very difficult it is for us to prevent a landing so near Savona, as Šestro de Levant. The Admiral will naturally ask, may with propriety the Troops be landed at Port Especia? for we shall certainly not have the consent of the Genoese. In fine weather we can land them at La Venza, and I shall be happy to attend to it myself. The weather is so bad, a gale of wind at S.W., that I cannot get to sea, which I much regret. Pray give me your answer about Port Especia; and believe me, dear Sir, your much obliged and faithful

HORATIO NELSON.

P.S.-Every day since the 25th we have kept close to the shore, and harassed the Enemy's Troops very much. Fieldpieces, &c., are drawn out on our standing in shore. You may be assured, I shall, now I know its importance, draw more of their attention. You must defend me, if any of the Genoese Towns are knocked down by firing at the Enemy's batteries. I have told Mr. Brame, that if the Secretary of State here should ever talk to him on the subject, to say that I never will fire the first shot; and the inhabitants, if they please, are always numerous enough to prevent the French from firing.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. and Letter-Book. Inaccurate extracts from this Letter are in vol. ii. pp. 164, 165, 166.]

Sir,

Agamemnon, Genoa Mole, 1st of May, 1796. By the Peterel, which put in here this evening, I learn that the Fox joined the Blanche yesterday, by whom you will receive the dispatches I left with Captain Sawyer. I now send you by Peterel a packet from Mr. Drake, and the letters, and information which I have received. Í am still of opinion that my presence at Naples can be of no use; but should you think otherwise, I am most perfectly ready to proceed there, and do my best. When these Troops arrive at Leghorn, I will attend to their debarkation at La Venza, or Port Especia, as may be most proper. I have wrote to Mr. Drake, to have his opinion, whether, if more convenient from weather, or other causes, we should force a landing at Port Especia. I told him it was a question you would naturally ask, and I therefore desired his answer. This, I am assured, is the last gale, and therefore I shall be very glad to get the Neapolitan Vessels over to this Coast. You will observe the Report of the Commissioners, as they call themselves, of

the news of Toulon: I have long had reason to suspect great part is fabricated in Genoa, if a patron does not happen to arrive opportunely: however, it has its uses. My channel of information says, this day, if the wind is fair, two small Frigates, two Cutters, and thirty-three Sail of Transports, will sail from Marseilles, loaded with ammunition, provisions, and clothing. I feel distressed beyond measure at being kept here, and at present there is no sign of a change of wind. If you think that the report of these Commissioners is true, you will probably think it proper to reinforce me with a Ship of the Line; for they may slip past you in a strong Westerly wind: but I cannot bring myself to believe that the French will trust six Sail of the Line to the Eastward, even for the certainty of destroying us; but they do at times act contrary to all reasonable ideas, therefore we must not judge of them as of other people.

I think I have got to the end of our Naval business; therefore I shall take up the proceedings of General Beaulieu, and the Sardinians, where Mr. Drake stops. The treaty is finished, and an armistice agreed on, until the return of the courier from Paris. I never had much faith in the Sardinian Ministry, from 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. Ceva, nor the strong posts, as I wrote you, were not then taken, nor are they to this day. Twenty thousand French pushed forward within six miles of Turin: General Beaulieu pushed from Aqui, and was on one side of the plain, and next day would 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 between the Sardinians and France. Mr. Trevor, the Imperial, Neapolitan, and Russian Minister, waited on the King, to desire that Alessandria and Tortona might be delivered up to the Germans, which was peremptorily refused, when the Ministers quitted the Kingdom, without taking leave, and it is very probable we have now an additional Enemy. General Beaulieu is retreating, I am told, towards the Milanese; but how far he has fell back, I do not hear. The French near Aqui are very ill supplied, and this Convoy 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. The Southampton is just anchored, which will save me sending the Peterel. I learn with pleasure that the largest of the batteries at Loano we knocked to pieces, and killed twenty-five French in it. The

way,

Town is also very much damaged, which I regret; but these things must happen where batteries are situated in a Town. I have authorized Mr. Brame to say, should any conversation with the Secretary of State here turn that that I never will fire the first shot; and, therefore, if the inhabitants of Genoese Towns prevent the French from firing, which they can do if they please, their Towns will be safe. If the contrary, the act rests with them. I have wrote Mr. Drake what I have desired Mr. Brame to say. Believe me, &c., HORATIO NELSON.

P.S.-I have great pleasure in saying my poor Lieutenant is still alive, and we have some hopes.

May 2nd. Fresh wind S.W., can't get out. P.S.-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 latter place, I believe, as security for his punctual adherence to the treaty.

