I did not fail to tell her, in your own words, that your attention to the interests of the King of Naples had occasioned much difficulty in the arrangement of the Definitive Treaty; and I never fail to express what is true, that you are truly sensible of the loyalty of the King of Naples in their attachment to this Country. Ever, my dear Sir, your attached, NELSON AND BRONTE. Lady Hamilton allows me also a letter of February 6th, which speaks so fully that I wish you to read it with attention. She is a Monarch deserving of all our regards and services. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ., ST. JAMES'S SQUARE. Merton, 30th March, 1802. My dear Davison, I send you a letter from my Father. You will see his statement of his money in the Funds, or rather, which he has a right to receive interest for during his life. I was in the House last night, and voted for the payment of the Civil List, that you might get paid the enormous sum of £152 18s. 10d.! Lord Moira's sentiments I admired most exceedingly, and hope that the Public will be made to understand better the Civil List, and not to fancy that all goes into the King's pocket. Lord Moira said enough to suggest a plan of the sort, very simple. So far from the King having given away too much, I think he has been by far too parsimonious. On Thursday I shall see you. Ever, my dear Davison, your obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN FYERS,' ROYAL ARTILLERY. [From White's "Life of Nelson," p. 222.] Merton, April 8th, 1803. My dear Sir, Colonel Suckling has just told me that he has the pleasure of knowing you, and that you had given him reason to believe that you intended favouring me with a visit before your going into Scotland. My relation also tells me, that he has seen a proof print of your drawing of the Danish Line, which 1 Captain Peter Fyers. An account of the services of this Officer, (now a Major-General, and a Companion of the Bath,) who was wounded in the attack on the Flotilla at Boulogne, and served at Copenhagen, is given in White's "Life of Nelson." p. 216. we are all very anxious should come out. It can give offence to no party. Sir Hyde, Fremantle, Colonel Stewart, Doyle, &c., are all inquiring why it is not out. Therefore, I have to request you will be so good as to tell me who your engraver is, and also the name and abode of your friend who has the management of the Print. It will, I am sure, do well. I am glad to hear you suffer no inconvenience from the wound in your thigh. You would regret sincerely the loss of poor Parker. Langford, I am fearful, will lose his leg. He is still confined by bones continually coming away. With every good wish, believe me, my dear Sir, your much obliged, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H.M. SHIP AMAZON. [Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] My dear Sutton, Merton, April 10th, 1802. I have this moment received an order to strike my Flag, and come on shore. I hope soon you will be at liberty, and nobody will be happier to see you than your friends at Merton. I suppose I must be discharged this day with my retinue. I am very anxious to keep Charles' afloat, and I wish you would turn your eyes round to any Ship that is to be kept in commission-if going abroad the better, and a good man who will do justice by the lad. But few, very few, will take that care of him which you have been good enough to do, and for which we are most truly thankful; and believe me ever your much obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SUCKLING. [From "The Athenæum."] April 15th, 1802. My dear Suckling, Many thanks for your kind present of oysters. I yesterday saw Colonel Yorke, and he has promised me that he will take the first opportunity of removing you into a permanent and better situation. I left a memorandum with him, that Norwich would be most desirable after Chatham; but he really seemed disposed to do everything which we can desire. Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. Charles Connor. The Right Honourable Charles Yorke, then Secretary at War, afterwards First Lord of the Admiralty. TO JOHN M'ARTHUR, ESQ. [Original, in the possession of Mrs. Conway.] My dear Sir, Merton, April 23rd, 1802. I am very sorry that you could not meet us at Cockburn's' next Tuesday, as I was in hopes that everything relative to our Vado prize-money could have been settled. The amount of the Corn-ship, and the other, a Corn-vessel, was, when I was in England, latter end of '97, or beginning of '98, brought into the funds in our names. Has Marsh and Creed had the receiving the dividends, or have you received? Be so good as to send me a line here, that I may get it on Monday, or I shall not be able to open my mouth to much purpose. You are right, the Corn-vessel was taken by Agamemnon alone; but Cockburn, and I fancy some others, share for her-the other was