met, to see either, which enabled his Lordship to form an opinion; but this conduct leaves my character liable to suspicion for four or five months. I wish, my dear Sir, you would direct Mr. Brame to send the complaint to you, and not to be quite so precipitate. I believe he means to do right, but I cannot be exactly pleased. I have at his request wrote something on a paper, which he may talk over with the Secretary of State; and to say that our not complaining of being fired at from every Town and point between Savona and Ventimiglia, and his Majesty's Subjects killed and wounded almost every day, arose from a belief that it was the French who had the batteries, and were masters of the whole Coast: therefore I did not wish in the present critical situation of Genoa, to make any complaint; but that if the Genoese Government wished a regular complaint from us, that we could make a very heavy one. The paper I scribbled in Mr. Brame's room he will send you; but I have charged him to give nothing that will come with more propriety through your orders. I pray God General Beaulieu may yet make head against these miscreants. I sincerely wish I could assist him. Ever believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged and affectionate HORATIO NELSON. I shall not fail to constantly write you. TO HIS EXCELLENCY MONSIEUR FAIRPOULT. [Letter Book. An imperfect copy of this Letter is in vol. ii. p. 188.] Sir, Captain, Genoa Mole, 22nd June, 1796. Generous Nations are above rendering any other damage to individuals than such as the known Laws of War prescribe. In a Vessel lately taken by my Squadron is an imperiale full of clothes belonging to a General Officer, Commanding Officer of Artillery. I therefore send you the clothes as taken and some papers which may be useful to the Officer, but can be of none to us, and have to request you will have the goodness to forward them to that Officer. The direction is unfortunately torn off, but to the best of my recollection it was directed to Vado. 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. An imperfect copy of this Letter is in vol. ii. p. 189.] Sir, Captain, Genoa Mole, 23rd June, 1796. I came in here on Tuesday, and having completed my water, and received such letters as were here for me, I shall get to sea this day, and shall lose no time in proceeding with the Meleager to Leghorn, the situation of which place is very critical. You may rest assured I shall afford every protection in my power to preserve the property of the English Merchants, and others, our allies; and act in other matters to the best of my judgment, and as circumstances may point out to me to be proper. Reports are all we have at Genoa. Nothing official from the Armies; indeed, it is said that a Courier of Mr. Drake's is intercepted. An additional Treaty is made between the King of Sardinia and the French, signed at the head-quarters of the French at Tortona, on the 17th June. Oneglia and Loano are absolutely to be given up to the King of Sardinia, as is the other fortresses. The King has taken care, by constant guards, to prevent any pillage of the baggage, or stores for the French Armies; indeed, it would appear that the French want every man in Italy, and have therefore made exactly the same terms with the Genoese, and say they will evacuate the whole Riviera of Genoa. Report says Beaulieu has given the French a check, and that the peasantry have killed full 15,000 men; pray God it may be true. Russian Minister and the Imperial believe the fact; but they have no accounts. The French are supposed to enter Bologna as this day. The The complaints of the Genoese Government are so ridiculous, that I hardly know what to say. If we are to allow the free passage of the Enemy coastways, we are useless. The Genoese Government wish us, it seems, to make our complaint, [of] which I shall send you particulars at some future time, but the best mode, in my opinion, is to speak openly-that so long as the French are in possession of batteries on the Coast, which fire on our Ships, so long we shall consider it as an Enemy's Coast. I have the pleasure to say that our conduct has so completely alarmed the French, that all their Coasting trade is at an end; even the Corvette, Gun-boats, &c. which were moored under the fortress of Vado, have not thought themselves in security, but are all gone into Savona Mole, and unbent their sails. I shall at a future time send you the complaints of the Genoese, and what I have to say on the other side, that such a representa tion may be drawn up as will be judged proper by you, Sir, and Mr. Drake. But I still think that the only answer proper for us to give is the one I have before stated. Believe me, Sir, with the greatest respect, &c., June 24th. P.S.-I have nearly finished my answer to the Notes of the Secretary of State of Genoa, which I shall send you from Leghorn. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "June 24th. Weighed (from Genoa) and made sail.”—Captain's Log.] Captain, Gulf of Genoa, June 24th, [1796.] Sir, I have ordered the National Ketch to join me at Leghorn; and, if you do not choose to purchase her for His Majesty's Service, shall direct her to be sold. She is by far the most useful Vessel for preventing the Enemy passing coastways, of any in these seas. I have the honour to be, &c., HORATIO Nelson. The Vessel is two years old: a list of stores Mr. Purvis has. