TO CAPTAIN MOUBRAY, H. M. SHIP ACTIVE. [Order-Book.] Victory, at Sea, 22nd March, 1804. Whereas I judge it necessary to proceed with the Squadron to the Gulf of Palma, for the purpose of completing their wood and water, which will only require a few days, You are hereby required and directed to take his Majesty's Ships named in the margin' under your command, and remain on the present Rendezvous No. 100, employing the said Frigates, during my absence, in watching the motions of the Enemy's Fleet at Toulon, by sending one or two of them off the entrance of that Harbour every two or three days, for the purpose of ascertaining whether their Squadron still remains in Port; and in the event of its putting to sea, you will detach a Frigate to me with an account thereof, directing the Captain to use the utmost exertion to join me; and as it is of the utmost importance that I should be immediately acquainted with it, you will order the Captain of the Frigate sent on this service, should the wind prove contrary when he arrives on the coast of Sardinia, to dispatch an intelligent, active Officer to me in a Boat, which will probably get alongshore much quicker than the Frigate. You must take into account the circumstances of weather, and calculate the probable time of the Fleet's return from Palma to the present Rendezvous, No. 100, and keep a good look out, that you may join me the moment I arrive upon the said Rendezvous. His Majesty's Ship Phoebe is hourly expected from Gibraltar; you will, therefore, the moment she joins, deliver the accompanying order to the Hon. Captain Boyle of the Seahorse, and direct him to proceed in the execution of it accordingly. NELSON AND Bronte. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] My dear Sir, Victory, March 23rd, 1804. Yesterday I received a letter from Mr. Frere of March 9th, in which, after having put us so much upon our guard that we Seahorse, Phoebe, Amazon. expected a Spanish War every day, the name of Spain is not mentioned therefore, I must suppose his alarm is gone off, or we may be lulled, by his neglect to say anything, into a fatal security. To me it matters not: I am prepared for all events. The King, Mr. Frere says, by advices from London of February 26th, is fast recovering. I wish it may be so, but I fear very much the contrary. I believe the Prince will be sole Regent; and I see, through the French papers-' London News, February 7th-that Lord Grenville had been three hours with Mr. Fox, supposed forming a new Administration. Georges, I see, is also arrested, and he and Pichegru are to be tried by Military Tribunals. The Invasion must be over before this time, which I still hope will overturn Buonaparte's despotic Government. My reports say that the French have taken up at Leghorn a number of Greek Vessels as Transports. If they leave Leghorn without Troops, it is natural to suppose they are destined to take the French Troops from the Coast of the Adriatic. If so, they must either be destined for the Morea or Egypt. Information upon these points is so important, to enable me to form a probable guess at the destination of the Toulon Fleet, that no money or trouble ought to be spared to obtain it. At eight o'clock yesterday morning, our Frigates saw the French Fleet quite safe. I am going to Madalena to get some refreshments; for I am sorry to say the scurvy has made its appearance in several Ships. The Belleisle will stay four days at Naples; and if the Gibraltar is sent away, I may occasionally, to relieve each other, send Ships: but of this the King shall judge; for I never will deprive him of the protection and services of an English Ship. Yesterday, I received from Major Lowe a copy of his letter to your Excellency. There will be no resistance in Sardinia worth mentioning, should the French land in any force. Major Lowe is probably with you by this time. Captain Hargood of the Belleisle has just joined her from • Afterwards Admiral Sir William Hargood, G.C.B.: he was a Midshipman of the Bristol in 1778 and 1779, when Nelson was a Lieutenant of that Ship. A memoir of this gallant Officer, who distinguished himself in the command of the Belleisle at Trafalgar, and died on the 12th of December, 1839, was privately printed by his widow. England, in the room of Captain Whitby, gone home to be Admiral Cornwallis's Captain. Captain Hargood is a very old acquaintance and Ship-mate of mine, and an elève of the Duke of Clarence, and, what is better than all, a very good man. I am ever, my dear Sir, your most obedient, faithful NELSON AND BRONTE. servant, I have heard nothing from 888. TO CAPTAIN SIR WILLIAM BOLTON, H. M. SLOOP CHILDERS. [Order-Book. The Victory and Squadron anchored at the Madalena Islands about Noon on the 25th of March 1804.] Victory, at the Madalena Islands, 25th March, 1804. You are hereby required and directed to receive the Master of the Victory on board his Majesty's Ship Childers, under your command, and proceed immediately to Terranova, on the South East end of Sardinia, for the purpose of surveying and ascertaining the anchorage of that place, the number of Ships which may ride there in safety, the different soundings and marks for going into the said Bay, what refreshmentssuch as live bullocks, sheep, poultry, onions, &c.