My object, at Bronte, is to make the people happy, by not suffering them to be oppressed; and to enrich the country, by the improvements of agriculture.  For these reasons, I selected Mr. Graffer, as a proper person for governor; as his character for honesty is unimpeachable, and his abilities as an agriculturist undeniable:  and yet, it would appear, that there are persons who wish, for certain reasons, to lessen the king’s most magnificent gift to me; and, also, to make the inhabitants of that country more miserable than they were before the estate came into my possession.  Several people who have hired farms, on the contract of not letting them to what we in England call middle-men, have already done so; and I am told, that I either have been, or am to be, induced to consent that a superior, or rather that all Bronte causes, should be tried at Palermo.  Now, as this is a measure so repugnant to justice, and which must heap ruin on those it is my wish to render happy, I intreat that, except such causes as the present laws of Sicily oblige to resort to some superior court, it may never be imagined that I will consent to do an unjust act.  It is possible, from my not reading Italian, that I may sign a very improper paper—­(which God forbid!)—­if men in whom I place confidence lay it before me for my signature.  In his majesty’s most gracious gift of Bronte, has been omitted the word Fragile a farm belonging to me.  The reasons of this omission are, I fear, too clear; and, at a future day, I may lose it, and his majesty not retain it.  These are, in brief, the letters of Mr. Graffer.  I have, therefore, by his desire, to request his majesty to grant me the following favours—­First, that the farm of Fragile may be inserted in the patent; secondly, that a billet-royale may be granted, to annul the present contract of the feuds of St. Andrea and Porticella.  I send your excellency copies and extracts of Mr. Graffer’s letters, which prove him an honest and upright man.  In arranging these matters for me, it will be an additional obligation conferred upon your excellency’s most obedient and obliged

     “Bronte Nelson of the Nile.”

These requests were readily granted by his Sicilian Majesty; who had, this morning, transmitted his lordship the statutes of the order of St. Ferdinando, accompanied by such expressions of kindness as made the most sensible impression on his lordship’s mind, and filled his heart—­to use his own phrase—­with affection, pleasure, and gratitude.  Under these impressions, our hero was desirous of presenting a gold medal to the king, as a small but sincere testimonial of his esteem and regard; he sent one, therefore, accompanied by the following letter.

     Palermo, 2d June 1800.

     “SIRE,