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] My dear Sir, Captain, at Sea, 25th June, 1796. I send you a full answer to the three complaints of the Genoese Secretary of State; a copy of which I have also enclosed for Mr. Drake, that he may answer the Government of Genoa, if he thinks it right. The Genoese can only make these complaints to please the French; but I cannnot think it right, that we are to be traduced to please any Nation on earth. As to Mr. Brame's conduct, I am very angry. I have wrote to Mr. Drake to desire he will order Mr. Brame not to send home complaints against Officers in such a hurry; but he is a poor creature, and more of a Genoese than an Englishman. Since writing my answer, have found the Greeks' protest, which states the act of cruelty to have been committed on April 16th, when Agamemnon was in Genoa, and the whole Fleet in sight from the Town. I I have my letter ready, in case I should fall in with any Vessel going to the Fleet before my arrival at Leghorn. If not, I shall add a postscript. Believe me, dear Sir, with the truest esteem and respect, your most faithful and obliged HORATIO NELSON. I have wrote to Colonel Graham, and also a civil letter to Mr. Graves, at Rome: Mr. Trevor and Mr. Drake, of course. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. Fragments of this Letter are in vol. ii. pp. 194, 195.] "26th June.-Anchored at Leghorn-found at anchor His Majesty's Ship Inconstant, the Gorgon, and Sincere, with a Convoy in the offing, with the English Merchants, &c., from Leghorn-saw a French Row-boat towing one of the Convoy in shore-made the Meleager's signal to chase in that quarter-the garrison fired many shot at the Inconstant, and a Danish Vessel (Prize) which she brought out-saw the French Troops march into Leghorn. 30th.-Weighed. July 1st.-Anchored in Martello Bay. 6th.-Weighed. 9th.-Sent our Boats to assist landing the Troops. 10th.-Anchored in Porto Ferrajo. 11th.Weighed and came to sea. 12th.-Anchored in Port Especia. 14th.-Weighed. 15th.-Anchored in Leghorn Roads."-Captain's Log. and Sir, Captain, Leghorn Roads, June 28th, 1796. As I wrote you from Genoa was my intention, I made the best of my way to this place; but from calms, and contrary winds, it was yesterday morning before I anchored in the northern road of Leghorn. The Convoy of, I suppose, near forty Sail, under the protection of Gorgon, Comet, and Vanneau, was under sail by orders from Captain Fremantle, and I directly ordered the Meleager to join them, as not less than ten or twelve Privateers went out of Leghorn Mole after them. One, I am certain (and fear two) is taken. The Inconstant joined also the Convoy, about two o'clock. The French took possession of the Town about one o'clock, immediately fired on the Inconstant, and a Prize loaded with timber, of Captain Hood's, but without doing them any damage. The exertions of Captain Fremantle must have been very great, for the Consul and Mr. Fonnereau tell me that except bad debts, and the loss of furniture, nothing of any great consequence is left in the Town. The boom, I take for granted, was shut the moment the Enemy entered; for not a Boat or Vessel has left the place since that time. Of course, I know nothing of what is going on. By sight, I suppose at least six or seven thousand men are entered the place. I intend remaining here for a day or.two, in order to prevent any English Ship from entering till the news may spread about. It is then my intention to proceed to San Fiorenzo, to get wine, wood, &c., &c., and from thence to Genoa, to get some necessaries, as candles, &c., when my Ship will be, excepting her foremast, perfectly ready for any service, for I find her well manned, although not active. I hear the Governor behaved with all the attention in his power to the English, by doubling the guards on the Mole, to prevent the English being molested in getting out their Vessels; and, when it was represented to him that 200 bullocks and some bread were shipping for the English, his answer was, Leghorn is a free Port, and shall remain so, until I receive contrary orders from the Grand Duke; whose palace was opened for the reception of the French general Buona Parti. I send this by Tarleton, who is just come in. It was reported yesterday the Pope was dead. He would not sign the terms sent to him by the French.-I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. I have just got hold of a Fishing-Boat from the Town. The Troops entered at Porta Pisa, marched through Via Grande to the Mole Battery. General Buona Parti went to the Palace of the Grand Duke, from thence made a visit to the Governor, and then took possession of the English Consul's house. A French sentinel is mounted at the gates, with a Tuscan. Except the French Troops for the batteries, the rest lay outside the Town, (for not one has a tent) on the Glacis. The Governor set off directly for Florence. I have wrote to say that whatever may be their policy, in withholding a few vegetables and fruit from me, yet that the FishingBoats might safely go out as usual; for that we never wished to distress innocent inhabitants. TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. Some passages of this Letter are in vol. ii. p. 216.] Dear Sir, Captain, Leghorn Roads, 18th July, 1796. At seven o'clock yesterday evening Captain Hamilton joined me, and before eight Peterel and Sardine had sailed. The Rose Cutter also joined with your secret instructions to Captain Kelwick. I sincerely hope circumstances will allow of the Sloops proceeding to their place of destination. To say the truth, Captain Kelwick gave me his letter from Mr. North, and the instructions, to read. I recommended him not to show them to any one else. The Vice-Roy will, of course know, if the orders are yet to be executed if they may. I hope his Holiness may yet wage war against the French. I have never heard he has been in actual hostility against them. I have desired the Vice-Roy, in case the Sloops are |