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differences existing between his Majesty and the Regency of Algiers; in which case, Captain Keats has my directions to signify the same to you, and to land you with the attention due to your situation. I have, &c.

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO HIS HIGHNESS THE DEY OF ALGIERS.

[From a Copy in the Colonial Office, and Autograph draught, in the possession of the Rev. Henry Girdlestone.]

Sir,

Victory, at Sea, off Toulon, 28th December, 1804.

I have transmitted regularly to his Majesty's Ministers all the correspondence I have had with your Highness, with such remarks and observations as the occasion required; and out of my own regard for your Highness, and a sincere wish that the harmony which has subsisted so many years between Great Britain and the Regency of Algiers should not be interrupted, I ventured to recommend the removal of Mr. Consul Falcon, as you had a personal dislike to him. These representations have induced his Majesty's Ministers to recommend to his Majesty the sending out another Consul, who is now on board his Majesty's Ship Superb, Captain Keats, my friend, who your Highness knows commands her; and Captain Keats is instructed by me, in obedience to the orders of my Royal Master, to state to your High

ness,

That by our Treaties with the Regency of Algiers, the crew of a Vessel entirely British (of whatever Nation they may be composed) are exempt from captivity; and therefore that the British Vessel Ape, with its cargo and crew, must be restored to Captain Keats, before any Consul will be allowed to be landed at Algiers.

That it is with surprise his Majesty sees that your Highness refers back to things which have been considered as long settled; particularly the case of the El Veloce, which was proved in the Courts of Justice to be French property, and from which sentence there was no appeal to the Superior Tribunals. The revival of this claim could only tend to interrupt the harmony, which his Majesty wishes to subsist be

tween himself and the Regency of Algiers, and it is the wish of his Majesty rather to cement, by any means, the harmony between the two Countries, by an entire oblivion of the past, than by reverting to claims long ago considered as terminated. Your Highness having expressed to Captain Keats your concern for the offence given his Majesty, by your conduct to Mr. Falcon, and that you promised never to give such an insult to his Majesty again, as sending away, upon any pretence, his Agent and Consul-General, his Majesty is pleased to accept of such declarations and assurances as satisfactory; and as a pledge of your intentions to preserve a good understanding, and friendship with him, which his Majesty is ever disposed to return with sincerity.

Your Highness will perceive in the proceedings I have had with his Majesty's Ministers, how very much I have interested myself, that the friendship of his Majesty and the Regency of Algiers should be as short a time interrupted as possible. I am, your Highness's obedient Servant,

NELSON AND Bronte.

Sir,

TO CAPTAIN KEATS, H. M. SHIP SUPERB.

[Autograph draught, in the possession of Earl Nelson.]

Victory, at Sea, off Toulon, 28th December, 1804.

His Majesty having sent out a Consul-General for Algiers, with directions for my demanding certain conditions, and without they are complied with, he is not to be landed; and as I have the very highest confidence, from experience, in your zeal and ability for the performance of this mission with the Algerines, I think it right to entrust it to your management. I shall, therefore, do very little more than merely deliver to you the orders I have received from Earl Camden, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State.

The extreme ignorance of the Dey, and his not remaining long enough quiet to hear reason, will make it, probably, the likeliest mode of coming to an amicable accommodation to see and converse with the Ministers of his Highness before you demand an audience; and explain to them most clearly

and distinctly, that as a preliminary, before you can enter upon any other subject, the restitution of the English Vessel, the Ape, her cargo and crew must be complied with. You will also impress upon their minds the folly of bringing forward as claims, things which have been long ago considered as settled, particularly the case of the El Veloce, which was proved to be entirely French property; and that therefore whoever told the Dey that any Neutral property was in the Veloce, could only have done it either to keep back property which might belong to the Dey, or his Subjects, or to try and create a misunderstanding between his Majesty and the Regency.

