The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson Volume II Part 13

"SIR

Were I to attempt, by words, to express what I felt on receiving the imperial present of the drawing of the Battle of Aboukir, and the highly flattering letter wrote by your excellency in obedience to the imperial command, I should feel myself unequal to the task.

Therefore, I can only beg your excellency to express, in words most adapted to convey my grat.i.tude to his imperial majesty, my sense of the extraordinary high honour conferred upon me, by a present more valuable than gold or jewels; as they may come only from the hand of a great monarch, while this can only flow from the benevolent heart of a good man. That the Almighty may pour down his choicest blessings on the imperial head, and ever give his arms victory over all his enemies, is the fervent prayer, and shall ever be, as far as my abilities will allow me, the constant exertion, of your excellency's obliged servant,

"Bronte Nelson."

In a letter to Earl Elgin, then amba.s.sador at Constantinople, his lords.h.i.+p thus expresses his grateful attachment to the Turks. "They,"

says he, "do me but justice, in believing that I am always alert to do them every kindness; for, as no man ever received greater favours from the Sublime Porte, so no one shall be more grateful." His lords.h.i.+p sincerely regrets the escape of Bonaparte; and remarks, that those s.h.i.+ps which he had destined for the two places where Bonaparte would certainly have been intercepted, were--from the Admiralty's thinking, doubtless, that the Russians would do something at sea--obliged to be at Malta and on other services, in which he also thought the Russian admiral would have a.s.sisted: "therefore," he adds, "no blame lays at my door." The Vincejo sloop, however, his lords.h.i.+p says, had a few days before taken a vessel from Egypt, with General Voix, and seventy-five officers; and that Captain Long was happy enough to save the dispatches, which had been thrown overboard with a weight insufficient to instantly sink them.

These dispatches represented the extreme distress of the French army in Egypt; and he expresses his hope, that the Sublime Porte will never permit a single Frenchman to quit Egypt. "I own myself," says his lords.h.i.+p, in that severe spirit of Antigallicanism for which he was ever so remarkable, "wicked enough, to wish them all to die in that country they chose to invade. We have scoundrels of French enough in Europe, without them." It is contrary to his opinion, he repeats, to allow a single Frenchman, from Egypt, to return to France, during the war; nor would he subscribe any paper giving such permission. "But," concludes his lords.h.i.+p, "I submit to the better judgment of men."

To Spencer Smith, Esq. now secretary of the emba.s.sy, his lords.h.i.+p writes in a similar strain--"I have read, with pleasure, all that has pa.s.sed in Egypt, between Bonaparte, Kleber, and the Grand Vizier; and I send Lord Elgin some very important papers, which will shew their very deplorable situation: but I cannot bring myself to believe they would entirely quit Egypt; and, if they would, I never would consent to one of them returning to the continent of Europe during the war. I wish them to perish in Egypt; and give a great lesson to the world, of the justice of the Almighty."

On the 23d of December, his lords.h.i.+p received information from Sir Thomas Troubridge, that the Culloden, in going into the Bay of Marsa Scirocco, in the Island of Malta, to land cannon, ammunition, &c. from Messina, for the siege, had struck on a rock, and was greatly damaged.

The rudder, and great part of the false keel, were carried away; and the rudder would have been lost, but for Sir Thomas's timely exertion in getting a hawser reeved through it. The pintles were all broken; and the s.h.i.+p was steered to the anchorage, with the sails, in a safe but leaky state. In answer to his friend Troubridge, respecting this unfortunate accident, Lord Nelson says--"Your resources never fail; and you would contrive something, I dare say, if the s.h.i.+p's bottom was knocked out."

In another letter of the 2d of January 1800, his lords.h.i.+p, who is incessantly labouring, at all points, to obtain every requisite for the reduction of Malta, and for the relief of the distressed natives, writes thus--"I cannot get the frigate out of the mole; therefore, I must learn to be a hard-hearted wretch, and fancy the cries of hunger in my ears. I send you orders for the different governors: you will see, they are for the supply of the army and navy; therefore, whatever Graham and you send for will, if possible, be granted. I hope the Russians will sail, this north-east wind; and it is my intention to give you all a meeting, the moment the Foudroyant arrives."

