Chapter 15

P.S. The Guillaume Tell is of the largest dimensions, and carries thirty-six pounders on the lower gun-deck, twenty-four pounders on the main-deck, twelve pounders on the quarter-deck, and thirty-two carronades on the poop."

Sir Thomas Troubridge."

Copious as the above account of this action may seem, the following affectionate letter of Sir Edward Berry, to Lord Nelson, relates so many interesting particulars of the contest, not elsewhere mentioned, and is so characteristically amiable, that it would be unpardonable to omit such a valuable document.

"Foudroyant, at Sea, Cape Passaro North by East Eight or Nine Leagues. 30th March 1800.

"MY VERY DEAR LORD,

"Had you been a partaker with me of the glory, every wish would have been gratified. How very often I went into your cabin, last night, to ask you if we were doing right; for, I had nothing to act upon! I thought one ship had got out of La Valette, but I did not know which. The Minorca hailed me, after I had slipped; and said, Captain Blackwood _believed_ an enemy's ship had passed on the starboard tack. The wind was south. I came aft, and considered for two minutes; which determined me to stand on the starboard tack, one point free. This was at three quarters past twelve. After hearing guns on shore, and seeing rockets thrown up, the night remarkably dark, could just carry single reefed topsails, top-gallant sails, gib, and maintopmast staysails. At one, heard guns to the eastward, saw false fires; then, some rockets. Put the helm up; brought those rockets, and false fires, to bear two points on the weather-bow; could then carry royal and top-gallant stay-sails, and reefed fore top-mast studding-sail. Got her to go ten and a half and eleven knots occasionally. Every now and then, saw the flashes of guns; kept steering a steady course, east north-east; set the lower studding-sail occasionally: frequently obliged to take in the royal and top-gallant stay-sails. We gained rapidly on the firing and rockets. Were convinced, at three o'clock, there was a running fight, of some sort. Thought it never would be day-light. Praying, earnestly, for you to fly on board. At last, day-light came. Saw a ship, firing into a ship with the main and mizen-topmast gone; and a ship going athwart her, firing. She wore, and the Lion was to leeward. At this time, her running rigging much cut, and appeared very ungovernable; firing, occasionally, at the William Tell; which I was surprised to see was not returned by the enemy, as they were within gun-shot. But it was not long, ere I had good reason to know that a most tremendous broadside was reserved for me. Began to shorten sail, hauled the main-sail up, and had every gun loaded with three round shot. She was on the larboard, I on the starboard, tack; I, therefore, steered as if meaning to go to windward of her: but, determined to go close to leeward, kept the weather leeches of the main and mizen topsail lifting; and, at six, backed the main topsail, running as close as possible, to avoid touching. I went on the gangway, and desired the French admiral, who I distinctly saw, to strike; which he answered, by brandishing his sword, and firing a musket at me; and fired a most tremendous broadside in, of round, grape, musketry, and langridge. The good effects of being so close, was manifest. It was only our sails and rigging that suffered considerably, as not one running rope was left. But, if what we received was tremendous, our return was furious; and not to be stood against, but by determined veterans. The obvious effects, silenced his musketry; but not the great guns: though we could distinctly hear the shot crash through and through her, and the mainmast began to totter. Fortunately, I kept way on the Foudroyant: and was, though with infinite difficulty, able to wear, and give him as compleat a dose from the larboard as we had done from the starboard side; and, down came his mainmast. The action then continued, with great obstinacy. A man, in the heat of the fire, nailed the French ensign on the stump of the mainmast. By this time, our fore topmast was over the side, main topsail down, yard shot away, mizen top-gallant mast and main-sail--indeed, every sail--in tatters. The enemy's mizen-mast was gone; which enabled him to wear, and draw ahead of us. His men were on deck, very active in clearing away the wreck, regardless of the fire; and they fixed a small French admiral's flag on the stump of the mizen mast, over another ensign nailed there, which seemed to bid defiance to us. At half past seven we had separated a little, our head to his stern. The Lion gave him many broadsides; but he preferred firing at us, when a gun would bear. I threw out the Penelope's pendants, who had just raked the enemy, and got her within hail; and begged that Blackwood would take me in tow, and get me once more close along-side the William Tell: which he was in the act of performing--for, when I watched a favourable moment to call the people from the main-deck guns, and filled the main-sail, and secured the mizen-mast; and, with a few rugs forward (the sprit-sail yard, jib-boom, &c. being all shot away) got her before the wind, and had the happiness to get once more close along-side of her, the action then began again, with more obstinacy than before. Our guns were admirably well served, and well directed, crashing through and through her. At eight, I began to think they were _determined_ to sink, rather than surrender; as she began to settle in the water, till her fore-mast went over the side: when, in a few minutes after, the gallant Decres struck, having four hundred killed and wounded--so the prisoners report. I felt my heart expand, when I took this brave man by the hand; happy to find, he had survived so much honour. When you consider the superiority of three ships--the Lion, Foudroyant, Penelope, and the two brigs in company with the Strombolo; though the latter, of course, did not act, but it carried the appearance of numbers: on the other hand, the Lion was nothing to her, only three hundred men; but that, the French admiral did not know. In short, it seems as if he considered us his only _match_; and the happiness I have experienced, in proving it, on this occasion, is a circumstance that you, my friend, can participate in. They are feelings that are familiar to you; I, happily, caught them from your lordship: and let me beg of you, on this occasion, to accept my tribute of gratitude. It is to you, I owe my success; and, by a strict observance of your order, I arrived exactly in time. I sent Lieutenant Bolton to take possession of the prize; but, as I had great difficulty in floating one boat, Captain Blackwood's officer got there before him. The admiral, of course, he carried to the Lion, being the commodore; but, I hope, our officers will get promoted for it. You will see, the letter I have written you on the subject, is with a view of your inclosing it to Lord Spencer, if you approve of it. You know how to distribute my best wishes and regards to all your party; and that I am, my very dear lord, your affectionate, and faithful,

