Most assuredly you did perfectly right in reporting to me (if your assistance was of no use) the Bellona and Russell being aground, in order that I might direct the necessary measures for getting them afloat. But as the transaction had slipped my memory until reminded of it by you, I must now say, that I think, at such a moment, the delivery of anything like a desponding opinion, unasked, was highly reprehensible, and deserved much more censure than Captain Foley (I suppose was the person you allude to) gave you. As far as my opinion goes, I repeat, that, although you were right in acquainting me with the situation of the Bellona and Russell, if you were not wanted there, yet I think you wrong in giving a desponding opinion unasked, but which I should not have recollected, if your letter had not brought it fresh to my mind. I had so much pleasure in seeing every Officer and man do his duty on the 2nd, that I should not have recollected an unintentional error, much less a slip of the tongue. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON. [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers. On the 9th of April an Armistice was agreed upon, and Sir Hyde Parker sent a copy of it to the Admiralty by Colonel the Honourable William Stewart, which was published in the "London Gazette," of the 21st of April, 1801. ARMISTICE. The Danish Government on the one hand, and Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Knight, Commander in-Chief of His Britannic Majesty's Naval Forces in the Road of Copenhagen on the other, being from motives of humanity, equally anxious to put a stop to the further effusion of blood, and to save the City of Copenhagen from the disastrous consequences which may attend a further prosecution of hostilities against that City, have mutually agreed upon a Military Armistice, or Suspension of Arms. His Danish Majesty having for that purpose appointed Major-General Ernest Frederick Waltersdorff, Chamberlain to His Danish Majesty, and Colonel of a Regiment, and Adjutant-General Hans Lindholm, Captain in His Danish Majesty's Navy, his Commissioners for agreeing about the Terms of the said Armistice; and VOL. IV. Ꮓ Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Knight, having with the same view duly authorized the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Nelson of the Nile, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Duke of Bronté in Sicily, Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, and of the Imperial Order of the Crescent, ViceAdmiral in the Fleet of His Britannic Majesty's Service, and the Honourable William Stewart, Lieutenant-Colonel in his Britannic Majesty's Service, and Member of Parliament, and Commanding a Detachment of His Britannic Majesty's Forces embarked, these said Commissioners have met this day, and having exchanged their respective powers, have agreed upon the following terms: "Article I. From the moment of the signature of this Armistice, all hostilities shall immediately cease between the Fleet under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and the City of Copenhagen, and all the armed Ships and Vessels of His Danish Majesty in the Road or Harbour of that City, as likewise between the different Islands and Provinces of Denmark, Jutland included. "Article II.—The armed Ships and Vessels belonging to His Danish Majesty, shall remain in their present actual situation as to armament, equipment, and hostile position; and the Treaty commonly understood as the Treaty of Armed Neutrality shall, as far as relates to the co-operation of Denmark, be suspended, while the Armistice remains in force. "On the other side, the armed Ships and Vessels under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, shall in no manner whatsoever molest the City of Copenhagen or His Danish Majesty's armed Ships and Vessels, and the Coasts of the different Islands and Provinces of Denmark, Jutland included; and in order to avoid every thing which might otherwise create uneasiness or jealousy, Sir Hyde Parker shall not suffer any of the Ships or Vessels under his command to approach within gunshot of the armed Ships or Fort of His Danish Majesty in the Road of Copenhagen: this restriction shall not however extend to Vessels necessarily passing or repassing through the Gaspar, or King's Channel. "Article III. This Armistice is to protect the City of Copenhagen, as also the Coasts of Denmark, of Jutland, and the Islands included, against the attack of any other Naval Force which His Britannic Majesty may now or hereafter, during its remaining in force, have in these seas. "Article IV.-The Fleet of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker shall be permitted to provide itself at Copenhagen, and along the Coasts of the different Islands and Provinces of Denmark and Jutland included, with everything which it may require for the health and comfort of the Crews. "Article V.-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker shall send on shore all such subjects of His Danish Majesty as are now on board the British Fleet under his command, the Danish Government engaging to give an acknowledgment for them, as also for all such wounded as were permitted to be landed after the Action of the 2nd instant, in order that they may be accounted for in favour of Great Britain, in the unfortunate event of the renewal of hostilities. "Article VI.-The Coasting trade carried on by Denmark, along all such parts of her Coast as are included in the operation of this Armistice, shall be unmolested by any British Ships or Vessels whatever, and instructions given accordingly by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. "Article VII.