Chapter 23

These presents were conveyed, under the care of Mahomet Kelim, an Effendi, or secretary of state, in a Turkish frigate, to Alexandria; from whence, on finding the hero had departed for Naples, the Effendi, and his suite, immediately followed, in the Alcmene frigate. The Turkish secretary, and his twelve associates, on their arrival, performed their parts with suitable solemnity and address. They put on their state robes in the hero's anti-chamber; and presented the aigrette, seated on cushions, after the oriental method. The pelisse was composed of the finest scarlet cloth, lined and enriched with the most beautiful sable fur imaginable. The aigrette, which is a sort of artificial plume, or feather, represents a hand with thirteen fingers, covered with diamonds; allusive to the thirteen ships taken and destroyed by the hero: and it's size is that of a child's hand, at the age of five or six years, when open. The centre diamond, and the four by which it is surrounded, are estimated at a thousand pounds each, and there are said to be at least three hundred diamonds of smaller sizes. This immensely rich and beautiful jewel is more particularly described in the following extract of a letter, said to have been written by the Grand Signior himself. In this letter, it it called, a chelengk, or plume of triumph: such as has been, on every famous and memorable success of the Ottoman arms, conferred on victorious Mussulmen, Seraskiers--"never, before, I believe," says the imperial writer, "on any disbeliever--as the _ne plus ultra_ of personal honour, separate from official dignity. The present is esteemed rich in it's kind; being a blaze of brilliants, crowned with a vibrating plumage, and a radiant star in the middle, turning on it's centre, by means of watch-work which winds up behind. This badge, actually taken from one of the imperial turbans, can hardly, according to the idea of such insignia here"--(the letter was dated, at Constantinople, October 3, 1798)--"be considered as less than equivalent to the first order of chivalry in Christendom: such, at least," concludes the imperial donor, "was my view in the indication."

By these remarks, added to the verbal communications of Mahomet Kelim, at the time of investiture, Lord Nelson was led to consider this honour as the Ottoman Order of Merit. It could, certainly, be nothing less; and the civilized world has to felicitate itself on the brilliance of our immortal hero's glory, which could, at length, dissipate the cloud of prejudice, that had so long obscured, from the sincerest followers of Mahomet, the lustre of every Christian virtue.

Even the Dowager Sultana, mother of the Grand Signior, caught the enthusiastic admiration of our hero from her generous and illustrious son, and sent his lordship the superb and flattering present of a very rich diamond ornament, in the form of a rose.

No sooner were the honours conferred on our hero by the Grand Signior, and his wish respecting the wearing them, made known to his majesty, than the imperial desire was immediately complied with, and the following royal grants and concessions were also published in the London Gazette--

"The king has been graciously pleased to give, and grant, to the Right Honourable Horatio Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burnham-Thorpe in the county of Norfolk, Rear-Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet, and K.B. in consideration of the great zeal, courage, and perseverance, manifested by him on divers occasions, and particularly of his able and gallant conduct in the glorious and decisive victory obtained over the French fleet, at the mouth of the Nile, on the 1st of August last, his royal licence and authority, that he, and his issue, may bear the following honourable augmentations to his armorial ensign: viz. "A chief, undulated, argent--thereon, waves of the sea; from which, a palm-tree issuant, between a disabled ship on the dexter, and a ruinous battery on the sinister; all proper." And, for his crest, "On a naval crown, or; the chelengk, or plume of triumph, presented to him by the Grand Signior, as a mark of his high esteem, and of his sense of the gallant conduct of the said Horatio Baron Nelson in the said glorious and decisive victory; with the motto--_Palmam qui meruit ferat_:" and, to his supporters, being a sailor on the dexter, and a lion on the sinister, the honourable augmentation following; viz. "In the hand of the sailor, a palm branch, and another in the paw of the lion, both proper, with the addition of a tri-coloured flag and staff in the mouth of the latter;" which augmentations to the supporters are to be borne by the said Horatio Nelson, and by those to whom the said dignity shall descend in virtue of his majesty's letters patent of creation; and, that the same may be first duly exemplified, according to the laws of arms, and recorded in the Herald's Office: and, also, to order that his majesty's said concession, and especial mark of his royal favour, be registered in his College at Arms."

