'If you find the services of the _Vengeance_ are not required at Leghorn or Genoa, you are to rejoin my flag at this anchorage, unless any increase of the smallpox in the _Bellerophon_ should render it desirable for the latter to proceed to Malta to land the patients, in which case you will relieve Captain Baynes in the duties at Leghorn and direct him to join my flag as he passes to the southward. 'Your Lordship is to keep me informed of your proceedings and of the passing events in your vicinity, by any opportunities that offer during your absence, sending the state and condition of the _Vengeance_ monthly, and on returning to the south you will supply any of the ships which may remain at Leghorn with such provisions as you can spare. '(Signed) W. PARKER.' NAPLES: 14th Feb. 1849. * * * * * Later in February the following letter was addressed to Lord Hardwicke giving him further instructions and remarking on the general unrest in Tuscany and the Roman States. * * * * * _Private._ 'HIBERNIA,' NAPLES: 28th Feb. 1849. 'MY DEAR LORD HARDWICKE, 'The _Bulldog_ will join you after delivering the provisions which she takes for the _Bellerophon_, and I hope will find Piedmont in a quieter state than is rumoured here, and that your fever patients are recovered. 'You are to keep Commander Key if you think the presence of the steamer necessary, and then send him back to Naples, touching on his route at Leghorn. 'The Grand Duke of Tuscany has, I fear, made a fatal mistake in quitting his dominions. He is now quartered in a very indifferent inn at Mole and rests his hopes on being restored by the combined Catholic Powers after they shall have reseated the Pope at Rome, but there are as yet no signs of a military movement. 'The Romans threaten daggers if the Austrians, Neapolitans or Spaniards enter their States, and if overpowered mean to burn the Quirinal, &c., I have not, however, much opinion of their prowess. 'I hope King Ferdinand has at last had the prudence to moderate his terms of adjustment with the Sicilians, at least so far as to afford a chance of their acceptance. Admiral Biuder and myself will proceed in 2 or 3 days to convey the ultimatum; I fear they will still be obstinate, but if it is rejected the armistice will be denounced by the Neapolitan General, and the Sicilians must trust to their own resources. The _Prince Regent_ is expected at Mette to get a new Main-Yard. Sir Charles Napier was at Gibraltar with his squadron on the 8th, and had been joined by the _Rodney_ and _Vanguard._ 'Believe me, dear Lord Hardwicke, 'Very truly yours, 'W. PARKER.' * * * * * A memorandum of the same date from Sir W. Parker informed Lord Hardwicke that H.M. steam-sloop _Bulldog_ was to co-operate with his Lordship in the event of any disturbances in Piedmont. * * * * * _Memo._