The letter to Earl Spencer is as follows.
"Palermo, Jan. 7, 1799.
"MY DEAR LORD
"Our news from Naples has been daily from bad to worse. On the 4th, the enemy was not at Naples. There are parties, in the capital, for a republic; and another for making the Duke of Parma, who is at Madrid, king: but, I believe, the fighting party is very small. The events which have taken place in the kingdom of Naples have been so rapid and extraordinary, that it appears a dream. The king, God bless him, is a philosopher; but the great queen feels sensibly all that has happened. She begs me not to quit Palermo; for that Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and myself, are her only comforts. I shall, as is my duty, do every thing in the best manner I am able, for the honour of our country. General Stuart, from Minorca, calls for me; Mr. Windham, from Florence, does the same; and the affairs of Egypt and Malta are endeavouring to be brought to an issue. Captain Ball has done wonders; and, I trust, will soon succeed. The bombs, from Malta, go to Egypt, and are to make a vigorous attack on the shipping at Alexandria. These two points successful, will set us quite at our ease on the sea. With every sentiment of respect, believe me, your lordship's most faithful servant,
"Nelson."
The letters to Spencer Smith, and Francis Wherry, Esqrs. contain little more than a reference to Sir Sidney Smith, as the new defender, by sea, of the Ottoman empire, and a polite termination of his lordship's public correspondence with these gentlemen.
What his lordship wrote to Commodore now Admiral Duckworth, contains so many interesting particulars, that it must necessarily be presented entire.
"Palermo, 7th Jan. 1799.
"MY DEAR SIR,
"You will have heard, by Captain Richardson, who left Naples on the 22d of December, of what had happened, to the astonishment of all Europe. It is incredible; but, such things are! I have received the notification of the force expected from Brest; and, if they do get into the Mediterranean, I am confident, they will first go to Toulon: which, when you are apprized of, I submit to your consideration, in concert with his Excellency General Stuart, the propriety of uniting our forces, at what point will be best; but, I shall be truly happy in coinciding with the general and yourself. I am well aware of the small force of the general and yourself, should an invasion of Minorca take place: but, I have a most detestable opinion of the Spanish officers and troops, and the very highest, from experience, of General Stuart; who, by his abilities, would make a bad army a good one. From the situation of affairs here, and having now got bomb-ships, I have determined to bring our matters to issue, both at Alexandria and Malta, as expeditiously as possible; for which purpose, Troubridge goes this day for Egypt, with my orders to make a vigorous attack on the ships in Alexandria. Captain Ball has, at this moment, I hope, finished with Malta. He was using the bombs, by the last account; and intended, about this time, storming the Bormola, the left side of the harbour: by which all the shipping must fall, and the French be close kept up in the town of La Vilette. I wish to send you two sail of the line, and to request your look-out upon Toulon: I am sure, it cannot be in better hands. But, our situation respecting Italy every day alters from bad to worse, so that I cannot answer for my present intentions. I have, under my command, four Portuguese ships of the line; you are most heartily welcome to them all, if you think they will be useful. I own, I consider them as nothing; except trouble in writing orders, which are intolerably executed. However, you may be assured of my ardent desire to do every thing which can render your command pleasant; and, for the security of the valuable acquisition of Minorca.