TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Theseus, June 23rd, 1797.

My dear Sir, A very large demand will either this day or to-morrow be sent to the First Captain for stores for the Theseus, of which she is absolutely destitute. When Captain Miller came to her, she had not one coil of rope of any kind or sort, and no remnant beyond four fathoms, except about thirty fathoms of four-inch. Of everything else in the Boatswain's charge, she is equally destitute. Of carpenters' stores she is full as bad: not a nail in her. The Ship was stored in March for Foreign service, and she has yet performed no service that could have made an expense beyond keeping the Ship clean. It is for you, Sir, to judge how far an inquiry may be proper. I only shall represent the Theseus as she is, that if a brace, bowling, halyards, or any rope, even to a rattling is shot away, there is nothing to replace it; or if a Boat is knocked to pieces, no means of repairing her. Our Flag of Truce is just returned. The post from Madrid has the news that Mr. Pitt is out, and hopes of a speedy Peace. The French will not allow the Spaniards to make a separate Peace with us. With best respects to Mrs. Pigott and the General, believe me your most faithful HORATIO NELSON.

I wish very much to send a letter to Cockburn if I knew how.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] My dear Sir, July 1st, 1797. The Officer who came off to-day says he is sure that we have a Minister at Paris. The Moniteur of June 15th gives an account of the taking of Hanover. This is rather a proof that the Republic does not keep its faith; for a firmer friend, as far as cruelty to the English Troops, was never exhibited by any Government, than by the Regency of Hanover to the English Army. I hope all the friends of the French will be served the same way. Matters at the Nore were in the same state. The Post comes in to-morrow evening, and I sent my compliments by Monk, to Mazzaredo, that if any certain news came of Mr. Pitt's being out, and who are Ministers, I should be obliged to him to let me know it. The smoaking [?] at Vigo, is as before. Yours ever faithfully, HORATIO Nelson.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Theseus, July 3rd, 1797.

My dear Sir, The place for the Bomb-Vessel is fixed on. The Town of (and Fleet at) Cadiz is prepared-Gun-Boats advanced, &c. So much the better. If they venture from the walls, I shall give Johnny his full scope of fighting. It will serve to talk of better than mischief. Mazzaredo will be more than human if he can keep the Merchants of Cadiz in good humour. I intend, if alive, and not tired, to see you tomorrow; and ever, to the last, believe me your most faithful HORATIO NELSON.

I am inclined to think Mazzaredo has been out this afternoon.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B. A few lines of this Letter are printed in vol. ii. p. 403.] My dear Sir, Theseus, July 3rd, 1797. We will begin this night by ten o'clock; and I beg that all the launches of the Fleet may be with me by eight, or half-past at farthest, with their carronades, and plenty of ammunition: also all the barges or pinnaces to come to me. I wish to make it a warm night at Cadiz. The launches and pinnaces to have plenty of pikes. I will take care with pleasure of Mr. Baynes; and ever believe me your most faithful HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Theseus, half-past 3 A.M., July 6th, 1797.

My dear Sir, I was merely a spectator to-night, but as the Enemy had got the exact range of the Vessel and Boats, with both shot and shells, and the end answered of annoying the Town, forty or fifty shells being thrown into it, I took the liberty of advising Captain Bowen to tow the Vessel off, when I left her. Both her masts are badly wounded, and some shot in her hull. One man belonging to the Theseus is killed, and seven badly wounded. Six are wounded on board the Urchin. The Enemy's Gun-Boats keep close under the walls, and no opportunity was offered for Bowen to make a dash.-Yours most faithfully, HORATIO NELSON.

I refer you to Jackson for particulars.

VOL. VII.

k

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Theseus, July 10th, 1797.

My dear Sir, I begin by answering your message. I did not understand your signal; it never having been communicated to me. Captain Phillips came on board, and told it me, and Culloden sent, seeing the signal of 'not understood' flying. I thank you for your kind communication of the disposal of the several Frigates, &c. I believe my acquaintances in the West Indies are but few: indeed, I recollect none that I am in the habit of correspondence with. We shall get hold of something, if anything is moving on the face of the waters. I long for poor Cockburn and Hallowell to enrich themselves. The Mortar Vessels shall be named as you direct. The Barge, as a Barge, is a fine Boat, but hardly worthy of a name: however, she shall have it. I am going to look the other side [of] Cadiz, and if opportunity offers, may throw a few shells, but it is more to examine with my own eyes than for any other purpose.

