Sir John Jervis, in his letter to the Admiralty, on this occasion, dated the 5th of July 1797, gives the handsomest and the highest possible encomium to Rear-Admiral Nelson.
"The rear-admiral," says he, "who is always present in the most arduous enterprises, with the assistance of some other barges, boarded and carried two of the enemy's gun-boats, and a barge-launch belonging to some of their ships of war, with the commandant of the flotilla. Rear-Admiral Nelson's actions speak for themselves; any praise of mine would fall very short of his merit!"
A second and more effectual bombardment of the city of Cadiz, and the shipping in the harbour, under the direction of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, took place on the evening of the 5th of July. The bomb vessels, arranged by his instructions, suddenly opened a most tremendous discharge on the town, as well as on the fleet; which was vigorously kept up, till they had expended the whole of their allotted portion of shells: when, having greatly annoyed the enemy, and considerably diminished the force of the warlike preparations which had been collecting, they retired in good order, without themselves receiving the smallest injury.
Even these hostile attacks, however, do not appear to have extinguished civilities between the contending commanders, though they must certainly have diminished their satisfaction at receiving them.
Two or three days after, thirty Spanish prisoners having been taken in a ship from the Havannah, with the captain of a Spanish frigate which had been burnt there, and who was a passenger in the captured vessel, Rear-Admiral Nelson wrote a letter to Don Josef Mazerendo, dated on board the Theseus, July 8, 1797; in which he says, that he is directed, by Sir John Jervis, to acquaint his excellency that these thirty men are at liberty to return into Cadiz, whenever he may be pleased to send for them, on condition that they do not serve till regularly exchanged. Of the Spanish captain, taken as a passenger, he generously adds—"I know it to be my commander in chief's intention, that he should not be considered as a prisoner of war. The distresses occasioned by the known laws of war," liberally concludes this exalted man, "are miserable enough, without adding to them!"
The prisoners, accordingly, were immediately sent for; but there seems to have been a backwardness in the Spanish admiral's performance of the conditions proposed: and, on the 10th, Rear-Admiral Nelson resolutely demanded them again, that they might be immediately sent to England, if they were not received as prisoners of war; which, at length, was reluctantly agreed to.
It appears that, about this time, intelligence had been received, by the commander in chief, of a prodigiously rich ship, El Principe d'Asturias, belonging to the Philippine Company, and bound from Manilla to Cadiz, being then in the port of Santa Cruz, the capital of the island of Teneriffe; where the treasure was intended to be landed for security, as had previously been the case with several other rich cargoes. With a view of obtaining possession of these valuable treasures, an expedition against that place was determined on, under the conduct of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson.
He was accordingly detached, by Sir John Jervis, on the 15th of July, with three ships of the line, the Theseus, Culloden, and Zealous; the Terpsichore, Emerald, and Seahorse, frigates; and the Fox cutter. These were afterwards joined by the Leander of fifty guns. The general orders which Sir Horatio Nelson received were, to make a vigorous and spirited attack; but, on no account, personally to land with the forces, which were to be under the command of Captain Troubridge, unless his presence should be absolutely necessary. These particular injunctions were generally thought to have been most humanely given, by the commander in chief, for the sake of preserving the valuable life of the rear-admiral; which might, otherwise, from his known disregard of danger, be too much exposed: and some also ascribed them to the wish of giving Captain Troubridge a considerable share in the glory of that intended brilliant enterprise.
The plan of this expedition was contrived with all that masterly address and precision which ever marked the operations projected by the judicious and gallant rear-admiral; and, as the author is favoured with the opportunity of giving them in detail, the principles which they comprise may be adopted, perhaps, with deserved success, by other commanders, on many future occasions.
The first order issued by Rear-Admiral Nelson was addressed to Thomas Troubridge, Esq. captain of his majesty's ship Culloden, and commander of the forces ordered to be landed for taking Santa Cruz.
"Theseus, at Sea, July 20, 1797.
"SIR,
"I desire you will take under your command the number of seamen and marines named in the margin, who will be under the command of Captains Hood, Freemantle, Bowen, Miller, and Waller, and the marines under the command of Captain Thomas Oldfield, and a detachment of the Royal Artillery under the command of Lieutenant Baynes; all of whom are now embarked on board his majesty's frigates Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald. With this detachment, you will proceed as near to the town of Santa Cruz as possible, without endangering your being perceived; when you will embark as many men as the boats will carry, and force your landing in the north-east part of the bay of Santa Cruz, near a large battery; which, when carried, and your post secured, you will either proceed by storm against the town and mole-head battery, or send in my letter, as you judge most proper, containing a summons, of which I send you a copy, and the terms are either to be accepted or rejected in the time specified, unless you see good cause for prolonging it, as no alteration will be made in them: and you will pursue such other methods as you judge most proper for speedily effecting my orders; which are, to possess myself of all cargoes and treasures which may be landed in the island of Teneriffe. Having the firmest confidence in the ability, bravery, and zeal, of yourself, and all placed under your command, I have only to heartily wish you success; and to assure you, that I am your most obedient and faithful servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
The number of seamen and marines mentioned in the margin of the above letter were—Theseus, Culloden, and Zealous, two hundred each; Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald, one hundred each: making, in all, nine hundred, exclusive of officers and their servants.
The Summons alluded to, addressed to the Governor or Commanding Officer of Santa Cruz, was as follows.
"By Sir Horatio Nelson, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Rear-Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief of His Britannic Majesty's Forces by Sea and Land, before Santa Cruz.
"Theseus, 20th July 1797.
"SIR,
"I have the honour to acquaint you, that I am come here to demand the immediate surrender of the ship El Principe d'Asturias, from Manilla, bound to Cadiz, belonging to the Phillipine Company, together with her whole and entire cargo; and, also, all such other cargoes and property as may have been landed in the island of Teneriffe, and not intended for the consumption of it's inhabitants.
"And, as it is my earnest wish, that not one individual inhabitant of the island of Teneriffe should suffer by my demand being instantly complied with, I offer the following most honourable and liberal terms; which, if refused, the horrors of war, which will fall on the inhabitants of Teneriffe, must be, by the world, imputed to you, and to you only: for I shall destroy Santa Cruz, and the other towns in the island, by a bombardment, and levy a very heavy contribution on the island.
"ARTICLE I.
"The forts shall be delivered to me; and, instantly, a party of the
British troops shall be put in possession of the gates.
"ARTICLE II.
"The garrison shall lay down their arms, but the officers shall be allowed to keep their swords; and the garrison, without the condition of being prisoners of war, shall be transported to Spain, or remain in the island while their conduct is orderly and proper, as the commanding officer pleases.
