are to see our Country successful, and the schemes of our Enemies frustrated. I am well aware it may be said, and with truth, that we have not Troops in the Island to defend any one place properly. I admit it; but in answer I sayand am satisfied in my mind it will turn out so—if the Enemy make an attempt, that a few Troops and Artillery stationed at Ajaccio, to keep the gates shut for a few days, would render abortive any schemes they may have for establishing themselves there. I think three hundred men, and some Artillery to keep the Guns in order, to which if a Guardship was added, the seamen, in time of need, could go on shore to man the works; (for if the Enemy get Ajaccio, they may lay there with their whole Fleet, or leave a single Frigate, neither of which we could attack; for in the Gulph there is no sounding, and a sea setting constantly in, which would make us keep at a distance.) With this defence, I am confident the place, and I believe I may say the Island, would be perfectly safe, till our Fleet could get to the Enemy, when the event, I have no doubt, would be what every Briton might expect; besides, we have the incitement, (if any is wanted,) of our Home Fleet, and we shall not like to be outdone by any one.

I have taken the liberty of mentioning my idea of the importance of Ajaccio, only in the belief which I have, that your Excellency will receive it as a private communication, (my situation does not entitle me to give any public opinion on such a point); as such I send it, and shall be happy if it gives rise to a serious consideration of its importance, when, I doubt not, much more proper modes of defence and security will be thought of than I have suggested. But, however that may be, I am bold to say, none can exceed me in the earnest desire of serving well my King and Country; and of convincing your Excellency how much I am, on every occasion, your most sincere, humble Servant,

HORATIO NELSON.

2 The Victory of the 1st of June.

STATE AND SITUATION OF THE FRENCH FLEET IN TOULON,

NOVEMBER 5TH, 1794.

In the Arsenal, with their top-gallant-masts struck.

INNER ROAD.

1. Topmasts just pointed through the cap.

2. Top-gallant-mast up.

4. Topgallant-mast struck.

5. Topmasts up-no top-gallant-masts.

6. Topgallant-masts up-Flag at mizen top-mast-head.

N. B. None of these Ships have their sails bent.

OUTER ROAD.

1. Frigate-topgallant-masts down.

2. Frigate-topgallant-masts up.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Of the Line, sails bent, some with topgallant-yards

across.

8. Cannot tell whether of the Line or Frigate.

N. B. No. 5, with a Pendant forward, all the others with Pendants at the maintop-gallant-mast-heads. Seven Sail of our Transports laying in a Tier under Cape Sepet above the Naval Hospital, with their Truce flag hoisted forward, and the English Colours at the mizen-peak. Yards and topmasts struck, topsail-yards down.

HORATIO NELSON.

TO MRS. NELSON.

[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 196.]

St. Fiorenzo, November 12th, 1794.

I have been sent, since I wrote to you last, to look after the French Fleet, who had again given Admiral Hotham the slip. I found them in Toulon, sixteen Sail of the Line and several Frigates, and came in here two days afterwards. The French say they will have Corsica again. There has been a most diabolical report here, of Agamemnon's being captured and carried into Toulon, owing to my running into the Harbour's mouth. I hope it has not reached England. Never believe anything you may see in the Papers about us, and rest assured, that Agamemnon is not to be taken easily; no twodecked Ship in the world, we flatter ourselves, is able to do it.

November 15th.-Agamemnon begins to look miserably without a mizen-mast, and will soon be without a mainmast. I amin the best possible health, yet I don't like to be any longer kicked about, I am tired. The lying in Port is misery to me. I have just received a letter from the Viceroy of Corsica, in which are the following flattering expressions to me, I am certain they will give you pleasure;-it was on the subject of Corsica being attacked: I know that you, who have had such an honourable share in this acquisition, will not be indifferent at the prosperity of the Country which you have so much assisted to place under his Majesty's government.'-Whether these are words of course, and to be forgotten, I know not; they are pleasant, however, for the time.

