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Foreign News
March 21, 1799
Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
On October 28, 1798, French forces in Gozo capitulated to British Captain Alexander John Ball under Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson. 217 troops surrendered and were embarked for France. The island was returned to Maltese sovereignty under British protection, with captured stores aiding locals. This supports the blockade of Malta.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the LONDON GAZETTE, Dec. 25.
Admiralty-Office, Dec. 25, 1798.
Copy of a letter from Admiral Earl of St. Vincent, commander in chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the Mediterranean, to Evan Nepean, Esq.
Le Souverain, Gibraltar, Nov. 27, 1797.
HEREWITH you will receive the copy of a letter from Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson, enclosing one from Captain Ball, of his Majesty's ship Alexander, with the Capitulation of the Island of Gozo.
Vanguard, at Sea, Nov. 25.
My Lord—I have the honor to transmit you a letter I received from Captain Ball, dated October 30, together with the Capitulation of the Castle of Gozo, and a list of ordnance, &c. found in it; the prisoners are now embarked in the Vanguard and Minotaur till I can get a vessel to send them to France. Captain Ball, with three sail of the line, a frigate, and fire-ship, is entrusted with the blockade of Malta, in which are two sail of the line and three frigates ready for sea; and, from the experience I have had of Captain Ball's zeal, activity, and ability, I have no doubt but that in due time I shall have the honor of sending you a good account of the French in the town of Valletti.
I am, with the greatest respect,
Your Lordship's most obedient Svt
HORATIO NELSON.
Admiral Earl of St. Vincent.
Alexander, off Malta, Oct. 30.
SIR—I have the honour to acquaint you, that the Commandant of the French troops in the Castle of Gozo, signed the Capitulation the 28th inst. which you had approved. I ordered Captain Crewell, of the Marines, to take possession of it in the name of his Britannic Majesty, and his Majesty's colours were hoisted. The next day the place was delivered up in form to the Deputies of the Island, his Sicilian Majesty's colours hoisted, and he acknowledged their lawful Sovereign. I embarked yesterday all the French officers and men who were on the island of Gozo, amounting to 217. I enclose the Articles of Capitulation, and an inventory of the arms and ammunition found in the Castle, part of which I directed to be sent to the assistance of the Maltese, who are in arms against the French. There were 3200 sacks of corn in the Castle, which will be a great relief to the inhabitants, who are much in want of that article.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ALEX. JOHN BALL.
Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson.
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.
Between Alexander John Ball, Esq. Captain of his Britannic Majesty's ship Alexander, appointed to conduct the blockade of Malta, under Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K. B. on the part of Great-Britain, Lieutenant-Colonel Lochey, Adj. de Batt. Commander of the French troops in the Castle of Gozo.
I. The French troops shall march out of the Castle of Gozo, with the honors of war, and shall lay down their arms as they get out of the gate.
II. The Castle of Gozo, with all the military implements and stores shall be delivered up to the British Officers appointed to take charge of them.
III. The French Officers and troops shall be protected in their persons and effects and the Officers allowed to retain their side arms ; they shall be embarked immediately on board his Britannic Majesty's ships, and sent to France in transports, at the expense of the French Government.—They are not to serve against his Britannic Majesty, or his Allies, during the war, until regularly exchanged.
Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K. B. has entered into articles with the inhabitants of Gozo, that if the French surrender to the British, they shall be considered as under their protection, and they will not offer them the smallest insult or molestation.
Signed, Oct. 28, 1798.
ALEX. JOHN BALL, captain of his Britannic Majesty's ship Alexander.
Approved Horatio Nelson,
Lochey, Adj. de Battalion.
Extract of articles found in the Castle of Gozo, the 28th October, 1798.
50 barrels of powder
good ball cartridges
1000 musket cartridges without ball
1700 flints
38 eighteen pound cartridges, filled
140 twelve pound ditto
450 six pound ditto
268 four pound ditto
25 three pound ditto
88 two pound ditto
18 18 pounder guns, good, and 200 shot
2 12 pounder guns, good, and 600 shot
4 6 pounder guns, good, and 2935 shot
400 hand grenades, filled
go pikes, and go halberts
3200 sacks of corn.
N. B. No small arms, except those laid down by the French troops.
Admiralty-Office, Dec. 25, 1798.
Copy of a letter from Admiral Earl of St. Vincent, commander in chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the Mediterranean, to Evan Nepean, Esq.
Le Souverain, Gibraltar, Nov. 27, 1797.
HEREWITH you will receive the copy of a letter from Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson, enclosing one from Captain Ball, of his Majesty's ship Alexander, with the Capitulation of the Island of Gozo.
