ks of the state of
Sicily--"As to this island, I cannot take upon me to say much: that they
all hate the French, is certain; but, still, they feel themselves an
oppressed people. On the 20th, at Augusta, a French vessel, with a
hundred and forty officers and soldiers, arrived from Egypt. The boat
people, and those of the town, attacked them. Eighty-seven were killed;
the remainder escaped on board a Neapolitan frigate, who protected them.
Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and I may add myself, are all unwell. The
great queen is far from well. The king is the best of the party. As the
queen is very anxious to hear of the fate of Tuscany, I shall direct
Captain Louis--who, I was sure, your excellency would like--to send
either Terpsichore, or this brig, back to Palermo."

In a letter of the same date to Captain now Admiral Louis, his lordship
says, observing that all in the house had been ill, and were still far
from well--"The air of Palermo is very bad, in my opinion." His
confidence in Captain Louis, as well as in Mr. Windham, is thus strongly
expressed--"You will, I am sure, my dear Sir, act in that way, which
will always meet my wishes and do credit to our country. Whenever Mr.
Windham tells you, that his Royal Highness the Grand Duke his no
occasion for his majesty's ships, I shall be very glad to see you here;
but consult with Mr. Windham, and you cannot err."

On the last day of January, Lord Nelson received, from England, official
communications of the votes which had been passed by the House of Peers,
the House of Commons, and the Irish House of Commons, conveying their
thanks, by their respective speakers, to his lordship, his officers, and
men, who fought in the battle off the Nile; which he instantly
acknowledged, by most respectful answers to Lord Loughborough, the Right
Honourable Henry Addington, and the Honourable John Foster.

On the same day, he also received letters from the Lord Mayor of London,
the Clerk of the Drapers Company, and the Mayor of Liverpool; to which
he immediately wrote, respectively, the following answers.

"Vanguard, Palermo, 31st Jan. 1799.

"SIR,

"I have only this day received the honour of your letter (when Lord
Mayor) of the 16th October; and I beg that you will convey to the
Court of Common Council my sincere gratitude for all their goodness
to me; and assure them, it shall be the business of my life, to act
in the manner most conducive t