TO THE CAPTAINS OF THE SQUADRON.

[Copy in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.

September 25th.-Noon, joined company the Diadem and Lively. Captain Stuart joined the Ship. Anchored in Leghorn Roads."-Captain's Log.]

Captain, off Leghorn, September 25th, 1796. In the present situation of affairs with the Republic of Genoa, I think it necessary, in concert with his Excellency the Vice-Roy of Corsica, to detain all Genoese Vessels, until satisfaction be given for the insult offered His Majesty's Flag by firing on it, and also for the seizure of British Shipping and property in Genoa: You are, therefore, hereby required and directed to stop and detain all Genoese Vessels, and send them into Port, there to wait the direction of Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B., Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean.

You will take care that the Master remains on board, and in charge of the cargo, and that the persons sent on board by you do not interfere, except for the preventing any part of the cargoes being carried on shore. HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "September 26th.--Hoisted the Broad Pendant on board the Diadem."— Diadem's Log.]

Sir,

Captain, Leghorn Roads, September 26th, 1796. I send you a copy of my order to detain Genoese Vessels, and also my letter to Mr. Udney for the care of them. I congratulate you most sincerely on the great success of Wurmser on the 17th and to the 21st. Letters which I have seen say the Affair is decisive. In Germany, the Archduke is in possession of Frankfort and Mayence: head-quarters at Mullendorf. The contributions levied by the French at Frankfort taken-thirty millions florins. Great reinforcements still joining Wurmser. This night go into Diadem, and Captain sails. Ever your obedient HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. A very inaccurate copy of this Letter is in vol. ii. pp. 283-286.]

Sir, Diadem, at Sea, 28th September, 1796. Yesterday morning the Captain sailed from Leghorn, according to your orders, as did L'Eclair, the day before, from necessity-both for Ajaccio. During the course of yesterday,

I received repeated information of the movements of the Privateers which are to carry the Corsicans; their whole number is nine hundred, including Officers; six brass twelve-pounders, thirty-five cases of muskets, with other articles, are embarked in from fifteen to twenty Privateers, and I am certain they mean to sail the first favourable moment. On the 25th, each Corsican was paid 100 livres, and they behave so ill at Leghorn, that the French are determined to send them off, upon their general principle of acting, viz., "If these fellows succeed, so much the better for us: and if they do not, we get rid of a set of scoundrels."

Now, Sir, the point for me to consider is, where will the French land in Corsica? the twelve-pounders can only be to possess a post. This you will say, the Vice-Roy, from his information and means of knowledge, must guess at better than any of us. I am on my way to concert with his Excellency how I can best use my small force to his advantage, considering the other services I have to look to.

My idea runs strong that Porto Vecchio, which is reported to be neglected by us, and in which is a fort, is the object the Enemy mean to possess, and if their friends in the Island support them, is sure refuge for their Vessels, and an opening for the introduction of more troops and supplies. If the Viceroy will order some proper men into the fort, and I find Sardine, I will, with Venom, (which I have ordered from Leghorn for that purpose,) place [them] as Guard-ships in the harbour; and I will endeavour to have a Frigate off that part of the Coast. If the Enemy land nearer Bastia, these Vessels, with those which may be at Bastia, will be sure to destroy them, although it is possible the men may get on shore; but I hope from the small Craft which may be sent about the Islands between Corsica and the main, we may get accounts of their approach. If their intention is to land on the Western coast of Corsica, I take for granted they will never attempt the route by Cape Corse, which would every hour expose them to the sight of some of our Ships, which of course would be fatal to them. Be they to land on the East or West side, I shall act on the idea that they will proceed to the Southward, passing Piombino to Castiglione, the last place in their possession: but if I can get at them on that Coast, I believe it will be in my power to spoil their Expedition. If they are to pass the Straits of Bonafaccio, this must be a work of time, and we shall have many chances for their destruction; no opportunity for which shall be omitted, by, Sir, your most obedient Servant,

HORATIO NELSON.

P.S.-The French are very angry at our taking Capraja: the Commissioner was heard to say to Gentili, I told you we should have sent 300 men, and taken Capraja; you now see the consequences.'

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. 66 September 27th.-Weighed and came to sail.”—Diadem's Log.]

Dear Sir, In sight of Bastia, September 29th, 1796. I can tell you that the Austrians under the Archduke took possession of Frankfort on the 8th, and it is expected that Wurmser will again attack the French. Mantua stopped him again all hope for another and younger General. Mr. Wyndham left Florence for Rome on the 24th. The Neapolitan property is detained by the French at Leghorn.

