|
Letters and
Dispatches of Horatio Nelson
June 12th to 29th,
1798
TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B.
[Letter Book.]
Vanguard, off Elba, June 12th, 1798.
My dear Sir,
If the Transfer Sloop of War has arrived at Naples, you
will know that the British Fleet is in the Mediterranean, and that I have the
honour of commanding it. It has been a misfortune that a Fleet was not ordered
a fortnight sooner; but, no blame attaches itself anywhere, and from Sir Roger
Curtis' junction with Lord St. Vincent, we are much sooner on the Coast of
Italy than could have been expected. But I hope we are in good time to save
Naples or Sicily from falling into the hands of the Enemy. I beg you will
assure the King and Queen of Naples that I will not lose one moment in fighting
the French Fleet, and that no person can have a more ardent desire of serving
them and of fulfilling the orders of the good and great King our Master. As I
am not quite clear, from General Acton's Letters to you of April 3rd and 9th,
what co-operation is intended by the Court of Naples, I wish to know perfectly
what is to be expected, that I may regulate my movements accordingly, and beg
clear answers to the following questions and requisitions:—
Are the Ports of Naples and Sicily open to his Majesty's
Fleet? have the Governors orders for our free admission? and for us to be
supplied with whatever we may want?
If it is convenient, I much wish for some Frigates and other
fast-sailing Vessels, for, by a fatality all mine have left me. I want
information of the French Fleet; for I hope they have passed Naples. I want
good Pilots—say six or eight, for the Coast of Sicily, the Adriatic, or
for whatever place the Enemy's Fleet may be at; for I mean to follow them if
they go to the Black Sea. As the 12,000 men had not sailed from Genoa on the
2nd of June, nor, indeed, were they all embarked, I trust, if the French are
landed in the Neapolitan territory, that the Kingdom will not be lost in a few
days, for I again repeat, that when it is considered that the orders for a
Fleet to go into the Mediterranean were only dated May 2nd, and that Sir R.
Curtis only came in sight of Lord St. Vincent on May the 24th, on which moment
Captain Troubridge was sent away with the Detachment to join me off Cape Sicie,
that the British Fleet is much sooner on the Coast of Italy than could have
been expected at this season of the year.
I trust to your Excellency's goodness in impressing General
Acton with a favourable opinion of my zeal in our Master's service, and
although, I most readily admit that many more able Sea-Officers might have been
selected for this service, yet one more anxious to approve himself a faithful
servant to his King is not to be met with, than your Excellency's most obedient
Servant,
HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 62]
12th of June, 1798.
As I see no immediate prospect of a Letter, I shall
continue my private one in form of a Diary, which may not be unpleasant to
refer to: therefore to begin. Being so close to the Enemy, I take the liberty
of keeping Orion for a few days. Owing to want of wind, I did not pass Cape
Corse until this morning; at four we were becalmed. The moment we had passed, I
sent the Mutine to look into Telamon Bay, which, as all the French troops had
not left Genoa on the 6th, I thought a probable place for the rendezvous of a
large Fleet; and went with the Squadron between Monte Christi, and Giulio,
keeping the Continent close on board.
13th of June.—Mutine joined; nothing in Telamon Bay. I
then ran the Fleet between Plenosa and Elba, and Monte Christi; and on the 14th
at noon, am now off Civita Vecchia; spoke a Tunisian cruiser, who reported he
had spoke a Greek, on the 10th, who told him, that on the 4th, he had passed
through the French fleet, of about 200 Sail, as he thought, off the N.W. end of
Sicily, steering to the eastward. Am in anxious expectation of meeting with
Dispatch-boats, Neapolitan cruisers, &c., with letters for me from Naples
giving me information
15th of June.—Off the Ponza Islands; my hopes of
information were vain. Not finding a Cruiser, I shall send Troubridge into
Naples, in the Mutine, to talk with Sir William Hamilton and General Acton.
Troubridge possesses my full confidence, and has been my honoured acquaintance
of twenty-five years' standing. I only beg that your Lordship will believe, I
shall endeavour to prove myself worthy of your selection of me for this highly
honourable Command. Not a moment shall be lost in pursuing the Enemy. I am,
&c.,
HORATIO NELSON.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B.
[Letter-Book.]
Vanguard, off Civita Vecchia, 14th June, 1798.