Yours, &c.

HORATIO NELSON.

Sir,

TO H. R. H. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE.

[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p.196.]

November, 1794.

Our Transports, which had been detained at Toulon since the time they carried over the Garrison of Calvi, arrived on the 22nd. No reason was ever given for detaining them; but their sails were taken from them, and during their stay not a man was suffered to go on shore. They were, however, treated tolerably, until the arrival of Jean Bon St. André, who, to the Officer's modest and proper requests, gave insolent answers, the true characteristic of little minds; a generous Enemy would have disdained the withholding medical assistance from the unfortunate, whom chance had put in their power. At eight o'clock in the evening of the 20th, their sails were sent alongside, and a message, that if they were not out of the harbour by twelve o'clock next day, they would keep them. The English, poor fellows, wanted no spur to clear them of such wretches; one Transport, who got aground, they left behind, and she is not yet arrived. The Enemy have fifteen Sail of the Line ready for Sea, with which, they say, they mean to fight our Fleet; and as Admiral Hotham sailed from Fiorenzo on the 25th, to go off Toulon with thirteen Sail of the Line, they will have the opportunity. As to the event I have no doubt it will be victory on the side of the English.

My heart, I assure you, is almost broke to find Agamemnon lying here, little better than a wreck: we hope to get fitted in about three weeks. I own my sincere wish, that the Enemy would rest quiet until we are ready for Sea, and a gleam of hope sometimes crosses me, that they will. At Toulon seven Sail of the Line are to be launched by next March; they get well supplied with timber by the Genoese vessels.

I am, &c.

HORATIO NELSON.

TO WILLIAM SUCKLING, ESQ.

[Autograph, in the possession of John Young, Esq. Printed in "the Athenæum."]

My dear Sir,

Agamemnon, Leghorn, November 28th, 1794.

Perhaps you will say, I am but little obliged for this letter, as it encloses one for my dear wife; but I believe you will give me credit for writing as often as my situation will admit. I shall tell you our news, which will soon be interesting. Matters are fast drawing to a crisis in this Country. Our Transports, which have been detained at Toulon, since they carried over the Garrison of Calvi, were liberated on the 20th November; their sails, which had been taken from them, being sent on board, and sixteen hours allowed them to depart. Not a man was allowed to go on shore during their stay, and the answers of Jean Bon St. André were insolent in the highest degree to modest and proper requests. He sent a message to Lord Hood,3 not knowing of his departure, that, if he sent any more Flags to the Port of the Mountain, he would burn the Vessels. They have fifteen Sail of the Line ready for sea, with which

3 Lord Hood arrived in England on the 21st of September, and on the 1st of December wrote to Nelson respecting his Services and Wound.

"(Private.)

Devizes, December 1st, 1794. "My dear Nelson,-I arrived at Spithead on the 21st and in London on the 23rd, orders having been lodged not to put the Victory under quarantine. On my getting out of my coach Lord Chatham came to me, and I took the earliest opportunity of explaining to his Lordship the very illiberal conduct of General Stuart in not mentioning you in his Public Letter, and put into his hands your Letter to me with the accompanying Certificates, [vide p. 488 ante,] which he will show the King, so that you may be perfectly easy upon that subject.

"Five sail are now under orders for the Mediterranean; three are to come home, the Bedford, your Ship, and another. I am so far in my way to Bath, in order to get myself into health to return to the Mediterranean in the Spring. After I got into my coach I received a note from Lord Grenville, informing me he should dispatch a messenger to Florence to-morrow, and as my engagement to call upon my good friend the Speaker near Reading, and an accident befalling a coach-horse and the postilion, I did not get here for some hours so soon as I expected; consequently lost the mail from Bath, and must send an express, as I should be sorry the messenger should arrive at Florence without a few lines to you. Lady Hood is with me, and unites in all good wishes, with, my dear Nelson, yours very faithfully, HooD." Original, in the Nelson Papers.