"E. Berry.

"No accident by powder, but one bad cartridge, which did not communicate with any other. Performed divine service, at two, and returned thanks to Almighty God for the victory. I only write about this ship; having nothing to say officially, from our idea it would be wrong."

On the 8th, Lord Nelson wrote, officially, to Lord Keith, the following letter, relative to this happy event.

"Palermo, 8th April 1800.

"MY LORD,

"I have the happiness to send you a copy of Captain Dixon's letter to Commodore Sir Thomas Troubridge, informing him of the capture of the William Tell. The circumstances attending this glorious finish to the whole French Mediterranean fleet, are such as must ever reflect the highest honour to all concerned in it. The attention of the commodore, in placing officers and men to attend the movements of the French ships, and the exactness with which his orders were executed, are a proof that the same vigour of mind remains, although the body, I am truly sorry to say, is almost worn away. Then come the alacrity of the Vincejo, Captain Long, and other sloops of war. The gallantry and excellent management of Captain Blackwood, of the Penelope frigate: who, by carrying away the enemy's main and mizen topmasts, enabled the Lion to get up; when Captain Dixon shewed the greatest courage, and officer-like conduct, in placing his ship on the enemy's bow, as she had only three hundred men on board, and the enemy one thousand two hundred and twenty. The conduct of these excellent officers enabled Sir Edward Berry to place the Foudroyant where she ought, and is the fittest ship in the world, to be--close along-side the William Tell; one of the largest and finest two-decked ships in the world: where he shewed that matchless intrepidity, and able conduct, as a seaman and officer, which I have often had the happiness to experience, in many trying situations. I thank God, I was not present; for it would finish me, could I have taken a sprig of these brave men's laurels. They are, and I glory in them, my darling children; served in my school; and all of us caught our professional zeal and fire, from the great and good Earl of St. Vincent!

"I am confident, your lordship will bestow the promotion in the properest manner; therefore, I have done nothing in that respect: and, on this occasion, I only beg leave to mention, that Governor Ball would be much flattered by the command of the William Tell; and Captain Ormsby, a volunteer in the Penelope, would be happy in filling her for him, during his very necessary attendance at Malta; and, in complying with their request, your lordship will highly oblige your most obedient servant,

"Bronte Nelson of the Nile.

"Right Honourable Lord Keith, K.B. &c."

His lordship also wrote, this day, to Earl Spencer, the following very feeling letter.

"Palermo, 8th April 1800.

"MY DEAR LORD,

"I send you Sir Edward Berry's letter, and am sure your lordship will not be sparing of promotion to the deserving. My friends wished me to be present. I have no such wish; for a something might have been given me, which now cannot. Not for all the world, would I rob any man of a sprig of laurel; much less, my children of the Foudroyant! I love her, as a fond father a darling child, and glory in her deeds. I am vain enough to feel the effects of my school. Lord Keith sending me nothing, I have not, of course, a free communication. I have wrote to him, for permission to return to England, when you will see a brokenhearted man! My spirit cannot submit, patiently. My complaint, which is principally a swelling of the heart, is at times alarming to my friends; but not to, my dear lord, your obliged and faithful

Bronte Nelson of the Nile.

