TO REAR-ADMIRAL HOLLOWAY.

| Autograph, in the possession of Admiral Sir Robert Otway, Bart., G.C.B.]

My dear Holloway,

Victory, off Toulon, August 22nd, 1803.

Your letter by Mr. Taylor I received from Admiral Campbell—Mr. T. being gone to Malta, a place, probably, I shall never see during my command; however, I shall be happy in showing every attention to your recommendation. I am sorry that you are not employed, but I think it must come at last; for, as you observe justly, that your nerves are good, and your head I never heard disputed. Otway' will get a Ship, and, I hope, his Culloden; and that you may both be soon actively employed, is the sincere wish of, my dear Holloway, your obliged and faithful friend,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

Narcissus not having joined, I have not had an opportunity of seeing your nephew Lyons.

TO LADY HAMILTON.

[From "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. ii. p. 133.]

Victory, August 24th, 1803.

My dear Lady Hamilton, Your friend's godson arrived safe yesterday afternoon; and I shall, you know, always feel too happy in obeying your commands: for, you never ask favours, but for your friends. In short, in every point of view, from Ambassatrice to the duties of domestic life, I never saw your equal. That elegance of manner, accomplishments, and, above all, your goodness of heart, is unparalleled; and only believe, for ever, and beyond it, your faithful and devoted,

6

BRONTE AND NELSON.

Apparently Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, Storekeeper in Malta Dockyard. 'Admiral Holloway's son-in-law, Captain, now Admiral Sir Robert Otway, Bart., G.C.B.

Vide vol. iv. p. 286.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON,

My dear Sir,

[Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.]

Victory, off Toulon, August 24th, 1803.

Your time is too precious to be wasted reading unnecessarily, therefore I begin :-By the inclosed letter from the Morea, you will see the good disposition of Ali Vizir towards us. You will be the best judge, as things are at present, how he can be made most useful to us. The French will have him, if we do You will recollect this is the person who I ventured to recommend our Government sending a present of a handsome pair of pistols to, and you also thought it proper. I was so referred from the Treasury to other places, and at last to the Admiralty, who I knew could have nothing to do with it, that I gave it up, and had only to regret that it was not accomplished: a few hundred pounds would have made him ours for ever. I must apprise you, that General Villettes, although a most excellent Officer, will do nothing but what he receives, 'You are hereby required and directed;' for to obey, is with him the very acme of discipline.

With respect to SICILY, I have no doubt, from what is passing at Naples and in Sicily, but that the French will have it. My former reasons for inducing General Villettes to keep the Neapolitan Troops in Malta, was to prevent what has happened; but, in a month after my back was, turned, Villettes obeyed his orders, and now the Governor of Messina says we can defend it, and want no assistance. His whole conduct, I am bold to say, is either that of a traitor or a fool; and being either one or the other is the same in its effects to the poor King of Naples. Not to use every exertion to put the fortifications in repair, when a Foreign Army is in one part of the Kingdom, is nothing short of treason; and the sixteen Gunboats rotting at Messina, without a man, when they ought to be exercising in the Straits every day. I see clearly, if we have not a little Army to take it, the French will, I am sorry to say, and conclude that the mass of Sicilians wish for a change of Government. They wish for us; but if we will not go there, they will gladly, I fear, receive the French. The middle and lower class will be relieved from the oppres

sions of the Nobles: they love their King and English-hate the Nobles and the French.

SARDINIA. I had a Ship from thence yesterday. The King fancies that he can point out his Neutrality. Alas, he can do nothing but what the French please! You may rely that 5000 French, or rather Corsicans, are preparing for the invasion (say conquest) of Sardinia. They are forced to enlist from particular districts-five districts, 1000 men each. All their camp equipage consists of nothing-a light linen jacket, trowsers, red cap, and a pair of shoes, is the whole expense of Government; a musket, accoutrements such as our gentlemen go shooting with, and a short sword. The plunder of the Sardinian Anglo-Sardes is held out as the reward. Not all our Navy can prevent it. Sardinia will be lost without a struggle, and yet the majority of the Sardinians would fly to receive us; but if we will not, then the French, in preference to remaining as they are-oppressed with taxes, and no protection from the Barbary States. I need not say what a loss it will be to us. The mode and manner of allowing us to possess the Madalena Islands, and the North part of Sardinia must be left to other heads than mine.