"ARTICLE III.
"On the express condition, that the full and entire cargoes of the El Principe d'Asturias, and all such other cargoes and property as may have been landed on the island of Teneriffe, and not intended for the consumption of it's inhabitants, be given up, and the first article complied with, not the smallest contribution shall be levied on the inhabitants, but they shall enjoy the fullest protection in their persons and property.
"ARTICLE IV.
"No interference whatever shall be made in the holy catholic religion; the ministers of it, and all it's religious orders, shall be considered as under my especial care and protection.
"ARTICLE V.
"The laws and magistrates shall be continued as at present, unless by the general wish of the islanders.
"These terms subscribed to, the inhabitants of the town of Santa Cruz shall lodge their arms in one house, under the joint care of the bishop and chief magistrate; and it will be my pride to consult with these gentlemen what may be most advantageous for the inhabitants.
"Horatio Nelson."
"I allow half of one hour for acceptance or rejection.
"Horatio Nelson."
These articles being transmitted to Captain Troubridge, special orders were sent, the same day, to Captain Thomas Oldfield, senior captain of the marines ordered to disembark; and to Lieutenant Baynes, of the Royal Artillery; directing them to attend, respectively, to all the desires of Captain Thomas Troubridge, who was to command all the forces landed for taking the town of Santa Cruz. To the latter officer, a copy of the third article of the following regulations was, at the same time, particularly addressed.
"Regulations recommended by Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson.
"1.
"That each ship's boats should be kept together, by towing each other, which will keep the people of each ship collected; and the boats will be in six divisions, and nearly get on shore at the same moment.
"2.
"The marines of each ship of the line to be put in their launches—which will carry them.
"3.
"The moment the boats are discovered, by a firing being made on them, the bomb vessel to commence her fire on the town, and to keep it up till the flag of truce is hoisted from either the enemy or from us.
"4.
"That a captain should be directed to see the boats put off from the beach, that more men may be speedily got on shore with the field pieces.
"5.
"Frigates to anchor as soon as possible after the alarm is given, or the forces ashore near the battery in the north-east part of the bay.
"6.
"Immediately as the forces get ashore, they are to get in the rear of the battery marked S, in the north-east part of the bay, and to instantly storm it; and, also, to take post on the top of the hill which is above it.
"Every ship to land the number of men as against their names expressed, with a proper proportion of officers, exclusive of commissioned officers and servants—[as stated in the letter to Captain Troubridge]—and the captains are at liberty to send as many more men as they please; leaving sufficient to manage the ship, and to man the launch and another boat. Every captain, that chuses, is at liberty to land and command his seamen, under the command of Captain Troubridge.
"It is recommended to put as many marine coats or jackets on the seamen as can be procured; and, that all should have canvas crop belts.
"The marines to be all under the direction of Captain Oldfield, the senior marine officer: and he is directed to put himself under the direction of Captain Troubridge; as is Lieutenant Baynes of the Royal Artillery, with his detachment."
To these general regulations were added the following particular instructions—
"Theseus, July 21, 1797.
"The Culloden's officers and men, with only their arms, to be ready to go on board the Terpsichore, at one P.M. this day. To carry with them four ladders—each of which to have a lanyard four fathoms long—a sledge hammer, wedges, and a broad axe.
"The boats oars to be muffled with either a piece of canvas or kersey.
"Horatio Nelson.
"Memorandum—The Culloden and Zealous to each make a platform for one eighteen pounder, the Theseus to make a sley for dragging cannon.
"Each ship to make as many iron ramrods as possible; it being found that the wooden ones are very liable to break, when used in a hurry.
"The Seahorse to make a platform for one nine pounder."
The whole plan of proceedings being thus judiciously arranged, the attempt was commenced with every hope of success: but it turned out, that a very erroneous representation had been given of the forces of the enemy, which appear to have been far too numerous for so small a body of men successfully to encounter; and, indeed, there were other unexpected difficulties and disappointments.
The following letter, from Captain Troubridge to Sir Horatio Nelson, will account, in a considerable degree, for the miscarriage of the enterprise.
"Culloden, 25th July 1797.
"SIR,
"From the darkness of the night, I did not immediately hit the mole, the spot appointed to land at; but pushed on shore under the enemy's batteries, close to the southward of the citadel. Captain Waller landed at the same instant, and two or three other boats. The surf was so high, many put back. The boats were full of water in an instant, and stove against the rocks; and most of the ammunition in the men's pouches was wet.
"As soon as I collected a few men, I immediately pushed, with Captain Waller, for the square, the place of rendezvous, in hopes of there meeting you and the remainder of the people, and waited about an hour; during which time, I sent a serjeant, with two gentlemen of the town, to summons the citadel. I fear, the serjeant was shot on his way, as I heard nothing of him afterwards.
"The ladders being all lost in the surf, or not to be found, no immediate attempt could be made on the citadel. I, therefore, marched to join Captains Hood and Miller; who, I had intelligence, had made good their landing to the south-west of the place I did, with a body of men. I endeavoured, then, to procure some intelligence of you, and the rest of the officers, without success.
"By day-break, we had collected about eighty marines, eighty pikemen, and one hundred and eighty small-arm seamen. These, I found, were all that were alive, that had made good their landing. With this force, having procured some ammunition from the Spanish prisoners we had made, we were marching to try what could be done with the citadel without ladders: but found the whole of the streets commanded by field-pieces; and upwards of eight thousand Spaniards, and one hundred French, under arms, approaching by every avenue. As the boats were all stove, and I saw no possibility of getting more men on shore, the ammunition wet, and no provisions, I sent Captain Hood with a flag of truce to the governor, to say I was prepared to burn the town; which I should immediately put in force, if he approached one inch farther: and, at the same time, I desired Captain Hood to say, it would be done with regret, as I had no wish to injure the inhabitants; and that, if he would come to my terms, I was ready to treat. These he readily agreed to: a copy of which I have the honour to send you by Captain Waller; which, I hope, will meet your approbation, and appear highly honourable.
"From the small body of men, and the greater part being pike and small-arm seamen, which can be only called irregular, with very little ammunition in the pouches but what was wet in the surf at landing, I could not expect to succeed in any attempt on the enemy, whose superior strength I have before mentioned.
"The Spanish officers assure me, they expected us, and were perfectly prepared with all the batteries, and the number of men I have before mentioned under arms; which, with the great disadvantages of a rocky coast, high surf, and in the face of forty pieces of cannon, though we were not successful, will shew what an Englishman is equal to. I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that we marched through the town, on our return, with the British colours flying at our head.
"I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
"Thomas Troubridge.
