the 14th, she could not have got to England, and orders be sent out to Admiral Cornwallis by the 22nd; therefore, it is my decided opinion that the orders emanated from Admiral Cornwallis, in consequence of Admiral Cochrane's letter; therefore, upon the whole proceedings of Spain, as far as have come to my knowledge, and from the best consideration which my abilities enable me to give to this most important subject, I am clearly of opinion that Spain has no wish to go to War with England, nor can I think that England has any wish to go to War unnecessarily with Spain. Therefore, unless you have much weightier reasons than the order of Admiral Cornwallis, or that you receive orders from the Admiralty, it is my most positive directions that neither you, or any Ship under your orders, do molest or interrupt in any manner the lawful commerce of Spain, with whom we are at perfect peace and amity. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD JOHN STRACHAN, BART., H. M. SHIP DONEGAL. [From a Copy in the Admiralty.] Most Secret. Victory, at Sea, 13th October, 1804. Whereas I have this moment received a secret Admiralty letter, dated the 19th September,' together with the copy of "I have it in command from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to send you herewith a copy of their Lordships' order, of yesterday's date, to Admiral Cornwallis, respecting the blockade of the Port of Ferrol, and to signify their direction to you to take such measures of precaution as may be necessary for opposing or counteracting any hostile attempts of the Government or Subjects of Spain, against his Majesty's Dominions, or the Trade of his Majesty's subjects, within the limits of your command. Your Lordship is, however, not to suffer any act of hostility or aggression (with the exception of detaining for further orders Ships having treasure on board, belonging to the Spanish Government) to be committed by the Ships under your command, towards the Dominions or Subjects of Spain, until you receive further orders, or until your Lordship shall have received from unquestionable authority, positive information of hostilities having been committed by the VOL. VI. R their Lordships' most Secret Order, dated the 18th of that month, addressed to Admiral Cornwallis, respecting the blockade of the Port of Ferrol, and opposing or counteracting any hostile attempts of the Government or Subjects of Spain against his Majesty's Dominions. And whereas I think this service of the highest importance, and that an Officer of your rank and experience should be employed therein:-You are therefore hereby required and directed to proceed immediately with his Majesty's Ship Donegal under your command, outside the Straits of Gibraltar, and take his Majesty's Ships and Vessels named in the margin' under your command, together with any other of his Majesty's Ships or Vessels which you may fall in with, and use your utmost exertions to carry their Lordships' instructions contained in the copy of Mr. Marsden's letter and Admiralty order above-mentioned (herewith transmitted) into effect, taking every measure and precaution subjects of Spain against his Majesty's interests. I have the honour to be, &c.— WILLIAM MARSDEN."-Original. "TO THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM CORNWALLIS, ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE, &c. OFF "Most Secret. BREST. "You are hereby required and directed to give immediate orders to Rear-Admiral Cochrane, to continue the blockade of the Port of Ferrol with the utmost vigilance, not only with the view of preventing the French Squadron from escaping from that Port, but likewise with a view of preventing any of the Spanish Ships of War from sailing from Ferrol, or any additional Ships of War from entering that Port; and if, in consequence of your correspondence with Rear-Admiral Cochrane, you should be of opinion that the force under the Rear-Admiral is not adequate to the purposes above mentioned, you are without delay to reinforce the Squadron under his command, and measures will be taken with all possible expedition to send out to you a sufficient number of Ships to replace the force which you may so detach. You are to send intimation to the Spanish Government, through Rear-Admiral Cochrane, of the instructions you have given to the Rear-Admiral, and of your determination, in consequence thereof, to resist, under the present circumstances, the sailing either of the French or Spanish Fleets, if any attempt for that purpose should be made by either of them. And whereas information has been received that some Frigates are speedily expected to arrive at Cadiz, loaded with treasures from South America, you are to lose no time in detaching two of the Frigates under your command, with orders to their Captains to proceed with all possible dispatch off Cadiz, and the entrance of the Straits, and to use their best endeavours, in conjunction with any of his Majesty's Ships they may find there, to intercept, if possible, the Vessels in which the above-mentioned treasure may be contained, and to detain them until his Majesty's pleasure shall be further known. Given under our hands, the 18th of September 1804.-J. GAMBIER, JNO. COLPOYS, PH. PATTON."-Original. 