lli and the
Duke Di Sangro's saying that the King of Naples had not declared
war against the French. Now, I assert, that he has; and, in a much
stronger manner than the ablest minister in Europe could write a
declaration of war. Has not the king received, as a conquest made
by him, the republican flag taken at Goza? Is not the king's flag
flying there, and at Malta; not only by the king's absolute
permission, but by his orders? Is not his flag shot at, every day,
by the French; and returned, from batteries bearing the king's
flag? Are not two frigates, and a corvette, placed under my orders?
and they would fight the French, meet them where they may. Has not
the king sent publicly, from Naples, guns, mortars, &c. with
officers and artillery, to fight against the French in Malta? If
these acts are not tantamount to any written paper, I give up all
knowledge of what is war. So far, then, I assert, that the general
is authorized to seize all French and Ligurian vessels. But that is
a small matter, to what will happen if he permits the many hundreds
of French which are now in the mole to be neutral, till they have a
fair opportunity of being active. Even the interest of the Grand
Duke calls loudly, that the Neapolitan general should act with
vigour; for, if all other schemes fail, they have one sure: viz.
set one vessel on fire, and the port of Leghorn is ruined for
twenty years. Pray, say this to Seratti. I have, you know, no
interest personal to myself, in this advice. I wish the great duke
to have no unnecessary risk, and for the Neapolitan general and
myself to take all the odium on ourselves. Pray, excuse this
letter; but, I could not resist writing it. Ever your, &c.

"Nelson."

The unanswerable reasoning in this letter could not fail to produce
perfect conviction; and General Naselli, at his lordship's request,
consented to lay an embargo on all the vessels at Leghorn, till he
should receive orders for their disposal from his Sicilian majesty.
Among these ships, were a great number of French privateers; some of
them, his lordship observed, in a letter to Sir William Hamilton, of
such force as to do the very greatest mischief to our commerce, if
permitted to sail. There were also about seventy sail of vessels,
calling themselves belonging to the Ligurian Republic, before called
Geno