NELSON, Horatio (Admiral, 1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Bronte Nelson of the Nile') to the Chevalier Italinski (secretary to the Russian Ambassador at Naples), dated (in a different hand) 'Palermo March 24th' and corrected in Nelson's to '25th 1800', conveying the news that the [French] garrison at Malta is 'at its last gasp, the ships are either sail'd or taken by this time. They were perfectly ready & even the invalids embarked on board the General (?) Fall', saying that the [Russian] squadron may yet get on its station off Cape Bon and 'I am doubly anxious to hear of the arrival of the Russian troops'; in a postscript adding 'I believe I have fully explained my Orders not to permit on any terms the return of the French army to Europe, one page, 4to, silked.