Of what Ships. + Names and Rank.
------------------+-----------------
Vanguard | Mr. Nathaniel Vassal, Lieutenant.
| Mr. John M. Adye, Lieutenant.
| Mr. John Campbell, Admiral's Secretary.
| Mr. Michael Austin, Boatswain.
| Mr. John Weatherstone, Midshipman.
| Mr. George Antrim, Midshipman.
Theseus | Lieutenant Hawkins.
Alexander | Alexander John Ball, Esq. Captain.
| Captain J. Creswell, Marines.
| Mr. William Lawson, Master.
| Mr. George Bulley, Midshipman.
| Mr. Luke Anderson, Midshipman.
Audacious | Mr. John Jeans, Lieutenant.
| Mr. Christopher Font, Gunner.
Orion | Sir James Saumarez, Captain.
| Mr. Peter Sadler, Boatswain.
| Mr. Philip Richardson, Midshipman.
| Mr. Charles Miell, Midshipman.
| Mr. Lanfesty, Midshipman.
Goliath | Mr. William Wilkinson, Lieutenant.
| Mr. Lawrence Graves, Midshipman.
| Mr. Peter Strahan, Schoolmaster.
| Mr. James Payne, Midshipman.
Majestic | Mr. Charles Seward, Midshipman.
| Mr. Charles Royle, Midshipman.
| Mr. Robert Overton, Captain's Clerk.
Bellerophon | Henry D'E. Darby, Esq. Captain.
| Mr. Edward Kirby, Master.
| Captain John Hopkins, Marines.
| Mr. Chapman, Boatswain.
| Mr. Nicholas Betson, Midshipman.
Minotaur | Mr. Thomas Irwin, Lieutenant.
| Lieutenant John Jewel, Marines.
| Mr. Thomas Foxton, Second Master.
| Mr. Martin Wills, Midshipman.
Swiftsure | Mr. William Smith, Midshipman.
------------------+--------------------------------------
Horatio Nelson.
It appears, from these lists, that sixteen officers, one hundred and
fifty-six seamen, and forty-six marines, making in all two hundred and
eighteen persons, lost their lives; and that thirty-seven officers,
five hundred and sixty-two seamen, and seventy-eight marines, amounting
to six hundred and seventy-seven persons, were wounded: forming a total,
in killed and wounded, on board the British fleet, if the admiral be
included, who has, as usual, omitted himself, of eight hundred and
ninety-six. Such was the dreadful price paid by the conquerors for this
glorious victory; to the vanquished, the loss was incalculable. On a
moderate estimate, for the exact number has not been ascertained, there
could scarcely be less than three thousand French killed and wounded in
this most memorable conflict. Certain it is, that the Bay of Aboukir,
for many days after the battle, was so covered with the floating bodies
of the slain, as to exhibit a most horrid and painful spectacle; and,
though all possible endeavours were exerted to keep sinking them
whenever they appeared, the shot used for this intention so frequently
slipped off, that many of the bodies perpetually rose again to the
surface. Indeed, from the excessive heat of the weather, the survivors,
besides the offensive disgusts naturally excited, felt very alarming
apprehensions of some pestilential visitation; which, however, they
happily escaped. The numerous prisoners, including all the wounded, were
immediately restored, on condition of not serving against England till
exchanged.
In the mean time, from parts of the floating wreck of L'Orient, the
officers of the fleet vied with each other in causing numerous articles
to be manufactured, as commemorations of this glorious victory, which
they most affectionately presented to their respected commander. Captain
Hallowell, in particular, with singular zeal and attachment, procured a
coffin to be made, by his carpenter, on board the Swiftsure, entirely
from the wreck of L'Orient, iron as well as wood, in the most elegant
manner that the workman could effect with such limited materials, and so
little skill in that particular branch of business; which was delivered
to Admiral Nelson with the following letter.
Swiftsure,
August 1798.
"SIR,
"I Have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin made from the
mainmast of L'Orient; that, when you have finished your military
career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies:
but, that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of
your sincere friend,
"Benjamin Hallowell."
The present of this worthy and brave officer, however singular, was
received with an affectionate regard equal to that felt by himself. So
highly, indeed, did the hero prize this gift, that he had it immediately
placed upright in his cabin; and, though he was at length prevailed on,
by the intreaties of an old and favourite servant, to have the coffin
carried below, nothing could possibly prevent his resolution to have it
finally made use of for the purpose originally intended by the gallant
and esteemed donor.
While the various dispatches were preparing to be sent by Captain Capel
to England, as soon as La Mutine could be got ready for sailing, those
of Bonaparte to France were fortunately intercepted; as appears in the
continuation of the following letter from Admiral Nelson to Sir William
Hamilton.
"Vanguard,
Mouth of the Nile,
8th August 1798.
"MY DEAR SIR,
"Almighty God has made me the happy instrument of destroying the
enemy's fleet; which, I hope, will be a blessing to Europe. You
will have the goodness to communicate this happy event to all the
courts in Italy; for my head is so indifferent, that I can scarcely
scrawl this letter. Captain Capel, who is charged with my
dispatches for England, will give you every information. Pray, put
him in the quickest mode of getting home. You will not send, by
post, any particulars of this action; as I should be sorry to have
any accounts get home before my dispatches. I hope there will be no
difficulty in our getting refitted at Naples. Culloden must be
instantly hove down, and Vanguard have all new masts and bowsprit.
Not more than four or five sail of the line will probably come to
Naples: the rest will go with the prizes to Gibraltar. As this army
never will return, I hope to hear the emperor has regained the
whole of Italy. With every good wish, believe me, dear Sir, your
most obliged, and affectionate,
"Horatio Nelson.
"9th August. I have intercepted all Bonaparte's dispatches going to
France. The army is in a scrape, and will not get out of it."
These intercepted dispatches were transmitted to Earl Spencer, as First
Lord of the Admiralty, with the following letter.
"Mouth of the Nile,
9th August 1798,
"MY LORD,
"Were I to die this moment, _want of frigates_ would be found
stamped on my heart. No words of mine, can express what I have
suffered, and am suffering, for want of them. Having only La Mutine
brig, I cannot yet send off Captain Capel, which I am very anxious
to do: for, as an accident may happen to Captain Berry, it is of
some importance, I think, for your lordship to be informed of our
success as speedily as possible. If the King of Naples had joined
us, nothing at this moment could prevent the destruction of the
store ships, and all the transports, in the port of Alexandria;
four bomb vessels would burn the whole in a few hours: but, as I
have not the means, I can only regret the circumstance. I send you
a pacquet of intercepted letters, some of them of great importance;
in particular, one from Bonaparte to his brother. He writes such a
scrawl, as no one not used to it can read: but, luckily, we have
got a man who has wrote in his office to decypher it. Bonaparte has
differed with his generals here: and he did want--and, if I
understand his meaning, does want, and will strive to be, the
Washington of France. "_Ma mere_," is evidently meant for "_my
country_." But, I beg pardon: all this is, I have no doubt, well
known to administration. I believe, our victory will, in it's
consequences, destroy this army; at least, my endeavours shall not
be wanting. I shall remain here for some time. I have thought it
right to send an officer (by Alexandretta, Aleppo, and Bussorah)
over land, to India, with an account of what I have gathered from
these dispatches; which, I hope, will be approved. I have sent a
copy of my letter to the Board of Controul, that they may give the
necessary directions for paying the officers bills. If it should
have gone to the East India Company, I hope that board will forward
it. Ever believe me, your lordship's most obliged and obedient
servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
The letter thus mentioned, as being addressed to the Board of Controul,
was written to the Right Honourable Henry Dundas, then President of that
Board, the present celebrated Lord Melville, in these words--
"Vanguard,
Mouth of the Nile,
9th August 1798.
