at even the appearance of the slightest disrespect should
be offered, by any officers under my command, to the flag of his
Sicilian Majesty: and I must request your Excellency to state fully to
General Acton, that the act ought not to be considered as any intended
disrespect to his Sicilian Majesty; but as an act of the most absolute
and imperious necessity, either that the island of Malta should have
been delivered up to the French, or that the King's orders should be
anticipated for these vessels carrying their cargoes of corn to Malta.

I trust, that the government of this country will never again force
any of our Royal Master's servants to so unpleasant an alternative.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's
most obedient and faithful servant,

B.N.

X.

March 8th, 1800.

MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM,

I thank you kindly for all your letters and good wishes. It is my
determination, _my health requiring it_, to come to Palermo, and to
stay two weeks with you.

I must again urge, that four gunb-oats may be ordered for the service
of Malta; they will most essentially assist in the reduction of the
place, by preventing small vessels from getting in or out.

I think, from the enemy, on the night of the fourth, trying and
getting out for a short distance, a very fast-sailing polacca, that
Vaubois is extremely anxious to send dispatches to France, to say he
cannot much longer hold out: and, if our troops, as Captain Blackwood
thinks, are coming from Gibraltar and Minorca, I have no idea the
enemy will hold out a week.

I beg General Acton will order the gun-boats.

Troubridge has got the jaundice, and is very ill.

As I shall so very soon see you, I shall only say, that I am ever,
your obliged and affectionate

BRONTE NELSON.

XI.

Palermo, March 30th, 1800.

MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM,

As, from the orders I have given, to all the ships under my command,
to arrest and bring into port all the vessels and troops returning
by convention with the Porte to France--and as the Russian ships have
similar orders--I must request that your Excellency will endeavour to
arrange with the government of this country, how in the first instance
they are to be treated and received in the ports of the Two Sicilies:
for, it is obvious, I can do nothing more than bring them into port;
and, if they are kept on board ship, the fever will make such ravages
as to be little short of the