French. Everything else which I could urge on this important subject, will so naturally suggest themselves to you, that it would be presumptuous to say more. A Ship of War-and, generally, of the Line-shall, on some pretence or other, always be in the Bay of Naples, to prevent that worst of all accidents, the loss of the Royal Family. The Prince, as Viceroy, could not be of half the importance as the King; for his Royal Highness is still only a Subject. I entreat your Excellency to lay me at their Majesties' feet; and to declare most solemnly, that to save their persons from falling into the hands of the French, I would lay down my life; and I beg your Excellency to believe me, with the highest respect, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. P.S.-I do not presume to write to their Majesties at this moment, having stated my free thoughts to your Excellency and Mr. Elliot, but I feel truly sensible of their Majesties' good opinion of my zeal and activity, and which it shall ever be my pride to merit. TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN ACTON, BART. Private. [From a Copy in the Elliot Papers.] My dear Sir John. June 25th, 1803, off Capri. If I know myself, it is to know, that the more my friends. are in distress, the more I am anxious to serve them. A mouse assisted a lion, which is the only comparison I can make in arrogating to myself the power of assisting a King of the House of Bourbon; and I am sorry to say, the only one who has strictly preserved his honour, or dignity, and fidelity to his Allies, and I shall feel proud in aiding you, my dear Sir John, in saving these two fine Kingdoms, and Mr. Elliot will join us most cordially in this good work. All we must take care of is, not to run the risk of Sicily, beyond the line of prudence; on this point we rely, (as the Seamen's phrase is,) on your Excellency's look-out. You must be aware of our distance, and be in time. I will, if you send to me off Toulon, either attend myself, or send Sir Richard Bickerton. Declarations are to come from our Officers, that the authority of his Majesty is in no one respect to be abridged; and if my counsel can have weight, I should recommend, at the risk of a War with all the Barbary States, to liberate the Sicilian Flag from their insolence. I assure you I would only ask for three months' War to put them in order; not by attacking Algiers, but taking all their Cruisers. I am going off Toulon, and from thence shall send a Vessel direct to England. It has been my plan to have 10,000 disposable Troops in the Mediterranean; this is also Lord Minto's, and his Excellency Mr. Elliot's. I shall write to you from off Toulon, and ever believe me, with the truest esteem, your Excellency's most obedient and faithful friend, NELSON AND Bronte. Give my respects to Lady Acton, and I shall be happy in making my bow, and seeing your little ones, when it may be judged prudent. I only beg that you will not apologize for your English writing; very few write English so well. I am not surprised that the King will not part with your Excellency; if he did, adieu this Kingdom. Faithful servants are not to be parted with at this time. I shall send a Squadron to look after Genoa and Leghorn. N. AND B. I have wrote to your Excellency from Messina, respecting the conduct of the Frigates who sent their Boats after the French Vessels. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] June 25th, 1803. No. 2. My dear Sir, I am so anxious to answer your Excellency's letter, that I have only touched on the most important part of it, jointly Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, Bart., second in command, with his Flag (White at the mizen) in the Kent. This able Officer died an Admiral of the Red, and a Knight Commander of the Bath, in February 1832. with Sir John Acton. I shall not, therefore, repeat to him my letter No. 1; but request of you to show it him, and, if he wishes it, a copy. I have given my opinion to the best of my judgment, under all the circumstances. Had I only to consider, Is Sicily safe at this moment? I should say, No. But let it be recollected, that I am called upon not to entirely lose Naples by my opinion, but to try, with that important object in view, to save Sicily. I have arranged with General Villettes to have 2000 men ready for service; and I shall write secretly to have them in momentary preparation. If Sir John Acton, without choosing to run too great a risk for Sicily, chose to send to me off Toulon, I would attend myself, if possible, this very important service. I am very anxious to join the Fleet; for I must place a Squadron between Elba and Genoa, to prevent that Expedition from moving, and also to send some Ships to the Straits' Mouth, and to keep enough to watch the Ships in Toulon, of whose force or readiness for service I am totally ignorant. These are all important objects, but nothing when compared with the security of the Sicilies. I am ever, your Excellency's most faithful and obedient ser I send you an order which, when necessary, you will deliver to the Commander of any King's Ship in the Bay of Naples. I will never trust the Royal Family; but if you think it right to send away the Ship with any dispatches to me, you must judge of the propriety of it. You may rely on my care of you by water. Toulon is my Rendezvous, but I very much doubt if any Neapolitan Vessel will come off that place. If they really do come, they are changed. Ever, my dear Sir, yours faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. TO THE SENIOR CAPTAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS IN THE BAY OF NAPLES. [Autograph in the Elliot Papers.] Amphion, off Capri, 26th June, 1803. Most secret and confidential. You are hereby required and directed, on this order being delivered to you, to receive on board, or to convoy them if they embark on board one of their own Ships, the King, Queen, and Royal Family of Naples, to Palermo, or such other place as the King may choose to proceed to; and you will afford every protection and assistance to all those who may wish to follow their Majesties, (and that they approve of.) And you will also receive his Majesty's Minister and suite, and afford such other protection as is in your power, to all British Subjects and their property, as the urgency of the case may require. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. No. 3. [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] June 26th, 7 A.M., [1803.] Calms have prevented my sending off the Phoebe to you yesterday; and I have to request that your Excellency will make all due allowances for the language which I may have used, and for not having put my opinion more concise than it appears at present; but as it flowed from the unlettered pen of a Seaman, you must receive it, my whole opinion resting in these few words-that we must not risk Sicily too far in trying to save Naples; therefore, General Acton, yourself, and myself, must keep a good look-out. When the French General comes to Naples, the business will be clear; for if he insists on our being shut out of the Ports of the Kingdom, their plan is decided, and we must not lose time. Ever, my dear Sir, yours most truly, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN HENRY RICHARDSON,' H. M. SHIP JUNO. [Order-Book.] Amphion, off Capri, 26th June, 1803. Whereas, the French have taken possession of Pescara, Brindisi, Otranto, and Tarento, and it being apprehended that they will convoy their Troops along shore either into Sicily, or the Coast of Calabria opposite to it, you are therefore hereby required and directed (notwithstanding former orders) to proceed with his Majesty's Ship under your command, and cruize very diligently off Cape Spartivento and on the Coast towards Tarento, for the purpose of intercepting any French Troops, which I have reason to believe will be attempted to be convoyed along shore; and in the event of your falling in with them, to take, sink, burn, and destroy them, without regard to their being in any Ship or Vessel bearing a Neutral Flag. You are to continue on this service until you are relieved, or receive my further orders, acquainting me as opportunity may offer of your proceedings. NELSON AND Bronte. N.B.-A Sloop of War will be sent to you soon. Sir, TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amphion, off Capri, 26th June, 1803. I received letters from their Excellencies Mr. Elliot and General Acton yesterday afternoon, and as the French have declared their intention, and begun to put in execution, the taking possession of Pescara, Brindisi, Otranto, and Tarento, and as it must ever be uncertain what further measures they may take for the entire subjugation of the whole. Kingdom of Naples, I have thought it right to send a Frigate to lay in the Bay of Naples, in order to secure a retreat to our Minister and the English and their property, and others who may unhappily again want the protection of his Majesty's Captain Richardson will be frequently mentioned. |