I hope the Peterel will bring us plenty of late news, which I expect will be good. The Alcmene ought to be at Lisbon; for I see by a paper of June 9th, she was under sail at Spithead with her Convoy.-With repeated thanks for your kindness, believe me your most faithful

HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] My dear Sir, Theseus, July 13th, 1797. When I saw the red flag hoisted on board an Admiral's Ship in the Harbour two days past, I had no doubt in my own mind but a meeting was commencing. By night four red flags were up, and yesterday they amounted to seven, amongst whom was one of the Brigs. The Boats who came from Cadiz this morning state the great discontents, and that the Fleet will not come to sea. Several men were killed the other day in their Gun-Boats, and one of their Mortars much damaged. The Merchants at Cadiz have offered a high bounty to volunteers who will board the Bomb-Vessel. The intention of bombing us still goes on. I sent in aFlag this morning with a prisoner, who had been taken to the Diadem, and I wished for an opportunity of hearing news. The last accounts are of the arrival of Lords Malmesbury and

The signal of Mutiny.

St. Helens at Lisle, and that Peace was expected every day; and that Mazzaredo would send out the moment it was known. My Officer asked him if their Fleet was à la Nore. He said, 'yes; that they would be paid their wages.' What think you of this? In Spain it will never end but in a Revolution.-Ever your faithful. HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] My dear Sir, Theseus, July 14th, 1797.

I have sent a letter for Captain Thompson, and I hope he will speedily join us. The 200 men which I intend to take from him to land, with his knowledge and activity (for he shall land with Troubridge), is a great drawback. I shall make the salvages, and nothing that ought to be attempted shall be left undone.-Ever believe me your most faithful HORATIO NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.

[Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Theseus, July 15th, 1797.

My dear Sir,

When the Theseus took out water from the Medea Transport, of course I did not detain her till her casks were started, but sent her to the Zealous, who, by that means, has got 144 tons of water, and every empty cask belonging to the Transport returned to her. We have near sixty butts belonging to her on board, which could not be sent yesterday; but unless you allow me to proceed I understand by Sir Robert Calder's message to Captain Miller this moment, that I must send the empty casks. If you say so, and make my signal to bring-to, or anchor, they shall be sent directly. We will go to work, and hoist our launch out, and do the needful. Yours most faithfully, HORATIO NELSON.

If you make no signal I shall go on with her casks. We have not 140 tons of casks on board.

TO SAMUEL WORRALL, ESQ., TOWN CLERK OF THE CITY OF

Si

BRISTOL3.

[From the City Records.]

London, September 22nd, 1797.

I have this day received your polite Letter, transmitting to me the Freedom of the Ancient City of Bristol. I have to 3"BRISTOL SS.-At a Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Bristol,

request that you will have the goodness to present to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, my gratitude for the high honour which they have conferred upon me, and to assure them, that in whatever situation His Majesty may think it proper to employ me, this will ever act as a stimulus to my future exertions; and that I shall ever feel proud in having my name enrolled among the Freemen of the second City in England.—I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obliged and obedient servant,

HORATIO NELSON.

TO EARL SPENCER.

[Autograph in the Spencer Papers.]

My Lord, 27th September, 1797. I take the liberty of transmitting to your Lordship certificates of the loss of my right eye at the Siege of Calvi; and I beg also to acquaint you that I was slightly wounded during the Siege of Bastia, and most severely bruised on the 14th February last; and I likewise send herewith a general statement of my services this War, all which I have to request you will have the goodness to lay before the King, when you shall judge proper. I have the honour to be, &c., HORATIO NELSON.

TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NAVY.

[Autograph.]

London, 6th October, 1797.

Gentlemen, The Surgeons' Company having appointed the hour of six o'clock in the evening on the first and third Thursday in each Month for the examination of my eye, I beg leave to acquaint you that, in my present weak state, it is impossible I can attend at that hour. I am therefore to request that you will have the goodness to desire they will call a Court for that purpose, on any day between the hours of ten and four. I am, Gentlemen, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

held in St. George's Chapel, in the Guildhall, the 15th September, 1797: On the motion of Mr. Mayor, it is unanimously agreed and ordered, that the Freedom of this City be presented to Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in such manner as the Freedom of Bristol hath been usually presented to persons of rank and eminence, and that the same be transmitted to him by Mr. Town Clerk."