g with the palsy. This is the sort of man that they have sent;
without any supply, without even a promise of protection, and without
his bringing any answer to the repeated respectful memorials of these
people to their Sovereign.

I know, their Majesties must feel hurt, when they hear these truths. I
may be thought presuming; but, I trust, General Acton will forgive an
honest seaman for telling plain truths. _As for the other minister,
I do not understand him_; we are different men! He has been bred in
a court, and I in a rough element. But, I believe, my heart is as
susceptible of the finer feelings as his, and as compassionate for the
distress of those who look up to me for protection.

The officer sent here should have brought supplies, promises of
protection, and an answer from the King to their memorials: he should
have been a man of judgment, bravery, and _activity_. He should be the
first to lead them to glory; and the last, when necessary, to retreat:
the first to mount the walls of the Bormola, and never to quit it.
This is the man to send. Such, many such, are to be found. If he
succeeds, promise him rewards; my life for it, the business would soon
be over.

God bless you! I am anxious to get this matter finished. I have sent
Ball, this day, to summon Goza; if it resists, I shall send on shore,
and batter down the castle.

Three vessels, loaded with bullocks, &c. for the garrison, were taken
yesterday; from Tripoli ten more are coming, but we shall have them.

I had almost forgot to mention, that orders should be immediately
given, that no quarantine should be laid on boats going to the coast
of Sicily for corn. At present, as a matter of favour, they have
_fourteen_ days only. Yesterday, there was only four days bread in the
island. Luckily, we got hold of a vessel loaded with wheat, and sent
her into St. Paul's.

Once more, God bless you! and ever believe me, your obliged and
affectionate

HORATIO NELSON.

This day, I have landed twenty barrels of gunpowder (two thousand
eight hundred pounds) at Malta.

IX.

Palermo, January 10th, 1800.

SIR,

Your Excellency having had the goodness to communicate to me a
dispatch from General Acton; together with several letters from
_Girganti_, giving an account that a violence had been committed,
in that port, by the seizing, and carrying off to Malta, two vessels
loaded with corn--I beg leave to express to your Excellency my real
concern, th