On this day, too, his lords.h.i.+p wrote letters to Portugal: containing the kindest praises of the Marquis De Niza, and the several officers and men of the Portuguese squadron under his command; which were, at length, returning home, in obedience to orders, on being relieved by Sir Thomas Troubridge's arrival at Malta. One of these letters contained particular recommendations of promotion for Captains Thompson, Welch, and De Pinto.

"When," says his lords.h.i.+p, "I mention my brother, and friend, Niza, I must say, that I never knew so indefatigable an officer. During the whole time I have had the happiness of having him under my command, I have never expressed a wish that Niza did not fly to execute."

On the 6th of January, his lords.h.i.+p learned that his prediction to Rear-Admiral Duckworth, of what had been intended respecting the command of the Mediterranean fleet, was completely verified, by the approach of Lord Keith; who now signified, in a letter to Lord Nelson, that he was coming to Sicily. The effect which this event, though not unsuspected, must have produced on his lords.h.i.+p's mind, is less difficult to be conceived, than expressed. He had already met with sufficient impediments to the execution of his designs, most of which were just happily surmounted; but a paramount difficulty seemed now arising, against which he might be disarmed of all power to perform any thing efficient. The general aspect of his public situation, at this period, is concentrated by his own skilful hand, in the following professional letter, which he immediately wrote to Lord Keith; but his exalted and superior mind disdained to discover, in such a communication, the state of his own private feelings.

"Palermo, 7th Jan. 1800.

"MY DEAR LORD,

Last night, I received your letters, and orders, to December 14th, from November 30th; all of which, I shall endeavour to obey: and, with the greatest pleasure, to give you the state of the squadron, and of affairs on this side of Minorca. I shall begin in the east.

My last accounts from thence were by the Phaeton, Captain Morris; and, as your lords.h.i.+p will probably see him, I shall only say, that I have not heard immediately from Sir Sidney Smith since September the 7th. At Constantinople, they heard he was communicating with the Grand Vizier, at Gaza, respecting the French army. The s.h.i.+ps with him are, Theseus and Cameleon; but the Bulldog is directed to go to him, till the Smyrna convoy is ready to return. I have lately sent provisions, and some few stores, all we had, for those s.h.i.+ps; and I have written to Duckworth, and Inglefield, to send particularly for those s.h.i.+ps. What Turkish s.h.i.+ps of war Sir Sidney Smith has under him, I know not; but, I am told, there are several.

The Turkish admiral, Captain Morris tells me, who served under him, had his head taken off, for leaving the port of Alexandria open, and permitting the escape of Bonaparte. I would have kept up a more constant communication with Egypt; but, I have never had the benefit of small vessels. At Corfu, General Villete is arrived, and raising two regiments of Albanians. Our consul there, Mr. Speridion Forresti, is a very able man; and, from thence, the pa.s.sage of an express, by land, to Constantinople, is twelve days. To get to Malta--which has kept, for sixteen months, every s.h.i.+p I could lay my hands on fully employed; and has, in truth, broke my spirits for ever--I have been begging, of his Sicilian Majesty, small supplies of money and corn, to keep the Maltese in arms, and barely to keep from starving the poor inhabitants. Sicily has, this year, a very bad crop, and the exportation of corn is prohibited. Both Graham and Troubridge are in desperation, at the prospect of a famine.

