to hang over the Country, we shall ever be in hot water. I wish the thing decided: I am in no fears for the event. Hardy sends you the power of attorney for the Rising Sun, but Captain Sutton must sign, and he may send it, perhaps, to his relation, Mr. Martin. I do not think it was very kind to me. Apropos, if you can be of any use to Captain Layman, I beg that you will, whether it is to get him confirmed, or to get him a good Sloop. He has not made any Prize-money since his appointment, which I am sorry for, upon his account. If I can, my dear friend, but make enough to pay my debt of money to you, I shall be fully content. Your other favours I can never repay, but I must ever feel myself your much obliged and sincere friend, Nelson and Bronte. Poor old blind Mrs. Nelson, is, I hear, something in debt. If the sum is not very large, I intend to pay it for her. I have desired dear Lady Hamilton to inquire: therefore, if within bounds, pay it for me. N. AND B. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. [Autograph in the Elliot Papers.] My dear Sir, Victory, March 29th, 1804. Major Lowe being so completely master of everything which can inform your mind respecting the Island of Sardinia, its resources, and the probable means it has of resisting the French, it would be idle and presumptuous in me to say a word. I only sigh, and wish it belonged to Great Britain. The advantages of its position must strike every one who looks upon the Map, and its resources, called forth by a protecting Power, are certainly very great; and there is only this certainty, fixed as fate, in my mind, that if it does not belong to England, it will to France; for the present system cannot last one year, nor, I believe, half that time. I am I shall sail from hence on Monday, wind and weather permitting, and shall very soon hope to meet the Enemy. ever, my dear Sir, your most obliged humble servant, NELSON AND Bronte. P.S.-What a pack of nonsense about Sardinia! It could not be likely that I could wish to commit Sardinia, and, God knows, I have no Troops to throw away, where they are not acceptable! I rather believe a friend of mine wants me to send some troops to Alexandria, but I will neither do that, nor give my sanction to their being sent there. They are entrusted to me to defend Sicily, and to that object they shall be kept till the Court of Naples say, 'We do not want your help.' Then it is time enough to think of other things. N. AND B. TO THE REVEREND DR. NELSON. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.] My dear Brother, Victory, March 29th, 1804. I received with much pleasure your kind letter of December 30th, which, I was too much pressed for time to answer with my last dispatches. If Mr. Charles Brown' has served his time, and passed, you may send him out, and when opportunity offers he shall certainly be promoted; but I doubt very much that any such opportunity will offer during my command, for my health will require a few months' rest, next winter: however, you may be sure I shall do my best to serve him. With respect to Horace, you know so much better than I how to educate him that I can say nothing; and as to what mode of life he is to follow, that must be a matter for future consideration, as events may turn out. A good education and languages fit him for anything. The Corps Diplomatique, as far as I have seen, is the road to ruin. I never knew or heard of any one who made a fortune in it, and it is very easy to spend one indeed, without much more prudence than is considered right, a Minister cannot exist upon his salary. We must not judge, because perhaps, Lord Elgin at a particular moment got money at Constantinople, and even a Scotchman I dare say would have been richer with his interest if he had set up as a master-tailor. But, you may be sure, that in any As his name has not been found on the List of Lieutenants, he was probably never promoted. way that I can be useful to Horace, whom I really love, nothing will be wanting on my part, as far as is within the the reach of my abilities. I am glad you like Canterbury, and if we may judge of the difficulty of getting there, we cannot expect it very easy to get a removal, but time and chance happeneth to all. I wish the Invasion was over, for until the trial is made our Country never can be at rest. Let who will rule in France, England will always be the object of hatred. April 7th.