received from the First Lord of the Admiralty, not only approving of their zeal and persevering courage, but bestowing the highest praise on them. The Vice-Admiral begs to assure them that the Enemy will not have long reason to boast of their security; for he trusts ere long to assist them in person in a way which will completely annihilate the whole of them. Lord Nelson is convinced, that if it had been possible for man to have brought the Enemy's Flotilla out, the men that were employed to do so would have accomplished it. The moment the Enemy have the audacity to cast off the chains which fix their Vessels to the ground, that moment Lord Nelson is well persuaded they will be conducted by his brave followers to a British Port, or sent to the bottom. [Autograph, in the possession of Thomas Russel, Esq.] BLIOT 1781 Medusa, Downs, August 18th, 1801. Sir, I am very sorry to hear of the escape of the Enemy from Dunkirk into Calais. I believe yourself, and every Officer under you, kept as good a look-out as was possible; but you may be sure they passed inside of you. Can Calais Mole be bombarded with the chance of destroying these Vessels? Let me know your opinion, and you must now look out that they do not escape from Calais. Has not the Repulse Revenue Cutter joined you? I sent her two days ago. I am Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. gallant enterprise was followed up, lamenting most sincerely the loss sustained in it. The manner in which the Enemy's Flotilla was made fast to the ground, and to each other, could not have been foreseen. The highest praise is due to your Lordship, and all under your command who were actors in this gallant attempt. I am, &c., ST. VINCENT." TO LADY HAMILTON. [Extracts from "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. i. p. 48.] Deal, August 18th, 1801. I have this morning been attending the Funeral of two young Mids: a Mr. Gore, cousin of Captain Gore, and a Mr. Bristow. One nineteen, the other seventeen years of age. Last night, I was all the evening in the Hospital, seeing that all was done for the comfort of the poor fellows. I am going on board. I shall come in the morning, to see Parker, and go on board again directly. . . . . You ask me what Troubridge wrote me? There was not a syllable about you in it. It was about my not coming to London; at the importance of which, I laughed; and then he said, he should never venture another opinion. On which, I said—Then I shall never give you one.' This day, he has wrote a kind letter, and all is over. I have, however, wrote him, in my letter of this day as follows-viz. And I am, this moment, as firmly of opinion as ever, that Lord St. Vincent and yourself should have allowed of my coming to Town for my own affairs; for, every one knows, I left it without a thought of myself.'. . . . But this business cannot last long, and I hope we shall have Peace; and I rather incline to that opinion. . I have wrote a line to Troubridge about Darby. Parker will write you a line of thanks, if he is able. I trust in God, he will yet do well! You ask me, my dear Friend, if I am going on more Expeditions? And, even if I was to forfeit your friendship, which is dearer to me than all the world, I can tell you nothing. For, I go out; [if] I see the Enemy, and can get at them, it is my duty: and you would naturally hate me, if I kept back one moment. I long to pay them, for their tricks t'other day, the debt of a drubbing, which, surely, I'll pay: but when, where, or how, it is impos 9 Lord Nelson followed their bodies to the ground with eight Captains of the Navy, preceded by a file of Marines, who fired three vollies over the place of their interment; an immense crowd of spectators were present to witness this last tribute of respect to the memory of two gallant young Officers, who were an ornament to that Profession in which they so nobly fell. His Lordship was sensibly affected during the funeral, and was seen to shed tears.”—Naval Chronicle, vol. vi. 172. sible, your own good sense must tell you, for me or mortal man to say. I shall act not in a rash or hasty manner, that you may rely, and on which I give you my word of honour. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON. [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.] My dear Sir, Medusa, Downs, August 21st, 1801. I send you two letters and a Note from General Dumourier.1 What weight to put upon them you know best. Had our Boats, in my late attempt, arrived at the same moment, the 1 The two Letters alluded to are in the Nelson Papers. The Note alluded to in the first of these Letters has not been found: "Ottensen par Altona le 6 Aoust, 1801. "Mon cher Nelson, mon héroique ami, vous devez avoir trouvé deux ou trois de mes lettres à votre arrivée à Londres. Je désire avoir promptement des nouvelles de votre prétieuse santé; vous êtes encore nécessaire à votre Patrie, et il serait très heureux qu'elle pût vous multiplier, mais vos copies ne sont pas aussi heureuses que l'original. Je ne suis pas assez fort dans votre langue pour vous épargner aujourd'hui la peine de me lire en Francais. Ils s'agit de matières très sérieuses du salut de votre Patrie et de l'Europe; je consigne dans la note ci jointe mes inquiétudes, et c'est à vous que je l'adresse; faites en l'usage que vous croîrez utile ; et ajoutez un peu de confiance à mon expérience et à mes méditations. Faites mes tendres compliments à Lord Witworth; je suis pénétré pour lui d'amitié et de reconnaissance, quoiqu'il m'ait oublié. "J'ai beaucoup étudié pendant 20 ans la matière de cette note; alors c'était comme militaire Français que j'étudiais les moyens de descendre sur vos côtes, à present un intérêt plus noble nous unit à la même cause, celle des Rois, de la Réligion, des Mœurs et des Loix. Leur sort, celui de l'Europe entière, est attaché au salut de votre Patrie, soyez la caution du désir que j'ai d'y contribuer. A cet intérêt général se joint celui de la tendre amitié qui m'unit à vous pour la vie. "DU MOURIEZ. "P.S.