Chapter 16

"Having, by a gale of wind, sustained some trifling damage, I anchored a small part of his majesty's fleet under my orders, off this island; and was surprised to hear, by an officer sent by the governor, that admittance was to be refused to the flag of his Britannic majesty into this port. When I reflect that my most gracious sovereign is the oldest, I believe, and certainly the most faithful, ally which his majesty of Sardinia ever had, I could feel the sorrow which it must have been to his majesty to have given such an order; and also for your excellency, who has to direct it's execution. I cannot but look at Afric's shore; where the followers of Mahomet are performing the part of the good Samaritan, which I look for in vain at St. Peter's, where it is said the Christian religion is professed. May God Almighty bless your excellency, is the sincere wish of your most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

It is not improbable, that this letter immediately occasioned a little secret assistance to be bestowed. Certain it is, that some aid was actually received, or they could not so soon have conveniently taken their departure.

They now steered for their appointed rendezvous, which they reached on the 4th of June; and were joined, next day, by La Mutine, Captain Hardy, who was charged with orders to the admiral, and brought the highly acceptable information, that Captain Troubridge, with ten sail of the line, and a fifty-gun ship, had been detached to reinforce him. The knowledge of this circumstance diffused universal joy throughout the little squadron; which could scarcely be felt in a superlative degree by the heroic commander himself, who was now about to obtain what it had been the business of his life to acquire, an opportunity of evincing the ability with which he felt conscious of having been gifted by Heaven. In the exultation of his open and generous heart, he observed to Captain Berry, that he should soon be a match for any hostile fleet in the Mediterranean; and his only desire would then be, to encounter one.

The squadron, on the 6th, were widely spread, in anxious expectation, looking out for the expected reinforcement. They were informed, that several sail, then in sight, were Spanish ships, richly laden; but the love of glory now filled too powerfully the hero's breast, to admit the presence of any sordid or selfish passion. He had heard that, with the storm in which his ships so severely suffered, the grand armament had set out from Toulon; and, perhaps, but for this apparently unfriendly gale, his little squadron might have become the prey of such greatly superior force. The fury of that tempest, however, though violent, was soon exhausted, and it's ill effects were quickly repaired: but the dark storm of desolation, proceeding from the collected thunders of France issued at the port of Toulon, was now passing dreadfully over the menaced world; and every country seemed waiting, in awful horror, to behold where it should finally burst, and fatally descend.

The consideration of the important part which Sir Horatio Nelson had to act, in the grand theatre of the universe, now absorbed every other consideration. The Alexander, indeed, had stopped one of the Spanish ships; but, Captain Ball finding that it had on board eighty or ninety priests, driven by French persecution from the papal sanctuary of Rome, considered it would be an act of inhumanity to prevent their seeking an asylum. He accordingly suffered the ship to proceed: bringing away only a few volunteer Genoese seamen from the Spanish vessel, who expressed their desire of the honour to serve in the British fleet, and their resentment of the ill usage which they had recently experienced from the detested French.

In a state of the most pleasingly painful anxiety did this little squadron, and their impatient commander, continue to watch, for the expected reinforcement, till the 8th at noon; when they had the happiness to discover, from the mast-head, ten sail; and it was not long before these were recognized to be British ships of war, standing on a wind, in close line of battle, with all sails set. Private signals were now exchanged; and, before sun-set, this important junction was completely effected.

Captain Troubridge brought no instructions to Admiral Nelson respecting the course he was to steer, nor any positive account of the destination of the enemy's fleet. Every thing was left to his own judgment. The pleasure which he felt at being thought worthy of such a command, called forth every power of his grateful and magnanimous mind.

He had soon the felicity to find, that the captains under his authority, had no need of particular instructions to keep in constant readiness for battle; the ardour of their zeal anticipated his utmost wishes. The decks of all the ships were perfectly clear night and day, and every man was ready to take his post at a moment's notice. He perceived them, with unspeakable satisfaction, daily exercising their men at the great guns, as well as with small arms; and, in short, placing every thing in the best state of preparation for actual service.

Knowing that the enemy had sailed with a north-west wind, he naturally concluded that their course was up the Mediterranean. He sent La Mutine to Civita Vecchia, and along the Roman coast, for intelligence; and, in the mean time, steered with the fleet to Corsica, which he reached on the 12th of June, without obtaining any intelligence. The next day, he continued his course between Corsica and Elba, and between Planosa and Elba; through the latter of which passages large ships, or fleets, had not been accustomed to pass. On making the Roman coast, they were rejoined by La Mutine; but Captain Hardy, with all his exertions, had been unable to acquire any information.

