for the British troops to be removed from Messina into Naples, to guard
the persons of their majesties. Whenever your name is mentioned, I can
assure you, their expressions are the very handsomest that tongue can
utter; and, as is my duty, both as my commander in chief, and my friend,
I do not fail ever to speak of you in the only way, if truth is spoken,
that you can be represented, as the very ablest sea-officer his majesty
has, and as the best and truest friend that can be in this world. My
dear Lady Hamilton is always my faithful interpreter, on all occasions;
and, never with so much pleasure. My dear lord, you will forgive my
short sketches of what is going on here; for neither my head, nor my
hand, is equal to what is absolutely necessary for me to write:
therefore, all private correspondence is given up; for, I cannot answer
a letter. Three of Sir William Sidney Smith's ships, with sick
Frenchmen, are stopped by Troubridge; the poor devils are sent to
Corsica. I am very much displeased with this Levant commodore with a
broad pendant. I send one of his passports. We are not forced to
understand French! Malta is as usual, the moment a land force arrives it
will fall. God bless you, my dear lord."
In a letter written the preceding day to Earl Spencer, Lord Nelson says,
speaking of the affairs of Naples--"I think it very probable that, in
ten days, their Sicilian Majesties will be again in Naples. These happy
prospects have been brought about, first, by the war of the emperor;
secondly, by the wonderful loyalty of the lower order of the people;
and, lastly, I flatter myself, I may say, by the conduct of the English.
Captain Troubridge has given a portion of that spirit he possesses to
all who communicate with him. On the 25th, Macdonald left the town, for
Capua; with all the troops, except five hundred in the Castle of St.
Elmo. Orders have been given, by the Jacobin government, for the
batteries not to fire on the English ships. In short, the communication
with Naples is so open, that a general took a boat from the city, and
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