CORSICA-I am told, is so much oppressed by requisitions of men from that Island, that I am told they would gladly again shake off the French yoke; and this last order for the 5000 men for the conquest of Sardinia has made them outrageous. But Buonaparte cares for nothing: he sets all his engines to work. If they succeed, it is well; and if not, he is no worse than he

was.

Pardon my remarks. I am looking out for the French Squadron-perhaps you may think impatiently; but I have made up my mind never to go into Port till after the Battle, if they make me wait a year, provided the Admiralty change the Ships who cannot keep the Sea in the winter, except Victory, Canopus, Donegal, and Belleisle. The Admiralty knows the state of the others, and will relieve them as soon as they can. The Triumph, Superb, Monmouth, Agincourt, Kent, Gibraltar, and Renown, are certainly amongst the very finest Ships in our Service-the best commanded, and the very best manned, yet I wish them safe in England, where they would man, filled up with landsmen, fourteen Sail of the Line, and that I had Ships not half so well manned in their

room; for it is not a Store-Ship a week which could keep them in repair. This day, only six men are confined to their beds in the whole Squadron. With every good wish for your brilliant success, and for getting us an honourable and manent Peace, believe me, my dear Sir, with the truest esteem, your most obliged and faithful,

per

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

[Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

My dear Davison,

Victory, off Toulon, 24th August, 1803.

How can I find words to thank you for all your goodness to me and dear Lady Hamilton! Why, you will be ruined in postage. I can only say, that I never shall forget it. You have been tormented about that Mr. Lyne. Captain Hardy never saw the man, or wrote him a word; but just before we came afloat at Portsmouth, Hardy got a letter from Mr. Tucker, and went into a shop and acquiesced in his desire, little thinking that we could possibly have anything to do with Plymouth. However, the Power of Attorney is gone home for you, whole and sole. Respecting my Secretary, you will do as you please. I have been, am, and shall ever be looking after the French Fleet, [so] that I have not made so much Prize-Money as some others would have done; but if I can score off my debts, I shall be perfectly content. You will, of course, detain my Prize-money for the Dutchmen-twothirds of one-eighth. I was glad to hear, and hope it will prove true, that your damned electioneering business will be got quit of. It has cost me many bitter pangs; and without those feelings for our friends, there can be no friendship. I hope, my dear Davison, that Old England will be taken care of. If we are true to ourselves, we need not mind Buonaparte. Every time I look round, I see cause for thanking you. The books and pamphlets are a treasure. I shall write a line to Lord Moira; but, situated as we are, I can tell him but little. It is more to mark my respect for his Lordship, than to attempt giving him information. I have only [to say], my dear Davison, that no one is more truly attached to you than your most faithful and obliged friend, NELSON AND BRONTE.

Sir,

TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN BART., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty.]

Victory, off Toulon, 24th August, 1803.

I am to request you will be pleased to represent to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the situation of the Fleet under my command off this place, with respect to fuel; at present, there is not more upon an average than a month's fuel on board for each Ship, that should we be cut off from supplies of fire-wood, &c., from Sardinia, it is easy to judge the distress the Ships must naturally experience from want of fuel. I therefore beg you will suggest to their Lordships the propriety of sending out Vessels loaded with coals for the use of His Majesty's Ships under my command, together with such quantities of candles as may be deemed necessary for the supply of those Pursers who may stand in need of them, as was done during the time Earl St. Vincent and Lord Keith commanded the Fleet in these seas. I am, &c.,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

Sir,

TO COMMISSIONER OTWAY, GIBRALTAR.

[Letter-Book.]

Victory, off Toulon, 25th August, 1803.

I am to desire you will consider the Ambuscade (lately captured by the Victory) in his Majesty's Service, and give the necessary directions to the respective Officers in Gibraltar Yard to put her in a proper state for proceeding to England, (to which place she is to be sent) so soon as I shall be able to send Officers and men to take charge of her. You will please to direct that she may not be supplied with more stores than is deemed absolutely necessary for her passage to England. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte.