sable to the health of the ships'
companies, constituted the greatest of difficulties. Opposition to
furnishing them must be expected wherever French influence could be
felt. "The great distance from Malta or Gibraltar renders the getting
such refreshments from those places, in a regular manner, absolutely
impossible;" and from the Spanish ports, Barcelona or Rosas, which
were near his cruising ground, they could be had only "clandestinely."
Government Bills would not be taken there, nor in Barbary or Sardinia,
where bullocks might be got. Hard money must be paid, and about this
there was some routine bureau difficulty. "I certainly hate to have
anything to do with the management of money," he wrote, "but I submit
the propriety of lodging public money on board the fleet, for the
purpose of paying for fresh beef and vegetables, provided, but on _no
account otherwise_, that the simple receipt from the captain of the
ship may be a sufficient voucher for the disbursement of such money."
Absolutely disposed as he was to assume political or military
responsibilities, he was not willing, even for the health of the
fleet, to incur the risk of pecuniary imputations for himself or his
captains.

Great dexterity of management was required to obtain these supplies,
without drawing, upon those who gave them, such tokens of displeasure
from Bonaparte as might result in their discontinuance. Towards Spain,
although he felt for her perplexities, Nelson took a firm tone. She
was nominally neutral, and enjoyed privileges as such; he insisted
therefore that she should deal equal measure to both belligerents. "I
am ready to make large allowances for the miserable situation Spain
has placed herself in; but there is a certain line beyond which I
cannot submit to be treated with disrespect." That line of forbearance
was dictated, of course, less by indulgence towards Spain than by the
necessities of Great Britain, which Nelson, however indignant, was too
good a diplomatist to drop out of sight; but he kept up a pressure
which secured very substantial assistance, though grudgingly given.
"Refreshments we have a right to as long as we remain at peace, and if
this goes on"--the refusal, that is, to allow provisions to be bought
in quantities--"you may acquaint them that I will anchor in Rosas with
the squadron, and receive our daily supplies, which will offend the
French much more than our staying at sea."

Towards Naples, as secretly friendly