to be flying on the
stump of le Tonnant's main mast. The Admiral
immediately made the Theseus' and Leander's
signal to attack her. At their approach a flag
of truce was hoisted, and on an officer's being
sent from the Theseus, the colours were struck.
The Avell knoAvn letter that Sir Horatio sent to
Earl St. Vincent, which had been begun under
the immediate impression of approaching ydeatb,
amidst the dreadful scene of devastation Avhich
the surrounding ocean continued for days to dis
play, was Avorthy of his devout sense of God's
over-ruling providence, Avhich has so constantly
appeared hrhis great and extraordinary cha
racter. "Almighty God has blessed his Majesty's arms
in the late battle, by a great victory over the
fleet of the Enemy, Avhom I attacked at sunset
on the first of August, off the mouth of the Nile.
y See Quarto Edit. Vol. II. page 84. In this, as well as in
many other respects, a resemblance may be traced between the
Admirals Blake and Nelson. Dr. Johnson, in describing the
victory of the former over the Dutch, May 18, 1652, when the
Vanguard also greatly distinguished herself, adds, " Blake, in his
letter acknowledged the particular blessing and preservation of
God, and ascribed his success to the justice of the cause." — Adr-
mi ral Rodney's, official letter respecting the victory of the 12th of
April began with the same devout spirit, which appears in that
from Sir Horatio Nelson. Formidable at sea, April 14, 1782. "It
has pleased God, out of his divine providence, to grant to his
Majesty's arms a most complete victory over the fleet of th$
Enemy."

487
The Enemy were moored in a strong line of bat
tle for defending the entrance of this Bay (of
shoals), flanked by numerous gun boats, four
frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on
an island in their van; but nothing could with
stand the squadron your Lordship did me the
honour to place under my command. Their high
state of discipline is well known to you, and with
tbe judgment of the Captains, together with
their valour, and that of the officers and men of
every description,, it Avas absolutely irresistible.
Could any thing from my pen add to tbe cha
racter of the Captains I would write it with plea
sure, but that is impossible. I have to regret the
loss of Captain Westcott of the Majestic who
was killed early in tbe action, but the ship was
continued to be so well fought by her first lieu
tenant Mr. Cuthbert, that I have given him an
order to command her till your Lordship's plea
sure is known. The ships of the Enemy, all but
their two rear ships, are nearly dismasted; and
those two, with two frigates, I am sorry to say
made their escape, nor was it I assure you in
my power to prevent them. Captain Hood most
handsomely endeavoured to do it, but I had no
ship in a condition to support the Zealous, and
I was obliged to call her in. The support and
assistance 1 have received from Captain Berry,
cannot be sufficiently expressed. 1 was wounded
in tbe head, and obliged to be carried off the
deck, but the service suffered no loss by the

488
event: Captain Berry Avas fully equal to the im
portant service then going on, and to him I must
beg leave to refer for every information relative
to the victory; he Avill present you Avith the flag
of the second in command, that of the Comman
der in Chief being burnt in L'Orient: herewith
I transmit you lists of the killed and Avounded,
and the zline of battle of ourselves and the
French." On the same day, August 3, the following
most honourable testimony of professional gra-
titilde and esteem, Avas drawn up on board the
Orion, and signed by all the Captains. "The
Captains of the Squadron under the orders of
Rear Admiral Nelson, K. B. desirous of testifying
the high sense they entertain of his prompt de
cision and intrepid conduct in the attack of the
French fleet, in Bequieres Road, off the Nile,
August the 1st, 1798, request his acceptance of
a SAVord; and as a further proof of their esteem
arid regard, hope that he Avill permit his portrait
to be taken, and hung up in the room belonging
to the Egyptian Club, uoav established in com
memoration pf that glorious day."— In the first
interview which Nelson had Avith his early ship
mate and friend, Captain Troubridge, after the
Action, he thus endeavoured to cheer the mor
tified spirit of that great and intrepid officer:
''Let us, my dear Troubridge, rather rejoice
2 See Appendix No. 2.

489 .
that the Ship which got on shore was commanded
by an officer, whose character is so thoroughly
established in the service as your OAvn."
On the 5th of August, as soon as a ship could
be made sufficiently sea-worthy for the voyage,
Sir Horatio Nelson despatched Captain Berry in
the Leander, Avith letters to Lord St. Vincent;
and Captain Hardy of the Murine brig succeeded
to the command of the Vanguard. Oh the 13th
of August Sir James Saumarez left the squadron
Avith the prizes, and on the same day the Murine,
Hon. Captain T. B. Capel, sailed to Naples Avith
a duplicate of the Admiral's despatches, and with
letters to Lord Spencer, the Hon. H. Dundas,
President of the Board of Control for India, and
to the Lord Mayor. From Naples Captain Capel
proceeded overland to England.
Admiral Sir H. Nelson, K. B. to the Right
Honourable the Lord Mayor.
" My Lord: Having the honour of being a
Freeman of the City of London, I take the li
berty of sending to your Lordship the SAVord of
the commanding French Admiral, Monsieur Blan-
quet, Avho survived after the Battle of the first
off the Nile; and I request that the City of Lon
don will honour me by the acceptance of it, as a
remembrance, That Britannia still rules the Waves;
which she may ever do, is the fervent prayer of
,your Lordship's obedient servant."
(1798.) In a letter to his Excellency the Hon,
W. Wyndham at Florence, dated August SI, Sir

490
Horatio had said, That on account of his indif
ferent health and Avound, he thought of going
down the Mediterranean as soon as he arrived at
Naples, unless he should find any thing very ex
traordinary to detain him; and this determina
tion had been strongly impressed on his mind by
some of his friends, Avho dreaded the effect which
his going into Avinter quarters at Naples, might
have on a mind by no means adapted to cope
Avith the flattery of the Sicilian Court.
(1798.) -The first congratulatory communica
tion which Sir Horatio Nelson received, Avas from
the Grand. Seignior, dated August 24; the fol-
loAving translation of which Avas certified by Mr.
J. S. Smith, Avho had succeeded Mr. Jackson at
the Ottoman Porte. " Certain intelligence being-
arrived, (August 23d,) from Rhodes, of the Eng
lish squadron in the Mediterranean having di
rected its course to the Egyptian coast, and of
its having attacked the French fleet Avhich Was
riding at anchor before Eboukhor, on the farther
side of Alexandria, Avhere it burnt the Admiral's
ship L'Orient, sunk several others, and Avas oc
cupied in destroying the rest; this joyful advice
has not failed giving the Sublime Porte the
highest satisfaction. In expressing thus her com
plete approbation and pleasure at the English
Commander's brave and gallant behaviour on
this occasion, the Sublime Porte entertains hopes
that the English squadron once united with the
Ottoman fleet, many desirable advantages might

491
be reaped from their junction; and that such
future measures Avould be adopted and pursued,
as should doubly lead to increase the ancient
good intelligence and ajnity, subsisting betAveen
the Sublime Porte, and the Court of Great Bri
tain. The esteemed English Minister, our friend,
is therefore requested in the name of the Sublime
Porte to signify the same, both to his Court, aud
to the English Commander before named."
On receiving an official confirmation of this
decisive victory, August 29, the following com
munication from the Grand Seignior was made
to Mr. Smith, Sept. the 8th. " It is but lately,
that by a written communication it has been
made known, how much the Sublime Porte re
joiced at the first advice received of the English
squadron in the White Sea having defeated the
French off Alexandria in Egypt. By recent ac
counts comprehending a specific detail of the
Action, it appears noAv more positive, that his Bri
tannic Majesty's fleet has actually destroyed by
that Action the best ships the French had in their
possession. This joyful event, therefore, laying
this Empire under an obligation, and the service
rendered by our much esteemed friend Admiral -,
Nelson on this occasion, being of a nature to call
for public acknowledgment, his Imperial Ma
jesty, the Powerful, Formidable, and Most Mag
nificent Grand Seignior has destined as a present
in his Imperial Name to the said Admiral, a
Diamond Aigrette, (Chelengk), and.a Sable Fur

493
Avith broad sleeves; besides 2000 zequins, to be
distributed amongst the Avounded of his creAv.
And as the English Minister is constantly zea
lous to contribute by his endeavours, to the in
crease of friendship between the two Courts, it
is hoped he Avill not fail to make known this
circumstance to his Court, and to solicit the per
mission of the Powerful and Most August King
of England, for the said Admiral to put on and
Avear the said Aigrette and Pelice." — It was on
this occasion, that Mr. Smith suggested to the
Minister of the Grand Seignior the propriety of
establishing an Order, to be styled The Order
of the Crescent; and of making Sir Horatio Nel
son the first Knight Companion of it; and also
to have medals of the Order struck, to be given
and Avorn by subordinate officers: both of which
Avere done by the Ottoman Porte.
On the 2fJth of August, Captain Hood informed
Sir Horatio, that Captain HalloAvell had seized a
polacre ship, under Greek colours with a French
pas's, going from the old to the new port of
Alexandria, which he had burnt; and that Cap
tain Hope, of the Alcmene, had captured the
Leger express-boat with despatches from Gene
ral Buonaparte, Avhich Avere saved as they were
sinking, owing to the alertness of two seamen at
the hazard of their lives. When a French officer
came off from Alexandria requesting that all pri
vate letters might be sent on shore, Captain
Hood had given them, instead, a .copy of the

493
Decree of the Executive Directory, ordering all
letters found on board Enemy's ships to be for
warded to them.
Captain Capel on his arrival in the Murine
at Naples immediately wrote to the Admiral.
"I am totally unable, Sir, to express the joy that
appeared in every countenance, and the bursts
of applause and acclamations Ave received. The
Queen and Lady Hamilton fainted: in short,
Sir, they all hail you as the saviour of Europe.
A courier sets off to-morrow for Vienna, and I
shall accompany him.— On the 28th of August,
in latitude 37° 45' longitude 16° 50', Lfell in with
tAvo line of battle ships, one under three jury top
masts, the second had a jury mizen top mast, ha
ving the other ship in toAV. I passed so close,
as to make their hulls put distinctly. I also
shewed them French colours, Avhich they an
swered by the same; and I have not the smallest
doubt from those circumstances, and the perfect
recollection I have of le Guillaume Tell, and le
Genereux, that it Avas those ships; they were
steering to the N. E. apparently for Corfu. The
two frigates had parted, the wind Avas then
against them. Captain Hoste Avill be ready to
sail again in a few days."
(1798.) Sir Horatio, in a letter to Lady Nel
son, dated at sea, Sept. 16, described the exulta
tion of the Queen of Naples. "The kingdom
pf the two Sicilies is mad with joy; from the
Throne to the peasant all are alike. According

494
tb Lady Hamilton's letter, the situation of the
Queen Avas truly pitiable: I only hope I shall
not have to be Avitness to a renewal of it. I give
you Lady Hamilton's own Avords. " How shall
I describe the transports of the Queen? 'tis not
possible: she cried, kissedher husband, her chil
dren, Avalked frantic abouttheroom, cried, kissed
and embraced every person near her; exclaiming,
O brave Nelson ! O God bless and protect our brave
deliverer! O Nelson, Nelson, xvhat do we not owe
you! 0 Victor, Saviour of Italy! O that my swoln
heart could now tell him personally what we owe to
him!" You may judge, Fanny, of the rest: but
my head will not allow me to tell you half; so
much for that. My fag, Avithout success, Avould
have had no effect, but blessed be God for his
goodness to me."
A second account of Nelson's victory AA'as soon
afterwards brought to Naples by the Terpsichore,
Captain Gage, Avho had been sent Avith the intel
ligence from off Candia by Captain Dixon of the
Lion. Sir William Hamilton, in sending the Ad
miral word of this, added, That on the 9th of
September two Maltese speronara boats had ar
rived at Naples, Avith information that the inhabi
tants of that Island, on hearing of the overthrow
of the French fleet in Egypt, had risen, and mas
sacred many of the French; that the main body
of them had retired into Valette, whilst the In
surgents had taken possession of two forts, and
had hjisted the Neapolitan flag with that of St.

495
John; but being in want of arms and ammu
nition, they had sent to request them at Syracuse,
the Governor of which had despatched their
speronaras to Naples. They also added, that le
Guillaume Tell, and the two French .frigates had
got into Malta.
(1798.) Notwithstanding all these congratu*
lations and professions, the mind of this great
officer, yet untainted by the intrigues of .an Ita
lian Court, secretly dreaded to refit his ships at
Naples. Naturally averse from the character
of Foreigners, and possessing some idea of the
danger of the torrent of adulation and distinc
tion, Avhich Avas ready to burst upon him, Nelson
remembered that as a man, his. mind possessed
the weakness common to all : he therefore ear
nestly wished, yet Avithout possessing resolution to
execute it, to avoid any intercourse with Naples;
and this Avill be sufficiently evident from his let
ters. In writing to Lord St. Vincent on the 20th
of September, he said, " I detest this voyage to
Naples; nothing but absolute necessity could
force me to the measure. Syracuse in future,
whilst my operations lie on the eastern side of
Sicily, is my port, where every refreshment may
be had for a fleet."
V. The long expected arrival of the Van
guard at Naples, and the extraordinary manner
in which the hero of Aboukir was received, are
thus described by himself in a letter to Lady
Nelson. " The poor wretched Vanguard arrived

496
here on the 22d of September. 1 must endeavour
to convey to you something of Avhat passed; but
if it Avere so affecting to those only Avho AverC
united to me by bonds of friendship, what
must it be to my dearest wife, my friend, my
every thing which is most dear to me in this
World? — Sir William and Lady Hamilton canle
out to sea, attended by numerous boats, with
emblems, &c. They, my most respectable friends,
had really been laid up and seriously ill: first
from anxiety, and then from joy. It Avas impru
dently told Lady Hamilton in a moment, and the
effect Avas like a shot; she fell apparently dead,
and is not yet perfectly recovered from severe
bruises*. Alongside came my honoured friends,
the scene in the boat was terribly affecting; up
fleAV her Ladyship, and exclaiming, " O God is it
possible!" she fell into my arm more dead than
alive. Tears, however, soon set matters to rights;
Avhen alongside came the King. The scene was
in its way as interesting; he took me by the
hand, calling me his deliverer and preserver^
Avith every other expression of kindness. In
short all Naples calls me Nostro Liber afore; my
greeting from the lower classes was truly affect
ing. I hope some clay to have the pleasure of
introducing you to Lady Hamilton, she is one of
the very best Avomen in this Avorld; she is an ho
nour to her sex. Her kindness Avith Sir William's
to me is more than I can express: I am in their
house, arid. I may now tell you, it required all the

497
kindness of my friends to set me up. Lady
Hamilton intends writing to you. May God
Almighty bless you, and give us, in due time, a
happy meeting."
(1798.) To Lady Nelson, dated Sept. 28.— "The
preparations of Lady Hamilton for celebrating
my birth-day to-morroAV are enough to fill me
with vanity; every ribbon, every button, has
Nelson, &c. The whole service is marked H. N.
Glorious 1st of August ! — Songs, and sonnetti
are numerous beyond what I ever could deserve.-
I send the additional verse to God Save' the King,
as I know you Avill sing it with pleasure. I can
not move on foot, or in a Carriage, for the kind
ness- of the populace ; but good Lady ll. pre
serves all the papers as the highest treat for you.
The Queen yesterday, being still ill, sent her fa
vourite son to visit and bring me a letter from
her of gratitude and thanks. — Miserable accounts
of le Guillaume Tell. I trust God Almighty will
yet put her into the hands of our King. His all
powerful hand has gone Avith us to the battle,
protected us, and still continues destroying the
Unbelievers : All glory be to God. The more I
think, the more I hear, the greater is my asto
nishment at the extent and good consequences
of our Victory."
Her Majesty the Queen of Naples to Admiral
Sir Horatio Nelson. — " This letter -will be deli
vered to you by a Child, Avho is very dear to me.
I envy him the pleasure which he will have of
2 K

498
seeing you, and am much distressed that my in
disposition prevents me from expressing all my
esteem and gratitude. This Child must serve in
the Navy ; I hope he will folloAv your steps, and
that he will be able one day to acquire, at least, a
part of your glory. My dear Leopold has de
clared his regret, and like a child of his tender
age Avith tears, that he had never before knoAvn
so brave a man. In order to gratify his ardent
desire I have sent him to you, when he will de
clare how anxious I am to be sufficiently reco
vered to assure you of my gratitude, deeply en
graven on my heart, and Avhich I shall always
preserve for a man so illustrious. Croyez que
ma reconnoissante estime pour vous, mon valereux
et glorieux General, maccompagnera au tombeau.
SignSe Charlotte."
The praise of a Queen, thus communicated by
her son who Avas intended to emulate the career
of Nelson in the Royal Navy, could not fail of
making a lasting impression on this loyal and
gallant warrior ; but his mind still revolted at
the general character and politics of the Neapo
litans, Avhich it required some potent spells tq
overcome. In writing on the SOth of September,
to Lord St. Vincent, he thus gave vent to his
then unsubdued feelings : "I trust, my Lord, in
a Aveek Ave shall all be at sea. I am very unAvell,
and the miserable cpnduct of this Court is not
likely to cool my irritable temper. It is a Coun
try of fiddlers and poets, whores and scoundrels."

499
(1798.) Owing, to the capture of the Leander
by le Genereux, on the 18th of'August, near the
Island of Candia, after a gallant and almost un
precedented defence by Capt. T. B.a Thompson,
it was a considerable time before any official ac
count of the Battle of the Nile reached Lord St.
Vincent. The folloAving is the letter of congra
tulation which he then returned. " My dear
Admiral : God be praised, and you and your gal
lant band rewarded by a grateful Country, for
the greatest achievement the history of the world.
can produce. I most sincerely lament the loss
of Captain Westcott, and the number of brave
officers aud men who have fallen on this signal
occasion. NotAvithstanding all that has been
said against me for appointing you to command
the detached squadron, the event has proved that.
my judgment was correct."
Captain Cuthbert Collingwood, from off Cadiz,
to Admiral Nelson. — " I cannot, my dear Friend,
express hoAv great my joy is for the complete and
glorious victory you have obtained over the
French ; the most decisive, and in its conse
quences, perhaps, the most important to Europe
that was ever Avon ; and my heart overfloAvs Avith
. thankfulness to the Divine Providence for his
protection of you through the great dangers
8 Since made Comptroller of the Navy, on the resignation of
Sir Andrew Hamond, Bart. Capt. Thompson's letter to Sir H.
Nelson respecting this action, is dated Trieste, Oct. 13, 1798,
2 K 2

500 i
which are ever attendant on services of such
eminence. So total an overthrow of their Fleet,
and the consequent deplorable situation of the
Army they have in Africa, I hope will teach
those tyrants in the Directory a lesson of humi
lity, and dispose them to peace and to Justice ;
that they may restore to those States they have
ruined all that can be saved out of the wreck of
a subverted government and plundered people.
I lament most sincerely the death of Captain
Westcott, a good officer and a Avorthy man : but
if it were a part of our condition to chuse a day
to die on, Avhere could we have found one so me
morable, so eminently distinguished amongst
great days ?
" Say to Lady Nelson when you Avrite to her,
hoAv much I congratulate her on the safety, the
honours, and the services of her husband, Good
God, Avhat must be her feelings, how great her
gratitude to Heaven for such mercies. Pray
give my hearty congratulations to all my friends
in your Fleet.
"I am glad to understand my Avorthy Ball
and Darby are recovering. May success ever
attend you, my dear Friend, is the constant
prayer of your faithful and affectionate Cuthbert
Collingwood." VI. That anxiety respecting the proceedings of
the detached squadron under Rear Admiral Sir
Horatio Nelson, which had so long prevailed
throughout England during the summer and au-

501
t'umn of 1798, had been painfully increased by
the unfortunrte capture of the Leander. Lord
Spencer unable to bear the dreadful state of un
certainty and the variety of rumour Avhich de
pressed and irritated the nation, had retired into
the country with the hope of weakening appre
hensions he could not subdue. In a letter Avhich
his Lordship sent on Sept. SO, to Sir Horatio Nel
son, the indefatigable and upright Minister thus
described the state of his OAvn and the public
mind. *' You may easily, my dear Sir, conceive
the anxiety we have been under about you, and
your operations ; and the distance at which you
are placed from us, increased as it is by the pre
sent inconvenient situation of Europe for com
munication, makes it impossible almost to knoAV
how and what to Avrite. After the receipt of your
two letters of the 26th of May, and 15th of June,
the only ones I have received from you since you
parted from Lord St. Vincent off Cadiz, I Avaited
for a considerable time in the greatest anxiety,
expecting every day to hear some glorious ac
count from you; and until the 16th of this
mouth, Avhen I received a letter from Sir W.
Hamilton, enclosing your's to him of the 20th
and 22dof July, I did not quite give up all hopes
of your having had some very considerable 'suc
cess ; notAvithstanding the positive assertions of
the French papers, that Buonaparte and his Avhole
force Avere landed in Egypt. Since the receipt
of these letters, we have again been put on the

502
tip-toe of expectation, both by the French pam
pers and by accounts from Constantinople ; and
in spite of our former disappointment every one
in London is fully convinced that you have gain
ed an important victory . . . God bless you, dear
Sir Horatio, . and grant that Ave may very soon
haA'e some good tidings from you."
(1798.) Such Avas the state of affairs at home,
when on the morning of the 2d of October, the
Honourable Captain Capel arrived at the Admi
ralty Avith a copy of Sir Horatio Nelson's de
spatches to Lord St. Vincent, containing an ac
count of the destruction of the French fleet;
and a subsequent letter,- dated August the 7th,
referring their Lordships to Captain Capel as a
most excellent officer and fully able to give every
information. The joy that prevailed throughout
Great Britain, declared hoAv ill the nation Avould
have supported an unsuccessful officer. Public
spirit revived; the stocks, that fluctuating level
which marks the national confidence in Govern
ment, rose in an extraordinary manner; aud the
Minister avIio sat at the helm of the State Avas
enabled to meet the opening of Parliament Avith
another signal Victory Avhich he had not ex-'
pected. Admiral Nelson Avas immediately advanced
by his Majesty to the Peerage. On the 4th of
October, Lord Spencer sent for Mr. Maurice
Nelson the elder brother of the family, and
requested to know if he had ever heard of any

503
title which Sir Horatio Avould prefer. This
worthy relative of the noble Admiral, who Avas
universally beloved and respected, wished that
the Name might be retained. Accordingly, on
the 6th of October, Sir Horatio Nelson Avas
created a Peer of Great Britain, by the title of
Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burnham
Thorpe in the county of Norfolk. On the 20th
of the ensuing month, the King delivered the
folloAving most honourable commendation of the
Battle of the Nile, on the meeting of Parliament :
" The unexampled series of our Naval Triumphs
has received fresh splendour from the memorable
and decisive Action, in Avhich a detachment of
my Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral
Lord Nelson attacked, and almost totally de
stroyed a superior force of the enemy strength-.
ened by every advantage of situation. By this
great and brilliant Victory, an enterprise of
which the Injustice, Perfidy, and Extravagance
had fixed the attention of the Avorld, and which
Avas peculiarly directed against some of the most
valuable interests of the British Empire, has, in
the first instance, been turned to the confusion
of its authors; and the bloAV thus given to the
poAver and influence of France has afforded an
opening Avhich, if improved by suitable exertions
c?n the part of other poAvers, may lead to the ge
neral deliverance of Europe. ..."
On the 22d of November a message Avas
brought down to the House expressive of lthc

504
Sovereign's wish to reward the noble Admiral :
" His Majesty having taken into his considera-t
tion the signal and meritorious services perform*
ed by Rear Admiral Lord Nelson, in the memo
rable and decisive victory obtained over a supe
rior French fleet off the mouth of the Nile, not
only highly honourable to himself, but eminently
beneficial to these kingdoms; and his Majesty
being desirous to confer upon him some consi*
derable and lasting mark of his Royal favour,
in testimony of his approbation of his great ser
vices, recommends it to his faithful Commons,
to consider of the means of enabling his Ma
jesty tp extend and secure an Annuity of 2,000/.
per annum to Rear Admiral Lord Nelson, and
the tAvo next heirs male on Avhom the title of
Baron Nelson of the b Nile and Burnham Thorpe
in the county of Norfolk shall descend, in such
manner as shall be most advantageous to their
interests." This Avas folloAved by a grant of
Arms expressive of the great achievements of
the noble Admiral, and of the honours Avhich he
had received from the Sublime Porte : The ap
propriate motto to Avhich is said to have been se
lected by his OAvn Sovereign, Palmam qui meruit
ferat. The thanks of both houses of the British c Par-
t> It is a singular circumstance, that the letters in, the name
of Horatio Nelson, should make the following anagram,-
Honor est a Nilo.
c See in Quarto Edit. vol. ii. p. 107, the speech of Lord Minta,
illustrative of the professional character of Lord Nelson.

505
liament and of the Parliament of Ireland were
unanimously voted, Gold medals, similar to
those which had been given by the King for the
other great naval Actions in the war, were by
his Majesty ordered to be presented by Lord
Spencer to Admiral Nelson and to the Captains
who served under his orders : the first Lieute
nants of the ships engaged were distinguished
by promotion, and the Senior Marine Officer in
the Squadron was recommended to H. R. H. the
Commander in Chief, that he might have a step
in brevet rank conferred upon him ; which was
granted. Admiral Lord Howe, on the 3d of October,
deservedly took the lead amongst those who sent
congratulations to the Admiral. " Though con
scious, Sir," wrote that veteran Seaman, " how
many letters of congratulation you are likely to
receive by the same conveyance, on the subject
of your despatches by Captain Capel, I trust
you Avill forgive the additional trouble of my
compliments on this singular occasion : Not less
memorable for the Skill, than cool Judgment tes
tified under considerable disadvantages in the su
perior force and situation of the Enemy." —
" With what pleasure," said Admiral Goodall,
" do I congratulate you, my dear Nelson, on
your glorious victory. I know not where to
place the preference in my praises ; Avhether in
the boldness of the attempt, or in the skill Avith
which it was conducted, unrivalled in our An-

506
iials. I had often been obliged to stand in the
breach against the senseless criticisms of the
noble and ignoble of this Country ; you know
them to be governed by the tide of SAvoln and
immediate success. Hoav often have I been
questioned, What is your favourite Hero about f
the French fleet has passed under his nose, &c. &c.
To all Avhich I uniformly answered, ' I know him
well ; if Fortune has not crowned his labour and
anxiety in the event, yet something capital avi'H
he done. I knoAV him and most of his gallant
Companions who are to support him in the day
of battle. You will not hear from him until he
has thundered in the Storm and directed the
whirhvind that Avill overwhelm the enemy.' My
opinion has been entirely confirmed : Your gal
lantry, my dear Friend, ~has silenced both jea
lousy and censure, and raised a name which will
exist in futurity as long as history, or monumen
tal tablets are preserved."
The disinterested conduct of his elder brother
Maurice, claims remembrance as displaying a
greatness of mind Avhjch must ever honour his
memory. In Avriting to Lady Nelson, Avhilst the
entail of his brother's honours Avas under the
consideration of Government, Maurice declared
that his brother William should have the prefer
ence : It xviil be my wish and request to the Ad
miral, added this generous and noble relative,
not to put my name in the Patent.. I move in ton
humble a sphere to think of such a thing. — The

507
Lord Mayor, Anderson, on the 19th of October,
transmitted to the Admiral the congratulations
and vbte of thanks of the Common Council for
the SAvord of the French Admiral Blanquet, Avhich
had been deposited in the chamber of the Guild
hall of the city of London ; as also the thanks of
that honourable Court to the Captains, officers,
and seamen of the squadron, Avho, under the com
mand of Admiral Nelson, had manifested to the
world an additional instance of the superior dis
cipline and irresistible bravery of British seamen.
A Sword of the value of tAvo hundred guineas,
was also voted to Lord Nelson, and the freedom
pf the city to Sir EdAvard Berry. The East In
dia Company unanimously ordered a grant of
10,000/. The Turkey Company, a present of
Plate of great value. The city of LiA'erpool
yoted the freedom of that borough, and toAvn,
as the only mark of respect Avhich amidst the
honours so deservedly bestowed by the King,
and the applauses and acclamations of the whole
body pf the People, and the surrounding Avorld,
it Avas in their poAver with propriety to present ;
and the Mayor pf Liverpool, Leyland, Avas also
instructed to request, ' That the noble Admiral
would please to make known to the several Cap
tains and other officers, and seamen of his squa
dron, the very grateful sense Avhich the Corpo
rate Body of Liverpool, as representing the
second Seaport in the Kingdom, entertains- of
the heroic Valour, the exemplary Discipline

508
and the great and enterprising spirit of the Bri
tish Seamen which shone forth upon the late
wonderful and unrivalled Victory.'
(1798.) Nor was the praise that Avas due to
Lord St. Vincent for his selection of Sir Horatio
and his squadron, forgotten amidst the general
exultation at the victory. Earl Spencer in writ
ing to that Commander in Chief, Oct. 9, said,
*' After having had a week to reflect on the
event of the Engagement on the coast of Egypt,
and all the various most important consequences
which will ensue if proper use is made of it; I
cannot help once more congratulating your Lord
ship on the subject, and repeating how strongly
impressed I feel with the great share Avhich your
very judicious selection of the Ships and Cap
tains Avho composed that Squadron, has had in
insuring to us so brilliant and decish'e a result."
Mr. Nepean in a letter to Lord St. Vincent, on
the same day, added, " The enclosed is a notifi
cation of Nelson's Peerage. I Avould give a
great deal Avere it possible for me to be present
at your first meeting. You Avill hardly be ques
tioned now upon the propriety of your choice."
VIL Such being the state of exultation at home,
and the liberal spirit Avhich his Country displayed
on this memorable occasion; our attention is now
again directed to the noble Admiral himself and
his brave folloAvers in the Mediterranean. The
reception which he had met Avith from all ranks
at Naples, had Aveakened, if not entirely stibdued

509
the strong aversion Avhich he felt from remain
ing long in that enchanting city. Overcome
with fatigue, and harassed by the importance
and variety of duty that was intrusted to him,
he too much felt the value of his friend the
English Minister; and being constantly at his
house enjoyed a delightful, but dangerous re
laxation in the extraordinary talents and capti
vating flatteries of Emma, Lady Hamilton. On
the 4th of October, in writing to Earl d St. Vin
cent, he described the state of Naples towards.
the close of 1798, and evidently shewed a grow
ing partiality for the Queen's opinions ; which
possessed a violent and vindictive spirit that had'
not been duly appretiated by his unsuspicious
and loyal integrity : who saAv only an insulted
woman, and the daughter of the great' Theresa.:
In another letter, to Lady Nelson from Naples,,
dated Oct. 1 — 6, the noble Admiral thus de
scribed the feelings of his affectionate and too,
grateful heart : " Our time here is actively, em
ployed; and betAveen business and what is called
pleasure I am not my OAvn master, for five mi
nutes. The continued kind attention of Sir Wil
liam and Lady Hamilton must ever make youi
and I love them, and they are deserving the love
and admiration of all the world. The Grand
Seignior hag ordered me a valuable diamond; if
it were worth a million, my pleasure would be
* See Quarto- Edit vol. ii. page 111,

510
to See it in your possession. My pride is being
your husband, the Son of my dear Father, and
in having Sir William and Lady Hamilton for
my friends. While these apprdve of my con
duct, I shall not feel or regard the envy of
thousands. Could I, my dearest Fanny, tell you
half the honours which are shewn me here, not
a ream of paper would hold it. On my birth
day, eighty people dined at Sir William Hamil
ton's; one thousand seven hundred and forty
came to a ball, where eight hundred supped. A
rostral column is erected under a magnificent
canopy, never, Lady H. says, to come down
Avhile they remain at Naples. A little circum-
-Stance has also happened Avhich does honour to
the King of Naples, and is not unpleasant to me.
I Aventto vieAV the magnificent manufactory of
china. After admiring all the fine^hings suffi
cient to seduce the money from my pocket, I
came to some busts in China of all the Royal Fa
mily : these I immediately ordered, and, when I
Avanted to pay for them, I Avas informed that the
King had directed Avhatever I chose should be
delivered free of all costs : it Avas handsome in
the King."
(1798.) The folloAving note from the Russian
Emperor Paul to the, noble Admiral, Avritten in
French, is dated Petersburgh, October 8, ' Vice
Admiral Nelson : Considering the cause of nay
Allies as my own, I am unable to express the
pleasure Avhich your success has afforded me.

