er the enemy. I have to request, that your
excellency will have the goodness to assure their majesties, that I
am penetrated with their condescension in noticing this battle;
which, I most fervently pray, may add security to their majesties
throne, and peace and happiness to all mankind. The hand of God was
visibly pressed upon the French; and, I hope, there is not a person
in the British fleet, who does not attribute this great victory to
the blessing of the Almighty on our exertions in a just cause. With
every sentiment of respect, believe, me, your excellency's most
obedient,

"Horatio Nelson."
"Sir John Acton, Bart."

On the 16th, being off Strombolo, he inclosed General Acton's letter,
which contained some state secrets of importance, in a private letter to
Earl Spencer. The Portuguese, he observes, having been got, with no
small difficulty, from Naples, went to Egypt; where, however, they would
neither stay, nor give our ships water, which was all Captain Hood
requested. Having watched for them off Messina, he had now sent them to
Malta; but hoped that his lordship would not build hope on their
exertions. "The moment," says he, "I can get ships, all aid shall be
given the Maltese. What would I give for four bomb-ships! all the French
armament would long since have been destroyed. Pray, if the service will
admit of it, let me have them: I will only say, I shall endeavour to
make a proper use of them."

He complains, also, in this letter, of the uncertainty of our situation
with regard to Genoa; which, he says, has been at war with us during the
two past years. Even at this period of our hero's glory, he seems to
have been suffering under what he considered as legal persecution; and
animadverts, with much severity, on the conduct of the Judge of the
Admiralty.

"He has cited me to appear before him," complains the indignant
hero, "and shew cause why I seized a Genoese ship; the accounts of
which I long ago sent to the board of Admiralty, for the sale of
her cargo, and which I have long wanted to be taken out of my
hands. The ship was liberated, when our troops evacuated Porto
Ferrajio. The seas are covered with Genoese ships; but the Judge of
the Admiralty's conduct has, to me, so repeatedly militated against
my duty in the service of my king and country, that I dare not do
my duty. I have already been half rui