As a last hope, Caraccioli asked the lieutenant if he thought an application to Lady Hamilton would be beneficial?
Parkinson went to seek her; she was not to be seen on this occasion; but she was present at the execution.

She had the most devoted attachment to the Neapolitan court; and the hatred which she felt against those whom she regarded as its enemies, made her at this time forget what was due to the character of her sex as well as of her country.

Here, also, a faithful historian is called upon to pronounce a severe and unqualified condemnation of Nelson's conduct.

Had he the authority of his Sicilian majesty for proceeding as he did?
If so, why was not that authority produced?
If not, why were the proceedings hurried on without it?
Why was the trial precipitated, so that it was impossible for the prisoner, if he had been innocent, to provide the witnesses, who might have proved him so?
Why was a second trial refused, when the known animosity of the president of the court against the prisoner was considered?
Why was the execution hastened, so as to preclude any appeal for mercy, and render the prerogative of mercy useless?
Doubtless, the British Admiral seemed to himself to be acting under a rigid sense of justice; but to all other persons it was obvious that he was influenced by an infatuated attachment--a baneful passion, which destroyed his domestic happiness, and now, in a second instance, stained ineffaceably his public character.
The body was carried out to a considerable distance, and sunk in the bay, with three double-headed shot, weighing 250 lbs., tied to its legs.
Between two or three weeks afterward, when the king was on board the FOUDROYANT, a Neapolitan fisherman came to the ship, and solemnly declared that Caraccioli had risen from the bottom of the sea, and was coming as fast as he could to Naples, swimming half out of the water.
Such an account was listened to like a tale of idle credulity.

The day being fair, Nelson, to please the king, stood out to sea; but the ship had not proceeded far before a body was distinctly seen, upright in the water, and approaching them.