Vanguard, at Sea, Nov. 25.
My Lord—I have the honor to transmit you a letter I received from Captain Ball, dated October 30, together with the Capitulation of the Castle of Gozo, and a list of ordnance, &c. found in it; the prisoners are now embarked in the Vanguard and Minotaur till I can get a vessel to send them to France. Captain Ball, with three sail of the line, a frigate, and fire-ship, is entrusted with the blockade of Malta, in which are two sail of the line and three frigates ready for sea; and, from the experience I have had of Captain Ball's zeal, activity, and ability, I have no doubt but that in due time I shall have the honor of sending you a good account of the French in the town of Valletti.
I am, with the greatest respect,
Your Lordship's most obedient Svt
HORATIO NELSON.
Admiral Earl of St. Vincent.
Alexander, off Malta, Oct. 30.
SIR—I have the honour to acquaint you, that the Commandant of the French troops in the Castle of Gozo, signed the Capitulation the 28th inst. which you had approved. I ordered Captain Crewell, of the Marines, to take possession of it in the name of his Britannic Majesty, and his Majesty's colours were hoisted. The next day the place was delivered up in form to the Deputies of the Island, his Sicilian Majesty's colours hoisted, and he acknowledged their lawful Sovereign. I embarked yesterday all the French officers and men who were on the island of Gozo, amounting to 217. I enclose the Articles of Capitulation, and an inventory of the arms and ammunition found in the Castle, part of which I directed to be sent to the assistance of the Maltese, who are in arms against the French. There were 3200 sacks of corn in the Castle, which will be a great relief to the inhabitants, who are much in want of that article.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ALEX. JOHN BALL.
Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson.
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.
Between Alexander John Ball, Esq. Captain of his Britannic Majesty's ship Alexander, appointed to conduct the blockade of Malta, under Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K. B. on the part of Great-Britain, Lieutenant-Colonel Lochey, Adj. de Batt. Commander of the French troops in the Castle of Gozo.
I. The French troops shall march out of the Castle of Gozo, with the honors of war, and shall lay down their arms as they get out of the gate.
II. The Castle of Gozo, with all the military implements and stores shall be delivered up to the British Officers appointed to take charge of them.
III. The French Officers and troops shall be protected in their persons and effects and the Officers allowed to retain their side arms ; they shall be embarked immediately on board his Britannic Majesty's ships, and sent to France in transports, at the expense of the French Government.—They are not to serve against his Britannic Majesty, or his Allies, during the war, until regularly exchanged.
Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K. B. has entered into articles with the inhabitants of Gozo, that if the French surrender to the British, they shall be considered as under their protection, and they will not offer them the smallest insult or molestation.
Signed, Oct. 28, 1798.
ALEX. JOHN BALL, captain of his Britannic Majesty's ship Alexander.
Approved Horatio Nelson,
Lochey, Adj. de Battalion.
Extract of articles found in the Castle of Gozo, the 28th October, 1798.
50 barrels of powder
good ball cartridges
1000 musket cartridges without ball
1700 flints
38 eighteen pound cartridges, filled
140 twelve pound ditto
450 six pound ditto
268 four pound ditto
25 three pound ditto
88 two pound ditto
18 18 pounder guns, good, and 200 shot
2 12 pounder guns, good, and 600 shot
4 6 pounder guns, good, and 2935 shot
400 hand grenades, filled
go pikes, and go halberts
3200 sacks of corn.
N. B. No small arms, except those laid down by the French troops.
What sub-type of article is it?
Naval Affairs
Military Campaign
What keywords are associated?
Gozo Capitulation
Nelson Blockade
French Surrender
Malta Campaign
British Naval Blockade
What entities or persons were involved?
Admiral Earl Of St. Vincent
Rear Admiral Lord Nelson
Captain Alexander John Ball
Lieutenant Colonel Lochey
Where did it happen?
Gozo
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Gozo
Event Date
October 28, 1798
Key Persons
Admiral Earl Of St. Vincent
Rear Admiral Lord Nelson
Captain Alexander John Ball
Lieutenant Colonel Lochey
Outcome
217 french troops surrendered and were embarked for france; no casualties reported. island returned to maltese/sicilian sovereignty under british protection; military stores and 3200 sacks of corn captured.
Event Details
French commandant in Gozo signed capitulation on October 28, 1798, approved by Nelson. British marines took possession, hoisting colors. French troops marched out with honors of war, laid down arms, and were protected and sent to France. Island delivered to local deputies, acknowledging Sicilian sovereign. Stores including arms, ammunition, and corn found and partly used to aid Maltese insurgents against French in Malta.