[Admiral Pellew; HMS Caledonia; Fall of Napoleon] Incomplete Autograph Letter in Admiral Pellew's hand (lacking signature page) to Admiral Sir [William] Sidney Smith concerning the end of hostilities and the Fall of Napoleon. A difficult handwriting.

Four surviving pages, lacking signature page, bifolium, first and last page dusted but text clear and complete. My dear Sir Sidney, | It is with sincere pleasure I [?] your safe & happy meeting with Lady Smith and her amiable daughters. I am [?] in the enjoyment of similar feelings sailing as fast as [?] Caledonia can go with a fair wind to embrace my own family among whom thank God I may now hope to live in happiness and [Dye?] in Peace, which neither you or I expected, when we last parted. The rapidity with which the great Events so much commemorate have passed before our Eyes [??} the idea of [...] and we are scarcely yet awakened sufficiently to view with calmness what [is?] likely to become the [state?] of the Civilised World; I must confess I should have [?] the existence of the Tyrant of the World have ceased with [his?] power, however [weak?] this [rallying?] point may be and however much reduced in power, still it is a Beacon for the Rascals of the World to look up to in case of {?] & difficulty: and as you & I do happen to know that the rascally part of Mankind preponderate and weigh down the honest men, the mind which reflects cannot but feel some uneasiness for the future and who can view without apprehension, or at least suspicion, what may arise out of the Congress at Vienna. Italy you know, as well as I do, looks for [emancipation?] and I question if [she?] can […Signature page at least missing]. Both Sdmirals palyed their part in the defeat of Napoleon, Smith played a role that drew Napoleon's attention, Napoleon Bonaparte, reminiscing later in his life, said of him: 'That man made me miss my destiny'.