The Paget Papers.

Letter from the Hon. Arthur Paget (Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the King of the two Sicilies) to Lord Elgin.

Source: Paget, Right Hon. Sir Augustus B. Paget, G.C.B. The Paget Papers, Diplomatic and other Correspondence of the Right Hon Sir A. Paget. G.C.B., 1794-1807, 2 Vols. Longmans, Green and Co. New York 1896. Vol 1. Pages 203-205.

[Private]                                                             Palermo, 10th May, 1800.

My Dear Elgin,— Your very obliging & friendly private latter of the 8th March was delivered to me with the Dispatches Enclosures &c. &c. to my Lords Keith and Nelson by Donaldson about the 25th of last month. I sent him on the next day to Lord Keith & the dispatches for Ld Nelson were immediately delivered to His Lordship who was here at the time. . . . .
As Lord Keith writes to you by this opportunity it would be superfluous that I should dwell upon the principal part of your letter to me. I mean the convention concluded with Genl. Kleber & the subsequent arrangements which you were anxious should be made ; you will find that we have altered our minds upon the subject.
Without commenting upon that circumstance, I cannot help expressing my regret to you that Sir Sydney Smith did not oppose the Treaty instead of becoming a party in it. . . . .
As to Genoa we have been in constant expectation for some time past to hear of its capture. I have no later accounts from that place than a letter from Ld. Keith of 6th inst. brought to me by the Turkish Messenger. He of course writes to you fully upon that subject. The Situation of Malta becomes daily more interesting. The Garrison have subsistence for about 6 weeks or two months longer, and must at the end of that time necessarily capitulate unless fresh succours shall be thrown into the place, which from the circumstance of its being so very closely blocked appears impossible. In the event of its falling, it is to be taken possession of by the combined force composed of English, Russians, & Neapolitans, to be held by them during the War as a deposit in trust for the order of St. John of Jerusalem, which could be re-established as soon as circumstances shall permit, agreably (sic) to the system which shall be adopted by the allied Powers. In Corsica there has of late been much fighting & confusion, much to the disadvantage of the French who are stated to have taken refuge in Bastia. It has been whispered that the Emperor of Russia has been at the bottom of this with the intention of securing a Party to himself in that Island, but this was formally denied (?) by ostensible persons in H.I.My. service, who have it is true furnished arms &c, for the salutary purpose of freeing themselves from the French Yoke. As long as the French Fleet can be kept in Brest our Naval force in the Mediterranean is respectable, but should they escape our vigilance in the Channel and arrive here, a circumstance fully expected by Ld. Keith, it might occasion some embarrassment. On the 10th Apl. they were in Brest ready for Sea, & strong I imagine above 40 line. Ld. Bridport retires, and is succeeded by Ld. St. Vincent. Should they arrive here, it will be no doubt for the purpose of relieving either Malta or Genoa or both, & to say the truth I should not be surprised if they attempted something against either Island, at all events I apprehend that at the present moment it is quite impossible for Ld. Keith to detach a Squadron upon the theories you allude to in yr. letter to me ; however the effect might be salutary. He is in real want of ships and even with the reinforcement mentioned in the former part of this letter, he will not have one too many for the service he is now engaged in.
I was much concerned to learn the difficulties Genl. Villettes has met with, but conceiving that they arose as much from the mutual Antipathy which I understand exists between the Inhabitants of the Island of Corfu and the Albanians as from any opposition on the part of the Russian Com. at Corfu, I have applied to this Court for leave for Genl. Villettes with the Corps under his Command to be received into H.S.M. Dominions, which has very obligingly been complied with, and Brindisi is fixed upon as the place.
It is not necessary for me to enter upon the situation of the Country to a person so well acquainted with the state of affairs here as yourself. One of the principal reasons for sending me here was to enga,ge the Ryl. Family to return to Naples. In this, I have met & meet with the utmost difficulty. Some previous necessary measures have to be sure been taken, such as the Passing an Act of Amnesty, regulations respecting the Paper money &c. &c. As things are now the King has promised to return about the month of August. I am fully convinced that he had some time ago renounced all idea of our entering there. The Capital is perfectly quiet, & the Provinces would be the same if he would go back, but if he does not, I will answer for nothing.
The discontents & jealousy between this Court & Vienna are at the highest pitch, & in truth the former having too much reason to feel uneasy, the Queen of Naples is going to Vienna immediately in the hopes of putting matters to rights, but she would act much wiser to keep out of the Genl's *. way, who cannot I understand bear her, and you are sufficiently acquainted with his character to know what is the consequence of his dislike. As to the idea of very much good in this Country I utterly despair of it.-Ever yours, &c.,

(Signed) Arthur Paget.

* General Acton. —A.P.

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