51 L •
The complete victory Avhich you have gained
over the Common Enemy, and the destruction
of the French Fleet, are assuredly sufficient ti
tles to draw on you the suffrages of that part of
Europe Avhich still retains its reason. In order
to give you -a marked acknowledgment of the
justice rendered by me to your military talents,
I have sent you a box, Avith my portrait, en
riched AA'ith diamonds; and I beg that you would
feel .assured of , my high regard, and I pray God
that he may keep you under his holy and gra
cious protection. Paul."
(1798.) The manner of opening the Avar which
the Neapolitan Court had at length decided on,
is given in the following letter from the Sici
lian Minister Acton, Avritten in English, to Sir
William Hamilton, dated Caserta, October 13.
" I acquaint you; my dear Sir, by the King's
orders, Avith the resolutions taken last night and
this morning, about the operations' of his Ma
jesty's army, and must beg of you to present
this intelligence to Admiral Nelson. It has been
determined that 30,000 men should march as
soon as possible tOAvards the best positions in the
Appenines, in order to cover the kingdom from i
its threatened invasion; and that 15,000 men
should be ready on our frontiers, to support the
first army for the garrison of Rome and other
places, and to keep the communication open and
free with this kingdom, if the Romans should
happen to forsake their offers of joining with us

512
in the expulsion of the French from their terri
tories. The intention of sending 8,000 men at
the same time to Leghorn has not as yet ap
peared prudent, until Ave hear from the Emperor.
I beg of you, my dear Sir, to present to Admiral
Nelson these ideas. His Sicilian Majesty leaves
to the brave Admiral to combine with these ope
rations Avhat he may think fit and proper at the
moment ; and feels with warm gratitude his most
kind declarations to support the King, his Royal
Family, and his tAvo kingdoms. His Majesty
thinks also that the Admiral's name and co
operation Avith the Sicilian arms would prove of
the most essential Aveight, and raise the spirit of
the, until iioav, dejected Italians. The recovery
of Malta, and the drawing the French from
Corfu, Avould be an essential service; and ac
cording to what Admiral Nelson was so kind as
to tell me for his Majesty's intelligence, he has
already provided for these important objects." .
A sufficient squadron being at length ready to
accompany the Admiral to Malta, consisting of
the Vanguard, Minotaur, Audacious, Goliath, and
Murine, he prepared to sail from Naples; and
in a letter to Earl St. Vincent gave the follow
ing account of his taking leave of the King:
" On Monday the 15th, at eight o'clock, the
King and Prince Leopold came on board and did
me the honour of breakfasting. At ten the
squadron weighed anchor; at eleven his Majesty
left the ship, expressing himself in the most flat-

513
tiering manner tOAvards me. The King had all
the respect paid him by the squadron that, our
situation would admit of, and Avhich it Avas not
only our duty but so much our inclination to
sheAv him. The King having desired my return
to Naples in the first Week in November, I shall
comeback after having arranged the blockade
jof Malta, and endeavour to be useful to the
movements of their army. In thus acquiescing
with the desire of the King of Naples, I give up
my plan, Avhioh Avas to have gone to Egypt and
attended to the destruction of the French ship
ping in that quarter; but I hope that before
Captain Hood quits his station, both the Turkish
and Russian squadrons will be on that coast,
Avhen all will be right I hope, although I own
myself not willing to trust any of our allies to do
that which we could perform ourselves. I have
reason for thinking that the strong Avish for our
squadron being on the coast of Naples is, that
in case of any mishap, their Majesties think their
persons Avould be much safer under the protection
of fhe British "flag than any other.
" October 19th. My letter on the subject of
our dear friend Troubridge, Avhich Avas lost Avith
many others in the Leander, Avas to authorise
you to add a paragraph to my public letter, if
you thought it more to the advantage of Trou
bridge ; for I thought it better to make no men
tion of his disaster. / consider Captain Trou
bridge 's conduct as fully entitled to praise as any
2 i

514
one officer in the squadron, and as highly deserving
reward. He commanded a division, equally with Sir
fames Saumarez, by my order dated in June ; and
I should feel distressed if any honour which is
granted to one, be not granted to the other. This
part of my letter I Avish you, my dear Lord, to
make use of to Lord Spencer, should any dif
ference be made. The eminent services of our
friend deserve the very highest reAvards. I have
experienced the ability and activity of his mind
and body: It was Troubridge Avho equipped
the squadron so soon at Syracuse : It Avas Trou
bridge Avho exerted himself for me after the
action : It Avas Troubridge avIio saved the Cul
loden, Avhen none that I knoAv in the service
Avould have attempted it: It is Troubridge
whom I'have left as myself at Naples, he is as
a Friend and as an Officer a Nonpareil."
(1798) The blockade of the Island of Malta
had been entrusted to the vigilance and skill bf
Captain Ball ; and is dated by Lord Nelson, in
his Memoir, as taking place from the 12th of
October. The state of the islands of Malta and
Gozo on that day, with an accbunt of the revo
lution that had taken place, is given in an in
teresting report Avhich Avas sent to his Lordship.
The French force in Malta then consisted of
about 3000 soldiers and sailors, and of 100 Mal
tese ; the only part of the inhabitants \vho Avould
take up arms for the French. About 10,000 of
the Maltese were in arms; they had tAventy three

515
guns on the island, of which tAvelve Avere mount
ed ; they had also tAvo galleys and four gunboats.
On Saturday, the day previous to the insurrec
tion of the Maltese, the French, in addition to
their usual professions in the gazette, had issued
a manifesto declaring that they should consider
the plate and riches of the churches as sacred,
promising neither to take nor request any thing:
the very next morning, Avhen the churches were
opened for public Avorship, they began their plun
der. The Maltese, injured and irritated beyond
bearing, immediately fleAV to revenge themselves.
Amongst the French Avhom they put to death,
"was a general officer- who had been very active;
Avith his wife they found a plan for entering all
the toAvns in the island, murdering the strongest
and richest of the inhabitants, and taking pos
session of the best houses. They also found a
paper in Avhich the various classes of the people
were assigned different employments ; sixty Mal
tese had been destined to bury the dead. About
eight days previous to this event there had been
an action between the French and Maltese, in
Avhich the former had lost SOO men, the latter
had only five killed and five Avounded : it lasted
between three and four hours. In the sortie
above fifty of the French threw down their
arms, and begged to join the Maltese ; but they
were fired' on indiscriminately with the others.
The Maltese beheaded all the bodies of the French
which they could find, on the spot, and carried

516
their heads about the island with parsnips in their
teeth, as the French had given out that they had
no provisions at Malta but parsnips;
(1798.) On the 15th of October, after receiv
ing the King and Prince Leopold at breakfast on
board the Vanguard, Lord Nelson had sailed
from Naples to reinforce the blockade of Malta;
and on the 24th had joined Captain Ball and the
Marquis de Niza. On the 28th the Commandant
of the French troops in the castle of Gozo signed
the capitulation which Nelson had approved.
Captain Ball immediately directed Captain Cres-
well of the marines to take possession, Avhen H.
B, M. colours were hoisted. The next day the
place was delivered up in form to the deputies of
the island, his Sicilian Majesty's colours were
hoisted and he a'cknoAvledged the lawful Sove
reign. The island of Gozo contained 16,000 in
habitants; in the castle Avere found 3,200 sacks of
corn, one eighteen-pounder, tAvo twelve-pounders,
four six-pounders, fifty barrels of powder, and a
quantity of other ammunition. Lord Nelson, in
consequence of his promise to the King to return
to Naples during the first Aveek in November,
sailed from Malta on the 30th of October at
night, leaving its blockade to Captain Ball with
the Alexander, Goliath, Audacious, Terpsichore,
and Incendiary fireship. r ,
On the arrival of the Vanguard and Minotaur
in Naples bay, they found the Royal . Family
Were at Caserta; upon which. Lord, .Nelson

517
-repaired thither, and on Nov, &, being a gala.
day, he Avas received by the King's desire
at court ;,Avhen he presented a memorial from
the inhabitants of Malta, as their deputy, and
also the colours taken at. Gozo. Earl St. Vincent
in sending to him the fresh instructions which
had been received from the Admiralty Board,
dated Oct. 3, added, " What relates, my dear
Admiral, to cooperation with the armies of the
Allied PoAyCrs, cannot be in better hands than
yours. Yo'u are as great in the Cabinet as oh
the Ocean, and your Avhole conduct fills me with
admiration and confidence. The thorough kriOAV-
ledge you possess of local circumstances and of
the disposition of the contracting parties, quali
fies you- most eminently for the uncontrouled
direction of the naval part ; and you have some
very able men under your command, in Avhom
you well know every degree of confidence is to
be placed Avhen you have occasion to make de
tachments. The possession of Minorca Avould
greatly aid the blockade of Toulon when the
season will admit of that operation ; and in case
of success you are authorised to fake Commo
dore DuckAvorth under your command, and em
ploy him and the squadron under his orders on
that service. The bombs and their tenders may
be useful at Corfu and Zante. At a convenient
time you will certainly not forget what is due to
your friends at Genoa. Captain Murray informs
me that Captain Foley is in a, very bad state:

518
should you be of that opinion, I desire he may
come away ; and perhaps Sir William and Lady
Hamilton Avould take their passage Avith him
hither, and go to England. I heartily con
gratulate you, my dear Lord, on the title the
King has been pleased to bestow on you, Avhich,
as you may see, has come to my knowledge since
the commencement of this letter." — It may be
necessary here to remark, that this letter, Avrit-
ten by Earl St. Vincent, came from a Naval
Officer who in general never suffered any one
to act, but from written orders, by Avhich he Avas
expected implicitly to abide. The principal ob
jects that had been recommended in the Instruc
tions from the Admiralty were, 1 , The protection
pf the coasts of Sicily, Naples, and the Adriatic;
and, in the event of Avar being reneAved in
Italy, an active cooperation with the Austrian
and Neapolitan armies. 2. The cutting off all
communication between France and Egypt, that
neither supplies nor reinforcements could be sent
to the army at Alexandria. 3. The blocking up
of Malta. 4. The cooperating with the Turkish
and Russian squadrons, which Avere to be sent
into the Archipelago. After explaining the en
gagements that were likely to be entered into
betAveen Great Britain and the Ottoman Porte
in the ninth article of a proposed Treaty, and ,
the number of ships Avhich Russia had promised
to furnish against the common enemy in conse
quence of a Treaty Avhich she had recently: con-

519
eluded with the Porte ; Mr. Secretary Nepeaq
added, That the protection of the coasts of Naples
and Sicily and an active cooperation with the
Austrian and Neapolitan armies, Avere the objects
to which a principal part of the squadron should
be particularly directed.
(1798.) During Lord Nelson's residence with
the Neapolitan Court at Caserta, his friendship
for Sir William and Lady Hamilton, added to his
ill state of health, led him to indulge a confi
dence Avhich Avas fatally adapted to mislead his
affectionate disposition and tq Avarp his judg
ment. In Avriting to Earl St. Vincent, Nov. 9,
Avhen on the eve of leaving Caserta, he thus in
troduced his new secretary: "I believe Lady
Hamilton has written so fully, and I will, answer
so ably, on all subjects, ,. that but little, remains
for me to say. Your commands respecting the
Queen Avere executed with so much propriety,
that if I had never before had cause for admira
tion it must then have commenced : Her Lady
ship's and Sir William's inexpressible goodness to
me is not to be told by words, and it ought to
stimulate me to the noblest actions, and I feel it
will. My mind I knoAv is right, but, alas, my
body is Aveak. Captain Thompson's Action. re
flected great credit on the Leander."
Lord Nelson to H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence.
- — " I know my letter to your Royal Highness,
by the Leander, was lost by the unfortunate Cap
ture of that ship, and I trust you will forgive my

520
not writing so much as my 'inclination in truth
prompts me to do; but I find my left hand is fully
employed in not only the business of the squa
dron, but also in Avorking in the gopd cause in
this country. The army marched Nov. 23d into
the Roman state 32,000 men. Five thousand
men embarked yesterday on board my squadron,
destined to possess Leghorn if the Grand Duke
wishes to preserve his dominions from plunder
and anarchy. By possessing that port any num
ber of troops and stores may be pushed in a feAv
days into Tuscany, and if the French leave Leg
horn on their left they may be cut off. .... The'
Avind moderates, and I am going off to try and
sail. My heart is true to the Good Cause, and
I wish to approve myself a faithful servant to the
best of masters. May God bless your Royal
Highness, is the sincere prayer of your attached
and affectionate Nelson."
On Lord Nelson's arrival at Naples Dec. 5th
from Leghorn, a number of persons overwhelmed
him Avith odes and congratulatory poems on the
battle of the Nile. Amongst the rest the Eng
lish composition of a mendicant Irish priest,
M'Cormick, of the order of St. Francis, Avas
presented; Avhich, though possessing little merit,
was remarkable for a passage that predicted the
taking of Rome by the Admiral's ships. This
passage struck his Lordship ; but he represented
to the Friar the impossibility of getting ships
up the Tiber to act against Rome, The mendii

521
cant replied, I nevertheless see that it mil come to
piiss. Lord Nelson ordered his secretaiy, Mr.
Tyson, to give the poor man some dollars for his
labour and good wishes, and for a time the Friar
and his prediction Avere equally forgotten.
(179S.) On the 9th of October, Lord Spencer,
in Avriting to Lord Sr. Vincent had said, " The
exception of the first Lieutenant of the Culloden
was necessary, on account of that ship not hav
ing got into action from the circumstance of
being aground: I am however so fully convinced
of the merit both of Captain Troubridge and his
officers on all occasions, that I beg you will be
so good as to give the first vacancy of Comman-
der that arises, to the first Lieutenant of the
Culloden.'' — The distinction thus made respect
ing the Cullodens First Lieutenant, was, as Lord
St. Vincent himself observed, in promising to
pay it the earliest attention, a just one : for
had Lord Spencer promoted him with the others,
some future Commander in Chief might have
quoted it as a precedent for a bad purpose. Yet
notwithstanding this, and all the previous con
duct of Earl St. Vincent, Lord Nelson had al
ready imbibed, Avhilst at Naples, the seeds of
distrust and suspicion respecting his hitherto
beloved Commander in Chief: In Avriting to
Lady Nelson from that place Dec. 11, he said,
" I have not received a line from England since
the first of October. Lord St. Vincent is in no
hurry to oblige me uoav : in short I am the en-

52.2
vied man, but better that than to be the pitied
one. Never mind; it is my present intention
to leave this country in May. The poor Queen
has again made me promise not to quit her or her
family, until blighter prospects appear than do
at present. The King is Avith the army and she'is
sole Regent ; she is in fact a great King. Lady
Hamilton's goodness forces me out at noon for
an hour. What can I say of her's and Sir Wil
liam's attention to me ? They are in fact, with
the exception of you and my good Father, the
dearest friends I have in this Avorld. I live as
Sir William's son in the house, and my glory is
as dear to them as their oavh ; in short I am un
der such obligations as I can never repay but
with my eternal gratitude. The improvement
made in Josiah (Captain Nisbet) by Lady Ha
milton is Avonderful ; your obligations and mine
are infinite on that score ; not but Josiah's heart
is as good and as humane as ever Avas covered by
a human breast. God bless him, I love him
dearly. Avith all his roughness."
(1798.) The affairs of Naples Avere at this time
in so desperate a state, that nothing more Aias
wanting to increase the perplexity and irritabi
lity of Lord Nelson. The King had indeed
placed himself at the head of his army, but his
troops were led on by General Mack. It is also
a fact Avhich Avas well knoAvn to many of the
English Captains in Lord Nelson's squadron,
that these troops by whom the King of Naples

523
alone hoped to preserve his dominions, had, oav-
ing to a strange fatality, been raised by a French
artillery officer, Le Combe St. Michel, who had
acted his allotted part as ambassador from the
republic. Having received money from the King
of Naples, he selected such of his subjects as he
kneAv Avere favourably inclined tOAvards the
French ; the event therefore corresponded with
this deep laid treachery : When the King's army
approached the enemy, the flight of the Neapo
litans became general; their cannon, tents, bag
gage and even military chest, were all left behind
them. Dejected and overcome by what had
happened, the King of Naples retraced his steps,
and on the 14th of December, returned home.
(1798.) It demanded the utmost caution and
much address in Lord Nelson to elude the vi
gilance of French spies, and to avoid the suspi
cion of the Neapolitan nobles, so as to secure the
safe retreat of the Royal Family. In this how
ever he received very essential service from the
English Ambassador and Lady Hamilton. At a
considerable risk, this extraordinary and daring
woman had explored a subterranean passage
leading from the palace to the sea side. One
of the sentries was alarmed by a bell that had
accidentally been touched, and but for the pre
sence of mind Avhich Lady Hamilton displayed,
the whole design Avould have been frustrated.
Every thing being at length ready for the retreat
of the Royal Family from Naples to a more se-

524
cure part of their kingdom, General Pignatelli
Avas appointed Vice Regent ; and the following
orders respecting the Neapolitan ships Avere on
the 22d of December, transmitted by Lord Nel
son to the Portuguese Rear Admiral, the Marquis
de Niza: "Notwithstanding my former orders
of yesterday's date, you are in the present cir
cumstances, by the Arery particular desire of
their Sicilian Majesties, to obey the folloAving
Instructions: To instantlv remove her most faith-
ful Majesty's squadron to as great a distance
from the toAvn as you can, and to remove all the
Neapolitan ships of Avar Avithout your ships, and
in case ° of either the entry of the French troops
into Naples, or an insurrection of the people against
its legitimate government, in that event you are
tp destroy the ships : but you are not to con
sider, under the present circumstances, a refusal
to admit your boats on shore, as an insurrection
against the government ; since it may arise from
fear of the French, in case they unfortunately
should get to Naples. Given on board the Van
guard at Naples."
( 1 798.) A narrative of the subsequent proceed
ings of Lord Nelson, Avith some account of Avhat
had happened immediatelypreviousto theremoval
of the Royal Family, is thus given by himself in
an official Letter to Earl St. Vincent, dated Pa
lermo, Dec. 28. "My Lord: For many days
• The passages in italics were underlined by Lord Nelson.

525
previous to the embarkation, it Avas not difficult
to foresee that such a thing might happen; I
therefore sent for the Goliath from off Malta,
and for Captain Troubridge in the Culloden and
his squadron from the north and Avest coast of
Italy, the Vanguard being the only ship in Na
ples Bay. On the 14th of December, the Marr
quis de Niza Avith three of the Portuguese squa
dron arrived from Leghorn, as did Captain Hope
in the Alcmene from Egypt ; from that time the
danger for the personal safety of their Sicilian
Majesties Avas daily increasing, and neAV treasons
Avere found out, even to the Minister of Avar.
The Avhole correspondence relative to this im
portant business, a\ as carried on Avith the greatest
address by Lady Hamilton and the Queen, who
having been in constant habits of correspon
dence, no one could suspect them. Lady Ha
milton, from that time to the 21st, every night
received the jewels of the Royal Family, &c.
&c. and such clothes as might be necessary for
the very large party about to embark, to the
amount I am confident of full tAvo millions five
hundred thousand pounds sterling. On the 18th,
General Mack Avrote that he had no prospect of
stopping the progress of the French, and entreated
their Majesties to think of retiring from Naples,
with their august family, as expeditiously as pos
sible. From that day various plans Avere formed
for the removal of the Royal Family frjom the pa
lace to the Avater side. On the 19th, T receiAed a

526
note from General Acton, saying that the King
approved of my plan for their embarkation ; du
ring that day, the 20th, and 21st of December,
very large, assemblies of people Avere in commo
tion, and several people Avere killed and one. was
dragged by the legs to the palace. On the 2 1st,
at; half past eight P.M. three barges with my
self and Captain Hope landed at a corner of the
arsenal. I Avent into the Palace and brought
out the Avhole Royal Family, put them in the
boats, and at half past nine they Avere all safely
on -board the Vanguard. I did not forget, in
these important movements, that it Avas my duty
not to leave the chance of any ships of Avar falling
into the hands of the French, and therefore every
preparation had been made for burning them be
fore I sailed ; but the reasons given me by their
Sicilian Majesties, had induced me not to destroy
them until the last moment. I therefore issued
my directions to the Marquis de Niza. . . and
instructed him to join me at Palermo, leaving
one or tAvo ships to cruise betAveen Capri and
IsChia, i'in order to prevent the entrance of any
English ships into the bay of Naples. On the
23d, at sevens P. M. the Vanguard, Samnite, and
Archimedes, with about twenty sail of vessels,
left the bay of Naples. The next day it blew
mnch harder than I ever experienced since I
have been at sea: your Lordship will believe my
anxiety Avas not lessened by the great charge
that was with' me ; but not a Avord of uneasiness

527
escaped the lips of any of the Royal Family.
On the 25th, at nine A. M. Prince Albert, their
Majesties' youngest child, having ate a hearty
breakfast, was taken ill, and at seven P. M. died
in the arms of Lady Hamilton : and here it is my
duty to tell your Lordship of the obligations
which the whole Royal Family, as well as myself,
Avere under on this trying occasion to her Lady
ship. They necessarily came on board Avithout
a bed, nor could the least preparation be made
for their reception. Lady Hamilton provided
her OAvn bed and linen, &c. and became their
slave; for, except one man, no person belonging
to the court assisted the Royal Family. I must
not. omit to state the kindness of Captain Hardy
and of every officer in the Vanguard, all of Avhom
readily gave up their beds for the numerous per
sons attending the Royal Family. At three P.M.
being in sight of Palermo, H. S. M. Royal standi
ard Avas hoisted at the maintop-gallant mast
head of the Vanguard. The Vanguard anchored
at two A, M. December 26, and at five I attended
her Majesty and all the Princesses on shpre; the
Queen being so much affected by the death of
Prince Albert, that she could not bear to go on
shore in a public manner. At nine A. M. his
Majesty Avent on shore, and was received Avith
the loudest acclamations and apparent joy."
The cordiality Avhich had prevailed, between
the first Lord of the Admiralty and Lord Nel
son, Avas at the close of 1798, interrupted by the

528
appointment of Captain Sir Sidney Smith to co-»
operate with his brother in the Mediterranean ;
aud as the irritation which this produced in the
mind of Lord Nelson has been already laid before
the public, it becomes necessary to state the fact
Avith impartiality and correctness. Min ist ers at that
time Avere anxious to make the most of the emo
tion and sensation Avhich the battle of Aboukir
had excited in Turkey, and in consequence of
Sir Sidney Smith's former residence at Constan
tinople, and his near connexion with the British
Minister at the Ottoman Court, they had judged
it expedient to send out this naval officer. Lord
Spencer, hoAvever, in obeying the determination
of the Cabinet, had added, Avith his usual pru
dence and attention to the service, the following-
clause in his instructions f to the Commander in
Chief: " Should the arrangement of the force
to remain for the present in the Levant to co
operate Avith the Turks, lead to there being only
one or tAvo ships of tAvo decks on that service ;
it may be most advisable that, from the local
and personal acquaintance Sir Sidney is possessed
of with the Turkish officers, he should be the
senior officer ; but I have given him to under
stand, that if a large force should be thought
necessary, his standing on the list will not admit
of it ; there being so many Captains of distin
guished merit Avho are his seniors." Earl Spen-
f From the Nelson Papers.

529
cer aftenvards explained his conduct on this
subject to Lord Nelson, in the most open and
explicit manner by a private letter, dated March
12, 1799, from which it appears, that a very
grqat misunderstanding had arisen respecting the
nature of Sir Sidney Smith's appointment, Avho
had been sent to serve in the Mediterranean en
tirely under Lord Nelson's orders.
From the time of the King of Sicily's retreat
from his metropolis of Naples, Lord Nelson's ship
became, eventually, his Majesty's seat of govern
ment, Avhence the royal mandates were issued.
On the 6th of January, 1799, an order was given
out by the King, dated from the Vanguard, that
all Frenchmen of whatever description should
leave the island of Sicily: and that an English
transport of 600 tons would be ready, on the next
day, to receive the French emigrants. On the
7th of January, Captain Troubridge, who had ar
rived on the 5th, sailed with the Culloden, The
seus, Bull Dog and some victuallers, to Syracuse,
to collect the bombs that were destined to attack
the French ships in the harbour of Alexandria^
and on the yth he passed through the Faro
of Messina, and soon afterwards Captain Louis
in the Minotaur Avas detached to protect Leg
horn. -;>Js
Nothing could be more clear and honourable
than the conduct which both his Sicilian Majesty
and Lord Nelson pursued respecting the preser
vation of the Neapolitan fleet; which, on the
2 m

530,
Marquis de Niza's being obliged to leave the bay
of Naples, Avas afterwards intrusted, Avith a repe
tition of Lord Nelson's orders by the Marquis, to
the care of the Portuguese Commodore, Donald
Campbell, who afterwards felt himself compelled,
in consequence of the indecision and suspicious
conduct of the Neapolitan General Pignatelli, to
s destroy their ships.
(1799-) The French, having previously cor
rupted and poisoned the good sense of the higher
ranks in Naples, entered that city on the 23d of
January, when much resistance Avas made by the
mob. This undisciplined multitude, consisting
chiefly of loyal Lazzeroni, amounted to ,50,000
men, and displayed considerable resolution, even
when the French army and its artillery had ob
tained possession of the principal streets. Con
cealed treachery, hoAvever, rendered every exer
tion of patriotism ineffectual ; and the subjuga
tion of the Neapolitans Avas, for a time, com
pleted by the abject mummery and daring blas
phemy of the wretched ministers of their re
ligion : a day being actually appointed for a
solemn Te Deum, Avhen every one was invited to
return thanks to the Most High for the glorious
entry of the French troops. On the 27th, Gene
ral Champiouet publicly announced that the Nea
politan Monarchy was destroyed, and a republic
established in its stead, styled the Parthenbpean ;
* Soe4to. Ed. Vol. ii. p. 141. '

551
in Avhich Dominico Cerillo, late physician to the,
King, and Flavio Pirelli, formerly president of
the royal chamber, took their allotted parts.
The Prince of Moliterni, Avho Avas appointed com-*
mander in chief, had addressed the loyal Lazze
roni, and had begged that they would shoot him
if he ever betrayed their confidence; h yet was
this at the very time Avhen he was intriguing with
the French to give up the castles on their ap
proach to Naples : He aftenvards accompanied
the French General to the same Lazzeroni, and,
desired, as their King had abandoned and robbed
them, that they Avould now thank the Great
Nation for giving them liberty, and liberating
them from slavery. — The Princes della Torella
and Rocca Romana, whose property Avas very
great, also accepted of commissions in the na
tional guard.
During these proceedings, the King of Sar
dinia and his family, justly apprehensive of the.
treachery of French friendship, had arrived at
Florence, and Avere lodged in one of the Grand
Duke's palaces, about a mile Avithout the city.
His Majesty intended to seek an asylum in Sar
dinia: feeling that an over peaceable disposition
on the part of the Emperor, or a sudden declara
tion of war, might either of them prove his ruin;
and that Avhen the French chose to pronounce it,
thirty-six hours Avould at any time be sufficient
h From the Nelson papers.
2 M 2

532
to accomplish his destruction. His Majesty
afterwards embarked on board a Danish frigate
that had arrived at Leghorn, Avhose Captain had
offered to convey him .safely to Cagliari; and
which was preferred on account of the neutrality
of Denmark.
On the 3d of March, the King of Sardinia being
arrived off that island, published a Protest against
the conduct of the French, dated from Cagliari
roads; in Avhich he declared, " Upon the faith
and word of a King, that he not only had never
infringed, even in the slightest degree, the Trea
ties that had been made with the French repub
lic; but on the contrary had observed them with
such scrupulous exactness, and Avith such demon
strations of amity and condescension, as far ex
ceeded the obligations he had contracted."
(1799-) On the arrival of the expected convoy
at Leghorn, March 14th, under the care of the
Bellerophon, the government of Tuscany became
greatly agitated and alarmed. UpAvards of 1000
French had arrived at Pistoia, and the same num
ber Avere to follow; another body of horse and
foot, Avith artillery, had marched from Bologna to
Florence, and two French frigates Avere cruising
off Genoa in order to cooperate in an attack on
Leghorn. The Avhole of the French army under
Gauthier amounted to upwards of 6000 men.
Mr. Wyndham immediately left Florence, and
wrote to Lord Nelson, March 16, begging to be
informed, Whether amidst the variety of calls for

533
support, any prospect of assistance could be pro
mised to the Grand Duke and the British mer
chants? In the mean time Captain Darby had
been directed by his Excellency, at the urgent
request of the English factory, to proceed with
the merchant ships to Sicily, leaving only a feAv
that Avere laden with perishable commodities.
The Grand Duke firmly resolved to abide his
fate ; but had requested that an English man of
war might remain at Leghorn to save him and
the Royal Family, should the French resolve to
send off H. R. H. by sea. " My duty," added Mr.
Wyndham, March 22, "is to remain at my sta
tion, as long as the Grand Duke is here, and 3^011
may be sure I shall not sAverve from the post of
honour. It is impossible to knoAv the intentions
of the French, Ave can only guess at them by
measuring the utmost degree of villainy and bar
barity." A short time after this, March 25, Leg
horn Avas occupied by General Miollis, and Flo
rence possessed by General Scherer.
VIII. The Naval War on the coast of Egypt,
and the ineffectual cooperation of the Turks,
claimed also the attention of Lord Nelson. Cap
tain Troubridge, whilst at Syracuse, in Avriting
to him, Jan. 23, said, "Ten French vagabonds,
who belonged to a bombard, came here yesterday
from Agosta, with one hundred and forty of their
countrymen from Alexandria. Whilst in qua
rantine, like true Frenchmen, they insulted
the inhabitants; and they in return- mas
sacred the whole except ten, who escaped here.

534
I think the people seem inclined to despatch
these the same Avay: I tell them, it is the only
cure for a Frenchman. I took tAvo, and threat
ened to return them, tvhich produced the folloAv-
ing information: That Buonaparte is reduced to
15,000 men, and is to tally surrounded by the
Turks. These Frenchmen described the latter
as being like the hair of their heads, ahvays grow-
ing." Another object on which the anxious mind of
Lord Nelson was continually intent throughout
the Avhole of the year 1799, was the reduction
of the island of Malta, by the vigilance of his dis
tinguished associate Captain Ball. "My chagrin
and disappointment," Avrote that officer, January
29, " at not getting into Ia Valette are not to be
described. It occasioned me a slight fever, of
which I am now recovered. 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. The Russians have never sent any
ships here ; and I am certain the Maltese Avould
not listen to any nation, Avhile they have a pros
pect of being protected by the English. — Your
Lordship will hear from many quarters of the
strong attachment which the Maltese evince for
the English, whom they esteem from principle.
I can ansAver that Malta would pay fourfold the
expense of maintaining it ,by becoming a great
dep6t for the British manufactures, Avhich may
he sent from thence to Tripoli, Tunis, Sicily, and
the coast to the eastward. The Maltese export

535
a great deal of cotton to Spain. Malta Avould
also be a great check to the Barbary states, who
Avill uoav stand more in dread of us, and at the
same time feel the benefit of our trade ; and
should even Sicily turn against us, Ave could get
our supplies of corn elsewhere, and be such a
check upon them as would be of the most essen
tial service tp the cause of his Sicilian Majesty.
March 31. Commodore Campbell has behaved,
Avhilst under my command, in a manner that does
him great credit, and I have very great satisfac
tion in speaking of his officer-like conduct upon
all occasions. I had also real pleasure in having
it in my poAver to do justice to Captain Nisbet's
conduct and judgment Avhen at Girgenti. I am
very glad your Lordship has awakened the Bashaw
of Tripoli to a sense of his danger, should he al
low the army of Buonaparte to march into his do
minions that they may pass to Europe. The Avorld
is not sufficiently acquainted with your Lord
ship's masterly stroke of policy, in landing all
the French seamen and prisoners at Alexandria.
I hope they will never be permitted to return to
Europe until a general peace takes place."
(1799.) Amongst the Neapolitans Avho had fol
lowed their Sovereign into Sicily, Avere two sub
jects of high rank, who will occupy a considerable
share of attention in the events that took place
on the subversion of the republic of Naples.
These Avere the Cardinal Ruffo, Vicar General
of the Neapolitan royalists ; and Commodore

536
Francesco Caraccioli, a cadet of one of the most
illustrious families in the kingdom of the Tavo
Sicilies, This unfortunate nobleman had been
regularly brought up to their marine, and been
educated in naval tactics, even before the ad
vancement of Sir John Acton to the head of that
department at the end of 1778. Caraccioli had
afterwards been one of the first pupils in their
marine college which Sir John Acton established
in 1779; and in that capacity had served amongst
the twelve foreign officers, avIio during the latter
part of the American war had been sent as A'olun-
teers into tbe British and French squadrons to
obtain experience in their profession. On his re
turn to Naples, this nobleman had gradually risen
from the command of a frigate to that of the
Neapolitan ships.
About the same time Cardinal Ruffo, Vicar
General of the royalists, Avho had been mentioned
by Lord Nelson, in his letter to Earl St. Vincent,
as collecting an army in Calabria, had left Pa
lermo for that purpose. With a character equally
questionable both as a subject and a soldier, he
folloAved Pignatelli in all his Aveak and suspicious
conduct, until he perplexed and disgraced the
cause he had been sent to support. On leaving
Sicily he had landed on the opposite coast Avith
his secretary, a priest named Spasiana, and other
attendants, and had immediately joined some
Calabrese who were" assembled under Reggio Ri4
naldi, These royalists consisted chiefly of pea--

537
santry, and being soon increased by a motley
creAv of galley slaves, criminals from the diffe
rent gaols, and Italian banditti, Avere divided
under three chiefs, Avhose characters Avould have
disgraced any cause. Their troops Avere however
styled the Christian Army, and overcame the
detachments that Avere sent against them.
(17990 1° consequence of Lord Nelson's ener
gy and direction, an immediate attention Avas paid
by the Sicilian government to the defence of the
island. In addition to their militia amounting to
26,0000, the King by means of four regiments of
foot and one of horse, Avith some artillery men,
endeavoured to collect an additional number of
troops. Preparations Avere also made under the
auspices of Lord Nelson, to fit out gun boats, and
to mount the batteries Avith the 65 tAventy-four
pounders, that had lately arrived from Naples.
Nine gun boats Avere to be launched during the
month of February, and others early in March
at Palermo; and orders Avere issued to build more,
without delay, at Trapani and Messina. — Thus
could the spirit of one man rouse the dejected
and enervated Sicilians to a proper sense of re
sistance. And that nothing might be wanting on
his part, Nelson nobly offered the King of Sicily,
should other resources not arrive, To defend Mes^
sina xvith the ship's company of an Epglish man of
war. At the beginning of March, the freedom
of the city of Palermo, Avhich constituted him an
Honorary Grandee of Spain, Avas presented to the

538
Admiral in a gold box, brought upon a silver
salver. He also about the same time received the
Emperor of Russia's picture, magnificently set
with diamonds, with a complimentary note, which
has been already inserted under the preceding
year. '
(17990 On the 24th of February, the Russian
Admiral Fedar Ouchakof informed Lord Nelson,
that the fortress of Corfu had surrendered to the
combined Russian and Turkish squadrons, incon
sequence of the most resolute exertions ; and
that as soon as'their ships had received provisions,
which were daily expected, they should sail for
Brindisi and Otranto; and coming along the
coast of Calabria, to succour and encourage the
inhabitants, should proceed to Messina..
On the 5th of March, Captain Troubridge,
pursuant to orders from Lord Nelson, gave up
the blockade of Alexandria to Sir Sidney Smith;
leaving with him the Theseus, Lion, and Torride
gun boat, and he Avas further instructed on the
return of the Swiftsure and Alliance, Captain
Wilmot, from Cyprus, to despatch them to join
Lord Nelson. In Avriting to his Lordship after-
i Oh the 14th of February, 1799, L°rd Nelson was advanced
Rear Admiral of the Red. On the 20th of March ensuing, the
thanks of the East India Company were voted to him for the
Victory of AboUkir, and a valuable acknowledgment of the im
portant benefits which the Company had thus derived, was re
commended by the general court to the Directors; which being
referred to the Board of Control, terminated in a vote of 10,0002.

539
wards, Captain Troubridge gave an account of
the manner in Avhich be had discovered and taken
a person, Avho had been sent by Buonaparte to
mislead the Turks. — ' On the 14th of February,
1799, I detained the caraA-ella that had at last
been permitted by the French to leave Alexan
dria: aud having received information from a
spy on board her, sent for the captain and sheAved
hiin a firman from the Grand Seignior, taking
care not to let him read it. I told him it Avas a
Hattesheriff for the head of a Traitor: on this he
appeared alarmed, and acknowledged he had a
Mons. Beauchamp on board habited like a Turk,
and a French pilot. I immediately sent and
seized the Ambassador, as they called him, and
his Greek servant, and by sharpening an axe
and playing him off Avith the Hattesheriff, I so
alarmed the Greek domestic, that he shewed us
where they had concealed their instructions from
Buonaparte, on board the caravella. It appeared
to me that the Grand Seignior would do this fel-
Ioav more justice than we could ; I therefore sent
him in the SAviftsure to Rhodes, recommending
him strongly for kdecapitation.'
(17990 On the 20th of March, the Swiftsure
joined the Vanguard in the bay of Palermo, and
soon ^aftenvards arrived the Culloden, Zealous,
Minotaur, and Seahorse. Lord Nelson imme-
k See Quarto Edit. Vol. II. page 154.

540
diatcly proceeded to lay before their Captains
the plan he had formed for the blockade of
Naples and their taking possession of the islands
in that bay. This plan had received the sanction
of the King and his Ministers on the 18th, and
had been received Avith much gratitude by them;
who could not but contrast the generous solici
tude of the English Admiral, Avith the cold and
selfish apprehensions of the Court of Vienna.
The King and Queen had, at that time, received
both public and private assurance from the Empe
ror and Empress, that Avhen Ferdinand should
think it right to take a decided part, he should
be supported. Mack himself had brought the
same assurance, Avhich Thugut alone Avould not
openly support. Sir John Acton Avas therefore
directed by the King to request the continuance
of Lord Nelson's presence at Palermo; and Sir
John also recommended, in the name of their
Majesties, that the blockade of Naples should be
intrusted to the command and care of the excel
lent Captain Troubridge, iu Avhom they placed
the highest confidence. Accordingly on the 31st
of March, the Culloden, Zealous, Minotaur,
Swiftsure, St. Sebastian, Seahorse, Perseus, and
El Corso, proceeded to execute their Admiral's
instructions. On the 2d of April, having re
ceived the Governor of Procida on board, they
stood into the bay of Naples, and anchored off
that island, The tree of liberty Avas immediately

541
cut doAvn, the French flag Avas destroyed, and
H. S. M. colours were hoisted on Procida,
amidst the acclamations of a loyal populace.
A very interesting and more detailed retro
spect of the proceedings of his Lordship's squa
dron in the bay of Naples, occurs in the letters
of Captain Troubridge, Avhence the following ex
tracts have been taken. — "April 3d. All thePonza
islands have the Neapolitan flag flying. Your
Lordship never beheld such loyalty ; the people
are perfectly mad with joy, and are asking for
their beloved Monarch. I Avish Ave had a few
thousand good English troops, I would have the
King of Naples oh his throne in forty- eight
hours. I have a villain, by name Francesco, ou
board, Avho commanded the castle at Ischia,
formerly a Neapolitan officer and of property in
that island. The moment Ave took possession of
the castle, the mob tore this vagabond's coat with
the tricoloured cape and cap of liberty button to
pieces, and he had then the impudence to put on
His Sicilian Majesty's regimentals again; upon
which I tore his epaulet off, took his cockade out,
and obliged him to throw them overboard : I
then honoured him Avith double irons. The mob
entirely destroyed the tree of liberty, and tore
the tricoloured flag into ten thousand pieces, so
that I have not been able to procure even a small
remnant to lay at the King's feet. I hoAvever
send two pieces of the tree of liberty for his
Majesty's fire, with the names of the people who

542
brought the pieces to me painted upon them.
April gth. Naples is in the devil of a ferment,
and General M 'Donald is much alarmed, as your
Lordship will see by tbe enclosed order. I have
tAvo deserters from their gun and mortar boats;
Avho assure me, that if the French were to force
them Avithin gun shot, the crews would rise and
murder all the French on board, and bring the
boats over to us. I enclose you one of Carac-
cioli's letters as head of the republican marine;
it Avas intercepted at Capri. I hope he has been
forced into this measure, and should be glad to
find him innocent. I haA-e another from Gaeta
to Ponza, sent by that route, as he says he could
not forward it by the bay of Naples. Caraocioli
sent for Salvator Guidice, the head man of the
fishermen at St. Lucia, and told him he must pro
cure seamen for the gun boats. Sah-ator as
sured him he Avould not get one to serve : Upon
this Caraccioli spoke harshly to him, aud the
fishermen since have declared, That if they find
him to be a Jacobin, though always a favourite
and beloved by them, he shall be the first to fall
when they begin; for every one has his marked
Jacobin to stiletto. The Judge is arranging his
papers; tomorrow, the 14th, he begins. I haA-e
given him good advice; he appears to me to be
the poorest creature I ever saw, and to be fright
ened out of his senses. He declares that sevent\-
families are concerned, and talks of its being
necessary to*have a bishop to degrade the priests.

