Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez, Vol. I

"Wednesday, 10th.—I fell in with L'Espoir this morning. She left Gibraltar ten days ago. She has surprised me with the account that the Leander had not at that time reached Earl St. Vincent; and that the news of our victory was only received two days before by the Mutine, which had arrived from Naples. This account has created amongst us great uneasiness for the fate of the Leander. I have despatched L'Espoir with a letter to Earl St. Vincent, apprising him of the approach of the prizes, with the ships under my command; and I hope to receive his lordship's orders for our proceedings when we appear off Gibraltar.

"Saturday, 13th.—The wind has again set against us the last two days, and continues to exercise our patience. What adds to my uneasiness is, the small quantity of provisions in the squadron. We have been at short allowance these six weeks; and should it unfortunately continue to the westward a few days longer, we shall be very badly off. I now very reluctantly give up all hope of being in England during this month.

"Sunday, 14th.—The wind has again sprung up to the eastward, and I hope will this time carry us to Gibraltar.

"Monday, 15th.—The wind still continues favourable, and to-morrow I hope to anchor in Gibraltar Bay; and, as an opportunity may offer to send you this tedious journal, I hold it in readiness accordingly. It will give you some faint idea of the trial our patience has been put to; and although our progress has not been attended with the same anxiety as I described in my former journal, when we were in pursuit of the enemy, still I have not been exempt from great uneasiness on various accounts, particularly from the crippled state of most of the ships, in a navigation some part of which is very hazardous, and where contrary winds so invariably prevail. I now hope in a short time to be released from so heavy a charge, and that I shall be permitted to proceed, as I have been given to expect, immediately for England.

"Tuesday, 16th.—We have gained sight of Gibraltar this morning; but westerly winds and the current prevent our approach to it. I hope, however, to have communication with the Rock to-morrow.

"Thursday, 18th.—I received late last evening a very flattering letter from Earl St. Vincent, in answer to mine of the 10th, which, he says, diffused universal joy to the garrison, and the little squadron with him: and his lordship has rejoiced my heart by informing me that so soon as the wounded and sick are landed from the squadron, and the wants of the ships are supplied, I shall proceed to Lisbon with them. He adds that, in his judgment, our action stands foremost in the page of naval history, having, beyond all dispute, achieved more than was ever done before, &c.

"We are still struggling against adverse winds, not without hope of gaining the anchorage to-morrow. I most sincerely wish it, on every account; and, although my next rendezvous is not what I exactly expected, it always brings me nearer England.

"Great is our uneasiness for the fate of the Leander. In the letter above alluded to, Lord St. Vincent thinks it probable she may have been dismasted, and have put into one of the islands of the Archipelago. I own my fears for her are great." The following is Lord St. Vincent's letter, with Sir James's answer.

Gibraltar, 16th October 1798.

Sir,

Your letter of the 10th instant, received yesterday, has diffused universal joy through the garrison and little squadron now here. I highly applaud and admire the measures taken by you and Rear-admiral the Marquis de Niza to induce the French to surrender their stronghold in Malta; and the supply of arms and ammunition you furnished the islanders with was very judicious. Two very respectable Moorish merchants, natives of the eastern coast of Barbary, who arrived at Gibraltar from Genoa yesterday, report that advices had been received at the latter place before they left it, that the Maltese had succeeded, and put the French garrison to the sword. I have been so long accustomed to the fallacy of pratique reports, that I do not give entire credit to this.

Of the Leander we know nothing; and I am rather inclined to believe that the story Sir Horatio Nelson learned from a Candia boat, is true; and that she has either been dismasted in the action, or so crippled as to be obliged to take refuge in one of the islands of the Archipelago. I never despair, and I have great confidence that she will yet turn up.

The account you give from Captain Retallick, of the near approach to Naples of the Colossus and her precious charge,—for the Alliance is full of naval stores, with all the top-masts and top-sail yards we had, and the four victuallers loaded with new provisions of every species except bread,—is a communication of the utmost consequence.