Vessels are here, loading with corn for Malta; but I can neither get the Neapolitan men of war, nor merchant vessels, to move. You will see, by the report of the disposition of the s.h.i.+ps, what a wretched state we are in. In truth, only the Foudroyant and Northumberland are fit to keep the sea. The Russians are, on the 4th, arrived at Messina; six sail of the line, frigates, &c. with two thousand five hundred troops. It is not to be expected, that any one Russian man of war can, or will, keep the sea; therefore, the blockade by sea can only be kept up by our s.h.i.+ps: and it is my intention, if the Foudroyant, or even a frigate, comes soon, to go for two days to Malta, to give the Russian admiral and general, Graham, Troubridge, and Governor Ball, a meeting; not only, on the most probable means of getting the French out, but also, of arranging various matters, if it should fall to our exertions. The Maltese have, Graham says, two thousand excellent troops; we have, soldiers and sailors, fifteen hundred; the Russians will land full three thousand. I hope, the Ricasoli may be carried; and, if it is, I think the French general will no longer hold out. What a relief this would be to us! If I cannot get to Malta very soon, I shall, from your letter, remain here, to give you a meeting and receive your orders. It is impossible to send, from Mahon, too many supplies of stores to Malta; sails, rope, plank, nails, &c. You can form no idea of our deplorable state, for the last year. In Sicily, we are all quiet. I have been trying, with Sir William Hamilton, in which the queen joins, to induce the king to return to Naples; but, hitherto, without effect. I must suppose, his majesty has reasons which I am unacquainted with. It has long been my wish, to send a small squadron on the coast of Genoa; for the Russian s.h.i.+ps are of no use, to co-operate with the Germans: but, I have not them to send. La Mutine, I have directed to protect our trade about Leghorn; and to a.s.sist, as far as she is able, in giving convoy to vessels carrying provisions to the Austrian army. The report of the combined fleets being ready for sea, induced me to direct the Phaeton and Penelope to cruize between Cape Spartel and Cape St.

Vincent; that I may have timely notice of their approach, if bound this way--_which I believe_.

I have run over our present state; perhaps, too hastily: but, I am anxious not to keep the brig one moment longer than my writing this letter. With every sentiment of respect, believe me, my dear lord, your most obedient servant,

"Bronte Nelson."

To his Excellency, the Honourable Lieutenant-General Fox, at Minorca, his lords.h.i.+p on the same day wrote, that he would not suffer General Graham to want, if he could "beg, borrow, or steal, to supply him. Lord Keith," he adds, "is, I dare say, with you, at this moment; and, I am sure, all matters will be much better arranged with him than I have ability of doing. I have only the disposition to do what is right, and the desire of meriting your esteem." To Colonel Graham, at Malta, he also wrote, this day, as follows--"I hope to soon pay you a visit, and I only wish that I could always do all you ask me. It is certain, that you cannot go on at Malta, without money; therefore, I declare, sooner than you should want, I would sell Bronte. But, I trust, from General Fox's letter to me, that you will have his consent for ordering what money may be necessary. I send you all the Egyptian papers, for you, Ball, and Troubridge; and, if you like, in confidence, Italinskoy. Suwarrow is at Prague, with his whole army: ready to act with the Austrians, if they come to their senses; or, perhaps, against them. _Moreau_ is at Vienna, treating for peace. What a state the allies bring us into! But, it is in vain to cry out; John Bull was always ill-treated. May a speedy success attend you!"

On the 14th, a new mortification occurred to his lords.h.i.+p. The Russian admiral, who had so long lingered at Naples, and recently arrived at Messina, with the intent, as was supposed, of at length going to Malta, sent notice that he was proceeding with his s.h.i.+ps and troops to Corfu, and could not go to Malta. Lord Keith was, at this time, gone to station a squadron for the blockade of the port and coast of Genoa; and Lord Nelson, after arranging, with General Acton, a plan for sending two thousand six hundred troops, and encouraging his respective friends at Malta to persevere in their labours, under these and other comforting a.s.surances, sailed in the Foudroyant, on the 16th, to concert measures for future operations with the commander in chief.

