ered immediately to Malta; observing that, if
Malta was relieved, all our forces got together could not take it, and
the commencement of a new blockade would become useless. "Nor," says his
lordship, "would this be the worst consequence; for all the Barbary
cruizers would here have their rendezvous, and not a vessel of his
Sicilian Majesty's could put to sea: and, Great Britain and Russia not
being at war with those powers, the case would be dreadful, and ruinous,
to the subjects of his Sicilian Majesty. I have," concludes his
lordship, "stated the situation, under mature reflection; and have only
to request, that it maybe taken into immediate consideration."

In the mean time, Lord Nelson wrote to the Marquis De Niza, inculcating
the necessity of not obeying his orders to return home. "I have," says
his lordship, "received a letter from Don Roderigo de Souza, saying
that, as the squadron under your orders were not now necessary in the
Mediterranean, his royal highness had directed their return. On this
belief, your orders are founded; but, as the contrary is the fact--for
your services were never more wanted than at this moment, when every
exertion is wanting to get more troops of English and Russians to
Malta--I must, therefore, most positively desire, that your excellency
will not, on any consideration, withdraw one man from the shore, or
detach any ship down the Mediterranean. I send you an order, to justify
your excellency's not complying with his royal highness's orders; and, I
am confident, he will approve of my conduct."

While his lordship was indefatigably engaged in obtaining every aid for
the reduction of Malta, information arrived, that thirteen French and
Spanish sail of the line, one of them a three-decker, had been seen on
the coast of Portugal. He immediately, therefore, wrote to hasten
Commodore Troubridge, and sent also to Sir Sidney Smith: informing them,
that he should sail next day, the 5th of October, for Mahon; and,
probably, to Gibraltar. "If," says his lordship, to Commodore
Troubridge, "I can but get a force to fight these fellows, it shall be
done quickly. I am in dread for our outward bound convoys; seven hundred
sail, under a few frigates, in England, thinking all the force was at
Brest. I need only say, get to Mahon as quick as possible, that we may
join." Accordingly, having sailed from Palermo, he wrote the following
letter to Captain Ball.

"Fondroyant, at Sea,
5th Oct. 179