H. N.

P.S.-As you have letters from the Consuls, I take for granted they tell you all the news. The Neapolitan Minister is just arrived here, in a Spanish Frigate, from Barcelona. I dare say has been negotiating to desert us in case of a rupture with Spain, which from what I hear must soon happen, or, which is improbable, again unite against the French. The case of the Swedish Man-of-War convoying requires your advice or orders. Last War, you will recollect, we had orders to search all Convoys.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "May 3rd. P.M.-Weighed. 5th. P.M.-Chased a Ship and a Brig close in shore -made the Peterel's signal to chase N.W. At 3 made the signal to recall her from chase-ditto for her Captain-the two Vessels got close under the batteries at Albango, who fired several shot at us, which we returned. Falling little wind, and the swell setting in shore, tacked ship and stood out to sea. 7th. P.M.At 20 minutes past gave chase to a Brig and two Gun-boats into the Bay of Pietra-cleared ship for action-made the signal for all boats manned and armed. At 5 made the signal No. 54. At 10 minutes past 5 made the Blanche's signal No. 35-repeated the signal to the Peterel. At 6 the Blanche made the signal that the Vessels seen were at anchor; at half-past 6 the Town opened their fire upon the Squadron; at three quarters past 6 made the signal No. 5; at 55 minutes past 6 made the Blanche's signal No. 34. At half-past 8 the Blanche made the signal of distress, and for being in want of immediate assistance-sent our carpenters on board-hauled out to sea-the batteries ceased firing-calm at times. 8th. A.M.-The Boats of the Squadron brought out a Ship and a Brig from Finale, which both proving Genoese (and empty), liberated them.”—Agamemnon's Log.]

VOL. VII.

e

Sir, Agamemnon, off Noli, May 4th, 1796. My letters, as also those of Mr. Trevor, and Mr. Drake, having been sent off in the Minerva, in her way to Leghorn, and, since writing in the morning, getting within three or four miles of Southampton, I have recalled her. Mr. Drake's is copies of letters to Lord Grenville, and one from Sir William Hamilton, saying the Flotilla would rendezvous at St. Fiorenzo. My letter was to say the Zebecks and Galliots would be very acceptable on this Coast: also the Feluccas. The Gun-Boats are not, I believe, fit for this service. I also sent a letter from Mr. Trevor.

I am told it is probable the Peterel may be wanted. The recall for her, if you please to direct it to the Senior-Officer then with her, may expedite her joining you. Our fit-out from Ajaccio is miserable, and I have requested your order to buy twine, spars, and some other articles, which the Commissioner has not sent. I have sent you his letters. Believe me, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. Part of this Letter is printed in vol. i. p. 167.]

Sir,

Agamemnon, off Cape Noli, 4th of May, 1796. I got out of Genoa yesterday forenoon, and this morning joined Blanche, when I received your letters of 26th and 27th of April, with the several inclosures, for which I beg leave to thank you. Captain Sawyer had unfortunately sent my letters, left with him on my going to Genoa, by the Minerva, which will make it some time before you receive them. Southampton is too far to the Westward to recall her, and send the substance. I have wrote by Southampton, and have only to add a letter of General La Harpe's, and that on the 1st instant the French, it is said, took possession of Alessandria. I have still hopes from General Beaulieu; should these people follow him into the plain, his force is very respectable. The French are levying contributions of money and bread, &c., all over Piedmont; and it is said the Piedmontese have paid more already than they used to pay their King for several years. The Peterel I left for the post, and she has not yet joined me. I send the Diadem direct for Genoa, to complete her water, and in eight or ten days I must go to Leghorn for wood and some wine, and to get some absolute necessaries for the Ship, on which subject I have wrote you. Transports can water at Genoa with greater

convenience and expedition than either at Leghorn or St. Fiorenzo. I should suppose the Genoese Government could have no objection on any ground of neutrality. Boats can be had to bring it off without any difficulty. Fresh lemons can be had better at Genoa than Leghorn, either in bulk or in chests. But I rather think you will be far Westerly after the Enemy. It is not improbable but they may be bound for Cadiz, to engage Admiral Man off that Port, and to be joined at the same time by Richery; but all must be conjecture, they may also be bound to Sicily, where all is not right. I am, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B., and Letter-Book. An imperfect copy of this Letter is in vol. i. p. 168.]

Sir, Agamemnon, Gulf of Genoa, 8th May, 1796. Since writing you by the Southampton, but little has occurred. I send you a copy of the Treaty of suspension of Arms, and of Mr. Trevor's letter to Mr. Brame. From the first, it appears, that the King of Turin is to accept of what the five Kings may direct; for the Minister, and Salicetti, &c., would not hear of a Treaty of Peace, without orders from Paris. Respecting Mr. Trevor's letter, I cannot but observe, entre nous, that a Minister may be continued too long at a particular Court; he becomes imperceptibly the friend of that Court, when he ought to be the jealous observer of their conduct. Indeed, Mr. Trevor seems sensible of the truth of my observation.

The Meleager has joined me from Leghorn. The Viceroy has bought the sixteen hundred stand of arms, and all the ammunition: the hulls of all the Vessels, we expect, will also be condemned, for they are hired Transports. Yesterday evening we chased into Loano a French Gun-boat, two light Brigs, and one deep one; they came from the anchorage at Alassio; and yet, from missing the same sort of Vessels out of Vado, we rather believe (without being able to account how they came to the Westward, and steered again to the Eastward) they are from Vado. It fell stark calm as we got within shot, and dark. Several shots struck the Blanche, and one, a hot one, which set her on fire, but we soon got the shot cut out, and towed off; her sails and rigging were also cut, but not a man killed or wounded. With our general