On the 23d, his lords.h.i.+p writes to Earl Spencer, from Leghorn, that he came thither to meet Lord Keith; and that they are going, together, to Palermo and Malta. "If," says his lords.h.i.+p, "Sir James St. Clair, or General Fox, had felt themselves authorized to have given us two thousand troops, I think that Malta, by this time, would have fallen; and our poor s.h.i.+ps been released from the hardest service I have ever seen. The going away of the Russians, has almost done me up; but the King of Naples has ordered two thousand six hundred troops from Sicily, to a.s.sist Graham, and they are to be under our command. It is true, they are not good soldiers; but, they will ease our's in the fatigues of duty. The feeding the inhabitants of Malta, and paying two thousand of the people who bear arms, has been a continual source of uneasiness to my mind. His Sicilian Majesty has done more than it was possible to expect he had the ability of performing; for the resources of his kingdom are hardly yet come round, and his demands are excessive from all quarters of his dominions. Lord Keith will now be able to judge, with his own eyes and ears, and your lords.h.i.+p will see his report. The loyalty and attachment of their Sicilian Majesties to our king and country is such, that I would venture to lay down my head to be cut off, if they would not rather lose their kingdom of Naples, than hold it on terms from Austria and the French, by a separation from their alliance with England. There is not a thing which his majesty can desire, that their majesties of the two Sicilies will not have the greatest pleasure in complying with. I have, before, ventured on the character of their Sicilian majesties. The king is a real good man, but inclined to be positive in his opinion; the queen is certainly a great monarch, and a true daughter of Maria Theresa. I am just favoured with your letter of December 12th; which, although so entirely contrary to my expectations, cannot alter my respect for all your kindness. I am in debt, from my situation; but, time and care will get me out of it. Since May 1798, I have had all the expence of a commander in chief, without even the smallest advantage. Lord Keith," concludes his lords.h.i.+p, "shall find, in me, an officer ever ready to antic.i.p.ate his wishes, so long as my health permits."

Though Lord Nelson does not absolutely complain of his then ill health, he was certainly much indisposed; and, but a few weeks before, had undergone a painful course of electricity, at Palermo, from which he entertained hopes of recovering the sight of his left eye.

On the 26th, his lords.h.i.+p sailed from Leghorn, and arrived safely at Palermo; from whence, in a few days, he proceeded to Malta, for the purpose of arranging the business of that important siege.

On the 12th of February, at sea, his lords.h.i.+p received the report of a survey held on the warrant-officers stores found onboard the Leander at the time, of it's being delivered up, with an account of those said to be supplied by the Russians while this s.h.i.+p was in their possession, which he inclosed to Lord Keith, as commander in chief; and, only six days after, being in company with the Northumberland, Audacious, and El Corso brig, fortunately captured Le Genereux, by which the Leander had been originally taken. The particulars of this pleasing event will be best described in his lords.h.i.+p's own words.

"Foudroyant, at Sea, 10th Feb. 1800.

Off Cape di Corso, Eight Leagues West of Cape Pa.s.saro; off Sh.o.r.e, Four Miles.

"MY LORD,

This morning, at day-light, being in company with the s.h.i.+ps named in the margin, I saw the Alexander in chase of a line of battle s.h.i.+p, three frigates, and a corvette: and, about eight o'clock, she fired several shot at one of the enemy's frigates, which struck her colours; and, leaving her to be secured by the s.h.i.+ps astern, continued the chase. I directed Captain Gould of the Audacious, and the El Corso brig, to take charge of this prize. At half past one P.M. the frigates and corvette tacked to the westward; but the line of battle s.h.i.+p, not being able to tack without coming to action with the Alexander, bore up. The Success being to leeward, Captain Peard, with great judgment and gallantry, lay across his hawser, and raked him with several broadsides. In pa.s.sing the French s.h.i.+p's broadside, several shot struck the Success; by which, one man was killed, and the master and seven men wounded. At half past four, the Foudroyant and Northumberland coming up, the former fired two shot; when the French s.h.i.+p fired her broadside, and struck her colours. She proved to be Le Genereux, of seventy-four guns, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Perree, commander in chief of the French naval force in the Mediterranean; having a number of troops on board, from Toulon, bound for the relief of Malta. I attribute our success, this day, to be princ.i.p.ally owing to the extreme good management of Lieutenant William Harrington, who commands the Alexander in the absence of Captain Ball: and I am much pleased with the gallant behaviour of Captain Peard, of the Success; as, also, with the alacrity and good conduct of Captain Martin, and Sir Edward Berry. I have sent Lieutenant Andrew Thomson, First Lieutenant of the Foudroyant, to take charge of Le Genereux; whom I beg leave to recommend to your lords.h.i.+p, for promotion: and send her, under care of the Northumberland, and Alexander, to Syracuse, to wait your lords.h.i.+p's orders. I have the honour to be, my lord, your lords.h.i.+p's most obedient and most humble servant,

