"Palermo, 13th August 1799.
"SIRE,
The bounty of your majesty has so overwhelmed me, that I am unable to find words adequate to express my gratitude: but it shall be my study to continue in the same line of conduct which your majesty has been pleased to approve, and to mark with such very extraordinary proofs of your royal favour; and which has also gained me the approbation of my own most gracious sovereign, your majesty's most faithful ally. That the Almighty may pour down his choicest blessings on your sacred person, and on those of the queen and the whole royal family, and preserve your kingdoms in peace and happiness, shall ever be the fervent prayer of your majesty's faithful servant,
Bronte Nelson.
On the morning of this day, while Lady Hamilton was at the palace with the queen, who had purposely invited that lady early, two coach loads of the most magnificent and costly dresses, were secretly sent to her house, with a richly jewelled picture of the king, worth a thousand guineas, for her ladyship; and another picture of his majesty, of the same value, for Sir William Hamilton. The whole of the presents on this occasion received by Sir William and his lady, from their Sicilian Majesties, were estimated at full six thousand guineas.
Lord Nelson had, in these few days, so completely detached the squadron under his command to the several destinations, that his own flag was now flying on board the Samuel and Jane transport; yet, even thus situated, so confident were their majesties, and their Sicilian subjects, that there could be nothing to fear while they possessed even the person of our invincible hero, not the smallest alarm was either felt or expressed on the occasion.
The Foudroyant, indeed, which had accompanied two Portuguese ships of the line to Captain Ball at Malta, was only intended to remain there a few days, with some hope of quickening the surrender of that island by the appearance of such a force; and, on the 14th, his Sardinian Majesty having requested a ship to carry him and his family to the continent, in a letter received from his minister by our grand protector of kings, his lordship was constrained to order the Foudroyant on that important service. This letter also solicited the kind and powerful interference of our hero, to obtain, from the Bey of Tunis, some modification of the very severe terms to which his Sardinian Majesty had been under the necessity of agreeing, but found it impossible immediately to raise the sum stipulated from his distressed people for the ransom of their fellow-subjects. Though his lordship could not but feel almost hopeless of success in any requisition of pecuniary forbearance from a Barbary State, he did not hesitate a single moment in making the attempt, by writing both to Mr. Magra and the Bey of Tunis, with his customary diplomatic dexterity and address. Having done this, his lordship thus answered the letter of his Sardinian Majesty's minister, Count Chilembert.
"Palermo, 16th August 1799.
"SIR
"I was yesterday honoured with your excellency's letter of August 11th. The situation of the poor people taken by the Bey of Tunis is shocking to humanity, and must sensibly touch the royal heart: but I will not attempt to cherish a hope, that the bey will abate one zequin of the sum fixed in the convention of June the 21st; and I very much doubt, if a longer time than that fixed by the convention, and witnessed by six friendly consuls, will be granted. However, I have, I can assure your excellency, no difficulty in sending a letter to Mr. Magra, his Britannic Majesty's consul, covering one to the bey; to say, that I am confident such a mark of his goodness will be highly acceptable to the great king, my master.