The above most appropriate motto was adopted by the express desire of his majesty: who, also, with the utmost possible propriety, fixed the honourable plume of triumph on the hero's crest; a circumstance which could not fail to afford the Grand Signior a pleasing proof, that his present had been duly appreciated both by the hero and his sovereign.

The Emperor Paul, of Russia, wrote Lord Nelson a congratulatory epistle, with his own hand, and accompanied it by a valuable portrait of himself, superbly surrounded with brilliants, and a gold box set with diamonds, estimated at two thousand five hundred pounds. The King of Sardinia also sent him a letter, and a gold box richly ornamented with diamonds; the King and Queen of Naples made him many valuable presents; from Palermo, he received a gold box and chain, brought on a silver waiter, containing the freedom of that city, which also conferred on him the honour of being a grandee of Spain; and even the island of Zante, in grateful remembrance that they had happily been liberated from French cruelty by the good effects of the battle of the Nile, sent the illustrious hero their epistolary acknowledgments, with a valuable gold-headed sword and cane.

Numerous other presents were received by, and honours conferred on, the immortal hero of the Nile, as well at Naples, as elsewhere, for a considerable time after this splendid victory; which, from it's brilliant success, and important consequences, had powerfully attracted the attention and admiration of all mankind, in every quarter of the globe not contaminated by French principles.

During the period while these honours were universally soliciting the acceptance of this exalted man, his great and active mind, amid every corporeal lassitude and fatigue, was unceasingly engaged in pursuits calculated to merit additional renown, and consequently to augment their acquisition.

With an eye to the recapture of Malta, which the Neapolitans seemed rather to expect from our hero's prowess than their own exertions, he had, immediately on his arrival at Naples, detached the Terpsichore to that island, for the purpose of gaining such intelligence as might enable him to form the best plan for effectually accomplishing this purpose; and, a few days afterwards, sent Captain Ball, in the Alexander, with a frigate and sloop, to cruise off Malta, which was then under the blockade of the Portuguese squadron.

On the 9th of October, writing to Lord Spencer, he says--"Three weeks, I admit, is a long time to refit a fleet after a battle; but, when it is considered that nearly every mast in the fleet has taken much more time than if they had been new; that Naples Bay is subject to a heavy swell, of which we have felt the inconvenience; and that we go to sea victualled for six months, and in the highest health and discipline; I trust, some allowance will be made for me." He adds, with an almost prophetic foresight--"Naples sees this squadron no more--except the king calls for our help; and, if they go on, and lose the glorious moments, we may be called for _to save the persons of their majesties_." Of General Mack, who was then at Naples, for the purpose of taking under his command the Neapolitan army, which had been recently raised to oppose the French, he thus expresses his predictive apprehensions--"General Mack cannot move without five carriages. I have formed my opinion--I heartily pray, I may be mistaken."

On the Tuesday following the date of this letter, General Mack arrived at Caserta; and Lord Nelson, the next Thursday, accompanied by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, went to meet him at dinner with the King and Queen of Naples. Their majesties introduced them to each other, with every expression of esteem and regard. The queen, however, could not help saying--"General, be to us, by land, what my hero Nelson has been at sea!" The emperor, it seems, had desired the King of Naples to begin, and promised that he would support him. At this interview, Mack said he would march in ten days; and, by his conversation and address, seems to have temporarily withdrawn our hero from the contemplation of his actions, that unerring criterion of character. The judgment which Lord Nelson had first formed of General Mack, on this principle, has since appeared to be just. With such a general as Mack, and such a minister as our hero describes the Marquis De Gallo to have been, in a letter to Earl Spencer, we can scarcely wonder at any misfortunes which might befal the amiable sovereigns with whose welfare they were fatally entrusted.

"This Marquis De Gallo," says our hero, "I "detest. He is ignorant of common civility. Sir William Hamilton has just found out, that a messenger sets out for London within an hour; yet, I was with this minister for an hour last night. He admires his ribbon, ring, and snuff-box, so much, that an excellent _petit-maître_ was spoiled, when he was made a minister. The sentiments of my heart have flown from my pen, and I cannot retract them."

After observing, that he has not, owing to the above circumstance, time to write what he wished, he concludes, with the most perfect good-humour--"Pray excuse this short letter, and abuse of the Marquis De Gallo."

