will assure his Sicilian Majesty, that the strictest justice shall be done, as far as is in the power of your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] My dear Sir, Victory, October 7th, 1804. As I send you my answer to Chevalier Micheroux's letter, it will not be necessary to enter into any detail of my opinions to your Excellency. The fault of the Bittern's Officer' was nothing, if he conducted himself properly. It is an irregularity committed by all Nations, every day, in every Port. But certainly Captain Malcolm's reprimand was full and ample for every hurt which the foot of a British Officer could do, in trampling upon the deck of a French or Dutch Ship. I certainly wish nothing to be done, which could in any manner commit the good King of Naples with the French. They wish for nothing better. I send your Excellency Lieutenant Spencer's letter. I have not approved of his conduct; for although I have no doubt but that this Vessel would have committed herself, yet as she does not appear to have done it, under that presumption Mr. Spencer was hasty. This Privateer has before, I dare say, broke the Neutrality; at least, I hope, for Mr. Spencer's sake, that it will appear so in the inquiry I have ordered. The conduct of the French in Sicily, and of many of the Governors, has been shameful. Nothing would prevent their being complained of, but the consideration of the very delicate situation of his Sicilian Majesty. I am, my dear Sir, your most faithful servant, NELSON AND Bronte. With respect to the Neapolitan Vessels taken near Especia, In the afternoon of the 23rd of August, 1804, an Officer and Boat's crew, armed with cutlasses, belonging to the Bittern, went on board of three Dutch Vessels in the Mole at Naples, in search of four deserters; but not finding them, they proceeded to a French Brig, the Master of which having positively refused to allow his Vessel to be examined, without an order from the French Ambassador, the Officer returned to the Bittern for further orders. Nothing more, however, took place. Vide p. 215, ante. it is not the direct road to Barcelona; and how little must the Chevalier know of our just laws, to think that either you, or I, or even the King, dare to communicate with a Judge. Justice will be done, be it for or against the captor of these Vessels. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. Private. [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] Victory, October 7th, 1804. Doctor Scott is delighted with your kind attention to him. He joined us, October 3rd. The wind blows [so] strong Easterly, that nothing can leave me. I am very anxious to send your dispatches from the Secretary of State. I have been better than I am, but at this moment I am very unwell. We shall see what the Admiralty will do with me. I beg my respectful compliments to Mrs. Elliot, and believe me ever, yours most faithfully, Turn over. NELSON AND BRONTE. Your son is very well; the Amazon is with us. Pray, forward my letter to Mr. Jackson. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. My dear Sir, [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] Victory, October 8th, 1804. Captain Leake, Royal Artillery, who has wrote to you upon the subject of a Draftsman, is anxious that I should write you a line to mention him to your Excellency. Captain L. is very high in the confidence of Government, and employed on a Military mission, and to look about him, that we may know what is really going forward with the Russians, &c. &c. I am ever, my dear Sir, most faithfully yours, NELSON AND Bronte. VOL. VI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL CAMDEN, K.G. My Lord, [Autograph, in the Colonial Office.] Victory, at Sea, 10th October, 1804. I had the honour to receive your Lordship's letter of the 17th August, on the subject of a Tunisian Vessel having been carried into Palermo by a Privateer supposed to be belonging to Gibraltar. In answer thereto, I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship that the business respecting the detention of the said Tunisian Vessel is settled; and, I have the pleasure to add, without any subsequent bad consequences. I have, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL SPENCER, K.G. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 387.] Victory, 10th October, 1804. I do assure you, my dear Lord, that not one of all your Naval friends, and you ought to have many, loves, honours, and respects you more than myself, or is more grateful for all your kindness. Circumstances may have separated us: but my sincere respect and attachment can never be shaken by either political or other considerations; and it will always give me pleasure, in showing my regard for the Father by attentions to the Son. The sight of your letter called forth feelings of which I have reason to be proud, but which cannot be readily expressed; therefore I shall only say for myself, that Nelson never has, nor can change. I am, &c. NELSON and Bronte. The Honourable Robert, afterwards Captain Sir Robert Spencer, K.C.H., who died on the 4th of November, 1830. TO VISCOUNT MELVILLE, FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 388, who state that "the Admiral exressed himself as being satisfied with the arrangements that had been made by he Board of Admiralty, as to Line-of-Battle Ships, yet lamented the manner in which the Service continued to be cramped for want of Frigates. A deficiency of hem in the Mediterranean allowed the Enemy's Privateers to increase, and considerable depredations to be made on our valuable Trade in that sea;" and he added:] 10th October, 1804. But I am sure, my Lord, from your wise beginning, that a full crop of credit, and I believe of glory, will accrue to the Board of Admiralty. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 10th October, 1804. You will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I have received their order, dated the 31st July last, directing me to hold in readiness, in such Port as may be agreed upon by Mr. Jackson, his Majesty's Minister to the King of Sardinia, and myself, one of the Ships under my command, for the purpose of conveying his Sardinian Majesty to such Port in the Mediterranean as he may appoint; and to adopt such measures for the Naval defence of the Island of Sardinia as may be best calculated for that purpose, and consistent with the other services entrusted to my care. In answer to which, you will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that, in the very early part of my communication with Mr. Jackson, the removal of his Sardinian Majesty was a principal consideration; and that I have frequently wrote to that Minister on the same subject, and have constantly had the safety of his Sardinian Majesty in view. I wrote on the 7th instant to Mr. Jackson, and the moment he signifies his Sardinian Majesty's pleasure to me, a Ship of War shall be sent agreeably to his wish, to remove his Majesty to any Port in the Mediterranean which he may think proper. The defence of the Island of Sardinia shall be constantly kept in view, and the necessary measures adopted for that purpose, as far as may be compatible with the other services entrusted to my care. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 10th October, 1804. I herewith transmit you a letter from the Reverend Mr. Hughes, Chaplain to the Naval Hospital at Gibraltar, which you will please to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their consideration; and at the same time acquaint their Lordships that Mr. Hughes is a very respectable Clergyman, and appears to me deserving of some relief. A former application from Mr. Hughes was transmitted in my letter to Sir Evan Nepean, dated the 18th August, 1803. I am, &c. Sir, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 10th October, 1804. I have received your letter of the 28th August last, acquainting me that it is the wish of his Majesty's Confidential Mr. Hughes' letter stated that he had performed the duty in the Gibraltar Naval Hospital and Yard for fourteen years, with no remuneration but burial fees; and he therefore requested to be allowed a salary. The letter referred to has not been found; but Lord Nelson then received the following letters from Earl Camden, Secretary of State for the War Department, and from Lord Harrowby, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (to some of which he afterwards alludes,) which show the high value the Government attached to his opinions, especially respecting Sardinia: FROM EARL CAMDEN TO LORD NELSON. "Most private and confidential. "My Lord, "Downing Street, 29th August, 1804. "His Majesty having been graciously pleased to place in my hands the Seals of Department, the letters which your Lordship addressed to the Colonial |