LETTERS.
1C1
MT. 41 .]
your well-known justice and goodness of heart, I have been longlooking for the release of those poor men who were taken byyour Cruizers, when carrying provisions to the Island of Malta.Their Vessel, also, I have no doubt but your Highness willrelease, as they were through my recommendations pursuingtheir voyage, and relying on them as a protection against yourCruizers. I have already informed your Highness that I havenever granted a passport to any Vessel for trade, but onlyfor the purpose of carrying provisions to our Ships of Warand soldiers at Malta. Your Highness is also well aware thatI have never suffered the Portuguese Squadron, since theyhave been under my command, to approach your Coast, whichI might have done, if it was not out of respect to your High-ness, being the Ally of my Royal Master.
These considerations will, I hope, on due reflection, induceyour Highness to release these poor men and their Vessels,and show to the world your justice and benevolence of heart.I beg your Highness to believe that I am, with the sincerestrespect, your most obedient and faithful servant,
Biionte Nelson.
[Letter-Book.]
Sir,
Palermo, ‘i3rd December, 1790.
I beg leave to inform you, for the information of theirLordships, that his Majesty’s Ship Culloden, on going intothe Bay of Marsa Scirocco, in the Island of Malta, to land thecannon, ammunition, &c. taken on board that Ship at Messina,for the siege, struck on a rock, and Commodore Sir Thomas1 roubridge, Bart., has informed me that the rudder and greatpart of the false keel arc carried away, and the rudder wouldia\e een lost, but for their timely exertion in getting alaw ser reeved through it. The pintles are all broke, and. p was steeled to the anchorage with her sails, whereshe is now m safety, but very leaky? If I can get her, theAlexander, and Lion to England, a few months hence, it isall that I can expect from them, as they are not fit to keepthe sea. I have not as yet the least co-operation or assistanceVOL. IV. M