Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

proper to write to me, that I might be able to form a judgment whether War or Peace was likely to take place, of the uncertainty which, for some weeks past, has prevailed. For this purpose I sent the Fisgard to Rosas for the purpose of watching, and desiring water and refreshments. The Governor seemed very anxious that be should anchor between the Forts, when he told the Officer the Ship should be furnished with whatever she wanted. In short, his conduct, from rudeness, was so polite, that no doubt was entertained in Lord Mark Kerr's mind of the views of the Spanish Governor, and he joined me last night.

The Ambuscade, which I stationed off Barcelona, joined me this morning, with a Merchant Brig which was lying in Barcelona Roads. She was yesterday, on her attempting to join the Ambuscade, fired at by the batteries, and very much damaged, but she escaped. The enclosed letter from Mr. Frere has made me give orders for the general seizure of all Spanish Vessels, whether of War or Merchandize. I have the honour to be, &c.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

The Fleet is perfection itself. We have just captured a complete Regiment going to Minorca.'

TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS AND COMMANDERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS AND VESSELS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION.

[From a Copy in the Admiralty.]

Victory, at Sea, 15th November, 1804.

Whereas Hostilities have commenced between Great Britain and the Court of Spain; You are hereby required and di

"Thursday, 15th November. A.M. Boarded an Imperial Ship from Barcelona. At 7-15, Etna boarded a Spanish Bark, having Troops onboard. At 9.30, Am buscade boarded a Vessel under Spanish colours, having troops onboard. At 10:30, Spencer boarded a Ship, under Russian colours, having Spanish troops onboard." -Victory's Log. 66 On the 18th of November, Lord Nelson sent the Officers, &c. belonging to the Spanish Regiment onboard a Swedish Ship for Barcelona."—Ibid. "Monday, 19th November. A.M. At 7-20, Excellent detained the Bona Adventura Spanish Schooner of War."-Ibid.

'The Batteries of Barcelona having, as Lord Nelson supposed, fired on an English Brig; but it appears, from his letter to Mr. Marsden, of the 23rd of November, that he had been misinformed. Vide p. 277, post.

rected, on falling in with any Spanish Ship or Vessel of War, or Merchantman belonging to the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty, or which may have Spanish property on board, and on doing so, you will use your utmost endeavour to capture, seize, burn, sink, or destroy them. In the event of your capturing any of their Merchant Vessels, or which may have Spanish property on board, I must desire that the strictest orders are given to the Officers sent into Port with such Merchant Vessels, to see that their hatches are immediately locked and sealed up, and also that all the Ship's papers are sealed up and taken care of, that no embezzlement of any kind whatever do take place, as they will answer the contrary at their peril. As condemnation cannot take place until his Majesty's pleasure is signified, it is my most positive directions that all Vessels having perishable cargoes on board are, immediately on their arrival in Port, delivered into the hands of the ViceAdmiralty Court, to be disposed of as the Judge shall think proper to direct.

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO CAPTAIN HILLYAR, H.M. SHIP NIGER.

[From a Copy in the Admiralty.]

Victory, at Sea, 15th November, 1804. You are hereby required and directed to proceed with the utmost expedition, in his Majesty's Ship Niger, under your command, through the Straits and off Cape Spartel, where you may expect to meet his Majesty's Ship Donegal, or between that and Cape St. Vincent, and on joining her, you will deliver my letter, herewith transmitted, to Captain Sir Richard John Strachan, Bart., put yourself under his command, and follow his orders for your further proceedings. In the event of your falling in with any Spanish Ship or Vessel of War, or Merchantman, on your way to join the Donegal, you will detain her, and send her to Gibraltar or Malta, as may be most convenient, agreeable to the copy of my general order of this date, herewith delivered.

NELSON AND Bronte. If you see either Halcyon or Sophie, they will probably be

able to tell exactly the position Sir Richard Strachan may have taken. Keep company with the Tigre until you are past Cape de Gatte, and Captain Hallowell makes the signal to separate.

TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS AND COMMANDERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS AND VESSELS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION.

[From a Copy in the possession of Miss Bolton, of Burnham ]

Victory, at Sea, [about 15th] November, 1804.