My dear Sir,
I have heard by a Vessel just spoke with, that the French
Fleet were seen off the north End of Sicily, steering to the eastward, on the
4th of June. If they mean an attack on Sicily, I hope by this time they have
barely made a landing, for if their Fleet is not moored in as strong a Port as
Toulon, nothing shall hinder me from attacking them; and, with the blessing of
Almighty God, I hope for a most glorious victory I send Captain Troubridge to
communicate with your Excellency, and, as Captain Troubridge is in full
possession of my confidence, I beg that whatever he says may be considered as
coming from me. Captain Troubridge is my honoured acquaintance of twenty-five
years, and the very best Sea-Officer in His Majesty's Service. I hope, Pilots
will be with us in a few hours; for I will not lose one moment after the Brig's
return, to wait for anything. Believe me your Excellency's most obedient
servant,
HORATIO NELSON.
TO EARL SPENCER.
[Letter-Book.]
Vanguard, off the Island of Ponza, [15th June, 1798.]
My Lord,
Not having received orders from my Commander-in-Chief to
correspond with the Secretary of the Admiralty, I do not feel myself at perfect
liberty to do it, unless on extraordinary occasions, when I shall send copies
of my Letters to Lord St. Vincent; but as your Lordships must be anxious to
hear of us, I take the liberty of acquainting you that Captain Troubridge
joined on the 7th, but it was the 12th before we passed Cape Corse. The last
account I had of the French Fleet, was from a Tunisian Cruizer, who saw them on
the 4th, off Trapani, in Sicily, steering to the eastward. If they pass Sicily,
I shall believe they are going on their scheme of possessing Alexandria, and
getting troops to India—a plan concerted with Tippoo Saib, by no means so
difficult as might at first view be imagined; but be they bound to the
Antipodes, your Lordship may rely that I will not lose a moment in bringing
them to Action, and endeavour to destroy their Transports. I shall send Captain
Troubridge on shore to talk with General Acton, and I hope the King of Naples
will send me some Frigates; for mine parted company on the 20th of May, and
have not joined me since. The whole Squadron is remarkably healthy, and
perfectly equal to meet the French Fleet. As I send this before I receive
accounts from Naples, it is not in my power to say anything more of the Enemy,
for I shall make sail and pass the Faro of Messina the moment Captain
-Troubridge returns.
Highly honoured as I feel with this very important command,
I beg you will believe that I shall endeavour to approve myself worthy of it,
and that I am, with the highest respect,
Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
HORATIO NELSON.
I have taken the liberty of enclosing a letter for Lady
Nelson, which I beg your Lordship will have the goodness to order to be sent to
her.
TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B.
[Letter-Book.]
Vanguard, off the Islands of Ponza, June 15th, 1798.
My Lord,
I have the honour to acquaint you of my arrival here with
the whole Line-of-Battle Ships, the Fifty, and Brig, all in the most perfect
health. I am sending Captain Troubridge in the Mutine to see Sir William
Hamilton and General Acton, and to get accounts of the French Fleet. I shall
lay with the Squadron off Ischia till Captain Troubridge's return, when not a
moment shall be lost in pursuing the Enemy, and bringing them to Action. With
the highest respect, believe me, your Lordship's most obedient servant,
HORATIO NELSON
TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B.
[Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers and " Letter
Book.,,]
Vanguard, off Naples, 17th June, 1798.
My Lord,
I have only to assure you, I will bring the French Fleet to
Action the moment I can lay my hands on them. Till then, Adieu. Believe me,
&e.
HORATIO NELSON.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B.
[Letter-Book. ]
Vanguard, Naples Bay, eleven o'clock, 17th June.
My dear Sir,
Your Letter by the Boat yesterday did not come to me, but I
am just favoured with yours of yesterday. Captain Troubridge will say
everything I could put in a ream of paper. I have only to observe, in my
present state, if I meet the Enemy at Sea, the Convoy will get off, for want of
Frigates. I submit this to you, to urge General Acton upon. If the Enemy have
Malta, it is only as a safe harbour for their Fleet, and Sicily will fall the
moment the King's Fleet withdraws from the Coast of Sicily; therefore we must
have free use of Sicily, to enable us to starve the French in Malta. I need not
say more on this very important subject. The King of Naples may now have part
of the glory in destroying these pests of the human race; and the opportunity,
once lost, may never be regained. God bless you. Depend on my exertions.
I am, &c. HORATIO NELSON.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B.
[Letter-Book.]
Private.
