Bonaparte in Malta

Abstract

Acting on the information he had received from Vincent Bonaparte, Bonaparte wrote the following letter to the Executive Directory on May 26th 1797: "The Island of Malta for us is of great importance - the Grand Master is dying, and it would appear that a German will be his successor. It would require from 500, 000 to 600,000 francs to place a Spaniard in his place. Is it possible to induce the Prince of the Peace (Godoy, who directed Spanish affairs) to occupy himself in this matter which is most important? Valletta has 37,000 inhabitants extremely well disposed towards the French - there are no more English in the Mediterranean. Why should not our fleet (or that of Spain), on its way to the Atlantic, pass in that direction, and capture Malta? The Knights are only 500 and the regiment of the Order counts only 600 men. If we do not adopt these means, Malta will fall into the hands of the King of Naples. This small island is priceless for us." Malta was priceless to the French, and in particular to Bonaparte, because his aim was the defect of England through the conquest of Egypt, and the mastership of the Mediterranean. He thought this could be achieved, if Malta became a French base, so much so that on the 16th August, he wrote again the Directory: "The time is not distant when we shall find that the only way to destroy England is by occupying Egypt."