nothing from England of a later date. The Spaniards begin to be very uncivil: I suppose this forbodes a Spanish War. I only hope to get early information. Since I have joined the Fleet we have not seen one Frenchman on the sea, but we are waiting for the sailing of their Fleet, which we hope will not be much longer deferred; for we are a little impatient. Your kindness, my dear friend, in sending me out pamphlets and magazines has been so uniform, that I shall only say how truly acceptable they are. I have only a moment to write thus much, but only believe, my dear Davison, that I feel myself ever your most sincere and faithful friend, NELSON AND Bronte. Hardy desires his kind regards. Make my best compliments acceptable to Lord Moira, whose character I most highly esteem. TO CAPTAIN RICHARD HUSSEY MOUBRAY, H.M. SHIP ACTIVE. [Order-Book.] Victory, off Toulon, 28th September, 1803. Having received information that there are two of the Enemy's Frigates to the Eastward of Toulon, You are hereby required and directed to take his Majesty's Ship named in the margin' under your command, (whose Captain is directed to put himself under your orders,) and proceed immediately to the Eastward of Toulon, in search of the said French Frigates, looking into the Bay of Nice, from thence to Genoa, and strictly examine any Bay between that and Leghorn, in which you may judge it most likely to fall in with them. Not finding them at any of the before-mentioned places, you are to call at the Island of Elba, where it is probable they may touch. Should your endeavours be ineffectual to fall in with the Enemy, in the course of fourteen days from the date hereof, you are to return and join me on my Rendezvous off this place at the expiration of that time. NELSON AND BRONTE. 4 Phobe. TO COMMISSIONER OTWAY, GIBRALTAR. [Autograph, in the possession of Rear Admiral Inglefield, C.B.] My dear Sir, Victory, off Toulon, September 29th, 1803. The Halcyon is going to put herself under the orders of Sir Richard Strachan, but I have directed Captain Pearse' to carry the Gibraltar mail to Lisbon, and to bring back the mail for Gibraltar. The Monmouth I expect every day from Naples. She is to go to Gibraltar to fit out the Ambuscade, and probably to carry her home with the Convoy, which will sail from Malta about the middle of October. The Prevoyante is gone to Malta, and when she has delivered her stores, will proceed to Gibraltar. I have been expecting either the Bittern or Termagant for this month past, and also something from England, but they seem to have forgot us. I am, my dear Sir, your much obliged and faithful, humble servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.] My dear Davison, Victory, off Toulon, October 4th, 1803. Your kind letter of August 15th, viâ Lisbon, I received on the 1st, and was the first line I have had from England since the first week in July. Everything relative to yourself makes me truly comfortable. The King, I hope, will make you a Baronet, or a Peer, in the stead of a simple Knight. You know my answer to such dirty dogs as wanted to pull you down-they be d-d. You are, my dear Friend, too wise a man at this time of day to run any risk of being a poor man. Recollect the epitaph, 'I was well, but would be better.' But whatever you do, will have my sincere good wishes, and you know enough of the world not to be careful. I am truly sensible of your good wishes for my prosperity. I believe I Captain Henry Whitmarsh Pearse was Lord Nelson's Flag-Lieutenant, and was promoted into the Halcyon on the 12th of August, 1803: he died a Post-Captain and a Companion of the Bath, in November 1832. attend more to the French Fleet than making captures; but what I have, I can say as old Haddock said, ' it never cost a Sailor a tear, nor the Nation a farthing.' This thought is far better than Prize-money;-not that I despise moneyquite the contrary, I wish I had one hundred thousand pounds this moment, and I will do everything consistent with my good name to obtain it. We are healthy beyond example, and in great good humour with ourselves; and so sharp-set, that I would not be a French Admiral in the way of any of our Ships for something. I believe we are in the right fighting trim, let them come as soon as they please. I never saw a Fleet altogether so well Officered and manned. Would to God the Ships were half as good, but they are what we call crazy. You will have had the Power of Attorney for the Dutchman, and I suppose she will be given up to us, Of course, you will do what is right, and keep my Prize-money to help to pay my debt, which I am every month increasing. I do not write to Lord Moira, because I can only tell him that I am looking for the French Fleet. They must come out very soon. I was sorry to see his Lordship had a very severe fall. I hope he is perfectly recovered, and I beg that you will make my respectful compliments acceptable. I send a little parcel for Lady Hamilton, directed under cover to you. Pray, forward it to Merton, where I hope my dearest Lady Hamilton is well, comfortable, and happy. I hope next summer to be able to build the room, and I must write to Linton about the field, which I wish to have to make the new entrance, &c., &c., provided she stays to manage the improvements. I will admit no display of taste at Merton, but hers. She bought it, and I hope will continue to improve and beautify it to the day, at