"If I may again say it--what would I feel, if my brother was a commissioner of the navy; for ever, grateful!"

"Earl Spencer."

The effect of this agreeable event on Lord Nelson's spirits, had it been followed by other pleasing circumstances, might possibly have recruited his lordship's health; but a long succession of felicity, was what he never on earth enjoyed. In a few days, without any previous notice, his friend Sir William Hamilton was suddenly superseded by the arrival of Mr. Arthur Paget, as himself had recently been by Lord Keith. This circumstance effectually determined him immediately to quit the station. Resolved not to begin either with new men, or new measures, Mr. Paget had no sooner delivered his credentials, than his lordship, though still much indisposed, immediately sailed for Malta; with hopes of getting that business also brought to a conclusion before his return home. Sir William and Lady Hamilton accompanied his lordship on this occasion; having agreed, that they would afterwards proceed to England together. The Queen of Naples, it may be presumed, was greatly affected at thus beholding the cherished friends of herself, her family, and country, suddenly torn away from situations which they had filled with so much honour to themselves, and with such advantage to the interests of the two allied sovereigns. Nor could the good sense of the king fail to feel some apprehensions, that a change might prove for the worst, which was not possible to be for the better; though his envious ministers are supposed to have inspired him with flattering hopes, which he was never afterwards happy enough to see realized. Her majesty, indeed, felt such alarm, even for the safety of the country, under any other protectors than those whose abilities, zeal, and fidelity, had been so long and so beneficially experienced, that she determined to take her three daughters, with her son Prince Leopold, to their sister, the empress, at Vienna; and, accordingly, while her estimable friends were gone to Malta, the queen was making preparations for accompanying them, in their way to England, as far as that imperial city.

At the time of Lord Nelson's first conveying the King and Queen of Naples to Palermo, three Spanish ships had taken refuge in that port; two of them most immensely rich, being laden with quicksilver for the use of the South American mines, and the third a man of war to protect them. There, however, from the period of his lordship's arrival, they had continued snugly to remain; appearing rather disposed to rot in the mole, than venture out to sea with a certainty of being captured. The Spanish commander was no stranger to Lord Nelson's circumspection; who, it will be readily imagined, was often observed to cast a longing eye on such desirable booty: and his lordship's good-humoured remarks on the excessive politeness of the fearful Spaniard, whenever they met, were highly diverting to his friends. About the 20th of April, however, just before his lordship sailed for Palermo, some strong indications had been manifested, of a design in these ships to attempt getting off. He had, therefore, instantly, sent judicious instructions for intercepting them to the squadron at Minorca, as well as ordered express-boats on the spot to be sent in all directions with the necessary information for their being pursued, and had consequently little doubt that they must be immediately captured, should they happily venture to depart.

Lord Nelson, and his friends, on arriving at Malta, were received with the most rapturous joy. The flag of Le Guillaume Tell was presented to his lordship, by the gallant captors; with a kindly affectionate address, on thus delivering the trophy which marked the completion of his glorious triumph over every French ship which had been encountered at the battle off the Nile: and the grand illuminations which took place, on visiting Governor Ball's villa at St. Antonia, where his lordship and friends remained two days, so greatly alarmed the French, who were unable to penetrate the cause, that they attempted to make a sortie, but were instantly driven back.

About the 8th of May, amidst these pleasing attentions of his gallant brethren in arms, and the grateful inhabitants who owed so much to his lordship's protecting influence, he received letters from England which filled him with extreme concern. He learned, by these, that his noble friend, the Earl of St. Vincent--who had accepted a challenge sent by Sir John Orde, immediately after his return home, for having appointed his lordship, instead of himself, the senior officer, to the command of the squadron which had so successfully destroyed the French fleet; an intended duel, happily prevented by the interposition of the law, and the still stronger efficacy, it is said, of a positive royal injunction--now made a claim to prize-money, as commander in chief, after having quitted the Mediterranean station on account of ill health. His lordship, who always felt warmly, vehemently protested against the admission of this claim, in a powerful protest, addressed to his confidential friend, Mr. Davison. It is to be lamented that this unfortunate affair, which was afterwards litigated, and finally decided against the earl, should have in any degree abated that ardent friendship which had, so much to their reciprocal honour and advantage, as well as to the benefit and glory of their country, heretofore subsisted between the two first naval heroes in the world!

