15th August 1798
To Captain Sir James Saumarez, H.M.S Orion.
August 15th, 1798
I hope Lady S. and all the little ones are well.
My dear Sir James,
I am not very anxious to receive any persons for the description you mention; they will all eat our meat and drink. As they chose to serve the French, there let them remain. I have not a line from the home-all list in L’Aigle*. You will get off in good time, I dare say. I am sure you will not lose a moment off Cape Brule: the shoal extends six miles. If you favour me with a line, direct it for Naples, where I am going to join the Portuguese Squadron. Zealous, Swiftsure, and the two Frigates, I leave here as long as possible.
Nisbet thanks you for your inquiries.
I send you a copy of my Letter intended to be sent to Mr. Nepean : keep it quiet till you get off.
Wishing you health, good passage, &c. Believe me ever,
Your obliged,
HORATIO NELSON
*Historical note - L’Aigle Frigate was wrecked near Tunis, In June or July 1798
To Captain Hood, H.M Ship Zealous
15th August, 1798
You are hereby required and directed to take under your command the Ship named in the margin*, (they have my instructions to follow your orders,) and cruize off Alexandria, or remain at anchor, as you may judge most proper for the more effectually preventing any supplies being thrown into that Port for the French Flee, and to endeavour to intercept the French Convoy with provisions, which is expected to arrive there soon; as also to prevent, as much as possible, all communication between the French Army at Rosetta, and their Fleet at Alexandria: and you are to continue on this service until the 30th day of September next. But should you receive any intelligence, or anything happen which may make it necessary for you to remain longer on this service, you are in that case to remain so long as you may think it proper. And on your return, you are to send a Boat on shore at Syracuse for instructions; not finding any there, you are to proceed with all dispatch to Naples.
HORATIO NELSON
*Swiftsure, Goliath, Alcmene, Seahorse, Emerald