Masters, as mentioned in yours of the 10th ultimo, do not take any notice of Mr. Ross, Boatswain of the Halcyon, being absent without leave. Although it appears, by Captain Pearse's letter, that he left that Sloop on the 23rd day of February last, the said Mr. Ross does not either appear chequed on the abstract for March last. The Prevoyante's bill of lading was very properly sent, as it will enable me to know what dependence can be had on your stores. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, BART., MALTA. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 378.] 3rd August, 1804. I have received, my dear Ball, your sketch of the views of the French in the Mediterranean, on the whole outline of which I perfectly agree with you, and on the smaller part there are only shades of difference. My opinion of the views of Russia has long been formed, and to this moment I see everything she does works to the same end-the possession of all European Turkey. I have delivered my opinion when in England, how this plan of Russia might be turned to much advantage for us, and how it would operate against France. I know the importance of Malta; but, my friend, I fancy, I also know how far its importance extends: on this point we may differ, but we both agree that it never must be even risked falling into the hands of France....... Look at the position of Sardinia; I have touched, I recollect, before upon that subject, and you should be Viceroy. I have warned the folks at home, but I fear in vain. Algiers will be French in one year after a Peace: you see it, and a man may run and read; that is the plan of Buonaparte. Respecting Egypt, I agree with you most perfectly. And now, my dear Ball, I will not plague you with my nonsensical ideas any more; and have only to hope Monsieur La Touche, who says, in his letter to Paris, * Of this Letter, which naturally gave great offence to Lord Nelson, and to which he very frequently alluded, the following is a copy: "General, "Abord du Bucentaure, en rade de Toulon, le 26 Prairial an 12. "J'ai l'honneur de vous rendre compte de la sortie de toute l'escadre à mes ordres. Sur l'avis que j'avais reçu que plusieurs corsaires Anglais infestaient la that I ran away from him on June 14th, will give me an opportunity of settling my account before I go home, which cannot be much longer deferred, or I shall never go. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO LAMBTON ESTE, ESQ., MALTA. [Autograph, in the possession of Dr. Lambton Este. Dr. Este states that, "When proceeding up the Mediterranean, in July 1804, I found at the Post Office at Gibraltar, several letters for persons in high situations, detained on account of some trifling postage, which I caused to be properly forwarded. I did the same at Port Mahon and at Malta. At Malta there were several for Lord Nelson, then off Toulon. One letter, especially, excited my attention; it was from La Touche Tréville, the French Admiral then opposed to his Lordship, which I forwarded to Lord Nelson, with some remarks on the Post Offices, and I afterwards received the following answer:] Dear Sir, Victory, August 3rd, 1804. I feel very much obliged by your letter of July 7th, and for Monsieur La Touche's letter,' who, I suppose, not knowing where to find me, he directed to Malta. I most perfectly agree with you on the great irregularity of our Post Offices in this Country, but the mending them does not only not rest with me, but, probably, if I was to meddle or recommend, it might make bad worse. I hope you left your worthy father well: do little wonder that you are not at your post in Egypt. I had a line from Mr. Lock' from Naples: reports say that he is going first to Constantinople. With every good wish, I am, dear Sir, your much obliged servant, NELSON AND Bronte. côte et les îles d'Hières, je donnai l'ordre, il y a trois jours, aux frégates l'Incorruptible et la Syrène, et le brick le Furet, de se rendre dans la baie d'Hières. Le vent d'est les ayant contrariées, elles mouillèrent sous le château de Porqueroles. Hier matin, les ennemis en eurent connaissance. Vers midi, ils détachèrent deux frègates et un vaisseau, qui entrèrent par la grande passe, dans l'intention de couper la retraite à nos frégates. Du moment où je m'aperçus de sa manœuvre, je fis signal d'appareiller à toute l'escadre; ce qui fut exécuté. En 14 minutes, tout était sous voiles, et je fis porter sur l'ennemi pour lui couper le chemin de la petite passe, et dans le dessein de l'y suivre, s'il avait tenté d'y passer; mais l'Amiral Anglais ne tarda pas à renoncer à son projet, rappela son vaisseau et ses deux frégates engagés dans les îles et prit chasse. Je l'ai poursuivi jusqu'à la nuit; il courait au sud-est. Le matin, au jour, je n'en ai eu aucune connoissance. Je vous salue avec respect. TOUCHE TREVILLE." Vide vol. v. p. Vide vol. iii. p. 420, and iv. pp. 127, 128. TO COUNT MOCENIGO, AT CORFU. [About 4th, August, 1804.] In Sea affairs, nothing is impossible, and nothing impro bable. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO JOHN PALMER, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Mrs. Palmer.] Victory, August 4th, 1804. My dear Sir, I am favoured with your kind letter of May 17th, and if it had been in my power, I should have readily kept your good son in the Mediterranean; but we have no Sloops here. I congratulate you upon the Earl's promoting him before he quitted. I wish he had thought of my nephew. I hope the Ministry will get us an honourable Peace: we want one for many reasons; and for none more than for an opportunity of getting our Navy in order again. When you see Lord Lansdowne, I beg my kindest respects to him, and believe me ever, my dear Sir, your most obliged servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL SIR ROBERT KINGSMILL, BART. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir John Kingsmill.] My dear Kingsmill, Victory, August 4th, 1804. It gave me a twitch of pleasure to see your handwriting again; and believe me, my dear friend, that there is nothing that you can desire me to do, that I should not fly to do with the greatest pleasure. Can I forget all your former kindness to me? No, Horatio Nelson is (all that is left of him) the same as you formerly knew him; nor do I forget all Mary's goodness to me. Bastard' is a very fine young man, and I will remove him 'Afterwards Captain Edmund Palmer, C.B. Vide vol. ii. p. 440. 'Lieutenant John Bastard, second son of Edmund Bastard of Kitley, in Devonshire, Esq. he died a Post Captain, in January 1835. out of the Bomb. Independent of your friendship, Mr. Bastard, Member for Devon, is a character that we must all respect for his high worth and principles. I can readily believe the pleasure you must have had, in meeting some of my friends at good Admiral and Mrs. Lutwidge's. I am sorry to tell you that my health, or rather constitution, is so much shook, that I doubt the possibility of my holding out another winter, without asses' milk, and some months' quiet; then I may get on another campaign or two; but, my dear Kingsmill, when I run over the under-mentioned wounds-Eye in Corsica, Belly off Cape St. Vincent, Arm at Teneriffe, Head in Egypt-I ought to be thankful that I am what I am. If Monsieur La Touche will give me the meeting before I go home, it will probably finish my Naval career. He is ready, and, by their handling their Ships, apparently well manned; but I command, for Captains and Crews, such a Fleet, as I never have before seen; and it is impossible that any Admiral can be happier situated. Rotten Ships neither rests with me nor them. God bless you, my dear Kingsmill, and believe me ever your most faithful and affectionate friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 381.] August 4th, 1804. You will, I am sure, see with regret, that my shattered carcase requires rest. The leaving this Fleet, where every one wishes to please me, and where I am as happy as it is possible for a man to be in a Command, must make me feel; but I owe to my King and Country, and to myself, not to let the Service suffer upon my account. I have not interest, nor can I expect to be permitted to return in the Spring to this Command. Yet is this place, perhaps, more fitted for me than any other-but I submit. All my wishes now rest that I may meet Monsieur La Touche before October is over. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. John Pollexfen Bastard, Esq., uncle of Lieutenant Bastard. TO SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, BART. [Autograph, in the possession of Miss Collinson.] Victory, August 5th, 1804. My dear Ball, This will be delivered to you by Mr. Curtis,3 who goes Acting-Captain of the Jalouse, during Captain Strachey's going on shore for the recovery of his health. Curtis will be confirmed, therefore, you may safely call him Captain Curtis. He is Sir Roger's only son, and I think Sir Roger the most likely person to take my place; and I think him the fittest for it. He is an able Officer and conciliating man. Captain Parker of the Amazon I believe you know: he is only to be known to be loved, both as an Officer and a Gentleman. Ever, my dear Ball, yours most faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM PARKER, H. M. SHIP AMAZON. [Order-Book.] Victory, Gulf of Palma, Sardinia, 5th August, 1804. Memorandum. It is my directions that you receive on board the Amazon, the crew of a Vessel detained by the Donegal, and give them a passage to Malta, that they may share the fate of their Vessel. You will also receive a French gentleman, who was found a passenger in the said Vessel; and on your arrival in Valetta Harbour, you will carry him to Sir Alexander Ball for examination, and if there does not appear anything suspicious or improper in his conduct, he may be allowed to proceed to Corfu, agreeable to his intentions. It is not my wish that he, or the people above-mentioned, should be treated as Prisoners, but that care should be taken of them. You will also receive the Officers named in the margin, on board the Amazon, together with such other persons as may be going to Malta from the different Ships, victualling the crew and French gentleman found on board the detained Vessel Now Rear-Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart., C.B., eldest son of the late Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, Bart., G.C.B. |