of the people are attached to it; and whether, in your opinion, they wish for a change or dissolution of the present Government; and whether the whole, or any party, would wish to give themselves up to France; and if that they wish to remain as they are, would they take up arms to defend themselves against the French? Your accurate knowledge of those Islands, and the character of every individual on them, will enable you to give me such answers as will assist me to regulate my conduct. You will believe that I must have all the inclination to render them service, when I recollect the very elegant compliment made me by the Island of Zante.' I have, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM EDWARD CRACRAFT,' H.M. SHIP ANSON. [Order-Book.] Amphion, in Valetta Harbour, 16th June, 1803. Whereas I have received information that the French have a Squadron of Frigates in the Archipelago, You are hereby required and directed to take his Majesty's Ship Stately, (whose Captain has orders to put himself under your command,) and proceed with all possible dispatch, and cruize between Cape Matapan and the South-West end of Candia, from fifteen to twenty leagues off the Island of Cerigo, for the protection of the commerce of his Majesty's Subjects, and the destruction and annoyance of that of the Enemy. You are to continue on this station for the space of one month; and at the expiration thereof, to return to the harbour of Valetta for further orders. In the event of not finding any here, you are to take such position for the protection of our commerce, and annoyance of that of the Enemy, as you shall from circumstances judge most proper, taking care to leave with the Senior Officer at this place, or with his Excellency Sir Alexander John Ball, Bart., [notice] where you may be found, and afterwards not to be absent from Valetta Harbour more than fourteen days at a time. NELSON AND BRONTE. Vide vol. iv. p. 151. ' He died at Chichester, in 1810, while commanding the Sea Fencibles on the Coast of Sussex. Sir, TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amphion, at Sea, 17th June, 1803, 9 o'clock A.M. You will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I left Gibraltar on the 4th instant, at 4 o'clock, P.M., with his Majesty's Ship Maidstone, after having ordered the Bittern and La Tourterelle on the service mentioned in my letter to you of that date. On the 11th, in latitude 37° 12" North, I dispatched the Maidstone to Naples, with his Excellency Mr. Elliot, his Majesty's Minister at that Court; and on the 15th, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I arrived at Malta, from whence Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, with the Ships and Vessels under his command, sailed on the 18th of May last, and I am now on my way to join him. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amphion, at Sea, 17th June, 1803. Sir, I herewith transmit you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the copy of a letter from Captain Moubray, of his Majesty's Ship Maidstone, which was delivered me by the Lieutenant sent in with the Vessel therein mentioned, on the morning of the 17th instant, as the Amphion was getting under weigh from Malta. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. P.S.-There are several large cases of Antiquities on board L'Arabe, brought from Athens, said to be for Buonaparte for the French Republic. Acquainting Lord Nelson with the capture of L'Arabe, a French Brig of eight small guns and fifty eight men, on the 14th of June, off the Island of Faro. Sir, TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amphion, at Sea, 17th June, 1803. You will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that on examining the state of His Majesty's Yard at Gibraltar, it was found necessary to have the Gun and Flatbottomed Boats (of which there are only three) put in a state for service, and the Guerrier Sheer-hulk fitted for the reception of thirty or forty Officers and three hundred other Prisoners. I therefore ordered the Naval Storekeeper to enter twelve Shipwrights on the Garrison establishment, until the above work was completed. And I beg leave to suggest to their Lordships the propriety of appointing a Lieutenant, Purser, and other proper Officers to the said Sheer-hulk,the Governor having offered to keep a constant Guard on board for the safety of the Prisoners. I also submit the propriety of a similar Establishment at Malta. I have for the present appointed the Madras, whose men Sir Richard Bickerton has drafted on board the Fleet. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H. M. SHIP VICTORY. [Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] My dear Sutton, Amphion, June 18th, 1803. You will find my Rendezvous off Toulon, where I am sure you will join me as soon as you can. Ever yours, most truly, NELSON AND BRONTE. The Amphion is one of the nicest Frigates I have seennot so large as Amazon, but has every good quality. Sir, TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN ACTON, BART. From a Copy in the Admiralty.] Faro of Messina, June 19th, 1803. This morning I met the Cyclops, Captain Fyffe, and your Excellency will believe what displeasure it gave me to find, that when his Ship was in the Bay of Naples at anchor, that he should commit such a breach of Neutrality as sending his Boats to capture any Vessel coming into the Port; however, I am glad that Captain Fyffe immediately restored one, and when the other arrives at Malta, I have ordered her to be released; for as I would not suffer the French to break the Neutrality of any Power with impunity, so I will never suffer such an improper thing to be done by any of His Majesty's Ships under my command. I have the honour to be, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN ACTON, BART., NAPLES. [From a Copy in the Admiralty.] Private. My dear Sir John, June 19th, 1803. I have wrote you a Public letter as it may be necessary to show it to the French Minister at Naples, that he may take a hint relative to Neutrality, but I am most exceedingly displeased with the conduct of the Cyclops and Experiment. I entreat you, my dear Sir John, to be assured of my sincere and affectionate good wishes (and, if necessary, exertions) for the happiness of our good Sovereigns. I pray you to assure them of my eternal attachment; and do you believe me, with the greatest truth, your most sincere and faithful friend, NELSON AND Bronte. Captain John Fyffe: in 1806, he commanded the Reindeer, fought a gallant action with two French Brigs, and was Posted in October 1807. Captain Fyffe died in March, 1835. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. Private. [Autograph in the Elliot Papers.] Off Messina, June 19th, 1808. As I am sending a line to General Acton, for the very reprehensible conduct of two of our Ships taking Vessels when they were at anchor in the Port of Naples, and intend, if possible, sending it on, though at Messina, I cannot refrain from giving you a line, merely to say that we arrived at Malta on Wednesday afternoon, the 15th. We were received with enthusiasm by the Maltese. Having put things in train, I left it the 17th at daylight. We spoke your Brig from Athens going in. I am going towards Capri, where I hope to find your letters. I cannot write what I wish, but all is smooth at Malta. General Villettes is well disposed to attend to my requisitions. Doctor Scott, and all on board, are well, and desire their kind remembrances, and I beg you to believe me ever yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF H.M. SHIPS AT MALTA. [Letter-Book.] Amphion, June 20th, 1803. Sir, If the Merchants at Messina want protection for their Ships from thence to Malta to go home with the Convoy, you will send either the Charon or Experiment for them. I have desired the Merchants to fix the day they will be ready, but the Convoy is not to be detained if they are not ready. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. |