Whereas I judge it proper, under the present uncertain state of affairs between Great Britain and the Court of Spain, that all Spanish Ships and Vessels of War, as well as the Trade of his Catholic Majesty, shall be detained till further orders, You are hereby required and directed to detain all Spanish Ships and Vessels of War, or Merchantmen (Vessels laden with corn excepted) belonging to the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty, which you may fall in with, and send them either to Gibraltar or Malta, as circumstances shall render necessary; but I must desire that the Masters and such of the Crews of the said Vessels as may be left on board and sent into Port, are treated with the utmost attention, and allowed to remain in their respective Vessels, under the necessary precaution, till further orders: and it is my most positive directions that the Officers sent into Port with such detained Vessels, see that their hatches are immediately locked and sealed up, and that all the Ship's papers are likewise sealed up, and kept in the Officer's possession, till orders are given for their being delivered up to their owners, or otherwise disposed of; and on no account or consideration whatever, to suffer any part of their cargoes to be taken away, or otherwise embezzled, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.

Vessels whether Neutral, or belonging to the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty, laden with corn, are not to be detained for the present, but suffered to proceed to their destination, (if to any Port in Spain,) as mentioned in their Lordships' order, dated the 24th August 1804, and issued to the Fleet on the 4th October following.

[blocks in formation]

TO CAPTAIN BENJAMIN HALLOWELL, H. M. SHIP TIGRE.

[From a Copy in the possession of Miss Bolton, of Burnham.]

[About 15th November, 1804.]

You are, in consequence of the circumstances above stated, hereby required and directed to take his Majesty's Ship named in the margin under your command, and proceed immediately with her off Cape de Gatte, and in the event of falling in with the Spanish Frigates above-mentioned' (as the object of their cruizing must certainly be with hostile intentions against the Trade of his Majesty's Subjects) you will use your best endeavours to capture them, should they attempt to resist; otherwise you will detain and bring them with you to the Fleet, until such time as the result of the present misunderstanding between Great Britain and the Court of Spain shall be officially known. In the execution of this service, should you fall in with any Spanish Merchant-Ship or Vessel, (those laden with corn excepted,) it is my directions that you detain her, and send her to Gibraltar or Malta, as you may from circumstances find necessary; but I must desire to recommend that the Masters and Crews of the said Vessels which may be left on board them and sent into Port, are treated with the utmost attention, and allowed to remain in their respective Vessels, under the necessary precautions until further orders. And you will give the most strict and positive orders to the Officers sent in with such detained Vessels, to see that their hatches are locked and sealed up, and on no account or consideration whatever, suffer any part of their cargoes to be taken away, or otherwise embezzled; and likewise that all the Ship's papers are sealed up, and reserved in the Officers' possession till called for, as they will answer the contrary at their peril. Vessels, whether Neutral or belonging to the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty, laden with corn, are not to be detained for the present, but suffered to proceed to their destination, (if to any Port in Spain,) as mentioned in their Lordships' order, dated the 24th August 1804, and issued to the Fleet on the 4th October following.

Should you not find any Spanish Ships or Vessels of War The former part of this Order is not preserved. 4 Vide p. 280, post.

cruizing off Cape de Gatte, you may proceed a few leagues further to the Westward, and after having delivered my order, herewith transmitted, to Captain , you will return and join the Squadron on Rendezvous No. 97, with all expedition, where you will find me, or orders for your further proceedings.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

[merged small][ocr errors]

[Autograph draught, in the possession of Miss Bolton, of Burnham.]

[About 15th November, 1804.]

Having, on November 10th, received from John Hunter, Esq., H.M.Consul-General at Madrid, a letter, dated November 3rd, enclosing a copy of his circular letter to the Consuls in all the Ports in Spain, stating that Mr. Frere had, on the 2nd November, repeated his demands for satisfaction upon certain points, and that if a satisfactory answer was not speedily returned, he is determined to leave this Court, and proceed on his return to London, and that he should not fail to acquaint the Consuls when this important business is finally decided; And not having received any accounts from Mr. H. since his letter of November 3rd, I have every reason to believe that no further communication is permitted by the Spanish Government, and from the recent conduct of the Spaniards [Imperfect.]

[ocr errors]

TO [THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NAVY?]

[From a Copy in the possession of Mrs. Conway.]

Gentlemen,

Victory, at Sea, 20th November, 1804.

In further answer to your Letter of the 25th June last, relative to my opinion of the Guernsey jackets of a new manufacture, as therein-mentioned, (which were issued to the Seamen on the 14th October,) and what further supply of them may be necessary for the Squadron under my command, I must beg leave to observe that the quality of the said

« AnteriorContinuar »