the British Cabinet.

This purpose disconcerted St. Vincent, who, besides his aversion from
the war in general, was distinguished rather by tenacity and
resolution in meeting difficulties and dangers, when forced upon him,
than by the sanguine and enterprising initiative in offensive measures
which characterized Nelson. Writing to the latter on the 8th of
January, 1798, he says: "I am much at a loss to reconcile the plans
in contemplation to augment this fleet and extend its operations, with
the peace which Portugal seems determined to make with France, upon
any terms the latter may please to impose; because Gibraltar is an
unsafe depot for either stores or provisions, which the Spaniards have
always in their power to destroy, and the French keep such an army in
Italy, that Tuscany and Naples would fall a sacrifice to any the
smallest assistance rendered to our fleet." In other words, the old
question of supplies still dominated the situation, in the
apprehension of this experienced officer. Yet, in view of the serious
condition of things, and the probable defection of Portugal under the
threats of France and Spain, to which he alludes, it seems probable
that the ministry were better advised, in their determination to
abandon a passive defence against an enemy unrelentingly bent upon
their destruction. As Nelson said of a contingency not more serious:
"Desperate affairs require desperate remedies."

However determined the British Government might be to act in the
Mediterranean, some temporary perplexity must at first have been felt
as to where to strike, until a movement of the enemy solved the doubt.
In the early months of 1798 the Directory decided upon the Egyptian
expedition under General Bonaparte, and, although its destination was
guarded with admirable secrecy until long after the armament sailed,
the fact necessarily transpired that preparations were being made on a
most extensive scale for a maritime enterprise. The news soon reached
England, as it did also Jervis at his station off Cadiz. Troops and
transports were assembling in large numbers at the southern ports of
France, in Genoa, Civita Vecchia, and Corsica, while a fleet of at
least a dozen ships-of-the-line was fitting out at Toulon. Various
surmises were afloat as to the object, but all at this time were wide
of the mark.

On the 29th of April, less than three weeks after Nelson left
England, but before he joined the fleet, the Cabinet issued orders