The Paget Papers.

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

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 266-267.

Minorca, August 20, 1800.

Dear Paget, —I got your letter of 21st July this moment it had been to look for me at Leghorn, I do not believe we shall have any Russians on Malta, and all my instructions are a fair and Honorable participation of the Duty. until the Island is Delivered to the Knights such are Sir Ralphs also, I do not know General Pigots orders, nor do I think we shall take the Island by Blockade.
I had many audiances of the Queen at Leghorn, Her M and Her Ministers asked our troops Sir R & myself doubted the Authority and excused by the Pubc paper. You must have seen at the same time I never overlooked the safety of Naples, but the Queen expected the Whole Squadron to attend on Her Court which was impossible a Riot happened in the Square the Queen desired I would go to the people, I declined having no Authority to do so and disapproving of all tumults on every pretence in short Her Majesty took leave* of Every one in Public but me which gave me no concern because I felt proud of having discharged my duty to my Nation and the greatest respect to Her Majesty at the time I had an pportunity of Justifying two of my most respected friends Minto and yourself. Sir Ralph is gone to Visit the Island but on his return I shall read him the public part of your letter Most Sincerely ever Yours

Keith.

* The Queen of Naples, Nelson, and Sir William Hamilton were in Vienna together in Sept. 1800.

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