n apprehensive that the French fleet, having
secured Malta, was coming to act against them.

Having learned, from the British consul, that Malta had certainly been
attacked, and was reported to have, at least, in part, surrendered to
the French, he now addressed a letter to the most illustrious Grand
Master of Malta: apprizing him, that he was hastening to prevent that
island from falling into the hands of the common enemy; and instructing
him how to proceed till his arrival, which might be expected the
following Friday.

He had, at this time, reason to suppose, that the French were only in
possession of the old city; and, that their fleet was anchored between
Goza and Malta. Accordingly, he again wrote to Sir William Hamilton,
requesting him to procure, from the court of Naples, at least, a few
gun-boats, if they could supply nothing more, to assist in dislodging
the enemy from Malta, and prevent their expected subsequent designs on
Sicily.

Both the above letters were delivered to the British consul, who had
gone on board from Messina on the 20th; and, next day, the fleet
proceeded, with a press of sail, for Malta.

In the evening, being close off Syracuse, they hoisted their colours,
when a boat rowed out for about a mile; but, though the fleet brought
to, and the Mutine was sent in shore, it immediately rowed back again.
At day-break, the following morning, La Mutine, being off Cape Passaro,
spoke a Genoese brig which sailed from Malta the day before; and the
master informed Captain Hardy, that Malta having surrendered on Friday
the 15th, the French fleet had left it the very next day, and were gone,
as it was supposed, for Sicily. The wind then blowing Strong from the
west north-west, there was no possibility of getting to Malta till it
should moderate; and, even there, no better information might be
obtainable, while the French were in possession of the place. In the
mean time, he greatly suspected the truth of what the Genoese reported;
well knowing how often vessels had been stationed by the enemy to give
misinformation respecting their intended course. He would himself have
examined the master, but found that he had been gone some hours.

Thus situated, the admiral had no other guide than his own judgment;
and, after a due consideration of all the circumstances, having been
assured, by Sir William Hamilton, that Naples was at peace with the
French, and Sicily positively declared, by Bonaparte, not to be th