"Foudroyant, Naples Bay,
1st August 1799.
"SIR,
"I have the honour to transmit you copies of my letter to the
commander in chief, with it's several enclosures: and most
sincerely congratulate their lordships on the entire liberation of
the kingdom of Naples from the French robbers; for by no other name
can they be called, for their conduct in this kingdom. This happy
event will not, I am sure, be the less acceptable, from being
principally brought about by part of the crews of his majesty's
ships under my orders, under the command of Captain Troubridge. His
merits speak for themselves. His own modesty, makes it my duty to
state that, to him alone, is the chief merit due. The
recommendation bestowed on the brave and excellent Captain
Hallowell, will not escape their lordship's notice, any more than
the exceeding good conduct of Captain Oswald, Colonel Strickland,
and Captain Cresswell, to whom I ordered the temporary rank of
major; and all the officers and men of the marine corps: also, the
party of artillery, and the officers and men landed from the
Portuguese squadron.
"I must not omit to state, that Captain Hood, with a garrison of
seamen, in Castle Nuovo, has for these five weeks very much
contributed to the peace of the capital; and Naples, I am told, was
never more quiet than under his directions.
"I send Captain Oswald, of the Perseus bomb, with this letter; and
I have put Lieutenant Henry Compton, who has served with me ever
since January 1796, as a lieutenant, into the Perseus: and I beg
leave to recommend these two officers, as highly meriting
promotion.
"I have the honour to be, &c.
"Nelson."
"Evan Nepean, Esq."
In his lordship's private letter to Earl Spencer, of the same date,
which accompanied the dispatches to England, he thus expresses
himself--"I certainly, from having only a left hand, cannot enter into
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