Chapter 12

Lord Nelson had, also, on his return to Palermo, received a letter from his friend, Lord Minto; which, he observed in his answer, gave equal pleasure to Sir William, Lady Hamilton, and himself. "Yesterday," says his lordship, writing on the 24th, "your whole letter was read to the queen. I am charged to say every thing which is grateful, and thankful, on her majesty's behalf. But, I know, I need not say much; as she intends, I believe, to write you herself. We all have the most affectionate regard for your public and private character; and I should do injustice to my friends, was I to attempt to say my regard exceeded their's. My conduct, as your's, is to go straight and upright. Such is, thank God, the present plan of Great Britain; at least, as far as I know: for, if I thought otherwise, I should not be so faithful a servant to my country, as I know I am at present. As I shall send you my letters to Mr. Nepean and Lord Spencer, they will speak for themselves: therefore, I will only say, believe I am the same Nelson as you knew Captain of the Agamemnon; and, more than ever, your attached and faithful friend."

The pleasurable sensations excited by Lord Minto's most kind and friendly communications, were succeeded by the most racking anxieties respecting Malta. Fresh orders had arrived for the recall of the Portuguese squadron; and Captain Ball could with difficulty keep the distressed islanders from joining the French. Lord Nelson, in a state of distraction, wrote letters to the Marquis De Niza, deprecating his departure; and consoled Captain Ball with hopes of assistance, which he strained every nerve to obtain from all possible sources. The following most urgent epistle to Sir James St. Clair Erskine, on this occasion, will not only convey the state of his lordship's feelings to every intelligent reader, but elucidate the genuine principles on which his lordship ventures to advise a departure from the strictness of etiquette in the discharge of military duties.

"Palermo, 26th Oct. 1799.

"MY DEAR SIR JAMES,

"I am in desperation about Malta. We shall lose it, I am afraid, past redemption, I send you copies of Niza's and Ball's letters; also, General Acton's: so that, you will see, I have not been idle. If Ball can hardly keep the inhabitants, in hopes of relief by the five hundred men landed from our ships; what must be expected, when four hundred of them, and four sail of the line, will be withdrawn? And, if the islanders are forced again to join the French, we may not find even landing a very easy task; much less, to get again our present advantageous position. I therefore intreat, for the honour of our king, and for the advantage of the common cause, that whether General Fox is arrived, or not, at least, the garrison of Messina may be ordered to hold post in Malta, till a sufficient force can be collected to attack it; which, I flatter myself, will in time, be got together. But, while that is effecting, I fear our being obliged to quit the island; therefore, I am forced to make this representation. I know, well enough, of what officers in your situation can do. The delicacy of your feelings, on the near approach of General Fox, I can readily conceive; but, the time you know nothing about. This is a great and important moment; and the only thing to be considered--_Is his majesty's service to stand still for an instant?_ I have no scruple in declaring what I should do: that, knowing the importance of possessing Malta, to England and her allies; that, if even two regiments were ordered from Minorca, yet it must be considered--for which the officer must certainly be responsible--was the call for these troops known at home, would not they order them to proceed where the service near at hand so loudly calls for them? _This is the only thing, in my opinion, for consideration._ If we lose this opportunity, it will be impossible to recal it. If possible, I wish to take all the responsibility. I know, my dear Sir James, your zeal and ability; and, that delicacy to General Fox, has been your sole motive for not altering the disposition of the troops: but, I hope, General Fox is with you; and, I am sure, from his character, he will approve of my feelings on this subject. If he is not, I must again earnestly entreat that, at least, you will give directions for Colonel Graham to hold Malta till we can get troops to attack La Valette. May God direct your councils, for the honour of our king and his allies, and to the destruction of the French, is the fervent prayer of, &c.

"Nelson."

At the same time, addressing a letter to Commodore Troubridge, who he had reason to suppose was at Minorca, his lordship says--"My letter to Sir James St. Clair, if this finds you at Mahon, will shew you what I feel about Malta." After again describing apprehended consequences, and expressing his hope that General Fox is arrived, and that Sir James will lay all circumstances before him, his lordship continues--"I know Sir James to be a most fair, honourable, and zealous officer; and I earnestly hope, that you will have the carrying him and fifteen hundred troops to Malta. If, alas! all my arguments are in vain, against _orders--not knowing our situation here_--or the delicacy of the approach of General Fox; then, it is only for me to grieve, and intreat of you to come here, and bring the Northumberland--that, at least, I may prevent supplies getting in: and, for this purpose, I shall be under the distressing necessity of taking as many ships as possible from Minorca; which, I assure you, would hurt me very much."

