my letters to him; for the victory of the Nile would, in my opinion, be useless, if any ship, or Frenchman, is suffered to return to Europe.  I hope you will approve of my conduct; for, as a captain to an admiral, either Sir Sidney Smith, or myself, must give way.  Bonaparte is at Cairo, not more than sixteen thousand strong.  He must and will fall, sooner or later, if Sir Sidney Smith does not allow him to retreat by sea.  As to myself, I am, at times, ill at my ease:  but, it is my duty to submit; and, you may be sure, I shall not quit my post, without absolute necessity.  If the emperor moves, I hope yet to return the royal family to Naples.  At present, I cannot move; would the court but let me, I should be better:  for, here, I am writing from morn to eve; therefore, you must excuse this jumble of a letter.”

Neither of these letters, however, mention the very important circumstance of Captain Troubridge’s having intercepted Bonaparte’s dispatches, on his way to Constantinople; which is contained in the following communication to his Excellency the Honourable William Windham, for the purpose of having that satisfactory intelligence transmitted to England.  This letter, as well as other dispatches of the 21st, to Mr. Windham, was written on board the Culloden; into which ship Lord Nelson had shifted his flag, having that day sent Captain Hardy to Tripoli with the Vanguard.

     “Culloden, Palermo,
     22d March 1799.

     “MY DEAR SIR,

The ambassador of Bonaparte being intercepted by my friend Troubridge, on his way to Constantinople, among other articles of his instructions, is a very important one; viz. an offer to enter on terms for his quitting Egypt, with his army.  This offer is what I have long expected the glorious battle of the Nile would produce; but it was my determination, from that moment, never, if I could help it, to permit a single Frenchman to quit Egypt.  Captain Sir William Sidney Smith, who has the present command of the squadron off Alexandria, I have reason to believe, thinks differently from me, and will grant passports for that part of the French army which God Almighty permits to remain.  I have, therefore, thought it highly proper to send Captain Sir Sidney Smith the order of which I transmit a copy; for, I consider it nothing short of madness, to permit that band of thieves to return to Europe. No! to Egypt they went, with their own consent:  and there they shall remain, whilst Nelson commands this detached squadron; for never, never, will he consent to the return of one ship or Frenchman.

“I beg your excellency will take the earliest opportunity of sending this important information, and a copy of my letter to Captain Sir Sidney Smith, to England; and ever believe me, with the greatest respect, your obliged and faithful servant,

     “Nelson.”