"SIR,
"As President of the Board of Controul for India, I have addressed
this letter to you: if I ought to have addressed it to the India
House, I request you will have the goodness to send it to the
Chairman of the Company; and, that you will excuse the trouble I
have given you. I have thought it right to send an officer,
Lieutenant Duval, who very handsomely offered his services, by
Alexandretta, Aleppo, and Bussorah, to Bombay, to give all the
accounts I know of the movements of the French army, and their
future intentions. Herewith, I send a copy of my letter; and of the
orders I have given him, to draw for money on the East India
Company, &c. If I have done wrong, I hope the bills will be paid,
and I will repay the company; for, as an Englishman, I shall be
proud that it has been in my power to be the means of putting our
settlements on their guard. Mr. Baldwin not having been for some
months at Alexandria, has been a great misfortune. I have the
honour to be, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient
servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
With a hundred dollars, in cash, and letters of credit to his Britannic
majesty's consuls, vice-consuls, and even British merchants, on his
prescribed route, Lieutenant Duval was this day dispatched by Admiral
Nelson, as bearer of the following letter to his Excellency the Governor
of Bombay.
"Vanguard,
off the Mouth of the Nile,
9th August 1798.
"SIR,
"Although, I hope, the consuls who are, or ought to be, in Egypt,
have sent you an express of the situation of affairs here; yet, as
I know Mr. Baldwin has, some months, left Alexandria; it is
possible you may not be regularly informed. I shall therefore
relate to you, briefly, that a French army of forty thousand men,
in three hundred transports, with thirteen sail of the line, eleven
frigates, bomb vessels, gun-boats, &c. arrived at Alexandria on the
1st of July. On the 7th they left it, for Cairo; where they arrived
on the 22d. During their march, they had some actions with the
Mamelukes, which the French call grand victories. As I have
Bonaparte's dispatches before me, which I took yesterday, I speak
positively. He says--"I am now going to send off, to take Suez and
Damietta." He does not speak very favourable of either the country
or people; but there is so much bombast in his letters, that it is
difficult to get near the truth. He does not mention India, in
these dispatches. He is what he calls organizing the country: but,
you may be assured, is master only of what his army covers. From
all the enquiries which I have been able to make, I cannot learn
that any French vessels are at Suez, to carry any part of the army
to India. Bombay, I know, if they can get there, is their first
object. But, I trust, Almighty God will, in Egypt, overthrow these
pests of the human race. It has been in my power to prevent twelve
thousand men from leaving Genoa; and, also, to take eleven sail of
the line, and two frigates: in short, only two sail of the line,
and two frigates, have escaped us. This glorious battle was fought
at the mouth of the Nile, at anchor. It begun at sun-set, August
1st, and was not finished at three the next morning. It has been
severe, but God blessed our endeavours with a great victory. I am
now at anchor between Alexandria and Rosetta, to prevent their
communication by water; and nothing, under a regiment, can pass by
land. But, I should have informed you that the French have four
thousand men posted at Rosetta, to keep open the mouth of the Nile.
Alexandria, both town and shipping, are so distressed for
provisions, which they can only get from the Nile, by water, that I
cannot guess the good success which may attend my holding our
present position; for Bonaparte writes his distress for stores,
artillery, things for their hospitals, &c. All useful communication
is at an end, between Alexandria and Cairo. You may be assured, I
shall remain here as long as possible. Bonaparte had never yet to
contend with an English officer, and I shall endeavour to make him
respect us. This is all I have to communicate. I am confident,
every precaution will be taken to prevent, in future, any vessels
going to Suez, which may be able to carry troops to India. If my
letter is not so correct as might be expected, I trust for your
excuse; when I tell you, that my brain is so shook with the wound
in my head, that I am sensible I am not always so clear as could
be wished: But, while a ray of reason remains, my heart and my hand
shall ever be exerted for the benefit of our king and country. I
have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
"Horatio Nelson.
"The officer, Lieutenant Duval, who carries this dispatch
voluntarily to you, will--I trust--be immediately sent to England,
with such recommendations as his conduct will deserve."
The importance of thus sending this information to India, which few
other naval commanders would have thought necessary, proved prodigiously
great. Expensive preparations were at that moment making, by the East
India Company, for a most powerful armament to oppose any force which
the French might be enabled to send against their possessions, in
conjunction with Tippoo Saib: and this timely intelligence, by instantly
quieting every apprehension of that sort, suddenly arrested the progress
of all extraordinary warlike operations, and consequently saved a vast
sum of money to the company; which, without the wonderful circumspection
of this great man, must necessarily have been expended.
The dispatches to England, however, were unable to be forwarded, for
several days. In the mean time, on the morning of the 11th, the
Swiftsure brought into the fleet a captured French corvette of eighteen
guns, and seventy men, called La Fortune. On the 12th, Sir James
Saumarez, captain of the Orion, was directed to take the Bellerophon,
Minotaur, Defence, Audacious, Theseus, and Majestic, under his command;
and proceed with the prizes, Le Souverain Peuple, Conquerant, Spartiate,
Aquilon, Franklin, and Tonnant, for Gibraltar: where, if he found no
orders, he was to join the commander in chief off Cadiz, or go to
Lisbon. Sir James sailed, accordingly, on the 15th; and Admiral Nelson
having, on this very day, received secret orders and letters from the
Earl of St. Vincent, found it requisite to destroy the other French
prizes. The necessity of this measure is explained in the following
letter of the succeeding day, addressed to Evan Nepean, Esq. for the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
"SIR,
"Six of the prizes sailed yesterday, under Sir James Saumarez.
Three others, viz. Guerrier, Heureux, and Mercure, are in the act
of repairing. In this state, I last evening received the Earl of
St. Vincent's most secret orders, and most secret and confidential
letters, relative to the important operations intended to be
pursued in the Mediterranean. Thus situated, it became an important
part of my duty, to do justice between my king and country, and the
brave officers and men who captured those ships at the Battle of
the Nile. It would have taken one month, at least, to have fitted
those ships for a passage to Gibraltar; and not only at a great
expence to government, but with the loss of the services of at
least two sail of the line. I, therefore, confiding that the lords
commissioners will, under the present circumstances, direct that a
fair value shall be paid for these ships, ordered them to be burnt,
after saving such stores as would not take too much time out of
them: and, I have farther thought it my duty to tell the squadron
the necessity I am under, for the benefit of the king's service, of
directing their property to be destroyed; but, that I had no doubt
government would make them a liberal allowance. All which, I hope,
their lordships will approve.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, your most
obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
La Mutine being at length ready, these letters were dispatched to
England, by the way of Naples, on the 16th of August.
The sword of the captured French Admiral Blanquet was also sent, by
Captain Capel, from Admiral Nelson to the city of London, with the
following letter, which he had several days previously written for the
lord-mayor.
"Vanguard,
Mouth of the Nile,
8th August 1798.
"MY LORD,
"Having the honour of being a freeman of the city of London, I take
the liberty of sending to your lordship the sword of the
commanding French admiral, Monsieur Blanquet, who survived after
the battle of the 1st, off the Nile; and request that the city of
London will honour me by the acceptance of it, as a remembrance
that Britannia still rules the waves: which, that she may for ever
do, is the fervent prayer of your lordship's most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
"Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London."
On the 13th, the Alcmene, Emerald, and Bonne Citoyenne frigates, at
length, joined the squadron; and, on the 17th, the Seahorse.
Admiral Nelson now arranged every thing necessary with Captain Samuel
Hood, who was to remain with his own ship, the Zealous; the Swiftsure,
Captain Hallowell; the Goliah, Captain Foley; the Alcmene, Captain Hope;
the Seahorse, Captain Edward James Foote; and the Emerald, Captain
Waller: for the purpose of cruising off Alexandria, or continuing at
anchor, as he might judge most proper, more effectually to prevent any
supplies being thrown into that port for the French fleet; and, also, to
intercept an expected French convoy with provisions, as well as to
prevent, if possible, all communication between the French army at
Rosetta, and their fleet at Alexandria. This business being settled, he
sailed, on the 18th, from Alexandria; and having, on that day, received
a letter from the Honourable William Windham, the British minister at
the court of Florence, he wrote the following answer, dated on board the
Vanguard, 21st August 1798, which presents some additional information
respecting the glorious victory off the Nile, and it's beneficial
effects.
"My Dear Sir,
"I received, three days ago, your letter of June 20th, and I beg
leave to thank you for it. I send you a paper, which will inform
you of the extent of our victory. My health, from my wound, is
become so indifferent, that I think of going down the Mediterranean
as soon as I arrive at Naples; unless I should find any thing very
extraordinary to detain me, when my health is of no consequence.
The command, in my absence, will devolve on Captain Troubridge;
than whom, the king has not a better sea-officer. Sir James
Saumarez is on his way to Gibraltar, with six of our prizes: the
others I burnt, that the Mediterranean might not be left without
ships; for each prize takes a ship of the line to man her, and
attend to her wants. This you will believe, when I tell you that
only two masts are standing, out of nine sail of the line. L'Orient
certainly struck her colours, and did not fire a shot, for a
quarter of an hour before, unfortunately for us, she took fire:
but, though we suffer, our country is equally benefitted. She had
on board nearly six hundred thousand pounds sterling: so says the
adjutant-general of the fleet, who was saved out of her; and,
although he does not say she struck her colours, yet he allows that
all resistance on her part was in vain. Admiral Brueys was killed
early in the battle; and, from the commencement of the fight,
declared all was lost. They were moored in a strong position, in a
line of battle, with gun-boats, bomb-vessels, frigates, and a gun
and mortar battery on an island in their van; but, my band of
friends was irresistible. The French army is in possession of
Alexandria, Aboukir, Rosetta, Damietta, and Cairo; and Bonaparte
writes, that he is sending a detachment to take possession of Suez
and Fayume. By the intercepted letters from the army, for we took
the vessel with Bonaparte's courier, they are grievously
disappointed, the country between their posts being completely
hostile. I have little doubt but that army will be destroyed, by
plague, pestilence, and famine, and battle and murder; which, that
it may soon be, God grant. The Turks will soon send an army into
Syria; and as, for the present, we block them up by sea, they must
soon experience great distress. I hope to find, on my arrival at
Naples, that the emperor, and many other powers, are at war with
the French; for, till they are reduced, there can be no peace in
this world."
This letter appears to have remained unfinished, for want, probably, of
an opportunity of sending it away, about three weeks. It then received
the following conclusion.
"September 7th. I feel myself so much recovered, that it is
probable I shall not go home at present. The Turks have seized all
French ships in the Levant, in consequence of their taking a
Turkish sixty-gun ship at Alexandria, and seizing all Turkish
property. This was done on the 14th of August. I shall always
receive pleasure in hearing from you, both as a public and private
man; and believe me, dear Sir, with the greatest respect, your most
obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
In the mean time, Admiral Nelson had written the following letter to
Francis J. Jackson, Esq. his Britannic majesty's minister to the Ottoman
Porte, dated on board the Vanguard, off the Isle of Rhodes, 27th August
1798.
"Sir,
"I have the honour to acquaint you, that I attacked the French
fleet off the Mouth of the Nile, on the 1st inst. the result of
which you will see by the inclosed paper; and that, on the 14th,
the French took possession of the Turkish admiral's ship at
Alexandria, hauled down her colours, and hoisted French colours,
and seized on all the Turkish property on shore. The French are in
possession of Alexandria, Aboukir, Rosetta, and Damietta, on the
coast, and of Grand Cairo: but all communication is cut off between
their army and their transports at Alexandria, by sea, by an
English squadron of three ships of the line and four frigates,
which I have left cruising there; and, by land, by the Bedouins. So
that, if the Grand Signior will but send a few ships of the line,
and some bombs, he may destroy all their transports in Alexandria;
and an army of ten thousand men may retake Alexandria immediately,
as the French have only four thousand men in it, and the whole
French army are very sickly.
"I have been informed, that the French have put to death two
hundred Turks at Alexandria, for rejoicing at our victory; and that
General Bonaparte only wants a communication opened by sea, to
march into Syria, that the transports with stores, &c. for the army
may go along shore with him.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
The inclosed papers, mentioned in this and the preceding letter, were
lists of the forces of the English and French fleets at the battle off
the Nile shewing which were taken, burnt, &c. and copies of this last
letter were sent to the Earl of St. Vincent and Earl Spencer.
On the 8th of September, at sea, he addressed a letter to the Marquis
De Niza, commander of the Portuguese squadron; regretting that they had
not joined him prior to the 1st of August, when not a single French ship
could have escaped: but, as he observes, that being without remedy, it
is necessary to look forward to the next important service for the
common cause; which, in his opinion, is that of preventing the French
from getting any supplies of stores, by water, from Alexandria. He
concludes with observing, that the Grand Signior will, he hopes, not
only send an army into Syria; but also send ships of war, with
bomb-vessels, gallies, &c. in order to destroy all the vessels in
Alexandria: and concludes with inviting his excellency to be a partaker
in these joyful events.
In a very few days, however, he learned that the Marquis De Niza had
returned from Alexandria; and he now, with equal address, sent him to
Malta.
On the 14th, by La Mutine, he dispatched letters to the Earl of St.
Vincent, in which he expresses his fear that it will be thought wrong,
not to have returned any of the "numerous frigates, brigs, cutters, &c.
which had been sent to Egypt "It was," says he, "only on the 13th of
August, that the Alcmene, Emerald, and Bonne Citoyenne, joined me. On
the 17th, the Seahorse joined; and, till September 7, I neither saw nor
heard of any. The Earl of St. Vincent cutter then joined me, forty
leagues from Messina; where I was informed that the Portuguese squadron,
with the Lion and Terpsichore, had passed the Pharos, the 28th of
August, on their way to Egypt. I therefore sent the cutter with a letter
to the Marquis De Niza, and to Captain Hood." He then proceeds to state,
that the Thalia had just brought him accounts from Captain Hood, which
he sends; and considers the exertions of the officers as great, and
highly to be approved. He thinks that the two men who saved the
dispatches ought to have a pecuniary reward. "You will see," he adds,
"by my second letter to the Marquis De Niza, that I have requested him
to go off Malta, which may be the means of driving the French out of
that island." After expressing his confidence that, with a little
exertion, the French army in Egypt will fall a prey to plague,
pestilence, famine, and Mamelukes, he concludes with praying that the
earl will give him credit for his earnest endeavours to do what is
right.
This day, the hero of the Nile received a letter from General Sir John
Acton, transmitting the congratulations of the King and Queen of Naples;
to which he returned the following most elegant epistolary
acknowledgment, by the Culloden.
"Vanguard,
at Sea,
15th September 1798.
"SIR,
I was yesterday honoured with your excellency's very handsome and
flattering letter of the 9th, conveying to me their Sicilian
Majesties congratulations on the victory obtained by my royal
master's fleet over the enemy. I have to request, that your
excellency will have the goodness to assure their majesties, that I
am penetrated with their condescension in noticing this battle;
which, I most fervently pray, may add security to their majesties
throne, and peace and happiness to all mankind. The hand of God was
visibly pressed upon the French; and, I hope, there is not a person
in the British fleet, who does not attribute this great victory to
the blessing of the Almighty on our exertions in a just cause. With
every sentiment of respect, believe, me, your excellency's most
obedient,
"Horatio Nelson."
"Sir John Acton, Bart."
