TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H. M. SHIP VICTORY. [Autograph in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] London, May 12th, 1803. The d-d Pilots have run the Raisonable aground: take great care of scant winds in sands. [?] My dear Sutton, I suppose Bell will supply my wine. An application must be made to the Treasury for the quantity of wine and spirits for you as Captain of the Victory; for they are very particular about the allowing it to be brought over. The Vessel is not yet fixed upon by the Admiralty. You had better write to the Treasury for the quantity, and say that you will direct it to be sent in the Vessel with Lord Nelson's. Ever yours, faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. Write me when you think the Victory can sail from the Nore, that I may send my things to Portsmouth or Sheerness. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph, in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Private. My dear Lord, May 12th, 1803. Your mention of the Victory remaining some time in England, so much according with what I am told of Lord Keith's saying that he was to have her for the present-induces me to hope that if the Victory is ready, or as soon as she is, that I Nelson's letter, but I am happy to hear he is well, and sincerely do I hope he is happy also. I had a Mameluke sword given me in Egypt, which I got mounted, and sent it to him as a present; for so much am 1 indebted to him, that though now I am independent of his services, I shall never forget that it was through him I am so. Had War broke out, and Lord Nelson been Commander-in-Chief, I should have considered myself particularly fortunate for many reasons, though I confess I am better pleased matters stand as they do, for in case of War, the Lord knows when I should have seen old Godwick." On the 28th of February, Captain Hoste wrote, "Pray give my best respects to Lord Nelson when you see or write to him. I hope most truly, if ever War takes place, I may belong to the Squadron he commands."-Memoirs of Captain Sir William Hoste, vol. i. pp. 197, 201. Captain Hoste was not again employed until November 1804, when he was appointed to the Eurydice, and afterwards placed under Lord Nelson's command. may have her; for all my things, servants, wines, &c. &c., are ordered to be sent to her, be where she will-even my sheep, poultry, hay, corn, and every comfort are ordered to her. But if Lord Keith, or any other man is to have her, for a given time, I must un-order all these things. I trust, my dear Lord, that I can take a French Admiral as well as any of them, and have as much chance of falling in with one. will call this morning for one moment on this subject. Ever, my dear Lord, yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE ROSE. [Autograph in the possession of the Right Hon. Sir George Rose, G.C.H.] My dear Sir, May 15th, 1803. I was with Mr. Addington this morning; and as we conversed on the subject of the extension of my Annuity, and also on the extraordinary thing of my not receiving the Irish Pension, as was done for Lords St. Vincent and Duncan, I said that I had conversed much with you on the subject, and that I was sure that you thought it was a mistake my not having it, and that you would tell him so; therefore, the favour I have to beg of you is, to tell Mr. Addington, that it was a mistake giving me less than other Officers; and if Mr. Addington wants an additional inducement to do me justice, your kind friendship may put in, that I got nothing as a reward for Copenhagen, &c. Your friendship may do much for me; and I am ever, my dear Sir, your obliged and faithful, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H. M. SHIP VICTORY. [Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton. Early in 1803, his Majesty directed that the Knights Elect of the Order of the Bath should be Installed; and several Chapters and Conventions of the Knights were held, to arrange the proceedings, many of which Lord Nelson attended. (Vide the Additional MS., No. 6237, in the British Museum.) The Installation took place on the 19th of May, the day on which Lord Nelson sailed for the Mediterranean, and he was represented by Captain Sir William Bolton. His Esquires were, his nephews, Horatio Nelson (afterwards Viscount Trafalgar) and Thomas Bolton (afterwards second Earl Nelson), and John Tyson, his old Secretary.] My dear Sutton, 8 Admiralty, May 17th, 1803. If you can get my things on board the Victory, pray lose no time part will be at Portsmouth. I hope by the time you receive this letter, that the waggon will have arrived. Lord Gardner, of course, will give you Boats. If you can get twelve good sheep, some hay, and fowls and corn, it will do no harm, for I may yet go out in the Victory. Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty. "Monday, 16th May, 1803, A.M. Received my appointment from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, as Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed on the Mediterranean Station. On the 17th, made several necessary public arrangements previous to my leaving Town; and about 4 A.M. on Wednesday morning, the 18th, set out from London for Portsmouth, where I arrived on that day, about past Noon. Thursday, 19th May, P.M. (i. e., the afternoon of the 18th.) About past 3, hoisted my Flag on board his Majesty's Ship Victory. Saluted Admiral Lord Gardner's Flag on board the Endymion, with thirteen guns, which was returned with an equal number."