Admiral Nelson now resolved to steer towards Naples, with the hope of proving more successful in his enquiries. It had been rumoured, that the plundering of Algiers was the object of the French armament; but this account he considered as much too vague to warrant implicit adoption.

On the 16th, they saw Mount Vesuvius; and Captain Troubridge was detached, in La Mutine, with letters to Sir William Hamilton, making earnest enquiries respecting the French fleet, as well as of the powers and disposition of the court of Naples to accommodate the British squadron. In one of these letters, he says--

"If their fleet is not moored in as strong a port as Toulon, nothing shall hinder me from attacking them; and, with the blessing of Almighty God, I hope for a most glorious victory. I send Captain Troubridge to communicate with your excellency; and, as Captain Troubridge is in full possession of my confidence, I beg that whatever he says may be considered as coming from me. Captain Troubridge is my honoured acquaintance of twenty-five years, and the very best sea-officer in his majesty's service. I hope, pilots will be with us in a few hours; for I will not lose one moment after the brig's return, to wait for any thing."

In the mean time, knowing the anxiety of his country, at this period, he wrote to Earl Spencer, informing him of his belief that, if the French fleet passed Sicily, towards which they had been seen steering, he should imagine they were going on their scheme of possessing Alexandria, and getting troops to India, on a plan concerted with Tippoo Saib.

"But," adds the hero, "be they bound to the Antipodes, your lordship may rely that I will not lose a moment in bringing them to action, and endeavour to destroy their transports. I have sent Captain Troubridge on shore, to talk to General Acton, and hope the King of Naples will send me some frigates; for mine parted company on the 20th of May, and have not joined me since. The whole squadron is remarkably healthy, and perfectly equal to meet the French fleet." After observing, that he shall make sail the moment Captain Troubridge returns, he concludes thus--"Highly honoured as I feel with this very important command, I beg you will believe that I shall endeavour to approve myself worthy of it; and that I am, with the highest respect, your lordship's most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

On the 17th, in answer to a letter sent by a boat from Sir William Hamilton, he writes--"Captain Troubridge will say every thing I could put in a ream of paper. I have only to observe, in my present state, if I meet the enemy at sea, the convoy will get off, for want of frigates. I submit this to you, to urge General Acton upon. The King of Naples may now have part of the glory in destroying these pests of the human race; and the opportunity, once lost, may never be regained. God bless you! Depend on my exertions."

This day, too, he wrote the following very laconic, but truly characteristic letter, for the Earl of St. Vincent; to be forwarded, by Sir William Hamilton, from Naples.

"Vanguard, off Naples, 17th June 1798.

"MY LORD,

"I have only to assure you, I will bring the French fleet to action the moment I can lay my hands on them. Till then, adieu.

"Horatio Nelson."

Having received information, by Captain Troubridge, that the French were at Malta, on the 8th, going to attack it; and that Naples, being at peace with the French republic, could afford us no assistance; he seemed to lament that even a day had been lost, by visiting the Bay of Naples, and resolved instantly, by the shortest cut, to make the Pharos of Messina.