On the 28th, his lordship detached the Minotaur, and even the Foudroyant, to join the Marquis De Niza off Malta; intreating him, not to withdraw a man from the island, even on the arrival of the Russians. "Again, and again," writes his lordship, "I desire--for which, you may be certain, I hold myself responsible--that you will not, on any consideration, withdraw a single man belonging to your squadron from the island."

Scarcely a day now passed, that Lord Nelson did not send some information to Captain Ball, for the purpose of inspiriting his depressed hopes in the conduct of this arduous undertaking; and, certainly, the indefatigability of his lordship, in labouring to obtain every requisite aid for the accomplishment of this important object, was impossible to be surpassed, and has probably never been equalled. Every risk, the purity of his heroic mind was prepared to encounter; every honour, it's dignified humility was desirous of yielding to all who should assist in the enterprize.

In one of these letters, he says--"I have begged, almost on my knees, for money, for the present subsistence of the Maltese who bear arms." In another, a day or two after--"The court have all the inclination; but, to my knowledge, they have not cash enough for the common purposes of the government!" In a third, the day following--"The King of Naples has sent four thousand ounces, to assist the poor islanders who bear arms." His lordship adds, that this will do for the present; and, that the large sum required must come from the three allied courts. In a future letter, Lord Nelson observes, that this sum of four thousand ounces, was taken, for it was no where else to be had, from their Sicilian Majesties children, with the hope of being replaced with the money which Lord Grenville had so handsomely promised to the Marquis Circello. "The enormous expences," writes his lordship to Earl Spencer, "incurred within the last eight months, have drawn the king's chest very low; but, his majesty has never failed giving every thing I could ask."

On the 31st of October, Lord Nelson, fully resolved that nothing should, on his part, be neglected, for the attainment of Malta, or the advantage of it's temporary chief, wrote a long epistle to the Emperor of Russia, as Grand Master. In which, he details the principal operations of this protracted siege; the various difficulties which had occurred, and those which still existed: with the admirable address, fortitude, and perseverance, of Captain Ball, in conciliating the inhabitants, relieving their necessities, and animating their nearly extinguished hopes; whose merits his lordship most earnestly recommended to the notice of his Imperial Majesty. His lordship had before applied for the order of Malta, for his friend Ball, in a letter to Sir Charles Whitworth; but, not having received any answer, he says, in a letter to Captain Ball, "I have now gone to the fountain head."

While Lord Nelson was thus earnestly solicitous to obtain honours for his meritorious friend, he little imagined that he should, in two or three days, be gratified by the acquisition of a new and most distinguished one conferred on himself. This, however, actually and very unexpectedly happened: for a Turkish corvette, which had probably reached Messina about the time when his lordship was writing the above letter in favour of his brave friend, brought from Constantinople Abdur Amand, a special messenger, sent by the Grand Signior, who arrived at Palermo on the 3d of November, and was charged with an additional manifestation of the Sublime Porte's friendly esteem for our incomparable hero. This gentleman, on that day, presented to Lord Nelson, as an honourable gift from his imperial master, the Grand Signior, a magnificent diamond star, or medallion; in the centre of which, on blue enamel, were represented the Turkish crescent and a star. This valuable present was accompanied by an elegant letter from the Grand Vizier, dated the 9th of September: in which it was announced, that the Grand Signior had been pleased to order Lord Nelson a medallion, which his Imperial Majesty was desirous should be worn on his lordship's breast, as a mark of esteem for his kindness to Osman Hadgi--a noble Turk, who had accompanied Lord Nelson from Alexandria, and to whom his lordship was much attached by the strongest ties of friendship--as well as for the interest which his lordship on all occasions took in the prosperity of the Sublime Porte. From the nature of this rich gift, and the respectful manner in which it was delivered by Abdur Amand, his lordship was induced to consider it as constituting him, in conjunction with the former insignia, First Knight of the Order of the Imperial Turkish or Ottoman Crescent. In a most respectful answer to the Grand Vizier, Lord Nelson says--"I intreat that your excellency will present, with the most profound gratitude, my thanks to the emperor, for this new and distinguished honour conferred upon me. I have placed it on my coat, on my left side, over my heart. I cannot say, however flattering this mark of favour is to me, that I can in any manner serve the Sublime Porte more than I have done; for, it has ever been with all my soul. But this mark of favour shews, in the strongest light, that the smallest services are watched, and most magnificently rewarded, by his Imperial Majesty; whose life, may God prolong, with health and every other earthly happiness: and may he give me opportunities of shewing my gratitude, by risking my life for the preservation of the smallest grain of sand belonging to the Ottoman empire; and may the enemies of his Imperial Majesty fall into dust, by the wise councils of your excellency!"