It is my anxious wish that the six prize ships of war should be safe moored in the Tagus as soon as possible; and my intention that the Orion, Defence, and Theseus shall accompany them: the Bellerophon and Majestic to enter Gibraltar Mole in order to be remasted, for all the lower masts are there; and their men, after assisting in the navigation of the prizes to Lisbon, may return hither in the Santa Dorothea.

I am fitting out an expedition of great importance,—I believe, entre nous, against Monte Video, or Lima,—which swallows up all the transports and frigates I have, or I would send you some salt provisions and wine. Should the Levanters fail you, by working close to the Barbary shore you will soon reach Tetuan Bay, and find no difficulty in working round Europa with a flood-tide.

I request you will convey to your brave companions in arms, that, in my judgment, they stand foremost in the page of naval history; having, beyond all dispute, achieved more than was ever done before, and, under the critical circumstances of the times, have certainly rendered the greatest benefit to the human race at large, and to their King and country in particular, that ever was performed.

I have the honour to be, with great esteem and regard,Sir,Your most obedient, humble servant,St. Vincent.

To Sir James Saumarez.

P.S. Doctor Harness has prepared the naval hospital for the reception of the wounded and sick of your squadron in the best manner our means will admit; the wards have been whitewashed, and every exertion made to purify them. The moment the invalids are landed, and the wants of the ships that go to Lisbon supplied, you shall proceed thither with them. St. Vincent.

Orion, off Gibraltar, 18th Oct. 1798.

My Lord,

I received late last evening the honour of your letter by L'Espoir, and shall not fail to communicate to the squadron the very handsome terms in which your lordship is pleased to express yourself of the action of the Nile. I am particularly happy the measures taken off Malta meet with your lordship's approbation; but I fear the account from Genoa is premature respecting the French garrison, as there has scarcely been time since we left the island, the 26th Sept. for the news to reach Genoa, and arrive at Gibraltar, if such an event had taken place.

Fearing that, with the ship I have in tow, it will not be possible to reach Rozia Bay till a late hour, I send an officer on shore with the despatches for your lordship, and the letters for the garrison.

I have the honour to be, my lord,Your lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,James Saumarez.

To the Right Hon. Earl St. Vincent.

The squadron arrived at Gibraltar on the evening of the 18th, amidst the universal and unbounded acclamations of the assembled population.

"Sunday, 21st Oct.—Last Thursday, my dear love, we all anchored in safety in this bay, and met with a reception we want words to express from the governor, admiral, officers, soldiers, seamen, and inhabitants. We can never do justice to the warmth of their applause, and the praises they all bestowed on our squadron.

"A ball was given last night by the governor, in honour of our victory; and we have a round of dinner invitations from the heads of the garrison. I am, however, happy to tell you that to-morrow I expect to put to sea for Lisbon, with the Theseus and prizes, which I am to leave in safety in the Tagus, and then proceed to England. I am to give a passage to the Duc d'Havré and his suite: he is a nobleman of distinction, who has resided some time in Spain, but has been expelled from that country with other emigrés. I had an opportunity of sending you, by a cutter for Lagos, a short letter, with the above pleasing accounts, which I am persuaded will yield no less happiness to you than it has to me."

We have already mentioned the honours, the titles, the decorations, and the favours conferred on the victorious Nelson, as also the praises he had himself bestowed on some of the captains of the fleet; but we cannot refrain from reverting to the extraordinary circumstance that the second in command in that battle, which both Earl St. Vincent and Mr. Pitt declared "stands foremost in the page of naval history," and which (as before stated), was most highly extolled, had not that mark of distinction conferred upon him, which is usually granted on such occasions. In common, indeed, with the other captains, he received a gold medal; being only the second given to him, although he commanded a ship of the line in four great general actions, and served in two others.20 We mention this, because Sir James was not aware of the extent of this neglect until many years after, when, meeting with Clarke and Mac Arthur's Life of Nelson, he discovered that Nelson's letters had influenced the Admiralty to regard him as having held no higher station in the action than any other captain in the squadron, and represented Sir Thomas Troubridge, who unfortunately had no part in the battle, as equally entitled to reward as himself: therefore he felt this deviation from the common usage less severely at the time than he would otherwise have done.