543
before he can execute them. I told him to hang
them first, and if he did not think that degrada
tion sufficient, to send them afterwards to me. T
recommended him to punish the principal Trai
tors, the moment he had passed sentence. I am
assured by all the sailors, that Caraccioli is not a
Jacobin, but has been forced to act as he does.
They sign his name to printed papers, without his,
authority; as in my opinion they have the Arch
bishop's. April 18. The Judge made an offer
two days since, if T .ished it, to pass sentence;
but hinted that it would not be regular on some.
I declined having any thing to do with it. By
his conversation I found his instructions Avere to
go through it in a summary manner, and under
me. I told him the latter must be a mistake, as
they Avere not British subjects. The odium I find
is intended to be throAvn on us. I will outma
noeuvre him there, and push him hard too.
May 1. Caraccioli, I am now satisfied, is a Jaco
bin. I enclose you one of his letters. He came
in the gun boats to Castellamare himself, and
spirited up the Jacobins."
*' May 7. I have just had a long conversation
with the Judge. He tells me he shall finish his
business next Aveek ; and that the custom Avith his
profession is to return home the moment they
have, condemned. He says, he must be embarked
immediately, and hinted at a man of war. I
found also from his conversation, that the priests
must be sent to Palermo to be disgraced by the.

544
King's order, and then returned for execu
tion to this place. An English man of war to
perform all this : at the same time making appli
cation to me for a hangman, Avhich I positively
refused. If none could be found here, I desired
he Avould send for one from Palermo. I see
' their drift; they want to make us the principals,
and to throAv all the odium upon us. The distress
for bread in Ischia is so great, that it Avould move
even a Frenchman to pity. Cannot a subscrip
tion be opened? I beg to put my name doAvn for
twenty ducats; I cannot afford more, or I Avould
give it. I feed all I can from a large private
stock I had, but that will not last long. No fault
shall attach to us. Palermo is full of grain, as is
the neighbourhood : the French, I fear, have
more interest there than the King. 1 have put
the palace in this island into a good state of de
fence, and got six guns up, Avith plenty of grape
and canister. If the enemy attempt it, Ave
shall certainly break some of their shins. To
strengthen the Avhole I have landed fifty marines
and twelve gunners, dug a ditch on the road to
the gate, and levelled all the ground about, and
broke part of the steps, and fixed a ladder to be
draAvn up at sun set. I hope your Lordship, tvlien
you come this road, Avill approve of our Engi
neering. The expense is nothing worth mention
ing. The Enemy have ordered 100 gun boats to
be built to drive us away; before they are
finished, I hope we shall be in Naples. The

545
examples of villains and coAvards which the Arch
duke has made, has driven aAvay my melancholy
fever: I send the General from Longone and
Orbitello, for the King of Naples to folloAv such
an' example. As he is in the service of another
Sovereign, I submit to your Lordship, if we had
not better leaAe them to themselves. If this
Colonel, Avho at present commands here, is presi
dent, the General will be shot: should that be his
sentence, shall I confirm it? My hand Avould not
shake at signing my name. May 1 1. It is with
deep concern I inform your Lordship, that a
spirit of Sedition has begun to shew itself amongst
the Saviss. I have great reason to think it arose
from the price of meat being much higher here
than at Palermo, and the King's not allowing
more pay a day . . . Your Lordship will see by
the Sentence of Death which Avas passed, that
Ave do not mean to suffer the smallest relaxation
of Discipline; but, in consequence of their good
conduct before, and nothing more than murmurs
being proved, I took upon myself to remit the
Sentence of Death, and send them to Palermo as
subjects for the gallies. The men were all drawn
up in a square formed by the troops and marines,
Avith their eyes bound, and all the ceremony Avas
gone through, except firing; Avhen I directed the
pardon to be read: One of them Avas almost gone
before it Avas finished. I trust it will have a good
effect. May 14. You will see, my Lord, by the
enclosed translation of Prince Trabia's letter,

546
that his Majesty has ordered a Court Martial to
try Marshal Yauch; but as there are only four
Officers here of the rank qualified to sit, accord
ing to the Neapolitan laAvs, I think he cannot
legally be tried, until his Majesty sends over
three more Officers. In the mean time I have
directed the General to be put under arrest, and
the depositions to be taken, that the trial may
be short when it begins: this mode is perfectly
regular in their service. All that is to be done,
when a witness is called after this, is to ask,
whether the Avritten paper read be his evidence ?
and a feAv other questions that may arise. I trust
your Lordship will explain to his Majesty, that
Ave have every inclination to comply with his
orders: In this instance I think it impossible."
(1799-) During these arduous Operations of
the Squadron under Captain Troubridge, H.B.M.
sloop l'Espoir had arrived on the 12th of May,
at Palermo, Avith the important information, that
the French fleet had been seen off Oporto. On
the 13th of the same month, at nine o'clock in
the evening, the lieutenant of the Peterell had
also arrived at Palermo, by land, the sloop not
having been able to get up ; Avith the additional
intelligence -which had been received from Cap
tain Styles, that thirty-five sail of the enemy had
passed the Straits during the evening of the
5th, and had gone up the Mediterranean. Lord
Nelson, on hearing this, immediately sent a letter
to Captain Troubridge, desiring him to join with

547
all the ships of the line under his command, and,
if possible, with a frigate.
(17990 The objects of the Enemy, Avho had
thus escaped the vigilance of Lord Bridport OAving
to a strong gale and a thick fog, Avere to unite
with the Avhole Spanish naval force ; to proceed
to Toulon in order to embark troops there ; and, "
with them, to act successively upon Minorca,
Naples, and Sicily. The account which Lord
Nelson had received from Carthagena was, that
the French fleet Avhich had entered the Mediter
ranean, consisted of twenty-four sail of the line,
six frigates, and three sloops. His anxious si
tuation on first hearing of the sailing of this
powerful force from Brest, is described by him
self in writing to Earl St. Vincent, May 13.
"What a state, my dear Lord, am I in. If I go,
I risk and more than risk Sicily, and what is now
safe on the continent; for We knoAV, from expe
rience, that more depends on opinion than on acts
themselves. As' I stay, my heart is breaking,
and to mend the matter I am seriously unAvell." —
The spirit, hoAvever, of this great Warrior ahvays
rose in proportion to the approach of the danger
Avith which he had to contend. On hearing,
afterwards, that the French fleet had actually
entered the Mediterranean, he at first prepared
Avith the Vanguard, the only ship then lying in
the bay of Palermo, to give them a Avarm recep
tion and to defend his post tp the last. When
he had at length collected some of his ships, he
2 N 2

548
was detained by a gale of wind ; which continued
bloAving from the E. S. E. until the 20th, on
which day he left Palermo, and sailed with the
Vanguard, Culloden, Zealous, Minotaur, Haer
lem, St. Sebastian, and a Portuguese corvette,
the Swallow. " I have only," wrote he to Earl St.
Vincent, May 23, " to remain on the northern
side of Maretimo to keep covering Palermo,
which shall be defended to the last. Your Lord
ship may depend that the squadron under my
command shall never fall into the hands of the
enemy.; and before Ave are destroyed, I have lit
tle doubt but they will have their Avings so com
pletely clipped, that they may be easily over
taken." Whilst Lord Nelson and the Officers of his
squadron were anxiously aAvaiting the uncertain
result of a contest Avith an enemy so greatly su
perior, resolving with their illustrious Chief that
the glory of their perilous night at Aboukir,
should not be sullied off Maretimo; Captain
Hallowell had sent a present to Lord Nelson of a
Coffin, every part of which had been "actually
made of the wood and iron from a piece of the
main mast of l'Orient, that had been taken up by
the SAviftsure before she left her station off Alex
andria. The Coffin was accompanied with the
following note: " Swiftsure, May %3. My Lord:
HereAvith I send you a Coffin made of part of
I'Orient's main mast; that when you are tired of
this life you may be buried in one of your own

549
trophies; but may that period be far distant, is
the sincere wish of your obedient and much
obMged servant, Ben. Hallorvell.'' — The astonish
ment that prevailed amongst the ship's company,
when they Avere actually convinced it Avas a
Coffin which had been thus conveyed on board,
Avill be long remembered bjr their Officers : We
shall have hot work of it indeed, said one of the
old Agamemnons, you see the Admiral intends to
flght till he is killed, and there he is to be buried.
Lord Nelson aftenvards placed it upright Avith
the lid on against the after division, or bulkhead
of his cabin, behind the chair Avhere he sat at din
ner, and vieAved it Avith the undaunted mind of a
great Avarrior. — There had been, however, an ex
traordinary gloom and depression of mind for
some time visible in his Lordship, which too much
corresponded Avith the present he had received.
NotAvithstanding all his honours and all his glory,
Nelson was becoming dissatisfied -with himself^
and the irritability and misery which this gra
dually occasioned, appear in many of his subse
quent letters.
(1799*) In Avriting May 28, when off Trapano,
to Earl St. Vincent, he said, " Pray God send
you success against the Dons; for I hope the
French are got into Toulon, and are not near
enough to prevent your conquest Your Lord
ship is acquainted Avith my intention of raising
the blockade of Malta, and of uniting my whole
force off Maretimo. I have not yet heard from

550
Captain Ball, what he has done in consequence;
therefore we are completely on our guard. On
your leaving me to act as I thought best, from
the situation of affairs, I have determined to carry
my squadron back to Palermo to complete their
provisions to six months, and be in momentary
readiness to proceed as you may order; leaving
in the bay of Naples, Seahorse, Perseus, Bull
Dog, Murine, and San Leon to protect the islands,
Avhich Avould fall the moment our ships were
withdraAvn. j, "Palermo, May 30. The Vanguard anchored:
here, yesterday; but it has been so calm, that,
except the Emerald, none have yet got in. After
two days I hope they will all be as ready for ser
vice as our means alloAv of. I have our dear
Troubridge for my assistant, in every thing we
are brothers. Hood and Hallowell are, as active
and good as ever: not that I mean to say any are
othenvise ; but you know these are men of re
sources. Hardy was bred in the old school, and,
1 can assure you, that I never have been better.
satisfied with the real good discipline of a ship
than the Vanguard's. June 6. It is not yet de
cided, but it js probable, that in forty-eight
hpurs Aye may sail, for the bay of Naples, in order
to replace II. S-i Majesty on the throne." ,
The health of , Earl St, Vincent continuing, in a
very dangerous state, rendered his return indis
pensable. He repiained, hoAvever, inconsequence
of the circumstances that had taken place in the

551
Mediterranean, until the apprehensions which
had arisen from the appearance of the Enemy's
squadrons'1 had in some measure subsided. On
the 31st of May, in consequence- of the damages
which the Spanish fleet had sustained, he had
been enabled to detach Admiral Duckworth to
Lord Nelson, Avith the Leviathan, Northumber
land, Foudroyant, and Majestic. On the arrival
of this reinforcement his Lordship quitted the
Vanguard, and shifted his flag on board the Fou
droyant. On the 7th of June he Avas advanced
Rear Admiral of the Red. On the 21st of June,
two days before Earl St. Vincent sailed from
Mahon for England in the Argo, he took this-
fareAvell of Nelson. " A thousand thanks, my
dear Lord, for anumber of kind letters, . that of
the 6thinst. startles me ; being very apprehensive
the Court of Sicily is deceived as to the disposi
tion of the Neapolitans, who have proved them?
seh'es unworthy of trust and. confidence ; and [
the island of Sicily Avill be exposed. to great ha
zard by your removal. I can give -you no posi
tive instructions in the- present. uncertainty,:,
touching the operations of the French: there- r-
fore the next best thing is to leave you to your
bAvn excellent judgment. God, bless you, my
dear Lord, and send us peace, that we may meet
again before I depart this world j in which, I
tffust, there is great store of happiness- for Lady
Nelson and yourself. That every, blessing may
be long continued to you, is the devout Avish of

552
your Lordship's truly affectionate, St. Vincent."
— His Lordship had previously, on the 16th of
June, given up the command to Lord Keith.
Anno ix. The Transactions in the Eay of
iEtat. 41. J
Naples during the summer of 1799> have
been much discussed both at. home and abroad;
and, owing to the perversion of facts, not generally
with that candour, or even accuracy, which the
very peculiar difficulty of the service appears to
have demanded. The leading actor in these ex
traordinary Transactions, and the cause of the
principal odium that ensued, was Cardinal F.
Ruffo, his Sicilian Majesty's Vicar General. Not
withstanding the Cause he had espoused, and the
general loyalty of the loAver classes of the people,
Ruffo was never at any time seen in the front of
his troops. Naturally a coward, he acted with
all the selfishness and indecision of such a cha
racter. Although the orders he had received
from his Royal Master peremptorily commanded
him not to treat Avith Rebels, and more especially
with Traitors of high rank Avhose ingratitude
demanded exemplary punishment; the Cardinal
gradually became inclined, like Pignatelli, to
modify and alter his instructions. This particu
larly appeared in a letter dated April 29, which
he sent from his then head quarters at Policoro
to the Governor of Procida. — ¦" I could not,"
said his Excellency, " advance on the side of
Salerno, because the capture of Brindisi, and, I
might also say, the loss of the provinces of Lecce,

553
Bari, and Matera, obliged me to march towards
the Adriatic, Avith a view of restoring those pro
vinces to our Sovereign. Previous to my ad-
vancing-towards Naples, it will, I think, be requi
site for me to reconquer in great measure every
part of the kingdom ; which Avould necessarily
deprive all those of their resources and provi
sions, Avho may continue in rebellion : I do not,
hoAvever," added the Cardinal, "intend to make
great exertions in the Upper Provinces on the
side of Ron^e, As, according to my ideas, we must
not drive tke principal Jacobins at Naples to de
spair, but must rather leave them fhe means of
escape." The conclusion of the Cardinal's letter
completely illustrates the spirit and cause of his
operations Avhen he reached Naples. It is ob
vious, that with an idea of recovering that Me
tropolis Avithout much personal risk, Or indeed
odium from the Republicans of high rank and
connexions, he had determined to act tOAvards
them with Avhat Captain Troubridge denominated
the true Neapolitan Shuffle: a conduct highly
disgraceful to his sacred character, and involving
the professional integrity of -those English Naval
Officers who had the misfortune to be associated
with him. With these ideas in his mind, Ruffo
continued to advance with his army towards
Naples. Having, Avith the assistance of the
English ships, taken possession of Caprea and
Castellamare, he approached the metropolis, and
took the forts on the side by Mount Vesuvius,

554,
of Avhich Ponte de Maddelena Avas the most con
siderable. He then endeavoured to get posses
sion of the Castles Uovo and Nuovo, Avhich
command the anchorage in the bay of Naples,
where all the principal Traitors in the whole
kingdom of the Tavo Sicilies had retired for
shelter. The Cardinal, in all these proceedings, had
been very powerfully supported by the detached
Squadron which Lord Nelson had sent into the
bay of Naples : At first under the cAmmand of
Captain Troubridge, and afterwards of Captain
Hood ; and, Avhen hoth those officers had left
the station to reinforce their Admiral against the
French fleet, the command had devolved, Avith a
very inferior force, on Captain EdAvard James
Foote of the Seahorse, whose professional charac
ter had been long established for ability and in
tegrity. From the Memoir1 which that Officer
afterwards dreAV up of his subsequent conduct,
for the information of Lord Nelson, and the va
rious letters he has since been obliged to publish
in consequence of a shameful attack on his pro
fessional conduct in the bay of Naples, consider
able light has been thrown on this subject.
(1799-) " I shall not." says.Captain Foote, "no
tice the various letters I receivedfrom the Cardi-

1 See a pamphlet, since become scarce^ published by 'Captain
Foote in I8O7, entitled/A Vindication of his Conduct in the baj
of Naples, in the summer of 1799.

565
nal; they will prove, if investigated, hoAV very
little he.kriew about the force that Avas under,
my orders, or what was possible to be done by a
feAy small ships of Avar; and that he kept advanc
ing without any fixed; plan or project, trusting
entirely to the chapter of accidents. On the
evening of June 13th, the Cardinal, or rather the
Russians, took the fort of Villema and the bridee
of Madalena, On the 14th the Aveather was
bad,; and it was not until the 15th, the day the
galleys joined me* that I could venture so deepr
in,to the Baym as the Castles of Revigliano and:
Castellamare, which capitulated. , . . On the 17th
I informed the Cardinal, that I should imme
diately join the gun boats and mortar boats, at
Piedi Grotta, with those g^ven up at, Castella-.
mare,, with a view, of . attacking Castle .LTovp,
Qn the ]8th.IY/sent Captain OsAvald of the Per
seus with- a letter to the Commandant of Castje,
Uovo, ; in the hope of its opening, the Avay to a
negociation. The very Insolent verbal' answer;
which I- received was, Nous voulons la Republique
une {,et indivisible,, nous mpurons pour elle :, Voila
notre reppnse, elqignez vous Ci toy en, vitrei' vite!-rr,
I made the Cardinal acquainted with this, and that
it Avas my intention to attack the Castle by every
mqansr, in ,<my power; to whjch his Excellency
rephed, That it was no longer time to hearken, to;
-m with the Seahorse, Perseus, Captain Oswald ; Neapolitan
frigate Sirena, Don Diego Naselli ; the galleys I'elico, Altiva,
Alerta; and two gun boats. : '

556
Capitulations, and that it became necessary to
think seriously of attacking Fort St. Elmo.
" The next day, June 19th, to my great sur
prise, I received a letter from the Cardinal re
questing me to cease hostilities, and not to re
commence them whilst the flag of truce was
flying, as a Negociation had taken place. The
same night I sent an Officer to the Cardinal with
the following letter." — ' I consider it my duty to
inform your Eminency, that so long an Armistice
may prove very prejudicial to the interest of his
Sicilian Majesty. As my Sovereign is a princi
pal Ally of the King of the Tv o Sicilies, I claim
a right to be made acquainted with the subject
of the present Treaty; as I am extremely anxi
ous to learn, before night, how I am to conduct
myself: since, if the Rebels aie not treating for
a Capitulation, I see no reason Avhy the firing
on them should not recommence at sun-set.' —
The Cardinal sent word back . . . ' Your Excel
lency seems to think that the delay may be dan
gerous: I rather believe that in the present
situation of affairs it cannot be otherwise than
favourable to us. We are rather afraid, that the
Treaty may be interrupted by the Castle being
stormed by the people, as the Castle is all open,
and the Calabrese have already penetrated it.
It does not appear to me, therefore, that they
can entertain any reasonable hopes of rendering
» Vindication, page 148.

557
our position less favourable by delay. As, how
ever, the Treaty is principally carried on in the
name of the Russians, I send your letter to Mi-
cheroux, that he may reply, as he thinks proper,
to your Excellency.' — Not receiving a line from
the Chevalier de Micheroux, I informed the
Cardinal that I thought nothing could be more
prejudicial to the interest of his Sicilian Majesty,
.than the having such a multiplicity of Chiefs ;
and that I knew of no other than his Eminency,
who Avas specially charged Avith the interests of
the King of Naples, and that I could act Avith
no other person. The Cardinal told the Officer
Avhom I sent, that he kneAV nothing of what was
going on ; that he stood in great need of the aid
of the Russians, that he would not give them
the least ground for complaint, and that 'it was
the Russians Avho conducted the Treaty. On
the 19th I received a project of a Capitulation
already signed by the Cardinal and the Chief of
the Russians, with a request that I would put
my name to it. In answer I informed the Car
dinal, that I had done so, because i" considered
him as the confidential agent of his Sicilian Ma
jesty ; and that some advantage would result
from the Capitulation, otherwise he would not
have signed it: but I could not say I approved
of such a manner of treating, and that I could not
be answerable for its consequences. At length on
the 22d I received a letter from the Chevalier de
Micheroux, with the, Capitulation in form, al-

558
ready signed by the Cardinal and the Chief of
the Russians. I signed this Capitulation, lest on
a reverse of fortune, or the arrival of the ene
my's fleet, it might have been asserted, that my
refusal Avas the cause of such misfortunes as" might
occur, and because I considered that the Cardinal
was acquainted with the will and intention of his
Sovereign." (1799-) The utter perversion of the will of
their Sovereign, Avhich the Cardinal and the
Neapolitan Officers who acted with him had thus
in part accomplished, in order to save some Trai
tors of rank and fortune in the Castles of Uovo
and Nuovo, Avas rendered still more infamous by
their afterwards endeavouring to involve the
character of Captain Foote, and eventually that
of Lord Nelson and his Country, in all the odium
that had resulted from these intrigues of the
Cardinal. When he least expected it, to the
confusion of himself and of his adherents, Avho
had thus hoped to secure the accomplishment of
their fraudulent intentions, Lord Nelson on the
24th of June, Avith seventeen sail of the line,
Avith the Prince Royal on board the Foudroyant,
and Avith 1700 troops in the squadron, entered
the bay of Naples, about thirty-six hours after
Captain Foote had acceded to the Capitulation.
On his Lordship's arrival a flag of truce AvaS fly
ing on the Castles of Uovo and Nuovo, and On
board the Seahorse, Captain Foote, as there had
not been sufficient time to execute the conditions

-559
of the Capitulation. His Lordship feeling that
Captain Foote had, by the treacherous misrepre
sentations of the Cardinal, been led to sign a
Treaty of Capitulation Avhich militated against
the intentions of the King of Naples, immediately
threw out the annulling signal, and, acting under
the authority of the King, declared the Treaty
to be invalid. The Rebels" then surrendered, to
use his own words, to the mercy of their Sove
reign, xoithout any capitulation, and marched out
as prisoners ; and the Castles Avere taken posses
sion of, fourteen days before the King's arrival.
Lord Nelson, it appears, could not in his own
opinion have acted otherwise than he did, with
out compromising the Honour of that Sovereign
whose authority and orders his Lordship had re
ceived such implicit directions, from his govern
ment, to consider as a principal object during
his services in the Mediterranean. Every thing,
however, that the disappointed spirit of republi
canism and French sophistry could invent, Avas
sedulously employed to throw the Avhole odium
of what had passed on the British Admiral. What
ever difference of opinion may remain in ;the
minds of many persons respecting this decisive
measure, it is certain that the Admiral. himself
Avas entirely satisfied Avith the necessity and jus
tice of his conduct. — It is assuredly a subject of
great delicacy and difficulty. It may, hoAvever,
° From one of Lord Nelson's private notes on this subject.

560
be observed, that Nelson possessed some old
fashioned ideas, which it would be Avell for so
ciety if they more generally prevailed. He had
an utter horror for Republicans, and more par
ticularly for those whom the hotbed of French
Corruption had raised. The principle on which
he invariably acted, throughout the subsequent
punishment of these Traitors, both during his
continuance at Naples, and on his return to Pa
lermo, Avas a determination not to interfere with
the regular established course of the Neapolitan
laws; and this principle of conduct was certainly
worthy of Lord Nelson's public character as a
British Admiral, purposely sent to support the
government and laws of the Kingdom of Naples,
Avhich a variety of causes had disorganised. ,
(1799.) Amidst the Neapolitan Rebels who
had been compelled to take shelter in these Cas
tles of Uovo and Nuovo which command the
anchorage in the Bay of Naples, the deluded Ca
raccioli had for a time remained. Previous to
Lord Nelson's arrival in the Bay, Caraccioli had
fled from these Castles to Calvirrano, whence he
had implored the countenance of the Duke of
Calvirrano and his application to Cardinal Ruffo
for protection : this letter was dated June 23d.
He confessed in it that he was bound to account
for his actions to those Avho should be legally au
thorised by his Sicilian Majesty, and he trusted
that the few days during which he had been

561
forced to obey the French Republic, Avould not
obliterate forty years of most faithful service;11
but that it Avould be duly Aveighed and valued
in the scale of justice. — This letter clearly proves,
that in the Projet of a Capitulation which the
Cardinal had so fraudulently attempted to ratify,
Caraccioli could not possibly be included. He
afterwards escaped to the mountains, an action
Avhich by no means displayed the confidence of an
honest mind. A price was immediately set upon
his head ; ami on the 29th of June, before the
arrival of the King from Palermo, this Nobleman
Avas brought in the disguise of a peasant, about
nine o'clock in the morning, alongside of Lord
Nelson's flag ship, the Foudroyant. The Ad
miral had uoav a most painful and severe duty to
perform. Every one avIio had known Caraccioli
had regarded him ; but justice was to have its
course, and tlie only man who could secure it,
had been and Avas the affectionate friend of the
unhappy prisoner. Lord Nelson, Avho Avas much
agitated, felt it all most keenly ; but he also
kneAv that he must perform his duty not only to
his own SoA-ereign, but to that Monarch Avhose
cause Caraccioli had neglected, and who looked
alone to a British Admiral for that redress which
p One of the Caraccioli Family, when Viceroy in Sicily, had,
by his intercession and remonstrance with the King, abolished
the Inquisition in that Island, March 17 , 17S2: probably the
same Nobleman, who came to England, as the Neapolitan Minis
ter, and was much respected for his abilities.
2 0

562
the treacherous Neapolitan had sheAvn no dispo
sition to secure. As it would have been ex
tremely dangerous to have ordered a Court
Martial to assemble on board a Neapolitan ship,
from the love which the Sicilian seamen bore to
Caraccioli, and as the Foudroyant was considered
as the seat of Government of the King of Naples,
his Lordship issued an order to Commodore
Count Thurn, Commander of H. S. M. frigate
la Minerva, to assemble a Court Martial of Nea
politan Officers on board his Britannic Majesty's
ship. During the Trial, Avhich commenced the
same morning, and lasted from ten o'clock to
tAvelve, the Wardroom of the Foudroyant Avas
open, as is customary, to every one Avho chose
to enter. Every thing appeared to be fairly
and honourably conducted, to such of the Eng
lish Officers as understood Italian. Caraccioli
was repeatedly asked questions best calculated
to enable him to clear those aspersions that had
been attached to his character; and these he
ansAvered by endeavouring to prove, that he had
been forced into the Republican service, had
been compelled to perform the duty of a com'
mon soldier for a considerable time, Avhen he Avas
offered the command of the Republican Neapo
litan Navy, Avhich necessity alone had at length
compelled him to accept. This necessity the
prisoner repeatedly attempted to substantiate;
but it certainly Avas not proved to the satisfac
tion of the Court, nor of our own Officers who

563
were present. On the contrary, it clearly Avas de
monstrated that the prisoner had enjoyed opportu
nities of escaping; and on being frequently asked,
why he had not embraced those opportunities?
no satisfactory reply Avas made. The Court after-
Avards particularly directed its attention to the
two folloAving points. First, the prisoner's having
been actively present on board the Republican
vessel that had attacked. H. S. M. frigate la
Minerva, the gun boats and the English ships
on that service, in Avhich some of his Britannic
Majesty's subjects had been killed, and others
Avounded. Secondly, his not endeavouring to
escape previous to that attack, Avhen it evidently
appeared he had possessed opportunities to do
so, Caraccioli in vain attempted to prove his
innocence ; his ansAvers were vrague and sup»
ported by no evidence Avhatever, the last efforts
of a man striving to save his life. The Court
was then cleared, and sentence of death passed
on the prisoner. At five o'clock he Avas re
moved from the Foudroyant and hanged at the
fore yard arm of the Neapolitan frigate la Mi
nerva. His body Avas afterwards carried out to
a considerable distance and sunk in the bay of
Naples. (1799-) On the day previous to the trial and
execution of Caraccioli, Captain Foote had sailed
in the Seahorse, by Lord Nelson's order, for the
purpose of conveying the King and his family
to Naples. Sir John Acton there informed Cap-
2 o 2

564
tain Foote of the intention of their Sicilian
Majesties tp proceed to Naples in their own fri
gate the Sirena, lest they might hurt the feelings
of their naval officers, who had remained faith
ful; but that their Majesties wished him to
convoy them and the transports Avith troops on
hoard, and also to embark their treasure and
staff in the Seahorse. On his return to Na
ples, July 8, his Sicilian Majesty again held
his Court and resided on board Lord Nelson's
ship, , under the secure protection of the British
flag ; where he enjoyed the constant loyalty,
more particularly of the loAver classes, of his
subjects, and reneAved that courtesy and conde
scension to all ranks Avhich had retained so pow
erful an ascendency over the artifices and ca
lumnies of the French.
During these great and leading events in the
life of Nelson, the Defence of Acre had been
conducted Avith that, skill Avhich reflected so much
credit on the various persons Avho were con
cerned. Ghezzar Pasha Avas enabled to oppose
an effectual resistance to Buonaparte by the ac
tive co-operation of Sir Sidney Smith, and the ta
lents of his eminent associate Phellipeaux, a most
skilful French engineer. Colonel Phellipeaux
had studied at the Military College Avith Buona
parte ; in all their public examinations had inva
riably borne off the palm, and been acknoAvledged
his superior. At Acre their respective talents
were again tried, and the same superiority dis?.

565
played by this distinguished royalist; Avho having
entirely baffled the force of Buonaparte, and
arrested his career, died soon afterwards of a
decline, from the fatigue he had experienced.
Sir Sidney Smith had also to lament the death of
another officer of well knoAvn and tried abilities,
Captain R. W. Miller of the Theseus, who had
been appointed to serve under Sir Sidney at his
particular request.
(1799.) * Lord Nelson to Lady Nelson, dated
Naples, July 14. — " My dear Fanny: I have to
thank you sincerely for your letters. I rejoice
that you gave Mr. Bolton the money, and I wish
it made up 500/. I never regarded money, nor
wanted it for my own use; therefore as the East
India Company have made me so magnificent a
present, I beg that 2000/. of it may be disposed
of in the following manner. Five hundred pounds
to my Father. Five hundred to be made up to
Mr. Bolton, and let it be a God send without any
restriction. Five hundred to Maurice, and five
hundred to William. And if you think my
sister Matcham would be gratified by it, do
the same for her. If I were rich I would do
more; but it Avill very soon be knoAvn how poor
I am, except my yearly income. I am not sur
prised at my Brother's death:9 three are now
4 This Brother was the Rev. Suckling Nelson, in whose behalf
the Admiral had written to the Chancellor, Lord Loughborough,
October 12, 1797, requesting his Lordship to allow the Rev.

566
dead younger than myself, having groAvn to
man's age. My situation here is not to be de
scribed ; but suffice it to say, I am endeavouring
to work for good. To my father say every
thing which is kind : I love, honour and respect
him as a father and as a man, and as the very
best man I ever saAv. May God Almighty bless
you, my dear Father and all my Brothers and
Sisters, is the fervent prayer of your affectionate
Nelson." (1799.) X. The attention of Lord Nelson
during the month of July, was principally di
rected, together Avith the reestablishment of the
royal authority in -Naples, to the siege of St.
Elmo, the subduing of Capua and Gaieta, and to
guard against those constant apprehensions Avhich
were entertained for the safety of the valuable
island of Minorca. On the 9th of July, the
Spanish fleet consisting of nineteen sail of the
line, four frigates, tAvo brigs, and a cutter, had
passed through the Straits very 'early; and Avere
Edmund Nelson to resign his living of Burnham, with its appen
dages, to this his youngest son. This request was most graciously
acceded to, with an offer from the Chancellor of rendering any
further services to the Nelson Family. In consequence of which,
Sir Horatio had asked for a Stall in the Cathedral of Norwich,
for his brother William. On the death of the Rev. Suckjing
Nelson, to the honour of Lord Loughborough, he allowed the
living of .Burnham again to revert to the Rev. Edmund Nelson ,
as appears by a letter from him to Mr. Halket, Secretary to the
Chancellor,, dated April '25, 179Q.

567
folloAved, in the evening, by the French fleet,
consisting of tAventy-three sail of the line, nine
frigates, two brigs, tAvo cutters, tAvo luggers,
and one schooner ; irt all sixty-five sail. Lord
Keith immediately sent the following instruc
tions, July 9, to Lord Nelson, and then sailed
from Mahon, in pursuit of the enemy. " Dear
Nelson : I came in here yesterday to get some
water, and had. not anchored an hour when I
heard the Combined Fleets had left Carthagena,
and had steered to the westAvard. If this Island
is left Avithout ships it must fall. You must
therefore either come on, or send DuckAvorth to
govern himself as circumstances offer, until I
can determine to a certainty the intentions of
the enemy." — And in a letter dated off Palma,
July 14, he finished by saying, " I trust the
defence of Minorca to your Lordship, and re
peat my directions, that the ships be sent for its
protection.'' — Lord Nelson had, on the contrary,
determined not to leave the Bay of Naples ex
posed, and at first appears to have been extremely
irritated and vexed: In acknoAvledging the re
ceipt of Lord Keith's orders, July 13, he said,
" As soon as the safety of his Sicilian Majesty's
kingdoms is secured, I shall not lose one mo
ment in making the detachment you are pleased
to order." The day after the date of this letter,
Lord Keith issued a fresh Order to the follow
ing purport, addressed to the Admiral : " Your
Lordship is hereby required and directed to

568
repair to Minorca, with the Avhole or the greatest
part of the force under your Lordship's com
mand, for the protection of that Island, as I shall
in all probability have left the Mediterranean
before your Lordship will receive this. Given
on board the Queen Charlotte, off Formenterra,
July 14." — This order Avas not altogether adapted
to abate the increased agitation of Nelson's
mind. He still persisted in remaining on his
station; but on the 22d of July, detached Ad
miral DuckAvorth to Minorca, with the PoAverful,
Majestic, Vanguard, and Swallow Corvette, di
recting him, at his arrival, to take such of his
Majesty's ships under his command as he might
find at Port Mahon. The folloAving letter to
Earl St. Vincent, dated Foudroyant at sea, June
16", describes the Admiral's private feelings on
this trying occasion : " I send your Lordship a
copy of my letter to Lord Keith, and I have
only to add my regret that his Lordship could not
have sent me a proper force to face the enemy :
but, as we are, I shall not get out of their Avay ;
although, as I am, I cannot think myself justified
in exposing the World, I may almost say, to be
plundered by those miscreants. I trust your
Lordship will not think me Avrong in the painful
determination I conceived myself forced to
make ; for agonised indeed Avas the mind of
your faithful and affectionate servant, Nelson."
The conduct of Captain Troubridge through
out the Sieges of St. Elmo, Capua, and Gaieta,

569
afforded continued examples of the vigilance,
enterprise, and inexhaustible resources of that
great Officer. He had landed, agreeably to Lord
Nelson's orders, Avith the English and Portuguese
marines of the fleet on the 27th of June; and
after embarking the garrisons of the castles of
Uovo aud Nuovo, composed of French and
rebels, had left a garrison in each under Captain
Hood ; and on the £9th of the same month, had
taken post against Fort St. Elmo, which he sum
moned to surrender. This fort, garrisoned Avith
SOO troops, Avas commanded by a French Repub
lican, Mejan, the Commandant of the French
Neapolitan army, Avhose rude manners and inso
lent behaviour Avere peculiarly obnoxious to the
King. Captain Troubridge having resorted to
Antiguiano, near St. Elmo, in eight days brought
this proud Republican to his senses, and to a con
sciousness of his inferiority : notwithstanding bad
poAvder and damp cartridges. Captain Troubridge
opened a battery on him of three thirty-six
pounders ami four mortars on the 3d of July,
within seven hundred yards of Fort St. Elmo.
On the ith he opened another of two thirty-six
pounders, two hundred yards from the fort.
The Russians under Captain Baillie also opened
a battery of four thirty-six pounders aud four
mortars against the opposite angle, in order to
assist in storming it in different places, as soon
as tAvo practicable breaches Avere made. Captain
Troubridge, at the same time, av.is making every

570
preparation for opening a fourth battery, and
afterwards a fifth Avitin one hundred and eighty
yards of the wall of the garrison. When Avriting
to Lord Nelson, " I am really sorry," said he,
" to see your Lordship so low spirited, all will go
well ; but the devilish Fort is so high and com
manding, that our batten es are obliged to be
mountains. When Ave get their works beat off,
I hope Ave shall soon be able to mine the fort.
July 19. The new battery brought the Vaga
bonds, to their senses, after much trouble and
palaver. I send your Lordship the Capitulation
regularly signed; and the moment I have got
the fort arranged, I shall pay you my respects
and bring the colours and keys." — Thus' did the
French garrison of St. Elmo surrender themselves
prisoners of war to his Neapolitan Majesty and
his Allies, and marched out of the fort Avith their
arms and with drums beating.
(1799.) The Sieges of Capua and Gaeta next
ensued, and Avere crowned Avith equal success.
The Swiss troops on this service Avere under Col.
Tschudy, the cavalry left Naples under General
Acton, and the different corps of infantry under
General Bouchard and Colonel Gams. On the
19th of July, this Avhole force Avith the British
and Portuguese began their march, and Avere
folloAved by the Russians, During the night and
the next day, all the troops arrived at Caserta,
' Vide 4to Edition, Vol. II. p. 107, et seq.

