TO THE REVEREND DR. NELSON, HILBOROUGH. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.] My dear Brother, Victory, off Toulon, October 18th, 1803. Accept my thanks for your kind letter of July which I received by the Childers. I sincerely hope that Canterbury will prove as profitable to you as to your predecessor last year: perhaps, if I take another French Fleet they may make you a Bishop: therefore, I shall try hard whenever they give me the opportunity. They are our superiors in numbers— they being eight to six, which is the force I can count upon being off Toulon; for one must be in turn in harbour watering, and I have Cadiz to watch with another, and one always at Naples, in case of accidents, for the security of the Royal Family; therefore, although the Admiralty may say, I have ten at my orders, the fact is I can never count upon more than six. If I am so fortunate on the day of Battle to have the seventh, I shall be very fortunate. For two days last week I was in a fever. A Frigate spoke a Spanish Vessel in the night, who said that he had seen a Fleet of twelve sail of Men-of-War off Minorca, steering to the Westward. It was thick for two days and our Frigates could not look into Toulon however, I was relieved, for the first time in my life, by being informed the French were still in Port. They have a number of Troops ready for embarkation, but as to their destination that is a secret I am not entrusted with. The Fleet has been five months at sea this day, and in two days I [shall] have been as long, but we are remarkably healthy and in fine order to give the French a dressing. I shall try and do a little better with the Victory than Admiral Keppel.' We are not remarkably well manned but very well disposed people. I have wrote to Dr. Fisher to congratulate him on his preferment, and if he offers his services you may be sure I will then clinch him for Mrs. Nelson's brother. I think Admiral Keppel's flag was flying in the Victory in his Action with the Count d'Orvilliers, off Brest, in July 1778; his conduct on which occasion became the subject of two celebrated Courts Martial. It would seem that Lord Nelson's opinion was unfavourable to Keppel. 2 Dr. John Fisher was elected Bishop of Exeter in 1803: he was translated to Salisbury in 1807, and died in 1825. this mode will be more likely to succeed than attacking him the moment of his appointment, and I assure you that I am anxious to mark my attention for good Mrs. Nelson, whose kindness I am truly sensible of. I am sorry for Mr. Rolfe: if young Mott does not do something handsome for him, he is a beast. I had wrote to Lord Hood long ago to thank him. If Sir William Fawcet had not given us his vote he would have forfeited his word, and should the Phoenix come in my way I will notice Lieutenant but I cannot make him a Captain. I have twenty-six on me at this moment, and sixty to make Lieutenants. It is not one French Fleet will do me service, and I shall be sure to offend more than I can oblige. However, if I take one more Fleet somebody else must take the others. With very sincere and affectionate wishes for you and yours, believe me ever, with the greatest truth, your most affectionate brother, NELSON AND Bronte. TO LADY HAMILTON. [Extract from "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. i. p. 156.] My dearest Emma, Victory, off Toulon, October 18th, 1803. Your truly kind and affectionate letters, from July 17th, to August 24th, all arrived safe in the Childers, the 6th of this month. . . . . . . Here I am, one day precisely like the other; except the difference of a gale of wind, or not. Since September 1st, we have not had four fine days; and, if the French do not come out soon, I fear, some of my Ships will cry out. I have just had a letter from Gibbs, of which I send you a copy. You see what interest he is taking about Bronté. I begin to think, without some assistance like his, that I never should have touched a farthing. It will be 1805, before I touch the estate. Neither principal or interest of the seven thousand ounces have been paid; and, it is now eight thousand ounces debt. ... • You will see, Gibbs, at last, has fixed on sending his daughter home; and I shall be glad of so good an opportunity of obliging him, as it will naturally tie him to my interest... ..To me, it is nothing. Thank God! there can be no tales told of my cheating; or, I hope, neglecting my duty. Whilst I serve, I will serve well, and closely; when I want rest, I will go to Merton. You know, my dear Emma, that I am never well when it blows hard. Therefore, imagine what a cruize off Toulon is; even in summer time, we have had a hard gale every week, and two days' heavy swell. . . . . The other day, we had a report the French were out, and seen steering to the Westward. We were as far as Minorca, when the alarm proved false .... I have received your letter, with Lord William's and Mr. Kemble's, about Mr. Palmer:3 he is also recommended by the Duke of Clarence; and, he says, by desire of the Prince of Wales. I have, without him, twentysix to be made Captains, and list every day increasing. It is not one whole French Fleet that can