222
LETTERS.
[1796.
TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS , K.B.
[From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. i. p. 302.]
27til July, 1790.
I have recommended to the Merchants at Genoa, wheneverthey are alarmed, to ship their goods in time on board suchNeutral vessels as they may find in the Port; for that itwould be impossible, however much you might be inclined,to send Transports to receive their effects, which in Heath’shouse amount to £160,000 sterling. Things are fast ap-proaching to a crisis, and will probably be determined beforeyou receive this. I am, &c.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR GILBERT ELLIOT,VICE-ROY OF CORSICA.
[Autograph, in the Minto Papers.]
Captain, Leghorn Roads, July 28th, 1790.
Dear Sir,
Many thanks for your letters; do with every Vessel as youlike. I am sure you will recollect the various services wewant them all for, and at this moment it is most particularlyinteresting: we should have something off Genoa, the friendsof the English say it may turn the scale in our favour. Mr.Drake sees the necessity of it, and so do I, therefore I ammore interested that a Privateer or two should come undermy orders. I shall keep the Blanche from sailing for Genoafor a few days, if you desire any more money from thence. Ithought I had wrote you fully as to the time the blockademust have been known at Leghorn . We can only judge ofthe fair time, for of course the Masters will not acknowledgethey know anything about it. The Venetian Consul knew itthe 8th; all at Genoa knew it the 9th; and if the ForeignMinisters did not send my letters to their respective Consuls,and the notification to themselves, it does not rest with us. Bypost, it must have been at Leghorn on the 12th, in the morn-ing, although there cannot be a doubt but all knew it before,although they may plead not officially. I have a private