Between Admiral F. Ushakov and the Sicilian Court: the diplomatic mission of A. Italinsky in Naples (1799)

The history of the Russian Empire's relations with "small" allies during the war of the Second Coalition (1798-1802), diplomatic preparation of military operations and the role of specific Russian diplomates in this process require study based on archival materials. The subject of this study is a biografical episode of the Russian diplomat A. Italinsky (Russian Embassy Counsellor at the court of the King of the Two Sicilies), who since July 1799 was the "commissioner for military Affairs", interacting with the Sicilian Court, Vice Admiral F. F. Ushakov and other commanders of the Allied forces.       Based on the principles of historicism and objectivity, using general and special methods of historical research, the author reconstructs activity of Italinsky in the spring and autumn of 1799, using official reports and materials from the diplomat's personal archive. The article examines the reasons for new appointment of Italinsky, examines the Russian diplomats' perception of the suppression of the Neapolitan Revolution, analyzes the role of Italinsky in the negotiations between Ushakov, the Sicilian Court and British Admiral Nelson, which resulted in subordination of the Russian squadron to the regional interests of the Sicilian cabinet, that sought to ensure security of Naples and fought against the Austrian influence in Central Italy. The author paid special attention to the Italinsky's stay with Ushakov's squadron in Naples, analyzing the nature of Italinsky's correspondence with admiral and the royal administration, as well as role of the diplomat in organizing the campaign of the Russian detachment to Rome and preparation of Maltese expedition. Admitting merits of Italinsky in maintaining communication between Ushakov and Neapolitan administration, the author concludes that diplomat's personal views, along with other factors, inevitably influenced the nature of the Russian squadron's activity, which became dependent on the plans of the Sicilian Court in autumn 1799.

A. Italinsky, F. Ushakov, H. Nelson, F. Ruffo, Neapolitan Revolution, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Naples, Rome, Malta, Second Coalition