LETTERS.

1799 —jet. 40 .

TO CAPTAIN COCKBURN, II.M. SHIP LA MINERVE.

[Order-Book.]

The Samuel and Jane Transport, at Palermo, 3rd September, 1 1700.

Yon are hereby required and directed to proceed in HisMajesty’s Ship, under your command, to Gibraltar , and putyourself under the command of Rear-Admiral Duckworth,or the senior Officer at that place, following his orders foryour further proceedings. But should it so happen that youare the senior Officer at that place, you will use your endea-vours to succour the Garrison, and yield them every assistancein your power to procure supplies and keep the Ports on thecoast of Barbary open, and protect the trade in the Gut fromthe Enemy’s gun-boats, &c.

Nelson.

TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF HIS MAJESTY’S SHIPS ATGIBRALTAR AND OFF CADIZ.

[Letter-Book.]

Palermo, 4tli September, 1799.

The Minerve I consider as such an active Ship, and mostParticularly her Captain, that I must desire that on no accountJ’ou will send her off the limits of the Mediterranean station:110 one is more equal to watch Cadiz , until an equal force maygot there, than Captain Cockburn. I am, &c.

Nelson.

1 On this day, beiitg tile anniversary of tliat on which ttie news of tlie Battle ofOie Nile reached Naples, a magnificent entertainment was given at Palermo, in honour°f N elson and his companions, in tlie name of the young Prince Leopold.

VOL. IV. B