h
seventy-four got into Cadiz from Santo Domingo, and two French
frigates, with some merchant ships. What will they say at home?
However, I feel I have done right, and care not." "I must place a
squadron between Elba and Genoa," he says again, "to prevent that
expedition from moving, and also send some ships to the Straits'
mouth, and keep enough to watch the ships in Toulon. These are all
important objects, but nothing when compared to the security of the
Sicilies."

Nelson's anxiety for Sicily threw him again into contact with an
instance of that rigid and blind conformity to orders which always
exasperated him. He had brought out directions to the general
commanding in Malta, to hold a detachment of two thousand British
troops in readiness to go at once to Messina, on the appearance of
danger, and to garrison the works there, if he thought they could be
spared from the defence of Malta. Nelson told the Prime Minister that
discretion, as to such a step, was a responsibility greater than the
average officer could bear, and would certainly defeat the object in
view; for he would never feel his charge secure enough to permit such
a diminution. There was at this time in Malta a body of Neapolitan
soldiers, which had been sent there during the peace of Amiens, in
accordance with a stipulation of the treaty. The general received an
order to send them to Messina. Nelson had pointed out to him that if
he did so, in the divided state of feeling in the Neapolitan
dominions, and with the general character of Neapolitan officers, for
both efficiency and fidelity, the citadel would not be safe from
betrayal at their hands. "I have requested him to keep the orders
secret, and not to send them; for if they got into Messina, they would
certainly not keep the French out one moment, and it would give a good
excuse for not asking us to secure Messina." "If General Acton sends
for them we must submit; but at present we need not find means of
sending them away." The British general, however, sent them over, and
then the Neapolitan governor, as Nelson foretold, said it was quite
unnecessary for any British to come. "I must apprise you," wrote
Nelson to Addington, "that General Villettes, although a most
excellent officer, will do nothing but what he receives, 'You are
hereby required and directed;' for to obey, is with him the very acme
of discipline. With respect to Sicily, I have no doubt but that the
French will have it. My former rea