-This Armistice is to continue uninterrupted by the contracting Parties for the space of fourteen weeks from the signature hereof; at the expiration of which time, it shall be in the power of either of the said Parties to declare a cessation of the same, and to recommence hostilities, upon giving fourteen days' previous notice. "The conditions of this Armistice are upon all occasions to be explained in the most liberal and loyal manner, so as to remove all ground for farther disputes, and to facilitate the means of bringing about the restoration of harmony and good understanding between the two Kingdoms. "In faith whereof, we the undersigned Commissioners, in virtue of our full powers, have signed the present Armistice, and have affixed to it the Seal of our Arms. "Done on board His Britannic Majesty's Ship the London, in Copenhagen Roads, April 9th, 1801. "In pursuance of my above-mentioned authority, I ratify this document with my hand. (L.S.) "FREDERICK. "Ratified by me, (L.S.) "HYDE PARKER, Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of His Britannic Majesty's Fleet.] My dear Sir, St. George, April 9th, 1801. A negotiator is certainly out of my line, but being thrown into it, I have endeavoured to acquit myself as well as I was able, and in such a manner as I hope will not entirely merit your disapprobation. If it unfortunately does, I have only to request that I may now be permitted to retire, which my state of health, and inconvenience from the loss of my limb has long rendered necessary. I trust you will take into consideration all the circumstances which have presented themselves to my view. 1st. We had beat the Danes. 2nd. We wish to make them feel that we are their real friends, therefore have spared their Town, which we can always set on fire; and I do not think, if we burnt Copenhagen it would have the effect of attaching them to us; on the contrary, they would hate us. 3rd. They understand perfectly that we are at war with them for their treaty of Armed Neutrality made last year. 4th. We have made them suspend the operations of that treaty. 5th. It has given our Fleet free scope to act against Russia and Sweden; 6th, which we never should have done, although Copenhagen would have been burnt, for Sir Hyde Parker was determined not to have Denmark hostile in his rear. Our passage over the Grounds might have been very seriously interrupted by the batteries near Draco. 7th. Every reinforcement, even a Cutter, can join us without molestation, and also provisions, stores, &c. 8th. Great Britain is left with the stake of all the Danish property in her hands, her Colonies, &c., if she refuses peace. 9th. The hands of Denmark are tied up; ours are free to act against her confederate Allies. 10th. Although we might have burnt the City, I have my doubts whether we could their Ships. They lay in this way: Merchants' Harbour, but the Ships moored between that Therefore our shells have only the width of a Line of Battle Ship, and every Ship must be separately burnt, for they have plenty of room to haul any Ship on fire clear of the others. All these considerations weighed deeply in my mind; added to which, having shown them that it was not because we feared fighting them that we negotiated, but for the cause of humanity towards Denmark, and the wish to conciliate their affections; all these matters have affected my mind, nor shall I have a moment's rest, till I know, at least, that I am not thought to have done mischief. After we had forced the expression of the suspension of the treaty of Armed Neutrality, a point very difficult for fear of Russia, I said to the Prince, Now, Sir, this is settled, suppose we write Peace instead of Armistice?' to which he replied, that he should be happy to have a peace, but he must bring it about slowly, so as not to make new wars. We talked whether some method could not be thought of, to prevent the mortifications to which Ships of War with Convoys were liable, by being stopped; to which I answered, I thought there might very easily. I did not enter further 6 on the subject with him, although I did to his AdjutantGeneral of the Fleet, Lindholm, who seems much in his confidence. My idea is, that no Convoys shall be granted to any Vessels bound to Ports at war with us; and that if any such Convoy is granted, that it shall be considered as an act of hostility; and that if any Vessel under Convoy proceeds to an Enemy of England's Port, that the owner shall lose the value of his Ship and cargo, and the Master be severely punished. On those foundations I would build a prevention against future disputes; but all these matters I leave to wiser heads, and shall only assure you that I am truly, with the greatest respect, your most faithful and obedient servant, NELSON AND Bronte. I have the pleasure to tell you that Count Bernstoff was too ill to make me a visit yesterday. I had sent him a message to leave off his Ministerial duplicity, and to recollect he had now British Admirals to deal with, who came with their hearts in their hands. I hate the fellow. Colonel Stewart, a very fine gallant man, will give you every information. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 276.] St. George, 9th April, 1801. Just returned from getting the Armistice ratified. I am tired to death. No man but those who are on the spot can tell what I have gone through, and do suffer. I make no scruple in saying, that I would have been at Revel fourteen days ago; that without this Armistice the Fleet would never have gone but by order from the Admiralty; and with it, I dare say, we shall not go this week. I wanted Sir Hyde to let me at least go and cruise off Carlscrona, to prevent the Revel Ships from getting in. I said, I would not go to Revel to take any of those laurels which I was sure he would reap there. Think for me, my dear Lord, and if I have deserved well, let me retire; if ill, for heaven's sake supersede me, for I cannot exist in this state. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. |