The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 1Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 1
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
hundred; therefore, a vigorous assault being made in many parts,
some one must succeed. But, who have the government of Naples sent,
to lead or encourage these people? A very good, and I dare say
brave, old man; enervated, and shaking with the palsy. This is the
sort of man that they have sent; without any supply, without even a
promise of protection, and without his bringing any answer to the
repeated respectful memorials of these people to their sovereign. I
know their majesties must feel hurt, when they hear these truths. I
may be thought presuming; but, I trust, General Acton will forgive
an honest seaman for telling plain truths. _As for the other
minister, I do not understand him._ We are different men. He has
been bred in a court; and I, in a rough element: but, I believe, my
heart is as susceptible of the finer feelings as his, and as
compassionate for the distress of those who look up to me for
protection."
Having thus very justly and indignantly censured the Neapolitan
government; particularly, the then first minister, the Marquis De Gallo;
he proceeds most judiciously and forcibly to state, not only what ought
to have been done, but what still should be attempted. In doing this, he
has admirably sketched the characteristic outlines of a good commander.
"The officer sent here should have brought supplies, promises of
protection, and an answer from the king to their memorials. He
should have been a man of judgment, bravery, and _activity_. He
should be the first to lead them to glory; and the last, when
necessary, to retreat: the first to mount the wall of the Bormola,
and never to quit it. This is the man to send. Such, many such, are
to be found. If he succeeds, promise him rewards: my life for it,
the business would soon be over.
"God bless you! I am anxious to get this matter finished. I have
sent Ball, this day, to summon Goza; if it resists, I shall send on
shore, and batter down the castle. Three vessels, loaded with
bullocks, &c. for the garrison, were taken yesterday, from Tripoli:
ten more are coming, but we shall have them. I had almost forgot to
mention, that orders should be immediately given, that no
quarantine be laid on boats going to the coast of Sicily for corn.
At present, as a matter of favour, they have fourteen days only.
Yesterday, there was only fourteen days bread in the island;
luckily, we got hold of a vessel loaded with wheat, and sent her
into St. Paul's. Once more, God bless you! and ever believe me,
your obliged and affectionate
"Horatio Nelson.
"This day I have landed twenty barrels of gunpowder--two thousand
eight hundred pounds--at Malta."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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