attempt on
Sicily, in their way to the grand scene of their perfidious operations.
Actuated by the force of these reflections, Lord Nelson sent to apprize
the Ottoman Porte, as well as the Commandant of Coron, that the Toulon
fleet had sailed, having a considerable number of troops on board, with
the probable intention of making a descent either on the Morea or on
Egypt. He also dispatched, on the 25th, the Seahorse to Naples, and Le
Tigre to Palermo, with similar intimations. Next day, the Phoebe joined
the fleet; who had, on the l9th, seen a French eighty-gun ship get into
Ajaccio, in Corsica, having lost all her topmasts, and being otherwise
much crippled. This, it should seem, was the effect of that storm which,
as it was afterwards found, had almost immediately occasioned the French
armament's return to Toulon. His lordship, however, unaware of any such
consequence, and deceived by the artful promulgation of false reports,
kept running for Sicily; and, when in sight of Maritimo, sent Le Tigre,
Captain Hallowell, to communicate with Sir John Acton at Palermo. Le
Tigre joined next day, without any news whatever of the French. In the
evening, the fleet passed round Strombolo, which burnt very strongly all
night; and, having left the Sophia to cruize three days off Strombolo
for information, and sent the Bittern to Tunis, proceeded for the Faro
of Messina. On the 30th, off the Faro, his lordship was joined by the
Seahorse from Naples; where, also, nothing had been heard of the French.
At noon, on the 31st, having sent the Seahorse off Toulon, round Cape
Corse, and Morgiana, to look into Elba, St. Fiorenzo, and Ajaccio, the
fleet got through the Faro of Messina without any accident. On the 2d of
February, they passed Candia; being unable, from the state of the wind
and weather, to make that island: and, on the 5th, sent forward the
Anson, with letters to the Governor of Alexandria; to the British
resident, Major Bissett; and to the pro-consul, Mr. Briggs. Next day,
his lordship saw the Arab's Tower; and, on the 7th, at seven in the
morning, came within sight of Alexandria, but there were no ships in the
port. His lordship immediately sent Captain Hallowell ashore, with
duplicates of his letters, the Anson being unable to get up. At three
o'clock, Captain Hallowell returned. The Turks, who were very much
alarmed at the appearance of the fleet, had heard nothing of the French;
and were in no condition to defend this most i