The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
Not even the judicious plan which his lordship was now busily engaged in
arranging for the recovery of Naples, with all the other objects of his
incessant care, could divert his attention from that grand object, the
entire destruction of the French armament sent to Egypt. He had just
received information of the, surrender of Corfu; and, about this time, a
very elegant and flattering letter had been written to his lordship by
the King of Sardinia, full of gratitude for the protection of the
British flag in conveying him from Leghorn. In writing to the Earl of
St. Vincent, after mentioning these subjects, with the return of Captain
Troubridge's squadron from Egypt, he observes that it is his intention
to send a small squadron, under that commander, into the Bay of Naples,
"I wish, first," says his lordship, "to take the Island of Procida,
which will secure a tolerable anchorage, and effectually blockade
Naples. It must, also, have the effect of preventing the French from
detaching any troops from Naples to to the provinces, who are all loyal.
The court tells me, that twelve thousand Russians, and fifteen thousand
Turks, are ready to cross the Adriatic, to land in the kingdom of
Naples. If so, our squadron will create a powerful diversion." Having
stated the reasons which have been seen for Captain Troubridge's failure
at Alexandria, he adverts to Sir Sidney, who has now the blockade of
that place. "I send you," says his lordship, "copies of my letters to
him; for the victory of the Nile would, in my opinion, be useless, if
any ship, or Frenchman, is suffered to return to Europe. I hope you will
approve of my conduct; for, as a captain to an admiral, either Sir
Sidney Smith, or myself, must give way. Bonaparte is at Cairo, not more
than sixteen thousand strong. He must and will fall, sooner or later, if
Sir Sidney Smith does not allow him to retreat by sea. As to myself, I
am, at times, ill at my ease: but, it is my duty to submit; and, you may
be sure, I shall not quit my post, without absolute necessity. If the
emperor moves, I hope yet to return the royal family to Naples. At
present, I cannot move; would the court but let me, I should be better:
for, here, I am writing from morn to eve; therefore, you must excuse
this jumble of a letter."
Neither of these letters, however, mention the very important
circumstance of Captain Troubridge's having intercepted Bonaparte's
dispatches, on his way to Constantinople; which is contained in the
following communication to his Excellency the Honourable William
Windham, for the purpose of having that satisfactory intelligence
transmitted to England. This letter, as well as other dispatches of the
21st, to Mr. Windham, was written on board the Culloden; into which ship
Lord Nelson had shifted his flag, having that day sent Captain Hardy to
Tripoli with the Vanguard.
"Culloden, Palermo,
22d March 1799.
"MY DEAR SIR,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account