JOURNAL A.

February 12th.-Attacked a French Courier-boat, whose crew got on shore at Capreia; after a very smart contest, in which I lost six men, carried her.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL LORD HOOD.

[Partly from Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. i. p. 148, and partly from an autograph draught.]

My Lord,

Agamemnon, off Cabrera, February 13th, 1794.

In addition to the paper I enclose for your Lordship's information, I have to acquaint you, that on Sunday the 9th, I anchored at Cabrera,1 to see if any of the Enemy's privateers were lying in that port. I sent a message on shore to the Governor, to say, that the trade in these Seas had been very much annoyed by the Enemy's privateers which harboured in Cabrera, and that if any other Vessels were there belonging to the French, I should take them. The answer sent me was, that he had orders to admit of no search whatever in Cabrera; and that if I attempted it, he should repel me to the utmost of his power. My next message to him was, that I wished to be friendly, but unless he would give his word of honour that there were no Vessels in the Port under French Republican colours, I would search them. The Governor upon this gave his word of honour, and I did not think it right to proceed further.

This is a new Governor, the former one being turned out for allowing the Romulus and Meleager to take two Vessels out of the Port. Every person in the Island was

their Ships was well deserved by their cowardice in permitting that few desperate strangers should provocate your anger upon them. The inhabitants have certainly the best dispositions to come to us again, when they may expect to be supported, but the little resistance they made lately when the French established themselves again in Cape Corse has exposed them to all the misfortunes they now labour under. The answer to your offers from the Commanding Officer there was quite in a Guascon's way, and his flight afterwards well answered to the ostentation of his expression."--Original in the Nelson Papers.

1 Generally called Capraja, a small Island, about three leagues E.N.E. from Cape Corse, of which the English afterwards took possession.

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under arms to oppose us. There are now lying in the port fifteen Sail of Vessels; their cargoes of flour were landed whilst we were there; several of them are under Corsican colours, which the French make all the Corsican boats carry, by which means they get free admission into Leghorn, and land corn: all the Genoese vessels are, I understand, also from Leghorn. I send you a Pass very improperly granted by the Sardinian Consul. Yesterday morning three sail of Boats under Corsican colours got into Cabrera: whenever we take them, they are Paoli's friends; when they get away, they are against him.

I had occasion yesterday to send my barge to the Gunboat at the farther end of the Island, passing a small Cove, where a boat was laying; she was fired on, and one of the men severely wounded. This was too much for me to suffer. I took the boats, troops, and Fox Cutter, and went to the Cove, where a number of people were posted behind rocks, (where we could not land,) who fired on us. It was a point of honour to take her; and after attempting in vain to dislodge the people, I boarded the Boat, and brought her out, I am sorry to say with the loss of six men wounded. She was a French Courier-boat from Bastia to Antibes; an Officer with a National cockade in his hat was killed, with several people. I don't think the Genoese troops came to assist them, at least none of their uniform was seen. great respect, &c.

I am, with

HORATIO NELSON.

TO MRS. NELSON.

[From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. i. p. 150.]

At Sea, February 13th, 1794.

I am just going into Leghorn to get water. Corsica I hope will fall in due time: Commodore Linzee has the command of the Sea-business, Lord Hood is in the offing. I have had the pleasure to fulfil the service I had been employed upon, since leaving Tunis, neither allowing provisions nor troops to get into Corsica, nor the Frigates to come out. I am next going to cruise off Bastia, to prevent succours from

I am

getting in there. Corsica is a wonderfully fine Island. We are anxious to hear how Parliament likes the War. still of opinion it cannot last much longer; not by the French having an absolute Monarchy again, but by our leaving them alone; perhaps the wisest method we can follow. You will remember me in the kindest manner to my Father. God bless you.

HORATIO NELSON.

TO THE REVEREND DIXON HOSTE, GODWICH HALL, NEAR

ROUGHAM.

[Autograph, in the possession of Captain Sir William Hoste, Bart.]

Dear Sir,

Agamemnon, Leghorn, February 14th, 1794.