1 Medusa, Amphion, Sophie, Halcyon. in your power for opposing or counteracting any hostile attempts of the Government, or Subjects, of Spain against his Majesty's Dominions, or Trade of his Majesty's Subjects. You are hereby required and directed not to commit any act of hostility or aggression (with the exception of detaining for further orders Ships having treasure on board belonging to the Spanish Government) towards the Dominions or Subjects of Spain, until you shall receive further orders, or until you have received from unquestionable authority, positive information of hostilities having been committed by the Subjects of Spain, against his Majesty's interests. You will use your best endeavours, in conjunction with any of his Majesty's Ships which the Honourable Admiral Cornwallis may have sent off Cadiz, to intercept, if possible, the Vessels in which the above-mentioned treasure may be contained, and detain them until his Majesty's pleasure shall be further known. You are to continue on this service until further orders, and cruize most diligently between Cape St. Vincent and the Straits' Mouth, in such situation as you may judge best for the purpose mentioned above, paying the most strict obedience to the spirit of Mr. Marsden's letter and copy of the order therein alluded to; and on no account commit any act of hostility against the Spanish Government or Subjects, (the detention of the Treasure-Ships excepted,) until you shall have received the most satisfactory proof of their having committed hostilities against his Majesty's Subjects. In the event of your detaining any of the Spanish Treasure-Ships, you will send them to Plymouth, under the protection of a Frigate or Ship of the Line, as the case may require, and you judge best for his Majesty's Service. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO LADY HAMILTON. [From "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. ii. p. 79.] My dearest Emma, Victory, October 13th, 1804. The dreadful effects of the yellow fever, at Gibraltar, and many parts of Spain, will naturally give you much uneasiness, till you hear that, thank God, we are entirely free from it, and in the most perfect health, not one man being ill in the Fleet. The cold weather will, I hope, cure the disorder. Whilst I am writing this letter, a Cutter is arrived from England with strong indications of a Spanish War. But, I hope, from my heart, that it will not prove one. however that is, my die is cast; and, long before this time, I expect, another Admiral is far on his way to supersede me. Lord Keith, I think a very likely man. I should, for your sake, and for many of our friends, have liked an odd hundred thousand pounds; but, never mind. If they give me the choice of staying a few months longer, it will be very handsome; and, for the sake of others, we would give up, my dear Emma, very much of our own felicity. If they do not, we shall be happy with each other, and with dear Horatia..... ... Tell my brother, that I have made Mr. Yonge a Lieutenant, into the Seahorse Frigate, Captain Boyle....... I have scrawled three lines to Davison, that he should not think I neglected him in his confinement. I have received the inclosed from Allen. Can we assist the poor foolish man with a character? Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 13th October, 1804. I request you will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that his Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my command are in momentary readiness for any service, and that their respective Companies are all in most perfect health, and scarcely a man in the Squadron confined to bed for any complaint whatever. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO MR. JOHN DEBRETT. [From "The Naval Chronicle," vol. xv. p. 189.] Victory, at Sea, October 13th, 1804. I I am favoured with your letter of August 22nd. Your observation, with regard to the Dukedom of Bronte, in Sicily, I take to be perfectly just;3 and I cannot, therefore, have any objection to your making what use of it you think proper. will not fail sending the Gazette to Rome by the first opportunity; and desiring you will believe me thankful for your kind wishes, I remain your most obedient, humble servant, Nelson and Bronte. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 14th October, 1804. I received by the John Bull, Hired Armed Cutter, which joined the Squadron yesterday about noon, from Plymouth, your secret letter, dated the 19th September, and a copy of their Lordships' order, dated also the 18th of that month (therein mentioned), addressed to the Honourable Admiral Cornwallis, off Brest. And you will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the most strict attention shall be paid to their Lordships' instructions therein contained. As the Triumph is outside the Straits, with the Medusa. and Amphion, I trust their vigilance will prevent the escape of the Treasure-Ships, coming from South America to Cadiz, and the reinforcement their Lordships have sent, has enabled Mr. Debrett, Editor of the well-known Peerage, bearing his name, had written to Lord Nelson, stating that," when the King of the Two Sicilies conferred the title of Bronté upon his Lordship, he perhaps was not aware of its appropriate meaning. It is the Greek word for thunder. The name of the individual Cyclops, who, in poetic fable, is described as forging the thunder of Jove, was Bronte. His residence was, of course, at Etna."-Naval Chronicle, vol. xv. p. 189. |