trying, with Sir William Hamilton, in which the queen joins, to induce the king to return to Naples; but, hitherto, without effect.  I must suppose, his majesty has reasons which I am unacquainted with.  It has long been my wish, to send a small squadron on the coast of Genoa; for the Russian ships are of no use, to co-operate with the Germans:  but, I have not them to send.  La Mutine, I have directed to protect our trade about Leghorn; and to assist, as far as she is able, in giving convoy to vessels carrying provisions to the Austrian army.  The report of the combined fleets being ready for sea, induced me to direct the Phaeton and Penelope to cruize between Cape Spartel and Cape St. Vincent; that I may have timely notice of their approach, if bound this way—­which I believe.

I have run over our present state; perhaps, too hastily:  but, I am anxious not to keep the brig one moment longer than my writing this letter.  With every sentiment of respect, believe me, my dear lord, your most obedient servant,

     “Bronte Nelson.”

To his Excellency, the Honourable Lieutenant-General Fox, at Minorca, his lordship on the same day wrote, that he would not suffer General Graham to want, if he could “beg, borrow, or steal, to supply him.  Lord Keith,” he adds, “is, I dare say, with you, at this moment; and, I am sure, all matters will be much better arranged with him than I have ability of doing.  I have only the disposition to do what is right, and the desire of meriting your esteem.”  To Colonel Graham, at Malta, he also wrote, this day, as follows—­“I hope to soon pay you a visit, and I only wish that I could always do all you ask me.  It is certain, that you cannot go on at Malta, without money; therefore, I declare, sooner than you should want, I would sell Bronte.  But, I trust, from General Fox’s letter to me, that you will have his consent for ordering what money may be necessary.  I send you all the Egyptian papers, for you, Ball, and Troubridge; and, if you like, in confidence, Italinskoy.  Suwarrow is at Prague, with his whole army:  ready to act with the Austrians, if they come to their senses; or, perhaps, against them. Moreau is at Vienna, treating for peace.  What a state the allies bring us into!  But, it is in vain to cry out; John Bull was always ill-treated.  May a speedy success attend you!”

On the 14th, a new mortification occurred to his lordship.  The Russian admiral, who had so long lingered at Naples, and recently arrived at Messina, with the intent, as was supposed, of at length going to Malta, sent notice that he was proceeding with his ships and troops to Corfu, and could not go to Malta.  Lord Keith was, at this time, gone to station a squadron for the blockade of the port and coast of Genoa; and Lord Nelson, after arranging, with General Acton, a plan for sending two thousand six hundred troops, and encouraging his respective friends at Malta to persevere in their labours, under these and other comforting assurances, sailed in the Foudroyant, on the 16th, to concert measures for future operations with the commander in chief.