We admit that it would be difficult to point out a situation of extraordinary hardship more peculiarly calculated, than that of Troubridge, to excite the feelings of sympathy expressed so strongly by Nelson.

But what would have been the situation,—what would have been the feelings of Sir James Saumarez, had he been sent away to make room for Sir Thomas Troubridge? We leave the reader to judge. Suffice it to say, that as soon as the Admiral had ascertained the real force of the enemy, he found the Orion could not be spared, by which fortunate circumstance Sir James was saved a mortification which would have weighed on his heart the remainder of his days.

Every admiral, captain, and officer, with whom we have conversed on the subject, has been decidedly of opinion that the name of Saumarez ought to have been honourably mentioned; and that, as second in command, some mark of distinction should have been conferred upon him. We dwell on this subject particularly, because we know, that when a brave and meritorious officer does not obtain the reward due to his merit, it is extremely injurious to the service, as it damps that ardour after fame, and weakens that emulation, which lead to valour and enterprise. May every succeeding Nelson regard, and be able to look up to, that motto which was conferred on the hero of the Nile,—Palmam qui meruit, ferat!

On Sir James's arrival at Gibraltar he received the following letters from Sir Horatio Nelson, approving of his proceedings:—

Vanguard, Naples, 29th Sept. 1798.

Sir,

I have received your letter of the 17th from Augusta, as well as your despatch of the 27th, by Captain Gage.

I very much approve of your putting into Augusta to get water, and very highly so of your officer-like behaviour and conduct relative to Malta, as also of your supplying the Maltese with arms and ammunition.

I am, sir,Your most obedient servant,Horatio Nelson.

To Sir James Saumarez.

September 29th, 1798.

My dear Sir James,

Captain Gage is just arrived with your letters and papers relative to Malta. I can say with truth there is no action of your life, as far as relates to me, but what must be entirely to my approbation: your summons to Malta is highly proper; and you have done as I wished in sending the arms, &c. The wind here is strong at S.E. I hope you have it, and that it will carry you through the Straits. This is a sad place for refitting, the swell sets in so heavy; never again do we come to Naples: besides the rest, we are killed with kindness. Wishing you, my dear Sir James, every felicity in this world, believe me ever,

Your obliged and affectionate,Horatio Nelson.

Sir James Saumarez.

At Gibraltar Sir James also received a letter from his gallant friend and brother-in-arms, Captain Ball, which gives so vivid a description of some of the events of this most eventful period of the war, that we are persuaded the reader will thank us for inserting it.

Alexander, at sea, 11th Oct. 1798.

My dear Sir James,

I have the satisfaction of sending you, by the Colossus, a case containing six fan-mounts, two boxes of perfumery, four large and two small of Naples soap, amounting to eighteen Spanish dollars and a half. I hope to collect from Sicily some ornamental figures for a table, which I will forward to you, by the first safe conveyance, with some Neapolitan shawls. I shall not draw upon your agent, as I expect, when I return to Naples, to receive nearly forty pounds as your share of the cotton and articles taken out of the Spanish polacre we captured. Pray let me know to whom I shall remit the balance. I sincerely hope that you had a good passage down, and have not suffered from the fatigue and anxiety you must have experienced. I make no doubt but you will have the pleasure of convoying the ships to England, where you will be amply recompensed by a joyful meeting with Lady Saumarez and your family. When you get your second medal, beware of the ladies, if they hear such a story of you as of our friend Collingwood. I shall feel very much flattered whenever you will favour me with a line; and you may be assured that I shall never lose an occasion of testifying to you my great esteem, and how very much I value your friendship. I enclose herewith a translation of Admiral Blanquet's account of the battle of the Nile, with his plans, which he is to present to the French Minister of the Marine. One of my officers copied them unknown to him, but his aide-de-camp allowed everybody to read them.