.571
and Avere employed in reconnoitring the ground
and erecting batteries ; their head quarters Avere
at St. Angelo. On the 25th the trenches Avere
opened, Avith one battery within 500 yards of
the glacis. In a letter from the camp at St.
Angelo, to Lord Nelson, Troubridge said, "Our
Battery Avas finished by four o'clock yesterday
afternoon, but I did not think it advisable to
open until this morning, at half past three o'clock.
After three rounds from the guns and mortars, I
sent Hallowell to propose the Terms your Lord
ship directed. They answered they could not
surrender, and hardly believed that St. Elmo
was taken. Our batteries are again opening;
but the poAvder is so bad that the shells hardly
breach ; many fall short though not above 300
toises, I really suspect some treachery. July
96, eight A. M. As there is, no dependance to
be placed on the metal of the Neapolitan mortars,
I submit to your Lordship if Ave had not better
get our ten inch sea mortars fitted in land beds,
Bunce my carpenter Avould soon do it. Pray
lend us all the spades and iron shovels from the
ships, the tools these country people have, Avork
too slow for us. Nine P. M. We gain ground
daily. If Ave can complete the trench to-night
for two batteries of four guns each, I think, Avith
the mortars, to Bring the governor to his senses,
July 27, two P. III. The French sent out this
morning, in their usual Avay, demanding pro
tection for the Patriots; I ansAvered inadmissible,

572
and offered the terms of St. Elmo, and to include
Gaieta in the capitulation. They desire until
to morroAv morning, to hold a council. July 28.
I have the honour to enclose your Lordship a
copy of the Capitulation, signed by all but the
Turk ; I shall get his signature to another in
the course of the day. I had gone too far before
your letter reached me, at midnight, to insist
on Gaieta. The Governor offers, if his Majesty
will let that garrison take their arms, he \rillgive
orders for its immediate eAracuation."
(1799.) On the return of Captain Troubridge
to Naples, Captain Louis of the Minotaur had
informed the Commandant of Gaieta, Berger,
that his Sicilian Majesty Avould alloAv the French
in that fortress, as they had not been regularly
besieged, though they had endured a long block
ade, to march out Avith military honours ; and
his Majesty also promised, through Captain Louis,
that the garrison should be sent to France Avith
out being considered as prisoners of Avar. On
the morning of the 2d of August, Captain Louis
waited on the Commandant by appointment,
Avhen articles for the surrender of Gaieta Avere
signed. In Gaieta Avere taken 58 battering
brass guns, 26 of which Avere tAventy-four pound
ers, 12 battering iron guns, two field brass guus
four pounders, four tAvelve inch brass mortars,
14 nine inch and one six inch mortar for ram
parts. On the first of August, the Admiral sent
an official notice to Lord Keith, of the complete

573
success which had been thus uniformly obtained
against the French troops in the kingdom of
Naples; and accompanied it Avith commendation
of the Officers Avho had so much distinguished
themselves. XI. From the beginning of the Summer of
1799, to his return to England in the ensuing
year, Lord Nelson kept up an extensive corre
spondence Avith some of the principal inhabitants
in the Tavo Sicilies, and with many public cha
racters iu the Italian States. The Italian Corre
spondence Avith persons avIio resided at a distance
from Naples, discloses facts Avhich, although not
immediately connected Avith the biography of
Lord Nelson, might by other writers be consi
dered as so many sources of information towards
the eventful history of the times. There are,
however, two circumstances so curious and
interesting, as to deserve notice in this place.
The first is a letter from the Count Chilembert,
his Sardinian Majesty's Prime Minister, dated
Cagliari, Aug 6. A short time after the date of
which, the King Avrote to the British Admiral,
dated Cagliari, Aug. 11. — " Dear Admiral Nel
son : I have felt great pleasure from your letter
of the first of this month, and I acknoAvledge
myself much obliged to you f'or your polite at
tention in offering me a sufficient number of
ships for the conveyance of the Royal Family to
my continental dominions. I shall send one of
my Ministers to consult with you, and I shall

574
be ready to embark as soon as the ships arrive.
With an assurance of my esteem and gratitude,
I am your true friend. Charles Emmanuel."
(1799-) There is also another interesting par
ticular in the Italian Correspondence Avith Lord
Nelson, Avhich marked the high estimation in
Avhich his character Avas held even by the Church
of Rome.' This is contained in a letter that Avas
addressed to his Lordship from Venice, August
20, by the Cardinal Albani, Dean of the Sacred
College, and a near relation to the Emperor of
Austria, a few days previous to the death of the
unfortunate Pope Pius VI.
Thus did Lord Nelson from all quarters ' re
ceive the grateful acknowledgment of his supe
rior talents, and that Praise which is zvorth am
bition. His glory had noAV, indeed, attained that
giddy height Avhich required the exercise of the
greatest powers of the human mind. It de
manded that conquest of himself, that subjuga
tion of every passion, by which the Aviles of
flattery and the craftiness of this Avorld can be
alone repelled. Yet one step alone Avas neces-
' The attention of Lord Nelson to some of the Cardinals and
persecuted members of the Church of Rome at the close of ths
year 1 708, was mentioned with lively gratitude by the ArchevequB
di Nisibi, the Pope's Nuncio, to H. R. H. the Prince of Wales 5
during his Excellency's short continuance in England in 1808,
when waiting for a ship to convey him to the Portuguese Court at
the Brazils.
' Vide 4to Edit. p. 206, 207 .

575
sary for this great man to take, in order tq per
form this; but that'step was an imperious one—
an immediate return to his OAvn Country. His
venerable Father in Avriting some time previous
to this, had said, " Though your Reputation,
my dear good Horatio, stands high, very high,
yet Ave all know that the most beautiful Building
may receive an injury by some accidental event,
or by a secret enemy, before it is completely
finished. I do most heartily Avish your Work
had received its final polish from those, in whose
hands are solid, golden, and lasting ornaments.
Looking forAvard to our happy intervieAv, I noAV
once more say, Adieu." — The continual request
of the Royal Family not to leave them, and the
irresistible force of that attention which Avas
exerted to detain him, rendered his situation
particularly painful and dangerous. — "I observe,"
said the Minister, Sir John Acton, to Lord Nel
son after their return to Palermo, " your kind
regard to their Sicilian Majesties, and your in
tention not to leave them until they are safe at
Naples; this is like you, and certainly nothing
can be done for the safety of the Royal Family
until then. I learn from your letters Avhat some
persons have adA-anced in regard to this kind
assistance. Merit and applause have always
raised the insinuations of envy and jealousy.''
— The Sicilian Minister reasoned right, but on
a Avrong foundation: These remonstrances had
proceeded not from en\y. but from the sincerest

576
friends whom his Lordship possessed. In a fatal
hour he neglected these remonstrances, and re
turned to Palermo. On leaving Naples, his Lord
ship, as being at that time the senior officer in
the Mediterranean, had ordered Captain Trour
bridge to hoist a broad pendant, as Commodore
of the British squadron in the bay of Naples and
on the coast of Italy, an account of which Avas
transmitted to Lord Keith and Lord Spencer.
Whilst on this service, Captain Troubridge lvas
obliged to keep up a constant correspondence
Avith Cardinal Ruffo, and the Neapolitan Junto
of State; and he had the utmost difficulty to
avoid being implicated by the Cardinal in the
trial and execution of the rebels then going on
under the especial jurisdiction of the Junto; Avith
Avhich neither Lord Nelson, nor his Officers had
the least concern.
(1799-) The letter sent from the Board of Ad
miralty, dated August 20, conveyed its opinion of
the late Transactions in Avhich Lord Nelson had
been concerned. Their Lordships' approbation
was given respecting his having proceeded to
the bay of Naples, for the purpose of endeavour
ing to bring the affairs of his Sicilian Majesty
to a happy conclusion, and on his landing a large
body of men for the Siege of St. Elmo ; but a
reprehension was subjoined in regard to his
refusal to obey Lord Keith's orders, by not
going to the support of Minorca; as also for his
landing 1000 of the best men from his squadron,

577
under Captains Troubridge and Hallowell, to
serve on shore Avith the Army at the siege of
Capua. However unpleasant this might prove
to the feelings of Lord Nelson, it shewed that
the Discipline of the British Navy Avas perfect at
its fountain head ; and that the Board would re
prehend, if deemed necessary by Government,
one of the first and most popular Admirals in the
British service.
The liberality of the King of the Two Sicilies
to the English officers on his return to Palermo,
did honour to the son of Charles the Third. On
his tfirst arrival from Naples at the close of the
preceding year, his Majesty had been pleased to
order a Royal Largess to be distributed to the
officers and ship's company of the Vanguard, and
to the respective crews of the barges who had
assisted in securing the safe retreat of the Royal
Family. To Captain Hope Avho had conveyed
the King and Prince Royal on board, a diamond
ring of great value Avas presented, and a similar
one Avas given to Lord Nelson's secretary, Mr,
Tyson. The second day after the King's return,
Lady Hamilton, by desire of the Queen of Naples,
informed Lord Nelson that it Avas the King's
immediate intention to grant him the Dukedom
and valuable feud of Bronte, Avhich was officially
signified ° to him on the 13th of August; and on

u His Majesty is said to have previously announced his inten
tion of conferring this Dukedom on Lord Nelson, whilst on board
1 P

578
« the same day his Majesty sent a letter to him,
full of the most grateful expressions, on present
ing the Sword, valued at 4000 guineas, Avhich
the King had received from his Father on leav
ing Naples for Spain.
(1799.) On the 16th of August Lord Nelson
detached the Foudroyant, as he had promised, to
Cagliari for the assistance of his Sardinian Ma
jesty, and for the time Avas obliged to hoist his
flag on board the Samuel and Jane transport then
lying off Palermo. He also directed that the
Mutine brig should leave Naples on the same
service, on Avhich the Portuguese corvette the
SAvallow Avas likewise employed. In Avriting on
the same day to the Sardinian Minister, Count
Chialambert, his Lordship said, " I send the
Foudroyant, as she is my own flag ship and the
first tAvo-decked ship afloat. I Avould send1 more
but the service of the civilised world requires
every exertion ; therefore I have not the power
to send another ship of Avar." And to H, R. H.
the Duke of Clarence, his Lordship added,
his flag ship, and that the Admiral had begged leave to decline so
noble a remuneration: Upon which the King replied, Lord Nel-
ion, do you -wish I hat your name alone should pass -with glory to pos
terity, and that I, Ferdinando Bourbon, should appear ungrateful ?
x The Bellerophon, Captain Darby, arrived in the bay of Cag
liari, August 11, as Convoy to the transports sent to receive bul
locks from Sardinia for Mahon; and sailed the moment they were
ready. Admiral Duckworth also on the 1 ith of August had de
tached Captain R. Campbell iu the Santa Teresa to the Sardinian
port of Toro, for the service of his Sardinian Majesty.

519
" Thus our King, Sir, will have the comfort that
his ships afford an asylum and protection to
other Monarchs besides the King of Naples, and
will have the satisfaction of knowing, that his
Sardinian Majesty is likewise returned under the
sanction of the British flag."
On the 20th of August Lord Nelson directed
Admiral Duckworth, by an order dated on board
the Samuel and Jane transport at Palermo, to
proceed himself, or to detach two ships of the
line, of Avhich the Zealous was to be one, to assist
General O'Hara and the garrison at Gibraltar,
by keeping the Barbary ports, aud the Straits,
open. On being joined by a reinforcement of
three ships of the line, Avith frigates and sloops,
Admiral DuckAvorth Avas ordered to proceed off
Cadiz ; and on the same day he received from
Lord Nelson the folloAving private letter : " No
one, be assured, estimates your worth both as
an Officer and a man more than Ave have of this
house; you must consider a line from me as a
side of paper from any one else. Lord Keith is
gone and all my superior Officers ; therefore I
must noAv Avatch from Cape St. Vincent to Con
stantinople.7" In a subsequent letter his Lord
ship added, "I am venturing certainly out of
my line of duty, but as the Commander in Chief
may not even be on the station, I must do the
t Lord Nelson considered himself as holding the situation of
-Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean, from August 17 to
November 30, 1799. 2 p 2 •

580
best which my judgment points out during his
temporary absence. If Sir James would have
alloAved the troops from Lisbon to have proceeded
to Malta, I Avould have forfeited my life if in
three days it had not surrendered."
(1799.) During the short interval that Lord
Nelson held this temporary rank of Commander
in Chief in the Mediterranean, his letters and or
ders have an additional iuterest. On the 12th of
Sept. he sent the following additional Instructions
to Admiral DuckAvorth. " My dear Admiral : I
approve very much of your first plan of visiting
Gibraltar, after lookinginto Carthagena; butlAvish
you had fixed to send some of the best ships imme
diately back to Minorca, and as Goliath and Swift
sure go from hence direct to Gibraltar, you will
send two ships of the line, and, if they are to be
found, some small ships ; for at present I knoAv
not the names- of the frigates left by Lord Keith,
nor hoAV they are disposed of. If 1 am left in
this command even for a few months, I shall
send those French frigates Avhich cannot be
manned to England, and for that purpose fifty
good men shall be left by those ships going home.
JVIy mind is fixed that I will not keep one ship
in the Mediterranean Avhich is not fit for any
service. During the Avinter, those half fitted
drain us of .all the stores and render us all use
less. You have acted on this principle in sending
¦ the Aurora and Dolphin, and it is my particular
desire that you continue it. I am aware of the

581
argument which may be used against my plan, viz.
Our Seamen get ^io good by going to England, to
Avhich I perfectly agree ; but the ships left here
Avith me are beyond all common refit, nor can they
be furnished with stores, not having any founda
tion to be kept up; and Avhat Avould be an ample
supply to keep up a Squadron, is really nothing
in our situation. Be the event Avhat it may,
Lord Keith will probably by this time have re
turned- to Gibraltar ; but I hope he will make
allowances that I am acting in the same Avay as
if I knew nothing of his being there,"
(1799-) The great services of Captain Ball
during the tedious Siege of Malta, were this
year very honourably noticed by his Sicilian
Majesty. During the month of September, Sir
John Acton sent him Avord, That the King having
been duly informed of the valour, uncommon
vigilance, and praiseAvorthy conduct Avhich Cap
tain Ball had sheAvn during the blockade, in
compliance Avith the wishes of the Maltese and
with the consent of the most excellent and
Avorthy Admiral the Lord Duke of Bronte, his
Majesty had confided to Captain Ball the go
vernment of that Island.— Captain Ball's letters
to Lord Nelson from the close of August to the
end of October,1 point out some of the causes
which had prolonged the Siege. The Admiral
in writing aftenvards to Mr. Nepean, on the sub-
* Quarto Edit. p. 222.

582
ject, said, "It has been no fault of the Navy
that Malta has not been attacked by land; but
Ave have neither the means ourselves, nor in
fluence with those Avho have the power."
(1799-) The Operations against the Roman
Port, Civita Vecchia, by Captains Hallowell,
Louis, and the other naval officers Avho had been
detached on that service by Sir T. Troubridge,
had been croAvned with success on the 26th of
September; and the articles of Capitulation
which Avere signed on that and the folloAving
day, had been received by Lord Nelson, as he
mentioned in a letter to H. R. H. the Duke of
Clarence, on the 1st of October. His Lordship,
so far back as the end of August, had endeavoured
to expedite this event by requesting the coope
ration of some British troops from Sir James
Erskine ; but the application having been re
fused, Lord Nelson and Commodore Troubridge
continued to pursue that object Avith a small de
tachment from the Mediterranean fleet. The
folloAving extracts from some letters of the lat
ter Officer, Avhilst in the Bay of Naples and off
Civita Vecchia, not only relate many events
relative to proceedings on that service con
nected with the preceding operations, at Naples;
but also briefly retrace the manner in which he
at length succeeded, and, as the Friar" had de
clared, took Rome by the ships that belonged
¦ Lord Nelson afterwards requested tlie King of Sicily to give
this Friar preferment in the Church, which was granted.

583
to' the squadron under the command of Lord
Nelson. (1799-) Naples, Sept. 5. "My Lord: I should
still like to send Louis in the Minotaur to try
them at Civita Vecchia, I think they would give
in. As your Lordship directs me in your letter
not to quit the Bay until a respectable Russian
squadron arrives, I Avait Avith impatience your
further orders. Sept. 7 . I continue my Marines
on shore, at the particular request of the Cardi
nal, who complains loudly of the enormous ex
pense of the Russians. I am anxious to hear by
the Perseus, whether your Lordship thinks the
three Russian frigates a sufficient force to leave
at Naples ; not a moment shall be lost, if you
say Yes. I can embark my Marines whilst I am
unmooring. Sept. 10. Your Lordship's two let
ters are just arrived. I shall not lose a moment
in sending Captain Louis with the Proposals to
Civita Vecchia, and he will have Murine, Trans
fer, and Perseus, when he arrives there."
Proposals sent from Commodore Troubridge by
Captain Louis to the Commandant of the Repub
lican Troops at Civita Vecchia.
" Sir : I have sent Captain Louis, Commander
of the Minotaur, one of H. B. M. ships under
my command, to offer your garrisoii and Cortteta
the same terms as at Gaieta ; assuring you, that
the allied forces of Russians, &c. are advancing
into the Roman State; and I think it necessary
to apprise you, that all prisoners of war taken by

584
the Russians, (which will certainly be your fate,
if a ou refuse the liberal offer I now make you)
are invariably sent to Siberia, nor will the Eng
lish ever interfere hereafter. If you agree to
these terms, I have authorised the commanding
officer of II. B. M. ships forming the blockade
of the Roman Coast, to transport your garrison
with that of Corneta, to Corsica or France as
may be most convenient."
( 1 799.) Commodore Troubridge, hi continuation,
to Admiral Lord Nelson, Sept. 19. The neAvs of
Rome is very unfavourable. Bouchard has Avith
him about 2000 Neapolitan regulars and 7000
vagabonds. The Romans, it is said, have all
armed to resist him, declaring that the Neapoli
tans are such thieves, no reliance can be placed
on their Avord ; the Romans are determined,
therefore, not to he under their yoke : I Avish,
my Lord, there Avas not so much truth in Avhat
they assert. Sept. 17. I have great hope Louis
will succeed at Civita Vecchia ; yesterday, as I
reckon, he Avould have sent my letter in. I had
occasion to go to the Cardinal this morning, and
from him I learned the Russians did not intend
to sail until the 18th, or the 20th. I shall look
out sharp for them, and be off to Ch'ita Vecchia
and join Louis, -if I do not receive contradictory
orders from your Lordship. Off Civita Vecchia,
Sept. 99. I sailed from Naples the 18th, and
got here on the 20th at night. The next morn
ing I was joined by Captain Louis, Avith Mino-

585
taur, Perseus, Murine, and Transfer. I found
Captain Louis had sent in my letter and been
informed by the Commandant Hennique, that
on account of its importance it had been for-
warded to the French commanding officer, Gen.
Gamier, at Rome. It appeared to me that the
General Avished to get off from the Roman State;
and Civita Vecchia having no powers to treat
separately, I took upon myself, without a mo
ment's loss of time, to offer the Gaieta terms
for all the Roman State, except Ancona, that I
might if possible put his Sicilian Majesty in
possession ; giving the General tAventy hours
from its reaching Civita Vecchia., If it meets
your Lordship's approbation, I shall be Avell sa
tisfied in having cleared the country of villanous
Frenchmen, Avho have plundered and been such
a dreadful scourge on the Roman State. Sept.
23. The Council the French General talks of is,
the damned Ambassador and Commissaire, who
assume a power over Gamier. The stuff the
French proposed made me sick, the Ambassador
was the cause of it, the thief is afraid to go to
France ; he Avould sooner stay Avhere he is not
Avanted. He called the Roman Territory the
property of the French Republic by right of
conquest ; I settled that by saying, It's mine by
reconquest, and he was silenced. Sept 27. I have
sent Louis b up to Bouchard to secure the tran-
* Captain Louis was the first British seaman who rowed, up

585
quillity of Rome. The public property is im
mense c by the French accounts. The Austrians
offered any terms, but I outmanoeuvred them,
and brought General Gamier on board the Cul
loden and settled all as your Lordship will see.
I pray suspend your opinion, if you think I have
acted wrong, until I have the honour of seeing you.
I am sure I can then give such substantial rea
sons for all I have done, as wholly to clear every
thing. I have received the greatest assistance
from Captain Louis and Lieutenant Schomberg.
I really am unable to Avrite more — quite asleep.
I never exerted myself more for my own Sove
reign, than I have for the King of Naples in this
instance. Sept. 29. I have been up all night and
part of the day Avith the aid de camp of the Aus
trian General Frolick, Avho had a few men at
Toscanella, &c. twenty-four miles distant from
Civita Vecchia, and forty from Rome, not in
sufficient force to advance. Not having acted
Avith him, I did not feel he had any right to sign
the capitulation. At this minute General Fro-
the Tiber in his barge, hoisted English colours on the Capitol,
and governed Rome.
c In a letter dated Oct. 30, Commodore Troubridge informed
Lord Nelson, that the Riga spars alone at Civita Vecchia at a low
valuation were worth 1500/. the ordnance immense, and provi
sions to at least 40,000 dollars. A large quantity of artillery be
longing to the King of Naples was also found: with his valuable
geographical and marine plates, those of Herculaneum aiid a va
riety of other articles of great value.

587
lick is not nearer than twenty miles to Rome.
September 30. I have really and truly a severe
task. I suspect I shall have to fight General
Frolick ; he has attacked the French in their
evacuation of the forts. A letter is this moment
arrived from Louis. Rome was taken possession
of at two o'clock this morning. Praj recom
mend General Bouchard in the strongest man
ner r<> Ins Sovereign, for his ready cooperation
and great exertion : my pen at present cannot
do him justice, I am completely jaded. The
gangAvavy ladder of the Foudroyant Avheu at Na
ples, and the noise Avhen the King came to the
gangway, are not equal to the buz at my elboAV-."
Lord Nelson, with his usual liberality of mind
toAvards his brother officers, would not himself
transmit an official account of the surrender of
Civita Vecchia, but ordered Troubridge to tell
his oavii story in his own Avay. " I have desired
Commodore Troubridge," said the Admiral, iu
Avriting to the Secretary of the Admiralty from
Palermo, October 1, "to send for the informa
tion of their Lordships extracts of all his letters
to me, Avith the terms entered into Avith ths
French for the evacuation of the city of Rome,
and Civita Vecchia; on Avhich event I sincerely
congratulate their Lorships."
XII. (1799.) In consequence of Sir EdAvard
Berry's having joined the Foudroyant in the Bull
Dog, Capt. Hardy Avas superseded and appointed
by Lord Nelson to the Princess Charlotte, until

588
the arrival of Captain Stephenson; and, on Cap
tain Hardy's going aftenvards to England/' his
Lordship Avrote, as follows, to H. R. II. the Duke
of Clarence, dated Nov. 9- " Sir: I beg leave
to present to your Royal Highness, Captain
Hardy, late of the Foudroyant, an Officer of
the most distinguished merit, and therefore
highly Avorthy of your notice. He will tell you
of my arduous work in this country, and that
all my anxiety is at present occasioned by the
desire of possessing Malta. But I fear, notwith
standing my exertions, that I shall not get any
British troops from Minorca. I am impatiently
waiting the arrival of General Fox, and hope he
will not consider the order for the removal of one
or two regiments, of such great consequence as
the reduction of Malta by keeping them for tAvo
months longer in the Mediterranean. On the
one hand they must, in England, or on the Con
tinent, be like a drop of Avater in the ocean. By
staying here and being employed, they would
liberate us frqm our enemy close to our door,
gratify the Emperor of Russia, protect our Le
vant Trade, and relieve a squadron of our ships
from this service ; besides giving us one 80 gun
ship, two 40 gun frigates, a Maltese new ship of
the line ready for sea, and two frigates. With
these in the scale, I cannot comprehend how a
d Towards the end of October 1799, the Zealous, Majestic,
Goliath, and Seahorse, returned home.

589
moment can be lost in deciding; but, Sir, I find
few think as I do. To obey orders is all per
fection : to serve my King and to destroy the
French, I consider as the great order of all, from
Avhich little ones spring, and if one of these mi
litate against it (for who can tell exactly at a
distance) I go back and obey the great order
and object, to doAvn, doAvn with the damned
French villains. Excuse my warmth; but my
blood boils at the name of a Frenchman. I hate
them all,' Royalists and Republicans."
Captain Blackwood of the Penelope, Avhen in
forming the Admiral, Nov. 17, of six vessels which
the boats of the Penelope and El Vincejo had
cut out from under the batteries of Monaco, sent
also the important information Avhich had been
gained from one of the Masters of those vessels,
That Buonaparte had arrived in the Gulph of
Frejus and immediately proceeded to Paris. Some
account of the manner in which he had effected
his escape Avas given by Sir Sidney Smith, in a
letter to Lord Nelson : " The fugitive narrowly
escaped the Theseus and Turkish squadron, that
Avere stationed to the westward of Alexandria, on
the probability of his departure, to intercept
him and prevent supplies from France reaching
Egypt. Unfortunately for the first object, the
Theseus had been delayed a few days, whilst
seeking provisions, OAving to the perverseness of
the Turkish Governor at Baffo in withholding
the promised supply."

5pO
Amidst the various splendid marks of public
respect which Lord Nelson at this time received,
he Avas particularly gratified by a simple but
classic testimony from the Grecian community
of the little Island of Zante. It consisted in a
golden headed Savor! and a Truncheon or staff
of dignity, set round with a single row of dia
monds, which Avere all that could be procured iii
that Island. Lord Nelson, in Avriting to Mr.
Spiridion Foresti, the English Consul at Corfu,
expressed his sense of this high and flattering
honour; which he estimated as being equal or
superior^, as an acknoAvledgment of his services,
to what had been rendered by any country to
any officer: " I beg," added his Lordship, "you
Avill always say every thing for me to these gbod
people: If possible, I Avill one day pay them a
visit. — The serious attack of Malta Avill com
mence in a few days, our troops are collecting
for that purpose." The troops herein mentioned
by his Lordship as being intended for Malta,
were collecting at Messina under Brigadier Ge
neral Graham, who had at length obtained a de
gree of restricted leave from General Fox to go
on that service ; so much restricted, especially
respecting expense, that his general instructions
hardly seemed to admit of offensive operations.
Sir T. Troubridge had also arrived at Messina,
on the 26th of November, to give his powerful
assistance ; when finding that the intended rein
forcement Avas delayed for Avant of money, he

591
immediately offered a considerable sum of his
own td assist the General. " I promised him,
my Lord," said the Commodore, "15000 of my
cobs ; every farthing and every atom of me shall
be deAToted to the Cause. Geueral Graham
seems the man for service, things Avill go well,
I shall now sleep easy. The General appeared to
think he should A\Tant Avine, I promised him he
should not; and as the army is not supplied Avith
their dry and salt provisions from the victualling
board, Ave can give them ours." — Whatever other
difficulties occurred were immediately provided
against by this zealous naval officer a\ ith equal
spirit. They arrived off Malta on the 9th of
December, Avhen General Graham found that
Colonel Lindenthal, a German officer in our ser
vice, but bred in the Austrian etat major, had
been sent by General Fox to make a report;
Avhich proved highly honourable to the abilities
and skill of Governor Ball.
The state of Lord Nelson's health at this time
certainly required rest, but the rest which he
most wanted could not be found at Palermo ;
every thing there conspired to poison his mind
and so prevent its repose. In a letter which he
received from Admiral Goodall in England, to
Avards the close of 1799> was the following pas
sage : " They say here, my good Lord, that you
are Rinaldo, in the arms cf Armida, and that it
requires the firmness of an Ubaldo and his bro
ther knight to draAv you from the Enchantress."

592
Nor Avas the warm and open heart of Troubridge
inattentive to the situation of his friend : " Par
don me, my Lord, it is my sincere esteem for
you that makes me mention it. I knoAv you can
have no pleasure sitting up all night at cards;
Avhy then sacrifice your health, comfort, purse,
ease, every thing, to the customs of* a Country,
Avhere your stay cannot be long ? . . . Your Lord
ship is a stranger to half that happens, or the
talk it occasions; .if you kneAv Avhat your friends
feel for you, I am sure you Avould cut all the
nocturnal parties; the gambling of the people at
Palermo is publickly talked of every where. I
beseech your Lordship leave off. I really feel
for the Country. How can things go on ? .... I
see that the poor inhabitants of Malta are to be
sacrificed : If the supplies are stopped, I cannot
leave my soldiers to he starved; though I shall
have the painful task of abandoning the inhabi
tants to their fate. I beseech your Lordship
press for a yes, or no. If they say we shall hot
or cannot be supplied; I see nothing ;for it, but
to retreat as fast as possible." Lord Nelson, in.
replying to Sir Thomas Troubridge respecting
the provisions, said, " I cannot get the frigate
out of the mole, therefore I must learn to be a
hard hearted Avretch, for I fancy the cries1 of
hunger in my ears. I send you orders for the
different governors. You will see they are for
the supply of the army and navy; therefore
Avhatever Graham and you send for, will if pos-

593
aible be granted." In a letter afterwards to
Lord Keith, Avho had sigjiified his intention of
Goming to Sicily, Lord Nelson added, " Vessels
are here loading Avith corn for Malta; but I
can neither get the Neapolitan men of Avar nor
merchant vessels to move. If I cannot get to
Malta very soon, I shall, from your letter, re
main here to give you a meeting and receive
your orders. I have been trying, with Sir W.
Hamilton, in Avhich the Queen joins, to induce
the King to return to Naples: but hitherto Avith
out effect," In writing about the same time to
Colonel Graham, his Lordship mentioned his in
tention of soon paying them a visit. " I only
wish," added he, "that I could ahvays do all you
ask me. It is certain that you cannot go on at
Malta without money ; therefore, I declare,
sooner than you should want, I Avould sell
Bro;nte. But, I trust, from General Fox's let
ter to me, that you will have his consent for
ordering Avhat money may be necessary."
(1800.) The difficulties Avhich Sir Thomas
Troubridge had experienced, through Avant of a
supply of corn from Palermo, during the preced
ing summer, Avere at the beginning of the present
year greatly increased throughout his services
at Malta. His mind Avas also much agitated by
the continuance of Lord Nelson at Palermo :
Troubridge's affection for him was unbounded,
and being fearful lest the remnant of the Nile
squadron, which had taken refuge at Malta, might
2 Q

594
in an attempt to escape be captured without tfter
presence of the Admiral, the dejected Commo
dore thus expressed the warmth and disinterest
edness of his friendship. " Malta, Jan. 1. My
Lord : We are dying off fast for Avant. I learn,.
by letters from Messina,, that Sir W. Hamilton
says, Prince Luzzi refused corn some time agor
and Sir W. does not think it Avorth Avhile making
another application. If that be the case, I wish
he commanded at this distressing scene instead
of me. Puglia had an immense harvest,, near
thirty sail left Messina before I did to load corn;
Avill they let us have any? If not, a short time
Avill decide the business. The German interest
prevails. I Avish I Avas at your Lordship's elboAv
for an hour, all, all Avill be throAvn on you> rely
on it. I Avill parry the bloAV as much as is in my
poAver; I foresee much mischief brewing. God
bless 'your Lordship — I am miserable, I cannot
assist your operations more.. Many happy re-
turns of this day to you, I never spent so miser
able an one. I am not very tender hearted ; but
really the distress here would move even a Nea
politan. Jan. 5. I have this day saved 30,000
people from dying; but with this day my ability
ceases, The Foudroyant shall go as complete to
your Lordship as I can possibly let her. If you
Avould contrive to come here and get the credit
of the reduction of this very important place, it
Avould much gratify all your friends, andnonemore
than your ever faithful and obliged T. Troubridge. ''

595
" (1 800.) On the 7th of Jan. Lord Nelson sent this
friend^word that he Avould shortly come to Malta.
On the l6th he sailed from Palermo in the Fou
droyant, ,and joined Lord Keith on the 20th at
Leghorn. On the 26th he left Leghorn, and touch
ing at Palermo in his Avay, proceeded on his
voyage to Malta. On the 10th of February the
Squadron under his command captured le Gene
reux of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Rear Ad
miral Per6e, Commander in chief of the French
naval force in the Mediterranean, having a num
ber of troops on board from Toulon, bound for
the relief of Malta, together Avith a storeship, the
Ville de Marseilles, and dispersed the remainder
of Admiral PereVs squadron.
Whilst off Malta, Lord Nelson found his health
so indifferent, that he requested permission of
the Commander in Chief to return again to Pa
lermo. He however remained off Malta until the
8th of March, and then finding himself daihy
groAving Avorse, with an internal complaint to
which he had been long subject, he again re
quested a short leave of absence, and on the
16th returned to Palermo. Lord Keith replied
to Lord Nelson on the 20th of March from Leg
horn : " 1 learn with sincere concern your Lord
ship's ill state of health, and your intention of
returning to Palermo at" so momentous a period ;
particularly, as I hear that Sir Thomas Trou
bridge is still confined by illness, and under the
late misfortune of the loss of the Queen Charlotte,
2 Q 2

596
I have no means of returning to carry on the
service before Malta myself. I must, hoAvever,
request that your Lordship Avill not delay a mo
ment in ordering Sir EdAvard Berry off Malta;
and, in the event of the Guillaume Tell's escape
from la Valette, either that ship or the Northum
berland may be directed to folloAv her off Toulon,
and thereafter to join me in the gulf of Genoa."
( 1 800.) The escape of the Guillaume Tell from
Malta had been carefully provided against by
Governor Ball and Sir Thomas Troubridge; both
of Avhom informed Lord Nelson that such an
event might be daily expected. The day the
Foudroyant arrived, the Guillaume Tell started
about tAvelve that night: they immediately made
the signal from the shore, and in half an hour
our ships Avere firing at her. They saw the firing
on the shore, it Avas a fine night, until four mi
nutes past four, increasing its distance, steering
to the N. E. — As Captain Manley Dixon, in his
official letter to Sir Thos. Troubridge declared,
the Guillaume Tell Avas of the largest dimensions,
and carried thirty-six pounders on the loAver gun
deck, tAventy-four pounders on the main deck,
tAvelve pounders on the quarter deck, and thirty-
tAVO pound carronades on the poop: Her force
altogether consisted of 86 guns and 1220 men,
bearing the flag of Contre Admiral Decres. If
the Foudroyant had not arrived so opportunely,
the Lion and Penelope would have been no match
for her; and yet the latter ship Avas so Avell fought

59T
hy Captain Blackwood, as to render most essen*
tial seryice. " I have to inform you," said Captain
Dixon, in Avriting to Commodore Troubridge,
March 31, " that the signal rockets and canno
nading from our batteries at Malta the midnight
preceding, with the favourable strong southerly
gale, together Avith the darkness which succeeded
the setting of the moon, convinced me the enemy's
ships of Avar Avere attempting to effect an escape ;
and Avhich Avas immediately ascertained by that
judicious and truly valuableofficer, Captain Black-
Wood, of the Penelope, Avho had been stationed a
feAv hours before between the Lion and la Valette
rfor the purpose of observing closely the motions
of the enemy. Nearly at midnight an enemy's
ship was descried by him ... I lost not one mo
ment in making the signal for the Squadron to
cut or slip, and directed Captain Miller of the
Minorca to run doAvn to the Foudroyant and
Alexander' Avith the intelligence, and to repeat
the signal ... As the day broke I found myself in
gun shot of the chace, and the Penelope Avithin
musket shot raking her, the effects of Avhose well
directed fire, during the night, had shot aAvay
her main and mizen topmasts and main yard.
The Lion Avas run clpse alongside, the yard
arms of both ships being just clear, when a de
structive broadside of three round shot in each
.gun Avas poured in, luffing up across tbe bow,
• Lieutenant Harrington acting.

