JET. 44.]
LETTERS.
Ill
price of returning it, unless by an alliance with the Mame lukes they can possess both. This brings to my mind theBey, who is going to England to solicit our justice againstTurkish oppression. It appears very clear that the Territoryassigned them in Upper Egypt , will not maintain them andtheir flocks. Government will know how to steer betweenthe Turks and Mamelukes .
July 2nd. To this long letter, I shall only beg to call yourattention, for what purpose the French are collecting such anArmy in Italy , where at present there can be no prospect ofan Army able to face them: 13,000 are in the Kingdom of Naples , 8000 are at this moment in Leghorn , 6000 marchedin on the 28th June, the other parts of Italy are filling withTroops, even drawing them from Switzerland . The objectsmust be the conquest of Naples, (perhaps Sicily, ) and cer-tainly getting over to the Morea; therefore I regret theremoval of our Egyptian Army, which in any of these enter-prises, have kept the French in check: for I am sure theyare afraid of that Army, and the Italians have the greatestconfidence in it, and would make a struggle in their moun-tains ; and time gained to us would be very desirable.
July 9th.—I joined our Fleet yesterday. With the casualabsence of one or two Ships, we shall be always seven Sail ofthe Line; and as the French have at least seven—I believenine —nearly ready, we are in hopes that Buonaparte may beangry, and order them out, which, I have no doubt, will putour Ships in high feather; for I never knew any wants aftera Victory, although we are always full of them before. I willonly [add,] that no endeavours of mine shall be wanted to gainone more, for I am worn up; and be assured that I am ever,my dear Sir, your most faithful and attached friend,
Nelson and Bronte.