be justified on no other ground.
The frigates formerly mentioned had now, most of them, fallen into his
hands; for he mentions that he has then on board the Agamemnon two
captains, twenty-four other officers, and three hundred seamen, of the
ships he fell in with the preceding October. The officers abused the
crews; the people, their officers: all joined against their commodore,
for not coming down to the British ships after they were crippled. Not
that Captain Nelson had any idea they could have taken his ships; but,
he admitted that they certainly behaved shamefully ill. The Fortunee was
burned, the Minerve and Le Fleche taken: the Melpomene got to Calvi; and
would, he trusted, fall into his hands.
He adds, that they are now taking on board shot, powder, &c. for Calvi;
which, though very strongly situated, he thinks will soon fall.
Agamemnon is then to go to Gibraltar, for something like a refitment,
having been without the slightest repair, in hull or rigging, sixteen
months. He describes Bastia as most pleasantly situated; containing
fourteen thousand inhabitants, and being capable of holding twenty
thousand. A few hours, he says, will carr parties to Italy: and
observes that, if the Corsicans knew their own interest, they would be
happy with us; but, that they cannot bear dependance.
This opinion of Captain Nelson's, respecting the disposition of the
Corsicans, is a fresh proof of his acute discernment, and was abundantly
confirmed by the event.
It having been agreed, by the two commanders in chief, Lord Hood and
Lieutenant-General the Honourable Charles Stuart, that the utmost
dispatch was necessary, in order to enable the troops selected for the
siege of Calvi to begin their operations before the commencement of the
unhealthy season, every effort was used to forward the necessary
preparations; and so effectual were the exertions of the different
departments, that the regiments embarked at Bastia in the course of a
very few days. Captain Nelson, accordingly, who had been detached on the
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