least, of my death. Believe me ever, dear Davison, your most faithful and affectionate friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir Richard Haddock, Admiral of the Fleet in the reign of King William the Third. TO THE RESPECTIVE FLAG-OFFICERS, CAPTAINS, AND COMMANDERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS AND VESSELS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION. [From a Copy, in the Elliot Papers.] Victory, at Sea, 4th October, 1803. His Majesty having been pleased to order the Blockade of Genoa and Port Especia,' You are hereby required and di 7" My Lord, "Downing Street, 23rd August, 1803. "In consequence of the information contained in your Lordship's letter to Mr. Addington of the 28th June-9th July, [vide p. 106, ante,] and confirmed by various circumstances, it has been judged indispensably necessary for his Majesty's Service, to give immediate orders that the Ports of Genoa and Spezzia should be placed in a state of Blockade; and the regular notification thereof having been made to the Ministers of the different Neutral Powers residing at this Court, your Lordship will receive the necessary instructions for your guidance by this opportunity from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. "The hostile conduct of the Government of Algiers towards the Maltese, since they have been under the protection of his Majesty, renders it necessary that your Lordship should immediately take measures for demanding that all Maltese captured by the Algerine Cruizers during that period, should be forthwith released, and delivered up to whomsoever you may depute to receive them; and in the event of the Regency of Algiers refusing to comply with your demand, I am commanded by his Majesty to direct that your Lordship do adopt the most vigorous and effectual measures for taking or destroying all Ships and Vessels belonging to the said Regency, or to the Subjects thereof; and that you do pursue every mode of distressing that State, until the Dey shall manifest a disposition to comply with the just demand which your Lordship is hereby directed to make, in his Majesty's name, on behalf of the Maltese People living under the protection of his Majesty's Government. "The very judicious observations contained in your Lordship's letter to Mr. Addington upon the Political state of the South of Italy, and the opinions which you have detailed in your correspondence with his Majesty's Minister at the Court of Naples, have been fully considered by his Majesty's confidential servants; and I have much satisfaction in acquainting your Lordship that the line of conduct which you have suggested for the Court of Naples to pursue, under the critical circumstances of its present situation, has been highly approved; and Mr. Elliot will be instructed by Lord Hawkesbury to continue to communicate with your Lordship upon every occasion relative to that subject. "I am likewise to desire that your Lordship's correspondence upon those, and all other Political subjects, should be addressed to me, that I may be enabled to lay them before the King, and to convey to you his Majesty's commands thereon. It having been thought advisable to take measures for recruiting among the Swiss, and Mr. Gardner having been sent to Switzerland for that purpose, I am to desire that your Lordship will give orders to the Commanders of his Majesty's Cruizers under your command to receive on board any such recruits, in order to their being conveyed to the Island of Malta, or to Gibraltar. I have the honour to be, &c., HOBART."-Original. rected, on falling in with any Merchant Ship or Vessel of whatever description or Nation, bound to either of those Ports, which may have sailed from any Port or place after such Blockade was publicly known, to detain and send them into Port for adjudication; and you are also, on falling in with any Ship or Vessel bound to Genoa or Port Especia, whose Masters have not received information of the Blockade of those Ports, to acquaint them thereof, and to notify the same upon their bill of health, or other public paper; and you are also to acquaint the Masters of such Ships or Vessels, that if, after this public notification, they shall be found on the West Coast to the Northward of Cape Del Melle, or on the Coast of Tuscany to the Northward of Leghorn, their Vessels and Cargoes will be sent into Port for adjudication, for a breach of Blockade. You are also to receive from each Master of the Vessel spoke, an acknowledgment of having received such a notification. The notification is to be wrote on the bill of health, or other public paper, and the acknowledgment thereof to be kept. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN. . . . . ., H. M. SLOOP.... [Letter-Book.] Sir, Victory, at Sea, October 4th, 1803. I have received from Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Consul at Algiers, a letter, of which a copy is herewith enclosed, together with your correspondence with him; and I beg leave to have your reasons in writing for throwing any impediments in his way of coming to me, more especially as you demanded of him a copy of my letter to him, which desired him to join me on His Majesty's Service. Your not bringing Mr. Falcon in his Majesty's Sloop. . . . . . under your command, is at this moment very prejudicial to His Majesty's Service. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. |