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the goodness to have him locked at, and any clothes, shoes, &c., that he may want, be so good as to order, and send me the bill. If Banti is in the same plight, do the same for him, and send me his bill, that his parents may repay me directly. I wish you was ashore this bitter cold weather. The Papers are sending me out of the Kingdom, but I have no such intention. With kindest regards to Admiral and Mrs. Lutwidge, Sutton and all our friends, of all of this house, believe me, dear Sutton, ever your obliged

NELSON AND BRONTE.

Will you have the goodness to pay Charles' mess and washing bill, and the same for Banti.

TO THE RIGHT HON. THE GOVERNORS OF THE CHARTER

HOUSE.

[From "Recollections of the Life of the Rev. A. J. Scott," pp. 78, 79.]

Merton, December 28th, 1801.

These are to certify that I have known the Rev. A. J. Scott from the year 1793, as a Chaplain in the Navy, and from what I have had the pleasure of knowing of him, and from all I have heard, I can testify that he is a Clergyman of the greatest respectability; and when I was in the Baltic, Mr. Scott upon various occasions, in interpreting Foreign letters, was of the greatest service; and I beg leave to recommend him to the Governors of the Charter House.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

WILLIAM PEARCE, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Autograph in the possession of Miss Nichols.]

Dear Sir,

Merton, January 1st, 1802.
and shall thank you to
My Flag was struck
July 13, 1800, but in

I am much obliged by your letter, expedite the order for my pay, &c. from the Alexander at Leghorn, on different letters for table money, &c., when I acted as Commander-in-Chief [sic].-I am, dear Sir, your much NELSON AND BRONTE.

obliged

In February 1802, Lord Nelson received the following Letter from his venerable Father; and as he died in April following, aged 79, it was probably the last he ever wrote to his son :

"My dear Horace,

"February 26th, [1802.]

"This is a title that, with me, will ever supersede all others which the empire of the world can ever give to you; yet I am not unmindful, nor my gratifications

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON.

[Autograph in the Sidmouth Papers.]

My dear Sir, Merton, July 17th, 1802. My brother will be at Norwich on Monday morning, and give a vote for Mr. Wodehouse. From my heart wishing a Parliament equal to your truly patriotic feelings, I am ever, yours most faithfully,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO MR. BENJAMIN BAYNTON, JUNIOR, CHELSEA,
[Autograph in the possession of Commander Baynton.]

5

April 8th, 1803. Mr. Benj. Baynton has been six months on board Ship, to be received on board the Victory as a youngster in a class, but Lord Nelson has nothing to do with his money concerns: that his father must settle.

Mr. B. may join immediately, as the Ship is commissioned.

TO MRS. [COLMAN?]

[Autograph in the possession of William H. Ince, Esq.]

[Early in May, 1803.]

Madam, I certainly did not recollect my giving any promise for a ticket at the Installation Ball, for I am sure it is out of my power, there being 22 Knights to have tickets, makes the numbers of them to each so very small, and I begin to doubt whether there will be any Ball, as some of the Knights decline the expense.--With kind respects to Mr. Colman, I am your most obedient Servant,

NELSON AND Bronte.

small, that are derived from the honours you are so frequently receiving, I believing they are given by those who can distinguish merit; and I know you receive them as treasures entrusted to your care for the good of others, and the glory of Providence. But, my son, the post of honour is the post of danger; and to be exalted, is to be tempted. But God tempteth not man beyond what he is able to bear. Lady Hamilton's polite remembrance of me is very gratifying; for my mind is not so callous as to feel with indifference the notice or neglect of others. I have requested Mr. Wise to send for you at Merton the portrait of Sir Charles Turner, to add to your line of ancestors. My hands are weary. I pray God bless you. EDMUND NELSON.

"Your sister's family are slowly recovering."-Autograph in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.

5 Now Commander Baynton.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON.

[Extract from the Autograph Letter in the Sidmouth Papers.] My dear Sir,

May 20th, Noon, Victory, 1803.

I am at last afloat, and shall sail about 4 o'clock to proceed off Brest. If Admiral Cornwallis is inferior to the French Fleet (which is very improbable), I am to leave this Ship and go on in the Amphion. If I get safe to my Command, you may rely that the most zealous endeavours shall be used by me to assist, all in my power, our friends and well wishers, and to distress our Enemies.

TO THE RIGHT HON. HENRY ADDINGTON.
[Autograph in the Sidmouth Papers.]