Bronte Nelson

The Right Honourable Lord Keith, K.B. &c."

His lords.h.i.+p, the next day, directed Captain Gould, of the Audacious, to proceed with the French prisoners for the harbour of St. Paul, in the Island of Malta; and, putting them on board any s.h.i.+p of war, or empty transport, he might find there, to return to the westward of Goza, where he was to cruize till farther orders.

Though Lord Nelson was much gratified by this capture, which reduced the number of French s.h.i.+ps that had escaped at the battle off the Nile to the single one of Le Guillaume Tell, then blocked up at Malta, his health appeared daily on the decline. Still, however, his spirits seem to have remained lively; for, in writing on the occasion, to Palermo, he desires Prince Leopold will tell his august father, that he is, he believes, the first Duke of Bronte who ever took a French seventy-four.

Besides the French prisoners sent to Malta for the sake of compelling their countrymen to maintain them, and consequently to a.s.sist in the consumption of the provisions of the garrison, and thus accelerate it's surrender; there were a number of Moorish prisoners on board Le Genereux, subjects of the Bashaw of Tripoli. These Lord Nelson sent back to their own country; with letters to the bashaw, as well as to the British consul: the former of whom he a.s.sures, that he is happy in the opportunity of saving so many of his subjects from a French prison; and the latter, he requests, will not fail to impress on the bashaw's mind, that Nelson is never unmindful of his friends. "The bashaw," he adds, "was very good in supplying the El Corso with some rope, which was duly reported to me; and, for which, I beg, you will thank his excellency in my name."

On the 24th of February, off Malta, where his lords.h.i.+p found his health much affected, he wrote to Lord Keith, that it was impossible he could remain much longer there. "Without some rest," says his lords.h.i.+p, "I am gone. I must, therefore, whenever I find the service will admit of it, request your permission to go to my friends at Palermo, for a few weeks, and leave the command here to Commodore Troubridge. Nothing but necessity obliges me to write this letter." Finding, however, on the 28th, from the report of his friend Captain Ball, that the French s.h.i.+ps were perfectly ready for sea, and would probably attempt to escape the first fair wind, he writes thus to Lord Keith--"My state of health is very precarious. Two days ago, I dropped with a pain in my heart, and I am always in a fever; but the hopes of these gentry coming out, shall support me a few days longer. I really desire to see this Malta business finished." The following pa.s.sage, which occurs in another part of this letter, is highly characteristic--"The intended movements of their s.h.i.+ps, is a convincing proof, to me, that the garrison has lost all hopes of a successful resistance, and I wish General Graham would make false attacks. I am no soldier; therefore, ought not to hazard an opinion: but, if I commanded, I would torment the scoundrels night and day."

Having waited till the 8th of March, with the vain expectation that the French s.h.i.+ps would venture out, his lords.h.i.+p wrote to Lord Keith, that his health continued so bad, he was obliged, in justice to himself, to retire to Palermo for a few weeks, directing Commodore Troubridge to carry on the service during his necessary absence: and, in a day or two after, sailed for Palermo; where he did not arrive, having had a tedious pa.s.sage, till the 16th.

