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1798 saw the French sent a major expedition to Egypt under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. The British response was to send a fleet into the Mediterranean under Admiral Nelson. Across the early summer of 1798, that fleet searched in vain for the French fleet. This letter was written after Nelson had circled the entire eastern Mediterranean, missing the French at Alexandria by about a day. Twelve days later, Nelson's mood changed dramatically when he destroyed the French fleet at the battle of the Nile (1 August 1798) (compare this letter with his letter written after the battle of the Nile).
The original letter is now in the Nelson Museum at Monmouth.
Vanguard, in Sicily,
July 20, 1798
My Dearest Fanny , - Except that my health is perfect I have not a word of news to tell you. I have been sent after the French fleet, but have not been able to find them to my great mortification or the event I can scarcely doubt.
Since I wrote you a line from off Naples we have been off Malta, to Alexandria in Egypt, Syria into Asia and are returned here without success. However no person will say that it's been for want of activity. I yet live in hopes of meeting these scoundrels but it would have been my delight to have tried Buonaparte on a wind; for he commands the fleet as well as the army.
I hope my dear Fanny that you find everything comfortable where you are. Recollect that I am at no personal expense therefore I hope you will not be sparing of money. Glory is my object and that alone.
God Almighty bless you. Ever your most affectionate HORATIO NELSON.
Love to all with you.
To Lady Nelson, Round Wood, Ipswich, Suffolk
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