ng with corn for Malta; but I can neither
get the Neapolitan men of war, nor merchant vessels, to move. You
will see, by the report of the disposition of the ships, what a
wretched state we are in. In truth, only the Foudroyant and
Northumberland are fit to keep the sea. The Russians are, on the
4th, arrived at Messina; six sail of the line, frigates, &c. with
two thousand five hundred troops. It is not to be expected, that
any one Russian man of war can, or will, keep the sea; therefore,
the blockade by sea can only be kept up by our ships: and it is my
intention, if the Foudroyant, or even a frigate, comes soon, to go
for two days to Malta, to give the Russian admiral and general,
Graham, Troubridge, and Governor Ball, a meeting; not only, on the
most probable means of getting the French out, but also, of
arranging various matters, if it should fall to our exertions. The
Maltese have, Graham says, two thousand excellent troops; we have,
soldiers and sailors, fifteen hundred; the Russians will land full
three thousand. I hope, the Ricasoli may be carried; and, if it is,
I think the French general will no longer hold out. What a relief
this would be to us! If I cannot get to Malta very soon, I shall,
from your letter, remain here, to give you a meeting and receive
your orders. It is impossible to send, from Mahon, too many
supplies of stores to Malta; sails, rope, plank, nails, &c. You can
form no idea of our deplorable state, for the last year. In Sicily,
we are all quiet. I have been trying, with Sir William Hamilton, in
which the queen joins, to induce the king to return to Naples; but,
hitherto, without effect. I must suppose, his majesty has reasons
which I am unacquainted with. It has long been my wish, to send a
small squadron on the coast of Genoa; for the Russian ships are of
no use, to co-operate with the Germans: but, I have not them to
send. La Mutine, I have directed to protect our trade about
Leghorn; and to assist, as far as she is able, in giving convoy to
vessels carrying provisions to the Austrian army. The report of the
combined fleets being ready for sea, induced me to direct the
Phaeton and Penelope to cruize between Cape Spartel and Cape St.
Vincent; that I may have timely notice of their approach, if bound
this way--_which I be