-Qu'on ne prenne pas l'échange sur les points d'attaque; l'espèce d'embarcations qui composent la flotille n'est propre qu'à traverser la Manche, et ne peut servir ni pour l'Ecosse ni pour l'Irlande." "Ottensen par Altona, No. 43, le 11 Aoust, 1801. "Mon héroique ami, lorsque je vous ai écrit ma lettre du [6me], j'ignorais que vous fussiez chargé de la défense navale de votre Patrie; j'en fais mon compliment autant à votre Nation qu'à vous même. Souvenez vous du désir que vous m'avez témoigné de m'avoir pour votre frère d'armes. Ce n'est pas contre ma patrie que je desire de les porter, mais contre ses usurpateurs et ses tyrans. Vous aurez trouvé ma note importante, et vous l'aurez certainement communiquée à votre ministère. Elle demanderait des détails que je ne pourrais donner que de bouche, sur la carte, et encore mieux sur le terrain. Si on le jugeait utile, vous pourriez m'envoyer chercher par une frégate; je partirais incognito, j'arriverais de même; on pourrait m'ar ET. 42.] whole would have come over to our shores. Our loss is trifling, all circumstances considered. I purpose looking at Flushing, and if it is possible, I will go up and attack the Ships in that Road; but I fear no Pilots will take charge of our Ships, and it is a melancholy thing when the honour of our Country is obliged to be submitted to a man of that class. Lord St. Vincent tells me he hates Councils, so do I between Military men; for if a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting; but that is not the case at present, and I own I do want good council. Lord St. Vincent is for keeping the Enemy closely blockaded; but I see that they get along shore inside their Sandbanks, and under their guns, which line the Coast of France. Lord Hood is for keeping our Squadrons of Defence stationary on our own shore, (except light Cutters, to give information of every movement of the Enemy;) for the time is approaching when a gale of westerly wind will disperse our light Squadrons. Under Dungeness, Downs, Margate Roads and Hosely Bay are good stations. When men of such good sense, such great Sea Officers, differ so widely, is it not natural that I should wish the mode of defence to be well arranged by the mature consideration of men of judgment? I mean not to detract from my judgment; even as it is, it is well known: but I boast of nothing but my zeal; in that I will give way to no man upon earth. With every sentiment of respect, regard, and esteem, believe me, my dear Sir, your most obliged and obedient servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. ranger un logement hors de Londrès, ou bien je me tiendrais auprès de vous pour vous seconder, et en rendant service à votre Patrie et à mon ami Nelson, je pourrais hâter le moment de renverser un gouvernement qui renversera tous les autres s'il dure. "On vient de me communiquer une lettre d'un capitaine d'une des frégates de la flotte de Brest. Il dit que toute la flotte se pourvoit de vivres pour six à sept mois Peut-être est elle destinée, en tout ou ce qui supposerait un voyage de long cours. en partie, à l'expédition de l'Inde, qui avait été arrangée il y a deux ans pour l'Amiral Villaret. Si cette flotte, ou une de ses divisions, va dans l'Inde, c'est pour prendre possession de Goa, et vous enlever ou le Cap, ou Ceilan; ce peut-être réellement une destination secondaire, en cas que Bonaparte perde l'espoir de la descente en Angleterre. Il faut pourvoir à tout, sans faux calcul. J'attends incessamment de vos nouvelles, et je compte sur votre amitié comme vous pouvez comptez sur la mienne. Farewell, and be happy. "D." Last night, at seven o'clock, there was fired from Dunkirk and Boulogne a feu de joie. Your kind letter of the 19th, I have just received. Captain Parker, I have great hopes, will in time do well. His thigh is broken in two places, and so high up, that if it does not unite, it cannot be amputated. All the rest of the wounded are doing full as well as could be expected. I beg you will accept my warmest thanks for your letter. Your kind approbation of my endeavours must be very pleasing to me. TO CAPTAIN OWEN. [Letter-Book.] Medusa, Downs, August 23rd, 1801. Sir, for the Leyden The moment the men arrive from and Medusa, which I hope will be this day, I shall come immediately off Flushing; and, from your account that I can get at the Enemy, it is my intention to proceed, with all the force with me, up either the Welling Channel or the Denloo, as you shall point out, from your knowledge, as the most proper. On this side I can get no Pilots, who will take charge without the buoys being placed; but I rejoice that you have got some who can lead us the right Channel. You will keep all your Vessels ready for action, and join me yourself the moment I get sight of you, that not a moment may be lost after my arrival. Perhaps you have people with you who can place Vessels where the buoys used to be lying; if so, we can hoist single and double flags to mark the Channel. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty, and "London Gazette" of 25th August, 1801.] Sir, Medusa, Downs, August 23rd, 1801. Herewith I transmit you two letters, which I have received from Captains Rose and Sarradine,' giving me an account of * Captain George Saradine: he died a Commander in 1805. |