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
worthy allies; and particular acknowledgments to the British hero. The
music was most excellent; and all the opera band, with Senesino at their
head, sung--"Rule Britannia!" and "God save the King!" in which they
were joined by the whole assembly, who had been previously drilled to
the English pronunciation.
About the time of this grand festival, an unfortunate affray between
the Turkish seamen and some of the Sicilians, occurred at a tavern, in
Palermo; and was carried to such an excess, that many men of both
countries lost their lives on the occasion. The quarrel originated in
the superstition of the Sicilians; who, like all the vulgar Italians,
when they address the Turks, rudely tell them, that they are not
Christians, but beasts. The Turks, after getting on board their ships,
continued to wrangle among themselves; and were, at length, in such a
state of mutiny, that Cadir Bey, their commander in chief, became
greatly terrified. Lord Nelson, however, being made acquainted with the
affair, and having a great friendship for this Turkish admiral,
immediately offered him his services; and, the next day, very calmly
going on board, accompanied by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, speedily
quelled the mutiny. It appears, however, to have soon again broken out:
having been excited, it is said, by Patrona Bey, who was desirous of
supplanting Cadir Bey; but who, not very long afterwards, had rendered
himself so obnoxious to the men whom he thus endeavoured to delude, that
they suddenly rose on him, and literally cut him to pieces. It was well,
therefore, that the generous friendship of Lord Nelson had impelled him
to pen a letter to the Grand Signior, previously to Cadir Bey's
departure, that he might protect this worthy man from any
misrepresentation respecting the fatal affray with the Sicilians; as,
without such a powerful advocate, it is highly probable that Cadir Bey
would have lost his situation, if not his life: instead of which, he
obtained the merited approbation of the Grand Signior, by this epistle;
which was inclosed in a letter to the Captain Pacha--and a copy of it
also sent to Spencer Smith, Esq. the minister at Constantinople--of the
same date. The letter to the Grand Signior was expressed in the
following terms.
"Palermo, 10th Sept. 1799.
"SIRE,
"I trust, that your Imperial Majesty will permit the servant of
your most faithful ally to bear his testimony to the good conduct
of your Admiral Cadir Bey.
"I can assure your majesty, that ships in higher order cannot be,
than those under his command; and the little disturbance which has
arose in this place has not been owing to any want of attention
from your majesty's admiral.
"Cadir Bey is with me every day; and a better man does not live in
the world, or a better officer. He is my brother; and I am, in the
truest sense of the words, your majesty's attached and faithful
servant,
"Bronte Nelson."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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