Stores, if the Provisions before-mentioned are landed,) and take a most strict and careful survey on the pork, tongues, hog's-lard, pease, and wheat, before stated, to see whether they are all sound and good of their kind; and in order to judge of the meat when boiled, that it does not shrink more than the pork used in the Navy, you are hereby required to take a certain number of pieces, out of one or more of the casks promiscuously, as they come to hand, and boil them on board the Senior Officer's Ship. You will also take a bushel of pease, in the same way, from one or more of the bags, and see them also boiled, paying very particular attention that neither the pork or pease are too much done, or otherwise. With respect to the wheat, you will adopt such measures as may be judged proper to ascertain its quality and fitness for his Majesty's Service. And as this is a service of very great importance, as well for preventing complaints or discontent amongst the Seamen, from the issue of bad provisions, as to provide against the serious consequences which would result from having a quantity of supposed good provisions in store, when in fact it might be otherwise, it is my positive directions that the strictest attention is paid to every circumstance which may tend fully to ascertain the real quality of the before-mentioned provisions, and also the comparative quality between them, and those from England. I would, therefore, recommend your calling upon the Agent-Victualler to attend you on this service, as his experience in these matters will render his assistance very useful; reporting to me, from under your hands, a most full and particular account of your proceedings on this service, which you will deliver to the Senior Officer, in order that it may be transmitted to me by the very first opportunity. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Sir, Victory, Madalena Islands, 24th October, 1804. I herewith transmit you a letter from Captain Pettet, of his Majesty's Sloop Termagant, of this date, together with the one therein mentioned, dated the 1st August, addressed to you, on the subject of an allowance for the expenses incurred by bringing Mr. Falcon, late Consul at Algiers, and his suite, from Gibraltar to the Victory, which I request you will be pleased to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their consideration; and at the same time acquaint their Lordships that I have paid Captain Pettet the sum of twenty pounds sterling, for his expenses in accommodating Mr. M'Donough from the Fleet to Algiers on particular service, and from thence to Gibraltar, conceiving the sum to be moderate, and actually required for that purpose. I also beg to observe that I consider the sum of sixty pounds for stock, &c. purchased at Gibraltar for the accommodation of Mr. Falcon and his suite, as mentioned in Captain Pettet's letter, to have been necessary for that purpose, and that from the length of time they were on board the Termagant, every article so purchased was expended. I must also request you will acquaint their Lordships that Captain Pettet is an Officer of confined circumstances, with a large family. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN GEORGE COCKS, H.M. BOMB-VESSEL THUNDER. [Order-Book. Friday, 26th October. A.M. At 10, weighed and made sail out of Agincourt Sound, to the Westward. At Noon, Squadron all under sail. P.M. Inclinable to calms. At 2.30, anchored. Squadron all anchored here. Thunder parted at 5, P.M. Saturday, 27th. A.M. At 6, weighed and made sail to the Westward. At Noon, Squadron in company."] Most Secret. Victory, Madalena Islands, 26th October, 1804. Whereas I have received information that the Enemy intend sending three Privateers from Ajaccio, with a hundred men, to surprise and take possession of the Town of Madalena, You are therefore hereby required and directed to proceed, with his Majesty's Bomb-Vessel under your command, close in with the said Town, and anchor her in such situation as you may judge best for its protection against invasion by the Enemy. You are to keep the Thunder in constant readiness to act with effect under any circumstances, and have Boats rowing guard, during the night, in such position as you shall judge best for discovering their approach; and in the event of their attempt upon the Town or Island of Madalena, you will consult with the Governor thereof, and render him every assistance in your power for its protection and safety; but on no account let the object of your remaining behind be known, (except to the Governor and Mr. Brandi, who acts as English Consul,) but keep it a profound secret. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE VISCOUNT MELVILLE. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 390.] 30th October, 1804. The weather was very thick when I looked into Toulon, but I believe a Vice-Admiral has hoisted his Flag; his name I have not yet heard." They now amuse themselves with night-signals, and by the quantity of rockets and blue lights they show with every signal, they plainly mark their position. These gentlemen must soon be so perfect in theory, that they will come to sea to put their knowledge into practice. Could I see that day, it would make me happy. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD JOHN STRACHAN, BART., H.M. SHIP DONEGAL. [From a Copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Victory, at Sea, 30th October, 1804. Sir, Whereas I have reason to believe that the state of the Medusa's hull will soon make it necessary to send her to England for the purpose of being docked, I must therefore desire, upon Captain Gore's representing to you officially that his Majesty's Ship Medusa is in want of being docked, and unfit to remain longer in this Country, that you will order Captain Gore to proceed immediately to Rendezvous No. 97, as I intend the Medusa to take the Trade from • Vice Admiral Villeneuve, who commanded the French Fleet at Trafalgar. Malta, which are now waiting there for protection to England; but unless the representation above-mentioned comes from Captain Gore, the Medusa is to remain on the service she is at present employed upon. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN JOHN GORE, H. M. SHIP MEDUSA. (Original, in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Sir, Victory, at Sea, 30th October, 1804. I herewith transmit you the copy of a letter of this date, to Sir Richard Strachan, relative to the Medusa's being sent to Rendezvous No. 97, for the purpose of taking the Trade from Malta to England, upon your representing her as unfit to remain longer in this Country. I shall therefore only observe, that, as at this moment the service of a Frigate is very much wanted outside the Straits, you will judge the propriety of remaining as long on your present station as the state of the Medusa will permit, and afterwards make the necessary representations to Sir Richard Strachan, who will consequently comply with my before-mentioned letter. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN GORE, H. M. SHIP MEDUSA. [Original, in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Sir, Victory, at Sea, 1st November, 1804. I have received your letter of the 19th September last, together with copies of the several orders, the Medusa's defects, Daily-progress, and Log-Book, &c., therein-mentioned, and very much approve of your not having a particular repair done to the Medusa, from the reasons communicated in your said letter. I am sorry to find La Sophie in so bad a state, and shall, as soon as possible, take an opportunity of getting her repaired, and placed on service more adapted to her qualifications. Your ordering one of the Gun-Boats to be equipped, and given in charge to Lieutenant Lloyd, of the Guerrier, very fully meets my approbation, as well as every part of your conduct communicated in your said letter. Indeed, your zealous and prudent attention to the good of his Majesty's service, cannot fail to be always gratifying to, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN GORE, H. M. SHIP MEDUSA. [Original, in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] Sir, Victory, at Sea, 1st November, 1804. I have received your letter of the 18th September, with a copy of a letter from Captain Pearse, of his Majesty's Sloop Halcyon, and of your letters to Mr. Frere, and to the Captain-General at Cadiz, relative to the capture of some BullockVessels by a French Privateer, between Ceuta and Tetuan, and within the protection of Neutrality; and also respecting some British Sailors confined in prison at Ceuta. In answer to which, I very much approve of the forbearance of Captain Pearse, and the steps you have taken to prevent similar acts. of piracy being tolerated by the Spanish Government. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Victory, at Sea, 1st November, 1804. I herewith transmit you a letter from Captain Gore, of his Majesty's Ship Medusa, dated the 18th September last, together with copies of his letters, &c., to Mr. Matra, ConsulGeneral at Tangier, and that Consul's answer, which you will please to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their consideration. Captain Gore's representations and remonstrances to Mr. Matra, appear to me extremely proper, and to have been very necessary; for if his Majesty's Ministers and Consuls |