good man, I recommended him to Mackellar. I mention this circumstance to show you that he is not belonging to me: therefore, you will act by him as he deserves. With every good wish, I am most truly yours, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 312.] April 17th, 1801. I agree with your Royal Highness most entirely, that the son of a Rodney' ought to be the protégé of every person in the Kingdom, and particularly of the Sea-Officers: had I known that there had been this claimant, some of my own Lieutenants must have given way to such a name, and he should have been placed in the Victory-she is full, and I have twenty on my list; but whatever numbers I have, the name of Rodney must cut many of them out. I am well aware that in my Prize plan, Lawyers must remove all the difficulties that will occur in the completion. Much, very much, is necessary to be considered on every part of it, but I think many objections would be overcome by a temperate and serious discussion. I was told the difficulties were insurmountable, or nearly so. My answer was, As the thing is necessary to be done, the more difficulties, the more necessary to try to remove them.' I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON. [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers. On the 22nd of April, Lord Nelson, with his friends, Lords Minto and Hood, and Lord Hotham, appeared as Witnesses to the character of Captain Macnamara, on his trial for killing Colonel Montgomery in a duel.] April 23rd, 1803. The Pensions to the Admirals St. Vincent, Duncan, and Nelson, were, I suppose, either granted for the great Victories they obtained over the Enemy, or for enabling them to support Lieutenant the Honourable Edward Rodney, youngest son of Admiral Lord Rodney: he was made a Commander in April 1805; Posted in January 1806; and died in November 1828. the dignity of the Peerage, to which his Majesty was pleased to raise them for their Victories, for which their private fortunes were not supposed equal. If Earl St. Vincent obtained the Pension of £2000 a-year in Great Britain, and £1000 a-year in Ireland, for the Victory off Cape St. Vincent, and Viscount Duncan for that off Camperdown, Lord Nelson trusts, that in any comparison, the Victory off the Nile was equal to either of the others; and, therefore, in strict justice, his Pension should have been equal to the other two noble Admirals. If it is said that the Pensions are not given for the Victories, but to enable the noble Admirals to support their ranks in the Peerage, then Lord Nelson trusts that his wants will be found superior to either of the others; for Earl St. Vincent, at the time his Pension was granted, had realized not a less sum than £100,000, and Viscount Duncan, not less than £50,000; whereas Lord Nelson, at the time his Pension of £2000 a-year was granted, had not realized £5000; therefore, why Lord Nelson should have had £1000 a-year less Pension than either of the two noble Admirals, is unaccountable. This comparison is only made to the Battle off the Nile. Since which time Lord Nelson was, by his Majesty, raised to the dignity of a Viscount, for his services in commanding his Majesty's Fleet, when the great, important, and decisive victory off Copenhagen was obtained, but no Pension was given with this accession of Title. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO LADY COLLIER. [Autograph, in the possession of Commodore Sir Francis Angustus Collier, K.C.H.] 19, Piccadilly, April 24th, 1803. Madam, If Francis's hopes of promotion only arise from Commodore Hood's not having Officers recommended to him, he will very soon find his mistake. The present Admiralty will recommend him more than he can provide for, with those who have served with him, if he was to stay seven years abroad. Sir Samuel Hood. Tide vol. iii. p. 90. However, I can have no objection to write to him in favour of your son; but I must apprise you, that Captain Hood never offered to take even a Midshipman for me. With every good wish for Francis, I am your Ladyship's most obedient servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H. M. SHIP VICTORY. [Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] My dear Sutton, April 28th, 1803. A Barge I like much better than a Cutter for my ease, and I have wrote to the Comptroller about the cabin, (it was done to the San Josef.) When the Victory gets to Spithead, and if Lord St. Vincent does not give you the Amphion, which I think would be a hard case, no exertion of mine shall be wanting in getting you a good Ship; and I shall feel real regret if you should suffer for fitting out the Victory, to oblige, my dear Sutton, your much attached, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR WILLIAM SCOTT. [Autograph, in the possession of William Chisholm, Esq.] My dear Sir, 19, Piccadilly, May 2nd, 1803. You was so kind as to put in your pocket my crude ideas on the situation of our Navy respecting the Seamen. The importance of the subject every one must admit, and woful experience tells us that something must be done on the occa sion. I am sensible that my abilities are unequal to the task; but I should do injustice to my own feelings, and, I think, betray the confidence which has so often been reposed in me, was I not to bring them forward. One good effect must result from it, that in proving them bad, better will be brought forward. The mainspring of all my plan is, that of Certificates fully Vide p. 44, ante. descriptive of the persons; the very greatest good must result from it. Names cannot be changed, as the gratuity will be looked forward to, therefore desertion will be less frequent, and easier detected. Pay, Prize-money, &c. &c., could rarely be paid to wrong persons; the Seaman would have his money without the very great difficulty he meets with at present, and many executions would be avoided by the almost impossibility of the fraud of personification being committed, (two, alas! suffered last week for this crime.) If, my dear Sir William, you think, as I do, that something should be attempted at these times to make our Seamen, at the din of War, fly to our Navy, instead of flying from it, I am sure it could not be brought forward by any one so ably as yourself; and if my feeble endeavours in so great a cause can be of the least use, I shall be too happy in offering my assistance. Will you allow me, any morning that you will appoint, to call upon you at your house to converse on this subject? and I beg you to believe me, my dear Sir, your most obedient and faithful servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. Long before this Armament, the Paper was delivered to Mr. Addington and Lord St. Vincent; but I suppose they have not time to attend so much to this subject as, in my opinion, it merits. TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H. M. SHIP VICTORY, CHATHAM. [Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] My dear Sutton, May 6th, 1803. You are to have the Utrecht's Ship's company, and I have fixed for your having the Amphion; and you know [how] anxious I am to meet your wishes. Should it be War, my things will be sent from London to the Victory immediately. Ever yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ., ST. JAMES'S SQUARE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B.. [Autograph, in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] My dear Lord, 9 P.M., May 6th, 1803. I have had my tradesmen, and ordered my things. I am going to Merton in the morning, to settle matters there. Government cannot be more anxious for my departure than I am, if a War, to go; and I trust in God to return in Peace. Will you send for George Murray? I shall be ready before other things are prepared. All I ask is not to go to Portsmouth until I carry my orders, and that Amphion is ready with my cot, &c., to start. When I return, I will call at the Admiralty. Ever, my dear Lord, &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.] May 8th, 1803. My dear Lord, The inclosed is for Captain Hardy to prepare my stock, but not to embark it till farther orders. yours most faithfully, Ever, my dear Lord, NELSON AND Bronte. He is just paid off, but Captain Hoste' delivers this letter. very anxious to serve, if a War, and with me; and I should be truly happy to have him. Afterwards Captain Sir William Hoste, so frequently mentioned, (vide vol. i. p. 355.) On the 22nd of January, 1803, when commanding the Greyhound at Gibraltar, he said, in a letter to his father at Godwick, "I have not received Lord |