Volume I Part 24 (1/2)
”We, the commanders of the troops of the King of the Two Sicilies, and of the squadron of his Britannic Majesty, now before Leghorn, demand of the Governor of Leghorn the free and instant admission of his Sicilian Majesty's troops into the town and fortress of Leghorn, and every thing thereunto depending. If you refuse, we have power to enforce our just demand; which will, undoubtedly, instantly be done.
”Naselli, General.
”Nelson, Rear-Admiral.”
Captain Troubridge, accompanied by the two ministers, went on sh.o.r.e with this summons: and he returned, at eight in the evening, with a capitulation signed; in consequence of which the troops were immediately landed, and possession taken of the town and fortress of Leghorn.
On the following day, the Portuguese squadron also arrived, and landed the remainder of the troops. In the mean time, the Neapolitan general refused to seize the French vessels at Leghorn, under pretence that the King of Naples was not at war with France; and the Neapolitan minister, the Duke Di Sangro, was likewise weak enough to maintain the same opinion. The vexation which these impolitic scrupulosities occasioned in the superior mind of our decided hero, is difficult to be described. He saw the destructive tendency of such mental imbecility, and trembled for the fate of a country which was condemned to be thus served. His lords.h.i.+p's feelings will be best conceived, by his own account of what pa.s.sed in his anxious bosom on the occasion, thus addressed to Mr.
Windham.
Vanguard, 30th Nov. 1798.
”MY DEAR SIR,
”I have been thinking, all night, of the General Naselli and the Duke Di Sangro's saying that the King of Naples had not declared war against the French. Now, I a.s.sert, that he has; and, in a much stronger manner than the ablest minister in Europe could write a declaration of war. Has not the king received, as a conquest made by him, the republican flag taken at Goza? Is not the king's flag flying there, and at Malta; not only by the king's absolute permission, but by his orders? Is not his flag shot at, every day, by the French; and returned, from batteries bearing the king's flag? Are not two frigates, and a corvette, placed under my orders?
and they would fight the French, meet them where they may. Has not the king sent publicly, from Naples, guns, mortars, &c. with officers and artillery, to fight against the French in Malta? If these acts are not tantamount to any written paper, I give up all knowledge of what is war. So far, then, I a.s.sert, that the general is authorized to seize all French and Ligurian vessels. But that is a small matter, to what will happen if he permits the many hundreds of French which are now in the mole to be neutral, till they have a fair opportunity of being active. Even the interest of the Grand Duke calls loudly, that the Neapolitan general should act with vigour; for, if all other schemes fail, they have one sure: viz.
set one vessel on fire, and the port of Leghorn is ruined for twenty years. Pray, say this to Seratti. I have, you know, no interest personal to myself, in this advice. I wish the great duke to have no unnecessary risk, and for the Neapolitan general and myself to take all the odium on ourselves. Pray, excuse this letter; but, I could not resist writing it. Ever your, &c.
”Nelson.”
The unanswerable reasoning in this letter could not fail to produce perfect conviction; and General Naselli, at his lords.h.i.+p's request, consented to lay an embargo on all the vessels at Leghorn, till he should receive orders for their disposal from his Sicilian majesty.
Among these s.h.i.+ps, were a great number of French privateers; some of them, his lords.h.i.+p observed, in a letter to Sir William Hamilton, of such force as to do the very greatest mischief to our commerce, if permitted to sail. There were also about seventy sail of vessels, calling themselves belonging to the Ligurian Republic, before called Genoa, ready to sail, loaded with corn, for Genoa and France; the arrival of which, must expedite the entrance into Italy of more French troops. ”General Naselli,” says Lord Nelson, ”sees, I believe, the permitting these vessels to depart, in the same light as myself; but, there is this difference between us--the general, prudently, and certainly safely, waits the orders of his court, taking no responsibility on himself; I act from the circ.u.mstance of the moment, as I feel it may be most advantageous for the honour of the cause which I serve, taking all responsibility on myself.”
Having left Captain Troubridge at Leghorn, to act as exigencies might require, Lord Nelson immediately returned to Naples; where he arrived on the 5th of December, having been absent little more than ten days.
During this time, letters had arrived from Commodore Duckworth, relating to the conquest of Minorca; and, these letters having been forwarded after him to Leghorn, he wrote the following apology and congratulation to his friend the commodore, now Admiral Sir John Duckworth, who commanded the squadron which had sailed from Gibraltar on this expedition.
”Naples, 6th Dec. 1798.
”MY DEAR SIR,
”On my arrival here, yesterday, I found Lieutenant Gregory, who had been charged with your letters to me; but which were, unluckily, sent after me to Leghorn: and, as Lieutenant Gregory is very anxious to return to you, it is out of my power to answer such part of your public letter as might require. However, I most heartily congratulate you on the conquest of Minorca; an acquisition invaluable to Great Britain, and which completely, in future, prevents any movements from Toulon to the westward. My situation in this country has had, doubtless, _one_ rose; but, it has been plucked from a bed of thorns. Nor is my present state that of ease; and my health, at best but indifferent, has not mended lately.
Naples is just embarked in a new war: the event, G.o.d only knows; but, without the a.s.sistance of the emperor, which is not yet given, this country cannot resist the power of France. Leghorn is in possession of the King of Naples's troops, as is Civita Vecchia. I have Troubridge, with Minotaur, Terpsich.o.r.e, and Bonne Citoyenne, &c. on the north coast of Italy. Three sail of the line, under Ball, are off Malta: and Hood, with three sail of the line, and two frigates, is in Egypt; but I expect his return every moment, and that the Turks and Russian s.h.i.+ps and flotilla have relieved him. I am here, _solus_; for, I reckon the Portuguese as nothing. They are all flag-officers, and cannot serve under any of my brave friends.
”With every good wish, believe me your most obedient servant,
”Nelson.”
From the following congratulatory letter which Lord Nelson wrote, at the same time, to his old ”brother brigadier,” the Honourable Lieutenant-General Stuart, commander in chief of the forces at the reduction of Minorca, may be learned the very unpromising state of military affairs with the Neapolitan army at this important period. It also clearly developes the secret cause of his lords.h.i.+p's sudden recall from Egypt.
Naples, 6th Dec. 1798.
”MY DEAR SIR,
”Allow me to congratulate you on the conquest of Minorca; an acquisition, as a sea-port, invaluable to our country. I hurried from Egypt, early in August; as, by the Earl of St. Vincent's orders, I was in expectation of being summoned to attend you.