-Victory's Log, in the Nelson Papers.] Sir, Portsmouth, 18th May, 1803. You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I arrived here about one o'clock this afternoon, and have hoisted my Flag on board his Majesty's Ship Victory. Captain Sutton informs me that she will be in every respect ready for sea on Friday morning. I am, &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.J May 18th, 3 P.M. [1803.] My dear Lord, As the Victory will be ready, Captain Sutton tells me, to sail on Friday morning at daylight, (and I am trying to make Admiral Lord Gardner, Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth. that to-morrow night,) I have, on inany accounts, thought it best to hoist my Flag in her. If Admiral Cornwallis wants her-which it is very improbable according to what I have heard but if he does, I shall remove nothing from the Frigate but my cot: and, therefore, be gone in five minutes. You may rely, my dear Lord, that nothing shall be left undone by me, by a vigorous and active exertion of the force under my command, to bring about a happy Peace. I am ever, my dear Lord, your most obliged and faithful, 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.] My dear Lord, May 19th, 1803. This will be presented to you by my nephew, Sir William Bolton, and now he stands in so near a situation to me, it must be my anxious wish to get him employed, and with me, and promoted. If the Devil stands at the door, the Victory shall sail to-morrow forenoon.' Keep your health, my dear Lord, and ever believe me your most obliged and affectionate, NELSON AND Bronte. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ADMIRAL LORD GARDNER, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT PORTSMOUTH. [Autograph, in the possession of Mr. Empson.] May 20th, 1803, 3 P.M. My dear Lord, However I felt on reading the order' you showed me this morning, yet I am not of a disposition to complain; for if I In reply to this Letter, Lord St. Vincent wrote to him on the next day-" I very much lament your detention at Portsmouth, equally unpleasant to you and injurious to the Public Service. . . . Your Lordship has given so many proofs of transcendent zeal in the Service of your King and Country, that we have only to pray for the preservation of your invaluable life, to insure everything that can be achieved by mortal man."-Tucker's Memoirs of the Earl of St. Vincent, vol. ii. p. 239. "Portsmouth, 20th May, 1803. Such was the anxiety of Lord Nelson to em bark, that yesterday, to every one who spoke to him of his sailing, he said, 'I cannot before to-morrow, and that's an age. This morning, about ten o'clock, his Lordship went off in a heavy shower of rain, and sailed with a Northerly wind."Naval Chronicle, vol. ix. p. 421. got safe to the Mediterranean, my mind was made up to dismantle some Ship of War, for I believe the honour of the Country ought not to be risked by having the Victory half manned. But the more I felt, the more truly am I sensible of your Lordship's goodness; and thanking you sincerely, and wishing you, my dear Lord, health and happiness, believe me your much obliged and obedient servant, 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 20th, 1803. My dear Lord, You may rely that I shall be off Brest as expeditiously as possible, and there wait for Admiral Cornwallis. I am mad at losing a moment of this wind, but I cannot help myself. She is to be paid at eight o'clock, and I shall be on board at nine. Ever, my dear Lord, yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. Many thanks for your kind letter by the Post. May every blessing attend you, and may we soon meet in Peace. TO SIR EVAN NEPEAN, BART., ADMIRALTY. Original, in the Admiralty. "Friday, 20th May, A.M. About 10, the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Nelson, Captain George Murray, Captain of the Fleet, and Lieutenant Pearce, Signal Officer, &c., came on board. Saturday, 21st (i. e., the afternoon of the 20th.) Unmoored Ship, and weighed. Made sail out of Spithead, through St. Helens, when H. M. Ship Amphion joined, and proceeded to sea in company with us."-Victory's Log. On board the Victory were embarked, Mr. Hugh Elliot, who had been appointed Minister at Naples, the brother, and Captain (now Rear-Admiral) the Honourable George Elliot, the son of Lord Minto, who was permitted to serve with Lord Nelson as a Volunteer. On the 18th of May, 1803, Lord Nelson received the following Orders from the Admiralty : "Whereas by our Commission, bearing date the 16th instant, we have appointed your Lordship Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed in the Mediterranean; you are hereby required and directed to proceed forthwith to Portsmouth, and, hoisting your Flag on board his Majesty's Ship Amphion, make the best of your way to the Island of Malta, where you may expect to find Rear Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton; and on meeting the Rear-Admiral, take him and the Ships and Vessels there, as well as in the Mediterranean, under your command. On your Lordship's arrival at Malta, you are to lose no |