speaking, I cannot get even a Frigate from Malta, the Westerly winds are so prevalent; and as they approach the Gulf of Lyons, they are blown to the South end of Sardinia. Perseverance has done much for us, but flesh and blood can hardly stand it. I have managed to get some fresh provisions from Rosas in Spain, which with onions and lemons have kept us remarkably healthy. We are longing for the French Fleet, which is to finish our hard fate. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN PHILIP LAMB, AGENT OF TRANSPORTS, MALTA. Sir, [Letter-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, 1st January, 1804. Having ordered the Agent Victualler at Malta to ship provisions immediately, on board the largest of the Transports named in the margin,' for the Fleet under my command, and it being of the utmost consequence to have it all sent in one Vessel, in order that the Convoy which I shall appoint may take her in tow, I am to desire you will particularly inspect the state of their ballast, as I am of opinion the Ellice has a great deal too much on board, as she appears at this moment deeply laden. You will also examine their other accommodations that no space may be lost, and render every facility in your power to get this Transport ready. I must also desire your particular attention on all future occasions to the ready dispatch of the Transports or Victuallers employed for the Fleet. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO PATRICK WILKIE, AGENT VICTUALLER, MALTA. [Letter-Book.] Madalena Islands, 1st January, 1804. Sir, I am to desire you will immediately cause to be shipped on board the largest of the Transports named in the margin,' a proportion of bread for 5600 men for two months, with every other species of provisions to six weeks, except wine, of which none is wanted; and should there not be a sufficient quantity of sugar in store for the above purpose, you are not to purchase, but send what remains. And as it is of great consequence to have all the provisions in one Transport, in order that the Vessel of War which convoys her may take her in tow, you will endeavour to have the provisions all put into one Transport: and, therefore, if it cannot be stowed in such Victualler, you will only send a month's beef and pork, instead of six weeks', as our little supplies of fresh beef will, in some measure, make up the deficiency. You will send me an account of the provisions which you may ship, as before directed, by the first opportunity, as well as a regular account of the remains of every species in store, by any of his Majesty's Ships joining me from Malta, that I may on all occasions know what supplies can be drawn from the stores under your charge. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN JOHN WHITBY, H.M. SHIP BELLEISLE. [Letter-Book. "Monday, 2nd January, 1804. Weighed and made sail out of Agincourt Sound, as did the Squadron. P.M. At 1, carried away the jib-boom in the cap; bore up for Agincourt Sound, and at 2, anchored.'-Victory's Log.] Sir, Victory, Madalena Islands, 3rd January, 1804. I have received your letter of yesterday's date, acquainting me that Thomas Carrol, Quarter-Gunner, belonging to his Majesty's Ship Belleisle, under your command, had given himself up as a deserter from the Peterel Sloop, having entered for that Vessel previous to her being paid off; in answer to which I am to desire you will, whenever the Belleisle meets the Peterel, if he entered on board her since her being paid off, deliver him up and you will warn the said Thomas Carrol of the punishment which he merits, and that it is only by his extraordinary good conduct in the Belleisle from this time, that [he] can lessen the punishment which a Court-martial may inflict; and that if ever he deserts again, he can expect nothing less than to suffer death. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HOBART, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE WAR DEPARTMENT. [Autograph, in Colonial Office. sail out of Madalena, as did the Squadron."-Victory's Log.] My Lord, "Wednesday, 4th January, weighed and made Victory, at Sea, January 4th, 1804. Short as my force is of the Enemy's Fleet, which I enclose you a list of, and from the absence of the Kent, I wished to draw the temporary assistance of the Gibraltar, who is stationed at Naples for the protection of the Royal Family, yet receiving from their Sicilian Majesties the enclosed letters, and one from his Excellency Sir John Acton, and from Mr. Elliot, stating the very critical situation of that Kingdom, from the recent insolent threats of Buonaparte, and declaring that they look up in their distress to his Majesty's Fleet, and requesting that I would not withdraw the Gibraltar from their protection,-what, my Lord, could I do? I have ordered the Gibraltar to remain, and my determination never to abandon those faithful Allies of our Sovereign, and sooner than withdraw the Gibraltar from Naples, to fight double our force. My heart, my Lord, is warm, my head is firm, but my body is unequal to my wishes. I am visibly shook; but as long as I can hold out, I shall never abandon my truly honourable post. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN PARKER, H. M. SHIP AMAZON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 348.] 4th January, 1804. An invasion of Sardinia is intended immediately on our departure, by the French from Corsica; it is therefore my direction that you remain at your present anchorage, and use your utmost endeavours in preventing the invasion of the French, and give every aid and assistance in your power to the Inhabitants, should it be attempted. The Cameleon will give similar orders to Captain Staines, and direct him to remain on this service till further instructions; and you will get under weigh occasionally, as you may think proper. NELSON AND Bronte, TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HOBART. My Lord, [Autograph, in the Colonial Office.] Victory, at Sea, January 6th, 1804. Herewith I transmit two letters which were taken in the mail from Antibes to Corsica, which, with many other circumstances, assure me that an early invasion of Sardinia is intended, of which I have transmitted my belief to his Royal Highness the Duke de Génévois,' the Viceroy, and offered him all the assistance in my power, consistent with the other important objects of my instructions. I also send you two letters from the Commandants of Madalena and Longo Sardo to my Chaplain and Interpreter. I have, therefore, left a Frigate for their present protection; for however [great] my distress is, and greater it cannot well be, for Frigates and Sloops, yet I could not allow the most important Island and Naval Station in the Mediterranean to fall, whilst I have any means of preventing it; and under the keeping of Providence and my own mind, I hope I do all which the warmest wishes of my Country can expect from me. I have, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Not having Ships for the Blockade of Genoa, I have been obliged to leave it, till the Admiralty can give me more Vessels, for more important services. TO CAPTAIN RICHARD GOODWIN KEATS, H.M. SHIP SUPERB. [Autograph Draught, in the possession of J. Young, Esq., of Wells, and Copies in the Admiralty, and in the Order-Book.] Victory, off Cape St. Sebastians, 9th January, 1801. Having received directions to send a discreet Officer to Algiers with Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Agent and ConsulGeneral at that place, and to carry into effect the orders and instructions respecting him (as well as the capture and detention of several Maltese Vessels, Cargoes, and Crews,) which Prince Charles Felix Joseph, Duke of Génévois, (in Savoy,) fourth son of Victor Amadeus, King of Sardinia, The Rev. Alexander Scott. Vide p. 232, ante. accompany this, You are, therefore, hereby required and directed to receive the said Mr. Falcon on board his Majesty's Ship Superb, under your command, and proceed with him to Algiers with all possible dispatch. And whereas the Dey of Algiers having, some time ago, by force, sent Mr. Falcon from that place, and since then, his Cruizers having taken several Maltese Vessels and their Crews, being Vessels considered as belonging to his Majesty's Subjects; and the Algerine Cruizers having also taken several Vessels, which, although under Neapolitan colours, yet were under English Passes for the voyage, and carrying provisions belonging to, and for the use of his Majesty's Maltese Subjects, (for as such they must be considered from the time of our possessing the Island, in September 1798,) you will, therefore, in consequence of these hostile acts, anchor his Majesty's Ship under your command, out of reach of their batteries, and neither give or receive any mark of honour or kindness from the Dey, until he has made full and complete reparation for the indignity offered his Majesty, in sending away Mr. Falcon, his Representative and Consul-General at Algiers. You will herewith receive a letter from me to his Highness the Dey, which you will either send to him by an Officer, and desire him to appoint a time when you can have a conference, in order to the receiving full satisfaction for the acts of hostility against his Majesty and his Subjects. The reparation which you are to insist upon in his Majesty's name for the indignity shown to his Representative and Consul-General, must be a written declaration of sorrow for having committed such an act, and an assurance that it shall never happen again; and on no other terms is the Consul to be landed. When this matter is settled, you are to enter upon the hostile act of his Cruizers having taken Maltese Vessels and their Crews, being in every respect Vessels and Crews belonging to his Majesty's Subjects, and you are to insist on the immediate restitution of the Vessels and Crews, and also (if found possible) pecuniary compensation for the damages sustained by this hostile act; and, although you will accept the Vessels, Cargoes, and Crews, yet you are not to consider the matter as settled, but that great injustice has been done to his Majesty's Maltese Subjects. With respect to the seizure of Sicilian Vessels with |