y country, as I know I am at present. As I shall send you my letters
to Mr. Nepean and Lord Spencer, they will speak for themselves:
therefore, I will only say, believe I am the same Nelson as you knew
Captain of the Agamemnon; and, more than ever, your attached and
faithful friend."

The pleasurable sensations excited by Lord Minto's most kind and
friendly communications, were succeeded by the most racking anxieties
respecting Malta. Fresh orders had arrived for the recall of the
Portuguese squadron; and Captain Ball could with difficulty keep the
distressed islanders from joining the French. Lord Nelson, in a state of
distraction, wrote letters to the Marquis De Niza, deprecating his
departure; and consoled Captain Ball with hopes of assistance, which he
strained every nerve to obtain from all possible sources. The following
most urgent epistle to Sir James St. Clair Erskine, on this occasion,
will not only convey the state of his lordship's feelings to every
intelligent reader, but elucidate the genuine principles on which his
lordship ventures to advise a departure from the strictness of etiquette
in the discharge of military duties.

"Palermo, 26th Oct. 1799.

"MY DEAR SIR JAMES,

"I am in desperation about Malta. We shall lose it, I am afraid,
past redemption, I send you copies of Niza's and Ball's letters;
also, General Acton's: so that, you will see, I have not been idle.
If Ball can hardly keep the inhabitants, in hopes of relief by the
five hundred men landed from our ships; what must be expected, when
four hundred of them, and four sail of the line, will be withdrawn?
And, if the islanders are forced again to join the French, we may
not find even landing a very easy task; much less, to get again our
present advantageous position. I therefore intreat, for the honour
of our king, and for the advantage of the common cause, that
whether General Fox is arrived, or not, at least, the garrison of
Messina may be ordered to hold post in Malta, till a sufficient
force can be collected to attack it; which, I flatter myself, will
in time, be got together. But, while that is effecting, I fear our
being obliged to quit the island; therefore, I am forced to make
this representation. I know, well enough, of what officers in your
situation can do. The delicacy of your feelings, on the near
approach of General Fox, I can r