Volume I Part 24 (2/2)
However, I am sure, my place was much better filled by Commodore Duckworth. The new war commenced here, it is yet impossible to say how it may turn: whether it will really hasten the ruin, or save the monarchy. At all events, if the king had not began the war, he would have soon been kicked out of his kingdom. The king is at Rome; but five hundred French still hold possession of St. Angelo.
General Mack is gone to Civita Castellana, where thirteen thousand French have taken post. Mack's force, with him, is twenty thousand fine young men; but, with some few exceptions, wretchedly officered. If the French are not soon driven from their post, which is very strong by nature, Mack must fall back to the frontier on the side of Ancona. The French have drove back, to say no more, the right wing of the king's army, and taken all their baggage and artillery. The emperor has not yet moved, and his minister, Thugut, is not very anxious to begin a new war; but, if he does not, Naples and Tuscany will fall in two months. I shall be happy if you will honour me, at any time, with your commands, here or elsewhere; being, with the highest respect, your most obedient servant,
”Nelson.”
A letter from Earl Spencer had likewise reached Naples, at this period, with the official intelligence of Admiral Nelson's elevation to the peerage; an elevation which, it is certain, the Hero of the Nile by no means considered as excessive, any more than his particular friends, and even the country in general. In the following answer to Earl Spencer, it will appear, however, that his zeal kindles with far more ardour for his friend Troubridge, than for himself.
Naples, 7th Dec. 1798
”MY DEAR LORD,
”On my arrival here, from Leghorn, I received your lords.h.i.+p's letter of October 7, communicating to me the t.i.tle his majesty had been graciously pleased to confer upon me; an honour, your lords.h.i.+p is pleased to say, the highest that has ever been conferred on an officer of my standing, who was not a commander in chief.
”I receive, as I ought, what the goodness of our sovereign, and not my deserts, is pleased to bestow: but, great and unexampled as this honour may be, to one of my standing--yet, I own, I feel a higher one, in the unbounded confidence of the king, your lords.h.i.+p, and the whole world, in my exertions. Even at the bitter moment of my return to Syracuse, your lords.h.i.+p is not insensible of the great difficulties I had to encounter, in not being a commander in chief.
The only happy moment I felt, was in the view of the French; then, I knew, that all my sufferings would soon be at an end!
”I observe what your lords.h.i.+p is pleased to say, relative to the presenting myself, and the captains who served under me, with medals; and, also, that the first lieutenants of the s.h.i.+ps engaged will be distinguished by promotions, as well as the senior marine officers. I hope, and believe, the word ”engaged” is not intended to exclude the Culloden; the merit of that s.h.i.+p, and her gallant captain, are too well known to benefit by any thing I could say.
Her misfortune was great, in getting aground, while her more fortunate companions were in the full tide of happiness. No; I am confident, that my good Lord Spencer will never add misery to misfortune. Captain Troubridge, on sh.o.r.e, is superior to captains afloat. In the midst of his great misfortunes, he made those signals which prevented, certainly, the Alexander and Swiftsure from running on the shoals. I beg your pardon for writing on a subject which, I verily believe, has never entered your lords.h.i.+p's head; but my heart, as it ought to be, is warm to my gallant friends.
”Ever your lords.h.i.+p's most faithful and obedient
”Nelson.”
So anxious was Lord Nelson for his gallant friend Troubridge, and the other brave officers of the Culloden, that he thus urges, at the same time, in a letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, the subject which occupied his feeling heart. ”I received, yesterday,” writes he, ”a private letter from Lord Spencer; saying, that the first lieutenants of all the s.h.i.+ps engaged would be promoted. I sincerely hope, this is not intended to exclude the first of the Culloden. For Heaven's sake, for my sake, if it be so, get it altered! Our dear friend Troubridge has suffered enough; and no one knows, from me, but Culloden was as much engaged as any s.h.i.+p in the squadron. His sufferings were, in every respect, more than any of us. He deserves every reward which a grateful country can.
bestow on the most meritorious sea-officer of his standing in the service. I I have felt his worth every hour of my command. I have before wrote you, my dear lord, on this subject; therefore, I place Troubridge in your hands.”
Of his own disappointment, at not having obtained higher rank, he writes nothing to his commander in chief; but, among his most intimate friends, he is known to have freely expressed his grief and indignation at receiving the t.i.tle of baron only. Had they left him as he was, he has been heard repeatedly to say, he would not have complained; but, he thought, his services merited more than a barony. It would, perhaps, be difficult to find any substantial objection against his having been made, at least, a viscount; which would still have left the commander in chief his superior in rank. Indeed, on such peculiarly great and glorious occasions, there need be little dread respecting precedents. No minister would have been impeached, who had even advised his being created a duke; and, most a.s.suredly, the country would have rejoiced at his merited elevation to that dignity. Why should not the navy possess honours equal to those of a military Marlborough? and, when do we expect to behold the hero on whom they may with more propriety be bestowed?
It is a positive fact, that Lord Nelson would never wear his own gold medal, till he had obtained one for his friend Captain Troubridge; who, by the strictness of official etiquette, without any actual blame in administration, had been at first excluded.
The following laconic epistle to Captain Troubridge, at Leghorn, exhibits a true sailor's letter.
”Naples, Dec. 10th 1798.
”MY DEAR TROUBRIDGE,
”I have just received Mr. Windham's letter of November 30th, and find it is settled that all the cargoes of the Genoese s.h.i.+ps should be landed; and all the French privateers disarmed, and their crews sent away. So far, I am content. Money is not our object; but to distress the common enemy. I hope, if you liked it, you visited the Grand Duke, in my stead; I could not have been better represented--the copy is a d.a.m.ned deal better than the original.
”Nelson.”
”Duckworth has a captain under him; John Dixon, from England, is Post Captain; and Mr. Grey arrived.”
At the same time, he wrote to his Excellency the Honourable Mr. Windham, apologizing for not having himself accepted his Royal Highness the Grand Duke's invitation to visit him at Pisa. ”I have,” says he, ”to request that you will present my most profound acknowledgments to his Royal Highness. I was under a sacred promise, to return here as expeditiously as possible; and not to quit the Queen and Royal Family of Naples, without her majesty's approbation. This will plead my cause for quitting Leghorn so expeditiously.”
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