The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2 (of 2) by James Harrison;James A. (James Albert) Harrison
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page 22 of 425 (05%)
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which, however excessive, could scarcely be, on either side, too much.
On the following day, the 9th, an opportunity occurs to exhibit our incomparable hero in a new and most amiable light; the irresistible Christian advocate of humanity, pleading for the emancipation of Mahometan captives from slavery. The ambassador, and his suite, from the Grand Signior, who had arrived at Naples, and were now at Palermo, were about to take their departure; having long since fulfilled, as was formerly described, the object of their mission, by investing our hero with the Ottoman dignities. Their return appears to have been delayed by the affairs of Naples, which would not sooner admit of a ship's being spared for their conveyance to Constantinople. The Bonne Citoyenne, however, commanded by Captain Nisbet, his lordship's son-in-law, had now the honour of that service. Accordingly, as Kelim Effendi, the Turkish ambassador, was passing, in a boat, to go on board the Bonne Citoyenne, near the Portuguese man of war, the Principe Real, then laying in the mole, several Moors and Turks called to him, from that ship, where they were confined as slaves. The ambassador immediately sent to Lord Nelson, requesting his interference in procuring their liberty; and his lordship, with all that amiable humanity which so highly distinguished his character, immediately wrote as follows to the Marquis De Niza. "Palermo, Jan. 9th, 1799. "MY DEAR MARQUIS, "You have some Turkish slaves on board. I beg, as a friend--as an |
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