rmo, Feb. 11, 1799.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I have to thank your excellency for the honour of your letter; and
for sending, for my perusal, the report of various officers on the
situation of this island, and of it's means of defence. Respecting
an invasion of the French, _in propria persona_, I own, I have no
alarms; for, if this island is true to itself, no harm can happen:
but, I own my fears, that revolutionary principles may be sown
here; and, the seasons being propitious to the growth, will produce
fruit. If the emperor will not move, and save--(himself, for his
throne must fall if the late measures of his councils are persisted
in)--the good King, Queen, and Family of Naples, in the possession
of their kingdoms; we may lament, but what must follow is certain.
Having thus openly declared my general opinion, it is perfectly
proper, no doubt, to be prepared for defence; and, if Calabria is
occupied by the French, the first object is the preservation of
Messina and the Torre del Faro. As to the other ports of the
island, if the inhabitants are loyal, the French may be defied;
they will not venture their carcases. But, indeed, my dear Sir, it
is on the fidelity of the islanders we must depend for it's
defence. When Captain Troubridge returns from Egypt, I shall have
the power of having more ships on the east coast: as to Palermo, it
shall never be without a proper defence in shipping from all
attacks by sea; that is, from what the French have at present in
the Mediterranean. In all other things, I beg that your excellency
will have the goodness to assure his Sicilian Majesty, that nothing
shall be wanting, on my part, for the defence of his kingdoms, and
whatever can administer to his comforts; and I beg your excellency
will believe with what great respect I am your most faithful and
obedient servant,

"Nelson."

The safety of Messina appearing to be the first object for the
preservation of Sicily from the French, five hundred troops were
immediately ordered thither by the Portuguese ships; and his lordship
also urged his Excellency, the Vice-Admiral Theodore Uschakoff, who
commanded the Russian fleet then before Corfu, to send as many ships and
troops as possible to Messina, for the promotion of the common cause,
and the good of his Sicilian Majesty in particular.

On