His lordship also wrote a similar letter to the Captain Pacha; in which he did not forget the kindest recommendation of his friend Cadir Bey, and general remembrances to all the admirals and captains serving under that worthy commander. Earl Elgin, and Mr. Spencer Smith, both now at Constantinople, were likewise most respectfully addressed by his lordship. To the former, he modestly writes--"Having yesterday received such a mark of the Grand Signior's favour, I have been puzzled how to express myself properly. I must, therefore, trust to your excellency's goodness for supplying my deficiency of language." To the latter, he returns thanks for all his goodness to his lordship, both public and private; sends him some sherry and sugar, but can neither get a drop of Madeira nor claret in the island, or even in all Italy: and concludes with desiring affectionate remembrances to his brother, Sir Sidney, whenever he writes; for whom, his lordship observes, he has just sent "a large cargo of good things."

The pleasure, however, of this unexpected honour from the Grand Signior, was insufficient to preserve the susceptible heart which it covered, from corroding cares, and painful anxieties, for his country and his friends. He wanted not, indeed, for personal and private causes of vexation and regret: but these, though they were perpetually preying on his constitution, seldom called forth his complaint; and scarcely ever were even mentioned, except to a very few of his most select friends.

One of the first disappointments, after this recent honour, was the arrival of Captain Stephenson, to take the command of the Princess Charlotte; by which, his lordship feelingly observes, in a letter of the 7th, to Captain Ball, "poor Hardy was consequently turned adrift." He had, at this time, too, received a mortifying letter from General Sir James St. Clair Erskine: mentioning, that the twenty-eighth regiment was ordered to England; and that he was sure General Fox, who was every moment expected, would not, on any consideration, break his orders, for any object. With this disagreeable information, his lordship could not bring his mind yet to acquaint Captain Ball. On the contrary, he affects to anticipate, in the letter above mentioned, that he expects the answer from Minorca will be unfavourable to both their wishes; and expresses his intention of going to Naples, for assistance from the Russians and his Sicilian Majesty. He then, with exquisite kindness and address, introduces the extract of a letter from Earl Spencer; which liberally states, that Captain Ball, by his unparalleled vigilance and exertion, had indeed shewn himself worthy of the friendship with which Lord Nelson had honoured him. "I only send this, my dear Ball," says his lordship, "to shew that I do not forget my friends: as to honouring you, that is not in my power; but to render you justice, is my duty."

In the mean time, his lordship had, on the preceding day, thus expressed himself to Earl Spencer, on the subject of attention to orders, in consequence of this refusal of troops from Minorca--"Much, my dear lord, as I approve of strict obedience to orders--even to a court-martial, to enquire whether the object justified the measure--yet, to say that an officer is never, for any object, to alter his orders, is what I cannot comprehend. The circumstances of this war so often vary, that an officer has almost every moment to consider--What would my superiors direct, did they know what is passing under my nose? The great object of the war is--_Down, down, with the French!_ To accomplish this, every nerve, and by both services, ought to be strained. My heart is," says this excellent man and true hero, "I assure you, almost broke, with that and other things." Then, speaking of the state of the blockade, he says--"If the enemy get supplies in, we may bid adieu to Malta. This would compleat my misery; for, I am afraid, I take all services too much to heart. The accomplishing of them is my study, night and day."

It is a singular circumstance, and merits high consideration, that while Lord Nelson thus strongly urges the necessity for both services to be equally strained; Sir Sidney Smith was most feelingly complaining, in letters dated off Rhodes, 29th September 1799, of the want of a cordial co-operation in General Koehler: who seems to have regarded Sir Sidney's gallant exploits on land as an improper interference with the military department; and to have made the subject of a long and formal complaint, what all the world has agreed to consider as fairly entitling him to immortal honour. On the receipt of these letters, which are written with a noble confidence in the kind and generous sanction of his lordship, Lord Nelson immediately wrote the following excellent letter to the Duke of Clarence. It certainly has, being addressed to a brother sailor, some strong professionalism; but it delicately claims, nevertheless, for Sir Sidney's conduct, the most decided approbation and applause, from a very competent judge of the duties of the profession.

"Palermo, 9th Nov. 1799.