598
when the enemy's jib boom passed between the
main and mizen shrouds. After ashort interval,
I had the pleasure to see the boom carried away
and the ships disentangled, maintaining a posi
tion across the boAv, firing to great adA-antage,
I found it absolutely necessary, if possible, to keep
from the broadside of this ship. After being
engaged . about fifty minutes, the Foudroyant
was seen under a press of canvas, and soon passed
hailing the enemy to strike, Avhich being de
clined, a very heavy fire from both ships, broad
side to broadside, Avas most gallantly maintained;
the Lion and Penelope frequently in situations
to do great execution. In short, Sir, after the
hottest action that probably Avasever maintained
hy an enemy's ship opposed to those of his Ma
jesty, and being totally dismasted, the French
Admiral's flag and colours Avere struck.
" I have not language to express the high
sense of obligation I feel myself under to Captain
BlackAVOod, 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. The termination of the battle must be
attributed to the spirited fire of the Foudroyant,
whose Captain, Sir EdAvard Berry, has justly
added another laurel to the many he has gained
during the Avar. Capt. BlackAvood speaks in very
high terms of the active and gallant conduct of
Capt. Long, of the Vincejo, during the night; and

599
1 beg to mention the services of Captains Brough,-
ton and Miller. I received the greatest possible
assistance from Lieutenant Joseph Patey, senior
officer of the Lion, and from Mr. Spence, the
master, who together with the officers and ship's
company sheAved the most determined gallantry.
Captains Sir EdAvard Berry, and BlackAvood, have
reported to me the same gallant and animated
behaviour in the officers and creAvs of their re
spective ships. I am sorry to say the three ships
have suffered much in killed and Avounded, and
that of the enemy prodigiously, it being upAvar'ds
of 200."
(1800.) Lord Nelson on thel6th of ApriL'sailed
again for Malta, and Avas accompanied thither
by Sir W. and Lady Hamilton, Avith Avhom, after
remaining there some time, he returned again to
Palermo, and immediately prepared to go to
England ; and to accompany the Queen of Na
ples on her intended visit to Vienna. On the
-8th of June he sailed from Palermo/ with the
Foudro}'ant and Alexander ; on board of which
were the Queen of Naples, the three Princesses
and Prince Leopold, Sir William and Lady Hamil
ton, Prince Castelcicala, and their attendants.
On the 14th of June, they arrived at Leghorn ;
and from thence proceeded to Florence. Passing
f Previous to Lord Nelson's leaving Sicily, the King invested
him with the Order of St. Ferdinand, of which he was the first
"Knight after the Royal Family. This Order has the especial pri
vilege of being covered in the King's presence.

600
through Ancona aud Vienna, where he left the
Queen and had been introduced by her Majesty
to the Emperor and Empress; his Lordship visited,
by express desire, the gallant Archduke Charles
at Prague. From Prague he Avent to Dresden,
Magdeburgh and Hamburg, and landed at Yar
mouth, Nov. 6, 1800. His Lordship arrived in
London, Ayith Sir William and Lady Hamilton,
on the gth of Noveipber; and, Avith them, .Avent
immediately to his venerable Father and Lady
Nelson. Their joy Avas, hoAvever, mingled with
sorrow ; and on first meeting after so long an ab
sence, the presence of Sir W. and Lady Hamilton
added to a disquietude, Avhich if they had inno
cently been the cause of, they should have care
fully endeavoured not to aggravate. The, exul
tation that prevailed throughout the metropolis,
on the arrival of the British Hero, formed an ex
traordinary contrast Avith the depression of his
OAvn mind ; and afforded a memorable example
of the inefficacy of all earthly rewards. At the
civic feast of the city of London on Monday the
10th of November, his Lordship Avas nobly re
ceived by Sir W. Staines, the neAV Lord Mayor,
and Avas presented with the valuable SAvord Avhich
the metropolis had voted after the victory of
Aboukir. The gratitude of hi§ native Country
was also shewn in every manner, that could most
publicly display the general sense of his splendid
achievements. Wherever he appeared, he Avas
followed Avith mingled astonishment and even,

601
veneration by the thronging multitude, as a
being of a superior nature. To use the Avords of
the biographer of Lorenzo de Medici, * On all
sides he touched the extremes of human charac
ter ; and the poAvers of his mind Avere only
bounded by that impenetrable circle Avhich pre
scribes the limits of human nature.' s
iEtat.^. XIII. The gloom Avhich had, long im
pended over the private happiness and even
public services of Lord Nelson, Avas not dispersed
by his return to his native Country. His mind
was affected by an extraordinary poAver, which
almost merited the term Enchantment, and had
resisted the entreaties and remonstrances of his
numerous friends; many of whom lost his con
fidence, by a vain endeavour to restore the na- '
tural bias of his affectionate but too* susceptible
heart. In taking his final leave of Lady Nelson
on the 13th of January, 1801, he acted, however
Avrong, with that greatness and liberality of mind
which nothing could subdue : ' I call God to wit
ness,' exclaimed he, ' there is nothing in you, or
your conduct I Avish otherAvise.' This formed a
most striking epocha in his eventful life, and as
such deserves to be' noticed. The remaining
portion of his biography is, therefore, exclusively
.devoted to his more splendid public character ;
to those astonishing and important services,
which he rendered to his Country when she most
s Rpscoe's Life, Vol. II. page 328, 8vo. ed.

602
required them . each of which claimed a distinct
praise, as surpassing Avhat had preceded it by
some new proof of professional Enterprise and
Ability. (1801.) On the first day of the year, his
Lordship Avas advanced Vice Admiral of the
Blue : previous to which Captain Hardy had
been appointed his Captain on board the Namur
at Plymouth, until the San Josef, 112 guns,
could be got ready for his flag, Avhich Avas hoisted
on board that ship at Plymouth,11 January 17,
,,1801, and afterwards shifted to the St. George,
preparatory to his going to the Baltic as second
in command under Sir Hyde Parker. About the
20th of February he sailed from Torbay in. the
St. George for Portsmouth, and from thence
proceeded to Yarmouth.
The subsequent Narrative of the Battle of
Copenhagen is chiefly taken from a valuable
Memoir which an Officer avIio Avas vvitli Lord
Nelson has furnished, and from the interesting
Memoranda of another eye-Avitness, Mr. Fergu
son, a military surgeon Avho attended on Colonel
SteAvart. " On the 12th of March," (says the Memoir,)
" the fleet consisting of about fifty sail, sixteen of
h Luring the Admiral's continuance at Plymouth he was seized
with a violent ophthalmia in his only remaining eye, with a
most acute pain and total want of sight. He was attended by
Dr. Trotter, and in a few days was enabled to resume his ser
vices.

603
which were of the line, put to sea. On the 15th
we encountered a heavy gale of Avind, AA'hich in
some measure scattered the fleet and prevented
our reaching the Naze until the 18 th. On the
2 1st it blew hard : Ave anchored for tAventy four
hours, and did not arrive off the point of Elsineur
until the 24th. On the 26tli, the Elephant, Cap
tain Foley, and another 74 had joined the Fleet,
and on the 29th, Lord Nelson shifted his flag
from the St. George to the Elephant, in order to
carry on operations in a lighter ship. Both the
2Sth and 29th of March Avere unfortunately
calm : orders had, hoAvever, been given for the
Fleet to pass through the Sound as soon as the
wind should permit. At daylight on the morn
ing of the 30th it bleAv a topsail breeze from
N. W : The signal Avas made, and the Fleet pro
ceeded in the order of battle previously arranged;
Lord Nelson's division in the van, the Commander
in-Chief's in the centre, and Admiral Graves's in
the rear. The Danish Batteries opened a fire, as
we understood, Avith nearly 100 pieces of cannon
and mortars, as soon as our leading ship, the
Monarch, came abreast of them ; and they con
tinued in one uninterrupted blaze during the
passage of the Fleet, to the no small amusement
of our creAvs ; none of whom received injury, ex
cept from the bursting of one of our own guns.
Some of our leading ships at first returned a feAv
rounds, but perceiving the inutility, „ desisted.
The whole came to anchor about midday, be-

60^
tween the island of Huen, and Copenhagen ; the
division under Captain Murray following, as soon
as the main body had passed. The night of the
50th of March was employed by some of the in
telligent masters and pilots, under the direction
of Captain Brisbane, in ascertaining the channels
round the great Shoal called the Middle Ground,
and in laying doAvn fresh buoys, the Danes having
either removed or misplaced the former ones.
On the next day, the Commander in Chief and
Lord Nelson, proceeded in the Amazon frigate,
Captain Riou, to the examination of the Nor
thern Channel and of the flotilla from the east
ward, and after some hours survey returned to
the Fleet. A Council of War Avas held in the
afternoon, and the mode which might be advi
sable for the attack Avas considered: that from
the eastAvard appeared to be preferred. Lord
Nelson offered his services, requiring ten line of
battle ships and the Avhole of the smaller craft.
The Commander in Chief, Avith sound discretion'
and in a handsome manner, not only left every
thing to Lord Nelson for this detached service,
but gave him two more line of battle ships than
he demanded. The night of the 31st of March
Avas employed as the preceding, in ascertaining,
even by buoy lights, the course of the Upper
Channel. Captain Brisbane Avas particularly
active on this service, conducted under Lord
Nelson's immediate directions."
"On the first of April in the afternoon, we

605
took our departure Avith tAvelve sail of the line,
and a proportional number of smaller vessels,
from the main body of the Fleet then lying about
four miles below ftjopenhagen ; and coasted along
the outer edge of the Shoal called the Middle
Ground, until we doubled its farthest extremity,
when the Fleet cast anchor. The Shoal, of the
same extent as the sea front of the toAvn, lies
exactly before it at about three quarters of a
mile in distance ; the interval between it and the
shore had deep water, and is -called the King's
Channel : there the Danes had arranged their
Line of Defence as near the town as possible.
It consisted of nineteen ships and floating bat
teries, flanked at the town's extremity by tAvo
artificial islands at the mouth of the harbour,
called the CroAvn Batteries; and extended for
about a mile along the'whole front of the town,
leaving intervals for the Batteries on shore to
play. As our OAvn anchor dropped at eight in the
evening, Nelson emphatically called out, i" xviil
fight them the moment I have a fair wind. He
spent the whole night in consultation. With the
returning light, the Avind had been announced
as becoming perfectly fair, and at half past nine
the signal Avas given to Aveigh in succession.
This Avas quickly obeyed by the Edgar, avIio pro
ceeded in a noble manner for the Channel. The
Agamemnon Avas to follow, but happened to take
a course in a direct line for the end of the shoal.
The Polyphemus' signal, Captain LaAvford, wa*

606
then made, and this change in the order of sail
ing Avas most promptly executed. The Poly
phemus Avas followed by the Isis, Bellona, and
Russel; the former, commfflded by Captain
Walker, took her station most gallantly, and had
the severest birth this day of any ship, the
Mbnarch perhaps not excepted. The Bellona
and Russel in going down the Channel kept too
close on the starboard shoal, and ran aground;
they Avere, however, Avithin range of shot, and
continued to fire Avith much spirit upon such of
the Enemy's ships as they could reach. In suc
cession, as each ship arrived nearly opposite to
her number in the Danish line, she let her an
chor go by the stern, the wind nearly aft, and
presented her broadside to the Enemy.
' The Action began at five minutes past ten.
In about half an hour afterwards the first half of
our fleet was engaged, and before half past eleven
the Battle became general. The Elephant's sta
tion Avas in the centre, opposite to the Danish
Commodore, Avho commanded in the Dannebrog",
69, Commodore Fischer, Captain F. Braun. The
Glatton had her station immediately astern of us;
the Ganges, Monarch and Defiance ahead ; the
distance betAveen each not exceeding a half
cable. The judgment Avith Avhich each ship cal
culated her station in that intricate channel, Avas
.admirable throughout. The failure of the three
ships that Avere aground and Avhose force was to
have been opposed to the Trekroner battery, left

#07
this day, as glorious for seamanship as for cou
rage, incomplete."
" About one P. M. feAv if any of the Enemy's
heavy-ships and praams had ceased to fire. The
Isis had greatly suffered by the superior Aveight
of the Provestein's fire ; and if it had not been
for the judicious diversion of it by the Desir6e,
Captain Inman, Avho raked her, and for other
assistance from the Polyphemus, the Isis would
have been destroyed. The Monarch Avas also
suffering severely under the united fire of the
Holstein and Zealand ; the Elephant Avas Avarmly
engaged by the Dannebrog, and by two heavy
praams on her boAv and quarter. Signals of dis
tress were on board the Bellona and Russel, and
of inability from the Agamemnon. The Contest
in general, although from the relaxed state of the
Enemy's fire it might not have given room for
much apprehension as to the result, had certainly
at one P. M. not declared itself in favour of
either side. About this juncture, and in this
posture of affairs, the signal was thrown out on
board the London, for the Action to. cease.
Lord Nelson Avas at this time, as he had been
during the Avhole Action, Avalking the starboard
side of the quarter deck ; sometimes much ani
mated, and at others heroically fine in his obser
vations. When the signal Avas made, the signal
Lieutenant reported it to him. — He continued
his walk, and did not appear to take notice of it.
The Lieutenant meeting his Lordship at the next

608 „
turn, asked, Whether he should repeat it ? Lord
Nelson ansAvered No, acknoxtiledge iti This re
markable Signal was therefore only acknoA\rj
ledged on board of the Elephant, not repeated."
"The Action noAv continued Avith unabated
vigour. About two P. M. the greater part of the
Danish line had ceased to fire : the taking, pos
session of such ships as had struck, Avas however
attended Avith difficulty ; partly by reason of the
batteries on Amak Island protecting them, and
partly because an irregular fire Avas made on our
boats, as they approached, from the ships them
selves. Lord Nelson naturally lost temper at
this, and observed, " That he must either send
on shore and stop this irregular proceeding, or
send in our fire ships and burn them." He ac
cordingly retired into the stern gallery and
wrote, Avith great despatch, that well-knoAvn let
ter addressed to the CroAvn Prince, Avith the ad
dress, To the brothers of Englishmen, the brave
Danes: and in order to sheAv that no hurry had
ensued upon the occasion, he sent for a candle to
the Cockpit, and affixed a larger seal than usual.
This letter Avas conveyed on shore through the
contending Fleets by Captain Sir Frederick The-
siger, Avho acted as his Lordship's Aid-de-Camp;
and Avho found the Prince near the sally port.
While the boat Avas absent, the animated fire of
the ships ahead of us, and the approach of two
of the Commander in Chief's division, the Rami
lies and Defence, caused the remainder of the

609
Enemy's line to the eastward of the Trekroner
to strike. The firing from the CroAvn battery
and. from our leading ships did not cease until
past three o'clock; Avhen the Danish Adjutant
Genera], Lindholm, returning with a flag of
truce, directed the fire of the Battery to be sus
pended. The signal for doing the same, on our
part, Ayas then made from our ship to those en
gaged ; and the action closed after five hours'
duration, four of Avhich Avere warmly contested.
"The ansAver from the Prince Regent Avas to
inquire more minutely into the purport of the
Message, and the folloAving reply Avas returned :
1 Lord Nelson's object in sending the Flag of
Truce Avas Humanity: he therefore consents that-
hostilities shall cease, and that the Avounded
Danes may be taken on shore. And Lord Nel
son Ayill take his prisoners out of the vessels, and
burn and carry off his prizes as he shall think fit.
Lord Nelson, Avith humble duty to H. R. H. the
Prince of Denmark, will consider this the greatest
Victory he has ever gained, if it may be the
cause of a happy reconciliation and union be
tAveen his own most gracious SoA'ereign, and his
Majesty the King of Denmark.' — His Lordship,
having finished this letter, referred the Adjutant,
General to the Commander in--Chief, avIio Avas at
anchor at least four miles off, and followed him
about four o'clock to the London, where that ne
gociation first began, which terminated in an
honourable peace." , 2 R

610
" Early in the morning of the 2d of April, when
it was scarcely light, Lord Nelson repaired, in
his gig, (his usual conveyance) on board of our
ship the Elephant. On the 4th he left the ship,
accompanied by Captains Hardy and Fremantle,
and Avas received Avith all possible attention from
the Prince. The Negociation continued; and
the interim betAveen the 4th and 9th of April
was employed in destroying the prizes, refitting
the fleet, anfl in taking a position with the Bomb-
Vessels and Gun Brigs, in order to open the bom
bardment in the event of hostilities being re-
iieAved. On the 9th, Lord Nelson landed again,
and Avas escorted to the Palace, surrounded by
an immense crowd, who shewed more satisfac
tion on this occasion than on the preceding
one. The Commissioners, who Avere appointed
to adjust the terms of an Armistice, proceeded to
business Avithout delay. The duration of the
Armistice could not hoAvever be adjusted ; and
the conference broke up at tAvo o'clock, for re
ference to the Crown Prince. A levee Avas con
sequently held in one of the state rooms, and his
Lordship then proceeded to a grand dinner up
stairs, the Prince leading the way. They Avere
afterwards closeted together for some time, and
the Prince at length acceded to an Armistice of
fourteen Aveeks duration ; to which Lord Nelson
assenting, with the reservation of the approval of
the Commander in Chief, the party returned on
board." On the succeeding day? April 10, the

611
Danish Commissioners repaired to the London,
where the Terms Avere finally ratified by the
Commander in Chief. Previous to the conven
tion of the 9th, the whole of the Danish prisoners
Avere sent on shore, and receipts had for 6,000
killed, wounded, and taken on the 2d. The
Prizes, which amounted to six line of battle ships
and eight praams, exclusive of one line of battle
ship and tAvo smaller craft burnt and sunk during
the Action, Avere all destroyed, excepting the
Holstein ; she Avas sent to England a\ ith Avounded
men, under the charge of that excellent medical
officer Surgeon Ferguson, who had volunteered
his services Avith Colonel SteAvart during the ser
vice, and Avhose professional skill acquired him
the high opinion of Lord Nelson. The measure
of destroying the Prizes Avas much regretted,
but deemed necessary by the Commander in
Chief, with a view to the ulterior active serAices
of his Fleet.
The Commander in Chief, Sir Hyde Parker,
throughout the whole of this most arduous en
terprise, and in the difficult situation in v.hich
he was ultimately placed, certainly preserved a
candid and honourable conduct. Sir Hyde's be
haviour to Lord Nelson, Avhich has been com
mended in the previous Memoir of this Battle,
was rendered still more liberal by the manner
in Avhich he closed his Official Letter . . . ' His
Lordship has stated so fully c the Avhole of his
proceedings on that day, as only to leave me the
£ Vide Quarto Edit. vol. ii. p. 1" . et seq.

612
opportunity to declare my entire acquiescence
and testimony, of the Bravery and Intrepidity
Avith Avhich the Action was supported throughout
the line; were it possible for me to add any
thing to the well-earned renown of Lord Nelson,
it would be by asserting, that his exertions,
great as they have heretofore been, never Avere
carried to a higher pitch of Zeal for his Country's
service. I have only to lament that the sort of
attack, confined Avithin an intricate and narrow
passage, excluded the ships particularly under
my command from the opportunity of exhibiting
their valour ; but I can Avith great truth assert,
that the same Spirit and Zeal animated the Avhole
of the Fleet'
(1801.) The Memoir of the Battle, Avhich
has already detailed the various occurrences that
took place at Copenhagen, to the conclusion of
the Armistice, next retraces Lord Nelson's pro
ceedings from his being appointed Commander
in Chief, as successor to Sir Hyde Parker. This
intelligence had been conveyed to him, by
Colonel Stewart on his return from England
Avhere he had gone with despatches ; and but
for this1 appointment, such Avas the precarious
state of his Lordship's health, that he had deter
mined on returning home in the Blanche, on the
very day Avhen the account arrived. — " The first
Signal," says the Memoir, " Avhich Lord Nelsoii
made, as Commander in Chief, was to hoist in all
launches and prepare to Aveigh. This at once

613
shewed how different a system was about to be
pursued : it having been intended, that the Fleet
should aAvait at anchor fresh instructions from
England relative to the state of the northern
affairs, an account of which had but lately been
despatched. On the 7th of May, the Fleet left
Kioge Bay, and proceeding tOAvards Bornholm,
anchored in bloAving Aveather off that island. A
favourable wind brought us, on the 12th of May,
into Revel Roads, Avhere he Avas rather dis
appointed at not finding the Russian Fleet: the
early breaking up of the ice had enabled it to
proceed to Cronstadt, three days before our ar
rival. We came to anchor in the outer bay, and
Lord Nelson having -been invited by the Gover
nor, went on shore about noon on the 13th of
May, and Avas received Avith all military honours.
His letter having been forwarded to the Emperor,
great activity Avas exerted in providing the Fleet
Avith fresh meat and vegetables, and the interval
Avas employed by his Lordship in observation,
and in acquiring information of the harbour,
mole and anchorage. On the lfjth of May,
about three P. M. the answer to Lord Nelson's
letter Avas received from Petersburgh. It Avas in
terms expressive of surprise at the arrival of a
British Fleet in a Russian port ; it professed ami
cable intentions toAvards the British Govern
ment, but declined the personal visit of the
Admiral at the Capital, if accompanied by more
than a single ship. Lord Nelson received it a

614 '
few minutes before dinner time; he appeared to
be a good deal agitated by it, but said little, and
did not return an immediate reply. During
dinner, however, he left the table, and in less
than a quarter of an hour sent for me tq peruse
a letter Avhich, in that short absence, he had
composed. This remarkable sentiment was, I
remember, in it, The word of a British Admiral,
when given in explanation of any part of his cop-
duct, was as sacred as that of any Sovereign in
Europe: It concluded with his intention of re
tiring Avith his Fleet from the coasts of Russia.
The signal for preparing to weigh Avas immedi
ately made ; the answer above mentioned Avas
sent on shore, and although contracts had been
entered into for fresh provisions, &c. for the
Fleet, his Lordship would not admit of the least
delay ; but caused it to Aveigh and to stand as far
to Sea as Avas safe for that evening. It Avas only-
dark for an hour or Iavo, during Avhich time we
lay to, and at dawn of day proceeded doAvn the
Baltic. When off Bornholm, Ave Avere joined by
the Squadron under Captain Murray. A de
tachment from the Fleet Avas then sent off tq
Kioge Bay> and another to Dantzic, Avhile Lord
Nelson himself proceeded Avith a feAv ships to
Rostock B?.y "
"At Rostock not an hour Avas lost in procuring
fresh provisions for the Fleet. The greatest ve
neration was here shewn to the name of Nelson ;
and some distant inland towns of Mecklinburgh,

615
sent even deputations, with their public books of
record, to have his name Avritten in them by
himself. Boats were constantly roAving round his
flag ship the St. George Avith persons of respect
ability in them, avIio Avere anxious to catch a
momentary sight of this illustrious man. He
did not again land Avhilst in the Baltic ; his health
Avas not good, and his mind was not at ease :
Avith him mind and health invariably sympathised.
The day after our arrival off Rostock, on the
26th of May, 1801, a Russian lugger brought the
reply from Count Pahlen, to Lord Nelson's letter
Avritten on leaving Revel. The effect intended
by that letter had been fully felt at Petersburgh :
a more flattering communication Avas perhaps
never made from a Sovereign to the subject of
another power, than Avas conveyed in the Minis
ter's reply. It apologized for any misconception
of his Lordship's views in having entered Revel
roads, it expressed an anxious wish that Peace
should be restored on the most solid basis; and
in a particular manner invited Lord Nelson to
St. Petersburgh, in whatever mode might be
most agreeable to himself. The lugger, on leav
ing our Fleet with Lord Nelson's ansAver to this
gracious letter, fired a salute ; an act which
implies much more in the Russian service than in
many others. Lord Nelson's observation to me,
on my return from the shore, Avas, Did you hear
that little fellow salute ? Well now, there is peace

616
with Russia, depend on it : Our jaunt to Revel
was not so bad-after all.
" After being at anchor some days off Rostock,
we returned to Kioge Bay on the 5th or 6th of
June, but remained there only to complete our
water, Avhich could not be done at RostoCk; and
to arrange the stations of the various Squadrons
that Avere constantly kept on the move. Lord '
Nelson's principle Avas to keep all hands employed,
and he used to say, No matter hoxo, and no matter
xohere. The St. George made her last cruise
with Lord Nelson's flag on board, off Bornholm,
betAveen the 9th and 13th of June; on Avhich
latter day he received the sanction of the Ad
miralty for his return to England, and the in
structions of his Majesty to invest Rear Admiral
Graves Avith the Order of the Bath. This cere
mony Avas performed Avith all possible dignity on
the 14th of June, on the quarterdeck of the St.
George, Lord Nelson laying the Sword on the
Rear Admiral's shoulder in the name of the King ;
he accompanied this by a very dignified and ani
mated speech. Sir Charles Maurice Pole arrived
a feAv days afterwards in the iEolus frigate, and
received the chief command." On the 19th
Lord Nelson embarked in the Kite brig, Captain
Digby, and sailed for England. By this last
act, in declining the use of a frigate, he sheAved
his usual preference for the good of the Service,
over every consideration of personal convenience.

617
FeAv Admirals, dignified as he justly Avas, have
chosen to return from their station in so small a
vessel. He landed at Yarmouth on the first
of July, and immediately visited the Hospitals
where the Avounded had been conveyed after the
Battle of Copenhagen. He Avas escorted to
LoAvestoffe by the volunteer cavalry ; and on his
arriA-al in London proceeded to the house of Sir
William Hamilton.
(1S01.) XIV. During the summer Govern
ment received intelligence that the Invasion of
Great Britain by France might be certainly ex
pected, and the general Avish of the Nation that
Lord Nelson should be the guardian of that part
of its southern coast, where it was expected the
Enemy A\-ould make the attempt, Avas gratified
by the plan Avhich the vigilance of Earl St. Vin
cent had proposed, of placing the AA-hole of the
force applicable to that particular service, under
the command of Lord Nelson, who Avas to have
no other duty to perform, than that of attending
to this important object. He accordingly pro
ceeded to the Coast, and on the 30th of July
hoisted his flag in the Doavus. His private let
ters to Earl St. Vincent* contain a detail of what
he called '' this boat warfare" on the coast of
France : which, he added, " is not exactly con
genial to my feelings, and I find I get laughed
at for mv puny mode of attack.'' A serious
attack was however made on tlie French Flo-
; Vide Quarto Edit. vol. ii. pages 293—304.

618
tilla ofets'ide the pier of Boulogne, on the 15th
of August, and' on the 16th he sent the folloAV-
ing account of it, dated on board the Medusa,
off that Port : " My dear Lord : I am sorry to tell
you that I have not succeeded in bringing out or
destroying the Enemy's Flotilla, moored in the
mouth of the harbour of Boulogne. The most
astonishing Bravery Avas evinced by many of our
officers and men, and Captains Somerville, Cot
grave, and Parker exerted themselves to the
utmost." (Captain Jones OAving to the rapidity
of the tide Avas driven to the Avestward of the
line.) " Con in the command of the HoAvitzer
Boats did every thing Avhich was possible: indeed
all behaved Avell, and it Avas their misfortune to
be sent on a Service in Avhich the precautions of
the Enemy had rendered it impossible to succeed.
We have lost many brave officers and men, 172
killed and Avounded. My gallant, dear friend,
Captain Parker, Avho Avas my Aid-de-Camp, had
his thigh very much shattered ; I have u^ fears
for his life. Lieutenant Frederick Langford, my
Flag Lieutenant, avIio has served Avith me many
years, Avas shot through the leg in attempting,
with Parker, to board the French Commodore.
The Flotilla, Brigs and Flats, were moored by the
bottom to the shore, and to each other with
chains ; therefore although several of them Avere
carried, yet the very heavy fire of musketry from
the shore Avhich overlooked the Flotilla, forced
our people to desist, without being able, as I am

619
told, to set them on fire. No person can be
blamed for sending them to the attack but my
self. 1 kneAV the difficulty of the undertaking,
therefore I ventured to ask your opinion. Your
kind letter I received half an hour before the
Attack. Captain Somerville, Avhom I never saw
until a feAv days ago, sheAved all possible courage
and good conduct, and succeeded completely in
the fighting part of the business." Lord Nelson
in his public letter added, " Owing to the dark
ness of the Night, Avith the tide and half tide,
Avhich must ahvays make attacks in the Night,
on the Coasts of the Channel, very uncertain,
the Divisions separated ; and from all not arriv
ing at the same happy moment Avith Captain
, , Parker, is to be attributed the Avant of success.
But I beg to be perfectly understood, that not
the smallest blame attaches itself any Avhere :
for although the Divisions' did not arrive alto
gether, yet each, except the Fourth which could
not be got up before day, made a successful at
tack on that part of the enemy they fell in Avith,
and actually took possession of many Brigs and
Flats, particularly the Commodore. The moment
the Battle ceased on board, such vollies upon
vollies of musquetry Avere fired directly on the
rr decks, the Enemy being perfectly regardless of
their own men, that it was impossible even to
remain on board to burn them. AHoav me, Avho
have seen much service this War, to say,. Thaft
more determined, persevering Courage, I never

620
witnessed ; and that nothing but the impossibility
of being successful, from the Causes I have men
tioned, could have prevented my having to con
gratulate their Lordships on bringing off the
Enemy's Flotilla."
(1801.) Lord Nelson retained his command
until October; on the 10th of Avhich inonth
General Lauriston, first Aid de Camp to Buona
parte, arrived in London Avith the ratification of
the Preliminaries of Peace. The manner in
which the Mob complimented this French Officer
gave great offence to Nelson; and in writing
to Dr. Baird the next day, he said, " Can you
cure Madness ? for I am mad to read that Ens:-
lishmen dragged a Frenchman's carriage. I am
ashamed for my Country.'1 In a letter to Mr. Da
vison, his Lordship aftenvards observed, " Eng
land called loudly for Peace, and uoav I see itis
to be abused ; but Englishmen never are satis
fied full nor fasting." — Again, in a letter to Earl
St. Vincent, " Most heartily do I congratulate
you on being a member of that Administration,
which has been able to comply Avith the almost
unanimous Avishes of the Country. All hands
must noAv try to keep French Men and French
Principles out of our happy Country."
Lord Nelson soon aftenvards returned to Eng*
land, and Avent to. the Villa he had purchased at
Merton. One of the first steps Avhich he appears
to have taken afterwards, Avas addressing a letter

621
to the Lord Mayor, respecting the silence in
Avhich the Victory of Copenhagen had been
passed over by the City of London. The Admiral
notices this remonstrance Avhen writing to Earl
St. Vincent from Merton, Nov. 20, and after
wards thus expressed himself on the subject to
Mr. Davison : " The City of London has never
yet failed noticing Sea Victories, and I trust, as
the first commercial City in the World, it never
will. I remember a feAv years back, on my ob
serving to a Lord Mayor, that if the City con
tinued its generosity, we should ruin them by
their Gifts, his Lordship put his hand on my
shoulder and said, ' Do you find Victories and xve
will find Rewards.' I have kept my Avord', and
have since found two complete Victories — I have
a fair and honourable claim ; my part of the
contract has been now doubly fulfilled."
(1802.) On the 26th of April, Lord Nelson lost
his excellent Father, who expired at Bath in the
79th year of his age. He had been previously af
flicted by the death of his early friend and patron
Lieutenant Governor Locker, at Greenwich Hos
pital; and in order to recruit his health and
spirits, in the month of July made a tour into
Wales with Sir W.' and Lady Hamilton. The
Freedom of the cities of Monmouth, Hereford,
and Worcester Avas presented to his Lordship in
the most complimentary manner; and the grati
tude of his countrymen \vas publicly displayed
throughout the whole excursion. On returning

622
to Merton his time Avas principally occupied iri
his little farm, and in directing the altera
tions he had projected. " I am really," said
he in Avriting to Mr. Davison in October, "so
very little in the Avorld, that I knoAv of nothing
beyond a neAvspaper. I own myself selfish enough
to Avish you in St. James's Square ; for at your
breakfast I heard all that Avas going on in the
great Avorld, and it was a central place Avhere
any one could meet me. I have seen Mr. Ad-
dington and Lord St. Vincent several times; but
our conversations Avere like Swift's and Lord
Oxford's. Yet it was not difficult to discover,
that we felt our importance in the scale of Europe
degraded, if Buonaparte were -alloAved to act as;
he has lately done ; and that it Avas necessary for
us to speak a dignified language."
After the Battle of Copenhagen his Majesty
had created the noble Admiral a Viscount, and
during the month of August, 1801, the Pa
tent of Entail of his Lordship's rank Avas an
nounced, in Avhich the Dukedom of Bronte Avas
first mentioned. These honours Avere entailed
on bis Lordship's Father, and after his death on
the Rev. Dr. William Nelson, his only surviving
Son: and in case of default of heirs male from that
branch, they were also entailed, first on the heirs
male of his Lordship's sister Susannah, avIio had
married Mr. Bolton, and secondly on the heirs
male of his Lordship's sister Catharine, AA'ho
had married Mr. Matcham.

623
Anno (1803.) XV. On the breaking out
of the present War, Lord Nelson was
appointed Commander in Chief in the Mediter
ranean, of which he received official notice on
the 16th of May. On the 18th he left London
very early, and arriving about noon at Ports
mouth, hoisted his flag on board the Victory,
Captain S. Sutton, Captain George Murray first
Captain ; and sailed on the 20th, in company
with the Amphiou, Captain T. M. Hardy. On
the 22d, they Avent to the black Rocks off Brest
lo meet Admiral CornAvallis, who had been bloAvn
off his station ; and it blowing strong all day on
the 23d, his Lordship, in obedience to his orders,
shifted his flag on board the Amphion, and pro
ceeded to the Mediterranean. He immediately
entered upon the duties of his station Avith his
accustomed Energy, and on the 28th of June,
sent a vey luminous vieAvc of the Mediterranean.
States to Mr. Addington, dated Amphion, be
tAveen Sardinia and Naples. In July he arrived
©ff Toulon, and on the 30th of that month, the
Victory having joined the Fleet, Lord Nelson
shifted his flag on board from the Amphion. The
subsequent Narrati\'e principally consists of a
selection from the extensive Correspondence
which his Lordship carried on with the Ministers
at home, with the different States in the Medi
terranean, and with various eminent Officers in
• Vide Quarto Edit. vol. ii. p. 31 6.

