on terms for his quitting Egypt, with his army. This offer is what
I have long expected the glorious battle of the Nile would produce;
but it was my determination, from that moment, never, if I could
help it, to permit a single Frenchman to quit Egypt. Captain Sir
William Sidney Smith, who has the present command of the squadron
off Alexandria, I have reason to believe, thinks differently from
me, and will grant passports for that part of the French army which
God Almighty permits to remain. I have, therefore, thought it
highly proper to send Captain Sir Sidney Smith the order of which
I transmit a copy; for, I consider it nothing short of madness, to
permit that band of thieves to return to Europe. _No!_ to Egypt
they went, with their own consent: and there they shall remain,
whilst Nelson commands this detached squadron; for never, never,
will he consent to the return of one ship or Frenchman.
"I beg your excellency will take the earliest opportunity of
sending this important information, and a copy of my letter to
Captain Sir Sidney Smith, to England; and ever believe me, with the
greatest respect, your obliged and faithful servant,
"Nelson."
On the 25th of March, Lord Nelson says, in a letter to Captain Ball,
dated at Palermo--"Now, my dear friend, Captain Nisbet is appointed to
the Thalia, a very fine frigate, and I wish he may do credit to himself,
and in her. Will you do me the favour of keeping her, and sending me La
Minerve; for I want Cockburne, for service of _head_. As soon as Captain
Barker's surveys, &c. are over, make one of the small craft bring him
here. I have sent Vanguard to Tripoli, to scold the bashaw. Tunis
behaves well. As Corfu has surrendered, I hope Malta will follow the
example very soon. I am not well; but keep rubbing on, from day to day.
God bless you; finish the business as soon as you can."
Captain Dunn, in the Thalia, for Captain Nisbet, was the bearer of the
above letter with other dispatches to Captain Ball; and Captain Maling
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