them, should they stand in need. And you will consider that every
means is to be used, not only by yourself, but by all those under
your command, to communicate with the inhabitants on all the
northern coast of the kingdom of Naples, and the islands before
mentioned; and, as much as in your power, to cultivate a good
understanding with them, and conciliate their affections, in order
to induce them to return to their allegiance to his Sicilian
Majesty, and to take arms to liberate their country from French
tyranny and oppressive contributions.
Palermo, 28th March 1799.
To Captain Troubridge,
his Majesty's ship Culloden.
Captain Troubridge, who was also armed with additional powers by his
Sicilian Majesty, sailed on the 31st of March to the Bay of Naples, for
the purpose of carrying into effect these important orders. It is a
singular fact that, even at this very period, when Lord Nelson was thus
engaged in securing Sicily from the French, as well as labouring to
obtain the restoration of Naples, attempts were making, by the Governor
of Messina, then actually protected by British troops, to prevent the
condemnation of a French prize which had been taken near the entrance of
that port, as if it were still in a state of neutrality. It is difficult
to decide, whether this strange conduct originated in a pusillanimous
dread of French resentment, or a traitorous disaffection to his Sicilian
Majesty. Lord Nelson, however, soon satisfied the prize agents, Messrs.
Birch and Broadbent, at Messina, that such shameful conduct would not be
submitted to by a British admiral. He wrote, accordingly, the following
spirited letter to those gentlemen, which immediately produced it's
desired effect.
"Palermo, 2d April 1799.
"GENTLEMEN,
I have received your letter of the 26th of March, and am
exceedingly surprised that the Governor of Messina should presume
to interfere in the captures made by a British ship of war. Captain
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