The latter quitted the blockade in December, Nelson notifying Niza on the 18th of the month that he no longer considered him under his command.

The Messina troops landed at Malta on the 10th.
The British then had fifteen hundred men on the island, supported by two thousand Maltese, well disciplined and armed, besides a number of native irregulars upon whom only partial dependence could be placed.
The Russians never came to take part.

They got as far as Messina, but there received orders to go to Corfu, both ships and men.

This was in pursuance of a change of policy in the Czar, who, being enraged at the conduct of his allies, particularly of the Austrians, in the late campaign, intended withdrawing from the Coalition, and was concentrating troops at Corfu.

This revived Nelson's fears for Malta.
"I trust Graham will not think of giving the island to the French by withdrawing, till he receives orders from General Fox." The troops remained, but in numbers too small to admit active operations.