The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson Volume I Part 24

"We, the commanders of the troops of the King of the Two Sicilies, and of the squadron of his Britannic Majesty, now before Leghorn, demand of the Governor of Leghorn the free and instant admission of his Sicilian Majesty's troops into the town and fortress of Leghorn, and every thing thereunto depending. If you refuse, we have power to enforce our just demand; which will, undoubtedly, instantly be done.

"Naselli, General.

"Nelson, Rear-Admiral."

Captain Troubridge, accompanied by the two ministers, went on sh.o.r.e with this summons: and he returned, at eight in the evening, with a capitulation signed; in consequence of which the troops were immediately landed, and possession taken of the town and fortress of Leghorn.

On the following day, the Portuguese squadron also arrived, and landed the remainder of the troops. In the mean time, the Neapolitan general refused to seize the French vessels at Leghorn, under pretence that the King of Naples was not at war with France; and the Neapolitan minister, the Duke Di Sangro, was likewise weak enough to maintain the same opinion. The vexation which these impolitic scrupulosities occasioned in the superior mind of our decided hero, is difficult to be described. He saw the destructive tendency of such mental imbecility, and trembled for the fate of a country which was condemned to be thus served. His lords.h.i.+p's feelings will be best conceived, by his own account of what pa.s.sed in his anxious bosom on the occasion, thus addressed to Mr.

Windham.

Vanguard, 30th Nov. 1798.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I have been thinking, all night, of the General Naselli and the Duke Di Sangro's saying that the King of Naples had not declared war against the French. Now, I a.s.sert, that he has; and, in a much stronger manner than the ablest minister in Europe could write a declaration of war. Has not the king received, as a conquest made by him, the republican flag taken at Goza? Is not the king's flag flying there, and at Malta; not only by the king's absolute permission, but by his orders? Is not his flag shot at, every day, by the French; and returned, from batteries bearing the king's flag? Are not two frigates, and a corvette, placed under my orders?

and they would fight the French, meet them where they may. Has not the king sent publicly, from Naples, guns, mortars, &c. with officers and artillery, to fight against the French in Malta? If these acts are not tantamount to any written paper, I give up all knowledge of what is war. So far, then, I a.s.sert, that the general is authorized to seize all French and Ligurian vessels. But that is a small matter, to what will happen if he permits the many hundreds of French which are now in the mole to be neutral, till they have a fair opportunity of being active. Even the interest of the Grand Duke calls loudly, that the Neapolitan general should act with vigour; for, if all other schemes fail, they have one sure: viz.

set one vessel on fire, and the port of Leghorn is ruined for twenty years. Pray, say this to Seratti. I have, you know, no interest personal to myself, in this advice. I wish the great duke to have no unnecessary risk, and for the Neapolitan general and myself to take all the odium on ourselves. Pray, excuse this letter; but, I could not resist writing it. Ever your, &c.

"Nelson."

The unanswerable reasoning in this letter could not fail to produce perfect conviction; and General Naselli, at his lords.h.i.+p's request, consented to lay an embargo on all the vessels at Leghorn, till he should receive orders for their disposal from his Sicilian majesty.

Among these s.h.i.+ps, were a great number of French privateers; some of them, his lords.h.i.+p observed, in a letter to Sir William Hamilton, of such force as to do the very greatest mischief to our commerce, if permitted to sail. There were also about seventy sail of vessels, calling themselves belonging to the Ligurian Republic, before called Genoa, ready to sail, loaded with corn, for Genoa and France; the arrival of which, must expedite the entrance into Italy of more French troops. "General Naselli," says Lord Nelson, "sees, I believe, the permitting these vessels to depart, in the same light as myself; but, there is this difference between us--the general, prudently, and certainly safely, waits the orders of his court, taking no responsibility on himself; I act from the circ.u.mstance of the moment, as I feel it may be most advantageous for the honour of the cause which I serve, taking all responsibility on myself."

Having left Captain Troubridge at Leghorn, to act as exigencies might require, Lord Nelson immediately returned to Naples; where he arrived on the 5th of December, having been absent little more than ten days.

