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