On Monday, the 15th of October, being ready to sail from Naples, at eight o'clock in the morning, the King and Prince Leopold, as well as Sir William and Lady Hamilton, went on board the Vanguard, to breakfast with Lord Nelson. At ten, the British squadron, consisting of the Vanguard, Minotaur, Audacious, Goliath, and La Mutine brig, weighed anchor; and, at eleven, the royal and illustrious visitors quitted the ship, taking an affectionate leave of their heroic protector and friend--"The king expressed himself," says Lord Nelson, in a letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, dated off Marsala, the West End of Sicily, October 22, 1798, "in the most flattering manner towards me. His majesty had all the respect paid him, by the squadron, which our situation would admit of, and which it was not only our duty, but so much our inclination, to pay him. The king," he observes, "having desired my return to Naples in the first week in November, I shall, after having arranged the blockade of Malta, return to Naples, and endeavour to be useful in the movements of their army. In thus acquiescing in the desire of the King of Naples, I give up my plan; which was, to have gone to Egypt, and attended to the destruction of the French shipping in that quarter: but, I hope, before Captain Hood quits his station, both the Turks and Russian squadron will be on that coast; when all will be right, I hope: although I own myself not willing to trust any of our allies to do that which we could do ourselves. I have reason for thinking, that a strong wish for our squadron's being on the coast of Naples is, that in case of any mishap, their majesties think their persons much safer under the protection of the British flag, than under any other." After observing, that the Culloden would be ready for sea about the time mentioned, and that he had directed Captain Troubridge to wait his arrival, with the transports which he had at first intended to take to Syracuse, he concludes with remarking that he had not a sick man in the squadron.

On the 24th, Lord Nelson arrived off Malta; when he immediately wrote the following letter to Sir William Hamilton.

"Vanguard, off Malta, 24th Oct. 1798.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I am just arrived off this place, where I found Captain Ball and the Marquis De Niza: from these officers, I do not find such an immediate prospect of getting possession of the town, as the minister at Naples seems to think. All the country, it is true, is in possession of the islanders; and, I believe, the French have not many luxuries in the town: but, as yet, their bullocks are not eat up. The marquis tells me, the islanders want arms, victuals, and mortars and cannon to annoy the town. When I get the elect of the people on board, I shall desire them to draw up a memorial for the King of Naples, stating their wants and desires, which I shall bring with me. The marquis sails for Naples to-morrow morning. Till he is gone, I shall not do any thing about the island; but I will be fully master of that subject, before I leave this place. God bless you! is the sincere prayer of your affectionate

Horatio Nelson."

The very next day, he sent into Malta, by Captain Ball, the following admirable and most spirited letter, addressed to the French General and Admiral commanding in the town of Valetta and fort of Malta. It breathes, throughout, that liberal and manly spirit which so highly distinguishes our hero, and which conveys to the heart such irresistible proofs of honour and veracity.

"His Britannic Majesty's Ship Vanguard, off Malta, 25th Oct. 1798.

"GENTLEMEN,

"In addressing to you this letter, containing my determination respecting the French now in Malta, I feel confident that you will not attribute it either to insolence or impertinent curiosity, but a wish of my sentiments clearly understood. The present situation of Malta is this: the inhabitants are in possession of all the island; except the town of Valetta, which is in your possession--that the islanders are in arms against you--and, that the port is blockaded by a squadron belonging to his Britannic majesty. My objects are, to assist the people of Malta in forcing you to abandon the island, that it may be delivered into the hands of it's lawful sovereign; and, to get possession of Le Guillaume Tell, La Diane, and La Justice. To accomplish these objects as speedily as possible, I offer that, on the delivery of the French ships to me, all the troops and seamen, now in Malta and Goza, shall be landed in France, without the condition of their being prisoners of war; that I will take care that the lives of all those Maltese who have joined you shall be spared, and I offer my mediation with their sovereign for the restoration of their property. Should these offers be rejected; or the French ships make their escape, notwithstanding my vigilance; I declare, that I will not enter, or join, any capitulation, which the general may hereafter be forced to enter into, with the inhabitants of Malta; much less will I intercede for the forgiveness of those who have betrayed their duty to their country. I beg leave to assure you, this is the determination of a British admiral; and I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

Though this notice was not successful to the full extent of his wish, it seems to have accelerated the surrender of Goza. In the mean time, all possible aid was given to the Maltese; who, it appears, had been shockingly neglected by the Neapolitan government. In a letter of the 27th, addressed to Sir William Hamilton, the indignant hero enlarges on this topic with a feeling and energy incomparably expressive of his heroic and independent character.