Vanguard, at Sea, 18th June, 1798
My dear Sir,
I would not lose one moment of the breeze, in answering
your Letter. The best sight (as an Irishman would say) was to see me out of
sight; especially, as I had not time to examine the Marquis de Gallo's note to
you. I send you an extract of the Admiralty orders to Earl St. Vincent, by
which it would appear as determined by the Cabinet, to keep a superior Fleet to
the Enemy in the Mediterranean; for the Admiralty, you know, can give no such
orders, but by an order from the Secretary of State. As for what depends on me,
I beg, if you think it proper, to tell their Sicilian Majesties, and General
Acton, that they may rest assured that I shall not withdraw the King's Fleet,
but by positive orders, or the impossibility of procuring supplies. I wish them
to depend upon me, and they shall not be disappointed. God forbid it should so
happen, that the Enemy escape me, and get into any Port. You may rely if I am
properly supplied, that there they shall remain, a useless body, for this
summer. But, if I have Gun and Mortar Boats, with Fire-Ships, it is most
probable they may be got at: for, although I hope the best, yet it is proper to
be prepared for the worst, (which, I am sure, all this Fleet would feel,) the
escape of the Enemy into Port. My distress for Frigates is extreme; but I
cannot help myself, and no one will help me. But, thank God, I am not apt to
feel difficulties. Pray, present my best respects to Lady Hamilton. Tell her, I
hope to be presented to her crowned with laurel or cypress. But God is good,
and to him do I commit myself and our Cause. Ever believe me, my dear Sir, your
obliged and faithful
HORATIO NELSON.
TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS THE GRAND MASTER OF MALTA,
[Letter-Book.]
His Britannic Majesty's Ship Vanguard, off Messina, 20th
June, 1798.
Most Illustrious Sir,
It is with particular satisfaction I have the honour to
acquaint you I am making; all possible dispatch with the Squadron of his
Britannic Majesty under my command towards Malta, with a full determination to
prevent your Island from falling into the hands of the common Enemy. I
therefore trust you will be pleased to give directions to assemble all your
Ships of War, Fire-ships, bombs, Galleys, &c., immediately to form a speedy
junction with me the moment I appear off` Malta (which I expect will be on
Friday next) for the better insurance of success, as no time must be lost in
destroying the French Fleet. I have the honour to be, &c.,
HORATIO NELSON.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR WILLIAM
HAMILTON, K.B.
[Letter Book.]
Vanguard, off the Faro of Messina, June 20th, 1798.
My dear Sir,
I have thought so much, and heard so much, of the French,
since I left Naples, that I should feel culpable, was I for a moment to delay
expressing my sentiments on the present situation of the Kingdom of the Two
Sicilies. I trust it will be received as I mean it—as a proof of the
lively interest I take in the fate of their Sicilian Majesties. I shall begin
by supposing myself commanding a Fleet attending an Army which is to invade
Sicily. If the General asked if Malta would not be a most useful place for the
depot of stores, &c., &c., my answer would be, if you can take Malta,
it secures the safety of the Fleet, Transports, stores, &c., and insures
your safe retreat should that be necessary; for if even a superior Fleet of the
Enemy should arrive, before one week passes, they will be blown to leeward, and
you may pass with safety. This would be my opinion. There can be no doubt but
the French know as well as you and I do, that their Sicilian Majesties called
for our help to save them, (even this is crime enough with the French.) Here we
are, and are ready, and will shed our blood in preventing the French from
ill-treating them. On the arrival of the King's Fleet I find plenty of good
will towards us, with every hatred towards the French; but no assistance for
us—no hostility to the French. On the contrary, the French Minister is
allowed to send off Vessels to inform the Fleet of my arrival, force, and
destination, that instead of my surprising them, they may be prepared for
resistance. But this being past, I shall endeavour briefly to state what in my
opinion is now best to be done, and what Naples ought to do, if it is earnestly
wished to save Sicily. I shall suppose the French not advanced since the last
accounts, but still on Gozo and Comino, the Fleet anchored between them. By the
communication from Naples, they will be formed in the strongest position, with
Batteries and Gun-boats to flank them. We shall doubtless injure them, lint our
loss must be great; and I do not expect to force them from the anchorage,
without Fire-ships, Bomb-vessels, and Gun-boats, when one hour would either
destroy or drive them out. If our Fleet is crippled, the blockade ends; if not,
it will be continued, by attention, and sending two Ships at a time to Sicily
to get refreshments, for the summer, at least; but whenever this Fleet may be
drawn away, and the Ministry find what has passed at Naples—no
co-operation, although we are come to their assistance--who can say that the
Fleet will be kept in these seas ? I have said and repeat it, Malta is the
direct road to Sicily. It has been, and may be yet in the King of Naples'
power, by giving me help of every kind, directly to destroy this Armament, and
force the Army to unconditional submission. Naples must soon find us masts,
yards, stores, ammunition, &c., &c. Will not this be a declaration of
War against the French ?—therefore why delay sending help, if it is only
six Gun-boats at a time. But not a moment must be lost—it can never be
regained. I recollect General Acton, in his letter to you calling for our help,
says, will the King and Ministry wish to see these fine Countries in the hands
of the French? The answer is, No; and we have sent the means of preventing it.