"P.S. I beg to say that, when the terms were signed and ratified, the governor, in the handsomest manner, sent a large proportion of wine, bread, &c. to refresh the people, and shewed every mark of attention in his power."
When the treaty just mentioned was first proposed to the Spanish governor, he told Captain Hood that they ought to surrender as prisoners of war: to which he replied, that Captain Troubridge had directed him to say that, if the terms offered were not accepted in five minutes, he would set the town on fire, and attack the Spaniards at the point of the bayonet; on which, the governor instantly closed, by signing the following treaty—
"Santa Cruz, 25th July 1797.
"That the troops, &c. belonging to his Britannic majesty, shall embark, with all their arms of every kind; and take their boats off, if saved, and be provided with such other as may be wanting. In consideration of which, it is engaged, on their part, that they shall not molest the town, in any manner, by the ships of the British squadron now before it, or any of the islands in the Canaries, and prisoners shall be given up on both sides.
"Given under my hand, and word of honour,
"Samuel Hood.
"Ratified by—
"Thomas Troubridge, Commander of the British Troops.
"Juan Antonio Gutierrez, Commandant General de las Islas
Canarias."
The next public document relative to this unfortunate expedition, it was the melancholy lot of the rear-admiral to pen with the left hand, his right arm having been shot off on the evening of the 24th, for the information of the commander in chief, to whom it was immediately transmitted.
"Theseus, off Santa Cruz, 27th July 1797.
"SIR,
"In obedience to your orders to make a vigorous attack on the town of Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe, I directed, from the ships under my command, a thousand men, including marines, to be prepared for landing, under the direction of Captain Troubridge of his majesty's ship Culloden; and Captains Hood, Thompson, Freemantle, Bowen, Miller, and Waller, who very handsomely volunteered their services: and, although I am under the painful necessity of acquainting you, that we have not been able to succeed in our attack, yet it is my duty to state that, I believe, more daring intrepidity never was shewn, than by the captains, officers, and men, you did me the honour to place under my command; and the Journal which I transmit you herewith will, I hope, convince you, that my abilities, humble as they are, have been exerted on the occasion.
"Inclosed, I also transmit you a list of killed and wounded; and, among the former, it is with the deepest sorrow I have to place the name of Captain Richard Bowen, of his majesty's ship Terpsichore—than whom, a more enterprising, able, and gallant officer, does not grace his majesty's naval service: and, with great regret, I have to mention the loss of Lieutenant John Gibson, commander of the Fox Cutter; and a great number of gallant officers and men.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most faithful and obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
The Journal mentioned in this letter, as written by the rear-admiral, with his left hand, and transmitted to Sir John Jervis, was as follows. It is remarkable, that neither the letter, nor this Journal, make the smallest mention of his having lost his arm on the occasion; which information merely occurs in the list of the killed and wounded. This singular mode of omitting to particularise himself, forms a curious trait in the character of the immortal hero.
A Detail of the Proceedings of the Expedition against the Town of Santa Cruz, in the Island of Teneriffe.
BY REAR-ADMIRAL NELSON.
"On Friday the 21st inst. I directed to be embarked, on board the Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald frigates, one thousand men—including two hundred and fifty men under the command of Captain Thomas Oldfield—the whole commanded by Captain Troubridge; attended by all the boats of the squadron, scaling ladders, and every implement which I thought necessary for the success of the enterprise. I directed that the boats should land, in the night, between the fort on the north-east side of the Bay of Santa Cruz and the town, and endeavour to make themselves masters of that fort; which, when done, to send in my summons: the liberal terms of which, I am confident, you will approve. Though the frigates approached within three miles of the place of debarkation, by twelve o'clock; yet, from the unforeseen circumstance of a strong gale of wind in the offing, and a strong current against them in shore, they did not approach within a mile of the landing-place when the day dawned, which discovered to the Spaniards our force and intentions.
"On my approach with the line of battle ships, Captains Troubridge and Bowen, with Captain Oldfield of the marines, came on board, to consult with me what was best to be done; and were of opinion, if they could possess the heights, over the fort before mentioned, that it could be stormed. To which, I gave my assent; and directed the line of battle ships to batter the fort, in order to create a diversion. But, this was found impracticable; not being able to get nearer the shore than three miles, from a calm, and contrary currents: nor could our men possess themselves of the heights, as the enemy had taken possession of them, and seemed as anxious to retain as we to get them. Thus foiled in my original plan, I considered it for the honour of our king and country, not to give over the attempt to possess ourselves of the town; that our enemies might be convinced there is nothing that Englishmen are not equal to: and, confident in the bravery of those who would be employed in the service, I embarked every person from the shore on the 22nd at night.
"On the 24th, I got the ships to an anchor, about two miles to the northward of the town, and made every shew for a disposition of attacking the heights; which appeared to answer the end, from the great number of people they had placed on them. The Leander, Captain Thompson, joined this afternoon, and her marines were added to the force before appointed; and Captain Thompson also volunteered his services. At-eleven o'clock at night, the boats of the squadron, containing between six and seven hundred men, a hundred and eighty men on board the Fox cutter, and about seventy or eighty men in a boat we had taken the day before, proceeded towards the town; the divisions of boats conducted by all the captains, except Freemantle and Bowen, who attended with me to regulate and lead the way to the attack: every captain being acquainted, that the landing was to be made on the mole; from whence they were to proceed, as fast as possible, into the great square; where they were to form, and proceed on such services as might be found necessary. We were not discovered, till within half gun-shot of the landing-place: when I directed the boats to cast off from each other, give a huzza, and push for the shore.
"A fire of thirty or forty pieces of cannon, with musketry from one end of the town to the other, opened on us; but nothing could stop the intrepidity of the captains landing the divisions. Unfortunately, the greater part of the boats did not see the mole; but went on shore, through a raging surf, which stove all the boats to the left of it.
"For a detail of their proceedings, I send you a copy of Captain Troubridge's account to me; and I cannot but express my admiration of the firmness with which he and his brave associates supported the honour of the British flag.
"Captains Freemantle and Bowen, and myself, with four or five boats, stormed the mole; though opposed, apparently, by four or five hundred men; took possession of it; and spiked the guns: but such a heavy fire of musketry, and grape-shot, was kept up from the citadel, and the houses at the head of the mole, that we could not advance; and we were all, nearly, killed or wounded.
"The Fox cutter, in rowing towards the town, received a shot under water, from one of the enemy's distant batteries, and immediately sunk; and Lieutenant Gibson, her commander, with ninety-seven men, were drowned.
"I must not omit to acquaint you of the satisfaction which I received from the conduct of Lieutenant Baynes of the Royal Artillery; not only from the ardour with which he undertook every service, but also from his professional skill."