My dear Sir, May 23rd, 1803. If the wisdom of my Superiors had not prevented me, at this moment I should have been on the Coast of Portugal. I was sent off Brest, where I was ordered to join Admiral Cornwallis: it now turns out that his Rendezvous is not near Brest. I have been on his Rendezvous, he is not there, therefore I am adrift as to guessing where to look for him; but I am standing in for the French Coast again, and if I cannot find him, I intend whenever the weather is sufficiently moderate to remove into the Amphion. I am aware of the importance of my getting to the Mediterranean, and I think I might safely have been allowed to proceed in the Victory. It blows very hard at N.N.E., so as to make it impossible for me to move. I will not say all I think. It is, however, clear from Admiral Cornwallis' Rendezvous, that he is sure that there can be no Brest Fleet, for if there is, with this wind they could pass him far to windward; and indeed as there is no Frigate off Brest, he could know nothing about them. You may rely that I will do my best, even in a Sloop of War. I can only work with such tools as my Superiors give me. I beg you to believe me ever your most attached and faithful

NELSON AND BRONTE.

6 o'clock. Not finding Admiral Cornwallis, I am going on in the Amphion, to my sorrow, for I know the weight of the Victory in the Mediterranean. N. & B.

TO MR. CONNOR.

[From the Naval Chronicle, vol. xxx. p. 3.]

Dear Charles, [Apparently early in 1803.] As Captain Hillyar has been so good as to say he would rate you Mid., I sincerely hope that your conduct will ever continue to deserve his kind notice, and protection, by a strict and very active attention to your duty. If you deserve well, you are sure of my assistance. Mr. Scott will furnish you with money to begin your mess, and I shall allow you thirty pounds a-year, if it be necessary, which Captain Hillyar will supply you with. And as you from this day start in the world as a man, I trust that your future conduct in life will prove you both an Officer and a Gentleman. Recollect that you must be a Seaman to be an Officer; and also that you cannot be a good Officer without being a Gentleman.-I'am always with most sincere good wishes, your true friend NELSON AND Bronte,

TO DOCTOR BAIRD.
[From "The Athenæum."]

Mr.

My dear Sir, Victory, off Toulon, August, 1803. I feel much obliged by your kind letter of July 3rd. Yates shall be certainly attended to whenever the Amazon joins; we have such reports of Lord St. Vincent having left the Admiralty, that I am completely at a loss to whom to write, beyond the forms of Office, and, from your account of the bad state of his health, I fear that the report is true. As to my health, thank God, I have not had a finger ache since I left England. The Fleet is healthy; but the last Ships out, although they came to sea wretches, are, generally speaking, in the most healthy condition-they are in the best humour, which is a great conducer to health. I am obliged to turn myself to every corner which is open to us for supplies-from Malta the passage is so very long, that everything we have sent for has spoiled. I am now at work in Spain, and have procured some bullocks, and a good supply of onions-the latter we have found the greatest advantage from. It has appeared odd to me, but all the Ships' Companies who have served here under the War (I mean that have not been paid cff) are full of the scurvy. I am sure, from the high opinion which I entertain of your judgment, that whatever regulations you have recommended will be of great use; the health of our

• Assistant Surgeon.

seamen is invaluable, and to purchase that, no expense ought to be spared. I shall answer the Board's letter relative to Mr. Bird', and I shall send occasionally to Gibraltar to inquire into the conduct of the Hospital. Are you going to establish an Hospital at Malta, or are we to go on the old way? When I send Dr. Snipe there, his report shall be sent to your Board. I beg my respects to Dr. Harness and Weir, and believe me, my dear Sir, your much obliged and faithful humble servant, NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO GEORGE NOBLE, ESQ., MERCHANT, NAPLES. [Autograph in the possession of George J. L. Noble, Esq.] Dear Sir, September 4th, 1803. There is an almost impossibility from one cause or other for this Fleet to get a supply of cattle from Naples or its environs, therefore I give it up, and am getting supplies from other places where no difficulty occurs, and that we only pay as we receive. I hope Naples will keep free from the French, although I cannot but lament that taxes are obliged to be paid to support these invaders.-I am, dear Sir, with many thanks for your kind offer of service, your very faithful and obliged NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO EDMUND NOBLE, ESQ., MALTA.
[Autograph in the possession of George J. L. Noble, Esq.]
My dear Sir,

October 7th, 1803.

I have only a moment to thank you for your kind letter. I have desired Captain Schomberg and any Captain who may be at Malta senior to him, not to suffer the Fish Ships to lay a moment longer than is possible, for I well know what a loss it is. Our dear Lady Hamilton is well, and Mrs. Cadogan. I send your mail which causes my hurry, but I am, ever, my dear Noble, yours faithfully,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO CAPTAIN SIR ROBERT BARLOW, H. M. SHIP TRIUMPH. [Order-Book of H. M. Ship Triumph.]

Memorandum.

Victory, October 10th, 1803.

Pursuant to directions from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, you are hereby required and directed, on no

7 Surgeon of Gibraltar Hospital.

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