You will also call their attention to the friendly conduct of his Majesty in sending another Consul to Algiers, in the room of Mr. Falcon, after the very improper treatment his Agent and Consul-General had received; but that his Majesty relies upon the Dey's word, that such an insult shall not be given again. You will endeavour to impress upon their minds, the long and uninterrupted harmony which has subsisted between Great Britain and Algiers, and which his Majesty has always been so desirous to preserve, by every act of friendship on his part; and that it is the earnest wish of his Majesty ever to remain on the most friendly terms with the Regency. You will also give them an instance of it, which they must know, that an Armament at Toulon, and a large Army, after the Peace with Great Britain, was intended to land and plunder Algiers, which they would doubtless have effected, had not a British Fleet been placed in Oristan Bay, Sardinia, to watch their motions, and to prevent such a diabolical scheme from being carried into execution; and had his Majesty not been the most friendly disposed towards the Algerines, with what ease could I have taken the whole of the Cruizers belonging to the Regency! but the sincere wish of his Majesty is peace and friendship with Algiers, if it can be kept with honour.

Should the Dey comply with the just demands of his Majesty, you may then, as a proof of his Majesty's earnest desire to be on the most friendly footing with the Regency, and to bury in oblivion all that is past, give up the idea of any further claims, which he might justly demand, particularly indemni

fication for the St. Antonio de Padua, &c. &c. ; but his Majesty has a right to expect, as a return for such a proof of his friendship, that the Dey will give up the poor innocent sufferers who were taken in them. Although I have touched upon the several points to which I would wish you to draw the attention of the Ministers of the Regency, yet the mode and manner I leave entirely to your superior judgment and experience; and you will deliver my letter to the Minister to be delivered to the Dey, that he may have full time to reflect upon the conduct he means to pursue, before you have an audience of him. Should you not be able to obtain the restitution of the Ape, her crew, and cargo, you are not, upon any consideration, to land the Consul, but bring him back to me. Wishing you success, I am, Sir, with the highest respect, &c.

NELSON AND Bronte. P.S. You will herewith receive a copy of Earl Camden's letter to me,' and also of my letter to the Dey of Algiers.

My Lord,

TO EARL CAMDEN, K.G.
[Autograph, in the Colonial Office.]

Victory, December 29th, 1804.

On the 25th, I was honoured with your Lordship's letter of October 29th, by Mr. Cartwright, his Majesty's ConsulGeneral to Algiers; and, in obedience to your Lordship's instructions, I have sent Mr. Cartwright to Algiers, and have instructed Captain Keats how to proceed upon the occasion. A copy of my letter to the Dey, and my instructions to Captain Keats shall be transmitted; and I trust your Lordship will think, with me, that, if such condescension on the part of his Majesty will not have the desired effect, that the Dey must be influenced by motives from our Enemies. I trust your Lordship will think that my letter to the Dey is as conciliating as possible, consistent with a due regard to the honour of his Majesty. I have, &c.,

1 Vide p. 295, ante.

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR JOHN ORDE, BART., COMMANDER-INCHIEF OF A Squadron of HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS off CADIZ.

Sir,

[From a Copy in the Admiralty.]

Victory, at Sea, 29th December, 1804.

By the Swiftsure, which joined on the 25th instant, I received an order from the Lords of the Admiralty, to consider my station as only extending to the Straits' Mouth. It is, therefore, unnecessary for me to point out to you, that the Convoys, either to or from England, are not safe, unless taken in charge from twenty leagues to the Westward of Cape Spartel, and seen safe to an anchor in Gibraltar Bay; or from Cape Spartel as far to the Westward. I have the honour to be, &c.,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

P.S.-I reconnoitred Toulon on the 26th instant, and found the Enemy's Fleet still in Port.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD WALPOLE.

My dear Lord,

[Autograph.]

Victory, off Toulon, December 29th, 1804.

On this day I received your favour of May last, or, you may believe, it should not have been so long unanswered; for I do assure you, that I have the very highest regard, esteem, and, if I might be allowed the expression, affection for you, and every part of your family. Young Neville' is a very excellent young man, and his good conduct has not escaped my observation; and you may rely, my dear Lord, not only upon this, but upon any occasion which may offer, that I shall be truly happy to meet your wishes; for I never shall forget the many favours, kindnesses, and civilities you have

The Honourable Ralph Neville, second son of Henry, second Earl of Abergavenny, K.T., then a Midshipman of the Victory: he died a Post Captain in May 1826. Lord Abergavenny's brother, the Honourable George Henry Neville, had married a niece of Lord Walpole.

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