January 25th 1805
To His Excellency Hugh Elliot, ESQ, Naples
Victory, Gulf of Cagliari, January 25th 1805
My dear Sir,
I send your Excellency a copy of my letter to Sir John Acton, which will tell you all I know. If the French Fleet is gone to Naples, you will never get this letter. If they are not, it will be pleasant to know my position, and that I must cover Messina by my going to the Eastward. I shall probably push for the Morea and heal Italy, should they be destined to carry across the Adriatic the Army in the Kingdom of Naples. But God knows their intentions!- perhaps it may be to Egypt again. Pray don’t keep Captain Boyle one moment, for I have neither Frigates or small Vessels with me. Present me to their Majesties as most anxious to defend their Kingdoms. You will believe how anxious I must be.
I am ever my dear Sir, your most Obliged and faithful servant.
NELSON AND BRONTE
To His Excellency Sir John Acton, BART, Palermo
Victory, Standing into the Gulf of Cagliari, January 1805
My Dear Sir John,
It has blown a heavy gale of wind from the S.S.W. until this morning,when I’am off the Island of Serpentari. From the information of the French Frigates standing into the Gulf of Gagliari, I sent my two Frigates to watch the Enemy's, motions, or to get me some information of their movements : one has just returned with no information, but as she has not communicated with Cagliari, I am obliged to send her back. If the Vice-Roy knows nothing of them, I shall push direct for Palermo, in case Sicily should be their object; and I shall the moment I can I can get hold of any other Frigates, send her to Naples, with orders for her join me off the Faro of Messina.
I shall then be at hand to cover Messina, in case they pass round Cape Passaro, or to proceed to Naples in case they are in that Bay. You will believe my anxiety. I have neither ate, drank or slept with any comfort since last Sunday. 10 o’clock. - I have just spoke a Vessel which left the Gulf of Palma last night. The Enemy’s Fleet was not there. I hope to have my answer from Cagliari by four o’clock, and I hope to be with you to-morrow.
Pray, Sir John,tell the Captain all you know; Captain Bayntun is an excellent Officer, and can tell you much I can.
Excuse my hasty scrawl; but I am every your Excellency’s most faithful and obliged friend and servant.
NELSON AND BRONTE
I hope the Governor of Augusta will not give up the post to the French Fleet; but if he does, I shall go in and attack them, for I consider the destruction of the Enemy Fleet of so much consequence, that I would willingly have half of mine burnt to effect their destruction. I am in a fever. God send I may find them.
Rough location based off the letter or dispatches
The Letters and Dispatches of Lord Nelson, vol. VI, ed. Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas (London: Henry Colburn, 1845), p. 329 - 331.