Mr. Lundi means to send you a Vessel with sheep, ducks, &c., he says, very soon; and is very anxious to obtain your permission to leave the Port. His cargoes are certainly for the use of the English: therefore, if it is possible, we ought to show more indulgence to him than to others. We might take him, and afterwards release him; but still I see difficulties with other Nations; and if we were to say the truth, his cargoes were for the use of the English, the French would cut off his head, and take his remaining property. Ever believe me, dear Sir, your most faithful

HORATIO NELSON.

By the first Ship I can get at going to you, I will send you Prize-Money, for which I have been agent. I wish, Sir, you may not see any impropriety in your, or my giving Berry an Acting-order, merely to give him some prize-money. The other day I took a Genoese worth £8000. If circumstances should cause a condemnation, it would be very handsome for him.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. An imperfect copy of this Letter is in vol. ii. pp. 285, 286.] Sir, Bastia, 30th September, 1796. Last night, on my arrival, I received your most secret orders; but I believe many people in this Island have an idea that something like your orders is going forward. I shall not fail to arrange what Transports may be necessary for each Port, which is all that I can do till matters are brought to greater maturity.

The Vice-Roy thinks there will not be more than about 600 émigrés, Corsicans and French, and the stores I do not believe are very many; for the ordnance which we found in the different fortifications, the Vice-Roy will not, I fancy, think it right to take away. His Excellency is very much distressed by this measure, and fancies the Island is at this moment in a most perfect state of loyalty to the King, and affection for the British Nation: but what strikes me as a greater sacrifice than Corsica, which is the King of Naples. If he has been induced to keep off the Peace, and perhaps engaged in the War again by the expectation of the continuance of the Fleet in the Mediterranean, hard indeed is his fate his Kingdom must inevitably be ruined. The ViceRoy wishes to put off the day of retreat from hence, for reasons which he will himself communicate. On the subject of Genoa I shall write another letter. I am, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "September 30th.-Anchored at St. Fiorenzo."-Diadem's Log.]

Sir,

Diadem, Bastia Roads, September 30th, 1796.

On consultation with his Excellency the Vice-Roy, to whom I have communicated your letter for Mr. Brame, I have determined on sending a Frigate off Genoa, and to direct the Captain to send in a flag of truce, with your letter, and also with a letter from myself, and the Vice-Roy, to the following purport to demand the immediate release of all the English Shipping, on which condition all the Genoese Ships and Vessels which have been stopped by either our Ships of War, or Corsican privateers, to be given up-that the seizure of them has been made as a just reprisal for the conduct of the Genoese, in the seizure of our Vessels in the Port of Genoa. This measure we propose should be first complied with. Then to state that we are perfectly ready to treat with Genoa, for the restoring of Capraja, whenever that Republic is willing to give satisfaction for the insult offered His Majesty, and security for the perfect neutrality of Capraja, which has hitherto been a place d'armes for our Enemies. I think, Sir, circumstanced as things are, that you will not wish to wait for Mr. Drake, and will trust me in not committing your name to any dishonourable act.-Believe me, Sir, your most faithful Servant, HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.]

(Private.)

Dear Sir,

Bastia, September 30th, 1796.

I hope you have determined on something about the Blanche. All the Lieutenants, and in the whole seven Officers, are in confinement; and the Captain certainly not fit, in his present state of mind, to command that Ship. He came on board me the other day. I spoke to him fully, but he never once said—" I am an innocent man.”

I purpose sending Lord Garlies off Genoa, and that La Minerve and Blanche should continue the block of Leghorn. I take the liberty of sending a letter for my wife. The ViceRoy is very low and distressed. At a Peace, I should rejoice at having given up the Island, but I feel more than all for Naples.-Ever believe me, dear Sir, your most faithful

HORATIO NELSON.

Sardine carries wood to you; and the Vice-Roy wishes a Ship off this Coast, which I cannot give him at present. The Privateers were not sailed from Leghorn yesterday morning. The Vice-Roy thinks, perhaps, the Expedition is over. If it is, they are landing the English goods for Genoa: I know that has been in contemplation.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. "October 1st.-Weighed. 3rd.-P.M. Anchored in the Bay of Ajaccio."Diadem's Log.]

Dear Sir,

Bastia, October 3rd, 1796.

I received this day your several letters and orders relative to two-thirds allowance, Maltese seamen, sending Blanche to the Fleet, and my opening a negotiation with Genoa, all of which shall be complied with. I have arranged upon paper (for further, whilst the affair is to be kept secret, cannot be done) the disposition and number of Transports which will be wanted at each Port. It must not be considered as exact, for the reason before stated, but it is very near the mark. No cannon or stores taken in the Island are to be touched. Corsica is to be left entirely independent, and with means of defence against any Power: therefore the weight of stores is very small. All the Troop Ships are victualled, except in the article of bread, for three months, and Mr. Heatly has the necessary orders for managing the victualling the others,