"MY DEAR SIR,

"I would not lose one moment of the breeze, in answering your letter. The best sight—as an Irishman would say—was, to see me out of sight: especially, as I had not time to examine the Marquis de Gallo's note to you. I send you an extract of the Admiralty orders to the Earl of St. Vincent, by which it would appear as determined by the cabinet, to keep a superior fleet to that of the enemy in the Mediterranean; for the Admiralty, you know, can give no such orders, but by an order from the secretary of state. As for what depends on me, I beg, if you think it proper, to tell their Sicilian majesties, and General Acton, they may rest assured that I shall not withdraw the king's fleet, but by positive orders, or the impossibility of procuring supplies. I wish them to depend upon me, and they shall not be disappointed. God forbid it should so happen, that the enemy escape me, and get into any port! You may rely, if I am properly supplied, that there they shall remain, a useless body, for this summer. But, if I have gun and mortar boats, with fire-ships, it is most probable they may be got at: for, although I hope the best, yet it is proper to be prepared for the worst; which, I am sure, all this fleet would feel to be, the escape of the enemy into port. My distress for frigates is extreme; but I cannot help myself, and no one will help me. But, I thank God, I am not apt to feel difficulties. Pray, present my best respects to Lady Hamilton. Tell her, I hope to be presented to her crowned with laurel or cypress. But, God is good; and, to him, do I commit myself and our cause. Ever believe me, my dear Sir, your obliged and faithful

"Horatio Nelson."

On the 20th of June, the British fleet passed through the Pharos of Messina, with a fair wind. The joy with which the Sicilians hailed the squadron, when they discovered it to be British, gave the most heartfelt satisfaction to all on board. A vast number of boats came off, and rowed round with the loudest congratulations, and the most sincere exultations of delight; as they had been apprehensive that the French fleet, having secured Malta, was coming to act against them.

Having learned, from the British consul, that Malta had certainly been attacked, and was reported to have, at least, in part, surrendered to the French, he now addressed a letter to the most illustrious Grand Master of Malta: apprizing him, that he was hastening to prevent that island from falling into the hands of the common enemy; and instructing him how to proceed till his arrival, which might be expected the following Friday.

He had, at this time, reason to suppose, that the French were only in possession of the old city; and, that their fleet was anchored between Goza and Malta. Accordingly, he again wrote to Sir William Hamilton, requesting him to procure, from the court of Naples, at least, a few gun-boats, if they could supply nothing more, to assist in dislodging the enemy from Malta, and prevent their expected subsequent designs on Sicily.

Both the above letters were delivered to the British consul, who had gone on board from Messina on the 20th; and, next day, the fleet proceeded, with a press of sail, for Malta.

In the evening, being close off Syracuse, they hoisted their colours, when a boat rowed out for about a mile; but, though the fleet brought to, and the Mutine was sent in shore, it immediately rowed back again. At day-break, the following morning, La Mutine, being off Cape Passaro, spoke a Genoese brig which sailed from Malta the day before; and the master informed Captain Hardy, that Malta having surrendered on Friday the 15th, the French fleet had left it the very next day, and were gone, as it was supposed, for Sicily. The wind then blowing Strong from the west north-west, there was no possibility of getting to Malta till it should moderate; and, even there, no better information might be obtainable, while the French were in possession of the place. In the mean time, he greatly suspected the truth of what the Genoese reported; well knowing how often vessels had been stationed by the enemy to give misinformation respecting their intended course. He would himself have examined the master, but found that he had been gone some hours.

Thus situated, the admiral had no other guide than his own judgment; and, after a due consideration of all the circumstances, having been assured, by Sir William Hamilton, that Naples was at peace with the French, and Sicily positively declared, by Bonaparte, not to be the object, he determined to steer for Alexandria; with the hope of frustrating the intentions of this armament, whatever those intentions might finally prove.

From this period, to the 28th of June, only three vessels were spoken with; neither of which, though two were from Alexandria, had seen any thing of the enemy's fleet. This day, the Pharos tower of Alexandria was perceived by the British squadron: and they continued wearing the land, with a press of sail, till the whole of them had a distinct view of both harbours; where, to the general surprise and disappointment of all, not a French ship was visible.

Having arrived off this port, Captain Hardy was directed to run close in with La Mutine, and send an officer on shore with the following letter to Mr. Baldwin—