get through it. I shall probably offend many more than I can oblige. Such is always the case: like the tickets-those who get them, feel they have a right to them; and those [who] do not get them, feel offended for ever. But, I cannot help it: I shall endeavour to do what is right, in every situation; and some ball may soon close all my accounts with this world of care and vexation! .... The Secretary Scott is a treasure; and I am very well mounted: Hardy is every thing I could wish or desire. Our days pass so much alike that, having described one, you have them all. We now breakfast by candle-light, and all retire, at eight o'clock, to bed. Naples, I fancy, is in a very bad way, in regard to money. They have not, or pretend not to have, enough to pay their Officers; and, I verily believe, if Acton was to give up his place, that it would become a province of France. Only think of Buonaparte's writing to the Queen, to desire her influence to turn out Acton! She answered, properly—at least, so says Mr. Elliot, who knows more of Naples than any of us; God help him!-and General Acton has, I believe, more power than ever. By Gibbs's letter, I see, he has sent over about my accounts at Bronté. He can have no interest in being unfriendly to me. Why should he? I want no great matters from him; and he can want nothing from me, that it is not my duty to give his Sovereigns: therefore, why should he be against us! Mr. Palmer is mentioned in p. 246, ante. "Lord William," was Lord William Gordon. Vide p. 246, ante, For my part, my conduct will not alter, whether he is or not. Our friend, Sir Alexander, is a very great Diplomatic character; and, even an Admiral must not know what he is negotiating about: although you will scarcely believe, that the Bey of Tunis sent the man at my desire. You shall judge-viz., The Tunisian Envoy is still here, negotiating. He is a moderate man; and, apparently, the best disposed of any I ever did business with.' Could even the oldest Diplomatic character be drier? I hate such parade of nonsense! But I will turn from such stuff. Poor Mr. Este,' how I pity him! but what shall I do with him? How ever, if he comes, I shall show him all the kindness in my power. October 22nd. The Vessel is just going off. I have not a scrap of news! Only, be assured of my most affectionate regard. Remember me kindly to Charlotte: shall always love those that are good to Horatia. I will write her by another opportunity. Remember me to Mrs. Cadogan. You may be sure, I do not forget Charles, who has not been well; Captain Capel is very good to him.... NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HIS EXCELLENCY COUNT WORONZOW. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 333.] 19th October, 1803. The Count Mocenigo has sent me a complaint that three Vessels, one under Russian colours, and two under those of the Republic of the Seven Islands, have been taken by some English Ships, and carried into Malta, and that the only answer the Consul of Malta has obtained, was, 'The Judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court is not yet arrived.' Without entering into the merits of the case, of which I can know nothing but from the reports sent me of Ships detained or captured, whereof I send you a copy, your Excellency may rely there was great cause of suspicion that the Vessels or cargoes, or both, were belonging to Enemies, and were merely covered with Neutral papers; and it even strikes me as odd in Dr. Lambton Este: who will be particularly noticed, the complaint, they are stated as only bound to Messina, and that the other optional destination, Genoa, should be omitted: what occasion was there for concealing anything in an upright transaction? And there is another curious circumstance lately come to light, which is, I believe, that on board the Ship carrying Russian colours, the whole set of French papers have been found; however, your Excellency knows, that under such suspicious circumstances none but a Judge can decide. My orders are positive for the respect due to the Neutral Flag; and with regard to Russia, I have repeated the orders for the strict observance of the seventh Article of the Treaty signed at St. Petersburgh, the 5th (17th) of June 1801. I shall only lastly observe, that one hundred and seventy French Vessels were in the Black Sea at the commencement of hostilities, and that by a magic touch of Merchants, they became in a moment Russians, Imperials, Ionians, Ragusans, and not one French Vessel remained !-Bravo! But allow me to assure your Excellency, that I ever am, with the highest respect, your most obedient and faithful, humble Allow me to introduce to your notice, and I may add, to your friendship, Mr. Abram Gibbs, now at Palermo. He was lately the partner of Mr. Falconet, and was always the intimate household friend of dear Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and, give me leave to add, my friend. I believe I am to call Mr. Gibbs a banker. Whatever kindness your Excellency may show him, will ever be esteemed a favour conferred upon, my dear Sir, your most faithful servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. |