On the 16th, being off Strombolo, he inclosed General Acton's letter,
which contained some state secrets of importance, in a private letter to
Earl Spencer. The Portuguese, he observes, having been got, with no
small difficulty, from Naples, went to Egypt; where, however, they would
neither stay, nor give our ships water, which was all Captain Hood
requested. Having watched for them off Messina, he had now sent them to
Malta; but hoped that his lordship would not build hope on their
exertions. "The moment," says he, "I can get ships, all aid shall be
given the Maltese. What would I give for four bomb-ships! all the French
armament would long since have been destroyed. Pray, if the service will
admit of it, let me have them: I will only say, I shall endeavour to
make a proper use of them."
He complains, also, in this letter, of the uncertainty of our situation
with regard to Genoa; which, he says, has been at war with us during the
two past years. Even at this period of our hero's glory, he seems to
have been suffering under what he considered as legal persecution; and
animadverts, with much severity, on the conduct of the Judge of the
Admiralty.
"He has cited me to appear before him," complains the indignant
hero, "and shew cause why I seized a Genoese ship; the accounts of
which I long ago sent to the board of Admiralty, for the sale of
her cargo, and which I have long wanted to be taken out of my
hands. The ship was liberated, when our troops evacuated Porto
Ferrajio. The seas are covered with Genoese ships; but the Judge of
the Admiralty's conduct has, to me, so repeatedly militated against
my duty in the service of my king and country, that I dare not do
my duty. I have already been half ruined by him; and condemned,
without knowing I was before him. The treasury, it is true, paid
part of the expence, but that does not make the judge's conduct
less grievous." In all this, there is much to regret; but the judge
could scarcely entertain the smallest personal prejudice against
our hero, though he might appear too favourable to the frauds of
neutral powers from even a laudable anxiety to prevent any national
embroilment. Nelson, on the spot, could better penetrate their
artifices, than the judge on his distant bench of justice; and,
fearing nothing, he spurned at every law subtlety which he
perceived sanctioning fraud, to the present injury of his king, his
country, and their brave defenders. It was, ever, far less for
himself, than for others, that he was solicitous. In this very
letter to Earl Spencer, he thus concludes--"I am looking,
anxiously, for the Foudroyant; and, also, for your lordship's
goodness to my son-in-law: I, of course, wish he had a good
frigate."
Three days after, in another letter to Earl Spencer, the benignity of
his excellent heart pleads powerfully for a son of the late Captain
Faddy. It's perusal cannot fail to gratify every feeling reader.
"Vanguard,
at Sea,
19th Sept. 1798.
"MY LORD,
"Captain Faddy, of the marines, who was killed on board the
Vanguard, has a family of small children: his eldest son is now on
board this ship, only fourteen years of age. I beg to solicit your
lordship for a commission in the marines for him. I understand, it
has been done; and the youth permitted to remain at school, till of
a proper age to join the corps. If, however, this should, in the
present instance, be thought wrong, may I request that his name may
stand as an elevé of the Admiralty, and Mrs. Faddy acquainted of
it; which must give her some relief, under her present misfortune.
"Ever your lordship's most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
With his mind thus humanely and diligently employed, amidst the toil and
bustle inseparable from an active naval commander, on the 22d, early in
the morning, the hero approached within view of Naples. No sooner was
the Vanguard perceived, at the distance of several leagues, than upwards
of five hundred boats and pleasure-barges, having been apprised of his
coming, by the previous arrival of the Culloden and Alexander, on the
16th, immediately went out to meet him; with bands of music in most of
them, and joy depicted on every countenance. Sir William and Lady
Hamilton, in their state-barge, accompanied by several of the Neapolitan
nobility, led the way, and were consequently his first visitors. The
transports of Sir William, and his amiable lady, at seeing their friend
return covered with laurels, and of the thus honoured hero, at once more
beholding his estimable friends, can only be conceived by minds of equal
susceptibility. The interview, indeed, was exquisitely impressive, and
even affecting, to all by whom it was witnessed. While the company were
partaking of some refreshment in his cabin, a small bird familiarly
perched on his shoulder. On the circumstance being remarked--"It is,"
said he, "a very singular thing; this bird came on board the day before
the battle off the Nile: and I have had other instances of a bird's
coming into my cabin previously to former engagements." This is the more
remarkable, as the same thing is said to have afterwards happened prior
to the battle of Copenhagen. In superstitious times, some inference
would probably have been made from such facts; but philosophy will not
warrant any other deduction, than that, as birds of passage frequently
seek shelter in ships, these visits were merely accidental. The
coincidence, however, is certainly somewhat curious.
In a short time, the King of Naples, and his suite, who had also come
out full three leagues, in the royal barge, to greet the victorious
British admiral, went on board the Vanguard; where the king
affectionately embraced the Hero of the Nile; and, taking him by the
hand, expressed the effusions of his gratitude in terms of the most
flattering regard for our king, our country, and the immortal Nelson:
whom the sovereign of the two Sicilies, his ministers, and all classes
of his subjects, hailed with the appellation of "_Nostro
Liberatore!_"--"Our Deliverer!"
The King of Naples, who prides himself on being a seaman, went all over
the ship, and examined every thing with apparent delight and
satisfaction. His Neapolitan majesty sailed with Admiral Nelson, for
about three hours, on board the Vanguard; which was saluted, as they
passed, by all the forts. As soon as the Vanguard anchored in the bay,
the King of Naples returned on board his own barge, and Admiral Nelson
accompanied Sir William and Lady Hamilton.
Immediately on landing, Sir William's open carriage conveyed the hero,
in triumph, to the house of his esteemed friends, surrounded by the
enraptured Neapolitans; who gave every possible proof of their joy,
admiration, and gratitude. The Lazzaroni, in particular, crowded round
him in multitudes: vast numbers of them bearing birds of different
species, in curious wicker baskets; which they displayed to the hero as
he passed, and then giving them their liberty, watched their flight with
all the anxiety and assumed importance of the ancient Roman augury.
The Queen of Naples had also gone out, with her numerous family, in
another barge; but had, unfortunately, been too late to greet the hero
on board his victorious vessel, from which he had taken his departure
previously to her arrival. Her majesty, however, after being rowed round
the Vanguard, no sooner returned on shore, than she immediately
addressed a letter to Lady Hamilton; requesting to see, as soon as
possible, the Hero of the Nile. Sir William and Lady Hamilton,
accordingly, accompanied him to the palace, in the afternoon, where he
experienced a most gracious and flattering reception. On this visit,
Lady Hamilton acted as interpreter between the queen and Admiral Nelson,
neither of them understanding each other's language sufficiently to
converse together. The queen constantly addressed him by the appellation
of "Our virtuous and brave admiral."
Such, in short, was the universal transport at Naples, on this occasion,
that general illuminations, with apt and ingenious devices, and one
grand scene of unbounded festivity and rejoicing, were continued for
three successive days.
The Queen of Naples, immediately after her interview with Admiral
Nelson, addressed a letter to the Marquis De Circello, the Neapolitan
Ambassador at the court of London, from which the following is said to
be a correctly translated extract--
"I write to you with joy inexpressible! The brave and enterprising
British Admiral Nelson has obtained a most signal and decisive
victory. My heart would fain give wings to the courier who is the
bearer of these propitious tidings, to facilitate the earliest
acknowledgments of our gratitude. So extensive is this victory in
all it's relative circumstances, that were it not that the world
has been accustomed to see prodigies of glory atchieved by the
English on the seas, I should almost question the reality of the
event. It has produced, among us, a general spirit of enthusiasm.
It would have moved you much, to have seen my infant boys and girls
hanging round my neck in tears, expressing their joy at the happy
tidings, made doubly dear to us by the critical period at which
they arrived. This news of the defeat of Bonaparte's Egyptian fleet
has made many disaffected persons less daring, and improved the
prospect of the general good. Make my highest respects acceptable
to their majesties of England. Recommend the gallant hero, Nelson,
to his royal master. He has raised, in the Italians, an
enthusiastic reverence for the English nation. Great expectations
were naturally founded on his enterprising talents, but no one
could look for so total an overthrow of the enemy. All here are
frantic with excess of joy!"
