howitzers, at the same distance, nearly completed. After a few
hours cannonading from the last battery, the enemy displayed a flag
of truce, when our firing ceased; and, their guns being mostly
dismounted, and their works nearly destroyed, the inclosed terms of
capitulation were agreed to and signed.

"In performing this service, I feel much satisfaction in informing
your lordship, that I received every possible assistance from
Captain Ball, for the first seven days: when your lordship ordered
him on other service, and did me the honour to place Captain
Hallowell under my orders in his room; whose exertions and
abilities your lordship is acquainted with, and merit every
attention.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Strickland, Major Cresswell, and all the
officers of marines, and men, merit every praise I can bestow: as
does Antonio Saldineo de Gama, and the officers and men belonging
to her most faithful majesty the Queen of Portugal; their
readiness, on all occasions, does them great honour. The very
commanding situation of St. Elmo, rendered our approaches
difficult; or, I trust, it would have been reduced much sooner. The
ready acquiescence to all our demands, and the assistance received
from the Duc di Salandra, I beg, may be made known, by your
lordship, to his Sicilian Majesty.

"I feel myself also much indebted to Colonel Tschudy, for his great
zeal and exertions on all occasions.

I have the honour to be, &c. T. Troubridge,

The Right Honourable Lord Nelson, K.B."

_Articles of Capitulation agreed upon between the Garrison of
Fort St. Elmo and the Troops of his Sicilian Majesty and his
Allies._

I.

The French Garrison of Fort St. Elmo shall surrender themselves
prisoners of war to his Neapolitan Majesty and his allies; and
shall not serve against any of the powers actually at war with the
French republic, until regularly exchanged.

II.

The English grenadiers shall take possession of the gate of the
fort in the course of the day.

III.

The French garrison shall march out of the fort to-morrow, with
their arms, and drums beating. The troops shall lay down their arms
on the outside of the gate of the fort; and a detachment of
English, Russian, Portuguese, and Neapolitan, troops, shall take
posse