plague.

It is a very serious consideration for this country, either to receive
them, or let them pass; when they would invade, probably, these
kingdoms. In my present situation in the King's fleet, I have only to
obey; had I been, as before, in the command, I should have gone one
short and direct road to avert this great evil: _viz._ to have sent a
letter to the French, and the Grand Vizir, in Egypt, that I would not,
on any consideration, permit a single Frenchman to leave Egypt--and I
would do it at the risk of even creating a coldness, for the moment,
with the Turks.

Of two evils, choose the least; and nothing can be so horrid, as
permitting that horde of thieves to return to Europe.

If all the wise heads had left them to God Almighty, after the bridge
was broke, all would have ended well! For I differ entirely with
my Commander in Chief, in wishing they were permitted to return to
France; and, likewise, with Lord Elgin, in the great importance of
removing them from Egypt. No; there they should perish! has ever been
the firm determination of your Excellency's most obedient and faithful
servant,

BRONTE NELSON OF
THE NILE.

XII.

Palermo, April 10th, 1800.

MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM,

Reports are brought to me, that the Spanish ships of war in this port
are preparing to put to sea; a circumstance which must be productive
of very unpleasant consequences, to both England and this country.

It is fully known, with what exactness I have adhered to the
neutrality of this port; for, upon our arrival here, from Naples, in
December 1798, from the conduct of his Catholic Majesty's minister, I
should have been fully justified in seizing those ships.

We know, that one object of the Spanish fleet, combined with the
French, was to wrest entirely from the hands of his Sicilian Majesty
his kingdoms of the Two Sicilies.

The Spaniards are, by bad councils, the tools of the French; and, of
course, the bitter enemy of his Sicilian Majesty and family.

The conduct I have pursued towards these ships, circumstanced as they
are, has been moderate, and truly considerate towards his Sicilian
Majesty.

The time is now come--that, profiting of my forbearance, the Spanish
ships are fitting for sea. It is not possible, if they persist in
their preparations, that I can avoid attacking them, even in the port
of Palermo; for they never can, or shall, be suffered to go to sea,
and placed in a situation of assisting th