have drawn all the Egyptian Army from the Mediterranean, but that it was necessary in the state of England as to Troops, and the preparations of the Enemy, had they profited of the moment, but that as they get strength in England, they will send troops here. 500 are coming out, and Dillon's is to be re-established: therefore, your Son's 80 men will be a good beginning. The French force, yesterday, at two o'clock, was correctly ascertained-eight Sail of the Line, eight Frigates, and five or six Corvettes, perfectly ready, and as fine as paint can make them. A ninth Ship is visibly getting forward. I only hope in God we shall meet them. Our weather-beaten Ships, I have no fears, will make their sides like a plumpudding. As to news, I can tell you none. We have nothing later than September 29th, from Portsmouth. I am ever, my dear Sir, your most faithful servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. bility of maintaining a position there, without the application of greater means than it may be in our power to furnish. Satisfied upon these points I should hope it would not be difficult for you to enable Mr. Drummond to convince the Porte that we can have no object in looking for an establishment at Panormo, but that of having it more effectually in our power to protect European Turkey against the intrigues and eventual attacks of the French. Whilst, however, the Turkish Government are thus secretly apprised of the steps we are taking, it would probably be advisable for them to appear ignorant upon the subject, as in that case, they will avoid being in any shape committed with the French, on account of the measures we may pursue with the Pacha, whose notorious independence of the Porte (though. nominally subject to it) would easily exculpate that Government from the charge of being a party to the transaction. The Pacha must also be managed, and the whole business, as far as the Turkish Government can be effected, be made to appear to originate with us. You will observe that it is his wish that we should make no communication of our intentions to Constantinople. "Our intercourse with Russia continues friendly, but it is difficult to anticipate the effect of the French intrigue, which is carried on with uncommon activity, and not without success. Mr. Frere will apprise you of the situation of things in Spain. From Lisbon, you will, I take for granted, have heard that General Lannes has obtained a complete ascendancy, and that we are to look for nothing at that Court, but implicit obedience to the dictates of France. "I am afraid even the circumstance of some of your Ships being crippled will not induce your friends at Toulon to come out. It was the Port from whence they took their departure for Aboukir; and whilst the memorable events which took place there remain impressed upon their minds, they will not encounter a Fleet under the command of Lord Nelson, if they can avoid it. With those ideas which naturally suggest themselves in the contemplation of that subject, believe me ever, my dear Lord, with the most sincere respect and regard, most faithfully yours, "HOBART. "P.S.-Mr. Addington desires me to say he will write in a few days by another opportunity."-Autograph. I have given my friend Doctor Nudi a letter of introduction to you. He is a good man, a clever man, and was a great friend of Sir William and Lady Hamilton. Your kind notice of him will much oblige me. November 25th.-I send you a copy of a letter sent me, that you may see the conduct of the French Privateers. We are in a hard gale of wind. N. AND B. TO SIR JOHN ACTON, BART., NAPLES. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 339.] Off Toulon, 24th November, 1803. On the 9th, I sailed from the Madalena Islands. We have had a very bad passage, and much blowing weather, but our Ships have not suffered any material damage. The French Fleet yesterday at two o'clock, was in appearance in high feather, and as fine as paint could make them; eight Sail of the Line, eight Frigates, and several Corvettes were ready for sea. One Ship of the Line was fitting in the Arsenal, her topmasts on end. This is their state; but when they may sail, or where they will go, I am very sorry to say is a secret I am not acquainted with. Our weather-beaten Ships, I have no fears, will make their sides like a plum-pudding. Lord Hobart says, as they increase in force at home, which is doing rapidly, that they will not forget an additional one for the Mediterranean. The general orders to support the King of Naples are repeated; and I shall only assure your Excellency, that the defence of their Majesties and their Kingdoms is always nearest my heart. The Excellent, 74, Captain Sotheron, has joined me from England. I am, &c., 6 NELSON AND BRONTE. Captain Frank Sotheron, of the Excellent, has been already mentioned. Vide vol. iv. p. 381: he died an Admiral of the White, in February 1839. man. