e
here, I would shoot them first, and then myself. Girgenti is full of
corn; the money is ready to pay for it; we do not ask it as a gift. Oh!
could you see the horrid distress I daily experience, something would be
done. Some engine is at work against us at Naples; and I believe I hit
on the proper person. If you complain he will be immediately promoted,
agreeably to the Neapolitan custom. All I write to you is known at the
queen's. For my own part, I look upon the Neapolitans as the worst of
intriguing enemies: every hour shows me their infamy and duplicity. I
pray your lordship be cautious: your honest, open manner of acting will
be made a handle of. When I see you, and tell of their infamous tricks,
you will be as much surprised as I am. The whole will fall on you."

Nelson was not, and could not be, insensible to the distress which his
friend so earnestly represented. He begged, almost on his knees,
he said, small supplies of money and corn, to keep the Maltese from
starving. And when the court granted a small supply, protesting their
poverty, he believed their protestations, and was satisfied with
their professions, instead of insisting that the restrictions upon the
exportation of corn should be withdrawn. The anxiety, however, which he
endured, affected him so deeply that he said it had broken his spirit
for ever. Happily, all that Troubridge with so much reason foreboded,
did not come to pass. For Captain Ball, with more decision than Nelson
himself would have shown at that time and upon that occasion, ventured
upon a resolute measure, for which his name would deserve always to be
held in veneration by the Maltese, even if it had no other claims to the
love and reverence of a grateful people. Finding it hopeless longer to
look for succour or common humanity from the deceitful and infatuated
court of Sicily, which persisted in prohibiting by sanguinary edicts the
exportation of supplies, at his own risk, he sent his first lieutenant
to the port of Girgenti, with orders to seize and bring with him to
Malta the ships which were there lying laden with corn; of the numbers
of which he had received accurate information. These orders were
executed to the great delight and advantage of the shipowners and
proprietors: the necessity of raising the siege was removed, and Captain
Ball waited in calmness for the consequences to himself. The Neapolitan
government complained to the English ambassador, and the complaint was
co