It would be difficult to describe to you the very flattering reception we met with at Naples. Our gallant Admiral was hailed as the saviour of Italy. He daily receives from all parts congratulatory addresses and verses, celebrating his fame. The King visited him before he anchored, and he gave him and all the captains a very elegant dinner on board one of his ships of the line. We dined on the poop; the party very select, consisting of the hereditary Prince and one of his brothers, the Minister of Marine, three of the Lords in waiting, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and the captain of the Neapolitan ship. After dinner, the King gave as a toast, "Sir Horatio Nelson and the brave English nation," with a salute from his lower deck guns. Sir William Hamilton gave a fête that cost more than a thousand pounds. It was much admired for its taste and magnificence. There was nothing to be seen or heard of but "Viva Nelson!" The English nation never stood so high in the estimation of the Italians as at this present moment: and I believe the French were never so universally execrated and despised as they now are. The Emperor and King of Naples will make an effort to drive them out of Italy. General Mack was daily expected at Naples to arrange the plans.

We have to regret the capture of the Leander by the Généreux. She is carried into Corfu. Of course all our letters by her are destroyed, and our friends will suffer much anxiety until the arrival of Capel, who could not get there before the 20th of last month. The grand Seignior declared war against the French the 1st of last month. He did not receive the Admiral's official account of the action until the 6th ult. He has ordered a costly diamond to be presented to him for the important victory.

Buonaparte's career is nearly finished. He will soon be surrounded by sixty thousand men. One of his colonels, whom Foley took very lately, says that the whole army will soon perish. He sent to Alexandria for all the troops in garrison to join him without loss of time, which they refused doing. The seamen marched to retrieve their character, but I do not think many will return to tell of their exploits. A Turkish fleet is gone for Alexandria. Our Envoy at Constantinople, Sir Sidney Smith's brother, has gained great credit by his ability and judicious conduct. I had great satisfaction in reading some of his correspondence. We expect very soon to be in possession of Malta, Corfu, Zante, and Cerigo. I shall then hope to go to England, Sir H. Nelson having given me reason to expect the pleasure of carrying home Sir William and Lady Hamilton.

I am now in company with the Colossus, going off Malta, which we are in sight of. Captain Murray talks of staying to ascertain the state of the island. He is then to proceed to join Lord St. Vincent. He has this moment made the signal for Gibraltar; I must therefore refer you to him for the state of Malta. The French must surrender in a few days. Their ships mean to slip out and trust to their sailing. Believe me,

With true esteem and regard,My dear Sir James, very sincerely yours,Alex. M. Ball.

Sir James Saumarez, &c. &c.

To return to Sir James's journal:

"19th October.—Your valued letters of the 21st July and 29th August I received the morning of my arrival, and they gave me real comfort after so long a privation. I now trust that, in a few weeks, we shall be re-united, no more to part! It is my firm intention to remain, for some time at least, entirely abstracted from active service. If I can do so, and retain the command of the ship, well and good; if not, I shall apply to be superseded.

"An expedition under Sir John Duckworth is now sailing from this bay; various are the conjectures on its destination. I need not tell you, after what I have noticed respecting the Earl, that we are on a very good footing. Indeed, the solicitous attention he shows to me almost overwhelms me, as I wish to keep clear of laying myself under obligation, except as far as concerns the promotion of my officers.

"24th October, Orion, off Cadiz.—Yesterday I got clear of Gibraltar Bay with the Theseus and five of the prizes, it having been decided, the morning before we sailed, to leave the Souverain for a hulk at Gibraltar, which I had strongly recommended before.

"I was fortunate in the arrival of the Transfer brig, in ten days from Naples, a few hours previous to our sailing. She brought the sad news of the capture of the Leander, with the despatches; but having long before given her over for lost, and being apprehensive for the safety of all on board, the account rather gave me satisfaction, especially as she is said to have well supported the fame of the Nile squadron, though the details of the action are not known.

"Earl St. Vincent afforded me the perusal of several interesting letters that came by the Transfer from Naples, particularly from the envoy and our gallant Admiral: he was on the point of sailing for Malta, which, there is scarcely a doubt, is by this time, entirely in possession of the inhabitants.

