Turks, are ready to cross the Adriatic, to land in the kingdom of
Naples. If so, our squadron will create a powerful diversion." Having
stated the reasons which have been seen for Captain Troubridge's failure
at Alexandria, he adverts to Sir Sidney, who has now the blockade of
that place. "I send you," says his lordship, "copies of my letters to
him; for the victory of the Nile would, in my opinion, be useless, if
any ship, or Frenchman, is suffered to return to Europe. I hope you will
approve of my conduct; for, as a captain to an admiral, either Sir
Sidney Smith, or myself, must give way. Bonaparte is at Cairo, not more
than sixteen thousand strong. He must and will fall, sooner or later, if
Sir Sidney Smith does not allow him to retreat by sea. As to myself, I
am, at times, ill at my ease: but, it is my duty to submit; and, you may
be sure, I shall not quit my post, without absolute necessity. If the
emperor moves, I hope yet to return the royal family to Naples. At
present, I cannot move; would the court but let me, I should be better:
for, here, I am writing from morn to eve; therefore, you must excuse
this jumble of a letter."
Neither of these letters, however, mention the very important
circumstance of Captain Troubridge's having intercepted Bonaparte's
dispatches, on his way to Constantinople; which is contained in the
following communication to his Excellency the Honourable William
Windham, for the purpose of having that satisfactory intelligence
transmitted to England. This letter, as well as other dispatches of the
21st, to Mr. Windham, was written on board the Culloden; into which ship
Lord Nelson had shifted his flag, having that day sent Captain Hardy to
Tripoli with the Vanguard.
"Culloden, Palermo,
22d March 1799.
"MY DEAR SIR,
The ambassador of Bonaparte being intercepted by my friend
Troubridge, on his way to Constantinople, among other articles of
his instructions, is a very important one; viz. an offer to enter
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