the Portuguese squadron, arrived from Leghorn; as did Captain Hope,
in the Alcmene, from Egypt. From this time, the danger for the
personal safety of their Sicilian Majesties was daily increasing;
and new treasons were found out, even to the minister at war. The
whole correspondence relative to this important business was
carried on, with the greatest address, by Lady Hamilton and the
queen; who, being constantly in the habits of correspondence, no
one could suspect. It would have been highly imprudent, either in
Sir William Hamilton or myself, to have gone to court; as we knew
that all our movements were watched, and that even an idea was
entertained, by the Jacobins, of arresting our persons, as a
hostage--as they foolishly imagined--against the attack of Naples,
should the French get possession of it. Lady Hamilton, from this
time, to the 21st, every night received the jewels of the royal
family, &c. &c. &c. and such cloaths as might be necessary for the
very large party to embark; to the amount, I am confident, of full
two millions five hundred thousand pounds sterling. On the 18th,
General Mack wrote, that he had no prospect of stopping the
progress of the French; and intreated their majesties to think of
retreating from Naples, with their august family, as expeditiously
as possible. All the Neapolitan navy were now taken out of the
mole, consisting of three sail of the line and three frigates. The
seamen, from the two sail of the line in the bay, left their ships,
and went on shore; and a party of English seamen, with officers,
were sent from the Vanguard, to assist in navigating them to a
place of safety. From the 18th, various plans were formed for the
removal of the royal family from the palace to the water-side. On
the 19th, I received a note from General Acton; saying, that the
king approved of my plan for their embarkation. This day, and the
20th, and 21st, very large assemblies of the people were in
commotion; several people were killed, and one was dragged by the
legs to the palace. The mob, by the 20th, were very unruly, and
insisted that the royal family should not leave Naples. However,
they were pacified by the king and queen's speaking to them. On the
21st, at half past eight, three barges, with myself and Captain
Hope, lande