TO CAPTAIN HAMOND, H. M. S. LIVELY. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir Graham Eden Hamond, Bart., K.C.B.] Sir, Victory, October 15th, 1805. Not having a copy of your orders, only hearing that the Lively is attached to Sir James Craig's expedition, I find it impossible to give you any precise directions. I suppose you are to see them safe landed in Italy, and the Transports returned to Malta, or such part of them left with the Army as they may require. The Seahorse I have ordered to join me, which I desire may be complied with as expeditiously as possible, if she is not already sent; and if more Ships are wanted, you have my leave to take the Aurora in her place. When the General has no further occasion for your services, or for those of the Ambuscade and Aurora, I beg that you will join me, in order that I may place a strong Squadron off Toulon and Genoa, in order to prevent the Enemy from moving their stores and provisions coastways. This letter you will be so good as to communicate to Sir James Craig. And be assured I am, with the greatest esteem, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN HAMOND, H. M. S. LIVELY. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir Graham Eden Hamond, Bart.] My dear Hamond, Victory, October 15th, 1805. I am very sorry to hear such a very indifferent account of your health. As soon as you have done with the Expedition, you had better make haste to us, and you will get well. I had the pleasure of seeing your good father' several times for the few days I was in England. I think he was very well, considering how his mind has been tormented by the Earl and his crew, but I am confident he will stand the trial with * Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, Comptroller of the Navy. The Inquiry into Naval Abuses instituted by the Earl of St. Vincent. honour. Sir Robert Calder has just left us to stand his trial, which I think of a very serious nature. God send him a good deliverance. Your father wished you home in your Ship, something about a Law-suit with Captain Lawford: in that, as in everything else in which I can with propriety meet your wishes, you may always rely upon the attention of, my dear Hamond, your very sincere friend, NELSON AND Bronte. PRIVATE DIARY. [From Dr. Beatty's "Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson," and Wednesday, 16th October. Moderate breezes, Westerly. All the forenoon employed in forming the Fleet into the Order of Sailing. At Noon fresh breezes W.S.W. and squally; in the evening fresh gales, Enemy as before, by signal from Weazel'. October 17th. Moderate breezes, North Westerly. Sent the Donegal to Gibraltar to get a ground-tier of casks. Received accounts by the Diligent Store-ship, that Sir Richard Strachan was supposed in sight of the French Rochefort Squadron, which I hope is true. At midnight the wind came to the Eastward. October 18th. Fine weather, wind Easterly; the Combined Fleets cannot have finer weather to put to sea. TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD. [Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.] My dear Coll., Victory, October 18th, 1805. I send you Blackwood's letter, and the very interesting intelligence from Lieutenant Lloyd of the Diligent Store-ship. The Eurydice did not speak her, as Sir William Bolton re Commanded by Captain, afterwards Sir Peter Parker, Bart., who was killed in command of the Menelaus on the Coast of America, in 1814. 그 and ven of Lagje i Tut in the 13th Inter tans et Sr Retr Strachan in de laela by is al not make some nuvement f her slow the Ve a regan bu ne aINË berenter name in for å at feste te ngu er i he ist instant. Have we my fans of Town & Sence, Vici me dei mu terment de zenveyance of Tringa wong store i sal be gast u see ae-Sups, as many of the Fleet in geting iv. The Clest, mit Define vult as naÙ, 28 33V, The Temerare. Prace the Negrine. Macur. mi Spartace, are the Sh28 shortest, and I suppose your Lerbang out was the Three-deckers to be žied vel The Bezanson in 190 tins to-day: perings en some tine day you Od seder tive Prince to receive a te from her. The Prince has Si nous moder. The other Ships going, are low mongh "The Memorandum relative to Surveys on inim Chivers and Scumen with the Rendezvous, 168. I will Barbate as soon as the Memorandum is copied for each Ship. I hope your Lordship continues in good health, and have the honour to be, my dear Lord, your Lordship's most faithful and obedient humble servant, "CUTHB. COLLINGWOOD, “I return your Lordship three books. I should suspect Mr. Twist has got a twist in his head.”—Autograph. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original in the Admiralty.] Victory, off Cadiz, 18th October, 1805. Captain Lechmere of the Thunderer having acquainted me on the 25th September last, that Mr. Richard Keefe, Boatswain of that Ship, had left her previous to her sailing from Plymouth, and was 'Run' upon the Books on the 17th of that month, and at the same time requesting that I would appoint a Boatswain in his room; you will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that in consequence of the above circumstances I appointed Mr. James Sympson, Boatswain of the Euryalus, to the Thunderer. But on the Agamemnon's arrival, I received a letter from the Commanding Officer of the Thunderer, acquainting me that the said Mr. Keefe had joined; and conceiving that his having absented from that Ship was not with a view to desert, although it left on my mind some suspicion of embezzlement of stores, I judged it proper that the most strict investigation of every circumstance should take place, previous to his taking charge of the Thunderer as Boatswain, and therefore gave an order for that purpose, a copy of which, together with the Report of Survey, and an account of the surplus and deficient stores accompany this, which you will be pleased to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their information; and at the same time acquaint their Lordships, that although there appears some deficiencies on the said list, yet it is well known to the Sea Lords that many stores are used in fitting out a Ship which (from the various duties carrying on, and the Boatswain being frequently absent on service) are omitted to be duly expended. It also appears that there are some surplus stores, which perhaps may be accounted for in the same way. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD. [Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.] My dear Coll., Victory, October 19th, 1805. For 16th read 10th in Mr. Lloyd's letter. We have letters from the Cæsar. It was the Rochefort Squadron that took the Calcutta. She was homeward-bound: so Governor Bligh has escaped, and all the damsels, which were to go out in her, from being ravished by the French. Yesterday, by the Guernsey man, we had the French Officer on board. He belonged to the Magnanime. He says they should have taken the Agamemnon in the night, but they fancied the Oporto and Lisbon Convoy were Ships of War. Four WestIndiamen, some Whalers, and the Calcutta, with very few of the Lisbon Convoy, is the fruit of their cruize. The Firstrate sails faster than any of them: five Sail of the Line, three Frigates, and two Brigs. Sir Richard has five Sail; but I think he will have enough upon his hands, and from my soul I wish him well over it. I am a little afraid that Louis' had got a certain distance with the Malta Convoy, but not far enough to secure them from the gentlemen at Carthagena; but I desired him to consider that other Ships wanted water, and that an Easterly wind must not be lost. I therefore hope, if that is the case, he will bring them back to the Rock, and the Earl' must see them safe when his water is completed. When I get Ships I want to place Ships in the upper part of the Mediterranean; but at present I have them not. Leviathan shall relieve Defence; and Colossus we can call in, when we see the Niger. Neptune will make a large hole in one Transport, and Colossus and Defence in the other. What a beautiful day! Will you be tempted out of your Ship? If you will, hoist the Assent and Victory's pendants Ever, my dear Coll., yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. 1 Rear-Admiral Louis.-Vide p. 63 ante. * Rear-Admiral the Earl of Northesk, whose Flag was on board the Britannia. VOL. VII. K |