During this time, letters had arrived from Commodore Duckworth, relating to the conquest of Minorca; and, these letters having been forwarded after him to Leghorn, he wrote the following apology and congratulation to his friend the commodore, now Admiral Sir John Duckworth, who commanded the squadron which had sailed from Gibraltar on this expedition.

"Naples, 6th Dec. 1798.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"On my arrival here, yesterday, I found Lieutenant Gregory, who had been charged with your letters to me; but which were, unluckily, sent after me to Leghorn: and, as Lieutenant Gregory is very anxious to return to you, it is out of my power to answer such part of your public letter as might require. However, I most heartily congratulate you on the conquest of Minorca; an acquisition invaluable to Great Britain, and which completely, in future, prevents any movements from Toulon to the westward. My situation in this country has had, doubtless, _one_ rose; but, it has been plucked from a bed of thorns. Nor is my present state that of ease; and my health, at best but indifferent, has not mended lately.

Naples is just embarked in a new war: the event, G.o.d only knows; but, without the a.s.sistance of the emperor, which is not yet given, this country cannot resist the power of France. Leghorn is in possession of the King of Naples's troops, as is Civita Vecchia. I have Troubridge, with Minotaur, Terpsich.o.r.e, and Bonne Citoyenne, &c. on the north coast of Italy. Three sail of the line, under Ball, are off Malta: and Hood, with three sail of the line, and two frigates, is in Egypt; but I expect his return every moment, and that the Turks and Russian s.h.i.+ps and flotilla have relieved him. I am here, _solus_; for, I reckon the Portuguese as nothing. They are all flag-officers, and cannot serve under any of my brave friends.

"With every good wish, believe me your most obedient servant,

"Nelson."

From the following congratulatory letter which Lord Nelson wrote, at the same time, to his old "brother brigadier," the Honourable Lieutenant-General Stuart, commander in chief of the forces at the reduction of Minorca, may be learned the very unpromising state of military affairs with the Neapolitan army at this important period. It also clearly developes the secret cause of his lords.h.i.+p's sudden recall from Egypt.

Naples, 6th Dec. 1798.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"Allow me to congratulate you on the conquest of Minorca; an acquisition, as a sea-port, invaluable to our country. I hurried from Egypt, early in August; as, by the Earl of St. Vincent's orders, I was in expectation of being summoned to attend you.

However, I am sure, my place was much better filled by Commodore Duckworth. The new war commenced here, it is yet impossible to say how it may turn: whether it will really hasten the ruin, or save the monarchy. At all events, if the king had not began the war, he would have soon been kicked out of his kingdom. The king is at Rome; but five hundred French still hold possession of St. Angelo.

General Mack is gone to Civita Castellana, where thirteen thousand French have taken post. Mack's force, with him, is twenty thousand fine young men; but, with some few exceptions, wretchedly officered. If the French are not soon driven from their post, which is very strong by nature, Mack must fall back to the frontier on the side of Ancona. The French have drove back, to say no more, the right wing of the king's army, and taken all their baggage and artillery. The emperor has not yet moved, and his minister, Thugut, is not very anxious to begin a new war; but, if he does not, Naples and Tuscany will fall in two months. I shall be happy if you will honour me, at any time, with your commands, here or elsewhere; being, with the highest respect, your most obedient servant,

"Nelson."

A letter from Earl Spencer had likewise reached Naples, at this period, with the official intelligence of Admiral Nelson's elevation to the peerage; an elevation which, it is certain, the Hero of the Nile by no means considered as excessive, any more than his particular friends, and even the country in general. In the following answer to Earl Spencer, it will appear, however, that his zeal kindles with far more ardour for his friend Troubridge, than for himself.

Naples, 7th Dec. 1798

"MY DEAR LORD,

"On my arrival here, from Leghorn, I received your lords.h.i.+p's letter of October 7, communicating to me the t.i.tle his majesty had been graciously pleased to confer upon me; an honour, your lords.h.i.+p is pleased to say, the highest that has ever been conferred on an officer of my standing, who was not a commander in chief.

"I receive, as I ought, what the goodness of our sovereign, and not my deserts, is pleased to bestow: but, great and unexampled as this honour may be, to one of my standing--yet, I own, I feel a higher one, in the unbounded confidence of the king, your lords.h.i.+p, and the whole world, in my exertions. Even at the bitter moment of my return to Syracuse, your lords.h.i.+p is not insensible of the great difficulties I had to encounter, in not being a commander in chief.

