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France, although it may be of disadvantage to the Bourbons, must be beneficial to Europe-the reign of Republics is over for a century; and in particular, both Great Britain and Naples must feel the immediate consequence. If the two Emperors of Russia and Germany, do not acknowledge Buonaparte as Emperor, then, if there be a grain of spirit left in them, they will go to war; and if it be prosecuted with vigour in Italy, I think that all the Italian Republic and Piedmont may be restored. We have both, my dear Sir, lived long enough in the world to know, that Nations are like individuals make it their interest to do what is right, and they will do it; with very few exceptions of any man, or Nation, being so devoid of principle as to act the part of a villain without an interest. Therefore, if the Italian Republic were to be changed, and submit to a Monarch, I am sure, if the Emperor of Germany, with a large Army, promises his former Subjects more privileges than they have enjoyed under Buonaparte, and also a quietus for their purchases of land, &c., they would return to their obedience, and probably behave better than ever.

I feel much obliged for all the particulars you have given me, of the honourable reasons that induced you to retire to Palermo. I well know, that upon every occasion you sacrifice your own feelings, for the benefit of our dear good Sovereigns; and that same feeling induces you not to desert them at this critical moment. I beg that your Excellency will say, that I have received the honour of their Majesties' letters; and although in doing my very utmost I only perform my duty, yet that it shall be done with cheerfulness, and to the full extent of my abilities: the more their Majesties may want my exertions to serve them, the more they shall be given, to the last drop of my blood. I have only to be told their wants and

had been killed in an Action with the French Fleet; but as this letter was originally indorsed "27th May, 1805," the Queen may have misdated it, in which case, and more probably, the rumour was prevalent in the latter year, when Nelson was in pursuit of the Enemy's Fleet :

"Je suis dans la plus vive inquiétude pour les nouvelles qui se repandent, que dans un combat notre heros sauveur et bienfaiteur Nelson a peri; je vous prie de me vouloir tranquiliser, sur ces nouvelles, qui me tiennent dans les plus vives alarmes, et croyez moi, mon digne Chevalier, avec les constants sentimens qui chez moi sont invariables, votre bien affectionée, CHARLOTTE.-Le 27 Mai, 1804."

wishes, and as far as I am able they shall be complied with. I am in hopes to shame La Touche out of his nest; and when I reflect on his insult to my Sovereigns, at Naples, in 1793, it will add vigour to my attack. My first object must ever be to keep the French Fleet in check; and if they put to sea, to have force enough with me to annihilate them; and that, with God's blessing, I have no fear of being able to perform. That would keep the Two Sicilies free from any attack from sea. If the French Fleet could carry 12,000 men into the Bay of Naples, whilst their Army was marching by land, the consequences would be fatal to that Capital. The 2000

Troops are ready at Malta, and it was only on the 7th, that I prayed General Vilettes to keep them in readiness; and if your Excellency were to think it proper to write a confidential letter to the General, I am sure he would be much flattered. I am glad to find Russia thinks properly, and, I trust, there will be no jealousies, but that both Countries will try who can best serve and save the Two Sicilies. Temporizing may be necessary in small States; in large ones it ought not to happen -it is humiliating. Either Peace, or 100,000 Russians and as many Austrians, in Italy; but I cannot help thinking that Buonaparte will wish for Peace rather than a War with two Empires. Again and again, my dear Sir John, you may rely upon me. I am &c., NELSON AND Bronte.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN BORLASE WARREN, K.B.,
AMBASSADOR AT ST. PETERSBURG.

[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 370.]

[About 10th June, 1804.]

The events which are daily happening through the ambition of Buonaparte, are much better known to you than they can be to me, who have now been at sea from the first day of the War, and never had my foot outside the Ship. I hope Russia and Austria will assist the good cause, and Piedmont be restored to the King of Sardinia; but Courts very seldom draw together; and it is the more sincerely to be regretted at this time, when a common interest ought to unite them 3 Vide p. 50, ante.

closely-but I am touching on a subject out of my depth. Monsieur La Touche Tréville seems inclined to try his hand with us, and by my keeping so great an inferiority close to him, perhaps he may some day be tempted. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO LADY HAMILTON.

[From "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. ii. p. 53.]

My dearest Emma,

Victory, June 10th, 1804.

