Such was the situation when Nelson, on the 21st of July, had his first interview with De Vins; on the 22d peace between Spain and France was formally concluded.  Within a month, Bonaparte, who then occupied a prominent position in Paris, as military adviser to the Government, was writing:  “Peace with Spain makes offensive war in Piedmont certain; my plan is being discussed; Vado will soon be taken;” and a few days later, on the 25th of August, “Troops from Spain are marching to Italy.”  It was incumbent upon the French to repossess Vado, for, by affording safe anchorage to small hostile cruisers, it effectually stopped the trade with Genoa.  De Vins had there equipped several privateers, under the Austrian flag.  Of it Bonaparte said:  “By intercepting the coasters from Italy, it has suspended our commerce, stopped the arrival of provisions, and obliged us to supply Toulon from the interior of the Republic.  It is recognized that our commerce and subsistence require that communication with Genoa be promptly opened.”  Having in view Bonaparte’s remarkable campaign of the following year, and the fact that Vado was now held in force by the Austrians, the importance of British co-operation by the fleet, at this critical moment, becomes strikingly apparent.  The future thus throws back a ray of illuminating significance upon the otherwise paltry and obscure campaign of 1795, dragging out into broad daylight the full meaning of lost opportunities in the early year, and of Nelson’s strenuous efforts in his detached command.

Immediately upon his arrival in Genoa, on July 17, the effect of the neutral trade, if unchecked, upon the operations of both armies, was brought before him by the British minister.  Unless the supplies thus received by the French could be stopped, the Austrian general would not only be unable to advance, but feared he could not hold his present position.  If, on the other hand, the forage and grain thus brought to them could be intercepted, they would be forced to retreat, and there were hopes that the Austrians might reach Nice before winter, thus covering the excellent and advanced harbor of Villefranche as an anchorage for their British allies.  Nelson readily understood the situation, and admitted the necessity of the service demanded of his squadron, which was simply a blow at the enemy’s communications; but he pointed out to the minister that the circular instructions, before quoted, tied his hands.  Not only would the ordinary difficulties of proving the ownership and destination of a cargo give rise to the usual vexatious disputes, and irritate neutrals, contrary to the spirit of the order; but there was a particular complication in this instance, arising from the occupation of Genoese towns by French troops, and from the close proximity of the neutral and hostile seaboards.  These embarrassments might be met, were it permissible to sell the cargoes, and hold the money value, subject to the decision of an admiralty