In a letter, of the 25th of September, written to Earl Spencer, by
Admiral Nelson, after slightly mentioning the reception with which he
had thus been honoured, particularly by their Sicilian majesties, he
makes use of these modest and pious expressions--"You will not, my lord,
I trust, think that one spark of vanity induces me to mention the most
distinguished reception that ever, I believe, fell to the lot of a human
being; but, that it is a measure of justice due to his Sicilian majesty
and the nation. God knows, my heart is amongst the most humble of the
creation, full of thankfulness and gratitude."
Even before Admiral Nelson's arrival at Naples, Lachavardiere, the
French consul for Palermo, who had just escaped from Egypt, thus laments
the decline of French influence, and announces the triumph of the
English. "The French name," says he, "is heard here with horror. The
king is arming eighty thousand men. The cabinet either refuses to
answer, or answers with insolence, the notes presented by our Charge
des Affaires, La Chaise, who is an excellent republican. The French are
forbade to enter the country, and the most extravagant predilection
prevails in favour of the English. The people of Sicily are still more
incensed against us. Our vessels are driven out of their ports; and,
wherever the French appear, the populace pelt them with stones, and
sometimes fire on them. Not one French cockade is suffered. In a word,
there only wants Frenchmen, in order to celebrate again Sicilian
vespers. The day before yesterday"--(this letter is dated the 20th of
September)--"two English vessels arrived; and Nelson himself is expected
to-morrow, in a third. To give you some idea of the favour in which the
enemies of our country are held here, you must know that, with my own
eyes, I saw the King of Naples go more than two leagues to sea, to meet
the English, to applaud and congratulate them. The two vessels which are
arrived have brought two French officers with them, one of them is
Vice-Admiral Blanquet." Lachavardiere also gives an account of the
battle; which, however, contains nothing of peculiar importance. One
circumstance, indeed, is sufficiently singular--"Admiral Brueys," he
says, "was wounded in the head and the hand: but continued to command,
till a cannon-ball cut him in two; and," adds this Frenchman, "_he lived
a quarter of an hour afterwards!_"
The integrity of our heroic Nelson seems to have revolted at the
characteristic falsehood and deceit so generally experienced in the
French. He could not be prevailed on, by his friends at Naples, to visit
Admiral Blanquet, who had his nose shot off, and was otherwise
dreadfully wounded in the face. On this occasion, he seems to have
adopted all the rough bluntness of a British tar. He had beaten him, he
said, and would not insult him. "Seeing me," added the hero, "will only
put him in mind of his misfortune. I have an antipathy to Frenchmen;
which is so powerful, that I must, I think, have received it from my
mother, at my birth."
He was, himself, at this period, though in excellent spirits, so
corporeally weak and reduced, that he was obliged to be kept chiefly on
ass's milk for some time after his arrival. Indeed, though excess of
joy, at the first meeting of such friends as Admiral Nelson, and Sir
William and Lady Hamilton, absorbed every other consideration, a most
essential personal difference was manifest in the hero from that which
had appeared on his former visit to Naples. It is to be recollected,
that neither Sir William nor his lady had ever beheld him, prior to this
period, except for a very few days, while the Neapolitan subsidiary
troops were embarking for Toulon, when he was without any wound or
disfigurement whatever, though always of a plain but pleasingly
expressive countenance: he was now returned, in the short space of about
four years, having atchieved victories which might have graced an age
of absence; but, at what a price were they purchased! The vision of an
eye had been completely extinguished, at Calvi; an arm totally lost, at
Teneriffe; and a hideous wound, leaving it's indelible scar on his manly
forehead, had recently been inflicted on their heroic friend, at the
battle of the Nile. To say nothing of various slighter casualties; of
the effect of climate; and of those incessant excessive cares,
anxieties, and disappointments, which so soon and so deeply wrinkle the
smoothest brow, and so cruelly furrow the comeliest countenance. If they
were shocked, at reflecting what their incomparable but mutilated friend
must have suffered, in the severe and disastrous fortune of war; they
were enraptured to perceive him by no means impaired in any of those
higher qualities which had given birth to their reciprocal attachments.
Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, returning from his glorious victory off the
Nile, was the same kind, affable, intelligent, and virtuous friend, as
Captain Nelson had formerly been, when departing for Toulon. An amity
thus founded on a union of superior intellect in the respective parties,
could only be destroyed, however it might be envied, by the decay of
that celestial principle which had served to cement it's origin.
The hero's birth-day occurring on the 29th, when he completed his
fortieth year, a most splendid fête, with a ball and supper, were given
by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, to the nobility and gentry of Naples,
at which upwards of eighteen hundred persons are said to have been
entertained. On this occasion, a grand rostral column was erected in
the principal saloon, with the celebrated old Roman motto--
"VENI; VIDI; VICI!"
which was never more appropriately applied, since it's original adoption
by Julius Cæsar.
It is to be regretted, that the harmony of this festival, which cost Sir
William Hamilton two thousand ducats, was considerably deranged, towards
it's conclusion, by the hero's son-in-law; who, it seems, so far forgot
himself, as grossly to offend the very man whom every other person was
delighting to honour. To such a height, indeed, was this young
gentleman's intemperance unfortunately carried, that Captain Troubridge
and another officer felt themselves under the absolute necessity of
conducting him out of the room. This disagreeable occurrence, naturally
agitating the breast of the worthy admiral, who was at that very period
soliciting the indiscreet young man's preferment, in a letter then on
it's way to England, occasioned a violent return of those internal
spasms to which all excesses of the passions had constantly subjected
him since the time when this grievance first commenced, while his
anxious mind was occupied in vainly pursuing the French fleet: indeed,
he always said, and it seems highly probable, that the disappointment,
had it much longer continued, and his expectation of encountering them
been finally frustrated, would certainly have "broke his heart." It is
from no disrespect to Captain Nisbet that this affair is mentioned: nor
is it for the sake of observing, what that gentleman must be sensible is
the undoubted fact, that he was indebted for a reconciliation with his
father-in-law, shortly after, to the kind interference of Sir William
and Lady Hamilton; who, very properly representing it as solely the
effect of a young man's pardonable inebriety on so joyous an occasion,
again introduced him to favour at their rural villa in the vicinity of
Naples. The fact, in itself, is trivial; but, on subjects of domestic or
family delicacy, the minutest thread of verity may chance to have it's
use in conducting through the intricate labyrinth by which the temple of
truth is generally found to be environed.
It was not till after Admiral Nelson's arrival at Naples, that he heard
of the capture of the Leander, with his dispatches for the Earl of St.