624
the Navy and Army Avith whom he Avas asso
ciated. (1803.) To Mr. Addington, August 24, off
Toulon. — "I am looking for the French Squadron,
perhaps you may think impatiently; but I have
made up my mind never to ^o into port until
after the Battle, even if they should make me
Avait a year; provided the Admiralty change the
ships which cannot keep the Sea in Avinter, ex
cept Victory, Canopus, Donegal, and Belleisle.
This day only six men are confined to their beds
in the whole Squadron. August 95. My station
to the Avestward of Toulon, an unusual one, has
been taken upon an idea that the French Fleet is
bound out of the Straits, and probably to Ireland.
It is said 10,000 men are collecting at Toulon.
I shall folio av them to the Antipodes. September
27. The French are not yet out, although about
a fortnight ago they made an appearance of
doing so ; indeed some of their ships Avere out
side of the harbour, but I rather think it Avas to
get some exercise. However they took Wit in
their Anger and returned again. The Spaniards are
noAv so very uncivil to our ships, that I suppose Ave
shall not be much longer friends. I haAre Avritten
to Mr. Frere at Madrid, to entreat that he would
take every possible means to give me the earliest
information of hostilities; and have pointed out
to him the length of time Avhich Avould elapse be
fore I could knoAV it through England, and the
very great importance of my knoAving it. Oct.

025
6. The French Admiral mounted yesterday morn
ing his Sea Vane, which a landsman would not
notice; but it gives a certainty to my mind that
they wish to put to sea, and never Avas a Squa
dron of British ships more anxious to meet them.
'Till the Battle is over . I hope to Avrite to you no
more; whether I survive it or not/ my name
shall never bring a blush on my friends."
(1803.) To H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, 'off
Toulon, Oct. 15. " I am absolutely, Sir, begin
ning this letter in a fever of the mind : It is
thick as butter milk, and blowing a Levanter,
and the Narcissus has just spoke me to say, ' she
boarded a Vessel, and they understood that the
men had seen, a few days before, tAvelve Sail of
Ships of War off Minorca. It was in the dusk,
and he did not know Avhich Avay they Avere steer
ing.' This is the whole Story and a lame one.
On the 8th the French Fleet, as counted by Cap
tain Boyle, was eight Sail of the Line, four Fri
gates, and some Corvettes. On the 9th it blew
a tremendous Storm at N. W. Avhich lasted till
the 12th, since Avhich time, although Seahorse
and Renown are endeavouring to reconnoitre, it
is so thick that I do not think they can either
see into Toulon, or find me if they do, Your
Royal Highness Avill readily imagine my feelings,
although I cannot bring my mind to believe
they are actually out ; but to miss them — God
forbid! They are my Superior in numbers, but
in every thing else, I believe, I have the happi-
2 S

6v6
ness of commanding the finest Squadron in the
World, Victory,. Kent,, Superb, Triumph, Bellpigje,
and Renown! If I should miss these Fellows,
my heart av ill * break. - Oct. 16. The' Seahorse
(Captain C. Boyle) spoke me in the Night; and
„ made, knoAvn that the Enemy Aver e in the same
state as Avhen last reconnoitred on the 8th : I
believe this was the only time irr my Life, that I
was glad to hear the French Averein Port."
(1803) On the 24th of October, his Fleet being
very short of water, and not finding either the
Renown or Canopus, Avhich had been detached,
join, the Admiral determined to go to ihe An
chorage amongst the Madelena. Islands to the
north of Sardinia, where Sir R. Bickerton had
been previously, sent by an Admiralty order from
Sir Thomas Troubridge. Capt. Ross Donnelly
Avas accordingly left with the Narcissus and Sea
Horse, Hon. C.Boyle, to Avatch the French Fleet.
The entrance to this Anchorage, through the
Straits of Bonifacqio Avas at all, times, perilous,
owing to sunken rocks over Avhich the, passage
lay; and these dangers Avere then, in creased by
heaA'y gales Avith dark and squally Aveather. Some
pf the sh'Ps passed in so extraordinary a manner,
that their Captains could only consider it as a
providential interposition in favour of the great
Officer Avho commanded the Fleet, On the 31st
they anchored in Agincourt Sound,, and on the.
following morning Lord Nelson despatched a let
ter to the Marquis de St. Andr.6, Viceroy of S.arr

627
dinia, informing his Excellency of thearrival of
the Fleet at that place, for the pafpose of getting
refreshments for the Crews ; and in writing at
the same time to Mr. Jackson, his Lordship thus
expressed his opinion of the anchorage : " What
a noble' harbour is formed* by these islands, the
world cannot produce a finer. This is not a very
plentiful place, but still I hope Ave shall' be al
lowed to purchase what Ave can obtain for our
money ; for the stated supplies of thirty bullocks
for each ship might do very Avell, if they each
Aveighed 700lb, but Avhat Ave get are only from
150 to 2 JOlh : and although the King of Sardinia
may not be at Atoir Avith the French, yet if for
Avant of refreshments this Fleet be laid up,
I believe the French would not scruple to take
Sardinia and Sicily. The Sardinians generally-
speaking are attached to us ; but there are French
intriguers amongst them, and I understand they
hope to bring about a revolt." On the 7th of
November the Fleet unmoored and proceeded to
its Station off Toulon ; and on the 24th Avas joined
by the Excellent, 74, Captain Sotheron, from
England. , *
' To Earl St. Vincent, off P alma, Dec. 19.— "I
have received your kind letters by the Excellent,
Avhiclrjoined me on the 24th of November. The
Station 1 chose to the AvqstAvard of Sicie, was to
answer tAvo important purposes; one, to prevent
the junction of a Spanish Fleet to the westAvard,
and the other, to be to AvindAvard so as to enable
2 s 2

. 628
me, if the north easterly gale came on to the
N. N. W. or N. N. E. to take shelter in a few
hours either under the Hieres Islands or Cape St.
Sebastian ; and I have hitherto found the advan
tage of that position. Spain having settled her
Neutrality, I am taking my winter's station un
der St. Sebastian to avoid the heavy seas in the
Gulf, and shall keep frigates off Toulon. From
September, Ave have experienced such a series of
bad weather as is rarely met with ; and I am
sorry to say, that all the ships which have been
from England in the late war have severely felt
it. I had ordered the transports, Avith provisions,
to meet me at St. Pierres, but as yet they have
not made their appearance ; and although this
day Ave average three months provisions, yet I
wish to keep them complete to near five months.
I knoAv no way of watching the Enemy but to
be at sea, and therefore good ships are necessary.
The Superb is in a very weak state ; but Keats
is so superior to any difficulties, that I hear but
little from her. Sir Richard Bickerton is a very
steady good Officer, and fully to be relied upon.
George Campbell you knoAv."
(1803.) To Sir T. Troubridge, Dec. 21, off Cor
sica. — " Were I, my dear Troubridge, to begin
describing all the complaints and wants of this
Fleet, it Avould be exactly the same, 1 dare say,
as you receive from all other stations ; but as it
can be attended Avith no good effect, I shall save
myself the trouble of Avriting, and you of reading

629,
them. The storekeeper has sent two ships to the
Adriatic to land hemp, and therefore 1 hope that
Ave shall in time, get rope to supply our wants.*
The Kent is gone to Malta, fit only for a sum
mer's passage. They are still under such alarm
at Naples, that I cannot withdraw the Gibraltar.
I have submitted to Sir Richard Strachan, Avhether
the state of the French ships at Cadiz Avould alloAv
of his coming to me for six Aveeks ? for although
I have no fears of the event of a Battle with six
to their eight, yet if I can have eight to their
eight I shall not despise the equality. I have
just been to the southern end of Sardinia, having
ordered the transports Avith provisions to meet
me at St. Pierre's; but it bleAv such a tremendous
storm, that Ave could not get in. It hoAvever
turned out fortunate, for after the gale we gof^
into the Gulf of Palma, Avhich is Avithout excep
tion the finest open roadstead I ever saw. I shall
send you the plan of it and soundings, taken
by the Master of the Victory, an eleve of Hallo-
Avell's ; I have him here to make him a Lieute
nant. I have six frigates and sloops Avatching
the French Army in the Adriatic and at the mouth
of the Archipelago."
On leaving the Bay of Palma, the Fleet being
g Instructions had been sent out by our Government to Mr.
feton. who had been appointed the superintendant of Quarantine
at Malta, to proceed to the Black Sea, and purchase in the Bus-
sian dominions a certain proportion of Naval Stores and Provision*
for the supply of our Fleet in the Mediterranean.

630
in want of Avater, Lord Nelson stood again for
Agincourt Sound, Madelena Islands, and on the
21st of Dec. sent Capt. R. Donnelly to ascertain
whether the French Fleet Avas still in TCulon.
(1803.) In Avriting towards the close of this
year-to Governor Sir T/lrigge at Gibraltar, Lord
Nelson mentioned the relative state of his OAvn
force with that of the b Enemy. "I am sorry,
(added he) to be obliged to take Donegal from
your vicinity for a feAv Aveeks, but the absence
of Kent, Stately, tind" Gibraltar, Avhich are never
likely to be of any ser\'ice again in this Country,
renders it absolutely necessary with the present
Fleet of the Enemy ; they are noAV ten to our
b List of the British and? French Fleets in the Mediterranean at
the close of 1803,' as sent by Lord Nelson.
FRENCH.
"(As given in a list found on board a captured French schooner.)
Neptune  .80 Intrepide   74
Formidable  80 Atlas  74
Indomptable  80 Hannibal  74
MontBlanc  74 Swiftsure  • . . 74
Scipion  ! ... 74 Berwick  . ... 74
BRITISH.
Victory  100 Excellent  74
Canopuii  80 Triumph  74
Superb  74 Renown  74
Belleisle  74
Early ift the ensuing year the Royal Sovereign for the flag of -Sir
R. Bickerton, and the Leviathan, were sent to the Mediterranean,
appears by Admiralty letter, Jan. 13, 1604. And it was also the
intention of the Board to send out 100 men, and the same number
of boys, if they could be raised, to supply the deficiencies in the
complements 0/ the Mediterranean Fleet.

6S1
seven, and although I have no fears for the re
sult of a Battle Avith our present force, yet if I
could have more and had not, I Should consider
myself very reprehensible." '',
jEut *6 (1804.) On the 4th of January, the
Fleet Aveighed at day light from the Ma-
delena Islands, and in consequence of informa
tion they received, his Lordship directed Captain
Parker of the Amazon to remain at anchor, and
use his utmost endeavours in preventing the In*
vasion of the French, and give every aid and
assistance in his poAver to the inhabitants should
it be attempted. In a letter on the first of J a*-
nuarv to Sir R. Bickerton, the, Admiral had in-
formed him, that General Colli, an old Piedmont
tese Officer, or his sou, Avas at Ajaccio to come
over Avith the Expedition, and all the refugee
Sardes Avere ordered to be assembled there,
victualled, and to receive pa}' every da}\ " I
have the Order," added he, " signed Berthier,
taken iu a packet boat a feAv days ago-by a Gib
raltar privateer."
The conduct of Spain toAvards Great Britain,.
in refusing to furnish our Fleet Avith supplies,
roused the indignation of Nelson, and, in
writing to Mr. Frere, January 23, he thus ex
pressed his sentiments. " If this goes on, you
may acquaint them that I will anchor in Roses
with the squadron, and receive our daily sup
plies, Avhich Avill offend the French much more
than our staying at sea. Refreshments we have

632
a right to, as long as Ave remain at peace." — In
another letter on the same day to Mr. Frere, he
added, " I have just received information which
leads me to believe, that the French Fleet is
either at sea or on the eve of it, and bound to
the eastward, towards Naples or Sicily. I am
this moment making sail in the direction I think
most likely to intercept them." — On the 26th of
January, our Fleet accordingly anchored at Ma-
delena, as a central situation Avhich defended
Sardinia, and enabled the Admiral to cover Na
ples, and to be in the Avay of meeting the Enemy
should they be bound elsewhere. " I am dis
tressed," said he in Avriting to Sir John Acton on
the 30th, " for frigates, Avhich are the Eyes of a
Fleet; for the terrible Avinter we, have had, has
obliged me to send three into port to be refitted:
however, I trust, Ave shall fall in Avith the Enemy
and do the business. Your Excellency knows
that with all the care and attention possible, it
has happened that fleets have passed each other ;
therefore Lneed not apprise you, hoAv necessary
it is to keep a good look out for them." — On the
Sth of February Lord Nelson again took shelter
in Madelena harbour from the blowing and se
vere Aveather that preA'ailed. According to his
Diary, " The Fleet ran in under reefed foresails
through the Eastern Passage, Avhich looked tre
mendous from the number of rocks, and the
heavy sea breaking over them; but it is per
fectly safe Avhen once known. Captain Rives'

633
mark of the pedestal rock can never be mis
taken." (i804.) NotAvithstanding his intelligence of
the Toulon Fleet being ready to put to sea,
Avhich the Admiral continued to receive, they
were still unwilling to encounter an inferior
force, commanded by Nelson, and remained in
port. A small squadron of French frigates,
however, got along shore into Ville Franche ;
and under cover of the dark nights, during the
northerly gales of Avind, crossed over to Corsica
with 1000 men. From the number of troops at
that time collecting in the south of France and
northern parts of Italy, together with the prepa
ration of transports both at Genoa and Leghorn,
and intelligence that the French Army had baked
a month's bread, the Admiral Avas of opinion,
as he informed Mr. Frere,. Avhilst off the Hieres
Islands, March 8, that an Expedition must be
intended. To Sir J Duckxoorth, March 19th— " There
is, not a man in the Avorld, that rejoices more
at the happy conclusion you have given to
the French Expedition to St. Domingo, than
myself, and for all your Avell-earned successes :
your perseverance deserves to be amply re-
Avarded- I hope to hold out, to beat your friend
Admiral Latoiiche Treville, who took the com
mand at Toulon the moment of his arrival there.
He Avas sent for on purpose, as he beat me at
Boulogne, to beat me again ; but he seems very

634
loth to try." — To Sir R. Bickerton, April 7- u A*
the Enemy's Fleet has been out,1 and may still
be at sea, and as I should be very sorry to baulk
their inclinations of a Battle by your superiority
of numbers: You will therefore, whenever I
make the signal, haul from us to the southward,
furl your topgallant sails so as not to be disco
vered from the shore, and just keep sight of us
from the mast-head ; and make the signal for ,
your division (except Excellent, who is going
toAvards Toulon) and do you call in Belleisle,
unless I should call her by signal to me."
The preparations which he had made to insure
success, in case of an action taking place, mark
the great abilities of this extraordinary Man.
With him every thing Avas always ready, each
difficulty forestalled, and throughout his Fleet
every Officer possessed clear ideas of the mode of
attack Avhich his Admiral Avished to adopt, should
circumstances admit of it. A considerable lati
tude Avas also uniformly given to the experience
and observation of such Officers, as might be
placed in situations that Avould render a change
in any preconcerted plan advisable. On the 28th
of April, Lord Nelson had issued the folloAving
Instructions, Avhich are copied from the order
book of the Hon. Captain C. Boyle then of the
1 The French Fleet camaout of Toulon on the 5th of April,
and went in again the next morning. Lord Nelson when inform
ing his Excellency Mr. Frere: of this, added, " If they go on play
ing out and in, wc shall some day get at them."

635 -'
Seahorse. " As it is my intention to attack the
French Fleet, in any place where there is a rea
sonable prospect of getting fairly alongside of
them, and as I think that in Hieres Bay, Gour-
jean Bay, Port Especia, Leghorn Roads, Ajaccio,
and many other places, opportunities may offer
of attacking them; I therefore recommend, that
every Captain should make himself, by inquiries,
as fully acquainted Avith the above places as is
possible ... In going in to attack an Enemy's Fleet,
it is. recommended to have the launch out and
haAvsers and stream anchors in her; and with any
other boats, to lie out of gun shot, ready to cut
as circumstances may require. Ships in bringing
up, will anchor as their Captains may think best
from circumstances of winds, weather, and the
position of the Enemy : But I strongly recom
mend having the four large anchors clear for
letting go, because I know from experience the
great difficulty Avith crippled masts and yards, of
getting an anchor over the side ; and it is pro
bable that it may be necessary to remove the
ship a'fter an Action, and to leave, some of her
anchors behind. The ships will anchor in such
a manner, as to give each other mutual support
for the destruction of the Enemy."
(1804.) On the 24th of May, Monsieur La-
touche Treville again stood out of Toulon Avith a
few ships, and nearly brought to action the Ca-
nopus, Donegal, and Amazon, which had been
detached to reconnoitre. The main body of our

636
Fleet had remained far out of sight 6f land, and
the weather being fair, Rear Admiral Campbell
in the Canopus had heen tempted to stand in
close to the Port. On the near approach of our
ships it fell almost calm ; when the French gun
boats stood tOAvards them and began firing, Avhich
was returned. A moderate breeze springing up,
five of the Enemy's line of battle ships, and three
heavy frigates, endeavoured to cut off our ships.
Admiral Campbell Avell knoAving of Avhat import
ance it Avas that his squadron should not be crip
pled by so superior a force, strove only to lead
the Enemy toAvards our Fleet ; but they having
chased about five leagues from Toulon, during
which a partial firing Avas kept up from our ships,
and particularly from Sir R. Strachan in the
Donegal, AA'ho Avith difficulty refrained from
close action, the Enemy Avas recalled, at three
quarters past three P. M.
It was so extraordinary and rare a circum
stance, for the French Admiral to appear even
Avithout the port, in Avhich he had been long
blockaded by an inferior force, that Latouche
Treville could not resist from declaring, he had
chased the xvhole British Fleet, xvhich had fled before
him. It was some months until Lord Nelson
heard of this letter, Avhich Avas almost too much
for his antigallican spirit and love of truth to
endure ; and being already indignant at the
falsehoods Avhich Latouche Treville had circu
lated at Boulogne, his Lordship thus expressed

637
his feelings, in a letter to Mr. Bulkeley. " You
will have read of my running away from Mons.
Latouche; but as I have" Avritten to the Admiralty,
if my Character is not established by this time
for not being apt to run aAvay, it is not worth
my Avhile to put the World" right. I never Avas
more surprised than to see the felloAv's letter;
but the next French Paper makes a sort of apo
logy." And in Avriting to his brother William
he said, " You will have seen, my dear Brother,
Latouche's letter ; hoxo he chased me, and hoxo I
ran. I keep it ; and if I take him, by God he shall
eat it"
(1804.) On the change of Ministers which
took place during this year, in the month of May,
Lord Melville succeeded Earl St. Vincent as
First Lord of the Admiralty. On hearing of this
event, Lord Nelson sent the folloAving letter,
dated June 18, to Sir John Acton; Avho, at the
desire of Buonaparte, had been obliged to resign
his situation: "The great change of Ministry
cannot, unless it gives us Peace, Avhich I think
by no means improbable, make any alterations
respecting Russia and the assistance Avhich our
Country is in duty and honour bound to give
Naples. Mons. Latouche came out on the 14th.
I was off the Hieres Avith five ships; he had eight
of the line and six frigates. In the evening he
n Lord Nelson felt it incumbent on him for the satisfaction of
the Admiralty to send home a copy of the Victory's Log.

638
Stood under Sepet again, and I believe I may
call it, we chased him into Toulon the morning of
the 15th. F,am satisfied he meant nothing be
yond a gasconade; but I am confident when he
is ordered for any service, that he will risk falling
in with us and the event of a Battle, to try and
accomplish his Orders."
(1804.) The anxiety with Avhich he at that
time watched his gasconading Enemy in Toulon,
was much increased by the tempestuous Aveather
which our crazy ships had to encounter. Al
though the spirit of Nelson pervaded the Avhole
squadron and surmounted every difficulty, yet'
the fatigue, of mind Avhich he thus constantly
endured Avith a weak and sickly frame, is hardly
to fye credited. On the 17th of July, his agita
tion at the thoughts of having suffered some of
the French ships tp escape, is thus described in
a hurried note which he addressed to Admiral
Campbell: "The French ships have either altered
their an/jhorage, or some of them have got to sea
in the late gales; the idea has given me half a
fever." — In the afternoon Captain Moubray made
the signal of the Enemy being all in harbour:
this, however, did not quite allay the Admiral's
agitation, as expressed in another note, Avhichhe
sent to Sir R. Bickerton: "I have been in a
little a]arm at the idea of Mons. Latouche having
given me the slip ; and it is not quite cleared up.
I am sending Active and Thunder off Marseilles
for information; for I am sure if that Admiral

639
Avere to cheat me out of my hopes of meeting-
him, it would kill me much easier than one of
his balls. Since we sat down to dinner, Captain
Moubray has made the signal, but I am very far
from being easy. I shall place Seahorse and
Amazon close in shore, in order to examine Tou
lon every way to morrow."
(1804.) On the 31st of July, Lord Nelson, in
order to shelter his Fleet from the prevailino-
gales of Avind, and to unload some Transports
which had arrived, made the signal to take. shel
ter in the Gulf of Palma. The boisterous weather
continuing the whole of tlie next day, they kept
the anniversary of the first of August in that Bay,
which his ,Lordship notices in writing to Sir A.
Ball on the 3d. The mind qf the GoA^ernor of
Malta and his opinions Avere congenial with those
of Nelson, and a similarity of talent gradually
cemented a friendship betAveen them, which their
first acquaintance" had by no means promised.
0 Sir Alexander Bail first became acquainted with Nelson when
he visited France in 1783, and resided for -a short time at St.
Orcer's. They parted in some degree prejudiced against each
other. After a long interval, they again met when Captain Ball
was attached to the squadron which Earl St. Vincent, in 1 798,
sent up the Mediterranean under Sir Horatio. The prejudice
which be had imbibed at St. Omer' s still remained, and. on his
first interview with Captain Ball, Nelson observed, " What do
you expect by going with me, do you wish to get your bones
broken ?'' — " I did not, Sir,'' replied Captain Ball, " come into ihe
Service to save my bones : I hnovayou are going on a perilous service,
and I am therefore happy to go -with you." — During the subsequent

640
" I have received, my dear Ball," said his Lord
ship, "your sketch of the views of the French in
the Mediterranean,, on the whole outline of
which I perfectly agree with you ; and on the
smaller part there are only shades of difference.
1 knoAv the importance of Malta; but, my friend, I
fancy I also know hoAv far its importance extends :
on this point Ave may differ, but Ave both agree,
that it never must be even risked falling into the
hands of France . . . Look at the position of Sar
dinia, I have touched I recollect before upon that
subject, and you should be Viceroy. I have
warned the folks at home, but I fear in vain : Al-
giers will be French in one year after peace —
you see it, and a man may run and read, that is
the plan of Buonaparte. Respecting Egypt I
agree Avith you most perfectly. And hoav, my
dear Ball, I will not plague you with my non
sensical ideas any more ; and have only to hope
Mons. Latouche, Avho says in his letter to Paris
that I ran aAvay from him, will give me an op
portunity of settling my account before I go
home, which cannot be much longer deferred,
or I shall never go."
(1804.) His wish to return home for a short
repose from such incessant fatigue, was at times
increased by a fear of not having sufficient in-
tempest in the Gulf of Lyons, the talents and greatness of mind
of Captain Ball won the heart of Sir Horatio ; and from that hour
the utmost intimacy and mutual regard existed, as has been seen,
between these Officers.

641
terest, as he modestly thought, fo continue in
the command of a Meet, Avhose conduct he so
uniformly approved : " You will, I am sure, " said
he in Avriting to Sir E. Nepean, Aug. 4, " see with
regret, that my shattered carcase requires rest.
The leaving this Fleet Avhere every one wishes to
please me, and tvhere I am as happy as it is pos
sible for a man to be in a command, must make
me feel : but I oAve it to my King and Country,
and to myself, not to let the Service suffer upon
my account. I have not Interest, nor can I ex
pect to be permitted to return in the spring -to
this command. Yet is this place, perhaps, more
fitted for me than any other, but I submit. All
my Avishes now rest that I may meet Mons. La-
touchebefore October is over." — In a letter about
the same time to Count Mocenigo at Corfu, when
speaking of the possibility that Latouche might
after all elude his vigilance, Nelson added what
it behoves all naval men to remember^-iw Sea
Affairs, nothing is impossible and nothing impro
bable. During the preceding month of July, the floats
of the Narcissus, Captain Ross. Donnelly, of the
Seahorse, Hon. C. Boyle, and of the Maidstone,
Hon. George Elliot, had on the 9th made a most
gallant attack on about twelve of the Enemy's
vessels at la Vandour in the Bay of Hieres. These
boats had been sent in under the orders of Mr.
Johu Thompson, first Lieutenant pf the Narcis
sus' who with his gallant companions, as is nar-
2 T

642,
rated in Capt. Donnelly's official letter, boarded
and destroyed almost the Avhole under a prodi
gious fire of great guns and musketry, as Avell
from the enemy's vessels, as from a battery and
the houses of the toAvn, close to Avhich they had
been hauled in and secured. The attack com
menced at midnight. The Enemy Avere fully
prepared, and had taken every precaution to se
cure their vessels, by mooring them head and
stern. Lord Nelson in sending an account of
this daring enterprise to the Admiralty, August
12, said, " The determined bravery of Lieute
nants Thompson, Parker, Lumley and Moore, and
of the petty officers, seamen, and marines em
ployed under them could not be exceeded. I am
concerned to observe, that Lieutenant Lumley
has been obliged to suffer amputation at the shoul
der joint; but I have much pleasure in saying,
that this fine young man is fast recovering : his
sufferings, I am sure, Avill meet their Lordships'
consideration." (1804.) At the beginning of the month of Au
gust,- having heard that there Avas an excellent
fresh Avater c river in a bay in the island of Pulla,
c In his Diary, during the month of September, mention is
made of " A very fine Watering Place found by Captain Hillyer,
about five miles to the westward of Porto Torres, with the Springs
about two hundred yards from the beach, where forty casks may
be filled at the same time." And, in writing afterwards to Mr.
Consul Magnon, he said, " I can assure you, that we have found
Pulla the most healthy place the Fleet has ever been at. So far from
a man being ill from the thousands who went on shore, they have

643
Lord Nelson proceeded thither and found the
report correct. He describes the Bay in his
Diary, as being open to the E. and S. E. Avinds,;
but that the bottom Avas good. On the ]6th of
the same month, the Active, Phoebe, Seahorse,
and Niger, joined from reconnoitring Toulon,
and reported that sixteen or seventeen large
ships, supposed of the line, had been out ; and
on the same day the Fisgard arrived from Eng
land. The violent gales Avhich came on and con
tinued for some days, obliged the Admiral to take
shelter under Cape St. Sebastian. In Avriting on
the 24th of August to Rear Admiral Sutton, he
said, "The Spencer joined the 19th, from Ply
mouth. I was very glad to see so fine a ship, and
so good a man as Captain Stopford. I have long,
my dear friend, made up my mind never to be
tired; the longer the happy day is deferred, still
every day brings it nearer, and Ave all feel that
the day Avill arrive, the sooner the better cer
tainly, or I shall not be in at the death ; for I
have every reason to think if this Fleet gets fairly
at Mons. Latouche, that his letter, Avith all his
ingenuity, must be different from his last."
(1804.) Whilst Lord Nelson was thus anxi
ously watching Toulon, and waiting for his vaunt
ing Enemy to give the British Fleet an opportu
nity of avenging that aspersion which the French
all derived the greatest benefit from the salubrity of the air
fcrought down by that fine river.''
2 T 2

644
Commander in Chief had endeavoured to cast
on its renown, Latouche had been suddenly taken
ill, and died. This Avas a complete disappoint
ment to the Admiral, Avhose A\rholemind had been
intent on annihilating the French force under
Latouche, and proving to all Europe how little
the boasts of that Officer would have availed him
in the clay of Battle. If he had but come out and
fought us, exclaimed Nelson, it would at least have
added ten years to my life.
(1804.) The continual attention which he had
iioav, for so many months, paid to theToulon Squa
dron, and the variety of conjectures he had con
stantly formed respecting their future destination,
had already presented the West Indies as an ob
ject well Avorthy of the enterprise of Buonaparte ;
and this more particularly appears from his fol
lowing short note to Sir R. Bickerton, dated Vic
tory, Sept. 6. — " I shall stand inshore Avith the
starboard Division, and I therefore desire you to
keep your present position, I shall come back in the
evening, merely Avishing to take a look Avho are
out ; for I think they Avill iioav push to the West
Avard, and if they should get out of the Straits,
I am of opinion they Avill try for the West Indies,
and then, with 7000 troops, fareAvell our Islands."
— Agaiti in a letter to Sir A. Ball, on the same
day, " I should imagine, noAV the Russians are
getting so large a naval force into the Mediterra
nean, that the Toulon fleet would not think of
going to the Eastward : I should rather believe

645
the West Indies more likely for them to succeed
in. Suppose this Fleet escapes and gets out of
the Straits ; I am of opinion I should bend my
course to the WestAvard ; for if they carry 7000
men, with Avhat they have at Martinique and
Guadaloupe, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, An
tigua, and St. Kitts Avould fall; and in that case
England avouM be so clamourous for Peace, that
Ave should humble ourselves. What dp ¦ you
think? tell me : I have Aveighed Ireland against
the West Indies, with me, the latter throAvs the
beam up to the ceiling ; but I may be wrong, it
is at best but a guess, and the World attaches
Avisdom to him that guesses right. I am very
far from well ; at the same time if I Avere to get
better, nothing could please me so much as re
turning to this command ; but I have no interest
and another will come, and I think very proba
bly Orde, or Curtis. I can solemnly assure you,
that I am at present a poorer man than the day
I Avas ordered to the Mediterranean command,
by upwards of 1000/: but money I despise, ex
cept as it is useful, and I expect my Prize mo
ney is embarked in the Toulon Fleet. God
bless you, my dear Ball, and ever be assured
that I am your most faithful Friend, Nelson
and Bronte."— In a letter on the same day, Sep
tember 0', to General Vilettes, after repeating
these ideas respecting the object of the French
Fleet, he added, " Whatever may he their desti
nation I shall certainly follow, be it even to the

646
East Indies: such a Pursuit would do more, per
haps, towards restoring me to health, than /all
the doctors together. But I fear this is re
served for some happier man. Not that I can
complain, I have had a good race of Glory, but
we are never satisfied, although I hope I am
duly thankful for the past ; yet one. cannot help,
being at Sea, longing for a little more, Latouche
has given me the slip, he died of the Cholic, per
haps Buonaparte's, for they say he Avas a rank
Republican. Dumanoir is the Rear Admiral at
present in Toulon. God bless you, my dear Ge
neral, and believe me ever your much obliged
Friend." His folloAving letter, which Avas addressed
through Mr. Marsden to the Board, Avill shew,
that notwithstanding the various other objects
which so constantly employed Nelson's mind,
he Avas equally intent on devising the most ef
fectual modes for- preserving the health of his
Fleet. — " ... I am sure their Lordships Avill see
the justness of the case as plain as I do. Each
man Avas formerly allowed -a pint of oatmeal on
certain days; but as it was found that generally
a man could not get a pint of dry oatmeal doAvn
his throat, and, I suppose, thinking it'no -longer
necessary to present this saving to the Purser, half
a pint of oatmeal was issued instead of a pint,
and in lieu of the other half pint, a proportion
of molasses: It has sometimes occurred in the
Channel fleet, that no molasses was to be pro-

647
cured, nor was there any allowance made for
such temporary omissions. In the West Indies
Cocoa and Sugar are alloxved, in the Channel, I
hear, Tea and Sugar. In the Mediterranean Ave
have no Molasses nor any substitute; nor is our
Avant of Molasses temporary but lasting. I beg,
therefore, Avith all due respect to call their
Lordships' attention to this Circumstance; and
to propose, that Avhen Molasses cannot be ob
tained, a proportion of Sugar should be allowed
to be mixed Avith the Oatmeal, in lieu of Mo
lasses: and that if Sugar cannot be obtained,
the men having no substitute, in lieu, should be
paid the saving as in all other species of pro
visions. It is not necessary to enter more at
large upon this subject, their Lordships' wisdom
Avill direct their proceedings."
( 1 804. ) In one of four letters Avhich he addressed
on the 10th ofOctoberto Lord Melville, the Ad
miral expressed himself as being satisfied with
the arrangements that had been made by the
board of Admiralty, as to line of Battle ships,
yet lamented the manner, in which the Service
continued to be cramped for want of frigates'.
A deficiency of them in the Mediterranean al-
loAved the enemy's privateers to increase, and
considerable depredations to be made on our
valuable trade in that sea: "But," added he,
"I am sure, my Lord, from your Avise beginning,
that a full crop of credit, and I believe of glory,
will accrue to the. B^ird of Admiralty.

648
Notwithstanding the weak state of his health.
from having been so long at sea, Lord Nelson
would never leave d his ship: On the i 7th of
October he carried his Fleet to the Madelena
Islands for nood, water, and other necessaries;
and although the Royal Family of Sardinia Avere
at all times ready to shew every attention to
their gallant preserver, he refused all indul
gence, and persisted in his determination of
remaining on board. Before he left Madelena,
feeling, as he did at that time, that he might
not be alloAved to return from England Avhere he
expected shortly to go, he presented a piece of
Church Plate to the Superior as a small token f
of esteem for the inhabitants, and as a remem
brance of the hospitable treatment which the
Fleet under his Lordship's Command had ever
received from them. Ou the 26th of October
the Fleet got under Aveigh at Madelena, consist
ing of the Victory, Canopus, Seperb, Spencer,
Tigre, Royal Sovereign, Leviathan, Excellent,
Belleisle, and Conqueror; and, as he added in
his Diary, xvith not a man sick in the Fleet. On
the 30th of October he looked into Toulon,
where Vice Admiral Villeneuve had hoisted his
flaa:, and sent the following account of the
Enemy to Lord Melville. " The weather Avas
d From the information of H. It. H. the'Duke of Clarence,
Lord Nelson never went out of the Victory but thre times, and
then on the King's service, from his leaving England in 1803,
to his return in August 1805; and none of these absences from,
his ship exceeded an hour.

