which still existed: with the admirable address, fortitude, and
perseverance, of Captain Ball, in conciliating the inhabitants,
relieving their necessities, and animating their nearly extinguished
hopes; whose merits his lordship most earnestly recommended to the
notice of his Imperial Majesty. His lordship had before applied for the
order of Malta, for his friend Ball, in a letter to Sir Charles
Whitworth; but, not having received any answer, he says, in a letter to
Captain Ball, "I have now gone to the fountain head."

While Lord Nelson was thus earnestly solicitous to obtain honours for
his meritorious friend, he little imagined that he should, in two or
three days, be gratified by the acquisition of a new and most
distinguished one conferred on himself. This, however, actually and very
unexpectedly happened: for a Turkish corvette, which had probably
reached Messina about the time when his lordship was writing the above
letter in favour of his brave friend, brought from Constantinople Abdur
Amand, a special messenger, sent by the Grand Signior, who arrived at
Palermo on the 3d of November, and was charged with an additional
manifestation of the Sublime Porte's friendly esteem for our
incomparable hero. This gentleman, on that day, presented to Lord
Nelson, as an honourable gift from his imperial master, the Grand
Signior, a magnificent diamond star, or medallion; in the centre of
which, on blue enamel, were represented the Turkish crescent and a star.
This valuable present was accompanied by an elegant letter from the
Grand Vizier, dated the 9th of September: in which it was announced,
that the Grand Signior had been pleased to order Lord Nelson a
medallion, which his Imperial Majesty was desirous should be worn on his
lordship's breast, as a mark of esteem for his kindness to Osman
Hadgi--a noble Turk, who had accompanied Lord Nelson from Alexandria,
and to whom his lordship was much attached by the strongest ties of
friendship--as well as for the interest which his lordship on all
occasions took in the prosperity of the Sublime Porte. From the nature
of this rich gift, and the respectful manner in which it was delivered
by Abdur Amand, his lordship was induced to consider it as constituting
him, in conjunction with the former insignia, First Knight of the Order
of the Imperial Turkish or Ottoman Crescent. In a most respectful answer
to the Grand Vizier, Lord Nelson says--"I intreat that your excellency
will presen