TO MRS. NELSON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 190.] September 12th, 1794. I expect to see you in the fall of the year; and although I shall not bring with me either riches or honours, yet I flatter myself I shall bring an unblemished character. It always rejoices me to hear that you are comfortable, and that my friends are attentive to you. I hope we shall find some snug cottage, whenever we may be obliged to quit the Parsonage. My Ship's company are better, but still are in a very weak state. It is probable that we shall get to sea in about three days, and attend Lord Hood in the Victory to Genoa, Porto Especia, and Vado Bay; and then proceed off Gourjean Bay, Toulon, and I hope to Gibraltar and England. When Lord Hood quits this station, I should be truly sorry to remain; he is the greatest Sea-officer I ever knew; and what can be said against him, I cannot conceive, it must only be envy, and it is better to be envied than pitied. But this comes from the Army, who have also poisoned some few of our minds. The taking of Bastia, contrary to all Military judgment, is such an attack on them that it is never to be forgiven. Yours, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. [From a Copy in the Nelson Papers.] Agamemnon, Genoa Mole, September 20th, 1794. My dear Lord, We arrived here3 yesterday morning at ten o'clock in a very strong breeze, and thick weather. We were in the Mole before they saw us from the Signal-house. None of us having been here, I had the Signal up for a Pilot, which, by the 3 On the 18th of September Captain Nelson was ordered by Lord Hood to proceed to the Mole of Genoa with Dispatches for Mr. Drake, Minister at that place, and to wait for further instructions.-Original, in the Nelson Papers. The Signal for a Pilot was then, and is still, the Union Jack at the fore-topgallant-mast-head. The mistake mentioned in this Letter, is only one of many Consul's account, they took for the Flag of a Vice- Admiral ; and although it was struck a full quarter of an hour before they saluted, which they did with fifteen guns, and I returned an equal number. If the salute was not intended from the Private Ship, I shall probably hear more of it. Mr. Drake has not arrived, but expected this evening. By a letter from him to the Consul, I find he has got the King's leave to return to England, and that he sets off from this place on the 1st of October, but returns on the 1st of March. There are two small Privateers of the Enemy here, who occasionally go to sea, and have taken two Vessels, one a Ragusa with Spanish property, the other some other Nation, both I understand from Spain, and bound to this Port. Only three English Vessels are here, and had we more, they could not stir for these Vessels. I shall mention it to Mr. Drake. The Government have called upon me to pledge my honour, which I did, that I would not break the Neutrality of the Port. I shall do every thing which is proper, you may rest assured, to bring this Government into good humour with us. I don't think they can ever be mad enough to allow the Sans Culottes to enter Genoa. Here would be glorious plunder for them: it exceeds in magnificence any place I ever saw. I shall not close this letter till evening, in case any thing new should occur. 6 P. M.-No news yet of Mr. Drake. I am to pay my respects to the Doge at seven o'clock to-morrow evening. Believe me, Your Lordship's most faithful, HORATIO NElson. The Agamemnon lays at her own anchors, and so may the Victory and Britannia. instances of the inconvenience of using the National Flag for Signals, and of the inconsistency of distinguishing British Admirals by any other Flag than that of their Country.-See a NOTE on this subject at the end of one of the subsequent Volumes. TO WILLIAM SUCKLING, ESQ. My dear Sir, [From "The Athenæum."] Agamemnon, Genoa Mole, September 20th, 1794. Agamemnon is still on the wing, and will not rest, most probably, till she gets into Portsmouth, which I hope will be no great length of time, as Lord Hood is inclined to take me Home with him, and turn us into a good Seventy-four; for although I have been offered every Seventy-four which has fallen vacant in this Country, yet I could not bring myself to part with a Ship's company, with whom I have gone through such a series of hard service, as has never before, I believe, fallen to the lot of any one Ship. We are sent here to keep peace and harmony with Genoa; and I believe none has been injured by the blockade but ourselves: for I am assured here it never was felt; for all Ships which did not escape the vigilance of our Cruisers, went into the neighbouring Ports, and small Vessels carried their cargoes along shore, the underwriters paying the expenses. The breaking the Neutrality of the Port in small States must ever be impolitic in the English, as we have more to lose by such a conduct than any other Nation. The taking the Frigate was useless to us, and gave the French party here great cause to complain of us. Our forcing the Tuscans into a war, was, in my opinion, equally impolitic. The Italian States must be claimed when the French turn their thoughts towards Italy; and, if you will allow them, will all unite against their common plunderers. Genoa is too rich and magnificent to allow (if anger does not get the better of their interest) the Sans Culottes to enter their City. This is an Aristocratical Government, and therefore must be subverted instantly. I am the first Ship here since our hostilities, and believe they are inclined to be civil. I beg my best compliments to Mrs. Suckling, Miss Suckling, and family; and I hope Captain Suckling was well when you heard last from him-don't forget me at Hampstead. Believe me, Your most affectionate, HORATIO NELSON. L'Imperieuse of 40 guns: taken by a Squadron under Vice-Admiral Gell, out of Spezzia, in the Genoese Territory, on the 11th of October, 1793. TO MRS. NELSON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 191.] Genoa, 20th September, 1794. This City is, without exception, the most magnificent I ever beheld, superior in many respects to Naples, although it does not appear quite so fine from the sea, yet on shore it is far beyond it. All the houses are palaces on the grandest scale. However, I trust we shall soon quit these magnificent scenes, and retire to England, where all that I admire is placed. On Sunday evening I waited on the Doge, and, as Mr. Drake was not arrived, I found it absolutely necessary to say something civil, which I did in the following words: That I was come to pay my respects to his Serene Highness, and to assure him, that both by duty and inclination I should preserve the strictest attention to the neutrality of Genoa; and should be happy in doing everything in my power to cement the harmony which subsisted between the two Nations.' The Doge was much pleased, and very civil; and answered, That he thanked me for my expressions of friendship, and begged to assure me, that it should be reciprocal on his part; and that from so pleasing a beginning of our renewal of friendship, he had no doubt of its being lasting; that he was always glad to see English Men-of-War in Genoa; and whatever I might find a difficulty in procuring, if I would make it known to him, he should be happy in removing it; and that the gates were always at my disposal.' I was received in some State, the Doge advancing to the middle of the room. I had the honour also of a Senato. On my departure from the Palace, the orders of the Doge had arrived before me at the gates, where the Captain of the Guard told me he had received the mandate for opening them at whatever time I pleased. I am, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO MRS. NELSON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 191.] Genoa, September 27th, 1794. We are just going to sea with Lord Hood and Admiral Hotham, who came in here four days ago. We are to proceed off Gourjean to look at the French Ships, and thence to Toulon, where the Enemy have six Sail ready for sea, and most probably will soon make an effort to join their other Ships. The French have taken possession of Vado Bay in the Genoese territory, and of course will prevent our Ships from anchoring; and I have but little doubt, if the Enemy turn their thoughts to the invasion of Italy, that next Spring they will accomplish it. The Allied Powers seem jealous of each other, and none but England is hearty in the cause. Lord Hood goes from the Fleet to Corsica, whence he sails for England. Yours, &c. HORATIO NELSON. My Lord, TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. Agamemnon, at Sea, October 2nd, 1794. Not any notice having been taken in the Public List of Wounded at the Siege of Calvi, of my eye being damaged, I feel it but justice to myself to transmit to your Lordship two Certificates, one from the Surgeon General of his Majesty's Forces, the other, from the Physician of the Fleet, and the Surgeon landed for the care of the Seamen; and I have to request that your Lordship will take such measures as you |