The same to the same.
Grafton, at Regio, Janʳʸ the 19ᵗʰ, O.S., 1718/9.
My dear Spouse,
I send this to tell you I am well. I believe, before this come to you, you will have heard of my having forced ashoar on Sicily a Spanish man of war of 70 guns, wᶜʰ is overset and sunk. I recᵈ some shot from her, but without much damage. My dʳ, we are here at an anchor, in company wᵗʰ the Kent, Royˡ Oake, and Rochester, to block up Camock,[a] who is at Messina and will not venture out, his squadron being much inferiour to us. By the news we receive from England, I conjecture Spain will soon be oblidgd to accept the terms proposed to ’em; after wᶜʰ I suppose the bigger ships will be orderd home, where I shall always be glad to be, whenever it consists wᵗʰ my honour; for, indeed, my dear Fanny, I heartily love you.
Pray give my love to all freinds, and I remaine, my dʳ,
Yʳ most affect. husband,
Nˢ. Haddock.
P.S. This goes for Naples wᵗʰ an express that Capt. Mathews[] sends to the Admˡ, and from thence it will be forwarded to you.
Nˢ. H.
[a] George Cammock, the Spanish Rear-Admiral, who had taken refuge in Messina. He slipped out in a frigate, which however he had to abandon, and escaped by boat to land. He was an Irishman who had served with distinction in the English navy under Queen Anne, but had been dismissed on account of his Jacobite tendencies. He then entered the Spanish service; and it is said that, if the Spanish Admiral had followed his advice, the battle off Cape Passaro might have had a different result.
[] Thomas Mathews, afterwards Admiral, who commanded the blockading force.