Information, it appears, had reached Lord Keith, so long since as the beginning of April, respecting the intention of these Spanish ships at Palermo: for Lord Nelson, in a letter dated on board the Foudroyant, at Malta, 10th May 1800, observes that he has received his lordship's intelligence from Mahon, of the 3d of April, on that subject, which is perfectly correct; and had already ordered that, in case of their preparing to leave the port, express-boats should be sent in all directions with the necessary information for their being pursued, as well as written to Mahon on the occasion. These ships, however, it may be proper here to remark, though they could not elude the vigilance of Lord Nelson, who had narrowly watched them for upwards of seventeen months, certainly effected their escape from Palermo, very shortly after his departure; and, to his lordship's infinite mortification and regret, arrived safely in Spain, long before he reached England.

After remaining about a month at Malta, and being fully convinced, from the arrangements then made, that it must soon fall, his lordship returned to Palermo; as, notwithstanding his earnest wishes for the possession of that important island, he did not chuse to be present at the time of it's actual surrender, lest his friend Ball should thus lose the chief honour of the conquest. Besides concerting plans for the speedy reduction of this island, his lordship, during his stay there, was busily engaged in politely closing his numerous public correspondences with the allied powers, the Barbary states, and the respective British envoys, &c. at the various courts.

On arriving at Palermo, the latter end of May, every preparation was made, by his lordship, and Sir William and Lady Hamilton, for immediately going to England. One of the chief objects of his lordship's attention, had been to promote, by all possible means, the general and individual prosperity of Bronte; by enriching the country with the improvements of agriculture, and preserving the people from oppression. He selected, with this view, a governor, of unimpeachable honour, and of uncommon abilities in directing agricultural operations. The name of this gentleman was Graffer; and he had, already, for some time, acted in that capacity, highly to the satisfaction of his lordship. The following letter to Sir John Acton, occasioned by some interesting communications from Mr. Graffer, not only affords a satisfactory proof of that gentleman's integrity, but a fine picture of his lordship's ever anxious regard to the comfort of those who had claims on his powerful and benign protection.

"Palermo, 2d June 1800.

"SIR,

My object, at Bronte, is to make the people happy, by not suffering them to be oppressed; and to enrich the country, by the improvements of agriculture. For these reasons, I selected Mr. Graffer, as a proper person for governor; as his character for honesty is unimpeachable, and his abilities as an agriculturist undeniable: and yet, it would appear, that there are persons who wish, for certain reasons, to lessen the king's most magnificent gift to me; and, also, to make the inhabitants of that country more miserable than they were before the estate came into my possession. Several people who have hired farms, on the contract of not letting them to what we in England call middle-men, have already done so; and I am told, that I either have been, or am to be, induced to consent that a superior, or rather that all Bronte causes, should be tried at Palermo. Now, as this is a measure so repugnant to justice, and which must heap ruin on those it is my wish to render happy, I intreat that, except such causes as the present laws of Sicily oblige to resort to some superior court, it may never be imagined that I will consent to do an unjust act. It is possible, from my not reading Italian, that I may sign a very improper paper--(which God forbid!)--if men in whom I place confidence lay it before me for my signature. In his majesty's most gracious gift of Bronte, has been omitted the word Fragilé a farm belonging to me. The reasons of this omission are, I fear, too clear; and, at a future day, I may lose it, and his majesty not retain it. These are, in brief, the letters of Mr. Graffer. I have, therefore, by his desire, to request his majesty to grant me the following favours--First, that the farm of Fragilé may be inserted in the patent; secondly, that a billet-royale may be granted, to annul the present contract of the feuds of St. Andrea and Porticella. I send your excellency copies and extracts of Mr. Graffer's letters, which prove him an honest and upright man. In arranging these matters for me, it will be an additional obligation conferred upon your excellency's most obedient and obliged

"Bronte Nelson of the Nile."

These requests were readily granted by his Sicilian Majesty; who had, this morning, transmitted his lordship the statutes of the order of St. Ferdinando, accompanied by such expressions of kindness as made the most sensible impression on his lordship's mind, and filled his heart--to use his own phrase--with affection, pleasure, and gratitude. Under these impressions, our hero was desirous of presenting a gold medal to the king, as a small but sincere testimonial of his esteem and regard; he sent one, therefore, accompanied by the following letter.

Palermo, 2d June 1800.

"SIRE,

"The Almighty, who granted to my legitimate sovereign's arms the battle of the Nile, impressed your majesty with a favourable opinion of me; which has led your royal heart to grant me the most distinguished honours, and a fortune which I never had an idea of expecting. I presume, therefore, to request that your majesty will permit to lay on your table a gold medal, highly flattering to your majesty's devoted and faithful

"Bronte Nelson of the Nile."

"His Sacred Majesty, the King of the Two Sicilies."