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t。 Nelson thought at the time that； if the whole fleet were offered him for transports； he would find some other excuse； and Mr。 Drake； who was now appointed to reside at the Austrian headquarters； entertained the same idea of the general's sincerity。 It was not； however； put so clearly to the proof as it ought to have been。 He replied that； as soon as Nelson could declare himself ready with the vessels necessary for conveying 10；000 men； with their artillery and baggage； he would put the army in motion。 But Nelson was not enabled to do this： Admiral Hotham； who was highly meritorious in leaving such a man so much at his own discretion； pursued a cautious system； ill according with the bold and comprehensive views of Nelson； who continually regretted Lord Hood； saying that the nation had suffered much by his resignation of the Mediterranean command。 The plan which had been concerted； he said； would astonish the French； and perhaps the English。
There was no unity in the views of the allied powers； no cordiality in their co…operation； no energy in their councils。 The neutral powers assisted France more effectually than the allies assisted each other。 The Genoese ports were at this time filled with French privateers； which swarmed out every night； and covered the gulf； and French vessels were allowed to tow out of the port of Genoa itself； board vessels which were coming in； and then return into the mole。 This was allowed without a remonstrance； while； though Nelson abstained most carefully from offering any offence to the Genoese territory or flag； complaints were so repeatedly made against his squadron； that； he says； it seemed a trial who should be tired first； they of complaining； or he of answering their complaints。 But the question of neutrality was soon at an end。 An Austrian commissary was travelling from Genoa towards Vado； it was known that he was to sleep at Voltri； and that he had L10；000 with hima booty which the French minister in that city； and the captain of a French frigate in that port； considered as far more important than the word of honour of the one； the duties of the other； and the laws of neutrality。 The boats of the frigate went out with some privateers； landed； robbed the commissary； and brought back the money to Genoa。 The next day men were publicly enlisted in that city for the French army： 700 men were embarked； with 7000 stand of arms； on board the frigates and other vessels； who were to land between Voltri and Savona。 There a detachment from the French army was to join them； and the Genoese peasantry were to be invited to insurrectiona measure for which everything had been prepared。 The night of the 13th was fixed for the sailing of this expedition； the Austrians called loudly for Nelson to prevent it； and he； on the evening of the 13th； arrived at Genoa。 His presence checked the plan： the frigate； knowing her deserts； got within the merchant…ships； in the inner mole； and the Genoese government did not now even demand of Nelson respect to the neutral port； knowing that they had allowed； if not connived at； a flagrant breach of neutrality； and expecting the answer which he was prepared to return； that it was useless and impossible for him to respect it longer。
But though this movement produced the immediate effect which was designed； it led to ill consequences； which Nelson foresaw； but for want of sufficient force was unable to prevent。 His squadron was too small for the service which it had to perform。 He required two seventy…fours and eight or ten frigates and sloops； but when he demanded this reinforcement； Admiral Hotham had left the command。 Sir Hyde Parker had succeeded till the new commander should arrive； and he immediately reduced it to almost nothing； leaving him only one frigate and a brig。 This was a fatal error。 While the Austrian and Sardinian troops； whether from the imbecility or the treachery of their leaders； remained inactive； the French were preparing for the invasion of Italy。 Not many days before Nelson was thus summoned to Genoa； he chased a large convoy into Alassio。 Twelve vessels he had formerly destroyed in that port； though 2000 French troops occupied the town。 This former attack had made them take new measures of defence； and there were now above 100 sail of victuallers； gun…boats； and ships of war。 Nelson represented to the Admiral how important it was to destroy these vessels； and offered； with his squadron of frigates； and the CULLODEN and COURAGEUX； to lead himself in the AGAMEMNON； and take or destroy the whole。 The attempt was not permitted； but it was Nelson's belief that； if it had been made； it would have prevented the attack upon the Austrian army； which took place almost immediately afterwards。
General de Vins demanded satisfaction of the Genoese government for the seizure of his commissary； and then； without waiting for their reply； took possession of some empty magazines of the French； and pushed his sentinels to the very gates of Genoa。 Had he done so at first； he would have found the magazines full； but； timed as the measure was； and useless as it was to the cause of the allies； it was in character with the whole of the Austrian general's conduct； and it is no small proof of the dexterity with which he served the enemy； that in such circumstances he could so act with Genoa as to contrive to put himself in the wrong。 Nelson was at this time； according to his own expression； placed in a cleft stick。 Mr。 Drake； the Austrian minister； and the Austrian general； all joined in requiring him not to leave Genoa； if he left that port unguarded； they said； not only the imperial troops at St。 Pier d'Arena and Voltri would be lost； but the French plan for taking post between Voltri and Savona would certainly succeed； if the Austrians should be worsted in the advanced posts； the retreat of the Bocchetta would be cut off； and if this happened； the loss of the army would be imputed to him； for having left Genoa。 On the other hand； he knew that if he were not at Pietra； the enemy's gun…boats would harass the left flank of the Austrians； who； if they were defeated； as was to be expected； from the spirit of all their operations； would； very probably； lay their defeat to the want of assistance from the AGAMEMNON。 Had the force for which Nelson applied been given him； he could have attended to both objects； and had he been permitted to attack the convoy in Alassio； he would have disconcerted the plans of the French； in spite of the Austrian general。 He had foreseen the danger； and pointed out how it might be prevented； but the means of preventing it were withheld。 The attack was made as he foresaw； and the gun…boats brought their fire to bear upon the Austrians。 It so happened； however； that the left flank； which was exposed to them； was the only part of the army that behaved well： this division stood its ground till the centre and the right wing fled； and then retreated in a soldierlike manner。 General de Vins gave up the command in the middle of the battle； pleading ill health。 〃From that moment；〃 says Nelson； 〃not a soldier stayed at his post： it was the devil take the hindmost。 Many thousands ran away who had never seen the enemy； some of them thirty miles from th