—are to be had there, and the time required to procure them: also if it is well supplied with wood and water, and what time might be required to complete a Ship of the Line or Squadron with both. You are to remain on this service for the space of three days, and at the expiration thereof, return and join me at this anchorage; but should I have sailed, you will proceed to Rendezvous No. 100, where you will find the Squadron, or orders for your further proceedings. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN FRANK SOTHERON, H. M. SHIP EXCELLENT. [Order-Book.] Victory, at the Madalena Islands, 26th March, 1804. You are hereby required and directed to proceed immediately with his Majesty's Ship Excellent, under your command, to Rendezvous No. 100, where you will find Captain Moubray of his Majesty's Ship Active, agreeable to my order to him, dated the 22nd instant, a copy of which is herewith inclosed, (together with copy of the one therein alluded to,) which you will consider as addressed to yourself, and execute it accordingly. And in the event of your obtaining any information of the sailing of the Enemy's Fleet from Toulon, you will send a Frigate to me at this anchorage with an account thereof, (instead of the Gulf of Palma, as directed in Captain Moubray's said order,) bearing in mind that the Squadron will proceed from hence about Monday next, the 2nd of April; and if the wind is from the Westward, will proceed up the East side of Corsica; but if from the Eastward, the Squadron will proceed on the West side of that Island to the said Rendezvous, No. 100, so that any Ship coming to me must have this clearly in view, and be governed accordingly. NELSON AND Bronte. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.] My dear Davison, Victory, March 28th, 1804. Last night, to my surprise, Mr. Chevalier sent to speak to me, and said—' I beg pardon, my Lord, but I find myself so disagreeably situated in the Ship, that I beg of your Lordship to send me to England by the first opportunity.' To which I answered, 'Certainly, Mr. Chevalier.' I can have no conception to what this is owing. I never said a harsh thing to him, nor any one else, I am sure. He is very much respected, and an excellent servant. He is his own master in all his department; but was he, if possible, a better servant, I never would ask a servant to stay. It is some vagary or other: so he must follow his own fancy. So much for that. Day by day, my dear friend, I am expecting the French Fleet to put to sea-every day, hour, and moment; and you may rely that if it is within the power of man to get at them, it shall be done; and, I am sure, that all my brethren look to that day as the finish of our laborious cruize. The event no man can say exactly, but I must think, or render great 9 His Steward. injustice to those under me, that let the Battle be when it may, it will never have been surpassed. My shattered frame, if I survive that day, will require rest, and that is all I shall ask for. If I fall on such a glorious occasion, it shall be my pride to take care that my friends shall not blush for me. These things are in the hands of a wise and just Providence, and His Will be done. I have got some trifle, thank God, to leave those I hold most dear, and I have taken care not to neglect it. Do not think I am low-spirited on this account, or fancy anything is to happen to me. Quite the contrary: my mind is calm, and I have only to think of destroying our inveterate foe. April 7th.-A Frigate has just brought me an account that she saw the French Fleet outside Toulon thirty-four hours ago, and she does not know that they are returned. I have two Frigates gone for more information, and we all hope for a meeting with the Enemy. Nothing can be finer than the Fleet under my command. Whatever be the event, believe command. me ever, my dear Davison, your most obliged and sincere Since my last, I have received your kind letters by the Thisbe, and the Lawyer's opinion, which is very clear, and there end my inquiries; and, if ever I command the Channel Fleet, it will be my turn to make money. I [neither] want nor wish for any man's money, but justice is all I ask. I have nothing later than December from you; but, I am truly sorry to hear from Lady Hamilton that you have been laid up with the gout. Your reports are true about the poor King. I suppose there will be a change of Ministry, and then I shall expect to see you Paymaster-General, if you like the Office, and with a Title; and I shall, if it pleases God to spare my life, certainly take you by the hand before next Christmas. wish the intended Invasion was over; for if the thing is always |