taken by Southampton: her nett amount, £923 sterling, as my head tells me, for I am at this moment writing from memory. The Corn-ship was £100 nett. Write all you know on these subjects. I beg my best regards to Mr. Hood, and believe me, my dear Sir, your most obedient servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO JOHN M'ARTHUR, ESQ. [Original, in the possession of Mrs. Conway.] My dear Sir, Merton, April 28th, 1802. I should have answered your letter sooner, but for the event of the death of my dear Father. I had thought that the money was done something with in our joint names. I had always told Cockburn and others concerned so; but your accounts, of course, will put that matter right. I saw Cockburn yesterday; but we could do nothing, as you had not sent me the account how much the amount of the St. Antonio de Padua amounted to, and how much the other. Pray let me have it as soon as possible with the particulars, that a distribution Captain, now the Right Hon. Sir George Cockburn, G.C.B., so often mentioned. The Reverend Edmund Nelson died at Bath on the 26th of April 1802, in his seventy-ninth year. may take place. I beg my best respects to Mr. Hood; and believe me, dear Sir, most faithfully yours, NELSON AND BRONTE. I have been, and am very unwell, and these Prize concerns torment me; for they will think I have been using the money. Write me what you know. TO SIR BROOKE BOOTHBY, BART. My dear Sir, [From a Copy in the Nelson Papers.] Merton, Surrey, May 1st, 1802.. I feel very much flattered by your kind remembrance of our truly pleasant party at Hamburgh, and I can assure you that it would give Sir William, Lady Hamilton, and myself, much pleasure, could we meet here, where I have made a very small purchase, and live retired, although we live so near London; for I hate the noise, bustle, and falsity of what is called the great world. We are now at peace with all the world, except Lord Grenville, Windham, and that party: they see that destruction to the Country from it which I cannot. I am the friend of Peace without fearing War; for my politics are to let France know that we will give no insult to her Government, nor will we receive the smallest. If France takes unfair means to prevent our trading with other Powers under her influence, this I consider the greatest act of hostility she can show us; but if Buonaparte understands our sentiments, he will not wish to plunge France in a new war with us. Every man in France, as well as in this Country, is wanted for commerce; and powerful as he may be, France would pull him down for destroying her commerce, and the war in this Country would be most popular against the man who would destroy our commerce. I think our Peace is strong if we act, as we ought, with firmness, and allow France to put no false constructions on the words, or on omissions in the Treaty. But for what am I getting into politics? I am truly sorry for Dumourier; but, alas! it is not in my power to assist him. If his Country receives him, he will be the worst enemy we ever found, for he must hate us for our treatment of him. No man can fear to be suspected of falseness if he is really well-intentioned, which, from my heart, I believe Dumourier was. Lady Hamilton desires me to say every kind thing for her. She is one that never forgets an old friend, and to be grateful, which is more than can be said of an old acquaintance of yours. With every good wish, believe me, my dear Sir Brooke, your most obliged friend, NELSON AND Bronte. TO HERCULES ROSS, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Horatio Ross, Esq.] My dear Friend, Merton, May 3rd, 1802. I should certainly have seen you long before this time, but for my own state of health, and the irreparable loss I have sustained in a beloved parent. I have seen Davison for a moment, and he will be happy to be known to you. He tells me Sir Alured Clarke has settled all the money concerns about your nephew; but he will explain this matter to you when you meet. If your other avocations in the great Town will allow you time to drive to Merton, we shall be truly happy to see you. Lady Hamilton desires her compliments, and believe me, ever yours most truly, NELSON AND Bronte. TO HERCULES ROSS, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Horatio Ross, Esq.] My dear Friend, Merton, May 6th, 1802. We shall be very glad to see you and Dr. Moseley' on Monday. I am better, but still much indisposed, but ever your obliged friend, NELSON AND Bronte. TO JOHN M'ARTHUR, ESQ. Merton, May 7th, 1802. My dear Sir, I am favoured with your letter and account. The Cornship, Madonna del Rosario, was taken by Agamemnon alone. I share with some other Captains, but no Ship. The other, Vide vol. iv. p. 348. General, afterwards Field-Marshal, Sir Alured Clarke, K.B. commanded the Troops which captured the Cape of Good Hope. 7 Vide vol. i. p. 7. |