It may now be asked—will the Ministry of their Sicilian Majesties permit
these fine Countries to fall into the hands of the French? This will assuredly
happen if they do not co-operate with us. If I have wrote my mind too freely, I
trust it will be excused. The importance of the subject called for my opinion.
I have given it like an honest man, and shall wish to stand or fall with it. I
am, dear Sir, with the highest respect, &c.
HORATIO NELSON.
TO GEORGE BALDWIN, ESQ., CONSUL AT ALEXANDRIA.
[Letter-Book.]
(Private.)
June 24th, 1798.
Dear Sir,
I am so persuaded of the intention of the French to attempt
driving us from India, in concert with Tippoo Saib, that I shall never feel
secure till Mangalore, and all Tippoo's Sea Coast, is in our possession. We
ought to get hold of the Coast, even at the certainty of a War with him. Had I
been his Peace-Maker, he should have had my head before-Mangalore, or one foot
of Coast. I send you some Reviews and Magazines—they may be pleasant,
although old; and if I can get near you with the Fleet, and am favoured with
five minutes' conversation, I shall have great pleasure in supplying you with
anything in my power; for believe me, dear Sir, your most obedient servant,
HORATIO NELSON
Pray do not detain the Mutine, for I am in a fever at not
finding the French. At Naples they have English news to the 16th of May. No
fears of an Invasion: Pitt stronger than ever.
TO GEORGE BALDWIN, ESQ., CONSUL AT ALEXANDRIA.
[Letter-book. ]
Vanguard at Sea, 26th June, 1798.
Sir,
The French having possessed themselves of Malta, on Friday,
the 15th of this month, the next day, the whole Fleet, consisting of sixteen
Sail of the Line, Frigates, Bombvessels, &c., and near three hundred
Transports, left the Island. I only heard this unpleasant news on the 22nd, off
Cape Passaro. As Sicily was not their object, and the wind blew fresh from the
westward, from the time they sailed, it was clear that their destination was to
the eastward; and I think their object is, to possess themselves of some Port
in Egypt, and to fix themselves at the head of the Red Sea, in order to get a
formidable Army into India; and, in concert with Tippoo Saib, to drive us, if
possible, from India. But I have reason to believe, from not seeing a Vessel,
that they have heard of my coming up the Mediterranean, and are got safe into
Corfu. But still I am most exceedingly anxious to know from you if any reports
or preparations have been made in Egypt for them; or any Vessels prepared in
the Red Sea, to carry them to India, where, from the prevailing winds at this
season, they would soon arrive; or any other information you would be good
enough to give me, I shall old myself much obliged. I am, Sir, &c.,
HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT K.B.
[Letter-Book.]
Vanguard, at Sea, June 29th, 1798.
My Lord,
Although, I rest confident, that my intentions will always
with you have the most favourable interpretations, yet where success does not
crown an Officer's plan, it is absolutely necessary that he should explain the
motives which actuate his conduct, and therefore, I shall state them as briefly
as possible.
Captain Troubridge joined me on the 7th of June. From calms
it was the 12th before I got round Cape Corse; (I must here state, that I had
nothing in the shape of a Frigate except the Mutine Brig). I then sent the
Mutine to look into Telamon Bay, which, as all the French troops had not left
Genoa on the 6th, I thought a probable place for the rendezvous of a large
Fleet, for, completely ignorant as I was of the destination of the Enemy, I
felt it my duty to take every precaution not to pass them. On the 13th, the
Mutine looked into Telamon Bay, but found nothing there. I ran the Fleet
between Planosa, Elba, and Monte Christi, and on the 14th, at noon, was off
Civita Vecchia, when we spoke a Tunisian cruiser,, who reported that he had
spoken a Greek on the 10th, who told him that on the 4th, he had passed through
the French Fleet off the N.W. end of Sicily, steering to the eastward. From
this moment, I was in anxious expectation of meeting with Dispatch-boats,
Neapolitan Cruisers, &c., with letters for me from Naples, giving me every
information I could desire, (but my hopes were vain.) On the 15th, I made the
Ponza Islands, where not finding; a Cruiser, I sent Captain Troubridge in the
Mutine to talk with Sir William Hamilton and General Acton, and to state my
distress for Frigates.
