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TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.
[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

My dear Friend, January 17th, 1801. The Earl never mentioned Prize-money to me, during the twenty-four hours I was with him, and I approve highly of all you are doing, and thank you for your kind letter of the 15th. Till the 24th the San Josef will certainly be at Plymouth after that, I hope for a week at Torbay, by which time matters will ripen. I shall not enter on the subject' with the Earl further than I can help. I rely on your goodness, and on the abilities of Messrs. Booth and Haslewood, and, lastly, on the justness of my cause. I have much just now to do therefore excuse this short letter, and believe me ever your obliged NELSON.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.
[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

My dear Davison, January 24th, 1801. There are nonsensical reports here that you are going to buy a fine house for me. I do not believe Lady Nelson can have desired any such thing, for where am I to get the money ? and if I had ever so much, I should not think of a house at this time. The best thing for Lady N., when she is in Town, is good lodgings: next to that, to hire a very small ready-furnished house. The San Josef is in Cawsand Bay, waiting orders from the Admiralty to complete her complement, which, when done, I take for granted I shall go to Torbay. I have frequent letters from the Earl, but not one word of the law-suit. So best. But we will not lessen our exertions to get justice, and I am sure his Agents are not less active in trying to deprive me of my right. My confidence is still in your kindness and friendship. I shall tell the exact time I shall sail for Torbay when I get my orders, and I hope to meet you there. I have a spare bed, and plenty of room in the San Josef; and no one will more rejoice to see you than your obliged and affectionate friend,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

My plate from Rundell and Bridge is not arrived. Just going to Plymouth to receive the Freedom.

7 His law-suit with Earl St. Vincent respecting Prize-Money.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

January 28th, 1801.

My dear Davison, Your letter of the 24th coming round by Torbay, prevented me getting it till yesterday. I feel all your kindness, and pray tell Messrs. Booth and Haslewood how much I admire their handsome and truly proper letter to Earl St. Vincent. The Earl must have had the letter when he wrote to me the 26th at night; but although we correspond together almost every day, yet not a word has been dropped by him or me on the subject, nor shall I begin it. No good can arise, but harm to ourselves and the Public Service may; and whether I get the cause, or lose it, not a word shall come from me. I have been kept here for want of orders, but I hope to receive them this day, which I shall tell you before I close my letter. The Lady of the Admiralty never had any just cause for being cool to me. Either as a public or private [man], I wish nothing undone which I have done. With my best regards to Mrs. Davison and your boys, believe me ever your obliged and affectionate

8

NELSON AND BRONTE.

Pray tell Sir Isaac Heard' that I cannot afford to pay for any Honours conferred upon me. They are intended to do honour to this Country, and to mark the gratitude of His Sicilian Majesty to his faithful Ally, our gracious King, in my person, his faithful servant. As far as relates to the personal trouble of Sir Isaac, or any other friend, I am not backward in payment by thanks or money, as the case requires; and for personal trouble I have already paid £41, and have had no answer relative to the Imperial Order of the Crescent. Sir Isaac is bound in honour to follow up this application; for my wish is to have all my Honours gazetted together, but paying those fees to Secretaries of State, Earl Marshals &c., &c., without which I am told the King's orders will not be obeyed, it would in my opinion be very wrong to do it. I could say more on this subject, but I think it better not at present.

I paid one shilling and ninepence postage, as your enclosures were above privilege. They should have been put in two

covers.

2 P.M. This moment received orders to put myself under Lord St. Vincent's orders: therefore shall probably be in Torbay on Saturday or Sunday next.

8 Query, the Countess Spencer?

Garter King of Arms.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

San Josef, Torbay, February 2nd, 1801.

My dear Davison, Your letter of January 29th only reached me this morning, as it went to Plymouth. If you make haste here, I can show you the finest Ship, and as well-ordered as any in Europe. I live entirely on board, and have spare beds, &c. &c. The St. George is hourly expected, and then I shall be adrift for two days, and proceed to Spithead probably, or to Cawsand Bay. The Earl is nothing to either [of] us in his private character: therefore if you choose to come here, do so. When I went to the Earl yesterday, you would have thought he would have overwhelmed me with civilities, nothing equal to me as an Officer. I hope he says true, but I will not spare him an inch in the point of law, and I only hope he will never open the subject. If he does, I am prepared with a broadside, as strong (and backed with justice) as any he can send. With my best respects to Mrs. Davison and your sons, believe me your obliged and affectionate