Vincent respecting the battle of the Nile; an event for which, as has
been seen, he had judiciously and almost prophetically prepared, by
transmitting copies to England. By letters from Corfu, he now learned
that, on the 16th of August, the Leander of fifty guns, Captain
Thompson, having Captain Berry on board, with the dispatches for the
Earl of St. Vincent, fell in with Le Genereux of seventy-four guns,
Captain Lejoille, Jun. one of the French ships which had escaped after
the battle of the Nile. The Leander, with eighty men short of it's
complement, and a number of wounded on board, being off the island of
Candia, was chased by Le Genereux under Neapolitan colours; which, on
approaching nearly within gun-shot, about eight in the morning, were
changed to French. Captain Thompson had not been deceived by this
artifice, but the Leander's inferiority of sailing rendered it
impossible to escape. At nine, being within half gun-shot of the
Leander's weather-quarter, Captain Thompson hauled up sufficiently to
bring his broadside to bear, and immediately commenced a vigorous
cannonade, which was powerfully returned. The ships continued nearing
each other till half past ten, under a constant and heavy fire; when the
enemy, taking advantage of the disabled condition of the Leander,
endeavoured to enter on the larboard bow: but the small party of
marines, on the poop and quarter-deck, by a most spirited and
well-directed fire, aided by a furious cannonade, repulsed them with
great slaughter. A light breeze now springing up, enabled Captain
Thompson to disentangle himself; and, soon after, he had the
satisfaction to luff under Le Genereux's stern, and discharge every gun
into that ship, at the distance of only ten yards. The action continued,
within pistol-shot, till half past three in the afternoon; when Le
Genereux, with a light breeze, passed the Leander's bows, and brought
itself on the starboard side, where the guns had been all nearly
disabled by the wreck of the spar, which had fallen on that side. This
necessarily producing a cessation of the Leander's fire, the enemy
hailed, to know if the ship had surrendered. Being now a complete wreck;
the decks covered with killed and wounded; and Captain Thompson himself
badly wounded, without the most distant hope of success; that brave
officer asked Captain Berry, if it appeared that more could be done:
who, agreeing that farther resistance would be in vain, they consented
to submit. Le Genereux had on board nine hundred men; one hundred of
whom were killed, and a hundred and eighty-eight wounded, in the action;
the Leander had thirty-five killed, and fifty-eight wounded. The captain
of Le Genereux, in an official letter of true French gasconade,
describes the Leander as carrying "seventy-four guns, twenty-four, and
thirty pounders on the lower deck, and twelve pounders on the upper!"
Captain Thompson and his officers no sooner arrived on board Le
Genereux, than they were plundered of every article they had possessed,
except the apparel which covered them. On this harsh treatment, they
vainly expostulated with the captain, and reminded him of the different
situation of the French officers made prisoners by Admiral Nelson. He
coolly answered--"I am sorry for it; but, the truth is, that the French
are good at plundering." Captain Berry expressed his wish to have a pair
of pistols returned, and pointed out the man who had stolen them.
Captain Lejoille, Jun. by immediately securing them for himself, proved
the truth, in his own person, of what he had just observed respecting
French expertness at pillage: for, though he told Captain Berry that he
would give him, in return, a pair of French pistols, to protect him on
his journey home, this mean French officer never performed his promise.
To such a pitch, indeed, did these miscreants carry their cruelty and
theft, that they purloined the English surgeon's instruments, while he
was performing operations on the wounded; and nearly rendered mortal the
wound of Captain Thompson, by forcibly obstructing his attendance. In
short, the miseries suffered by this unfortunate crew, both before and
after their arrival at Corfu, were greater than, it is to be hoped, for
the honour of humanity, often occurs on such occasions; bad as the usage
of the French is generally described to be--not, indeed, by English
speculative writers; but by brave men, speaking from their own
melancholy and repeated experience!
On the 2d of October, the Honourable Captain Capel arrived in England,
with the joyful intelligence of Admiral Nelson's glorious victory off
the Nile: a victory which, from the peculiar period at which it
occurred, the extent of it's beneficial effects, and it's splendid and
complete success, excited in every British bosom such rapturous
sensations as had never, in the memory of any living person, been before
felt by the nation. General illuminations, both in town and country,
were continued for three days; and every other species of public
rejoicing, demonstrative of universal admiration, affection, and
gratitude, to the Hero of the Nile, and his brave associates in arms,
prevailed for several weeks. Even infants were instructed to articulate
the name of Nelson; and to clap their little hands, with transport, in
rapturous applauses of the preserver and protector of innocence, from
their threatened invaders, the corrupters and destroyers of the human
race.
Subscriptions were immediately opened, for the relief of the widows and
children of all those brave men who had lost their lives on this
glorious occasion; and a large fund was soon established, by a committee
at Lloyd's coffee-house, Cornhill, the beneficial effects of which have
since been prodigiously extended.
On the 3d of October, at a court of common-council, the Lord-Mayor of
London read the letter addressed to him by Admiral Nelson; and, when the
tumult of applause had subsided, the sword of Vice-Admiral Blanquet was
ordered, on the motion of Mr. Deputy Leeky, to be placed among the city
regalia. The thanks of the court were then unanimously voted to Admiral
Nelson, and to the officers and seamen under his command. The next day,
having again assembled, the French admiral's sword was ordered to be
placed in an elegant glass-case, in the most conspicuous part of the
council-room, with an inscription expressive of the gift on a marble
tablet. It was then resolved, that a sword of two hundred guineas value
should be presented to Admiral Nelson from the city of London; and the
freedom of the city, in a gold box worth one hundred guineas, to
Captain Edward Berry: and the lord-mayor, Sir William Anderson, Bart,
was requested to provide and present the said sword to the Hero of the
Nile.
On the 6th of October, his majesty created Admiral Nelson a peer of
Great Britain, by the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of
Burnham-Thorpe in the county of Norfolk; and, at the meeting of
parliament, in November, a message from the king was presented by Mr.
Pitt, preparatory to the motion which he immediately afterwards made for
a pension of two thousand pounds per annum, commencing on the 1st of
August 1798, to be granted Admiral Lord Nelson of the Nile, and his two
next successors in the title. General Walpole, who seconded the motion,
having expressed an opinion, that Lord Nelson should also have a higher
degree of rank; Mr. Pitt observed that, entertaining the highest sense
of the transcendent merits of Admiral Nelson, he thought it needless to
enter at any length into the question of rank. His fame, he added, must
be coeval with the British name; and it would be remembered that he had
obtained the greatest naval victory on record, when no man would think
it worth his while to ask, whether he had been created a baron, a
viscount, or an earl. Such a motion was not likely to be opposed; and
the annuity recommended by his majesty was unanimously granted. It may
be remarked, however, that General Walpole's opinion respecting higher
rank, was certainly that of the public.
The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted, and ordered to be
transmitted by the respective speakers, to the brave admiral, the
captains, officers, seamen, and marines, for their resolute and intrepid
conduct displayed on this glorious occasion.
A gold medal, of peculiar elegance and beauty, emblematical of the
victory, executed by the inimitable Louis Pingo, Esq. principal engraver
of the Royal Mint in the Tower of London, was struck on the occasion, by
command of his majesty; who ordered one to be given, and in future worn
by, each of the captains, all of whom afterwards received the honour of
knighthood. The obverse of this medal displays a fine figure of Victory
placing a laurel wreath on the head of Britannia, in a stile of the most
chaste simplicity. The reverse incloses each respective name, which is
engraved in the centre, with two branches, one of oak and the other of
laurel. The motto--"In memory of the defeat of the French fleet on the
coast of Egypt."
Various other medals were struck on this memorable occasion; and one, in
particular, most liberally distributed at the expence of Alexander
Davison, Esq. the valuable friend of Lord Nelson, has peculiar claim to
attention. The obverse side of Mr. Davison's medal, to commemorate his
friend's great victory, has the figure of Hope, crowned with laurel,
standing on a rugged rock, with an olive-branch in her right hand; and
supporting, with her left arm, the profile of Lord Nelson on a
medallion, to which her fore-finger is evidently pointing. The motto to
the medallion--"Europe's hope, and Britain's glory." The
legend--"Rear-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson of the Nile." The reverse
represents the French fleet at anchor in Aboukir Bay, with the British
fleet advancing to the attack; the fortified islands in the enemy's van;
the four frigates moored within their line, to cover their flank; the
gun-boats near the islands; the setting-sun; the coast of Egypt; the
mouth of the Nile; and, the castle of Aboukir. The legend--"Almighty God
has blessed his majesty's arms." Beneath the view--"Victory of the Nile,
August 1, 1798."
This handsome and valuable medal was presented, by Mr. Davison, struck
in gold, to Admiral Lord Nelson, and every captain of the British
squadron; in silver, to every other warrant officer; in gilt metal, to
every petty officer; and, in copper, to every individual seaman and
marine serving on board during the action. The whole, as it is said, at
the expence of little less than two thousand pounds: an instance of
private and patriotic munificence, as well as generous friendship, which
has, perhaps, seldom been surpassed.
