some day we shall have them, and then we must try and make them make us amends for all our toils. I am, in my Command, deriving as much pleasure as a man can do who is always at sea, for the health and cheerfulness of every individual in this Fleet cannot be exceeded. I have the Papers from Paris of May 1st-not one word of Moreau; on the 30th of April a motion was proposed to be discussed in three days afterwards, and those who intended to speak for or against it, were to inscribe their names. The question was, shall Buonaparte be declared Emperor of the Gauls? Fourteen inscribed their names for the appointment to the Imperial Purple, and Carnot, of famous memory, hoping that liberty of speech would be allowed, declared that he should argue against the appointment; the result may bring great events to pass. From Rosas, in Spain, of May 11th, the Spanish funds have suddenly fell ten per cent., and the people fear a War with England, but I hope that will be avoided. I want not riches at such a dreadful price; Peace for our Country is all I wish to fight for,—I mean, of course, an honourable one, without which, it cannot be a secure one. We have, via Paris, London news to April 21st. I should rather think the Ministry are not very firm. The almost entire union of Pitt and Fox-in all general questions they have declared their union-has in some questions relative to the Irish Militia been hard run; with 300 members, the Minister has only had a majority of 25—that is, nothing in these times. I think I have given you all my news. Captain Lamb, the Agent for Transports, will call upon you officially to know whether the Transports, fitted and victualled when the Argo returned from Egypt, are wanted by you, as I am ordered to send all home which are not wanted. The embarkation of the 2000 men for Sicily-a voyage of twenty-four, or forty-eight hours-cannot want many Transports, or much fitting, and the Ships of War which may be at the moment at Malta, would of course take on board as many as possible. I am ever, my dear General, with the sincerest esteem and regard, your most obliged and faithful friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO NATHANIEL TAYLOR, ESQ., NAVAL OFFICER, MALTA. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Conceiving, from the loss of his Majesty's late Ship Hindostan, that Seamen's bedding, canvas, and cordage, would be much wanted, I directed Captain Ryvcs, previous to his leaving Naples, to procure a sample of a Seaman's bed complete, together with the price thereof, and number which might be had on a short notice, and also of the price and quality of canvas and cordage which might be procured at that place for the use of the Fleet under my command, should such measure become necessary. I therefore send you the copy of a letter from Mr. John James, Pro-Consul at Naples, to Captain Ryves, on the above subject, in case our wants should oblige us to apply to that quarter; but it is, at the same time, to be observed, that I do not think it would be safe to trust Mr. James with any money in advance, and only to receive and pay for such articles as may be purchased from him. I must therefore desire, if you have not entered into an agreement with any person to supply bedding, cordage, and canvas, that you will proceed to Naples as early as possible, and purchase of the said Mr. James, Pro-Consul, the number of Seamen's beds complete, coils of ropes, and bolts of canvas under-mentioned, for the use of the Fleet, applying to Captain Schomberg, or the Senior Officer at Malta, for a conveyance to Naples; and on your arrival there, I would recommend the preference to be given to the said Mr. James for the articles before-mentioned, as the samples herewith sent appear good of their kind, and fit for his Majesty's Service, and no doubt the procuring of them has been attended with some considerable trouble. The beds, cordage, and canvas, which may be purchased at Naples, you will put on board his Majesty's Ship Kent, to be taken care of till I shall think proper to send for them to the Fleet, or order them to Malta; and for the payment thereof, you will draw bills on the Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy, taking care to transmit to their Board regular Vouchers for the same accordingly. I am, &c. Victory, Madalena Islands, 14th May, 1804. VOL. VI. C NELSON AND Bronte. TO DR. ALLOTT, DEAN OF RAPHOE. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 363.] 14th May, 1804. I remember you, dear Sir, most perfectly at Burnham, and I shall never forget the many little kindnesses I received from your worthy brother, with whom I was always a great favourite. Most probably I shall never see dear, dear Burnham again; but I have a satisfaction in thinking that my bones will probably be laid with my Father's, in the Village that gave me birth. Pardon this digression; but the thought of former days brings all my Mother into my heart, which shows itself in my eyes. May Heaven, my dear Sir, long preserve you in health, for the sake of your family and friends; and amongst the latter allow me to place the name of your very faithful servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, BART., MALTA. