d in a corner of the arsenal. I went into the palace,
and brought out the whole royal family; put them in the boats; and,
at half past nine, they were all safely on board the Vanguard: when
I gave immediate notice to all British merchants, that their
persons would be received on board every and any ship in the
squadron, their effects of value being before embarked; and I had
directed that all the condemned provisions should be thrown
overboard, in order to make room for their effects. Sir William
Hamilton had also directed two vessels to be hired for the
accommodation of the French emigrants, and provisions were supplied
from our victuallers. In short, every thing had been done for the
comfort of all persons embarked. I did not forget, in these
important moments, that it was my duty not to leave the chance of
any ships of war falling into the hands of the French; therefore,
every preparation was made for burning them, before I sailed. But
the reasons given me by their Sicilian majesties, induced me not to
burn them till the last moment. I, therefore, directed the Marquis
De Niza to remove all the Neapolitan ships outside the squadron
under his command; and, if it were possible, to equip some of them
with jury-masts, and send them to Messina: and, whenever the French
advanced near Naples, or the people revolted against their
legitimate government, then immediately to destroy the ships of
war, and to join me at Palermo; leaving one or two ships to cruise
between Capri and Ischia, in order to prevent the entrance of any
English ships into the Bay of Naples. On the 23d, at seven in the
evening, the Vanguard, Samnite, and Archimedes, with about twenty
sail of vessels, left the Bay of Naples, The next day, it blew much
harder than I ever experienced since I have been at sea. Your
lordship will believe, that my anxiety was not lessened by the
great charge that was with me; but, not a word of uneasiness
escaped the lips of any of the royal family. On the 25th, at nine
in the morning, Prince Albeit, their majesty's youngest child,
having eat a hearty breakfast, was taken ill; and, at seven in the
evening, died in the arms of Lady Hamilton! And here it is my duty
to tell your lordship, the obligations which the whole royal
family, as well as myself, are under,