derate weather, and in day-time you can work between the islands (Hiéres); but I should wish you not to be out of reach of the fleet in case Monsieur La Touche should come out of his nest[1]. I am obliged by your accounts of Hiéres Bay. When our fleet occupied it, the islands were not fortified. The enemy, I am sure, want to get some small ships of war to the eastward, probably for the invasion of Sardinia; and by disappointment for some time, I think the fleet will be ordered out to fight close to Toulon, that they may get their crippled ships in again, oblige us to quit the coast to repair our damages, and thus leave it clear; but my mind is fixed not to fight them unless with a westerly wind outside the Hiéres, or an easterly wind to the eastward of Sicie. I am sure one of these days they will come out; for, besides their degradation in the eyes of all Europe, Marseilles must suffer for want of her usual commerce. I have only again to repeat, that you will keep under sail, or anchor, as you please; and I am sure you will always be upon your guard against a surprise from a superior force. We have nothing new. Algiers is rather better that it was, but not quite so well as we could wish. Phoebe not joined. With my best regards to all your squadron, be assured I am ever, my dear Sir,
(Signed)“Nelson & Bronte.
“Captain Donnelly.”
Previous to our officer’s departure from the Mediterranean station, he was employed on several missions to the Barbary States, and succeeded in obtaining the liberation of several English merchantmen that had been carried into Tunis and Algiers by the corsairs. We next find him accompanying the expedition sent against the Cape of Good Hope, under the orders of Sir Home Popham and Sir David Baird. During the passage, the Narcissus was detached to procure intelligence; and proceeding on that service, Captain Donnelly captured a French privateer, of 12 guns and 70 men; retook a large English Guineaman, mounting 22 guns, laden with rum, tobacco, slaves, ivory, &c.; and drove on shore a ship of 32 twenty-four pounders and 250 men, having on board
- ↑ M. La Touche Treville, who had commanded at Boulogne, in 1801, commanded now at Toulon. “He was sent for on purpose,” said Nelson, “as he beat me at Boulogne, to beat me again; but he seems very loth to try.” One day, while the main body of the British fleet was out of sight of land, the reconnoitring squadron, under Rear-Admiral Campbell, stood in close to the port, and La Touche, with a vastly superior force, pushed out and chased it about 12 miles. The Frenchman, delighted at having found himself in so novel a situation, published a boastful account, affirming that he had given chase to the whole British fleet, and that Nelson had fled before him! In spite of contempt for the gasconader, his lordship was half angered by his impudence. Writing to the present Earl, he said,