The government of Ireland, immediately on receiving the joyful
intelligence of this glorious victory, passed a vote of thanks similar
to that of the British parliament, and granted the hero an additional
annuity of one thousand pounds during the same term.
The Honourable United East India Company, which felt so immediately
benefitted on the occasion, unanimously voted him a gift of ten thousand
pounds; the London Turkey Company, plate of very considerable value; and
several other corporate bodies, as well in the metropolis as in our
first provincial cities, the freedom of their respective corporations,
in elegant gold boxes.
To these tributes of esteem from a grateful country, must be added, as
by no means the least acceptable, the proof of affectionate regard
prepared for their beloved commander, by those most honourable and brave
associates in arms, the captains of his own squadron, whom he so
emphatically denominates, "the band of brothers." By these worthy and
valorous officers, was their revered chief, the Hero of the Nile,
presented with a magnificent sword; the hilt of which most appropriately
represented a crocodile, very finely executed in gold.
To enumerate the various epistolary plaudits and congratulations, and
other demonstrations of admiration and applause, expressed by
individuals, in England, of all ranks, to the hero and his friends, on
account of this most splendid victory, is quite impracticable. The
following extract of a letter, however, written by the worthy and
venerable father of the immortal hero, to his friend the Reverend Mr. B.
Allot, in answer to a very kind congratulatory epistle from that
gentleman, is so exquisitely and amiably characteristic both of father
and son, that it cannot, under any consideration, be omitted. It is,
indeed, a charming picture of parental and filial affection.
"My great and good son," says this excellent and intelligent parent,
"went into the world without fortune; but, with a heart replete with
every moral and religious virtue. These have been his compass to steer
by; and it has pleased God to be his shield in the day of battle, and to
give success to his wishes to be of service to his country. His country
seems sensible of his services: but, should he ever meet with
ingratitude, his scars will cry out, and plead his cause--for, at the
siege of Calvi, he lost an eye; at Teneriffe, an arm; on the memorable
14th of February, he received a severe blow on his body, which he still
feels; and, now, a wound on the head! After all this, you will believe,
his bloom of countenance must be faded; but the spirit beareth up, yet,
as vigorously as ever. On the 29th of September, he completed his
fortieth year: cheerful, generous, and good. Fearing no evil, because he
has done none: an honour to my grey hairs; which, with every mark of old
age, creep fast upon me."
While these various honours and gifts were preparing for the hero, in
his native country, foreign nations, not less sensible of his worth, and
in some instances scarcely less benefitted by his exertions and valour,
were emulously pouring, with a laudable profusion, their richest
presents before him, and investing him with their most distinguished
dignities.
On the 8th of September, immediately after receiving information of the
battle off the Nile, the Grand Signior directed a most superb diamond
aigrette--called, by the Turks, a chelengk, or plume of triumph--taken
from one of the imperial turbans, to be sent for our victorious admiral,
with a rich pelisse of the choicest sable fur; and a purse of two
thousand sequins, in cash, to be distributed among the wounded British
seamen. A note, at the same time, was delivered to Mr. Spencer Smith,
his majesty's minister at Constantinople, of which the following is
given as a correct translation.
"It is but lately that, by a written communication, it has already
been made known, how much the Sublime Porte rejoiced at the first
advice received of the English squadron's having defeated that of
the French, off Alexandria, in Egypt. By recent accounts, however,
comprehending a specific detail of the action, it appears now more
positive, that his Britannic majesty's fleet has actually
destroyed, by that action, the best ships the French had in their
possession. This joyful event, therefore, laying this empire under
an obligation, and the service rendered by our much-esteemed
friend, Admiral Nelson, on this occasion, being of a nature to call
for public acknowledgment, his imperial majesty, the powerful,
formidable, and most magnificent Grand Signior, has destined as a
present, in his imperial name, to the said admiral, a diamond
aigrette, and a sable fur with broad sleeves; besides two thousand
sequins, to be distributed among the wounded of his crew: and, as
the English minister is constantly zealous to contribute, by his
endeavours, to the increase of friendship between the two courts,
it is hoped that he will not fail to make known this circumstance
to his court; and to solicit the permission of the most powerful
and august King of England, for the said admiral to put on, and
wear, the said aigrette and pelisse."
These presents were conveyed, under the care of Mahomet Kelim, an
Effendi, or secretary of state, in a Turkish frigate, to Alexandria;
from whence, on finding the hero had departed for Naples, the Effendi,
and his suite, immediately followed, in the Alcmene frigate. The Turkish
secretary, and his twelve associates, on their arrival, performed their
parts with suitable solemnity and address. They put on their state robes
in the hero's anti-chamber; and presented the aigrette, seated on
cushions, after the oriental method. The pelisse was composed of the
finest scarlet cloth, lined and enriched with the most beautiful sable
fur imaginable. The aigrette, which is a sort of artificial plume, or
feather, represents a hand with thirteen fingers, covered with diamonds;
allusive to the thirteen ships taken and destroyed by the hero: and it's
size is that of a child's hand, at the age of five or six years, when
open. The centre diamond, and the four by which it is surrounded, are
estimated at a thousand pounds each, and there are said to be at least
three hundred diamonds of smaller sizes. This immensely rich and
beautiful jewel is more particularly described in the following extract
of a letter, said to have been written by the Grand Signior himself. In
this letter, it it called, a chelengk, or plume of triumph: such as has
been, on every famous and memorable success of the Ottoman arms,
conferred on victorious Mussulmen, Seraskiers--"never, before, I
believe," says the imperial writer, "on any disbeliever--as the _ne plus
ultra_ of personal honour, separate from official dignity. The present
is esteemed rich in it's kind; being a blaze of brilliants, crowned with
a vibrating plumage, and a radiant star in the middle, turning on it's
centre, by means of watch-work which winds up behind. This badge,
actually taken from one of the imperial turbans, can hardly, according
to the idea of such insignia here"--(the letter was dated, at
Constantinople, October 3, 1798)--"be considered as less than equivalent
to the first order of chivalry in Christendom: such, at least,"
concludes the imperial donor, "was my view in the indication."
By these remarks, added to the verbal communications of Mahomet Kelim,
at the time of investiture, Lord Nelson was led to consider this honour
as the Ottoman Order of Merit. It could, certainly, be nothing less; and
the civilized world has to felicitate itself on the brilliance of our
immortal hero's glory, which could, at length, dissipate the cloud of
prejudice, that had so long obscured, from the sincerest followers of
Mahomet, the lustre of every Christian virtue.
Even the Dowager Sultana, mother of the Grand Signior, caught the
enthusiastic admiration of our hero from her generous and illustrious
son, and sent his lordship the superb and flattering present of a very
rich diamond ornament, in the form of a rose.
No sooner were the honours conferred on our hero by the Grand Signior,
and his wish respecting the wearing them, made known to his majesty,
than the imperial desire was immediately complied with, and the
following royal grants and concessions were also published in the London
Gazette--
"The king has been graciously pleased to give, and grant, to the
Right Honourable Horatio Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of
Burnham-Thorpe in the county of Norfolk, Rear-Admiral of the Blue
Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet, and K.B. in consideration of the
great zeal, courage, and perseverance, manifested by him on divers
occasions, and particularly of his able and gallant conduct in the
glorious and decisive victory obtained over the French fleet, at
the mouth of the Nile, on the 1st of August last, his royal licence
and authority, that he, and his issue, may bear the following
honourable augmentations to his armorial ensign: viz. "A chief,
undulated, argent--thereon, waves of the sea; from which, a
palm-tree issuant, between a disabled ship on the dexter, and a
ruinous battery on the sinister; all proper." And, for his crest,
"On a naval crown, or; the chelengk, or plume of triumph, presented
to him by the Grand Signior, as a mark of his high esteem, and of
his sense of the gallant conduct of the said Horatio Baron Nelson
in the said glorious and decisive victory; with the motto--_Palmam
qui meruit ferat_:" and, to his supporters, being a sailor on the
dexter, and a lion on the sinister, the honourable augmentation
following; viz. "In the hand of the sailor, a palm branch, and
another in the paw of the lion, both proper, with the addition of a
tri-coloured flag and staff in the mouth of the latter;" which
augmentations to the supporters are to be borne by the said Horatio
Nelson, and by those to whom the said dignity shall descend in
virtue of his majesty's letters patent of creation; and, that the
same may be first duly exemplified, according to the laws of arms,
and recorded in the Herald's Office: and, also, to order that his
majesty's said concession, and especial mark of his royal favour,
be registered in his College at Arms."