"When I come to Naples, I can have nothing pleasant to say of the conduct of his Sicilian majesty's ministers towards the inhabitants of Malta, who wish to be under the dominion of their legitimate sovereign. The total neglect and indifference with which they have been treated, appears to me cruel in the extreme. Had not the English supplied fifteen hundred stand of arms, with bayonets, cartouch boxes, and ammunition, &c. and the marquis supplied some few, and kept the spirit of those brave islanders from falling off, they must long ago have bowed to the French yoke. Could you, my dear Sir William, have believed, after what General Acton and the Marquis De Gallo had said, in our various conversations relative to this island, that nothing had been sent by the governor of Syracuse--_secretly_, was the word used to us--or openly, to this island! and I am further assured, that the governor of Syracuse never had any orders sent him, to supply the smallest article. I beg your excellency will state this, in confidence, to General Acton. I shall most assuredly tell it the king. The justice I owe myself, now I feel employed in the service of their Sicilian majesties, demands it of me; and also the duty I owe our gracious king, in order to shew that I am doing my utmost to comply with his royal commands. As I have before stated, had it not been for the English, long, long ago, the Maltese must have been overpowered. Including the fifteen hundred stand of arms given by us, not more than three thousand are in the island. I wonder how they have kept on the defensive so long. At least, two thousand stand of small arms complete, ammunition, &c. should be sent by the Emerald. This is wanted, to defend themselves; for offence, two or three large mortars, fifteen hundred shells, with all necessaries; and, perhaps, a few artillery. The Bormola, and all the left side of the harbour, with this assistance, will fall. Ten thousand men are required to defend those works, the French can only spare twelve 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."

The Island of Goza, in consequence of the summons mentioned in this letter, surrendered to his majesty's arms: and Admiral Nelson, in the evening of the 30th, having received particulars of the capitulation from Captain Ball, sailed again for Naples; leaving that excellent officer, the present Sir John Alexander Ball, Governor of Malta, to continue the blockade, with the same ships as were before employed on that service.

These particulars were, on the 2d of November, forwarded to the commander in chief; with the following letter, by which they are here preceded.

"Vanguard, at Sea, 1st Nov. 1798.

"MY LORD,

"I have the honour to transmit to you a letter received from Captain Ball, dated October 30th, together with the capitulation of the Castle of Goza, and a list of ordnance, &c. found in it. The prisoners are embarked in the Vanguard and Minotaur, till I can get a vessel to send them to France. Captain Ball, with three sail of the line, a frigate, and fire-ship, is entrusted with the blockade of Malta, in which are two sail of the line and three frigates ready for sea; and, from the experience I have had of Captain Ball's zeal, activity, and ability, I have no doubt that, in due time, I shall have the honour of sending you a good account of the French in the town of Valetta. I am, with the greatest respect, your lordship's most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson." "Earl of St. Vincent."

"Alexander, off Malta, 30th Oct. 1798.

"SIR,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, that the commandant of the French troops in the Castle of Goza signed the capitulation on the 28th inst. which you had approved. I ordered Captain Cresswell of the Marines to take possession of it in the name of his Britannic Majesty, and his majesty's colours were hoisted. The next day, the place was delivered up, in form, to the deputies of the island, his Sicilian Majesty's colours hoisted, and he acknowledged their lawful sovereign.

"I embarked, yesterday, all the French officers and men who were on the Island of Goza, amounting to two hundred and seventeen. I inclose the Articles of Capitulation, and an Inventory of the Arms and Ammunition found in the Castle; part of which, I directed to be sent to the assistance of the Maltese who are in arms against the French. There were three thousand two hundred sacks of corn in the castle; which will be a great relief to the inhabitants, who are much in want of that article. I have the honour to be, &c.

"Alex. John Ball."

"Rear-Admiral Sir H. Nelson, K.B."