The only happy moment I felt, was in the view of the French; then, I knew, that all my sufferings would soon be at an end!

"I observe what your lords.h.i.+p is pleased to say, relative to the presenting myself, and the captains who served under me, with medals; and, also, that the first lieutenants of the s.h.i.+ps engaged will be distinguished by promotions, as well as the senior marine officers. I hope, and believe, the word "engaged" is not intended to exclude the Culloden; the merit of that s.h.i.+p, and her gallant captain, are too well known to benefit by any thing I could say.

Her misfortune was great, in getting aground, while her more fortunate companions were in the full tide of happiness. No; I am confident, that my good Lord Spencer will never add misery to misfortune. Captain Troubridge, on sh.o.r.e, is superior to captains afloat. In the midst of his great misfortunes, he made those signals which prevented, certainly, the Alexander and Swiftsure from running on the shoals. I beg your pardon for writing on a subject which, I verily believe, has never entered your lords.h.i.+p's head; but my heart, as it ought to be, is warm to my gallant friends.

"Ever your lords.h.i.+p's most faithful and obedient

"Nelson."

So anxious was Lord Nelson for his gallant friend Troubridge, and the other brave officers of the Culloden, that he thus urges, at the same time, in a letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, the subject which occupied his feeling heart. "I received, yesterday," writes he, "a private letter from Lord Spencer; saying, that the first lieutenants of all the s.h.i.+ps engaged would be promoted. I sincerely hope, this is not intended to exclude the first of the Culloden. For Heaven's sake, for my sake, if it be so, get it altered! Our dear friend Troubridge has suffered enough; and no one knows, from me, but Culloden was as much engaged as any s.h.i.+p in the squadron. His sufferings were, in every respect, more than any of us. He deserves every reward which a grateful country can.

bestow on the most meritorious sea-officer of his standing in the service. I I have felt his worth every hour of my command. I have before wrote you, my dear lord, on this subject; therefore, I place Troubridge in your hands."

Of his own disappointment, at not having obtained higher rank, he writes nothing to his commander in chief; but, among his most intimate friends, he is known to have freely expressed his grief and indignation at receiving the t.i.tle of baron only. Had they left him as he was, he has been heard repeatedly to say, he would not have complained; but, he thought, his services merited more than a barony. It would, perhaps, be difficult to find any substantial objection against his having been made, at least, a viscount; which would still have left the commander in chief his superior in rank. Indeed, on such peculiarly great and glorious occasions, there need be little dread respecting precedents. No minister would have been impeached, who had even advised his being created a duke; and, most a.s.suredly, the country would have rejoiced at his merited elevation to that dignity. Why should not the navy possess honours equal to those of a military Marlborough? and, when do we expect to behold the hero on whom they may with more propriety be bestowed?

It is a positive fact, that Lord Nelson would never wear his own gold medal, till he had obtained one for his friend Captain Troubridge; who, by the strictness of official etiquette, without any actual blame in administration, had been at first excluded.

The following laconic epistle to Captain Troubridge, at Leghorn, exhibits a true sailor's letter.

"Naples, Dec. 10th 1798.

"MY DEAR TROUBRIDGE,

"I have just received Mr. Windham's letter of November 30th, and find it is settled that all the cargoes of the Genoese s.h.i.+ps should be landed; and all the French privateers disarmed, and their crews sent away. So far, I am content. Money is not our object; but to distress the common enemy. I hope, if you liked it, you visited the Grand Duke, in my stead; I could not have been better represented--the copy is a d.a.m.ned deal better than the original.

"Nelson."

"Duckworth has a captain under him; John Dixon, from England, is Post Captain; and Mr. Grey arrived."

At the same time, he wrote to his Excellency the Honourable Mr. Windham, apologizing for not having himself accepted his Royal Highness the Grand Duke's invitation to visit him at Pisa. "I have," says he, "to request that you will present my most profound acknowledgments to his Royal Highness. I was under a sacred promise, to return here as expeditiously as possible; and not to quit the Queen and Royal Family of Naples, without her majesty's approbation. This will plead my cause for quitting Leghorn so expeditiously."