List of Killed, Wounded, Drowned, and Missing, of his Majesty's Ships undermentioned, in storming Santa Cruz, in the Island of Teneriffe, in the Night of the 24th of July 1797.
Theseus, eight seamen, four marines, killed; twenty-five seamen
wounded; and thirty-four drowned.
Culloden, one seaman, two marines, killed; twelve seamen, six
marines wounded; and thirty-six drowned.
Zealous, three seamen, two marines, killed; and nineteen seamen,
two marines, wounded.
Leander, one seaman, five marines, killed; one seaman, four
marines, wounded; and one missing.
Seahorse, two seamen killed; and thirteen seamen, one marine,
wounded.
Terpsichore, eight seamen killed; nine seamen, two marines,
wounded; and four missing.
Emerald, five seamen, three marines, killed; eleven seamen wounded;
and ten drowned.
Fox cutter, seventeen drowned.
Total killed, wounded, and missing, two hundred and fifty-one.
OFFICERS KILLED.
Richard Bowen, Captain of the Terpsichore.
George Thorpe, First-Lieutenant of ditto.
John Wetherhead, Lieutenant of the Theseus.
William Earnshaw, Second Lieutenant of the Leander.
Raby Robinson, Lieutenant of Marines, ditto.
Lieutenant Baisham, Marines, of the Emerald.
Lieutenant Gibson, of the Fox Cutter, drowned.
OFFICERS WOUNDED.
Rear-Admiral Nelson, right arm shot off.
Captain Thompson, Leander, slightly.
Captain Freemantle, Seahorse, in the arm.
Lieutenant J. Douglas, ditto, in the hand.
Mr. Waits, Midshipman, Zealous.
In a small Spanish pamphlet, published at Madrid, with a translation of which the author has been most obligingly furnished by Sir John Talbot Dillon, though the account of our loss is so prodigiously exaggerated, as to state the killed to be twenty-two British officers and at least five hundred and sixty-six men, and adding that some accounts even make it eight hundred, there are certainly several interesting particulars which bear every mark of authenticity. The acknowledged loss of the Spaniards, however, said to be only twenty-three killed, and thirty-eight wounded, may be considered as not a little apocryphal. Indeed, no reliance can be placed on their numerical exactness; for the Fox cutter is asserted, by them, to have contained three hundred and eighty men, instead of one hundred and eighty; and Rear-Admiral Nelson is said to have lost his right arm, when in his boat, and before landing, which obliged him to re-embark on board the Theseus, with the other officers who accompanied him badly wounded, on the 23d, instead of on the 24th.
This pamphlet informs us, that Captain Bowen, of the Terpsichore, who was killed, had first proposed the attack of Santa Cruz to Admiral Sir John Jervis; which he represented as very easy, having previously cut out of that bay the Spanish frigate, Prince Ferdinand, from the Philippine Islands. His chief pilot was a Chinese, taken out of his former prize, who was also killed on the present occasion.
Lieutenant Robinson, of the marines, badly wounded, was properly attended in the Spanish hospital. A copy of Captain Thompson's orders had been found on him, by Don Bernardo Collagon; a brave and most gallant Spanish youth, who had, sword in hand, defended his country with great spirit, and was so generous and humane to the unfortunate wounded enemy, that he is said to have actually stripped himself of his shirt to make bandages for the wounds of the English. Great humanity, indeed, was shewn to all the wounded; who were carefully re-embarked, many of them in a dying state, immediately after the capitulation was signed. The Spanish governor generously regaled all the English troops with bread and wine, before they went into their boats, and invited the principal officers to dine with him that day. This, however, they politely declined; fearing some irregularity among their soldiers, from the effects of the wine: but agreed to wait on the governor next day. They accordingly did so: when, instructed by Rear-Admiral Nelson, they offered, in his name, to take charge of the governor's dispatches for the Spanish court; and he thus actually became the first messenger of his own defeat.
In the mean time, he returned thanks to the Spanish governor, for his great care of the sick and wounded, by writing him the following letter; dated on board his majesty's ship Theseus, opposite Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, July 26, 1797.
"SIR,
I cannot take my departure from this island, without returning your excellency my sincerest thanks for your attention towards me, by your humanity in favour of our wounded men in your power, or under your care, and for your generosity towards all our people who were disembarked, which I shall not fail to represent to my sovereign; hoping, also, at a proper time, to assure your excellency, in person, how truly I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
"Horatio Nelson.
P.S. I request your excellency will do me the honour to admit of a
cask of English beer, and a cheese."
"His Excellency, Don Antonio Gutierrez, Commandant General of the
Canary Islands."
To this friendly epistle, the Spanish governor immediately returned the following liberal answer—
"Santa Cruz de Teneriffe,
26th July 1797.
"SIR,
With the highest pleasure, I received your esteemed favour, proceeding from your generous and well-disposed mind; since, on my part, I conceive, no laurel is due to him who only fulfils what humanity dictates: and I have done no more, in behalf of the wounded men, as well as others who disembarked; and whom, after all warfare has ceased, I ought to consider as brothers.
"If, in the state to which the uncertain fate of war has led you, it were in my power, or could any thing that this island produces afford the least comfort or aid to you, it would yield me the truest satisfaction: and, I hope, you will admit of a couple of large flasks of Canary wine; which, I believe, is none of the worst that this island produces.
"A personal intercourse will give me great pleasure, when circumstances permit it, with a person so deserving, and of such distinguished qualifications as you so feelingly indicate. Meantime, I pray God to preserve you in his holy keeping; and am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
"Don Antonio Gutierrez.
"P.S. I have received, and highly esteem, the cask of beer, and cheese, which you have done me the favour to send me."
"Rear-Admiral Nelson."
On the 27th of July, there was a solemn Te Deum sung by the Spaniards, in the parochial church of Santa Cruz: that day being the festival of St. Christopher, the tutelary patron of the island; on which an annual thanksgiving is celebrated, as being the identical day when that island was first conquered, three hundred and one years prior to this period.
Such are the chief particulars of the Spanish account, as supplied by Sir John Talbot Dillon's most respectable translation; and which places in a very amiable point of view the characters of the respective commanders.