Such, at least, was the apparent face of the business; but, in truth, one grand object of Captain Troubridge's mission had been secretly successful to a very high degree. He had reached Naples at five in the morning: when Sir William Hamilton immediately arose, and communicated on the business with the King of the two Sicilies and General Acton; who, after much deliberation, agreed, that nothing could possibly be done, which might endanger their peace with the French republic. Lady Hamilton, in the mean time, aware what would be the decision; and convinced, by all she heard from Captain Troubridge, of the importance to the British fleet, as well as to the real security of the Neapolitan and Sicilian territories, that the ports of these countries should by no means be closed against those who were alone able to protect them from the force or perfidy of General Bonaparte; without consulting any thing but her own correct judgment, and well-intentioned heart, she contrived to procure, from some being of a superior order, sylph, fairy, magician, or other person skilled in the occult sciences, as many in Naples, as well as elsewhere, positively profess themselves to be, a small association of talismanic characters, fraught with such magical and potential influence, in favour of the possessor, that the slightest glance of this mystic charm no sooner saluted the eye of a Sicilian or Neapolitan governor, than he was incapable of regarding any other object except what the bearer presented to his dazzled view, or of hearing any other injunction but that which the same person addressed to his astonished ear; while his tongue was, at the same time, impelled to secrecy, by the dread of an assured death. Possessed of this treasure, Sir Horatio had immediately sailed; but, as his possession of this talisman was to remain a profound secret, till those periods should arrive when it must necessarily be produced, the same sort of correspondence continued to be kept up, between the parties, as if no such favour had been conferred on the hero by any friendly enchantress whatever. Accordingly, the following epistle, dated on board the Vanguard at Sea, the 18th of June 1798, was sent to Sir William Hamilton, apologizing for not having answered the letter of that worthy and most esteemed gentleman previously to sailing.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I would not lose one moment of the breeze, in answering your letter. The best sight--as an Irishman would say--was, to see me out of sight: especially, as I had not time to examine the Marquis de Gallo's note to you. I send you an extract of the Admiralty orders to the Earl of St. Vincent, by which it would appear as determined by the cabinet, to keep a superior fleet to that of the enemy in the Mediterranean; for the Admiralty, you know, can give no such orders, but by an order from the secretary of state. As for what depends on me, I beg, if you think it proper, to tell their Sicilian majesties, and General Acton, they may rest assured that I shall not withdraw the king's fleet, but by positive orders, or the impossibility of _procuring supplies_. I wish them to depend upon me, and they shall not be disappointed. God forbid it should so happen, that the enemy escape me, and get into any port! You may rely, if I am properly supplied, that there they shall remain, a useless body, for this summer. But, if I have gun and mortar boats, with fire-ships, it is most probable they may be got at: for, although I hope the best, yet it is proper to be prepared for the worst; which, I am sure, all this fleet would feel to be, the escape of the enemy into port. My distress for frigates is extreme; but I cannot help myself, and no one will help me. But, I thank God, I am not apt to feel difficulties. Pray, present my best respects to Lady Hamilton. Tell her, I hope to be presented to her crowned with laurel or cypress. But, God is good; and, to him, do I commit myself and our cause. Ever believe me, my dear Sir, your obliged and faithful

"Horatio Nelson."

On the 20th of June, the British fleet passed through the Pharos of Messina, with a fair wind. The joy with which the Sicilians hailed the squadron, when they discovered it to be British, gave the most heartfelt satisfaction to all on board. A vast number of boats came off, and rowed round with the loudest congratulations, and the most sincere exultations of delight; as they had been apprehensive that the French fleet, having secured Malta, was coming to act against them.

Having learned, from the British consul, that Malta had certainly been attacked, and was reported to have, at least, in part, surrendered to the French, he now addressed a letter to the most illustrious Grand Master of Malta: apprizing him, that he was hastening to prevent that island from falling into the hands of the common enemy; and instructing him how to proceed till his arrival, which might be expected the following Friday.

He had, at this time, reason to suppose, that the French were only in possession of the old city; and, that their fleet was anchored between Goza and Malta. Accordingly, he again wrote to Sir William Hamilton, requesting him to procure, from the court of Naples, at least, a few gun-boats, if they could supply nothing more, to assist in dislodging the enemy from Malta, and prevent their expected subsequent designs on Sicily.

Both the above letters were delivered to the British consul, who had gone on board from Messina on the 20th; and, next day, the fleet proceeded, with a press of sail, for Malta.

In the evening, being close off Syracuse, they hoisted their colours, when a boat rowed out for about a mile; but, though the fleet brought to, and the Mutine was sent in shore, it immediately rowed back again. At day-break, the following morning, La Mutine, being off Cape Passaro, spoke a Genoese brig which sailed from Malta the day before; and the master informed Captain Hardy, that Malta having surrendered on Friday the 15th, the French fleet had left it the very next day, and were gone, as it was supposed, for Sicily. The wind then blowing Strong from the west north-west, there was no possibility of getting to Malta till it should moderate; and, even there, no better information might be obtainable, while the French were in possession of the place. In the mean time, he greatly suspected the truth of what the Genoese reported; well knowing how often vessels had been stationed by the enemy to give misinformation respecting their intended course. He would himself have examined the master, but found that he had been gone some hours.

Thus situated, the admiral had no other guide than his own judgment; and, after a due consideration of all the circumstances, having been assured, by Sir William Hamilton, that Naples was at peace with the French, and Sicily positively declared, by Bonaparte, not to be the object, he determined to steer for Alexandria; with the hope of frustrating the intentions of this armament, whatever those intentions might finally prove.