You cannot receive much more pleasure in reading this letter than I have in writing it, to say, that Son is every

your

2 The late Captain Sir William Hoste, Bart., K.'C. B., who has been already mentioned, as having commenced his career with Nelson. He obtained Post Rank in January 1802, and after distinguishing himself on numerous occasions in the Amphion of 32 guns in the Adriatic, fought one of the most gallant Actions of the whole War, off Lissa, on the 13th of March 1811, when in command of a Squadron of four Frigates, be defeated a French and Italian Squadron of very superior force, destroyed one, captured two, and compelled another of the Enemy's frigates to surrender. On going into Action, Captain Hoste showed his affectionate remembrance of his immortal Patron by the Signal, "REMEMBER NELSON." He received the Naval Medal, was created a Baronet, and a Knight Commander of the Bath, and a Knight of the Imperial Order of Maria Theresa. Sir William Hoste died in December, 1828, leaving, besides other children, his Son, the present Captain Sir William Hoste, Bart., who has obligingly contributed the above, and other Letters. The following Letter to his late gallant Father, though not from Lord Nelson, is on many accounts too interesting to be omitted. Nelson, in his early Correspondence, frequently mentions Charles Boyles, the Son of the Collector of the Customs at Wells, in Norfolk. At the time of the Action off Lissa, Charles Boyles had his flag flying as a Rear-Admiral in the Canopus at Palermo; and he thus congratulated his friend and fellow Countryman on his brilliant achievement:

Nothing can be more grateful to my feelings than congratulating you on this most glorious occasion. Your gallant conduct and distinguished bravery will for ever immortalize your name, and make our County of dumplings and dripping, rejoice to think they have still preserved for its protection a brilliant

a

thing which his dearest friends can wish him to be; and is strong proof that the greatest gallantry may lie under the most gentle behaviour. Two days ago it was necessary to take a small Vessel from a number of people who had got on shore to prevent us. She was carried in high style, and your good Son was by my side:3 we had six men badly wounded. I am, dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant, HORATIO NELSON.

I beg you will make my respects to Mr. Coke and to Mrs. Coke.'

JOURNAL A.

February 19th.-Landed at L'Avasina, took the Tower of Miomo, and drove the French within gunshot of the walls of Bastia.

spark from the shrine of our immortal Countryman, Lord Nelson. May you live long to continue your glorious career, and receive the most honourable rewards of a grateful Country.

"I have transmitted, by Eclair last night, to Cagliari, to intercept the Packet, copies of your Official Letters, Line of Battle, Lists of the killed and wounded, the Correspondence with the French Officer, and his answer, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and the Originals of the whole to the Commander-in-Chief. I bave likewise privately wrote to Mr. Coke, to give him an opportunity of telling your father and mother of your noble deeds.

"I hope this will find your wounds in a fair way of getting well, and that all those gallant Heroes, the companions of your Battle, are doing well. Pray present to Captains Whitby, Gordon, and Hornby, my warmest congratulations on their heroism so illustriously displayed on the 13th March 1811. May they receive every mark of Public approbation so justly their due, is my most anxious wish. Poor Clephane laments his misfortune in being so far from you, as not to partici pate in your glory. He is on board his new Ship, and desires to be kindly remembered to you.

"I hope this will find you all at Malta safe.

"I am, my dear Hoste,

"Your Sincere Friend, and (proud to say) Countryman,

"CHARLES BOYLES."

3 Of Holkham.

At Capreja, vide pp. 354 and 365.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL LORD HOOD.

[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol i. p. 151.]

February 19th, 1794.

I had a good opportunity of looking at Bastia this morning; its means of defence are as follows: On the Town-wall next the sea, about twenty embrasures; to the Southward of the Town, two guns are mounted on a work newly thrown up, and an Officer's guard encamped there; they are also throwing up a small work commanding a large road to the Southward of the Town, which leads towards the mountains. I observed at the back of the Town four stone works, all with guns: two of them appeared strong, the others are stone guard-houses. In the Mole is La Flêche, 20 guns, which came out from Tunis with the other Frigates; she is dismantled, and her guns are put on the outworks.

Yesterday a Flag of Truce, with a Note from General Paoli, came off from a place called Erbalonga, to say they were friends of General Paoli's, and wanted muskets and ammunition. I asked them how long they had been our friends? one of them, who called himself General Paoli's commander of Volunteers on Cape Corse replied, Ever since the day you took Maginaggio.' They may be good friends, if it is their interest to be so; but I am rather inclined to believe they will always cry, Long live the Conqueror.' However, they are active fellows, and may be of great use, if we land near Bastia.

I had received information at Leghorn, that the cargo of the Ragusan vessel had been landed at l'Avasina. I therefore went on shore this morning, but unluckily the cargo had been carried to Bastia thirteen days ago: had General Paoli's friends given him this information, we might have made a valuable capture. I carefully examined the landing-places near Bastia, and can take upon me to say, that troops and cannon may be landed with great ease to the Southward of the Town at any distance you please, on a level

* In his Journal (vide p. 356) Nelson states that on the 19th of February (the date of this Letter) he landed at L'A visina, took the Tower of Miomo, and drove the French within gun-shot of Bastia. It is remarkable that he did not mention the circumstance in this Dispatch.