On the 20th, his lords.h.i.+p writes to Lord Keith--"It is too soon to form any judgment of what effect it may have on my health; but, on the 18th, I had near died, with the swelling of some of the vessels of the heart.

I know, the anxiety of my mind, on coming back to Syracuse in 1798, was the first cause; and more people, perhaps, die of broken hearts, than we are aware of." To Commodore Troubridge he writes, also, on this day, much in the same strain--"It is too soon to form an opinion whether I can ever be cured of my complaint. At present, I see but glimmering hopes; and, probably, my career of service is at an end: unless the French fleet should come into the Mediterranean, when nothing shall prevent my dying at my post. I hope, my dear friend, that your complaints are better. Pray, do not fret at any thing; I wish I never had: but my return to Syracuse, in 1798, broke my heart; which, on any extraordinary anxiety, now shews itself, be that feeling _pain_ or _pleasure_." His lords.h.i.+p remarks, however, that he is an infidel about the Brest fleet again trusting themselves in the Mediterranean. The Russians, he observes, are certainly going to Malta; under commanders, both at sea and land, with whom all will be harmony. "You will have heard," continues his lords.h.i.+p, "that Mr. Arthur Paget is daily expected, to replace, for the present, Sir William; Comte Pouskin is also superseded by Italinskoy. In short, great changes are going on; and none, that I can see, for the better. I have not yet seen General Acton; but I am led to believe, that the king's not returning to Naples, _has_ been entirely owing to the general. At present, perhaps, he has so much frightened him, that the act appears his own. _We, of the Nile_, are not equal to Lord Keith, in his estimation; and ought to think it an honour to serve under such a _clever man_." In concluding this letter, his lords.h.i.+p says--"Acton has, I am almost convinced, played us _false_."

In another letter to Sir Thomas Troubridge, dated on the 28th, his lords.h.i.+p says, that if the s.h.i.+ps get away, he is certain the garrison will not hold out; and expresses his intention again to visit Malta, before he retires from the station. A courier, from Constantinople, he says, is just arrived: bringing intelligence, that the French treaty for quitting Egypt is ratified by the Porte; and, that the ministers of England and Russia have acquainted the Porte of the determination of the allies not to suffer the French army to return to Europe. His lords.h.i.+p then directs him to repeat the orders already given, for making the French from Egypt, under whatever protection they may be, come into some of the ports of the allies; for, on no consideration, must they be allowed to return to France. "I now," adds his lords.h.i.+p, "come to the most painful part of my letter, the loss of the Queen Charlotte, by fire. Lord Keith is safe; and, I hope, most of the officers and crew.

She sailed from Leghorn at daylight of the 17th, with a strong land wind. She was, when five miles distant, discovered to be on fire; and, at noon, she blew up, about twelve miles from the light-house. This is the whole we know. Vessels were fearful, till after some time, to approach her; therefore, many poor fellows must be gone!"

In a very few days after this melancholy accident, Lord Nelson experienced one of the highest gratifications of his life, by the capture of Le Guillaume Tell. The first information of that important event was conveyed in the following note from Sir Edward Berry.

"Foudroyant, 30th March 1800.

"MY DEAR LORD,

"I had but one wish, this morning; it was for you. After a most gallant defence, Le Guillaume Tell surrendered, and she is compleatly dismasted. The Foudroyant's lower masts, and main topmast, are standing; but, every roll, I expect them to go over the side, they are so much shattered. I was slightly hurt in the foot; and, I fear, about forty men are badly wounded, besides the killed, which you shall know hereafter. All hands behaved as you would have wished. How we prayed for you, G.o.d knows, and your sincere and faithful friend,

"E. Berry."

On the 4th of April, his lords.h.i.+p having received farther particulars from Sir Thomas Troubridge, wrote thus to Mr. Nepean.

"Palermo, 4th April 1800.