Lord Nelson informed Earl Spencer, in a private letter, as well as the
Admiralty Board in a public one to Mr. Nepean, that he had desired
Commodore Troubridge to send extracts of all his letters to him, as
temporary commander in chief of the Mediterranean fleet, with the terms
on which the French evacuated the Roman state. "I sincerely congratulate
your lordship," concludes Lord Nelson to Earl Spencer, "on this event,
so honourable to our country; for the French would treat with no country
but Britain."
It was, certainly, a most singular circumstance, that Rome should thus
be reduced by a naval force: and it appeared to be the more remarkable,
as it fulfilled what was now called a prophecy, which had been
pronounced on our hero's first arrival at Naples after his glorious
victory off the Nile; in which it had been said, _that his lordship
should take Rome by his_ ships. This prophecy, however, it
seems proper to remark--the author having no desire to encourage the
growth of superstition, or to degrade the dignity of historical research
by dazzling weak powers of perception with the fascinative influence of
the marvellous--was considered, at the time of it's being pronounced, as
nothing more than a mere harmless Hibernicism; originating in the zeal
of Father M'Cormick, a very honest and worthy Irish priest, who had come
from Rome to Naples, disgusted at the enormities of the French. This
good and loyal man, in the ardent warmth of congratulating Lord Nelson
on his stupendous victory, triumphantly exclaimed--"And your lordship
shall, before long, take Rome, too, with your _ships!_" A declaration
which, it may be supposed, was heard with far less gravity than it was
uttered, though now converted into a prophetic anticipation of the
event. This honest Irish pastor, though not regarded as a prophet by
Lord Nelson, was so well known to be a pious and faithful priest, that
his lordship, who was for ever studying how he could best serve all
persons of merit who came in his way, afterwards recommended him to the
present Pope, in a letter which was written, expressly for that purpose,
by Lady Hamilton.
So active was Lord Nelson in all his operations, that he no sooner
received information of the successes of Commodore Troubridge, than he
instantly drew his attention to other objects. In a letter of the 1st of
October, his lordship says--"If it is necessary to leave a few of your
and Louis's marines, do it, and one or two of the small craft for the
protection of the trade; but I want, certainly, all the line of battle
ships, and such of the small craft as are not absolutely wanted there.
My intention is, to go almost directly to Minorca, and arrange a proper
naval defence for that island; and to try and get troops to finish the
business of Malta, which the French intend to relieve. Five polacres,
and two Venetian ships, are loading provisions and stores; therefore, I
wish to fix our ships on the spot most likely to intercept them: at
Lampedosa and Cape Bon, and in the track from Toulon to Ajaccio. These
are my ideas; for, as to blockading Toulon for so few ships, they would
escape, the first north-west wind, if the whole fleet was there. I need
only say, to you, these are my objects, for you to support me; which it
is my pleasure always to acknowledge."
His lordship afterwards repeats the full confidence which he feels, that
the commodore, knowing what is necessary, will come as soon as he can;
"for," says his lordship, "our business is never done."
Lord Nelson had already sent information to the Marquis De Niza
respecting these supplies for Malta, which were preparing at Toulon,
with directions for intercepting them; but, by letters from Lisbon, just
received, the Portuguese squadron was now ordered to return home.
Anxious, therefore, to prevent the intended relief from reaching
Malta--over the people of which island he had, a few days before,
obtained the honour, for his friend Captain Ball, of being regularly
appointed Chief, by his Sicilian Majesty--he inclosed the particulars of
this information to General Acton, and urged the necessity of having
part of the English garrison at Messina, as well as of the Russian
squadron and troops, ordered immediately to Malta; observing that, if
Malta was relieved, all our forces got together could not take it, and
the commencement of a new blockade would become useless. "Nor," says his
lordship, "would this be the worst consequence; for all the Barbary
cruizers would here have their rendezvous, and not a vessel of his
Sicilian Majesty's could put to sea: and, Great Britain and Russia not
being at war with those powers, the case would be dreadful, and ruinous,
to the subjects of his Sicilian Majesty. I have," concludes his
lordship, "stated the situation, under mature reflection; and have only
to request, that it maybe taken into immediate consideration."
In the mean time, Lord Nelson wrote to the Marquis De Niza, inculcating
the necessity of not obeying his orders to return home. "I have," says
his lordship, "received a letter from Don Roderigo de Souza, saying
that, as the squadron under your orders were not now necessary in the
Mediterranean, his royal highness had directed their return. On this
belief, your orders are founded; but, as the contrary is the fact--for
your services were never more wanted than at this moment, when every
exertion is wanting to get more troops of English and Russians to
Malta--I must, therefore, most positively desire, that your excellency
will not, on any consideration, withdraw one man from the shore, or
detach any ship down the Mediterranean. I send you an order, to justify
your excellency's not complying with his royal highness's orders; and, I
am confident, he will approve of my conduct."
While his lordship was indefatigably engaged in obtaining every aid for
the reduction of Malta, information arrived, that thirteen French and
Spanish sail of the line, one of them a three-decker, had been seen on
the coast of Portugal. He immediately, therefore, wrote to hasten
Commodore Troubridge, and sent also to Sir Sidney Smith: informing them,
that he should sail next day, the 5th of October, for Mahon; and,
probably, to Gibraltar. "If," says his lordship, to Commodore
Troubridge, "I can but get a force to fight these fellows, it shall be
done quickly. I am in dread for our outward bound convoys; seven hundred
sail, under a few frigates, in England, thinking all the force was at
Brest. I need only say, get to Mahon as quick as possible, that we may
join." Accordingly, having sailed from Palermo, he wrote the following
letter to Captain Ball.
"Fondroyant, at Sea,
5th Oct. 1799.