On the 17th, in the Bay of Naples, I received my first
letter from Sir William Hamilton, and in two hours Captain Troubridge returned
with information, that the French Fleet were off Malta on the 8th, going to
attack it, that Naples was at Peace with the French Republic, therefore, could
afford us no assistance in Ships, but that, unclear the rose, they would give
us the use of their Ports, and sincerely wished us well, but did not give me
the smallest information of what was, or likely to be, the future destination
of the French armament. With this comfortable account, I pushed for the Faro
[of] Messina. On my way I heard of the French landing in Malta, and that on
Tuesday the 12th they had taken the old City: that the Fleet was anchored
between Gozo and Malta. On the 20th, off Messina, the English Consul came on
board to tell me that Malta had surrendered on the 15th, the Russian Minister
having arrived the day before from Malta, when the intelligence came over, but
I received not the smallest information or notice from the Sicilian Government.
Keeping the Sicilian shore on board, on the 21st, I was close off Syracuse and
hoisted our colours. A boat in the evening rowed out about a mile, but although
I brought to and sent the Mutine in shore, she rowed back again. On the 22nd,
in the morning, being off Cape Passaro, the Mutine spoke a Brig which sailed
from Malta the day before. The Master reported that Malta surrendered on Friday
the 15th of June, and that on Saturday, the 16th, the whole French Fleet left
it, as was supposed, for Sicily: that a French garrison was left in the Town,
and French colours flying. The wind at this time was blowing strong from the
W.N.W. the Vessel had been spoken three hours before, and was gone out of my
reach. I could not get to Malta till it moderated, and then I might get no
better information. Thus situated I had to make use of my judgment. With
information from Naples, that they were at peace with the French Republic, that
General Buonaparte had sent on shore to Sicily, that the King of Naples need
not be alarmed at the French armament, for it had not Sicily for its object. It
was also certain the Sicilian Government were not alarmed or they would have
sent off to me. I recalled all the circumstances of this Armament before me,
40,000 troops in 280 Transports, many hundred pieces of artillery, waggons,
draught-horses, cavalry, artificers, naturalists, astronomers, mathematicians,
&c. The first rendezvous in case of separation was Bastia, the second,
Malta,— this Armament could not be necessary for taking possession of
Malta. The Neapolitan Ministers considered Naples and Sicily as safe; Spain,
after Malta, or indeed any place to the westward, I could not think their
destination, for at this season the westerly winds so strongly prevail between
Sicily and the Coast of Barbary, that I conceive it almost impossible to get a
Fleet of Transports to the westward. It then became the serious question, where
are they gone ? (Here I had deeply to regret my want of Frigates, and I desire
it may be understood, that if one-half the Frigates your Lordship had ordered
under my command had been with me, that I could not have wanted information of
the French Fleet.) If to Corfu, in consequence of my approach (which they knew
from Naples on the 12th or 13th) they were arrived by this time, the 22nd.
Upon their whole proceedings, together with such
information as I have been able to collect, it appeared clear to me, that
either they were destined to assist the rebel Pacha and to overthrow the
present Government of Turkey, or to settle a Colony in Egypt, and to open a
trade to India by way of the Red Sea; for, strange as it may appear at first
sight, an enterprising Enemy, if they have the force or consent of the Pacha of
Egypt, may with great ease get an Army to the Red Sea, and if they have
concerted a plan with Tippoo Saib, to have vessels at Suez, three weeks, at
this season, is a common passage to the Malabar Coast, when our India
possessions would be in great danger.
I therefore determined, with the opinion of those Captains
in whom I place great confidence*, to go to Alexandria, and if that place, or
any other part of Egypt was their destination, I hoped to arrive time enough to
frustrate their plans. The only objection I can fancy to be started is, you
should not have gone such a long voyage without more certain information of the
Enemy's destination' my answer is ready—who was I to get it from? The
Governments of Naples and Sicily either knew not, or chose to keep me in
ignorance. Was I to wait patiently till I heard certain accounts? If Egypt was
their object, before I could hear of them they would have been in India. To do
nothing, I felt, was disgraceful: therefore I made use of my understanding, and
by it I ought to stand or fall. I am before your Lordship's judgement, (which
in the present case I feel is the Tribunal of my Country,) and if, under all
circumstances, it is decided that I am wrong, I ought, for the sake of our
Country, to be superseded; for, at this moment, when I know the French are not
in Alexandria, I hold the same opinion as off Cape Passaro—viz., that
under all circumstances, I was right in steering for Alexandria, and by that
opinion I must stand or fall. However erroneous my judgment may be, I feel
conscious of my honest intentions, which I hope will bear me up under the
greatest misfortune that could happen to me as an Officer—that of your
Lordship's thinking me wrong. I have the honour to be, with the highest
respect,
Your Lordship's most obedient Servant,
HORATIO NELSON* |
