duct, in the discharge of this duty, most perfectly meets my approbation. The deficiency occasioned by issuing the small stores by retail, I have recommended the Navy Board to take into account, and allow for it accordingly. The coals which came out in the Prévoyante have been supplied to the different Ships, who are all very much in want of fuel. The Prévoyante proceeds immediately to Malta with the stores she has for that Arsenal, and afterwards proceeds to Gibraltar to dispose of the remainder, as Commissioner Otway may order; from thence she proceeds to the Nore. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph, in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Victory, off Toulon, September 21st, 1808. My dear Lord, I never have been better pleased than with the regularity and good order in which the stores sent out by the Prévoyante have been delivered to the Fleet; and the utility of having the Ship with us is obvious, for I never could have spared the Ships to go to Gibraltar for them. The conduct of Mr. Brown, a Master in the Navy, her Commander, has been such as to induce me to wish, from the difference I have seen, that the command of the Store-ships were continued to be given to respectable Masters, or Lieutenants, as they likewise act as Storekeepers; and we know that Captains in those Ships are generally above taking care of the stores. In justice to Mr. Brown, I have wrote to the Admiralty and Navy Boards, recommending him. I am ever, my dear Lord, your most obliged and faithful, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND COMMISSIONERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S NAVY, LONDON. [Letter-Book.] Gentlemen, Victory, off Toulon, 21st September, 1803. Having by letter of the 8th July last, directed the Naval Storekeeper at Gibraltar to send the first Store-Ship which Mr. William Brown, Master of the Prévoyante: he died before 1806. might arrive there, direct to the Fleet off this place, with the Clerk under whose charge the stores were entrusted, in order that the issues to the different Ships might be regular, and the receipts for the stores so issued perfectly correct, I have therefore to acquaint you that the Prévoyante Store-ship arrived here on the 21st ult., under the command of Mr. William Brown, whose care and attention to the delivery of every article of stores to the Squadron off this place, deserves every commendation I can bestow; and as the issue of nails and other small stores by retail must naturally occasion some little deficiency, I have to request you will be pleased to make allowance for it accordingly. The coals which came out in the Prévoyante have been supplied to the different Ships, being very much in want of that article. I have directed Mr. Brown to proceed to Malta with the stores he has for that place, and afterwards to return to Gibraltar, where Commissioner Otway will direct the disposal of the remainder. And as the execution of this service will make it impossible for the Prévoyante to get out of the Mediterranean before the latter end of next month, I have recommended Mr. Brown to proceed from Gibraltar to the Nore direct, agreeable to your order to him of the 27th of June, and not to go to Halifax, as mentioned in your subsequent order of the 2nd ultimo, being too late in the season, and, as such, contrary to the directions therein contained. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HIS HIGHNESS THE BEY OF TUNIS. (Whom God preserve.) [From a Copy, in the possession of the late Adam Bromilow, Esq.] His Majesty's Ship Victory, off Toulon, 23rd September, 1803. Sir, Reports having reached me that some Vessels who call themselves French Privateers, but who I can consider in no other light than as Pirates, lay under the Island Zimbra,' and from the top of which make their observations of Vessels passing, row out, and attack Vessels of Nations at peace and amity with your Highness, under your Flag; and that, as the Zimbra, at the mouth of the Gulf of Tunis. occasion may best suit them, they are either Vessels belonging to your Highness, or pass for French Privateers; and with this deception, I understand they have, passing for a Cruizer belonging to your Highness, taken possession of an English Ship, who obeyed the summons supposed to be given by an Officer belonging to you, I have, therefore, to request that your Highness will inquire into the truth of the assertion made to me; and if proved, that you will order such measures to be taken as to justice shall appertain, for the just punishment of the offenders. I send Captain Donnelly, of his Majesty's Royal Navy, who will further explain to your Highness what may be necessary to be said upon this subject; and I request that your Highness may give full credit to what Captain Donnelly may say in my name; and I have the honour to assure your Highness that I am your most obedient and faithful humble servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN ROSS DONNELLY, H.M. SHIP NARCISSUS. Victory, off Toulon, 23rd September, 1803. Whereas some French Privateers have, as is represented in the Papers sent herewith, made the most unwarrantable use of the Bey of Tunis's Port and Colours, for the capture of an English Ship called Pomona, You are therefore hereby required and directed to proceed, with all possible dispatch, in his Majesty's Ship Narcissus under your command, to the Bey of Tunis, and endeavour, in concert with Mr. Clark, (who acts as British Consul in the absence of Mr. Magra,) to obtain from the justice of the Bey, the restitution of the said Ship, and any other which may have been illegally taken. You will deliver to his Highness my letter which accompanies this, (a copy of which is also herewith transmitted for your information,) and you will urge, but in the most moderate manner, the equity of our demand, and point out what would be the consequence, if I was inclined to take a similar position; but his Highness knows that I have always respected his Neutrality. You will also take an opportunity of acquaint ing his Highness, that I have received information that the French have made several purchases of oil, &c. in his Dominions, and that they are hiring Vessels belonging to Tunis, to bring it to Marseilles; and as a most particular mark of my wishing to pay every respect to his Flag, I earnestly entreat that he will order his Subjects not to hire the Ships of Tunis for any such purpose; as if they are found with French property, or suspected French property, on board, they will be detained for trial: for although the Vessels may be bonâ fide belonging to Tunis, it will not protect the cargo of an Enemy. You will, however, touch on these points with so much good humour as to leave the impression of my high respect for his Highness, and regard for the real property of his Subjects. I rely with confidence on your ability and judgment in managing these matters to my satisfaction, and to the advantage of your Country. You will, of course, receive all English Seamen who may be at Tunis; and you will get every information, what supplies of bullocks, water, wood, and onions can be furnished the Fleet, and as near as possible the prices. Having performed this service as above directed, you are to return, and join me on my rendezvous off this place, as expeditiously as possible, with an account thereof. Sir, Nelson and Bronte. TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY.' [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, off Toulon, 24th September, 1803. As it is more than probable that the Fleet under my command will be obliged to keep the scas during the whole of the winter season, for the purpose of watching the Enemy's Ships at Toulon, and as there is in the Gulf of Lyons and its vicinity, upon an average, three days' gale of severe blowing weather out of the seven, which frequently comes on suddenly, and thereby exposes the topmasts, topsail-yards and sails, to great hazard, under every care and attention; I am therefore to desire you will be pleased to communicate this circumstance. Lord Nelson wrote a letter on the same day, and almost in the same words, to the Commissioners of the Navy. to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and suggest to their Lordships the propriety of sending out a sufficient number of topmasts, topsail-yards, and spare sails for the Ships, they may judge necessary for the service beforementioned, as early as possible, there being none of the two former in store, either at Gibraltar or Malta. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. Sir, TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, off Toulon, 25th September, 1803. You will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that his Majesty's Ship Seahorse joined the Squadron off this place, yesterday forenoon, having left the Convoy, which she brought from England, at Malta. You will also please to acquaint their Lordships, that a Convoy is ordered from Malta to England, and will proceed from Valetta Harbour on the first of next month, or as soon after as the Anson and Stately have joined with the Levant trade, which I trust will be about that time: this Convoy will take under its protection the trade which may be collected at Gibraltar. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD JOHN STRACHAN, BART., H. M. SHIP DONEGAL. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 325.] 26th September, 1803. The occurrences which pass every day in Spain forbode, I fancy, a speedy War with England; therefore it becomes proper for me to put you upon your guard, and advise you how to act under particular circumstances. By looking at the former line of conduct on the part of Spain, which she followed just before the commencement of the last War, we may naturally expect the same events to happen. The French Admiral Richery was in Cadiz, blocked up by Admiral |