On comparing the various accounts of this unfortunate expedition, there are certainly some incongruities. In the numerous biographical memoirs of Lord Nelson, either abridged or amplified from that in the Naval Chronicle, it is stated that the rear-admiral "received his wound soon after the detachment had landed." In these, too, it is added that, "while they were pressing on with the usual ardour of British seamen, the shock caused him to fall to the ground; where, for some minutes, he was left to himself, till Lieutenant Nesbit, missing him, had the presence of mind to return: when, after some search in the dark, he at length found his brave father-in-law weltering in his blood on the ground, with his arm shattered, and himself apparently lifeless. Lieutenant Nesbit, having immediately applied his neck-handkerchief as a tourniquet to the rear-admiral's arm, carried him on his back to the beach; where, with the assistance of some sailors, he conveyed him into one of the boats, and put off to the Theseus, under a tremendous, though happily ill-directed, fire from the enemy's batteries. The day after the rear-admiral lost his arm," concludes the Naval Chronicle account, "he wrote to Lady Nelson; and, in narrating the foregoing transaction, says—"I know it will add much to your pleasure, on finding that your son Josiah, under God's providence, was instrumental in saving my life."
On the other hand, it seems remarkable that the Spanish relation of this catastrophe positively pronounces him "to have lost his right arm when in his boat, and before landing."
This, too, corresponds with the following short description of that unhappy business; which, without any essential alteration as to facts in it's transit, most assuredly proceeded from the ever to be revered hero's own faithful lips.
The circumstance of so few boats hitting the mole with the rear-admiral, who had appointed it as the general place of landing, after having been baffled in his first design, proved fatal to the enterprise. By landing in the surf, they lost their scaling implements; and Captain Troubridge was not prepared instantly to storm the citadel, before the approach of the Spanish troops, which could only have been carried by a sudden coup de main. Rear-Admiral Nelson had only one foot out of the boat, and was in the act of landing on the mole, under a most tremendous fire from the batteries, when his arm was shot nearly off; and he fell back in the boat. At that awful moment, he recollected the injunction of his deceased uncle, on receiving the sword which he had thus been compelled to drop; and, groping at the bottom, speedily recovered it, and firmly grasped it in his remaining hand. He called to his brave companions in arms, who had already landed to storm the mole, and directed them to force the gate of the citadel; a task which, with all their exertion, they found it impossible to accomplish, though they succeeded in spiking several of the guns. At this juncture, Lieutenant Nesbit very humanely took the handkerchief from his neck, and tied it round the shattered arm of his father-in-law, a little above where it had been shot. The boat, in the mean time, was hastening to return on board the Theseus, amidst a most dreadful discharge from the batteries. It soon approached where the Fox cutter had just been sunk by a shot under water; and the unhappy men with which it had been charged, consisting of one hundred and eighty persons, were in the act of struggling for their lives. This was a scene of distress too dreadful to be passed, by their humane commander, without at least endeavouring to lessen the extent of the calamity. As many as possible of these poor fellows were instantly taken into the boat; an office of humanity in which the rear-admiral himself eagerly assisted, with his sole arm, smarting as he then was under the agony occasioned by the recent separation of the other. The corporeal anguish which he now felt, however, was mitigated by the solace he received in thus rescuing a few of his brave fellows from impending destruction; but, alas! the mental horror which he suffered, at beholding some of the noblest of the human race compelled to be forcibly rejected, and abandoned to their wretched fate, through dread of sinking his own overcharged boat, admitted of no alleviation, and inflicted pangs on his heroic heart, to describe which the powers of language are incapable of yielding any adequate expression. Every possible exertion was used to reach the Theseus, with a faint hope of the boat's returning in time to save a few more of these unhappy victims; and, a chair being called for, to accommodate the rear-admiral in getting on board, so impatient was he for the boat's return, that he desired to have only a single rope thrown over the side, which he instantly twisted round his left arm, and was thus hauled up into the ship. It appears, on referring to the account of the drowned, in the list of killed and wounded, &c. that eighty-three only were saved; so that ninety-seven men, including officers, from the different ships, thus miserably perished!
The rear-admiral, on getting aboard the Theseus, immediately suffered the amputation of his arm; but, some mistake having occurred, in taking up one of the arteries, which is described as having been united with a nerve, by an ingenious French surgeon, he long felt the most excruciating tortures.
The Earl of St. Vincent, in his dispatches to government relative to this expedition, dated on board the Ville de Paris, off Cadiz, August 16, 1797, observes that, though the enterprise had not succeeded, his majesty's arms had acquired a very great degree of lustre. "Nothing," says his lordship, "from my pen, can add to the eulogy the rear-admiral gives of the gallantry of the officers and men employed under him. I have greatly to lament," continues the noble earl, "the heavy loss which the country has sustained in the severe wound of Rear-Admiral Nelson, and the death of Captain Richard Bowen, Lieutenant Gibson, and the other brave officers and men who fell in this vigorous and persevering assault. The moment the rear-admiral joins, it is my intention to send the Seahorse to England with him, the wound Captain Freemantle has received in his arm also requiring change of climate; and I hope, that both of them will live to render important services to their king and country."
Accordingly, after receiving the kindest condolences from the Earl of St. Vincent, and sending into Cadiz the dispatches of the worthy governor of Santa Cruz, he immediately sailed for England.
This affair of Teneriffe, however unfortunate, being the first expedition against a place, the whole of which was undertaken and planned by himself, has been thought worthy of very particular attention. That the plan was not defective in wisdom, the reader has had an opportunity of sufficiently judging, by a perusal of the various preliminary documents actually issued on the occasion. The undertaking could only be expected to prove with certainty successful, by a secret and rapid coup de main, which should suddenly have obtained possession, in the first place, of the fort on the north-east side of the bay; and, in the second, of the heights by which it was commanded. The primary of these objects was wholly frustrated by the non-arrival of the boats at the place of destination under cover of the night; for, at the dawning of day, the Spaniards having discovered both the forces and their intention, were induced to lose as little time as possible in previously occupying the heights above the fort. Thus, by the delay of the boats, in the first instance, and by waiting, in the second, to consult with the rear-admiral, instead of at once pushing forward to secure this essential post, the business was completely reduced to a merely forlorn hope; and had better, from that moment, have been entirely abandoned. The exalted mind of the rear-admiral, however, though it felt, there is good reason to believe, the full force of this opinion, being conscious of having received instructions, from his commander in chief, to make a vigorous and spirited attack, and convinced that such attack had not been yet made, could by no means have satisfied itself, had he not at least endeavoured, whatever the risque might prove, to execute, with every effort, the utmost intention of his orders. With a promptness which never failed him, he now directed the troops to be embarked from the shore; having resolved on vigorously attacking the town, and even the citadel itself. This design, however, he ingeniously contrived to cover, by remaining apparently inactive on the 23d, as if he had entirely abandoned his intentions against the place: and, on the 24th, by approaching and anchoring to the northward of the town, and making every apparent disposition for assailing the heights, he drew the notice of the Spaniards entirely to that quarter; who, consequently, left less invulnerable the objects of his real attention. The design of this meditated assault was certainly desperate; and so conscious did he feel of it's danger, though nothing could deter him from the attempt, that he has been frequently heard to declare the sensation he experienced, on going over the ship's side, to enter his boat, on the 24th at night, was a full conviction that he should never return. There was, indeed, a hope of success, but it was a faint one, and the evil genius of the expedition again interposed to defeat it. The boats did not keep together, as instructed; they did not all land, as directed, on the mole: and, in consequence, they were stove, by running ashore through a raging surf; the ammunition in the men's pouches got wet; and the scaling ladders were either lost, or forgotten in the confusion of the scene. Even those who landed with Captain Troubridge, and whose valour instantly got entire possession of the town, lost the only chance there seems to have remained for successfully storming the citadel, by waiting so long in expectation of the rear-admiral, who had been fatally prevented from landing, and other aids and augmentations, that the Spanish troops gained time to collect, and approach them, from the vicinity, in such force as nothing but the matchless address and intrepidity of British officers, and British men, could possibly have braved and surmounted. That they were extricated, by a daring resolution and determined valour, in Captain Troubridge and Captain Hood, which would have done honour even to Rear-Admiral Nelson himself, is as certain, as that no want of courage prevented, in the smallest degree, the success of the enterprise. There can be no such possible imputation. By bravery, alone, it was wholly unaccomplishable; it might, possibly, have been effected, but even that is by no means certain, if they had not been deprived of the chief hero's most fertile mental resources, ever rising with the exigency, which his fatal wound had effectually prevented—and which no other man must be censured for not possessing; because, perhaps, no other man ever did possess them in so eminent a degree. Besides, justice demands a due acknowledgment, that those who may rank among the greatest of men, having others at hand whom they consider as still greater than themselves, are to be excused for not hastily relying on their own judgment; though delay should, as it generally does in the operations of war, prove ultimately dangerous. The same persons, left under the necessity of acting for themselves, might be inspired with more confidence in their own ability, and proceed very differently in their operations.
In lamenting that the several trials were not instantly made, which have been suggested as remaining at all practicable, during the critical periods alluded to, due regard must be paid to the opinions of those who had better opportunities of judging from intervening circumstances. Not, indeed, that it is by any means unusual for the most exalted characters to discover, themselves, after the event, opportunities which might have been seized, and which they have for ever lost, of performing some peculiarly brilliant achievement. This is no disgrace. Of much regret, it may often constitute a subject; of just reproach, never.
By indulging these reflections, there is no other object in contemplation, than that of assisting to afford an accurate view of the ability which was exerted in this unfortunate enterprise; and thus demonstrating, by a new example, the force of the old observation—that success is not always acquirable, even where it is most merited.
About the middle of September 1797, Sir Horatio Nelson having arrived safely in London, had apartments engaged in Bond Street; where he was attended by Dr. Moseley, the late celebrated Surgeon Cruikshanks, and other gentlemen of the faculty.
It appears that, in consequence of a nerve having been improperly included in one of the ligatures employed for securing a bleeding artery, at the time of the operation—which ligature, according to the customary practice of the French surgeons, was of silk instead of waxed thread—a constant irritation, and perpetual discharge, were kept up; and, the ends of the ligature, hanging out of the wound, being daily pulled, in order to effect their separation, occasioned the severest agony to the heroic sufferer, who had scarcely any intermission of pain, either by night or day. His excellent spirits, however, never deserted him: and, in fact, he had not felt the slightest degree of fever on the occasion; a very unusual circumstance, after the loss of a limb.
His deserved popularity had already acquired such a height, that the nation might be said to participate in his sufferings; and he received the most consoling civilities from the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Clarence, and other illustrious and noble characters. Friends flocked around him. His worthy relatives hastened to attend and console him, from the country; and Mr. Bolton, in particular, was his constant companion.
Besides the order of the Bath, and the gold medal, which he had received from his sovereign, in consequence of his important share in the victory of the 14th of February, he had also been presented with the freedom of the city of London in a gold box; and, in the month of October 1797, it was generously resolved, by his majesty, to recompence his services, and ameliorate his sufferings, by granting him a pension of one thousand pounds a year.
The indispensable custom of presenting a memorial to the sovereign, before any such grant can be issued, stating the nature of the services for which it is intended, gave rise to the following very singular recapitulation.
"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
"The Memorial of Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. and a Rear-Admiral in
Your Majesty's Fleet,
"Sheweth—
"That, during the present war, your memorialist has been in four actions with the fleets of the enemy: viz. on the 13th and 14th of March 1795; on the 13th of July 1795; and, on the 14th of February 1797. In three actions in boats, employed in cutting out of harbours; in destroying vessels; and, in taking three towns. Your memorialist has also served on shore, with the army, four months; and commanded the batteries at the sieges of Bastia and Calvi. That, during the war, he has assisted at the capture of seven sail of the line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven privateers of different sizes; and taken and destroyed near fifty sail of merchant vessels: and, your memorialist has actually been engaged against the enemy upwards of one hundred and twenty times. In which service, your memorialist has lost his right eye and arm, and been severely wounded and bruised in his body; all of which services, and wounds, your memorialist most humbly submits to your majesty's most gracious consideration.
"Horatio Nelson."
The pension thus granted proved highly acceptable: but his wound continued to torment him with unabated violence, till about the latter end of November; when, having one night experienced the unusual refreshment of a sound and lasting sleep, he was, on awaking, astonished to find, that his wound felt nearly free from pain. Impatient to have it examined, he sent for his surgeon; and, to their mutual surprise, the silk instantly came away, at a single touch, without the smallest difficulty. From this hour, the wound began to heal; and, with all that characteristic piety of disposition, and that sincere gratitude to Providence for signal deliverances, which he never failed to profess, he gave the late Reverend Mr. Greville, of St. George's, Hanover Square, the following form of thanksgiving, to be read at that church during the time of divine service—
"An officer desires to return thanks to Almighty God, for his perfect recovery from a severe wound; and, also, for the many mercies bestowed on him."
"December 8th 1797; for next Sunday."
The original of the above thanksgiving, in his own hand-writing, is still carefully preserved by the present Reverend Mr. Greville, son and successor of the venerable clergyman to whom it was delivered by Sir Horatio Nelson.
On the 13th of December, having been pronounced fit for service, by his surgeons, he made his appearance at court; and his majesty received him in the most gracious and tender manner: expressing, with peculiar marks of sensibility, his excessive sorrow for the loss which Sir Horatio had suffered, and the regret which he felt at beholding him in a state of health apparently so far reduced as to deprive the country of his future services. The brave admiral, however, immediately replied to his sovereign, with the most respectful but dignified tone of expression, in the following energetic and affectionate speech—"May it please your majesty, I can never think that a loss, which the performance of my duty has occasioned; and, while I have a foot to stand on, I will combat for my king and country!"
His majesty appeared deeply affected by this manly and loyal answer; and, in consequence, on the 19th, only six days after, Sir Horatio Nelson received orders to hoist his flag on board the Vanguard, and again proceed to the Mediterranean, as soon as that ship could be properly equipped for the voyage.
Not having been before in England since he lost, at Calvi, the sight of his right eye, it was about this period that he went, accompanied by Mr. Bolton, to receive a year's pay, as smart-money; that being the customary allowance, in the navy, on losing an eye or a limb: but could not obtain payment, for want of the formality of a certificate from the faculty, to testify that the sight was actually extinguished. Vexed, for a moment, at what he considered as a superfluous and almost impertinent requisition, it's loss being sufficiently notorious, though by no means apparent, he not only immediately procured the desired certificate; but, from whimsical pleasantry, humorously requested, and actually obtained, at the same time, a certificate from his surgeons of the loss of his arm, which was sufficiently obvious: asserting—with much propriety, in his particular instance, at least—that one might just as well be doubted as the other. On going, afterwards, to receive the sum, which was the annual pay of a captain only, that being his rank when he sustained the loss, the clerk observed that he thought it had been more. "Oh, no!" jocosely replied the hero, "this is only for an eye: in a few days, I shall come for an arm; and, in a little time longer, God knows, most probably, for a leg!"
Accordingly, he soon after went again to the office, accompanied by the same gentleman as before; and, with perfect good-humour, exhibited the supererogatory certification of the loss of his arm.
In January 1798, Sir Horatio Nelson having presented to the city of Norwich the sword of the Spanish admiral, delivered to him on the memorable 14th of February 1797, an ingenious device, executed by Mr. Windham of that city, was erected in the council-chamber of the town-hall, to commemorate this event, and the consequent gift, which has been thus described—To the ring of an anchor, is suspended a yard and sail, supposed to be torn in action: on which is inscribed—"The Sword of the Spanish Admiral, Don Xavier Winthuysen, who died of the wounds he received in an engagement with the British fleet, under the command of Admiral Earl St. Vincent, 13th of February 1797, which ended in the most brilliant victory ever obtained by this country over the enemy at sea; wherein the heroic valour, and cool determined courage, of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. had ample scope for their display. He, being a native of Norfolk, has honoured the city, by presenting this sword, surrendered to him in that action." From the flukes of the anchor, the sword is suspended. Underneath, is the coat of arms of Sir Horatio Nelson, which was given to him by the king. The crest is the stern of a man of war; the supporters, are a sailor bearing a British lion, trampling on the Spanish colours. The motto is—"Faith and works."
Sir Horatio appears to have spent his preceding Christmas, and commencement of the present year, with his venerable father, and the esteemed husband of his amiable younger sister, Mrs. Matcham, at Bath; where, also, he might be desirous to recruit his health and vigour for his approaching voyage. Certain it is, that he quitted Bond Street in December, and was at Bath the beginning of February.
It was not till the 1st of April 1798, that the convoy which he had in charge for Lisbon was completely ready; and, though he sailed with it, on that day, from Spithead, the wind, at the back of the Isle of Wight, coming to the westward, he was constrained to return to St. Helen's.
After waiting till the 9th, he proceeded to Lisbon with the convoy; and, on the 29th of April, joined the Earl of St. Vincent, off Cadiz.
Not a moment was lost by these great men, in proceeding to co-operate for the glory of their country. The crisis was peculiarly portentous. Bonaparte, baffled in his views of invading England, or even Ireland—-after the last and most serious disaffection, recently extinguished, in the mutiny of the home fleet, produced an almost general unanimity of the country—had been engaged in preparing an expedition, on a scale of imposing grandeur, for some object which was endeavoured to be carefully concealed, till it should be manifested by it's tremendous effects. The armament destined for this grand secret expedition, which was collecting at Toulon, under Bonaparte, consisted of thirteen ships of the line, and seven forty-gun frigates, with twenty-four smaller vessels of war, and nearly two hundred transports; the latter filled with troops, horses, artillery, provisions, and military stores. In this fleet, it was said, were also to embark artists and scientific men of every description, with ancient and modern linguists, and all sorts of useful and curious instruments and machinery, calculated to promote knowledge, and extend improvement, in the intended country which they were about thus to seize and newly colonize.
It was immediately agreed, by the Earl of St. St. Vincent, and Sir Horatio Nelson, that the latter should the next morning sail, with the Vanguard, Orion, and Alexander, of seventy-four guns each, the Emerald and Terpsichore frigates, and La Bonne Citoyenne sloop of war, to watch the motions of this formidable French armament. The Earl of St. Vincent was at no loss to know who was the senior officer under his command, and what was the customary etiquette; but he knew, at the same time, that he had, as commander in chief, a discretionary power; and carrying, in his own bosom, a dread responsibility to his country, he had not an instant to hesitate on whom it was his duty to depend. To the noble earl's magnanimity, therefore, is the country to be eternally considered as indebted for affording our favourite hero the opportunity of demonstrating his unequalled powers. By other commanders, as he formerly most feelingly remarked, he had been always praised, but never promoted; he was now promoted by his commander, and praised by all the world, while his commander generously declared that no praise could do justice to his actions. The confidence of the fleet, and of the nation too, were with the Earl of St. Vincent; and, though a few mean and malignant characters, envious of superior merit, Mould occasionally suggest their base insinuations, that Sir Horatio Nelson might not be equal to the management of a large fleet, the commander in chief, one of the first naval tacticians any country ever produced, had early seen who had the readiest and clearest conceptions of his own numerous plans, and well knew that Nelson's genius would keep full pace with any augmentation of command which it was possible he should ever obtain.
Sir Horatio, with the squadron abovementioned, sailed from Gibraltar on the 9th of May; and, on the 17th, having captured a small corvette, which came out of Toulon the preceding night, gained some little intelligence respecting the fleet, but none to be relied on as to their destination. His letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, mentioning this circumstance, concludes with these words—"You may rely, my lord, that I shall act as occasion may offer, to the best of my abilities, in following up your ideas, for the honour of his majesty's crown, and the advantage of our country." A sufficient proof of the concurrence of sentiment in these two heroic commanders, which led to so glorious a result.