I wrote to you, on the 6th, viâ Rosas: this goes by Barcelona; to which place I am sending Sir William Bolton, to fetch Dr. Scott, who is gone there, poor fellow, for the benefit of his health. I have just had very melancholy letters from the King and Queen of Naples, on account of General Acton's going to Sicily. The insolence of Buonaparte was not to be parried without a War; for which they are unable, if unassisted. I have letters from Acton, May 28, on board the Archimedes, just going into Palermo. He will probably return to Naples, unless new events arise: and that may be; for a Minister, once out, may find some difficulty in renewing his post. He has acted with great and becoming spirit.

I am better, but I have been very unwell. It blows, here, as much as ever. Yesterday, was a little hurricane of wind. I dare say, Prince Castelcicala knows it by express; if not, you may tell him, with my best respects. He, and every one else, may be sure of my attachment to those good Sovereigns. By this route, I do not choose to say more on this subject. With my kindest regards to Horatia, and your good mother, Charlotte, Miss C., and all our friends, believe me, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.

I fear Sardinia will be invaded from Corsica before you get this letter. I have not small Ships to send there, or anywhere else; not in the proportion of one to five. You may communicate this to Mr. Addington, if you think that he does not know it; but, to no one elsc, except Castelcicala, of what relates to Naples. I have very flattering letters from the Grand Vizir, in the name of the Sultan; and from Cadir, now Capitan Pacha.

TO NATHANIEL TAYLOR, ESQ., NAVAL OFFICEP, MALTA.

Sir,

[Letter-Book.]

Victory, off Toulon, 12th June, 1804.

As it is essentially necessary that the Captain of the Fleet under my command should know the exact remains of every description of stores in his Majesty's magazines under your charge,-I am therefore to desire that you will transmit me an account of the remains of every article of stores by the first opportunity, and continue to do so monthly, that it may at all times be known in case of exigency what dependence may be had upon the stores under your charge. I am, &c.,

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO THOMAS WARRINGTON, ESQ., NAPLES.

[Letter-Book.]

Sir,

Victory, off Toulon, 12th June, 1804.

I received your letter of the 2nd instant by the Maidstone, acquainting me that Colonel M'Neil, previous to his leaving Malta, transmitted you my acceptance of his proposals to supply the Fleet under my command with one hundred oxen, at a stated price and weight; that you had, in consequence, purchased that number of cattle, which was ready to embark whenever I shall think proper to send for them. In answer to which, I have to acquaint you that Colonel M'Neil delivered Captain Keates of the Superb, when that Ship was at Naples, in July last, proposals for supplying bullocks, &c. to the Squadron-that in September following he offered to supply one or two hundred head of oxen at Naples; in consequence of which I wrote him a letter dated the 1st November, a copy of which is herewith enclosed; and at the same time ordered Transports in readiness to proceed to Naples for a hundred head of oxen, mentioned in the copy of my said. letter, which were kept in that state for a considerable time; but not hearing more of this business, the Transports were

Afterwards British Consul at Messina.

sent away, and I considered the matter as entirely gone past, till I received a letter from Colonel M'Neil, dated at Malta, 19th January last, extract of which accompanies this, by which, it appears, that previous to his leaving Naples in November, he had directed you to acquaint me with the earliest time the bullocks in question would be ready, and hoped even at that time, (January,) you had done so: therefore, after such a lapse of time (notwithstanding so many opportunities of communication between Naples and the Squadron) I considered that you had totally relinquished the idea; and Government having in the intermediate time appointed an Agent-Victualler to the Fleet, I have now nothing at all to do with purchases. But as it appears by your said letter that you have purchased a hundred head of cattle for the Squadron, I shall direct the Kent to receive sixty of them from you at Salerno, upon the terms mentioned in Colonel M'Neil's letter of the 26th of July last, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, and shall order the Agent-Victualler to pay you the amount agreeably thereto. The other forty I shall order to be taken from you, as soon after as possible, upon the same terms. I am, &c.,

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO CAPTAIN PULTENEY MALCOLM, H. M. SHIP KENT.

[Letter-Book.]

Sir,

Victory, off Toulon, 12th June, 1803.

I herewith transmit you a copy of a letter from Mr. Warrington, dated the 2nd instant, together with a copy of my answer, and the several papers therein referred to; and must desire that previous to your leaving Naples, you will give the said Mr. Warrington sufficient notice to bring sixty head of oxen to Salerno, where you will proceed and embark them, for the use of the Fleet, together with a sufficient quantity of fodder to last them during the passage, directing your Purser to draw bills on the Commissioners for Victualling his Majesty's Navy, for the amount, at thirty days. And I must desire to recommend that the sixty bullocks so purchased from Mr. Warrington are of the weight, and not exceeding the price,

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