"We are going on with a fine breeze for Lisbon, which I hope to reach before Saturday. This morning I gained sight of our squadron off Cadiz; and, although within a few miles of one of the ships, (the Hector,) they had not the curiosity to join us, and I was unwilling to be delayed by going to them, although I should have been happy to have had communication with some of the ships. I hope my stay at Lisbon will be but short; as, after I embark the Duc d'Havré, and have seen the prizes taken care of, I proceed immediately for Portsmouth. Judge then of my feelings. My only regret is, being unable to impart them to you!

"Thursday.—Early this morning I fell in with the Barfleur and Northumberland. Although not without great difficulty, I persevered in my endeavours to join them; but, to my great concern, I found no letters for me on board either ship. Captain Dacres tells me he wrote to Ryde, thinking you were there, but in vain. Lady Parker, however, assured him that she had a letter from you very lately.

"I was glad to hear Captain Capel had reached England with the accounts of our action, the news of which were received at Portsmouth the day before the Barfleur sailed.

"Fortune has, as usual, proved propitious this month. What think you of two vessels, with valuable cargoes from Genoa, which promise to give, at the most moderate computation, at least £10,000 between Captain Miller and myself!21 The Theseus joined me with one yesterday noon, and we brought the other to, some time after; both under Greek colours, but unquestionably laden with the property of Genoese merchants. More are on their way, which we expect to fall in with. But indeed, my dearest love, we require not riches to add to our happiness. Let us but have peace and tranquillity, and we have enough for every earthly enjoyment whilst it pleases Heaven to bless us with good health. Alas, poor Lady W.! how sensibly I feel for the misfortune that has deprived her excellent husband of all prospect of ever again enjoying comfort in this life. She was, indeed, all you have said of her.

"To-morrow I depend on arriving at Lisbon, with the hope of being detained a few days only, and where I rely on being cheered with letters from you. A propos: Miss R. is there, and will not be sorry to hear the Leander is at last heard of, although in possession of the enemy. She is going to England with General and Mrs. Trigge.

"27th October.—I had hoped before the arrival of this blessed day to acquaint you with our being safe in the Tagus; but the light winds prevented our getting round Cape St. Vincent before yesterday evening, and it now blows so strong from the westward that there is no possibility of getting over the bar. To-morrow, I trust, we shall be more fortunate; or, what would prove still better, that it will blow so strong as to compel me to bear up for the Channel, which I certainly would do in case of a south-west gale.

"Sunday, two o'clock.—I now congratulate you on our safe arrival in the Tagus, in the midst of very boisterous weather; but, thanks to Divine Providence! without an accident to any of the ships; I have but once more to weigh anchor, and then I trust in its mercy to bring me to the haven where I would be, and to find all my precious treasures in complete possession of health and happiness.

"A packet arrived this morning with Commissioner Coffin. The only letter I have been so fortunate as to receive is one from Mr. Le M. dated the day Captain Capel arrived. What would I not give for one of as late date from you! Another is soon expected, this packet having had nearly three weeks' passage."

The extract of the following letter from Sir James to the commander-in-chief continues this narrative:

Orion, Tagus, 1st November, 1798.

My Lord,

I have the honour to acquaint your lordship of the safe arrival in the Tagus of this ship and the Theseus, with five of the prize-ships lately taken in his Majesty's service.

His grace the Duc d'Havré embarks on board this ship on Monday next; and the Marquis de Mortemart having solicited a passage to England, I have consented to receive him on condition of his being considered in the suite of the duke. Captain Tyler also takes his passage in the Orion. I should have been happy to have made the like offer to General Trigge, but it was not possible to accommodate him and the ladies of his family without considerable inconvenience to the Duc d'Havré. His grace is a nobleman of the first distinction and consideration, and he expresses himself very sensible of your lordship's attention in providing for him so good a conveyance.

I beg to offer my most sincere and fervent wishes for health and every happiness to attend your lordship; and, with my unfeigned thanks for all your lordship's favour,

I remain, &c.

Sir James, having now fulfilled the anxious charge entrusted to him, and, with great professional skill and unremitting vigilance, brought the prizes in safety to Lisbon, is at length setting sail for England: and who will not share the feelings of the husband and the father, on approaching his home after so long an absence! The following extracts from his letters will convey some impression of what those feelings were.