From this period, to the 28th of June, only three vessels were spoken with; neither of which, though two were from Alexandria, had seen any thing of the enemy's fleet. This day, the Pharos tower of Alexandria was perceived by the British squadron: and they continued wearing the land, with a press of sail, till the whole of them had a distinct view of both harbours; where, to the general surprise and disappointment of all, not a French ship was visible.

Having arrived off this port, Captain Hardy was directed to run close in with La Mutine, and send an officer on shore with the following letter to Mr. Baldwin--

"SIR,

"The French having possessed themselves of Malta, on Friday the 15th of this month, the next day the whole fleet, consisting of sixteen sail of the line, frigates, bomb vessels, &c. and near three hundred transports, left the island. I only heard this unpleasant news on the 22d, off Cape Passaro. As Sicily was not their object, and the wind blew fresh from the westward; from the time they sailed, it was clear that their destination was to the eastward: and, I think, their object is, to possess themselves of some port in Egypt, to fix themselves at the head of the Red Sea, in order to get a formidable army into India; and, in concert with Tippoo Saib, to drive us, if possible, from India. But, I have reason to believe, from not seeing a vessel, that they have heard of my coming up the Mediterranean, and are got safe into Corfu. Still, I am most exceedingly anxious to know, from you, if any reports or preparations have been made in Egypt for them; or any vessels prepared in the Red Sea, to carry them to India: or for any other information you would be good enough to give me, I shall hold myself much obliged. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

The officer charged with this letter, brought back information that Mr. Baldwin had left Alexandria nearly three months. There were, it appeared, in the old port, one Turkish ship of the line, four frigates, and about twelve other Turkish vessels; and, in the Franks port, about fifty sail of vessels belonging to different nations. The line of battle ship was observed to be landing it's guns, and the place filling with troops.

What the brave admiral felt, at being thus disappointed, it would be less difficult to conceive than to describe: certain it is, that the anxiety which he suffered in consequence of this so long baffled pursuit, brought on such violent spasms in the regions of his heroic heart as continued occasionally to afflict him during the remainder of his days.

In a letter which he wrote to his commander in chief, the Earl of St. Vincent, immediately on discovering that the French were not at Alexandria, after relating the particulars of his unfortunate progress, he pours forth the effusions of his honourable bosom, in a strain so affecting, that his biographer has been incapable of transcribing the passage without tears.

"To do nothing," says this incomparable man, was, I felt, disgraceful; therefore, I made use of my understanding: and, by it, I ought to stand or fall. I am before your lordship's judgment--which, in the present case, I feel, is the tribunal of my country--and if, under all circumstances, it is decided I am wrong, I ought, for the sake of our country, to be superseded: for, at this moment, when I know the French are not in Alexandria, I hold the same opinion as off Cape Passaro; viz. that, under all circumstances, I was right in steering for Alexandria; and, by that opinion, I must stand or fall. However erroneous my judgment may be, I feel conscious of my honest intentions; which, I hope, will bear me up under the greatest misfortune that could happen to me as an officer, that of your lordship's thinking me wrong."

It was now the object of his incessant contemplation, to ascertain the possible course of the enemy, and what could be their ultimate design. He feared, indeed, that Sicily, in his absence, had fallen under the French yoke. With a mind too perturbed for repose, he was wholly incapable of remaining inactive. He shaped his course, therefore, to the northward, for the coast of Caramania; that he might, as expeditiously as possible, arrive at some quarter where information was likely to be obtained. On the 4th of July, he made that coast; and, steering along the south side of Candia, and carrying a press of sail, both night and day, with a contrary wind, being also in want of water, the fleet came, on the 18th, in sight of the island of Sicily, and he determined to enter the port of Syracuse.

Such instructions, however, had been sent to the governor of Syracuse, through the preponderancy of French interest at this period, that he would have found it difficult even to enter, and probably have obtained little or no refreshment of any kind, though much was absolutely necessary, had he not, very fortunately, experienced the beneficial effects of Lady Hamilton's powerful influence secretly exerted in the only quarter which was not rendered impenetrable by the menacing insinuations of the then Gallic resident at Naples. It was the assistance he now procured, by virtue of the talismanic gift received from Lady Hamilton, and without which he could not, in any reasonable time, have pursued the French fleet, and possibly might never have come up with them, that he so solemnly recognized, a short time before his death, as to make it the subject of a codicil annexed to his will, in which he expressly _bequeaths that lady to the remuneration of his country_. On the 20th, in a letter to Sir William Hamilton, he says--