A handwritten Horatio Nelson letter dated the 13th Nov 1798 to Earl Spencer (First Lord of The Admiralty & temporary Ambassador in Vienna). Camp St. Germains Nov 13th 1798 My Lord, a desire from the king called me here yesterday, to concert with General Mack, and General Acton the commencement of the war, 30.000 of Mack says La plus belle d'armee d'europe was drawn out for me to see and as far as my judgement goes in those matters I agree that a finer army cannot be, in the evening we had a council and it was settled that 4.000 Infan- try and 600 Cavalry should take possession of Leghorn the infantry (having stopped Troubridge's Squadron for Corfu) I shall embark in the Vanguard, Culloden, Minotaur, 2 Portuguese ships if I can get them ready (not that I see they have any wants) and alliance stowships, a Neapo- litan ship brings the Cavalry in a Convoy after us. The Kings orders for the destination was to be given to me and when at sea I was to give it to the General commanding the Troops who was to be totally ignorant that Leghorn was the object and not Malta which a secret was communicated to him, His Majesty approved this plan, and Mack was to March I repeat it with pleasure with 30.000 of the finest Troops in Europa on Saturday the 17. to Rome and keep advancing trusting to the Support of the Emperor, every hour the French are increasing their Italian army and two new Generals are arrived at Rome Thus I went to Bed last night and at 6.00 this morning came to take leave of their Majesty, I found them in great distress the Courier who left London on the 4. Nov. has Not brought any assurance of support from the Emporer. Mr. Thugut is evasive and wishes he says the French to be the aggressors...
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