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. My dear Sir, [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] Victory, at Sea, November 24th, 1803. I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency, Doctor Nudi, who is not only a good man, but a most able professional He is a great friend of mine, and was always so of dear Sir William and Lady Hamilton. Any kindnesses your Excellency may show him will ever be esteemed a favour conferred upon your most obliged and obedient servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO CAPTAIN CRACRAFT, H.M. SHIP ANSON. [Letter Book.] Victory, off Toulon, 25th November, 1803. You will take every means in your power, for the effectual protection of our Trade in the Adriatic, and in the Mouth of the Archipelago, and give such Convoys as may be wanted, not only from Malta, but also, from Trieste, Venice, Fiume, Patras, Zante, &c.; the French Fleet are ready for Sea, but where they are bound I cannot tell you; some reports say to the Morea, or Egypt; others, out of the Mediterranean. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO DOCTOR JOHN SNIPE, PHYSICIAN TO THE FLEET. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Victory, off Toulon, 25th November, 1803. The Commissioners for taking care of Sick and Hurt Seamen and Marines, having acquainted me that they had appointed Mr. John Gray to be Surgeon of a Naval Hospital intended to be established at Malta, I am, therefore, to desire you will proceed immediately, in his Majesty's Ship Narcissus, to Malta, for the purpose of examining the situation and necessary accommodations of such Hospital, previous to its being occupied as such; and, as it has been mentioned to me by the Admirals and Captains who have served in the Mediterranean for some considerable time, that the situation of the former Naval Hospital at Malta was particularly unhealthy, it is my directions that you do not suffer that house to be received as an Hospital, or any other which, from situation, you may judge improper; but endeavour to procure a convenient and wellappointed house, in an airy and healthy situation, for a Naval Hospital pro tempore, until such time as Government shall take the necessary measures for building, or otherwise providing, a convenient and proper Hospital. If such accommodations cannot at present be had, you will beg Major-General Villettes to allow Mr. Gray the use of the Wards in the Military Hospital at present appropriated for the Seamen, until the necessary arrangements can be made for their reception into some other place. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. P.S.-You will order Mr. Gray to transmit to the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen an account agreeable to the letter and form herewith inclosed; also similar Returns to be made to me for my information. The letter and form you will bring with you, and deliver to me on your return by the Narcissus. TO SPIRIDION FORESTI, ESQ., CORFU. Off Toulon, November 25th, 1803. ' has the power to I should wish to know whether. grant us any particular privileges in trade, and if so, what they are? I am told he has the finest forests for building Ships of the Line, and that vast quantities of hemp may be grown in his Government; and I should be glad to know what of our manufactures he could take, and to what amount. I have desired Captain . . . . to look at the Port, and ascertain whether it be capable of holding the Fleet under my command, and of supplying all our wants. I am really much interested The names and places left blank in this letter, may be ascertained from Lord Nelson's letter to Lord Hobart, in p. 325, post. for . . . . : he has always been a staunch friend to the English, and most particularly kind to me; and if I should ever go to Corfu, I shall certainly, if he be within a few days' reach, go to see him. As I have done before, so I have again written to Mr. Hammond, and desired him a second time to speak to Lord Hawkesbury on the subject of at least making good your losses, and that, in my opinion, you ought to be rewarded for considerable sufferings, and for your unshaken attachment to Great Britain. Your attention to every part of your duty, leaves me nothing to recommend. I am, &c., 8 NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN SCHOMBERG, H.M. SHIP MADRAS, MALTA. Sir, [Letter-Book.] Victory, off Toulon, 25th November, 1803. If the Raven has not sailed with the Transports to join me, I have directed either Stately or Narcissus to take them under their Convoy, in order that the Raven may be at your disposal for the various services required of her. I have wrote to Captain Cracraft to give every facility in Convoys; and we must endeavour that our Commerce, both in the Adriatic and Levant, is kept in circulation, and protected from the French Privateers. I am, &c. The Jalouse will probably be wanted to see the Ship bound to Smyrna to her destination; but I hope some of Captain Cracraft's Squadron will be in the way to see our Convoy safe up the Adriatic, for I am so much in distress for Frigates that the Amazon will be a most important acquisition, espe George Hammond, Esq., Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, afterwards Minister Plenipotentiary in America. 9 Now Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. |