-Accounts are just brought me that thirty-four hours ago the French Fleet were outside the harbour of Toulon, and we do not know they are returned, so that a meeting may be expected. The result we ought not to doubt, but I think everything good and great may be expected. I beg my kind regards to good Mrs. Nelson, and believe me ever, your most affectionate Brother, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HIS EXCELLENCY HUGH ELLIOT, ESQ. [Autograph, in the Elliot Papers.] My dear Sir, Victory, March 30th, 1804. I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency's notice Doctor John Snipe, Physician to the Fleet under my command. He is not only a very able Professional gentleman, but a man of most excellent private character. He is naturally anxious to see Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Museum of Portici; as his stay will be short, I will thank you to obtain for him speedily the orders for seeing Portici. I am ever, my dear Sir, with the sincerest good wishes for you, Mrs. Elliot, and your family, your much obliged, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SIR WILLIAM BOLTON, H. M. SLOOP CHILDERS. [Order-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, Sardinia, 30th March, 1804. Doctor Snipe, Physician to the Fleet under my command, having represented to me the necessity of supplying the sick and convalescent Seamen on board the different Ships with some nutritive food in addition to the necessaries allowed by Government, and at the same time recommended Maccaroni as a light, wholesome, and nourishing food, and whereas I am perfectly satisfied of the necessity of adopting every measure for restoring the health of the sick and convalescent Seamen on board the different Ships, You are hereby required and directed to proceed immediately with his Majesty's Sloop Childers, under your command, to Naples; and on your arrival there, you will order the Purser of the said Sloop to purchase a thousand pounds of the best large pipe Maccaroni for the use of the sick and convalescent Seamen on board the different Ships-taking care that the said purchase is made upon the best and most reasonable terms for Government; for the payment of which you will direct the Purser to draw Bills upon the Commissioners for taking care of the Sick and Wounded Seamen, London, and to procure the necessary vouchers for such purchase, authenticated in the same manner as those for provisions--one of which, with a copy of this order, you will transmit to their Board by the first opportunity, and another to me on your return, for my information. You will also certify at the bottom of the Purser's bill for the amount of the Maccaroni, that it was drawn for that purpose, for the use of the sick and convalescent Seamen, and by my order. After having completed this service, you will return and join the Squadron with all possible expedition on Rendezvous No. 100, where you will find me, or orders for your further proceedings. NELSON AND Bronte. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, Madalena Islands, Sardinia, 1st April, 1804. I herewith transmit you a copy of a letter from Captain Layman, giving an account of the loss of His Majesty's late Sloop Weazle,' under his command, on the night of the 29th The Weazle, Captain Layman, was lost by striking on a rock off Cabretta Point, near Gibraltar, on the 29th of February, 1804, in thick foggy weather. February last, together with a letter from Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Trigge, and the paper from the Merchants at Gibraltar therein referred to: also, an extract of a letter from Captain Gore, of his Majesty's Ship Medusa, communicating to me the very high opinion he entertained of Captain Layman's conduct, which I request you will lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their information, and, at the same time, to acquaint their Lordships, that from the constant information I have received of Captain Layman's great exertions for the protection of our trade in the Gut of Gibraltar, I consider his appointment to another Sloop on this service would be very beneficial to the Commercial interest. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE CAPTAIN OR COMMANDER OF ANY OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS, VESSELS, OR TRANSPORTS, ARRIVING AT MADALENA IN SEARCH OF THE SQUADRON. [Letter-Book.] Victory, Madalena Islands, 2nd April, 1804. Sir, The Squadron is proceeding to Rendezvous No. 100, (passing Rendezvous No. 70,) where you will find me, or orders for your proceedings. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. N.B.-This letter to be sealed up, and left with the Governor at Madalena. N.B.-If the Thetis arrives, she is to remain at this anchorage; but if the Hindostan arrives, she is to proceed immediately to Malta, and deliver the stores she has on board for that Arsenal, and those for Gibraltar to be kept on board, and wait at Malta my orders. Sir, Victory, Madalena Islands, 2nd April, 1804. The Agent Victualler having acquainted me that you had been making purchases of wine and vegetables for the |