649
very thick Avhen I looked into Toulon; but! I be
lieve a Vice Admiral has hoisted his flag, his name ,
I have not yet heard. They noAv amuse them
selves Avith night signals, and by the quantity of
rockets and blue lights they shew with every
signal, they plainly mark their position. These
gentlemen must soon be so perfect in theory,
that they'will come to sea to put their know
ledge into practice. Could I see that day it
Would make- me happy."
(1804.) During' this month, October, Lord
Nelson had been puzzled, and before his own
despatches arrived rather irritated, respecting
the measures that had been taken to counteract
the designs of the Spaniards in favour of the
French. On the 22d of Sept. the John Bull
cutter had sailed from Plymouth Avith secret dis-
, patches for Lord Nelson, and for Admiral Corn
wallis, respecting the Spaniards, Avhose conduct
had begun to be rather suspicious. Admiral
Cornwallis Avas instructed to detach two frigates,,
to proceed with all despatch off Cadiz and the
entrance of the Straits, and to unite their en-,
dea-vours, with any of his- Majesty's ships they.
mio'ht find there, to intercept and detain some
Spanish frigates expected witlr treasure from
South America. With a liberality inherent in
his -character, and which corresponded Avith the
integrity' of his Government, Nelson anxiously
( ' i
e The despatches for Lord Nelson were dated Septi ig, and re
ceived Dec. 25. He was therein directed, to take only such

650
wished, if possible, to avoid a War with- Spain:
I still fervently hope, said he, in Avriting to Mr.
Consul Gibert, that no War between the two Coun
tries may take place, and that Spain will not any
longer be the tool of Buonaparte: and before he
had received his despatches, he had written as
follows to Captain Gore, " Unless you receive
orders from the Admiralty, it is my most positive
directions, that neither you nor any ship under
your command, do molest or interrupt in any
manner the laAvful Commerce of Spain, Avith
Avhom Ave are at perfect peace and amity."
measures of Precaution as might be necessary for opposing or
counteracting any hostile attempts of the Spaniards against the
British dominions or their trade. He was, however, not to suffer
any act of hostility or aggression (with the exception of detaining
Spanish ships with treasure on board) to be committed by his
Fleet until he received further orders, or had obtained positive
information from unquestionable authority, of Hostilities having
been committed by the Spaniards against his Majesty's interest.
Additional directions, dated Sept. 25, were also sent for the Cap
tains and Commanders of the Mediterranean Fleet, to keep a vi
gilant look out, and to detain Spanish ships or vessels laden with
military stores. And on the 25th of November, lest any mis
apprehension might still have been entertained, further instruc
tions were sent out,1 Not to detain in the first instance any ship
belonging to his Catholic Majesty, sailing from a port ©f Spain,
but to require the Commander to return directly to the port
whence he came; and only in the event of his refuting to com
ply with such requisition, was the Admird to detain and send her
to Gibraltar, or to England. He was also further directed'not to
detain any Spanish homeward bound ship of war, unless she
should have treasure on board, nor merchant ships of that nation
however laden, on any account whatever.

651
It Avas not till the 12th of November that Lord
Nelson first heard of the arrival of the Spanish
frigates, Jaden Avith money, at Spithead;' and on
the 17th, in Avriting to the Hon. Captain' Capel,
" the question of Peace or War Avith Spain is
still, said he, " undecided, at least on the 27th
of October, Avhen my letters are dated from
Madrid." (1804.) During the night of the 14th of No-
. vember, intellio-ehce arrived in the Mediterra-
nean, that the Spaniards had declared War,
which Avas officially anuounced by them on the
12th of the ensuing month. On the 14th of
December, the Admiralty sent out Avord,, that
Mr.'Frere had left Madrid, and that an embargo
had been laid on all British ships and vessels in
the ports of Spain; but owing to his subsequent
proceedings, the Admiral did not receive this until
the 14th of March, 1805. By this despatch he was
directed, " In case of the detention of any Spa
nish ships or vessels, in consequence of these in
structions, to give the most positive orders to
f On the 5th of October, the Indefatigable, Graham Moore ;
Medusa, J. Gore; Amphion, Sutton; ,and Lively, G.E. Ha-
mond, when endeavouring to detain four Spanish fiigates, la
Meclee, la Clara, la Fama, and la Mercedes, laden with treasure,
an Action became inevitable notwithstanding the earnest wish of
Captain Moore to execute his orders without bloodshed. The
Mercedes soon blew up with 800,000 dollars on board ; the
other three were taken, with their rich cargoes, consisting of 32
chests of platina, 1,850, 216 dollars in silver, 1,1 19,608 gold,
reduced into dollars, and 150,0! 1 ingots of gold reduced into
dollars.

651
the Officers to whom the charge of such ships
or vessels might be intrusted, to take all possible
care that no embezzlement of any kind Avhatever
took place on board them." An order Avhich
was entirely congenial with his upright and dis
interested character ; no man deprecated more
than Nelson the smallest approaches to a con
trary behaviour: Thank God ! exclaimed he on a
similar occasion, I shall get no money : the World,
I know, thinks that to be our God, and now it
will be undeceived, as far as relates to us.
Anno (1805.) XVI. On the 18th of Janu-
-*Etat. 40, ary the French Fleet put to sea from
Toulon, Lord Nelson being then at Madelena,
but were soon compelled to return, after having
been dispersed in a Gale of Wind. His Lord
ship had suffered great anxiety lest they should
escape him, but at the close of the month of
March had given up all idea of their again leav
ing Toulon: Avhen suddenly on the 4th of April,
the Phoebe, Hon. T. B. Capel, Avas discovered in
the Offing with the signal flying, That the French
Admiral xvas at Sea. Cruisers were despatched in
all directions, and Lord Nelson immediately
proceeded with the Fleet, Avhich he stationed in
the narrow part of the Mediterranean betAveen
Sardinia and the coast of Africa until he Avas
satisfied that the object of the Enemy Avas not to
pass between Sardinia, and the Coast of Barbary.
It Avas the lGth of April before any tidings could
be obtained of the Enemy ; Avhen it appeared

653
from a Neutral spoken by the Leviathan,, that
the French had been seen on the 7th off Cape
de Gatte, and it Avas soon aftenvards ascertained
that they had passed the Straits of Gibraltar on
the Sth. Notwithstanding everjr exertion Lord
Nelson did not get in sight df Gibraltar before
the 30th of April, about which time he first heard
of Vilieneuve having been reinforced by some
ships, under Gravina, from Cadiz; and as there
was no possibility of passing the Straits at that
time, and his Ships Avould be equally ready to
embrace the least favourable spirt of wind when
at anchor on the Barbary Shore, as by remaining
under sail, he profited of the opportunity of
Avatering in Mazari Bay, and ordered the Superb
to Tetuan to procure Cattle, Fruit and Vege*
tables for the Squadron.
(1805.) On the 5th of May a breeze at
length sprung up from the Eastward. The sig
nal was immediately made to Aveigh; the Su
perb Avas recalled from Tetuan, leaving the Cattle.
and other refreshments Avhich had just been
brought down on the beach, and all the Squa
dron Avas seen standing to the Westward ; Avhen
the Avind suddenly failed, and on the 7th Lord
Nelson anchored in Rosia Bay, Gibraltar. But
before all the Fleet had done the same, there
was every appearance of a Levanter coming on :
the ships Avere unmoored, the provisioned trans
ports taken in tow, and at six o'clock the whole

654
Was again under sail, steering through the
Straits. (1805.) Lord Nelson's whole attention Avas
noAV directed to the West Indies. He made Ma-
deria on the 15th of May; and as the Squadron
approached Barbadoes, despatched the Amazon,
Captain Parker, on the 29th to Admiral Coch
rane, in order to prepare Avhatever naval force
there might be in Carlisle Bay, to join his Lord
ship on his approach. On the 3d of June, he
received intelligence of the Enemy being in the
West Indies from tAvo British merchant ships,
and on the 4th reached Barbadoes.
The alarm which prevailed for the safety of
Tobago and Trinidad Avas very great. Intelli
gence had been received that the Enemy's Fleet,
consisting of eighteen sail, had been seen on
the 28th of May from St. Lucia, standing to the
southAvard. This Avas corroborated by other ac
counts, and no doubt of its authenticity existed
with any one except Lord Nelson ; Avho, on his
opinion being overruled, replied, If your intel
ligence proves false, you lose me the French Fleet.
But this intelligence, supported by an application
from General Sir W. Myers, Commander in
Chief, to convey himself and 2000 troops to the
relief of Tobago and Trinidad, could npt be re
sisted. The Admiral consequently Avorked his
ships up to Carlisle Bay, received the General
and troops that evening on board the squadron,

655,
and on the morning of the 5th of June at eight
¦A. M. sailed from Barbadoes Avith tAvelve ships of
the line, four frigates, three sloops, and four
smaller vessels. On the 7th they, entered the
Gulf of Paria Avhere no Enemy was to be seen,
nor had any been there.
The disappointment and feelings of Lord Nel
son at this time may easily be imagined. Fie
had entered the Gulf of Paria, and found the
complete fallacy of every thing that had been
asserted in opposition to his OAvn ideas; which,
though deduced from apparent conjecture^
proved alone to he correct. With his accus
tomed activity and firmness of mind he imme
diately exerted his great abilities to remedy th$
evil, and to overcome the obstacles that pre-1
sented themselves. Having obtained an account
on the Sth of June, that the Enemy had not
moved on the 4th from Fort Royal, but Avere
expected" to sail that night for the attack of
Grenada, he on the oth arrived off that Island,
'and having on his passage "communicated Avith
Dominica, on the llth Avas off Montserrat, and
at sun-set of the 1 2th of June anchored in St.
John's, Antigua, to land the Troops; Avhen he
sent the Curieux to England with his despatches.
Thus in the short space of , Eight Days, liadthis
great Admiral secured our West India Colonies
from that plunder and havoc, with Avhich they
had been threatened by the combined Fleets pf
France and Spain; duringVhichhehad received r

656
on board and disembarked 2000 Troops, had"
entered the Gulf of Paria, and surmounting the
various obstacles that combined to retard his
progress, had shewn his protecting power to every
Island in the chain from Trinidad to St. Kitt's.
(1805.) On the 13th of June Lord Nelson
sailed at noon in pursuit of the Enemy with his
squadron of eleven ships, taking Avith him the
Spartiate, Captain Sir F. Laforey, and stood to
¦the Northward Avithout any Intelligence of the
Enemy. No circumstance of particular moment
occurred during the Passage back. On Wed
nesday, July 17, the Fleet came Avithin sight of
cape St. Vincent, " Making," observes the Ad
miral in his Diary, " our Avhole run from Bar
buda, day by day, 3459 miles: Our run from
Cape St. Vincent to Barbadoes Avas 3227 miles,
so that our run back was only 232 miles more
than our run out — allowance being made for the
difference of the latitudes and longitudes of Bar
badoes and Barbuda; average per day thirty-
four leagues Avanting nine miles." — On the 18th
of July being in want of provisions,' he steered
for the Straits mouth, and on the 19th bore up
and anchored in Gibraltar, yet still without
gaining any information of the Enemy. On the
20th, as is remarked in his Diary, I went on shore
for the first time since June 16, 1803; and from
having my foot out of the Victory, tzvo years,
wanting ten days.
i On the very next day, July 21, they Avere em-

' 657
ployed in getting ready for sea, and Lord Nel
son sent home his despatches in the Thomas,
Merchant brig. The Squadron unmoored on the'
22d. At eight P.M. they anchored in Mazari
Bay, and on the 24th at noon Aveighed and stood
for Ceuta. . Having passed the Straits and com
municated Avith Admiral Collingwood, the Squa
dron under Lord Nelson bore aAvay to the Avest-
Avard, and then proceeded off Cape St. Vincent,
Avith a view to go more nortrnvard, or to act as
. circumstances of intelligence might render ne
cessary. *The Fleet accordingly stood to the
northward on the 3d of Aug. Avith light breezes,
northerly, and hazy Aveather. After some days
the Avind became more favourable, and on the
12th the Niobe was spoken, three days from the
Channel Fleet, at Avhich time no intelligence had
been obtained of the Enemy's arrival in any of
the ports in the Bay of Biscay. On the 15th of
August they fell in Avith Admiral CornAvallis off
Ushant, and in the evening Lord Nelson received
orders to proceed Avith the Victory and Superb
to Portsmouth. On the 17th the Victory at
daylight was abreast of Portland, at eleven she
anchored off the Princessa Shoal near the Isle of
Wio-ht, and the next day Avorked up to a good
birth at Spithead — Just two years and I hree months,
adds Lord Nelson, from my arrival at Portsmouth
in 1803. (1805.) XVII. It had been the most
^tat.47. anxious Avish of Lord Nelson"; when he
2u

658
applied for leave of absence on account of his
health, prior to this run to the West Indies, to
be again sent out to the command of a Fleet, in
which he Avas not only respected but beloved.
The voice of the nation, and its rulers, accorded
Avith this desire in a manner the most gratifying
to his feelings. g «
ToAvards the end of August, the Hon. Captain
BlackAVOod arrived Avith the neAvs of the Com
bined Fleets being blocked up in Cadiz by Ad
miral Collingwood. On his Avay to London with
the despatches, that Officer11 as he passed Lord
Nelson's Villa at Merton, about five in the morn
ing, called and found him already up and dressed.
On seeing Captain Blackwood he exclaimed, I
am sure you bring me news of the French and Spanish
Fleets, and I think I shall yet have to beat them.
The answer Avas confined to giving, as briefly as
possible, all the information of Avhich Captain
BlackAvood Avas the bearer; and after expressing
hopes that he should Avitness the intended drub
bing, so Avell foretold, he left Merton for the Ad
miralty. Lord Nelson immediately followed, and
soon aftenvards joined him, Avhen they talked
over the operations that Avere intended on re
turning to the Mediterranean; and he frequently
repeated, Depend on it, Blackwood, I shall yet give.
Mr. Villeneuve a drubbing. — Every thing Avas soon
afterwards arranged for his return to the Medi-
e Vide 4to Edit. Vol. II. p, 421-2.
h From a Memoir furnished by Captain Blackwood.

659
terranean, and on the night of Friday, Septem
ber 13,. Lord Nelson having taken leave cf his
brother William and of other relations Avho were
at Merton, with a mind much agitated and highly ¦¦
wrought, pursued his route to Portsmouth —
To serve, as he expresses it in his Diarj-, his King
and Country. He arrived at the George Inn;
"Portsmouth, at six in the following morning, and
having arranged every thing with his accustomed
quickness, Avent to that part of the beach to em
bark for the Victory, Avhere the bathing machines
'are placed. He weighed on the 15th, at day
break, the Euryalus, Captain Blackwood, in
company; but owing to a contrary wind, they
came to anchor again; they however by sunset
were off Christchurch, and by the evening of
the next day off the Berry Head.
(1805.) After encountering much bloAving
weather, the Victory1 arrived off Cadiz on the
29th of September, the Admiral's Birth -day,
when the necessary orders Avere given out for
the Fleet; and Avhat is remarkable, it Avas on the
same day that Admiral Villeneuve, as he after
wards informed Capt. Blackwood, received orders
to put to sea on the first convenient opportunity.
From the 29th of Sept. to the 21st of October,
Lord Nelson never came in sight of land, that
the Enemy might be kept in ignorance of his
1 TheEuryalus was detached on September 20 to Admiral
Collingwood, with orders to put himself under Lord Nelson's
command. . . . >

660
force: the wisdom of this conduct Avas strongly
proved by subsequent events. Villeneuve repeat
edly declared his belief, that Lord Nelson, by
detaching six sail of the line to the Mediterra
nean, had reduced the British Fleet to one-third
Aveaker than that of the Enemy. Captain Black
wood had received orders from Rear Admiral
Louis, commanding the advanced Squadron off
Cadiz, dated on the 29th of September, to take
such a station in the Euryalus Frigate off that
Harbour, as from circumstances of wind and
Aveather might be best adapted for Avatching the
motions of the Enemy's Fleet, and preventing
Vessels from entering or coming out unper-
ceived. On the 5th of October the Admiral sent
the Pickle Schooner, Lieut. J. Lapenotiere, to
Capt. BlackAvood, to assist him for a few days on
the look out: "Perhaps," added Lord Nelson,
"\vith an easterly Avind you could anchor a Fri
gate between Cadiz and the Pedro Shoals, takin^
care that she did not anchor until two hours after
dark, and that she Aveighed tAvo hours before
day." (180.5.) The Combined Fleets, on the 10th of
October, Avere close to the Porpoises and Dia
mond Rock at Cadiz, and almost out of the har
bour, and every thing tended to confirm Lord
Nelson in opinion, that their destination Avas the
Mediterranean. On that day he issued some
standing Orders, by one of which the different
divisions of the Fleet Avere instructed to bear

661 *
the White or St. George's Ensign, being his own
colours, in order to prevent confusion from a
variety of flags, and to hoist Union Jacks at the
foretop gallant stay of each ship, as a distinction.
During the ensuing night, it blew so strong at
N. W. that the Enemy could not venture to cast
their ships loose; and their continuing thus in
port, rendered the situation of the blockading
Fleet very critical; as Lord Nelson had been
led to think, by a letter from his friend Admiral
Young, that if the enemy did not soon sail, he
might reasonably expect the Brest Fleet: I must
therefore, observed he in Avriting to that Officer,
try and annihilate them, before the Cadiz Fleet can
join. The Aveather on the 14th of October became
more favourable, and the only apprehension was,
lest the Enemy's ships from being so much
croAvded at -the harbour's mouth, might have
suffered in the late gales and be in consequence
detained. On that day Lord Nelson made the
folloAving arrangement of his ships. The Defence.
and Agamemnon Avere placed from seven to
eight leagues Avest from Cadiz, and the Mars
and Colossus five leagues East from the main
body of the Fleet, "whose station," adds the
Admiral in his Diary, " will be from fifteen
leagues, to twenty, Avest of Cadiz, and by this
chain I hope to have a constant communication
with the Frigates off Cadiz." — Lord Nelson's
Diary then continues an account of his proceed-

66%
ing? to the morning of the twenty-first. — "Wed
nesday, Oct. 16. Moderate breezes, westerly. All
the forenoon employed in forming the Fleet into
the order of sailing. At noon fresh breezes W S.W.
and squally, in the evening fresh gales. Enemy
as before, by signal from the Weazel, Capt. Peter
Parker. Oct. 17. Moderate breezes, N.W. sent
Donegal to Gibraltar to get a ground tier of casks.
Received accounts by the Diligent storeship, that
Sir Richard Strachan Avas supposed in sight of
the French Rochfort Squadron, Avhich I hope is
true. At midnight the Avind came to the east
ward. Oct. 18. Fine weather, Avind easterly, the
Combined Fleets cannot have finer Aveather to
put to sea. Oct. 19- Fine Aveather, Avind easterly.
At half past nine, the Mars being one of the
look out ships, repeated the signal, k That the
Enemy was coming out of Port-— Made the signal
for a general chase S.E. Wind at south, Cadiz
bearing E. N. E. by compass, distant sixteen
leagues. At three the Colossus made the signal,
That the Enemy's Fleet xvas at sea. In the even
ing directed the Fleet to observe my motions
during the night, and for Britannia, Prince, and
Dreadnought, they being heavy sailers, to take
their stations as convenient; and for Mars, Orion,
Belleisle, Leviathan, Bellerophon, and Polyphe
mus to go ahead during the night and to carry
k Repeated from the Euryalus, Capt. Blackwood, who, being
stationed off the harbour's mouth, first telegraphed tke Enemy's
being at sea.

.- 663
a light, standing for the Strait's mouth. Sunday,
Oct. 20. Fresh breezes S. S.W. and rainy: com
municated Avith Phoebe, Defence, and Colossus,
who had seen near forty sail of ships of Avar out
side of Cadiz yesterday evening; but the wind
being southerly, they could not get to the mouth
of the Straits; Ave Avere between Trafalgar and
Cape Spartel. The frigates made the signal that
they saAv nine sail outside of the harbour — gave
the frigates Instructions for their guidance, and
placed Defence, Colossus, and Mars between me
and the frigates. At Noon fresh gales and heavy
rain — -Cadiz N. E. nine leagues. In the after
noon Captain Blackwood telegraphed, that the
Enemy seemed determined to go to fhe Avest
ward ; and that they shall not do if in the poAver
of Nelson to prevent them. At five telegraphed
Capt. BlackAVOod, that I relied upon his keeping
sight of the Enemy. At five Naiad' made the
signal for thirty-one sail of the Enemy N. N. E.
The Frigates and look-out ships kept sight of the
Enemy most admirably all night, and told me by
signals Avhich tack they Avere upon. At eight
P. M. we Avore and stood to the S.W. and at four
A.M. wore and stood to fhe N.E."
We noAV come to the great. and terrible Day
pf the Battle; when, as it has been well ex
pressed, God gave us Victory, but Nelson
died. He felt that the twenty-first was the last
day of his bright Career, that it had been a me
morable day in his family, and he accordingly

664
prepared to die that his Country might be de
fended from the inveterate Enemies of the civi
lized World. He put on the 'Coat Avhich he had
so often Avorn on the day pf Victory, and which
he kept Avith a degree of veneration : The various
splendid honours he had received from different
Nations, Avere plainly Avorked upon it, and the
Star of the Order of the Bath which he had
always Avorn Avith a peculiar pleasure, as the free
gift of his Sovereign, he resolved should appear
in the Battle and be nearest his heart Avhen he
fell : In Honour, he exclaimed, / gained them,
and in Honour I will die with them. On leaving
his Cabin he Avent over the different decks, spoke
to and encouraged his men Avith his usual affa
bility, and saw that the preparation for Battle
was complete throughout the Ship. As he ascend
ed the quarter deck ladder he Avas greeted Avith
three Cheers.
Captain Blackwood's Memoir contains the fol
loAving interesting account of the conversation
he had with Lord Nelson on that Morning. "At
six o'clock on the morning of the 2 Ist, my sig
nal was made to repair on board the Victory. In
a few minutes I went on board, and had the sa
tisfaction to find the Admiral iti good, but very
calm spirits. After receiving my congratulations,
1 It had been his custom for years, to preserve what, he
termed his fighting Coat; but through inadvertency he omitted
to wear the Sword, so much regarded, which had belonged to
Captain M. Suckling.

665
at the approach of the moment he so often and
so long had Avished for, he replied, I mean to
day to bleed the Captains of the Frigates, as I shall
keep you on board until the very last minute. His
mind seemed entirely directed to the strength
and formation of the Enemy's line, as Avell as to
the effects Avhich his novel mode of Attack Avas
likely to produce. He seemed very much to re
gret, and Avith reason, that the Enemy tacked
to the northward, and formed their line on the
larboard instead of, the starboard tack, , which
latter line of bearing Avould have kept the Straits
mouth open. Instead of Avhich, by forming to
the northward, they brought the Shoals of Tra
falgar and St. Pedro, under our lee ; and also,
with the existing wind, kept open the port of
Cadiz, which was of infinite consequence to '
them. This movement Avas in a great degree
the cause of Lord Nelson's making the signal to
prepare to anchor, the necessity of Avhich Avas
impressed on his mind to the last moment of his
life: and so much did he think of the possibility
of the Enemy's escape into Cadiz, that he de
sired me to employ the Frigates, as much as I
could, to complete the destruction of the Enemy
whether at anchor or not; and not tp think of
saving ships or men, for Annihilation to both
was his first object and Capture but a secondary
one. During the five hours, and a half that I
remained on board the Victory^ in which I Avas
not ten minutes from his side, he frequently

666
asked me, What I should consider as a Victory?
the certainty of Avhich he neA'er for an instant
seemed to doubt, although from the situation of
the land he questioned the possibility of the
subsequent preservation of the Prizes. My an
swer Avas, "That considering the handsome Avay
in Avhich Battle Avas offered by the Enemy,
their apparent determination for a fair trial of
strength, and the proximity of the land, I
thought if fourteen ships were captured it Avould
be a glorious result;' to Avhich he ahvays replied,
I shall not, Blackxvood, be satisfied with any thing
short of tzventy. — A telegraphic signal had been
made by him to denote, That he intended to break
through the Rear of the Enemy's Line, to prevent
their getting into Cadiz. I Avas walking Avith
him, continues Captain BlackAvood, on the Poop,
when he said, " I'll noAV amuse the Fleet Avith a
Signal;" and he asked me, *' if I did not think
there Avas one yet wanting?" I ansAvered, that
I thought the Avhole of the Fleet seemed very
clearly to understand Avhat they were about, and
to vie with each other Avho should first get
nearest to the Victory, or Royal Sovereign.
These Avords Avere scarcely uttered, Avhen his
last well knoAvn Signal Avas made, England
EXPECTS EVERY Ma N AVILL DO HIS DUTY.
The shout Avith Avhich it Avas received through
out the Fleet was truly sublime. Now, said Lord
Nelson, / can do no more. We must trust to the
Great Disposer of all Events, and the Justice of

667
our Cause. I thank God for this great oppor
tunity of doing my Duty. "~
The wind Avas light from the S.W. and a long
SAvell Avas setting into the Bay of Cadiz, so that
our ships like Sovereigns of the Ocean moved
majestically before it; every one croAvding all
the sail that AA'as possible, and falling into her
station according to her rate of going. The
Enemy wore at about seven o'clock, and then
stood in a close line on the larboard tack to
Avards Cadiz: at that time the Sun shone bright
on their sails, and from the number of three
deckers amongst them, they made a most for
midable appearance; but this so far from appall
ing our brave countrymen, induced them to ob
serve to each other, What a fine sight those Ships
would make at Spithead^ " About ,ten o'clock,
continues Captain BlackAVOod in his Memoir,
Lord Nelson's anxiety to close with the Enemy
became very apparent : He frequently remarked
to me, that they put a gdbd face upon it ; but
ahvays quickly added, I'll give them such a dress
ing as they never had before, regretting at the
same time the vicinity of the Land. At that
critical momeut I ventured to represent to his
Lordship the value of such a life as his, and
particularly in the present Battle; and I pro
posed hoisting his Flag in the Euryalus, whence
he could better see what Avas going on, as well
as what to order in case of necessity. But he
would not hear of it, and gave as his reason the

668
force of Example, and probably he Avas right.
My next object, therefore, Avas to endeaA'our to
induce his Lordship to allow the Temeraire,
Neptune, and Leviathan to lead into action be
fore the Victory, which was then the headmost.
After much conversation, in Avhich I ventured
to give it as the joint opinion of Captain Hardy
and myself, Iioav advantageous it Avould be to the
Fleet for his Lordship to keep as long as pos
sible out of the Battle, he at length consented
to alloAv the Temeraire, Avhich Avas then sailing
abreast of the Victory, to go ahead, and hailed
Captain E. Harvey to say such Avere his inten
tions, if the Temeraire could pass the Victory.
Captain Harvey being rather out of hail, his
Lordship sent me to communicate his wishes,
Avhich I did ; when, on returning to the Victory,
I found him doing all he could to increase rather
than diminish sail, so that the Temeraire could
not pass the Victor)7: consequently, Avhen they
came Avithin gun shot of the Enemy, Captain
Harvey finding his efforts ineffectual Avas ob
liged to. take his station astern of the. Admiral."
The Combined Fleet, commanded by Admiral
Villeneuve in the Bucentaur, consisted of thirty-
three powerful ships, eighteen of which Avere
French, and fifteen Spanish : .amongst the latter
Avas Lord Nelson's old antagonist the Santissima
Trinidad of 140 guns, besides tAvo of 112 guns,
one of 100 guns, six of eighty four and eighty,
and the remainder seventy fours of a large class,

'669
together with seven frigates of heavy metal,
forty four and forty gijns each, besides other
smaller vessels. The Spaniards Avere commanded
by Admiral Gravina, Avho had under him Vice
Admiral Don J. D'Aliva, and Rear Admiral Don
B. H. Cisneros. Villeneuve had under him Rear
Admirals Dumanoir and Magon. Four thou
sand Troops Avere embarked on board the Fleet,
under the command of General Contamin in
the Bucentaur, amongst Avhom Avere several of
the most skilful sharp shooters that could be
selected, and many Tyrolese riflemen: various
i
sorts of combustibles and fire balls Avere also em
barked, as had been their practice in the Battle
of the Nile. The Spaniards appeared Avith their
heads to the northAA'ard, and formed their Line
of Battle with great closeness and correctness ;
and as the mode of attack by Lord Nelson was
unusual, so the structure of their line Avas neAV.
It formed a Crescent convexing to leeward, and
Admiral CollingAvood, in leading down to the
centre, had both the Van and Rear of the Ene
my abaft his beam. Lord Nelson, in the Vic
tory, bore doAvn at the head of the Aveather co-
. lumn, and Admiral CollingAvood in the Royal
Sovereign at the head of the lee.
" Of the'Victory and Royal Sovereign," con
tinues Captain BlackAvood, "it would be impos
sible to decide Avhich achieved the most. They
both, ip my opinion, seemed to vie with each
other in holding forth a brilliant Example to

670
the rest of the Fleet. They were literally in
themselves an Host. Admiral Villeneuve as
sured me, that on seeing the novel mode of
attack intended to be made on the Combined
Fleet, and Avhich at that moment, he confessed,
he could not in any way prevent ; he called the
Officers of his ship around him, and pointing out
the manner in Avhich the first and second in
command of the British Fleet were each leading
his Column, he exclaimed, Nothing but Victory
can attend such gallant conduct. When Lord
Nelson found the shot pass over the Victory, he
desired Captain Prowse of the Sirius and myself
to go on board our ships, and in our Avay to tell
all the Captains of line of Battle Ships, that he
depended on their exertions; and that if, by the
mode of attack prescribed, they found it im
practicable to get into Action immediately, they
might adopt Avhatever they thought best, pro
vided it led them quickly and closely alongside
an Enemy. He then again desired me to go
aAvay ; and as Ave were standing on the front of
the Poop, I took his hand and said, ' I trust, my
Lord, that on my return to the Victory, Avhich
Avill be as soon as possible, I shall find your
Lordship Avell and in possession of tAventy Prizes.'
On which he made this reply, God bless you,
Blackzvood, I shall never speak to you again. "
In the first heat of the Action, Mr. Scott, the
Admiral's Secretary, Avas killed by a cannon ball
whilst in conversation with Captain Hardy, and

671
near to Lord Nelson. Captain Adair of the ma
rines, endeavoured to remove the mangled body,
but it had attracted the notice of the Admiral
— Is that poor Scott, said he, zcho is gone ? After
wards, whilst he Avas conversing with Captain
Hardy on the quarter-deck, during the shower
of musket balls and raking fire that was kept up
by the Enemy, a double headed shot came across
the poop and killed eight of the marines. Cap
tain Adair was then directed by him to disperse
his men round the ship. In a few minutes, a
shot struck the lore brace bits on the quarter
deck, and passing between Lord Nelson and
Captain Hard)*, drove some splinters from the
bits about them, and bruised Captain Hardy's
foot. They mutualh' looked at each other, Avhen
Nelson, whom no danger could affect, smiled
and said, This is too warm work, Hardy, to last.
The Redoubtable had for some time commented
a heavy fire of musketry from her tops, which
like those of the Enemy's other ships Avere filled
with rifleman. The Victory however, became en
veloped in smoke, except at intervals when it
partially dispersed, and owing to the want of
wind, was surrounded Avith the Enemy's ships.
At fifteen minutes past one, and a quarter of an
hour before the Redoubtable struck, Lord Nel
son and Captain Hardy Avere observed to be
walking near the middle of the quarter deck :
the Admiral had just commended the manner in
which one of his ships near' him was fought,

672
Captain Hardy advanced from him to give some
necessary directions, and he Avas in the act of
turning near the hatchAvay, with his face to
wards the stern, when a musket ball struck him
on the left shoulder, and entering through the
epaulet, passed through the spine, and lodged
in the muscles of the back; towards the right
side. Nelson instantly fell with his face on
the deck, in the very place that Ai-as covered
Avith the blood of his Secretary, Mr. Scott.
Captain Hardy, on turning round, saAv the ser
jeant of marines, Seeker, Avith two seamen, rais
ing hiin from the deck : Hardy, sa'id his Lord
ship, I believe they have done it at last, my back
bone is shot through.
Some of the creAV immediately bore the Admiral
to the cockpit, and several Avounded officers, and
about 40 men, Avere carried beloAv at the same
time, amongst whom Avere Lieut. Ram and Mr.
Whipple,. Captain's clerk, both of Avhom died soon
afterwards. Whilst the seamen Avere conveying
Lord Nelson doAvii the ladder from the middle
deck, he observed that the tiller ropes, which had
been shot aAvay early in the action, had not been
replaced, and desired a midshipman to remind
Captain Hardy of it, and to request thatneAV ones
should be immediately rove. He then covered his
face and stars with his handkerchief, that hemight
be less observed by his men. He was met at the
foot of the cockpit ladder by Mr. Burke the
purser, who, with the assistance of a marine sup-

673
porting his legs, with some difficulty conveyed
him over the bodies of the Avounded and dying
men, for the cockpit Avas extremely crowded,
and placed him on a pallet in the midshipmen's
birth on the larboard side. Mr. Beatty was then
called, aud soon aftenvards the Rev. Mr. Scott
attended; and his Lordship's clothes were taken
off, that the direction of the ball might be the
better ascertained. You can be of no use tome,
Beatty, said Lord Nelson ; go and attend those
whose lives can be preserved. When the surgeon
had executed his melancholy office, had ex
pressed the general feeling that prevailed on the
occasion, and had again been urged by the Ad
miral to go and attend to his duty, he reluc-
* tantly obeyed, but continued to return at inter
vals. As the blood flowed internally from the
wound, the lower cavity of the body gradually
filled ; Lord Nelson therefore constantly desired
Mr. Burke to raise him, and complaining of an
excessive thirst, Avas supplied by Mr. Scott with
lemonade. ' In this state of suffering, with no
thing but havoc, and death, and misery around
him, the spirit of Nelson remained unsubdued.
His, mind cdntinued intent on the great object
that was ahvays before him, his Duty to his
Country; he therefore anxiously inquired for
Captain Hardy, to know^ whether the annihi
lation of the Enemy might be depended on ; but
it Avas upwards of an hour before that Officer
could at so critical a moment leave the deck,
ax '

674
and Lord Nelson became apprehensive that his
brave associate Avas dead. The creAv of the Vicr
tory Avere now heard to cheer, and he anxiously
demanded the Cause, Avhen Lieutenant Pasco,
who lay wounded near him, said that one of their
opponents had struck. A gleam of devout joy
lighted up the countenance of Nelson ; and as
the CreAv repeated their cheers and marked the
progress of his Victory, his satisfaction visibly
increased. Will no one, exclaimed he, bring
Hardy to me ? He must be killed, I am certain h?
is dead. Mr. Bulkley, the Captain's Aid de Camp,
then came below, and in a Ioav voice communi
cated to the Surgeon the particular circum
stances respecting the Fleet Avhich had detained.
Captain Hardy, but that he would take the first
moment that offered to leave the deck. The
excessive heat of the Cockpit from the numbers
pf the dead and AA'ounded, increased the faint-
ness of the dying Admiral, and his sight became
dim : Who brought the message? said he feebly.
*' Bulkley, my Lord," replied Mr. Burke. It is
¦his voice, said Nelson; remember me, Bulkley, to
^your Father. Captain Hardy soon aftenvards
came down from the Deck, and anxiously strove
to conceal the feelings Avith which he had been
struggling. How goes the Day with us, Hardy ?
" Ten ships, my Lord, have struck." But none
of ours I hope. " There is no fear, my dear
Lord, of that. Five of their Van have tacked,
and shew an intention of bearing down upon us ;

675
but I have called some of our fresh ships rqun^
the Victory, and have no doubt of your cpmr
plete success." Having said this, he found hjm-
self unable any longer to suppress the yearnings
of a brave and affectionate heart, and hurried
away for a time to conceal the bitterness pf his
soitoav. The firing continued and, the cheers of thje
men Avere occasionally heard amidst its repeated
peals. With a Avish to support his spirits that
were in some degree shaken by having seen the
Friend he so sincerely regarded, and frpih the
increased pain under which he had tp endure thp
agonies of excessiye thirst, and |the great diffi
culty of respiration, Mr. Burke said, " I still
hope, my Lord, you will carry this glorious news
home." Don't talk nonsense, replied the AdmiraJ,
one would, indeed, like fo live a little longer, but
I know it to be impossible : God's Will be done. I
have performed my Duty, ond I devoutly thank
Him for it. A Avounded Seaman was lying near
him on a pallet, Avaiting for amputation, and in
the bustle that prevailed was bm't; by some per
son passing by : Nelson, weak as he was, in
dignantly turned his head, and with his us.ual
authority reprimanded the man for npt having
more humanity. Sometime afterwards he Avas
again visited by the Surgeon: I fipd, said h,e,
something rising in my breast, which tells me I
shall soon be gone. God be prais/ed thaf I hape

