s
go off the same day, that it is necessary to write by a convoy. I know
the absolute necessity of the board's being exactly acquainted with
every thing which passes; and they, I beg, will give me credit for
attention to my duty. As a junior flag-officer," he observes, "of
course, without those about me--secretaries, interpreters, &c.--I have
been thrown into a more extensive correspondence than ever, perhaps,
fell to the lot of any admiral; and into a political situation, I own,
out of my sphere. It is a fact, which it would not become me to boast
of, but on the present occasion--I have never, but three times, put my
feet on the ground, since December 1798; and, except to the court, that
till after eight o'clock at night I never relax from business. I have
had, hitherto," concludes his lordship, "the board knows, no one
emolument, no one advantage, of a commander in chief."

In a letter written to Earl Spencer next day, the 28th, this exalted
man, after observing that General Fox orders Colonel Graham not to incur
any expence for stores, or any other articles but provisions,
asks--"What can this mean? But I have told Troubridge, that the cause
cannot stand still for want of a little money. This would be, what we
call--penny wise, and pound foolish. If nobody will pay it," nobly adds
our hero, "I shall sell Bronte, and the Emperor of Russia's box; for I
feel myself above every consideration, but that of serving faithfully.
Do not, my dear lord," he most pathetically concludes, "let the
Admiralty write harshly to me; my generous soul cannot bear it, being
conscious it is entirely unmerited!" The reader of sensibility will not
fail to feel this very affecting deprecation; and to lament, that it
should ever have been necessary.

On the day following, however, Lord Nelson had the satisfaction of
receiving eight thousand ounces from his Sicilian Majesty, for the
relief of the poor Maltese; which his lordship immediately sent to
Captain Ball, by the Perseus bomb; and, determined that nothing in his
power should be wanted, he not only took on himself, from the
discouraging circumstance of General Fox's orders to Colonel Graham, to
augment his numerous other occupations, by becoming a commissary for
these troops, but actually pledged Bronte for twelve thousand
ounces--six thousand six hundred pounds--should any difficulty arise in
the payments.

On the 19th, Lord Nelson having been informed, by his friend Sir William
Hamilt