The Paget Papers.

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

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 279-280.

Palmero, 26th Oct. 1800.

My Dear Lord,—I have had nothing particular to write to you upon since my last, for I was tired of discoursing upon the subject of Malta, where our Conduct has not been in my opinion exactly what it ought to have been. Had however the Case been otherwise, You took good care that I should not know where to send my Letter. I therefore beg Cap. Martin to forward this and also one from Gen^l Acton.
I have now to acquaint you that H.R.H. the Hereditary Prince has come to the resolution at this critical moment to go to Naples, in order to put Himself at the head of the Government of that Country. . . . .
The present danger which menaces the whole of Italy has imperiously called for the adoption of the above measure, the wisdom of which you will, I am sure, at once see.
It would of course have been more desirable could H.S.M. Himself have been prevailed upon to go instead of His son, but His aversion, or whatever else you may think proper to call it, to the Neapolitans is so great, that He has been induced to send the Prince Royal, tho' had the latter, for whatever reasons he might have had, not consented to the proposal the King Himself would most certainly have.
Under these Circumstances, your Lordship will have no difficulty , in believing, that H.S.My is extremely desirous that such squadron of British Ships as can be spared should be sent to remain at, or cruize off Naples, in order to thwart any designs the enemy may have by Sea against that Place, as well as to secure a retreat to the Prince Royal in case future events should unfortunately render such a measure indispensable. . . . .  I am, &c.

(signed)           A. Paget.

Back to the Paget Correspondence Index  
To History Menu
Home Page on this Web Site
To the Home Page