ence of those
brave veterans by whom that battle was fought, and such of their
successors, for ever, as should live to find such a residence desirable,
might be so constructed and endowed, with the money contributed, as to
afford a higher satisfaction to the subscribers; a superior, and
perpetually renewable, memorial of the event; and a far more gratifying
object of contemplation, even for such of the brave heroes who may never
need such a sanctuary; than the loftiest and most embellished obelisk
that human ingenuity can ever devise, or human industry execute. This is
a subject on which the author could with pleasure dilate; and the
promotion of which he would gladly assist, in every way, with all his
slender abilities: but, at present, it is an agreeable reverie, in which
he feels that he must no longer indulge.

He will, however, transcribe one of Lord Nelson's letters written on the
subject which led to this digression, as a satisfactory proof of his
lordship's attention to the mercantile interests of his country in that
respect, and at this particular period.

"Palermo, 25th Feb. 1799.

"GENTLEMEN,

"I have received your letter of the 23d. I can assure you, I have
always the greatest pleasure in paying attention to the
representations of the masters of merchant ships; who, at this
distance, act for their owners in Great Britain. I can have no
difficulty in granting you a convoy to Leghorn; but it is my duty
to again point out to you the expressions of Mr. Windham's several
letters, and the request of the English factory at Leghorn to
Captain Louis: and, at the same time, you must be sensible that an
English man of war cannot always lay in the neutral port; and I
expect, that the Minotaur is now on her passage to join me. If,
under all these circumstances, you still persist in going to
Leghorn, I will grant a convoy to that port as soon as possible.
You cannot, of course, expect that, when all the knowledge you
have, here, of the situation of Tuscany, is known in London, that
the underwriters, or myself, can in the smallest degree be
answerable for what may happen to your ships or cargoes. I can only
again assure you of my readiness to afford you all the protection
possible, compatible with the other important duties entrusted to
me; and that I am, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

"