On the 22d, being in the Gulph of Lyons, at two in the morning, a most violent squall of wind took the Vanguard, which carried away all the topmasts; and, at last, the foremast. The other ships also experienced, though in a less degree, the ill effects of this severe gale. To add to the disaster, the line of battle ships lost sight of their three frigates on this eventful day; which proved to be that on which the French armament had, at length, taken it's departure from Toulon, and was then actually passing within a few leagues of the unconscious sufferers employed to watch it's motions.
The little squadron now bore up for Sardinia; the Alexander taking the Vanguard in tow, and the Orion looking out ahead for a pilot to conduct them into St. Pierre's Road. This anchorage they happily reached on the 24th; and expected to have met with that friendly reception which their distresses demanded, from a power professing neutrality. The governor of St. Pierre, however, had received orders from the French, not to admit any British ship; but no dread of hostilities could prevent the brave admiral from resolutely anchoring in the road.
In a letter, written this very day, dated on board the Vanguard, St. Peter's Island. Sardinia, May 24, 1798, and addressed to Lady Nelson, he thus describes the effect produced on his mind by the dangers just escaped.
"MY DEAREST FANNY,
"I ought not to call what has happened to the Vanguard, by the cold name of accident: I believe, firmly, it was the Almighty's goodness, to check my consummate vanity. I hope it has made me a better officer, as I feel it has made me a better man. I kiss, with all humility, the rod. Figure to yourself, on Sunday evening, at sun-set, a vain man, walking in his cabin, with a squadron around him, who looked up to their chief, to lead them to glory; and in whom their chief placed the firmest reliance, that the proudest ships, of equal numbers, belonging to France, would have bowed their flags; and, with a very rich prize lying by him—Figure to yourself, on Monday morning, when the sun rose, this proud, conceited man, his ship dismasted, his fleet dispersed, and himself in such distress that the meanest frigate out of France would have been an unwelcome guest. But it has pleased Almighty God to bring us into a safe port; where, although refused the rights of humanity, yet the Vanguard will, in two days, get to sea again as an English man of war."
This is the letter of a truly Christian hero, as well as of a most affectionate and tender husband. It will not be hastily believed, by the reflecting part of mankind, that he who possessed so high a sense of all the relative duties as the immortal Nelson, had not afterwards good reasons for being separated from the wife whom he could once consent thus to address. What those reasons were, the reader will, probably, in the sequel, be enabled to form a tolerably correct judgment.
Notwithstanding the unfavourable reception encountered at St. Peter's Island, as hinted in the above letter, the resources of British seamen, which are seldom known to fail, enabled them soon to surmount most of their difficulties. Captain Berry, with the very able assistance which he received from Sir James Saumarez and Captain Ball, contrived to equip the Vanguard with a jury foremast, jury main and mizen topmasts, and to fish the bowsprit, which was sprung in many places; and, on the fourth day after anchoring in St. Pierre's Road, they again put to sea, with top-gallant yards across.
In the mean time, Sir Horatio Nelson had addressed a letter to the Viceroy of Sardinia, dated on board his Britannic majesty's ship, the Vanguard, at anchor off the Island of St. Peter, 26th May 1798; in which he remonstrated, with becoming dignity, but not without considerate kindness, against the conduct he was experiencing.
"SIR,
"Having, by a gale of wind, sustained some trifling damage, I anchored a small part of his majesty's fleet under my orders, off this island; and was surprised to hear, by an officer sent by the governor, that admittance was to be refused to the flag of his Britannic majesty into this port. When I reflect that my most gracious sovereign is the oldest, I believe, and certainly the most faithful, ally which his majesty of Sardinia ever had, I could feel the sorrow which it must have been to his majesty to have given such an order; and also for your excellency, who has to direct it's execution. I cannot but look at Afric's shore; where the followers of Mahomet are performing the part of the good Samaritan, which I look for in vain at St. Peter's, where it is said the Christian religion is professed. May God Almighty bless your excellency, is the sincere wish of your most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
It is not improbable, that this letter immediately occasioned a little secret assistance to be bestowed. Certain it is, that some aid was actually received, or they could not so soon have conveniently taken their departure.
They now steered for their appointed rendezvous, which they reached on the 4th of June; and were joined, next day, by La Mutine, Captain Hardy, who was charged with orders to the admiral, and brought the highly acceptable information, that Captain Troubridge, with ten sail of the line, and a fifty-gun ship, had been detached to reinforce him. The knowledge of this circumstance diffused universal joy throughout the little squadron; which could scarcely be felt in a superlative degree by the heroic commander himself, who was now about to obtain what it had been the business of his life to acquire, an opportunity of evincing the ability with which he felt conscious of having been gifted by Heaven. In the exultation of his open and generous heart, he observed to Captain Berry, that he should soon be a match for any hostile fleet in the Mediterranean; and his only desire would then be, to encounter one.
The squadron, on the 6th, were widely spread, in anxious expectation, looking out for the expected reinforcement. They were informed, that several sail, then in sight, were Spanish ships, richly laden; but the love of glory now filled too powerfully the hero's breast, to admit the presence of any sordid or selfish passion. He had heard that, with the storm in which his ships so severely suffered, the grand armament had set out from Toulon; and, perhaps, but for this apparently unfriendly gale, his little squadron might have become the prey of such greatly superior force. The fury of that tempest, however, though violent, was soon exhausted, and it's ill effects were quickly repaired: but the dark storm of desolation, proceeding from the collected thunders of France issued at the port of Toulon, was now passing dreadfully over the menaced world; and every country seemed waiting, in awful horror, to behold where it should finally burst, and fatally descend.
The consideration of the important part which Sir Horatio Nelson had to act, in the grand theatre of the universe, now absorbed every other consideration. The Alexander, indeed, had stopped one of the Spanish ships; but, Captain Ball finding that it had on board eighty or ninety priests, driven by French persecution from the papal sanctuary of Rome, considered it would be an act of inhumanity to prevent their seeking an asylum. He accordingly suffered the ship to proceed: bringing away only a few volunteer Genoese seamen from the Spanish vessel, who expressed their desire of the honour to serve in the British fleet, and their resentment of the ill usage which they had recently experienced from the detested French.
In a state of the most pleasingly painful anxiety did this little squadron, and their impatient commander, continue to watch, for the expected reinforcement, till the 8th at noon; when they had the happiness to discover, from the mast-head, ten sail; and it was not long before these were recognized to be British ships of war, standing on a wind, in close line of battle, with all sails set. Private signals were now exchanged; and, before sun-set, this important junction was completely effected.
Captain Troubridge brought no instructions to Admiral Nelson respecting the course he was to steer, nor any positive account of the destination of the enemy's fleet. Every thing was left to his own judgment. The pleasure which he felt at being thought worthy of such a command, called forth every power of his grateful and magnanimous mind.