The above most appropriate motto was adopted by the express desire of
his majesty: who, also, with the utmost possible propriety, fixed the
honourable plume of triumph on the hero's crest; a circumstance which
could not fail to afford the Grand Signior a pleasing proof, that his
present had been duly appreciated both by the hero and his sovereign.
The Emperor Paul, of Russia, wrote Lord Nelson a congratulatory
epistle, with his own hand, and accompanied it by a valuable portrait of
himself, superbly surrounded with brilliants, and a gold box set with
diamonds, estimated at two thousand five hundred pounds. The King of
Sardinia also sent him a letter, and a gold box richly ornamented with
diamonds; the King and Queen of Naples made him many valuable presents;
from Palermo, he received a gold box and chain, brought on a silver
waiter, containing the freedom of that city, which also conferred on him
the honour of being a grandee of Spain; and even the island of Zante, in
grateful remembrance that they had happily been liberated from French
cruelty by the good effects of the battle of the Nile, sent the
illustrious hero their epistolary acknowledgments, with a valuable
gold-headed sword and cane.
Numerous other presents were received by, and honours conferred on, the
immortal hero of the Nile, as well at Naples, as elsewhere, for a
considerable time after this splendid victory; which, from it's
brilliant success, and important consequences, had powerfully attracted
the attention and admiration of all mankind, in every quarter of the
globe not contaminated by French principles.
During the period while these honours were universally soliciting the
acceptance of this exalted man, his great and active mind, amid every
corporeal lassitude and fatigue, was unceasingly engaged in pursuits
calculated to merit additional renown, and consequently to augment their
acquisition.
With an eye to the recapture of Malta, which the Neapolitans seemed
rather to expect from our hero's prowess than their own exertions, he
had, immediately on his arrival at Naples, detached the Terpsichore to
that island, for the purpose of gaining such intelligence as might
enable him to form the best plan for effectually accomplishing this
purpose; and, a few days afterwards, sent Captain Ball, in the
Alexander, with a frigate and sloop, to cruise off Malta, which was then
under the blockade of the Portuguese squadron.
On the 9th of October, writing to Lord Spencer, he says--"Three weeks, I
admit, is a long time to refit a fleet after a battle; but, when it is
considered that nearly every mast in the fleet has taken much more time
than if they had been new; that Naples Bay is subject to a heavy swell,
of which we have felt the inconvenience; and that we go to sea
victualled for six months, and in the highest health and discipline; I
trust, some allowance will be made for me." He adds, with an almost
prophetic foresight--"Naples sees this squadron no more--except the king
calls for our help; and, if they go on, and lose the glorious moments,
we may be called for _to save the persons of their majesties_." Of
General Mack, who was then at Naples, for the purpose of taking under
his command the Neapolitan army, which had been recently raised to
oppose the French, he thus expresses his predictive
apprehensions--"General Mack cannot move without five carriages. I have
formed my opinion--I heartily pray, I may be mistaken."
On the Tuesday following the date of this letter, General Mack arrived
at Caserta; and Lord Nelson, the next Thursday, accompanied by Sir
William and Lady Hamilton, went to meet him at dinner with the King and
Queen of Naples. Their majesties introduced them to each other, with
every expression of esteem and regard. The queen, however, could not
help saying--"General, be to us, by land, what my hero Nelson has been
at sea!" The emperor, it seems, had desired the King of Naples to begin,
and promised that he would support him. At this interview, Mack said he
would march in ten days; and, by his conversation and address, seems to
have temporarily withdrawn our hero from the contemplation of his
actions, that unerring criterion of character. The judgment which Lord
Nelson had first formed of General Mack, on this principle, has since
appeared to be just. With such a general as Mack, and such a minister as
our hero describes the Marquis De Gallo to have been, in a letter to
Earl Spencer, we can scarcely wonder at any misfortunes which might
befal the amiable sovereigns with whose welfare they were fatally
entrusted.
"This Marquis De Gallo," says our hero, "I "detest. He is ignorant of
common civility. Sir William Hamilton has just found out, that a
messenger sets out for London within an hour; yet, I was with this
minister for an hour last night. He admires his ribbon, ring, and
snuff-box, so much, that an excellent _petit-maître_ was spoiled, when
he was made a minister. The sentiments of my heart have flown from my
pen, and I cannot retract them."
After observing, that he has not, owing to the above circumstance, time
to write what he wished, he concludes, with the most perfect
good-humour--"Pray excuse this short letter, and abuse of the Marquis De
Gallo."
On Monday, the 15th of October, being ready to sail from Naples, at
eight o'clock in the morning, the King and Prince Leopold, as well as
Sir William and Lady Hamilton, went on board the Vanguard, to breakfast
with Lord Nelson. At ten, the British squadron, consisting of the
Vanguard, Minotaur, Audacious, Goliath, and La Mutine brig, weighed
anchor; and, at eleven, the royal and illustrious visitors quitted the
ship, taking an affectionate leave of their heroic protector and
friend--"The king expressed himself," says Lord Nelson, in a letter to
the Earl of St. Vincent, dated off Marsala, the West End of Sicily,
October 22, 1798, "in the most flattering manner towards me. His majesty
had all the respect paid him, by the squadron, which our situation would
admit of, and which it was not only our duty, but so much our
inclination, to pay him. The king," he observes, "having desired my
return to Naples in the first week in November, I shall, after having
arranged the blockade of Malta, return to Naples, and endeavour to be
useful in the movements of their army. In thus acquiescing in the desire
of the King of Naples, I give up my plan; which was, to have gone to
Egypt, and attended to the destruction of the French shipping in that
quarter: but, I hope, before Captain Hood quits his station, both the
Turks and Russian squadron will be on that coast; when all will be
right, I hope: although I own myself not willing to trust any of our
allies to do that which we could do ourselves. I have reason for
thinking, that a strong wish for our squadron's being on the coast of
Naples is, that in case of any mishap, their majesties think their
persons much safer under the protection of the British flag, than under
any other." After observing, that the Culloden would be ready for sea
about the time mentioned, and that he had directed Captain Troubridge to
wait his arrival, with the transports which he had at first intended to
take to Syracuse, he concludes with remarking that he had not a sick man
in the squadron.
On the 24th, Lord Nelson arrived off Malta; when he immediately wrote
the following letter to Sir William Hamilton.
"Vanguard,
off Malta,
24th Oct. 1798.
"MY DEAR SIR,
"I am just arrived off this place, where I found Captain Ball and
the Marquis De Niza: from these officers, I do not find such an
immediate prospect of getting possession of the town, as the
minister at Naples seems to think. All the country, it is true, is
in possession of the islanders; and, I believe, the French have not
many luxuries in the town: but, as yet, their bullocks are not eat
up. The marquis tells me, the islanders want arms, victuals, and
mortars and cannon to annoy the town. When I get the elect of the
people on board, I shall desire them to draw up a memorial for the
King of Naples, stating their wants and desires, which I shall
bring with me. The marquis sails for Naples to-morrow morning. Till
he is gone, I shall not do any thing about the island; but I will
be fully master of that subject, before I leave this place. God
bless you! is the sincere prayer of your affectionate