from Sir John Jervis, send you such small armed vessels
as his Excellency thought would be proper for the service on which you
are employed.

The General, without hesitation, said--that orders should be
immediately given for the preparing of such a flotilla, which should
join you as soon as the weather would permit. At present, indeed, it
is not very encouraging for row-boats.

We wait a courier from Vienna, to decide the march of eight thousand
eight hundred infantry, and artillery included, intended to join the
Emperor's army in Italy: and, although the Grand Duke of Tuscany
has refused the permission for these troops to march through his
dominions, the King of Naples has told his son-in-law that, whenever
the safety of Italy should require it, he would, nevertheless, march
them through Tuscany; a liberty which the Emperor would likewise take,
whenever the good of the service required it.

However, the thousand cavalry sent from hence have taken their route,
by Loretto, through the Pope's state.

We have had, as I suppose you know, the Admirals Hotham and Goodall
here, for some weeks. I can, _entre nous_, perceive that my old friend
Hotham is not quite awake enough for such a command as that of the
King's fleet in the Mediterranean, although he appears the best
creature imaginable.

I did not know much of your friend Lord Hood, personally; but, by
his correspondence with me, his activity and clearness was most
conspicuous.

Lady Hamilton and I admire your constancy, and hope the severe service
you have undergone will be handsomely rewarded.

When I reported to Lord Grenville, in my last dispatch, the letter I
received from you lately, I could not help giving you the epithet of
"_that_ _brave officer, Captain Nelson._" If you do not deserve it, I
know not who does.

With our love to Sam, I am, ever, dear Sir, your's, sincerely,

Wm. HAMILTON.

II.

Palermo, February 13th, 1799.

MY LORD,

Having received an application from this government, that they might
be supplied with lead from on board the British merchants ships in
this harbour, that have that article on board--and that, without the
help of about a hundred _cantarra_ of lead, this country, and the
common cause, would be much distressed--I am to beg of your Lordship
to use your kind endeavours that this urgent want may be supplied
as soon as possible: well understood, that the proprietors of this
article should be perfectly satisf