THE DISPATCHES AND LETTERS OF VICE ADMIRAL LORD VISCOUNT NELSON WITH NOTES BY SIR NICHOLAS HARRIS NICOLAS, G.C.M.G. "The Nation expected, and was entitled to expect, that while Cities vied with each other THE THIRD VOLUME. JANUARY 1798 TO AUGUST 1799. LONDON: HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. MDCCCXLV. PREFACE. THOUGH the Letters in the present Volume relate only to about one year and eight months (namely, from the 1st of January 1798, to the 31st of August 1799), they illustrate, perhaps, the most important as well as most interesting events of NELSON'S Life,-the first of his brilliant Victories, and the only transactions in his professional career to which blame has ever been attached. Having hoisted his Flag on board the Vanguard, in March 1798, and joined the Earl of St. Vincent's Fleet, off Cadiz, he was sent in May, with a Squadron of observation, up the Mediterranean. Early in June, he was re-inforced by ten Sail of the Line, when he proceeded in search of the French Fleet to Naples, and thence to Alexandria; but not finding it, he returned to Syracuse, from which place he again sailed for Egypt. His anxiety to discover the Enemy, and his disappointment at missing them, are the principal subjects of his Correspondence, until his exertions were at last rewarded |