Under these conditions, small privateers, often mere rowboats, but under the colors of France or the Italian Republic, swarmed in every port and inlet; in the Adriatic,--a deep, secluded pocket, particularly favorable to marauding,--in the Ionian Islands, along the Barbary coast, upon the shores of Spain, and especially in Sicily, whose central position and extensive seaboard commanded every trade-route east of the Balearics.
Nelson's correspondence is full of remonstrances addressed to the various neutral states--including even Austria, whose shore-line on the Adriatic was extensive--for their toleration of these abuses, which rested ultimately upon the fear of Bonaparte.

He has, also, constant explanations to make to his own Government, or to British ministers at the different Courts, of the acts of his cruisers in destroying the depredators within neutral limits, when found red-handed.

He makes no apologies, but stands firmly by his officers, who, when right, could always count upon his support in trouble.

He never left a man in the lurch, or damned him with faint approval.

"The protection afforded the enemy's privateers and rowboats in the different neutral ports of these seas, so contrary to every known law of neutrality, is extremely destructive of our commerce....