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

My dear Davison, February 14th, 1801. Ten thousand thanks for your letter, and for all the news contained in it. I conjectured that the Earl' was driving post for something good. When I have neither hopes or fears, it is perfectly indifferent to me who is there. I only hope they will do well for the Country. I have just received the inclosed from an old Boatswain" of mine, so you see my giving him 100l., has made him ask me for 2401. more. You will, of course, not pay the bills when they are presented. The St. George is in a truly wretched state. I had rather encounter ten painted cabins than her dreary, dirty, and leaky cabin. The water comes in at all parts, and there is not a dry place, or a window that does not let in wind enough to turn a mill. As Troubridge will of course go to the Admiralty, I wish to have the Orders of St. Ferdinand to invest him as soon as possible. I shall take my plate with me: sink or swim, it goes with me.-Ever your faithful and obliged NELSON AND BRONTE.

1 The Earl of St. Vincent became First Lord of the Admiralty a few days after the date of this letter.

2 Mr. Joseph King, of Gibraltar Dock-Yard.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

San Josef, February 17th, 1801.

My dear Friend, I do not expect to get a letter on shore: the gale has come on again, with a heavy sea. Hardy has been a week on board the St. George, but I cannot change my Ship. The Earl being at the head of the Admiralty, will, I hope, give a new spur to our just cause. The higher the Earl, the more we must attempt to wrest justice from him; and I hope your courage will not flag in the cause of an oppressed friend, even against much higher men than a First Lord of the Admiralty. I would sooner be turned on shore than give up an inch. But the Earl has wrote me the moment he came from the King a very flattering letter, asking for my support: so I will support him as a great Sea-Officer; but was he forty times as great, I will not suffer him to rob me with impunity.-For ever, my dear Davison, believe me yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.
[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

My dear Davison,

St. George, March 2nd, 1801,getting under sail.

Be so good as to deliver to Troubridge two of the Crosses of St. Ferdinand-one for himself, the other he will send for Captain Hood. Lord St. Vincent has sent about Captain Miller's monument. Have you received any directions from Berry, or Sir James Saumarez? It is to cost 5001, if those of the 14th of February, 1797, are to subscribe; for a less sum would be too paltry for such a respectable body. I hope to be through the Downs to-morrow, and at Yarmouth the next day. I have requested Lady Hamilton to order some things for me, and desired the bills to be sent to you. you have the goodness to pay them, and you will oblige ever your faithful NELSON AND BRONTE.

WE

APPARENTLY TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

【Autograph in the possession of Cornel Davison.]

Deliver to Sir Thomas Troubridge one of the Crosses of St. Ferdinand. The Ribbon is bite, with a red edge. The Neapolitan Minister will give him a fathom-narrow.

N. AND B.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

My dear Davison,

St. George, 10 o'clock, March 11th, 1801. Many thanks for your letter, and how much I am for your kind visit I cannot express. Sir H. is on board sulky.

Dick

Stewart tells me, his treatment of me is now noticed. son came on board to-day to say all were scandalized at his gross neglect. I declare solemnly that I do not know I am going to the Baltic, and much worse than that I could tell you. Entre nous: there is an appearance of a desire to sacrifice; for he has given me support in the Order of Battle. Burn this letter: then it can never appear, and you can speak as if your knowledge came from another quarter. Situated as I am, will you give Mrs. William Nelson for me one hundred pounds? She is in London, by my desire. My brother is gone, and we are to unmoor at 12 o'clock, and sail at daylight; but I think it will blow hard.-Ever yours most faithfully and affectionately,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

My dear Davison, St. George, off the Scaw, March 19th, 1801. Have the goodness to pay Mr. Christie for me the sum of 3001. for a picture, but do you not notice it to anybody; for I could not bear the idea of Sir William's selling his wife's picture. You will recollect what I told you on that subject. I wish the picture to come to your house packed up, and not to be seen by any one, because it may make talk, which there is no occasion for. I have to beg you ten thousand pardons for all the trouble your friendship gives you in my affairs, but I rely with confidence in your goodness. Your letter of the came last night, and the box with the cases and opinions. I hope to be in England before the trial, and I will be in London; for much argument may be brought forward to meet the injustice of the claim and the ruin of the spirit of pecuniary reward held out to all ranks for the successful execution of their orders, and for the exertion of the mind of a Commander-in-Chief. But when I can turn my mind to the dirty consideration of money, I will write some hints for the law gentlemen. We are as slow in our motions as ever; but I hope all for the best. I have not yet seen Sir Hyde, but I purpose going this morning; for no attention shall be wanting on my part.

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