that of serving faithfully. Do not, my dear Lord, let the Admiralty write harshly to me-my generous soul cannot bear it, being conscious it is entirely unmerited; and ever believe me your obliged, BRONTE NELSON. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD GRENVILLE, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. My Lord, [Autograph, in the State Paper Office.] Palermo, November 28th, 1799. I send you a letter sent me by Mr. Spiridion Foresti from Corfu, addressed to your Lordship, also one I received a few days ago, which Mr. Foresti thinks of some consequence. I cannot let this opportunity slip of recommending this gentleman to your Lordship's notice; and as I am on this subject, give me leave to recommend another Consul to the notice of Government, Major Magra, residing at Tunis. It is strict justice only in me to say that these two Consuls are the ONLY ones I have found in the Mediterranean who have really attended to their duty. I have the honour to be your Lordship's most obedient servant, BRONTE NELSON. TO CAPTAIN BALL, CHIEF OF THE ISLAND OF MALTA. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball, Bart.] My dear Ball, Palermo, November 28th, 1799. This will be delivered to you by the Chevalier Italinsky, who I beg leave strongly to recommend to your kind notice; he is fully sensible of your merits, and will I trust do full justice to them at Petersburg. He knows of my application for the Cross for you, I have opened fully to him on all the points which I think can occur about Malta, and in particular of your situation there. I trust, and indeed have no doubt, but that all will be harmony with the Russian Commander, which is most strongly recommended to me by my letters of October. I have only to wish you, which I do from my heart, a speedy termination of your labours, and a proper reward for them, to obtain which nothing shall be wanting on the part of your faithful and obliged friend, BRONTE NELSON. TO COMMISSIONER INGLEFIELD. [Letter-Book.] November 28th, 1799. My dear Inglefield, Many thanks for your letter of the 9th, and I shall only say, and desire you will bear it in mind, that I shall always be glad of opportunities of proving my sincere regard and esteem for you. But you must make allowances for a worn-out, blind, left-handed man; therefore, to business. If the Hulk is to be commanded by a Boatswain, I hope it will be given to my old and valuable friend, King; and request your influence that no other should stand in his way. The Perseus wants re-fitting. Pray do it as expeditiously as you can, that she may return to me. I am glad stores are going in the Gorgon to Minorca; for our Ships off Malta, when that long and tedious business is brought to a finish, will want a complete equipping. Troubridge, who brought me General Fox's permission for the garrison of Messina to go to Malta, did not anchor the Foudroyant, and joined him, for I keep her always ready to weigh, without any notice. If we are not turned out of Malta before Colonel Graham arrives there, we shall do well; but I have very great fears the garrison will make a sortie, and drive us to the Devil. But I hope our usual good fortune will attend us through this enterprise. Ball's perseverance has been wonderful. Sir William and Lady Hamilton desire their kindest wishes. I am, &c., Vide vol. i. p. 257. BRONTE NELSON. TO COMMODORE SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. [Letter-Book.] My dear Troubridge, Palermo, November 28th, 1799. This will be delivered to you by the Chevalier Italinsky, to whom I have communicated my sentiments fully on all the points about Malta; and in all your communication of any consequence with Admiral Ouschakoff, I would strongly recommend to have Italinsky present, and not trust to any other representation at Petersburg. You will find this gentleman. one of the best Foreigners you ever dealt with; and he sees the absolute necessity of the Allies drawing together as strongly as we do. There is nothing in reason I would not give into rather than a shade of difference. should arise. I need only say, be kind and civil to the Chevalier, and I know that your goodness will do all that is necessary. Should any particular stores be wanting, I desire you will send to Minorca, and ask them of General Fox in my name. The Perseus is arrived, and if the Corvette does not sail very early this morning, the Artillerymen shall be put on board her. No appearance of Martin' or the Transport. For the present, adieu; but ever believe me your affectionate friend, BRONTE NELSON. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL SPENCER, K.G. [Letter-Book.] My dear Lord, Palermo, November 29th, 1799. The situation of our affairs with the Barbary States calls for serious attention;" for, from the circumstances of the war, it has been impossible to make them fear us as they ought, particu Captain Martin, of the Northumberland, so often mentioned. Mr. Lucas, the English Consul at Tripoli, informed Lord Nelson, in a letter dated on the 14th October, 1799, that "The Bashaw is not averse to the peace with his Sicilian Majesty, but wishes to know what sum he is to receive for it, particularly as he has Neapolitan slaves; and should he make peace with Naples, he must declare war with some other nation, or lay up his cruizers." On the envelope of that letter Lord Nelson wrote-" Very good reasons for being at war-well said, Bashaw!" larly Algiers; and that State is now getting to such a pitch of insolence, that cannot much longer go unchastised. But I well know in England how an Officer would be reprobated, was he to permit this, and in the contest, which could not be long, any English vessels be taken. These States have taken many Maltese vessels and Neapolitans, having a pass, as they call it, from me. As no Vessel, either at Malta or Naples, on our first going there, would go to sea, without a paper signed by me, His Sicilian Majesty desired me many times under his own hand, to sign the passport, which was a recommendation to the Allies of Great Britain to the Vessel described, she being employed to carry provisions for the use of those fighting the common Enemy. I never signed one of those papers that I did not declare that it could be of no use for protection, and that I thought it was consigning seamen, poor creatures, to slavery. The answer always was, we are not worse for your signing, may be better, and our seamen will not go to sea without it. Many of these passes were respected by Tripoli and Tunis; but the Algerine cruizers paid not the smallest attention, and several Vessels loaded with salt, for the supply of the Capital, have been taken, and their crews, sixty-five in number, are now in slavery. As the greatest number of their papers were signed on board the Foudroyant at Naples, by desire of General Acton, and the Government of the City, at whose head was Cardinal Ruffo, it was not known under what circumstances the papers were signed-therefore, Prince Luzzi, Secretary of State, addressed a dispatch to Sir William Hamilton, a copy of which, and his Excellency's answer, I send you. I also send some papers sent me by Major Magra, also an account of an Algerine firing, in the Bay of Tunis, at an English vessel. I do not say, or think that the papers signed by me, ought, by the laws of Nations, to protect traders, but under all circumstances the Barbary States ought to be made sensible of the attention which is due to the signature of an English Admiral, and that, at least, the poor people ought to be liberated. The Dey of Algiers has been several times very impertinent about giving supplies for Minorca, and is getting from one insolence to another, which if not checked by vigorous measures, will end in a quarrel. My idea is for me to go to him and settle the business, and if I find that he will be insolent, to show him in the moment that he cannot go robbing in the Mediterranean without the consent of Britain. I think the greatest part of his Cruizers would be seized in a month, and then bring him to reason. Terror is the only weapon to wield against these people. To talk kindly to them is only to encourage them. Demand nothing that is not just, and never recede, and settle the whole in half-an-hour. I should say to him that I expected that, being embarked in the same Cause, you would not have taken Vessels only carrying provisions for people fighting against the French, but you had not humanity enough to do this. However, I insist that you shall not keep the poor people in slavery. It was by my having too good an opinion of you that they fell into your hands. With respect to the presuming to fire at any Vessel in a neutral Port bearing the English flag, the most ample satisfaction must be made.' I hope we shall soon be rid of Malta, and then our Ships for a little time cannot be so well employed. If this letter ought to be addressed to the Board, I beg of you to lay it before them;. but I consider it, and its enclosure, as a letter for the Cabinet Minister. I am anxious to know the sentiments of Government relative to these people. Believe me, my dear Lord, with the sincerest respect, your obliged and faithful BRONTE NELSON. TO CAPTAIN BALL, CHIEF OF THE MALTESE. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball, Bart.] Palermo, November 29th, 1799. My dear Ball, I have before told you that the Ministers of England, Russia, and Naples, had, a few days ago, agreed that for the future (it being impossible for His Sicilian Majesty to give all that was wanted for the relief of the poor Maltese) the three Powers should each find a sum of money for this purpose. His Sicilian Majesty has this day sent me 8000 ounces, to be sent to you for this purpose. You must now look to both Russia and England for an equal sum, before I can presume to solicit again from by far the poorest of the three Powers. |