CHAPTER XIII.

FROM THE INCURSION OF THE FRENCH FLEET UNDER BRUIX TO THE RESTORATION OF THE ROYAL AUTHORITY AT NAPLES.—­THE CARACCIOLO EXECUTION.—­NELSON’S DISOBEDIENCE TO ADMIRAL LORD KEITH.

MAY-JULY, 1799.  AGE, 40.

The intention of the French to send a fleet into the Mediterranean had transpired some time before, and the motive—­to retrieve the destruction of their naval power in that sea by the Battle of the Nile—­was so obvious that the attempt was regarded as probable.  As far back as the 7th of January, Nelson had written to Commodore Duckworth, commanding the detachment of four ships-of-the-line at Minorca, that he had received notification of the force expected from Brest.  If they got into the Mediterranean, he was confident they would go first to Toulon, and he wished to concert beforehand with Duckworth, who was not under his orders, the steps necessary to be taken at once, if the case arose.  He did not think, so he wrote to Ball, that they would venture a squadron to Malta or Alexandria, in view of the certain destruction which in the end must befall it, even if successful in reaching the port.

Both remarks show that he did not look for the number of ships that were sent—­nineteen, as the first news said, twenty-five, as was actually the case.  An emergency so great and so imminent drew out all his latent strength, acute judgment, and promptitude.  The brig that brought the news was sent off the same night to Naples, with orders to proceed from there to Minorca and Gibraltar, and to notify Duckworth and St. Vincent what Nelson intended to do.  A cutter sailed at the same time for Malta.  Troubridge and Ball were both directed to send or bring all their ships-of-the-line, save one each, to Minorca, there to unite with Duckworth.  Troubridge’s ships were to call off Palermo for further instructions, but not to lose time by coming to anchor there.  Expresses were sent to the different ports of Sicily, in case any Russian or Turkish ships had arrived, to put them on their guard, and to request co-operation by joining the force assembling off Minorca, where Nelson reasoned Lord St. Vincent also would repair.  To the latter he wrote:  “Eight, nine, or ten sail of the line shall, in a few days, be off Mahon, ready to obey your orders (not in the port);” for his intention was that they should remain outside under sail.  “You may depend upon my exertion, and I am only sorry that I cannot move[81] to your help, but this island appears to hang on my stay.  Nothing could console the Queen this night, but my promise not to leave them unless the battle was to be fought off Sardinia.”

The next day he wrote again in similar terms, seeking to reconcile his promise to the Queen with his impulses, and, it may be said safely, with his duty.  “Should you come upwards without a battle, I hope in that case you will afford me an opportunity of joining you; for my heart would break to be near my commander-in-chief, and not assisting him at such a time.  What a state I am in!  If I go, I risk, and more than risk, Sicily, and what is now safe on the Continent; for we know, from experience, that more depends on opinion than on acts themselves.  As I stay, my heart is breaking; and, to mend the matter, I am seriously unwell.”