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball, Bart.] Victory, May 14th, 1804. My dear Ball, Captain Keats will tell you all our news, therefore it will be superfluous in me to detail it to you. Keats is going again to Algiers, as our Government wish to avoid, if possible, a quarrel with the Dey; but as I have reason to believe that Mr. O'Brien3 is not quite a faithful interpreter of our communication with the Dey, I wish you could find a proper person for that office at Malta, and, of course, if any money is necessary to be paid him, do you say the sum, and I will either repay you (if you pay him) or send the money to Malta. Captain Ryves is just arrived from Naples; by Mr. Elliot's letters, General Acton is certainly on the eve of quitting his • Doctor Richard Allott, Dean of Raphoe, was brother of Reverend Brian Allott, Rector of Burnham, in Norfolk, who died in September, 1803. The Dean of Raphoe died at Beaurivage, near Lausanne, in 1892, aged 87. Vide the "Gentleman's Magazine," vol. cii. p. 373. The American Consul at Algiers. employments; the new Emperor will insist upon it: he is to be divorced from Madame B. and married to a Blood Royal of Germany. Mr. Elliot thinks, it is possible the French may attack Malta, and the French papers say, they have more friends in that Island than we think. Great events are certainly near, and I only hope they will tend to give a secure, and of course, honourable Peace. Believe me ever, my dear Ball, your most obliged and affectionate friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN SIR ROBERT BARLOW, H.M. SHIP TRIUMPH. Sir, [Letter-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, 15th May, 1804. I have received your letter of the 13th instant, representing to me that the thirty-seven men named on the other side hereof, are afflicted with an inveterate scurvy, and requesting that an additional allowance of sugar may be ordered them in consequence; and the Physician of the Fleet having acquainted me, that it is necessary, in order to remove an inveterate scurvy, to give each man so afflicted six ounces of lemon juice, and two ounces of sugar, daily, in addition to the present quantity issued by the Purser, for the space of twelve days, I am, therefore, to desire you will order the Purser of his Majesty's Ship under your command to issue to the Surgeon of the said Ship, six ounces of lemon juice and two ounces of sugar to each of the before-mentioned thirty-seven men, in addition to what is usually supplied them, for the space of twelve days from the date hereof, when it is to be discontinued, and report made to the Physician of the Fleet, by the Surgeon of the Triumph, of the effect this mode of treatment has in removing an inveterate scurvy. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN RICHARD GOODWIN KEATS, H. M. SHIP SUPERB. [Order-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, 15th May, 1804. You are hereby required and directed to proceed immediately, with his Majesty's Ship Superb, under your command to Malta; and on your arrival there, endeavour to procure an intelligent Interpreter, who is perfectly acquainted with the language spoken by the Dey of Algiers, that you may be able, with exactitude, to communicate through him with the Dey, on the different objects of your instructions, which are herewith transmitted. So soon as you have procured an Interpreter, you will proceed immediately from Malta (taking with you the Renard Schooner, or any of the Sloops of War which may be at that place) to the Bay of Algiers, and endeavour to put in execution the purport of my letter, which accompanies this. When the object of your instructions is settled with the Dey, you will send the Renard, or such other Vessel as may be with you, to Malta, with an account of the result thereof, to Sir Alexander Ball at that place, and join me in his Majesty's Ship Superb, on Rendezvous No. 102, without a moment's loss of time. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN LEWIS SHEPHEARD, H. M. SHIP THISBE. Sir, [Letter-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, 18th May, 1804. I am to desire you will proceed with his Majesty's Ship Thisbe, together with the Victuallers under your charge, and join me on Rendezvous No. 102, as communicated to you by Captain Donnelly of the Narcissus, where you will find the Squadron, or orders for your further proceedings. In joining me on the said Rendezvous, I must recommend you will proceed through the Straits of Bonifaccio, passing on the West side of the Island of Corsica, and not attempt to go round Cape Corse, as in the event of the wind coming strong from the N.W., it would be an awkward passage for a stranger, particularly with Victuallers under his charge. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. |