676,
done my duty. My Pain is so severe, that I de?
voutly wish to be released.
A most spirited and continued fire had been
kept up from the Victory's starboard guns on
the Redoubtable, for about fifteen minutes after
Lord Nelson Avas Avounded ; in Avhich time Cap
tain Adair and about eighteen Seamen and Ma
rines Avere killed, and Lieutenant Bligh, Mr.
Palmar, Midshipman, and tAventy Seamen and
Marines Avere Avounded by the Enemy's musr
quetry alone : Lord Nelson did not alloAV of any
small arms in the tops of the Victory, from the
danger of setting fire to the sails. The Re?
doubtable had been tAvice on fire in her fore
chains and on the forecastle, and by throAving
some combustibles had set fire to the Victory:
the alarm Avas given, Avhich reached to the
Cockpit, yet neither hurry nor trepidation ap
peared, and the CreAv having put out the flames,
immediately turned their attention to the Rer
doubtable, and rendered her all the assistance in
their poAver. On the colours of that ship being
struck, and no possibility of boarding her ap
pearing from the state of ruin of both ships,
and the closing of the Enemy's ports, some Sea-;
men immediately volunteered their services to
Lieut. Quillam, to jump overboard, and, by
smimming under the bows of the Redoubtable,
to endeavour to secure the Prize; but Captain
Hardy thought the lives of such men too valu-

677
able to be risked by so desperate an attempt.
Aftenvards, when the firing from the Victory
had in some measure ceased, and the glorious
result of the day wSs accomplished, Captain
Hardy immediately visited the dying Chief, and
reported the entire number that had struck :
God be praised, Hardy ! bring the Fleet to an
anchor. The delicacy of Captain Hardy's situ
ation, from there being no Captain of the Fleet,
Avas peculiarly embarrassing; and, with as much
feeling as the subject would admit of, he hinted
at the Command devolving on Admiral Colling
wood. Nelson feeling the vast importance of
the Fleet being brought to anchor, and with the
ruling passion of his soul predominant in death,
replied, and someAvhat indignantly, Not .whilst I
live, I hope Hardy ; and vainly endeavouring, at
the moment, to raise himself on the Pallet, Do
you, said he, bring the Fleet to anchor^ Captain
Hardy was. returning to the Deck, when the Ad
miral called him back and begged him to come;
near. Lord Nelson then delivered his last inr
junctions, and desired that his body might be
carried home to be buried, unless his Sovereign
should otherwise desire it, by the bones of his
Father and Mother. He then took Captain
Hardy by the hand, and observing, that he
would most probably not see him again alive,
the dying Hero desired his brave associate to
kiss him, that he might seal their long Friend
ship with that affection Avhich pledged sincerity

6ft
iii Death.— Captain Hardy Stood for a feAv mi
nutes Over the body of him he so truly regarded,
iri silent aghny, and then kneeling doAvn again,
kiised liis forehead: Who is that, said the dying
Hero, "ft is Flhrdy, fny Lord." God bless you,
Hardy, replied Kelson feebly, and aftenvards
added, I wish I had not left the Deck, I shall soon
be gone; his voice then gradually became inarti
culate, with art evident increase of pain : Avhen,
after a feeble Struggle, these last Avords Avere
distinctly heard, I have done my Duty, I
Praise God for it. Having said this, he
ttirried his face towards Mr. Burke, on Avhose
Strih he had been supported, and expired Avithout
a groan. XVIIL The Battle had been sorely contested,
and the slaughter on board the Enemy almost
unprecedented : in the British Fleet 423 were
killed, and 1064 wounded, many of whom died
afterwards. The Ships that pressed forward
after their gallant Chiefs in the weather and lee
Columns, are described by Admiral CollingAvood,
as breaking through in all parts astern of their
ieaders, and engaging the Enemy at the muzzles
of their guns: "The conflict," adds he, "was
severe; the Enemy's ships Avere fought with a
gallantry highly honourable to their Officers; but
the attack onthein Avas irresistible, and it pleased
the Almighty Disposer of all events tP grant his..
Majesty's arms a complete and glorious Victory.
About three P.M. many of the Enemy's ships

.679
having struck their Colours, their line gay*
way: Admiral Gravina, with the Ships joining
their Frigates to leeAvard, stood tOAvards Cadh?*
The five headmost ships in their Van tacked, and
standing to the southAvard, to Avindward of the
British Line, Avere engaged, and the sternmost
of them taken; the others went off, leaving to
his Majesty's Squadron nineteen ships of the
line, (of which two are first rates, the Santissima
Trinidad and the Santa Anna) with three Flag
Officers,, viz. Admiral Villeneuve the Comman
der in Chief, Don Ignatio Maria d'Aliva, Vice
Admiral, and the Spanish Rear Admiral Don
Baltazar Hidalgo Cisneros. After such a Vic
tory, it may appear unnecessary to enter into1
encomiums on the particular parts taken by the
several Commanders; the conclusion says more
on the subject than I have language to express.
The Spirit Avhich animated all was the same.
When all exert themselves zealously in their
Country's Service, all deserve that their high
merits" should stand recorded, and never was
' high Merit more conspicuous than in the Battle
J have described. TJie Achille, a French se
venty-four, by some mismanagement of the
Frenchmen after her surrender, took fire and
blew up ; 200 of her men were saved by the
tenders . . . Such a Battle could not be fougiht
without sustaining a great loss of men. I have
only to lament in common with the British
Navy and the British Nation, in the fall of the

680
Commander in Chief, the loss of a Hero
Avhose name will be immortal and his memory
ever dear to his Country: But my heart is rent
Avith the most poignant grief for the loss of a
Friend, to Avhom by many years, intimacy and
a perfect knoAvledge of the virtues of his mind,
'Avhich inspired ideas superior to the common
race of men, I Avas bound by the strongest ties
*)f affection ; a grief to which even the glorious
occasion in which he fell, does not bring the
consolation Avhich perhaps it ought. I liave also
to lament the loss of those excellent Officers,
Captains Duff of the Mars, arid Cooke of the
¦Bellerophon : 1 have as yet heard of no others.
I fear the number that have fallen Avill be found
very great Avhen the returns come to me; but it
having bloAvn a gale of Avind ever since the Ac
tion, I have not yet had it in my poAver to col
lect any reports from the Ships.
" The Royal Sovereign having lost her masts,
except the tottering foremast, I called the Eury-
alus to me, Avhile the Action continued, Avhich
ship lying within hail made my signals; a ser
vice Captain BlackAvood performed with great
attention. After the Action I shifted my Flag
to her, that I might more easily communicate
my Orders to, and collect the ships, and tOAv
the Royal Sovereign out to seaAvard. The Avhole
Fleet Avere now ima very perilous situation ; many
.dismasted, all shattered, in thirteen fathom water
off the shoals of Trafalgar, and Avhen I made the

¦681
signal to prepare to anchor, few of the ships had
an anchor to let go, their cables being shot. But
the same good Providence which aided us through
such, a day, preserved us in the night by the Avind
shifting a feAv points and drifting the ships off
the land, except four of the captured dismasted
ships Avhich are iioav at anchor off Trafalgar."*
The Victory having been made sea worthy
at Gibraltar, Avhere she arrived on the 28th of
October, passed through the Straits in company
with the Belleisle during the night of the 4th of
November, and the next day, at noon, joined
the Fleet, under Admiral Collingwood, cruising
off Cadiz. Captain Hardy parted company in
the evening, and stood for England. The Body
of Lord Nelson had been, preserved Avith the
greatest care and attention by the Surgeon, at
first in brandy, and aftenvards1 on arriving at
Gibraltar, Avhere it could be procured in a suffi
cient quantity, with a portion of spirits of Avine
mixed, Avith it. After a long and melancholy
passage the Victory arrived at Spithead, and on
the 1 1th of December, sailed for the Nore ; pre.-
vious to Avhich the body of Lord Nelson Avas
again examined. His sacred remains Avere Avrap-
ped in cotton vestments, and rolled from head
to foot.Avith bandages after the ancient mode of
embalming, and then placed in a leaden coffin
filled Avith brandy holding a strong solution of
camphor and myrrh : this Avas enclosed in one
k See Appendix, No. 3, the official letters sent by Admiral,
Collingwood subsequent to this account of the Action.

682
of Avood, and placed in the > after part of his
Lordship's Cabin. The body Avas afterwards on
being remoA'ed from the Victory, apparelled-
in some of the late Admiral's uniform clothes*
and laid in the Cofiin made from the Mainmast
of L'Orient, which had been presented to Lord
Nelson in i799, by Captain HalloAvell. The
whole Avere aftenvards enclosed in another Coffin
very richly ornamented, and adorned with va
rious devices, Avhich Avas sent from London.
The neAvs of the Victory of Trafalgar Avas on
the 6th of November announced in the Metro^
polls by the Park and ToAver Guns. The De-1
spatches from Admiral CollingAvood had been
forwarded from the Admiralty to the King at
Windsor, Avho received them at an early hour.
His Majesty Avas much affected, and a profound
silence, Avhich continued for some minutes,
marked the graritude of the venerable Mo
narch. The whole of the Royal Family shed
tears. The King then Avent to Chapel to return
his devout thanks for the Victory ; and on the
following day his Majesty in Council directed
the 5th of December to be proclaimed as a day
of General Humiliation and Praise to God: and
it Avas also directed by the King, that the Body
of the British Hero should be buried in St. Paul's
at the Public Expense, Avith Military and Na
tional Honours. Accordingly on the 22d of De
cember the body Avas removed from the Victory
on board the yacht of Commissioner Grey, in

683
which it Avas conveyed to Greemvich. It lay iu
state in the Painted Hall there on Sunday, Ja
nuary the 5th, 1800, and the two folloAving days,
and Avas then removed to the Admiralty. The Fu*
heral took place on Thursday, January oth, with
all the splendour and funeral grandeur which
could be devised to express the Nation's Sense
of the Loss which it had sustained. Nearly
10,000 regular troops marched in the procession,
which was attended likeAvise by a vast_ number
of Naval Officers, Peers, and Commoners, by
H. R. H. The Prince with the rest of the Princes
of the Blood Royal, and by 48 Seamen and Ma-
fines of H. M. S. Victory, and the Admiral's
barge's CreAv.4 A Monument was afterwards
voted by Parliament; and on PortsdoAvii Hill,
at Liverpool, Edinburgh, GlasgOAv, and many
other principal cities and towns of- the United
Kingdom, the public gratitude has dictated the
Vote of a similar distinction.
The Public Character of Lord Nelson as a
great Naval Officer is Avithout a parallel in the
age in which he lived. The splendour of his pro
fessional career proceeded from the uniform zeal
by which his conduct Avas inspired, and the pro
found judgment and mature reflection by which
that zeal Avas disciplined. His ardent mind Avas
ahvays intent on the one great object of Duty
which was at any time before him: It is to the
* Vide Quarto Edit. vol. ii. pages 4fjQ— 46s.

684
Day of Battle (he constantly repeated a short
time previous to his death), It is to the Day of
Battle, and only to that day, that I anxiously look.
Like an experienced Warrior, and a great Po
litician, he never steered a middle course, nor
adopted half measures. His idea of naval enter
prises Avas, as he strongly expressed it in his ad
mirable letter to Sir Hyde Parker before the
battle of Copenhagen, To lake the Bull by the
Horns, for that the strongest measures were the
best. All his Officers Avere sensible of the poAver-
ful energies of his mind on Public Duty, and
implicitly relied upon them.
The consciousness of his great Abilities, and
the zeal Avhich incited them, frequently gave him
an appearance of what has vaguely been termed
vanity; which seems too common and degrad
ing an appellation for that Passion, Avhich has
fed the flame of genius in the illustrious men of
all ages. Nelson often felt and acknoAvledged
a supernatural influence which raised him above
the common level of mankind, and made him
feel from his youth upAvards, that he Avas born
to perform great and unrivalled, exploits : If God
gives me life, he would often exclaim, I xviil be
renoxvned. In Avhat an eminent degree Lord Nelson pos
sessed Wisdom, properly so called, the following
definition of it will amply demonstrate : "The
general conception of Wisdom is easy, and the
character of it inA'ariable. It consists first of

685
the deliberate proposiug the best and fittest
end; and secondly of the fixed choice, and the
steady undeclining pursuit of the most proper
and effectual means, in order to promote it." —
This clearly appeared in his orders and plans of
attack, which Avere simple, and, Avhen made
knoAvn, easily understood. His Wisdom ex
tended throughout his squadron, and reflected
light on those Avho would otherwise have been
beAvildered. The decision and consistency Avhich
this imparted to his professional conduct, left
no room for doubt or uncertainty in the minds
of his Officers : consequently the Avhole circle
of Obedience in his Fleet Avas perfect. The
manner in Avhich he concluded his directions to
an Officer, Avhen he Avished him particularly to
exert himself, Avas admirably calculated to call
forth Avhatever energies he possessed : I am con
fident, said he at the close of one of his letters
on service, that you xcill act as appears to you best
' for his Majesty's service : I rely zcilh confidence
upon your Judgment, Zeal, and Expedition.
No Commander in Chief ever struggled more
uniformly than he did, to oppose that overruling
political interest at home, Avhich prevented an
Admiral from rewarding Merit, when the very
spirit of the Service required it, and called on
him to preserve a general emulation throughout
his Fleet. His letters to the different Ministers
demonstrate his judicious feelings on that in
creasing evil : In those addressed to the Admi-

686
ralty, many of Avhich have been necessarily
omitted, are some filled Avith his reasons for aq
apparent neglect of the Long List of names
swhich he had been directed to promote. Nel
son frequently brought fonvard Officers of'great
and distinguished ability, Avhom he had scarcely
seen: You must be sensible (said he when Avriting
to a great Statesman then at the Admiralty),
that a Commander in Chief must have the power of
rexvarding Merit, if he wishes for good conduct h\
the Fleet. I am sure I need say no more to your
Lordship upon this subject. We must think alike.
His anxious care of the Public Money and
his attention to an economy of it, never con
tracted his mind, nor rendered him callous to
the feelings and comfort of his men. If he had
treasure at any time on board, he Avas always
restless until it had reached its destination : yet
though so vigilant a SteAvard of the Nation's
wealth, he equally reprobated that occasional
disposition for parsimony Avhich periodically af
fected the energies of the British Government :
" No man (said he, when Avriting to one of our
Consuls in the Mediterranean), Avishes to be
more economical of the Public Money than
myself; yet in our present state, and with the sort
of people whom Ave have to manage in these mat
ters, Care must be taken, not to be penny zoise and
pound foolish." He also particularly complained
of old unprincipled men, Avho Avere in every re
spect unfit to serve their Country, being allowed

687
to retain situations abroad of great national im
portance: One of his letters on this subject thus
concludes, We should have, my Lord, younger
men, of honour and of business : If they are money
piaking men, they ought not to be appointed.
Like all men of great genius and sanguine
minds, the prejudices of Lord Nelson were
strong, and sometimes, when unfairly Avorked
upon, unconquerable: as one not easily unkind,
but, being wrought, perplexed in the extreme. The
exquisite tenderness of his mind unwarped by
their force, extended to all with whom he Avas
connected, and operated powerfully on their
hearts. The grateful Address of the Barge's
Crew of the Foudroyant, on his return to Eng
land in 1800, affords an interesting proof of it.
WheneA'cr he found himself disappointed in any
person of Avhom he had formed too' favourable
an opinion, he rarely suffered it to appear by a
change in his behaviour; that the routine of
service might continue to glide on smoothly,
and the harmony Avhich prevailed in his Fleet
plight remain uninterrupted.
The Avhole Character of this great and la
mented Admiral Avas consummated by his uni
form sense of the blessed tenets of Christianity.
This raised his mind above those mean and ig
noble passions which depress the Abilities of sp
great a portion of mankind, and rendered him
superior to the. rest of his contemppraries, be
cause he acted on a superior principle : In every

68S
work therefore Avhich he undertook, in the ser
vice of his King and Country, he did it in the
language of the sacred Historian, with all his
heart, and prospered. The Fame of Nelson, to
use nearly the Avords of one who justly estimated
his various excellence, will endure as long as
the name of his Country shall be pronounced,
in new ages of the Avorld by future generations
of men, and it will be esteemed honourable by
posterity to have lived during that Era which
he has ennobled. Let us then consecrate his
Memory by emulating the perfection of his Cha
racter, and the disinterested zeal of his Conduct;
and should the time hereafter arrive, Avhen on
our Native Land we shall be called to protect
the Tomb of Nelson, and the Liberties Avhich
he died to save, may his immortal Spirit hover
around us, and with the blessing of God's Provi
dence lead us to Victory.

APPENDIX. N'l.
Referred to at page 39 1.
British Line under the command of Sir John Jervis, K. B.
on the 14th of February, 1797.
N° Ships' Names. Guns.
1 Blenheim  90
2 Diadem  64
3 - Prince George  98
4 Irresistible  74
5 Britannia  100
6 Captain  7-1
J Egmont  74
8 Victory  100
9 Culloden  ". 74
10 Orion  74
1 1 Colossus  74 '
12 Barfleur  98
13 Excellent  74
14 Goliath  74
15 Namur  90
Total 1232 Guns
Total Spanish Line  2308
Difference against the British 1076 Guns
Frigates.
Lively  32
La Minerve  40
Niger  32
Southampton  32 ,
La Bonne Citoyenne  18
Raven brig  18
Fox cutter  12
2Y

690

Spanish Line under the command of Vice Admiral Don
Josef Cordova.

G
>

N' Ships' Names. Guns.
1 Bahama  74
2 Pelayo  74
3 San Pablo  74
4 Nrptuno  84
5 Concepcion  112'
6 San Domingo  74
7 Conquistador  74
8 San Juan Nepomuceno 74
9 San Genaro  74

Frigates Names. Guns

{Brigida  34
Cdsilda  34
Perla  34
Mercedes  34

10 Mexicano.

112

co
-0 rt
V3 \

u

1 1 Terrible 
12 Oriente 
13 Soberano  ,
14 SantissimaTrinidada
15 San Nicolas 
16 San "isidro 
17 Salvator del Mundo . .
18 San Ildefouso . . . .». . .

Paz  , 34
Dorotea  34
Guadalupe .... 34
Santa Teresa . . 34
Vigilante (brig) 12

19 Conde de Regla  112
20 San Firmin  74
21 Firme  /4
22 Principe'de Austurias. 112
23 San Antonio  "4
24 Glorioso . '  74
25 Atlante;  74
26 San Francisco de Paula 74
27 San Josef  112 taken

{Matilda  34
Diana  34
Atocha  34
Ceres  34

Total British Line.

Total 2308 Guns

1232

Difference in favour of the Spanish Fleet 1076 Guns

691
List of the Killed and JFounded in the squadron under the
command of Admiral Sir J. Jervis in the action with the
Spanish Fleet, Fehunry, 14,1797.

\

\\ ¦
rd.
Olic is
Se&rm"
M»rint-.|
So'.Lc <
utri e< :•
Mn-ns
S .1. ic *
wn.niiied.
Victory ....
0
1
0
0
0
o
3
0
6
Britannia . . .
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Barfleur ....
0
0
0
0
o
0
0
7
PrinceGeorge
0
7
1
0
Q
0
0
15
Blenheim . . .
0
10
0
o
2
40
0
7
tit
0
2
0
c
0
5
0
0
/
Captain ....
1
20
0
3
2
50
0
4
SO
Goliath 
0
0
0
0
0
4
4
0
s
Excellent . . .
1
s
2
0
0
10
•j
o
23
Orion 
0
0
0
0
0
/
2
o
0
Colossus ....
0
0
0
0
0
4
1
o
5
Egmont , . . .
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
o
0
Culloden . . .
I
/
2
0
0
3.9
S
0
57
Irresistible . .
0
4
1
0
1
12
1
0
19
Diadem ....
0
0
o
0
o
1
0
] 1
2
3
50
ti
5
0
ISO
121
12
jiOO
N" 2.
Referred to at pages 4S5, 4SS.
A Return of the Killed and JFounded in His Majesty's
Ships under the Command of Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B.
Rear Admiral of the Blue, &c. &c. C^c. in Action with
the French Fleet at Anchor, on the 1st of August, 1798,
off the Mouth oj' the Xile.
1 .....
¦
Kl
ic
.«
. ' :*-
Officer*
Seams*
Ma-.n«
T^tal
Oft. cr-
1
Aline
T :.-:
*Vovr,-ied.
Theseus
i 0
5
0
5
24
5
30
35
Alexander. . .
! i
13
0
14
0
4S
5
5S
7?
Vanguard. . .
, 3
20
1
30
/
00
S
/ J
105
Minotaur . . .
2
IS
3
23
¦ 4
54
0
04
S7
Swiftsure . . .
0
"
0
/
' 1
19
2
22
+9
Audacious . .
0
1
0
1
i O
31
o
35
3ti
Defence ....
0
3
1
4
! «
p
2
11
15
0
1
0
1
i °
i
0
/
8
Orion 
I 1
11
1
13
1 5
IS
ti
20
42
Goliath 
1 -
12
/
21
! 4
2S
9
41
62
Majestic . . .
J
33
14
50
o
124
10
143
193
Bellerophon .
4
32
13
40
5
126
17
US
197
Leander ....
! 0
0
0
u
0
14
0
14
14
1 »°"
15(5
4ti
21Sj
37
562
7S
0'77
805
692

Officers Killed.

Officers Wounded

Name and Quality.

| i WbatShp | »»? and Quality.

Captain Wm. Faddy, Marines. |
Mr. Thomas Seymour, Mid.
Mr, John G. Taylor, Mid.

Vanguard

"M> Nath. Vassal, Lieutenant.
Mr. John M • dve, Oo.
Mr. Juhii Ca .^pbell, Adm.SeC.
Mr. Michael Austin, Boatsw.
vir. John Wetherstone, Mid.
.Mr. George Antrim, Mid.

Theseus Lieutenant Haw'r.ins.

Mr. John Collins, Lieut.

!

(Alexander J Ball, Captain.
, John Cres.w;ll, Capt. Marines.
Alexander *; Mr. Willian Lawson, Master.
George Bully, Mid.
Lake Anderson, Mid.

*¦ Mr.
1 Mr.
(.Mr.

Audacious

' Mr. Join Jeans, Lieutenant.
Mr. Charles Foot, Gunner.

Mr. Baird, Captain's Clerk

Sir James Saumarez, Captain.
Mr. Pecer Sadler, Boatswain.
[. Mr, Phi'ip P.ichardson, Mid.
i Mr Charles Meill, Mid.
Mr. Lanfesty, Mid.

Mr.Wm Davies, Master'sMate
Mr. Andrew Browne, Mifl

5. B. Westcott, Captain.
Mr. Zebedee Ford, Mid.
Mr. And. Gilmore, Boatswain.

7 fMr
> Goliath -^ r
J tMr
> Majestic <

WilliamWilkinson, Lieut.
Law Graves, Mid.
Peter Strachan, Schoolm.
James Payne, Mid.

Mr. Charles Seward, Mid.
Mr Charles Boyle
Mr. R. Overton, Capt's Clerk.

Mr.Robt. Savage Daniel, Lieut.
Mr. P. Watson Launder, Do.
Mr. George Jolliffe, Do.
Mr. Thos Ellison, Mast. Mate.

f Henry D. Darby, Esq. Captain.
\ Mr. Edward Kirby, Master.
¦ Bellerophon J CaptainJohnHopkins,Marines.
J Mr. Chapman, Boatswain.
C Mr. Nicholas Botham, Mid.

Lt. J. S. Kircheser, Marines.
Mr. P.Walters, Master's Mate.

Minotaur

5 Mr. Thomas Irwin, Lieut.
Mr. John Irwell, Lt. Marines.
\ Mr. T. Foxton, SecondMaster.
I Mr. Martin Wells, Mid.

Swiftsure Mr. William Smith, Mid.

(Signed)

HORATIO NELSON.

693

Force of the English and French Fleets at the Battle of
the Nile.

English.

'inns 74 74
7474
7474¦4
7474 74
7474 74
50

Numb
Men.

er of
Kiiltd

\. 0 indei

| NllIT
French. Guns,

ber of
Men

How dis
posed of.

Vanguard. .
Culloden . .
Bellerophon
Defence . .
Minotaur. .
Alexander .
Audacious.
Zealous . . .
Swiftsure . .
Majestic. . .
Goliah ....
Theseus. . .
Leander . . .

595 59U
500590590
640 590
590
590
. 590590590590
343

30 13 0
49 4
23 14 1 1
7
50
21 5
0

75
29 0
148 11
6458
35 7
22
143 41 .
30 14

L'Orient, 

1010 800 800700700
700 700 700
700700300700300 5070
800 700
400
400

Burnt
Taken Do Do
Do Do
Burnt
Taken Do Do
Burnt
Taken Sunk
Burnt
Taken
Escaped Do DoDo

Le Conquerant ....
Le Sovereign Peuple
L'Hercule (Bomb)
Le Guillaume Tell

80 80
74747474 74
74 74
36 74
36 18
6074
40 40

1012

8068

218

677

1196

11230

^^^^ . . ...

Complement of men on board th'e French ships burnt, taken, }
and -sunk at the battle of the Nile ; as by certificates from > 803.0
the commissaries and officers of the different ships  J
Sent on shore by cartel, including the wounded, as by 1
certificates from Captain Barry of VAlceste  j
Escaped fiom the Timoleon  350
Escaped from L'Hercule (Bomb)  5p
Officers, carpenters, and caulkers, prisoners on board 1
thcfleet  '... j  — 37PJ
Taken, drowned, burnt; and missing  5325

(Signed)

HOEATIO NELSOtf,

694>
Referred to at page 681.
Euraylus, off Cadiz, October 24th, 1805.
Sir, ,
In my letter of the 22d, I detailed to you, for the Informa
tion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the proceed
ings of His Majesty's Squadron on the day of the Action, and
that preceding it, since which I have had a continued series of
misfortunes; but they are of a kind that human prudence could
not possibly provide against, or my skill prevent.
On the 22d in the morning, a strong southerly wind blew
with squally weather, which however did not prevent the activity
of the Officers and Seamen of such ships as were manageable,
from getting hold of many of the Prizes (thirteen or fourteen)
and towing them off to the westward, where I ordered them to
rendezvous round the Royal Sovereign, in tow by the Neptune:
but on the 23d the gale increased, and the sea ran so' high, that
many of them broke the tow-rope, and drifted far to leeward, be
fore they were got hold of again 5 and some of them, taking ad
vantage of the dark and boisterous night, got before the windj
and have perhaps drifted upon the shore and sunk; on the after
noon of that day the remnant of tbe Combined Fleet, ten sail
of ships, who had not been much engaged, stood up to leeward
of my shattered and straggled Charge, as if meaning to attack
them, which obliged me to collect a force out of the least injured
ships, and form to leeward for their defence; all this retarded
the progress of the hulks, and the bad weather continuing, de
termined me to destroy all the leewardmost that could be cleared
of the men, consideiing that keeping possession of the ships was
a matter of little consequence, compared with the chance of their
falling again into the hands of the Enemy: but even this was an
arduous task in the high sea which was running. I hope, how
ever, it has been accomplished to a considerable extent; I en
trusted it to skilful Officers, who would spare no pains to exe
cute what was possible. The Captains of the Prince and Neptune

695
cleared the Trinidada, and sunk her. Captains Hope, Byntun,
and Malcolm, who joined the Fleet this moment from Gibraltar,
had the charge of destroying five others. The Redoubtable sunk
a-stern of the Swiftsure, while in tow. The Santa Anna, I have
no doubt, is sunk, as her side was almost entirely beat in; and
such is the shattered condition of the, whole of them, that unless
the weather moderates, I doubt whether I shall be able to carry a
ship of them into port. I hope their Lordships will approve of what I
(having only in consideration the destruction of the Enemy's Fleet)
have thought a measure of absolute necessity. I have taken
Admiral Villeneuve into this ship ; Vice-Admiral Don Aliva is
dead. "Whenever the temper of the weather will permit, and
I can spare a frigate (for there were only four in the action with
the Fleet, Euryalus, Sirius, Phgsbe, and Naiad; the Melpomene
joined the 22d, and the Eurydice and Scout the 23d,) I shall col
lect the other Flag Officers and send them to England/with their
Flags (if they do not go to the bottom) to be laid at his Majesty's
feet. There were four thousand troops embarked, under the
command of General Contamin, who was taken with Admiral
Villeneuve in the Bucentaur.
I am, Sir, &c. C. COLLINGWOOD.

Letter from the Right Honourable Lord Collingwood,
Vice7Admiral of the Red, &c. &c. to William Mars-
den, Esq. dated on board the Euryalus, off Cadiz,
October 28, 1805.
Sir,
Since my Letter to you of the 24th, stating the proceedings
of His Majesty's Squadron, our situation has been the most cri
tical, " and our employment the most arduous, that ever a Fleet
was engaged in. On the 24th and 25th it blew a most violent
gale of wind, which completely dispersed the ships, and drove
the captured hulls in all directions.

696
I have since been employed in collecting and destroying them
where they are at anchor, upon the coast between Cadiz, and
six leagues westward of Saint Lucar, without the prospect of
saving one to bring into port.
I mentioned in my former Letter the joining of the Donegal
and Melpomene after the Action: I cannot sufficiently praise the
activity of their Commanders in giving assistance to the Squadron
in destroying the Enemy's ships.
The Defiance, after having stuck to the Aigle as long as it
was possible, in hope of saving her from wreck, which sepa
rated her for some time from the Squadron, was obliged to aban
don her to her fate, and she went on sliore.
Captain Durham's exertions have been very great. I hope I
shall get them all destroyed by to-morrow, if the weather keeps
moderate. In the gale the Royal Sovereign and Mars lost their foremasts,
and are now rigging anew, where the body of the Squadron is
at anchor to the N.W. of San Lucar.
I find, that on the return of Gravina to Cadiz, he was imme
diately ordered to sea again, and came out, which made it neces
sary for me to form a line to cover the disabled hulks. That
night it blew hard, and his ship, the Prince of Asturias, was dis
masted, and returned into port. The Rayo was also dismasted
and fell into our hands ; Don Enrique M'Donel had his broad
pendant in the Rayo, and from him I find the Saint Anna was
driven near Cadiz, and towed in by a frigate.
I am, &c. &c. &c.
C. COLLINGWOOD.

697

Gazette Extraordinary, Nov. 27, 1805.
Copy of a Letter received last night by the Honourable
Captain Blackwood, from Vice Admiral Lord Colling
wood, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and
Vessels in the Mediterranean, to William Marsden,
Esq. dated on board His Majesty's Ship the Queen, off
Cape Trafalgar, Nov. 4, 1805.
Sir,
On the 28th ultimo I informed you of the proceedings of the
squadron to that time. The weather continuing very bad, the
wind blowing from S.W. the squadron not in a situation of safety,
and seeing little prospect of getting the captured ships off the
land, and great risk of some of them getting into port, I deter
mined no longer to delay the destroying them, and to-get the
squadron out of the deep bay.
The extraordinary exertion of Captain Capel, however, saved
the French Swiftsure; and his ship, the Phoebe, together with
the Donegal, Captain Malcolm, afterwards brought out the Ba
hama. Indeed nothing can exceed the perseverance of all the
officers employed in this service : Captain Hope rigged and suc
ceeded in bringing out the lldefonso. All of which will, I hope,
have arrived safe at Gibraltar. For the rest, Sir, I enclose you a
list of all the enemy's fleet which were in the action, and how
they are disposed of, which, I believe, is perfectly correct.
I informed you, in my letter of the 28th, that the remnant of
the enemy's fleet came out a second time to endeavour, in the
bad weather, to cut off some of the hulks, when the Rayo was
dismasted, and fell into our hands: she afterwards parted her
cable, went on shore, and was wrecked. The Indomptable,
one of the same squadron, was also driven on shore, wrecked,
and her crew perished.
The Santa Anna and Algeziras, being driven near the shore of
Cadiz, got such assistance as has enabled them to get in; but

698
the ruin of their fleet is as complete as could be expected, un
der the circumstances of fighting them close to their own shore:
had the battle been in the ocean, still fewer would have escaped.
Twenty sail of the line are taken or destroyed; and of those
which got in, not more than three are in a repairable state
for a length of time.
Rear Admiral Louis, in the Canopus, who had been detached
with the Queen, Spencer, and Tigre, to complete the water, &c.
of these ships, and to see the convoy in safety a certain dis
tance up the Mediterranean, joined me on the 30th.
In clearing the captured ships of prisoners, I found so many
wounded men, that, to alleviate human misery as much as was
in my power, I sent to the Marquis de Solana, Governor-
General of Andalusia, to offer him the wounded to the care of
their Country, on receipts being given: a proposal which was
received with the greatest thankfulness, not only by the Gover
nor, but the whole country resounds with expressions of grati
tude. Two French frigates were sent out to receive them, with
a proper ' officer to give receipts, bringing with them all the
English who had been wrecked in several of the ships, and an
offer from the Marquis de Solana of the use of their hospital
for our wounded, pledging the honour of Spain for their being
carefully attended.
I have ordered most of the Spanish prisoners to be released;
the officers , on parole, the men for receipts given, and a con
dition that they do not serve in war by sea or land until ex
changed. By my correspondence with the Marquis, I fouud that Vice
Admiral D Aliva was not dead, but dangerously wounded ; and
I wrote to him a letter, claiming him as a prisoner of war.
I am, &c.
C. COLLINGWOOD.

A List of the Combined Fleets of France and Spain in
the Action of the 21st of October I805, off Cape Tra
falgar, showing hoiu they are disposed of.
1. Spanish ship. San Ildefonso, of 7 A gunsj Brigadier Don
Joseph de Vargas. — Sent to Gibraltar.
2. Spanish ship. San Juan Nepomuceno, of 74 gunsj Briga
dier Don Cosme Churruea. — Sent to Gibraltar.
3. Spanish ship. Bahama, of 74 guns; Brigadier Don A. D.
Galiano. — Sent to Gibraltar.
4. French ship. Swiftsure, of 74 guns; Monsieur Villemae-
rin. — Sent to Gibraltar.
5. Spanish ship. Monarca, of 74 guns; Don Ieodoro Argu-
mosa. — Wrecked off Saint Lucar.
6. French ship. Fougeux, of 74 guns; Monsieur Boaudouin.
— Wrecked off Trafalgar : all perished and thirty of the Teme-
raire's men.
7. French ship. Indomptable, of 84 guns; Monsieur Hubert,
— Wrecked off Rota : all perished.
8. French ship. Bucentaur, of 80 guns ; Admiral Villeneuve,
Commander in Chief ; Captains Pcigny and Majendie. — Wrecked
on the Porques; some of the crew saved.
Q. Spanish ship. San Francisco de Assis, 74 guns; Don
Louis de Flores.— Wrecked near Rota.
10. Spanish ship. El Rayo, of 100 guns; Brigadier Don Hen
rique Macdonel. — Wrecked hear San Lucar.
11. Spanish ship. Neptuno, of 84 guns; Brigadier Don Cay-
etano Valdes. — Wrecked between Rota and Catolina. ¦
12. French,ship. Argonaute, of 74 guns; Monsieur Epron. —
On shore in the port of Cadiz.
13. French ship. Berwick, of 74 guns f Monsieur Camas. —
Wrecked to the northward of St. Lucar.
14. French ship. Aigle, of /4 guns; Monsieur Courrege. —
Wrecked near Rota.

702

Admiralty Office, Nov. 30, 1805.
Copy of a Letter from the Honourable Captain Black
wood, of His Majesty's ship Euryalus, to William
Marsden, Esq. dated this day at the Admiralty.
Sir,
Observing in the Gazette Extraordinary of the 27th instant,
that the number of the enemy's ships taken and destroyed, in
consequence of the action of the 21st of October, is stated at
twenty sail of the line, I take the liberty of mentioning to you,
for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
that as this must be intended to include the French ship Argo-
naute, of seventy-four guns, which ship I had an opportunity
of knowing was safe in the port of Cadiz, it will be proper to
state the actual number taken and destroyed at nineteen sail of
the line. This apparent inaccuracy was occasioned by the de
spatch of the Commander in Chief, dated the 4th, having been
made up before my last return with a flag of truce from that
port. I am, &c.
HENRY BLACKWOOD.

THE END.

T. Bensley, Printer,
Bolt Court, Fleet Street, London.