20
[1799.
in Minorca than they know what to do with. I wished Sir JamesSt. Clair Erskine to let me have 1200 for cither the RomanState, or for Malta ; but I have not been able to succeed atthis moment—under pretence that General Fox is hourlyexpected, and it would not be proper to lessen the garrisonunder these circumstances; and then Sir James enters uponthe difficulty of the undertaking in a true soldier way. I canonly say, my dear Troubridge, that I am perfectly easy aboutMinorca , and I see no immediate use of sending more Shipsoff Malta —therefore, you need not hurry, if it is of any im-portance, or probability of success attending your labours, byremaining at Civita Vecchia . If not, I shall rejoice to see yousoon.
The Court has just got an account of Captain Gore, andyou know he carried the news of the Combined fleets sailing,and of their being past Cape St. Vincent . As Gore leftthem the 24 th, and arrived in London on the 6th, in themorning—although a Frigate moved as fast again as theFleet—yet, as the probability is that Lord Keith was notmuch, if anything, to the westward of Cape St. Vincent ,when Gore arrived in London , there is but little hopes of hisovertaking them, for they must have had a good wind. InEngland it has created a general consternation. Every smallVessel is sent forth to collect our scattered Ships, and to pre-pare Ireland for this damned event. God bless you. I am, &c.,
Nelson.
Lieutenant Parkinson landed at Yarmouth on the 9th.The Courier spoke to him and Sylvester.
TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR JAMES ST. CLAIR ERSKINE,MAHON.
[Letter-Book.]
Palermo, 17tli September, 1799.
My dear Sir James,
The Salamine* brought me yonr letter of September 5th,and the original, by a Polacca, came yesterday. I was sorryto find that, under your present circumstances, it was not in
1 Commanded by Captain, now Vicq-Admiral Sir Tbomaa Briggs, G.C.M.G.