Information, it appears, had reached Lord Keith, so long since as the beginning of April, respecting the intention of these Spanish ships at Palermo: for Lord Nelson, in a letter dated on board the Foudroyant, at Malta, 10th May 1800, observes that he has received his lordship's intelligence from Mahon, of the 3d of April, on that subject, which is perfectly correct; and had already ordered that, in case of their preparing to leave the port, express-boats should be sent in all directions with the necessary information for their being pursued, as well as written to Mahon on the occasion. These ships, however, it may be proper here to remark, though they could not elude the vigilance of Lord Nelson, who had narrowly watched them for upwards of seventeen months, certainly effected their escape from Palermo, very shortly after his departure; and, to his lordship's infinite mortification and regret, arrived safely in Spain, long before he reached England.
After remaining about a month at Malta, and being fully convinced, from the arrangements then made, that it must soon fall, his lordship returned to Palermo; as, notwithstanding his earnest wishes for the possession of that important island, he did not chuse to be present at the time of it's actual surrender, lest his friend Ball should thus lose the chief honour of the conquest. Besides concerting plans for the speedy reduction of this island, his lordship, during his stay there, was busily engaged in politely closing his numerous public correspondences with the allied powers, the Barbary states, and the respective British envoys, &c. at the various courts.
On arriving at Palermo, the latter end of May, every preparation was made, by his lordship, and Sir William and Lady Hamilton, for immediately going to England. One of the chief objects of his lordship's attention, had been to promote, by all possible means, the general and individual prosperity of Bronte; by enriching the country with the improvements of agriculture, and preserving the people from oppression. He selected, with this view, a governor, of unimpeachable honour, and of uncommon abilities in directing agricultural operations. The name of this gentleman was Graffer; and he had, already, for some time, acted in that capacity, highly to the satisfaction of his lordship. The following letter to Sir John Acton, occasioned by some interesting communications from Mr. Graffer, not only affords a satisfactory proof of that gentleman's integrity, but a fine picture of his lordship's ever anxious regard to the comfort of those who had claims on his powerful and benign protection.
"Palermo, 2d June 1800.
"SIR,
My object, at Bronte, is to make the people happy, by not suffering them to be oppressed; and to enrich the country, by the improvements of agriculture. For these reasons, I selected Mr. Graffer, as a proper person for governor; as his character for honesty is unimpeachable, and his abilities as an agriculturist undeniable: and yet, it would appear, that there are persons who wish, for certain reasons, to lessen the king's most magnificent gift to me; and, also, to make the inhabitants of that country more miserable than they were before the estate came into my possession. Several people who have hired farms, on the contract of not letting them to what we in England call middle-men, have already done so; and I am told, that I either have been, or am to be, induced to consent that a superior, or rather that all Bronte causes, should be tried at Palermo. Now, as this is a measure so repugnant to justice, and which must heap ruin on those it is my wish to render happy, I intreat that, except such causes as the present laws of Sicily oblige to resort to some superior court, it may never be imagined that I will consent to do an unjust act. It is possible, from my not reading Italian, that I may sign a very improper paper—(which God forbid!)—if men in whom I place confidence lay it before me for my signature. In his majesty's most gracious gift of Bronte, has been omitted the word Fragilé a farm belonging to me. The reasons of this omission are, I fear, too clear; and, at a future day, I may lose it, and his majesty not retain it. These are, in brief, the letters of Mr. Graffer. I have, therefore, by his desire, to request his majesty to grant me the following favours—First, that the farm of Fragilé may be inserted in the patent; secondly, that a billet-royale may be granted, to annul the present contract of the feuds of St. Andrea and Porticella. I send your excellency copies and extracts of Mr. Graffer's letters, which prove him an honest and upright man. In arranging these matters for me, it will be an additional obligation conferred upon your excellency's most obedient and obliged
"Bronte Nelson of the Nile."
These requests were readily granted by his Sicilian Majesty; who had, this morning, transmitted his lordship the statutes of the order of St. Ferdinando, accompanied by such expressions of kindness as made the most sensible impression on his lordship's mind, and filled his heart—to use his own phrase—with affection, pleasure, and gratitude. Under these impressions, our hero was desirous of presenting a gold medal to the king, as a small but sincere testimonial of his esteem and regard; he sent one, therefore, accompanied by the following letter.
Palermo, 2d June 1800.