登陆注册
5266000000028

第28章 CHAPTER III(11)

Nelson now proceeded to his station with eight sail of frigates under his command. Arriving at Genoa, he had a conference with Mr. Drake, the British envoy to that state; the result of which was, that the object of the British must be to put an entire stop to all trade between Genoa, France, and the places occupied by the French troops; for unless this trade were stopped, it would be scarcely possible for the allied armies to hold their situation, and impossible for them to make any progress in driving the enemy out of the Riviera di Genoa. Mr. Drake was of opinion that even Nice might fall for want of supplies, if the trade with Genoa were cut off. This sort of blockade Nelson could not carry on without great risk to himself. A captain in the navy, as he represented to the envoy, is liable to prosecution for detention and damages. This danger was increased by an order which had then lately been issued; by which, when a neutral ship was detained, a complete specification of her cargo was directed to be sent to the secretary of the Admiralty, and no legal process instituted against her till the pleasure of that board should be communicated. This was requiring an impossibility. The cargoes of ships detained upon this station, consisting chiefly of corn, would be spoiled long before the orders of the Admiralty could be known; and then, if they should happen to release the vessel, the owners would look to the captain for damages. Even the only precaution which could be taken against this danger, involved another danger not less to be apprehended: for if the captain should direct the cargo to be taken out, the freight paid for, and the vessel released, the agent employed might prove fraudulent, and become bankrupt; and in that case the captain became responsible. Such things had happened: Nelson therefore required, as the only means for carrying on that service, which was judged essential to the common cause, without exposing the officers to ruin, that the British envoy should appoint agents to pay the freight, release the vessels, sell the cargo, and hold the amount till process was had upon it: government thus securing its officers. "I am acting," said Nelson. "not only without the orders of my commander-in-chief, but, in some measure, contrary to him. However, I have not only the support of his Majesty's ministers, both at Turin and Genoa, but a consciousness that I am doing what is right and proper for the service of our king and country. Political courage, in an officer abroad, is as highly necessary as military courage."This quality, which is as much rarer than military courage as it is more valuable, and without which the soldier's bravery is often of little avail, Nelson possessed in an eminent degree. His representations were attended to as they deserved. Admiral Hotham commended him for what he had done; and the attention of government was awakened to the injury which the cause of the allies continually suffered from the frauds of neutral vessels. "What changes in my life of activity!" said the indefatigable man. "Here I am, having commenced a co-operation with an old Austrian general, almost fancying myself charging at the head of a troop of horse! I do not write less than from ten to twenty letters every day; which, with the Austrian general and aides-de-camp, and my own little squadron, fully employ my time. This I like; active service or none." It was Nelson's mind which supported his feeble body through these exertions. He was at this time almost blind, and wrote with very great pain. "Poor AGAMEMNON" he sometimes said, "was as nearly worn out as her captain; and both must soon be laid up to repair."When Nelson first saw General de Vins, he thought him an able man, who was willing to act with vigour. The general charged his inactivity upon the Piedmontese and Neapolitans, whom, he said, nothing could induce to act; and he concerted a plan with Nelson for embarking a part of the Austrian army, and landing it in the rear of the French. But the English commodore soon began to suspect that the Austrian general was little disposed to any active operations. In the hope of spurring him on, he wrote to him, telling him that he had surveyed the coast to the W. as far as Nice, and would undertake to embark 4000 or 5000 men, with their arms and a few days' provisions, on board the squadron, and land them within two miles of St. Remo, with their field-pieces. Respecting further provisions for the Austrian army, he would provide convoys, that they should arrive in safety; and if a re-embarkation should be found necessary, he would cover it with the squadron. The possession of St.

同类推荐
  • 福建通志台湾府

    福建通志台湾府

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 藏海居士集

    藏海居士集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 月真歌

    月真歌

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 德安守御录下

    德安守御录下

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 清代燕都梨园史料续编

    清代燕都梨园史料续编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 俊俏女太子

    俊俏女太子

    拔一柄神剑,破亿年宁静。架一虚幻界,解千年封印。穿一身男装,扮俊俏太子。携一双玉手,历重生繁华。执手相看,是姐妹情深。血染长衫,是旧人相忘。一柄折扇——相遇,纵使扮作男儿也注定相知相恋。一片竹林——归处,既便是懵了心智也注定将记忆唤醒。穿越不是仗剑天涯,而是活出自我!
  • 透骨生香

    透骨生香

    蔺子桑很早就知道,一个女人要上位,要踩着心怀不轨的贱人,要提防着围绕在身边的小人,更要靠着枕边这个男人。从一个乡野丫头成长为将军府的当家主母,本事和手段一样都不能少。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 千年泪

    千年泪

    你颠覆山河,与我何干?落轩窗,点青灯,妆为君抹。只为那一袭翩然身影顾。乱世流离,不卸红妆,等你一声唤。娘子来世为你盘发簪,再戴冠。
  • 重生之幸福来敲门

    重生之幸福来敲门

    前世,为了供养两个上大学的女儿,爸妈劳累过度,身体患病。重生回八十年代成学霸,发家致富奔小康,造福乡村,帮助民办老师转正,顺便收获帅哥一枚。
  • 朱门医香

    朱门医香

    精通中西医术的现代女医南陌,一朝醒来,变成高门里卑微如尘的婢女。本欲独善其身,却阴差阳错被卷入世族之乱。朱门里医术惊人,权谋里步步为营。锦绣江山,谁堪执手?又与谁契阔?--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • Keziah Coffin

    Keziah Coffin

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 盛世浮华:废材五小姐

    盛世浮华:废材五小姐

    “等我。”只为她一句话,他甘愿被她锁住万年,忍受血鸦啄食肉身之苦。“你是谁?”三万年后,她再度出现,却已然忘记所有。他是魔尊,暗夜之王,魔界霸主。她是神王,七界之主,女娲后代。万年纠葛,两世情缘,等待他们的,又是怎样的艰难?“柒儿可信我?”那日,他眼中的深情,让她沉迷其中,不可自拔。“信。”待他再度归来时,却对她刀剑相向。“女人,把你的血肉给我,我保你来世荣华富贵。”“呵,是嘛。”她逃出生天。“凤珏,你我从此恩断义绝!”
  • 笑话王中王:幽默调皮小故事

    笑话王中王:幽默调皮小故事

    《笑话王中王》系列收集了大量的幽默故事,一则笑话能够让我们感到快乐喜悦,一则笑话可以使我们获得轻松解压。只有在一个轻松幽默的环境下,我们才能笑口常开,才能笑对人生。
  • 订讹杂录

    订讹杂录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 这个丫头太无赖

    这个丫头太无赖

    “爷!天上好像有什么东西掉下来了啊!”那个俊逸非凡,身穿白衣的男子闻言往天上看去,那个东西好巧不巧的就砸向了他的方向,谁知他身形迅速向旁边一移,快得让人觉得眼神一晃,那个东西就这样悲惨的摔在了地上,“喂、你干嘛要闪开啊?”女子疼苦的揉着脚道。“在下不躲,那砸到在下怎么办!”男子好笑的说。“你要不躲,我能扭到脚吗?反正你要负责”女子非常理直气壮的说。男子不可思议的看着她,心想:关我什么事啊……