"SIR,

"I beg leave to present to your royal highness, Captain Hardy, late of the Foudroyant: an officer of the most distinguished merit; and, therefore, highly worthy of your notice. He will tell you of all my arduous work in this country; and, that all my anxiety is, at present, taken up with the desire of possessing Malta. But, I fear, notwithstanding all my exertions, that I shall not get any British troops from Minorca: without which, the business will be prolonged, perhaps, till it is relieved; when all the force which we could collect would be of little use, against the strongest place in Europe. I am anxiously waiting the arrival of General Fox; and hope he will not consider the order for the removal of one or two regiments, of such great consequence as the reduction of Malta, by keeping them for two months longer in the Mediterranean. On the one hand, they must, in England, or on the continent, be like a drop of water in the ocean. By staying here, and employed, they would liberate us from our enemy close to our door; gratify the Emperor of Russia; protect our Levant trade; and relieve a squadron of our ships from the service: besides giving us one eighty-gun ship, two forty-gun frigates, a Maltese new ship of the line ready for sea, and two frigates. With these in the scale, I cannot comprehend that a moment can be lost in deciding. But, Sir, I find, few think, as I do--that, to obey orders, all perfection. To serve my king, and to destroy the French, I consider as the great order of all, from which little ones spring; and, if one of these little ones militates against it--(for, who can tell exactly, at a distance?)--I go back to obey the great order, and object; to _down_, _down_, with the damned French villains! Excuse my warmth; but my blood boils at the name of a Frenchman. I hate them _all_; royalists and republicans.

"My late letters from Egypt are, that Sir Sidney Smith is hurt at the notorious cowardice and want of discipline in the Turkish army; and I find, that General Koehler does _not approve_ of such irregular proceedings, as naval officers attacking and defending fortifications. We have but one idea; to get close along-side. None but a sailor, would have placed a battery only a hundred and eighty yards from the Castle of St. Elmo: a soldier must have gone according to art, and the zig-zag way; my brave Sir Thomas Troubridge went straight, for we had no time to spare. Your royal highness will not believe, that I mean to lessen the conduct of the army. I have the highest respect for them all. But General Koehler should not have wrote such a paragraph in his letter. It conveyed a jealousy which, I dare say, is not in his disposition.

"May health and every blessing, attend your royal highness, is the constant prayer of your attached and obliged servant,

"Bronte Nelson."

Lord Nelson had, as it may be seen, signed his letters to foreigners as Duke of Bronte, from the time of obtaining that honour; but this epistle to the Duke of Clarence was one of the first in which he ever prefixed the word Bronte to his name when addressing any British subject. It is probable, therefore, that he had, about this time, received his sovereign's recognition of that Sicilian title.

Though his lordship had hitherto been unsuccessful in his repeated applications for troops at Minorca, he continued still to offer new reasons why they ought to be sent. With the most unwearied exertions, did this great man constantly labour for the promotion of whatever related to the honour or advantage of his king, his country, and his friends; and his assiduities never relaxed, till he had secured the accomplishment of his object. He tried, in particular, on this occasion, for the possession of Malta, all the arts of that powerful eloquence which flowed so naturally from his pen; and he might well say, as he did, in a letter of the 10th of November, to Mr. Nepean, "it has been no fault of the navy, that Malta has not been attacked by land; but we have neither the means ourselves, nor influence with those who have the power." In short, the history of this protracted siege, including all the military and political perplexities with which our hero's naval operations were entangled, would alone form a volume of no inconsiderable magnitude.

It appears that, about this time, suspicions were entertained, by Sir John Acton, respecting our intentions with regard to Malta; which first manifested themselves in a remark addressed to Lord Nelson, that the flag of the order was to be hoisted, instead of the three flags, when that island should be taken. This observation, he remarks, in a letter immediately written to Sir John, dated at Palermo, 18th November 1799, seems to convey, that his sentiments of respect for his Sicilian Majesty's flag were lessened. "I send you," says his lordship, with that noble frankness, and prompt decision, for which he was ever remarkable, "two papers, on which my order to good Captain Ball was founded. If I have erred, it is not too late to call back my order; and, if you think so, I shall be happy to meet your excellency, and the minister of England and Russia, on this subject. There is not, I can assure you, that man on earth, who would so strongly unite the two monarchs whom we serve as myself; and may perdition seize the wretch who would do the least thing towards lessening that harmony! And could it ever happen, that any English minister wanted to make me an instrument of hurting the feelings of his Sicilian Majesty, I would give up my commission sooner than do it. I am open to your excellency; and, I think, you are so to me. The interests of our sovereigns require it; and, I am sure, that we both only think of uniting the courts of London and Naples still closer together. I am placed in such a situation--a subject of one king, by birth; and, as far as is consistent with my allegiance to that king, a voluntary subject of his Sicilian Majesty--that, if any man attempted to separate my two kings, by all that is sacred, I should consider even putting that man to death as a meritorious act! Therefore, my dear Sir John, never, never, for a moment, think that I am capable of doing any thing but endeavouring to exalt the glory of their Sicilian Majesties."