"What a situation am I placed in! as yet, I can learn nothing of the enemy; therefore, I have no conjecture, but that they are gone to Syria; and, at Cyprus, I hope to hear of them. If they were gone to the westward, I rely that every place in Sicily would have information for me; for, it is too important news to leave me one moment in doubt about. I have no frigate, or a sign of one. The masts, yards, &c. for the Vanguard, will I hope be prepared directly: for, should the French be so strongly secured in port that I cannot get at them, I shall immediately shift my flag into some other ship, and send the Vanguard to Naples, to be refitted; for, hardly any person but myself would have continued on service so long in such a wretched state." The following letter of complaint, calculated to blind the Neapolitan government, as well as the French resident, is a masterpiece of requisite political duplicity, fabricated at the very instant when he was receiving every possible assistance. "Vanguard, Syracuse, 22d July 1798. "MY DEAR SIR, "I have had so much said about the King of Naples's orders only to admit three or four of the ships of our fleet into his ports, that I am astonished. I understood, that private orders, at least, would have been given for our free admission. If we are to be refused supplies, pray send me, by many vessels, an account; that I may, in good time, take the king's fleet to Gibraltar. Our treatment is scandalous for a great nation to put up with, and the king's flag is insulted at every friendly port we look at. I am, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant, Horatio Nelson. P.S. I do not complain of the want of attention in individuals, for all classes of people are remarkably attentive to us." "His Excellency, the Right Honourable Sir William Hamilton, K.B." A secret epistle, at the same time, addressed to Sir William and Lady Hamilton, has these words-- "MY DEAR FRIENDS, "Thanks to your exertions, we have victualled and watered: and, surely, watering at the Fountain of Arethusa, we must have victory! We shall sail with the first breeze; and, be assured, I will return either crowned with laurel, or covered with cypress."