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you the bearings of the land for the 14th and 15th, and the movements of the Squadron on the evening of the 14th June. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. French Fleet under Monsieur La Touche-Eight Sail of the Line, and four Frigates, two Frigates and a Brig in Hières Bay, who joined in the night.

British Fleet-Five Sail of the Line, and two Frigates, one of which, the Excellent 74, and two Frigates, did not join till the middle of the night, having been sent into Hières Bay.

From 6.10 to 7.28 P.M., the British formed in

a line to receive Monsieur La Touche, maintopsail to the mast.

Canopus.
Belleisle.

Donegal.

Victory.

Movements of the Squadron on the evening of the 14th June 1804.

At 5:43 P.M.-Prepared for Battle.

5.49 ... Recalled the Excellent.

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Laying to 7.28 .... Came to the wind together on the

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(Sic.)

N.B At 48, Monsieur La Touche tacked and stood for Toulon."-

This list of Signals is from the Autograph, in the possession of Earl Nelson.

TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty, and " London Gazette."]

Victory, at Sea, 12th August, 1804.

Sir, Herewith I transmit you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a letter from Captain Donnelly, of his Majesty's Ship Narcissus, with a copy of one to him from Lieutenant Thompson of the said Ship, detailing the destruction of several of the Enemy's Coasting-vessels. The importance of this service may be but little, but the determined bravery of Lieutenants Thompson, Parker, Lumley, and Moore, and the Petty-Officers, Seamen, and Marines employed under them, could not be exceeded. I am concerned to observe that Lieutenant Lumley has been obliged to suffer amputation at the shoulder; but I have much pleasure in adding, that this fine young man is fast recovering. His sufferings, I am sure, will meet their Lordships' consideration.

I have placed Lieutenant Moore in the Seahorse, and given Mr. Bedingfield," who was shot through the hand, a Commission for the Maidstone, which is going to England with the first Convoy. I am, &c.,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO LADY HAMILTON.

[From "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. ii. p. 62.]

Victory, August 12th, 1804.

Although, my dearest Emma, from the length of time my other letters have been getting to you, I cannot expect that this will share a better fate, yet, as the Childers is going to Rosas, to get us some news from Paris-which is the only way I know of what is passing in England-I take my chance of the post but I expect the Kent will be in England before this letter, and by which Ship I write to the Admiralty relative to my health. Therefore, I shall only say, that I hope a little of your good nursing, with asses' milk, will set me up

9 Vide vol. v. p. 488..

for another campaign, should the Admiralty wish me to return, in the spring, for another year; but, I own, I think we shall have Peace.

The Ambuscade arrived this day fortnight with our Victuallers, &c., and very acceptable they were. By her, I received your letters of May 14th, 22nd, and 30th, viâ Lisbon; and of April 9th, 18th, 25th, May 10th, 18th, 29th, June 1st, 5th, through, I suppose, the Admiralty. The box you mention is not arrived; nor have I scrap of a pen from Davison. The weather in the Mediterranean seems much altered. In July, seventeen days the Fleet was in a gale of wind. I have often wrote to Davison, to pay for all the improvements at Merton. The new building the chamber over the dining-room, you must consider. The stair window, we settled, was not to be stopped up. The under-ground passage will, I hope, be made; but I shall, please God, soon see it all! I have wrote you, my dear Emma, about Horatia; but, by the Kent, I shall write fully. May God bless you, &c.

Sir,

TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty.]

Victory, at Sea, 12th August, 1804.

You will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Diligent Transport has brought out frocks and trowsers for the use of the Fleet under my command; but instead of their being made of good Russia duck, as was formerly supplied the Seamen of his Majesty's Navy, the frocks at 4s. 8d. each, and the trowsers at 4s. per pair, those sent out are made of coarse wrapper-stuff, and the price increased—the frocks two-pence each, and the trowsers threepence per pair, which makes the former 4s. 10d. and the latter 4s. 3d. I therefore think it necessary to send you one of each, in order that their Lordships may judge of their quality and price; and at the same time beg to observe, for their information, that the issuing such coarse stuff to the people, who have been accustomed to good Russia duck cheaper, will no doubt occasion murmur and discontent, and may serious conse

quences. I therefore am most decidedly of opinion, that the Contractor who furnished such stuff ought to be hanged; and little less, if anything, is due to those who have received them from him. I shall say no more on the subject, as their Lordships will naturally see the propriety of this evil being remedied as early as possible. I am, &c.,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

P.S.-Enclosed is a letter from Captain Hardy of the Victory on the subject of the frocks and trowsers. The Malta cotton therein alluded to is sent in a box, with a sample of the Slops lately received by the Diligent Store-ship.

TO COMMISSIONER OTWAY, GIBRALTAR.

[Autograph, in the possession of Rear-Admiral Inglefield, C.B.]

My dear Sir,

Victory, August 14th, 1804.

I have been favoured with your letter of July 14th: the whole of your conduct is so correct, that I can have no doubt but it must always give me satisfaction. With the various species of Stores which we have been able to get at Naples, and in the Adriatic, the Fleet is not badly supplied. The canvas and cordage at Naples is excellent, and I believe much cheaper than in England; but I rather doubt that the Naval Storekeeper at Malta did not like purchasing at Naples so well as in the Adriatic; and therefore doing the thing publicly, occasioned a complaint from the French Minister. Now I am upon the subject of purchasing Stores, I feel it my duty (if you think you are authorized by anything I can say) to urge your visiting the Naval Yard at Malta, and to examine into the expenditure of the Public money. All may be correct there, but there does appear to me very great irregularity. I can have no doubt but that the Admiralty consider you as eligible to overlook both Yards. If you have not that power, you either should have it, or another Commissioner be sent to Malta.

I approve most fully of the Gibraltar's being sent home. She ought to have gone years ago. The Kent is in a miserable state. Superb cannot keep the sea this winter. Renown and

Triumph ought also to go home: it would be saving five Ships instead of destroying them. I shall see Ganges and Terrible, and also my friend Otway,' with great pleasure, although from my state of health, it will probably be under another Commander-in-Chief they will have to serve. The Maidstone goes to Malta for any straggling Merchant-Ships, and from thence to England. We have nothing new here: seventeen days' gale of wind in July. I am always, my dear Sir, with the highest esteem, your much obliged Servant,

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO THE REV. ROBERT ROLFE, SAHAM WATTON, NORFOLK.

[Autograph, in the possession of the Reverend Robert Rolfe.]

My dear Rolfe,

Victory, August 15th, 1804.

Your recommendation, Mr. Bedingfield,' has been wounded in the hand, which the Surgeons say will go off with only a stiff finger; in order to complete the cure I have given him a Lieutenant's commission; he is a fine young man and bears an excellent character. Remember me kindly to your good mother, my aunt, and your sister, and believe me ever, my dear Rolfe, your affectionate Cousin,

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO CAPTAIN SAMUEL SUTTON, H.M. SHIP AMPHION.

[Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.]

My dear Sutton,

Victory, August 15th, 1804.

For

I have received your letters of June 17th and 27th. I thought it possible you might wish a good Seventy-four, and one at that time I thought very probable to be vacant. your own sake and good Hardy's, I wish you success; but for myself, I had rather hear of your destroying two Privateers than taking a Merchant-Ship of £20,000 value. I am not a

The present Admiral Sir Robert Waller Otway, Bart., G.C.B.

2 Mr. Bedingfeld was wounded in the boats of his Ship, the Narcissus, in an attack on some Settees on the night of the 11th July, 1804.

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