23rd September 1805
TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD CASTLEREAGH, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Victory, off Cape Finisterre, September 23rd, 1805.
My Lord,
I have read with much attention the letters of Prince Castelcicala to Lord Mulgrave, respecting a Vessel taken with an English Pass, belonging to Neapolitans, and carried into Algiers, there condemned, and the Neapolitans made slaves, but that the English Captain was released, and requesting that the Vessel and Crew may be restored. I take the liberty of stating, as my opinion, that no Vessel was ever more fully proved to be an enemy of the Algerines; and it is stated that the English Passport was to cover her from the Algerines, who were cruizing in her intended track. Supposing the case to be French, I believe Sir William Scott would not hesitate one moment in the condemnation; indeed I have seldom met with so clear a case, and the Algerine Judges seemed to have acted as upright men upon the present occasion. Whilst I state this opinion, I have no hesitation in saying, that if the British Government at Malta placed these unfortunate men in this very miserable state of slavery, together with the loss of the Vessel and cargo; then I think, upon every principle of justice, the British Government at Malta are bound to redeem the men, and pay for the Vessel and cargo. But I am rather of opinion that these Neapolitans get Passports (but that is now impossible, I hope) as an additional precaution against being taken; but, never trusting to it, they can escape the Algerine cruizers.
Under these circumstances I have not wrote to the Dey of Algiers upon this business. I send an extract of my letter relative to it to Mr. Consul Cartwright, which I hope your Lordship will approve.
I have, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
20th September. A.M., 11, exchanged Signals and showed our Colours to Rear-Admiral Stirling’s Squadron, consisting of five Ships of the Line and one Frigate. P.M., at 1:30, hove to: Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton came into the Fleet in H.M. Ship Decade. At 2:20, filled and made sail: Decade parted. — Victory’s Log.
