TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. [Original, in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B., and Letter Book. On the 28th of January, Lord Nelson informed the Earl of St. Vincent that he had received the directions of the Admiralty to place himself under his command.] My Lord, San Josef, Plymouth, 29th January, 1801. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's two orders of yesterday's date (together with the several documents which accompanied them) directing me to put myself under your command, and as soon as his Majesty's Ship San Josef shall be in all respects ready for sea, to proceed in her to Torbay. I have the honour to be, &c., [Added by Lord Nelson, in his own hand.] NELSON. P.S.-The San Josef is directed to be manned with ordinary and landsmen. If they can be got on board in this gale, and the weather will permit the Commissioner to pay them tomorrow, she shall sail on Saturday. N. TO HERCULES ROSS, ESQ., ROSSIE CASTLE, N. B. San Josef, Plymouth, January 29th, 1801. My dear Friend, It was only yesterday I was favoured with your letter, enclosing one for your nephew, Captain Colquhoun. There is not the smallest foundation for the report of my going to the Mediterranean, nor of Lord Keith's coming home at present. I rather believe my destination is Northwards; but I will keep your letter, in case I should go to the Mediterranean, which is not impossible, after the affairs of the North are settled. In that case you may be sure of my attention to your relation. We are now arrived at that period, what we have often heard of, but must now execute-that of fighting for our dear Country; and I trust that, although we may not be able to subdue our host of Enemies, yet we may make them ashamed of themselves, and prove that they cannot injure us. With every good wish to yourself and Mrs. Ross, believe me, as ever, your obliged and affectionate friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph, in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] San Josef, January 30th, [1801,] 8 P.M. My Lord, The Thames is anchored with a French Corvette3 from the Mauritius, and Captain Lukin,* this evening, off the Ram-head, found the dispatches sent herewith, concealed in the false bottom of a trunk belonging to the Officer who was charged with them, and I have thought them of so much consequence that I have sent Captain Parker to your Lordship with them. I opened the three noted, in order to ascertain their import ance. It was not Captain Lukin's intention, but the day was gone, and having 157 prisoners on board, and blowing fresh, he thought it proper to anchor, which I approved. The Ship having been at sea a length of time, is in some want of sails and provisions, and, also, her payment is due; but Captain Lukin says he is sure he can go to sea without any difficulty the moment he receives your Lordship's orders. I do not find that either Unicorn or Diamond are sailed, although Sir C. Cotton' tells me he has urged them to move. The Thames passed last evening, at dusk, our in-shore Squadron, and at ten o'clock, Sir H. Harvey, ten miles from Ushant, who spoke the Canada three days ago. I have the honour to be, &c. 1824. 1810. L'Huron, of 20 guns and 70 men, captured off Bordeaux. NELSON. Captain William Lukin. He died a Rear-Admiral of the White, in 1823 or Rear, afterwards Admiral, Sir Charles Cotton, Bart.: he died in February 1812. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON." [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.] My dear Sir, San Josef, Torbay, February 2nd, 1801. During my short stay at Plymouth, I had great pleasure in making the acquaintance of General Simcoe, who I consider as a very enterprising and able Officer. No man appears to have more zeal for the honour of his Country than the General, and I find that he has turned his thoughts very much to the Island of Zealand, and the fortifications of Copenhagen; but this was a subject I could not then enter upon with him, not feeling myself at liberty to say I was likely to be employed. I own I think much useful knowledge might be obtained from the General, were he properly consulted, but I beg my name may not escape you, as it may be thought it is no business of mine, and it is true, further than an anxiety for the success of our Expedition, which I shall hope will always be the nearest and dearest object to the heart of, my dear Sir, your most obliged and grateful NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph, in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] San Josef, February 4th, 1801. My dear Lord, I return you many thanks for your French news. I can only hope, but, as far as I know, I see no prospect of any of your Fleet falling in with them; for, on Friday, they certainly knew nothing about their having sailed. I wonder Captain Linzee did not try and give them some information. The " Mr. Addington received the King's commands to form a new Administration, on the 31st of January 1801, and consented to do so on the 5th of February; but, owing to his Majesty's illness, the Ministers did not actually take Office until the 14th of March. Mr. Addington became First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer; and the Earl of St. Vincent succeeded Earl Spencer as First Lord of the Admiralty, the other Members of the Board being, Sir Philip Stephens, the Hon. William Eliot, Captain Sir Thomas Troubridge, James Adams, Esq., Captain John Markham, and William Garthshore, Esq. first morning it moderates, I shall have pleasure in paying you my respects, and assuring you, in person, how much I am your attached, NELSON. TO LIEUTENANT M. W. SUCKLING, R. N. [Autograph, in the possession of Samuel Simpson, Esq., of Lancaster.] San Josef, Torbay, February 5th, 1801. My dear Sir, Although I am going from the San Josef into the St. George, yet I will take your friend's son, with much pleasure, whenever he is sent. You know, as well as I do, that it was Love made you leave me, and naturally others stepped in and supplied your place. Why the Tonnant[?] was not in Holland, or why she may not go to the Baltic with Sir Hyde Parker, I am unacquainted with; nor do I believe, if you were so inclined, that I have interest to get you there, for not one favour has to my knowledge been granted me since I came to England, and you may believe me, when I cannot get Nisbet [?] a Ship, or my elder brother removed from being a Clerk in the Navy Office. With my best respects to Mrs. Suckling, and all my friends about you, believe me, as ever, your sincere friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO MRS. COLLINGWOOD. [Autograph, in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.] San Josef, Torbay, February 8th, 1801. My dear Madam, Collingwood, I dare say, has found an opportunity to tell you that he is ordered to Cawsand Bay. If he has not, such are the orders at present, but you must never be sure of any orders continuing in force, for circumstances may, and often do, alter in one moment. I own I should have sent my friend after the French Squadron, because I think him much fitter than the one sent, and I do not believe there are Rear-Admiral Calder, in the Prince of Wales, with seven Sail of the two Frigates, was sent in quest of Rear-Admiral Gantheaume's S had escaped from Brest. 1 two opinions on the subject. Hoping you may soon see my dear friend, believe me, my dear Madam, your very faithful servant, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO LADY HAMILTON. [From "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. i. p. 23.] My dear Lady, San Josef, February 8th, 1801. Mr. Davison demands the privilege of carrying back an answer to your kind letter; and, I am sure, he will be very punctual in the delivery. I am not in very good spirits; and, except that our Country demands all our services and abilities, to bring about an honourable Peace, nothing should prevent my being the bearer of my own letter. But, my dear friend, I know you are so true and loyal an English woman, that you would hate those who would not stand forth in defence of our King, Laws, Religion, and all that is dear to us. It is your sex that make us go forth; and seem to tell us- -'None but the brave deserve the fair!' and, if we fall, we still live in the hearts of those females, who are dear to us. It is your sex that rewards us; it is your sex who cherish our memories; and you, my dear, honoured friend, are, believe me, the first, the best of your sex. I have been the world around, and in every corner of it, and never yet saw your equal, or even one which could be put in comparison with you. You know how to reward virtue, honour, and courage; and never to ask if it is placed in a Prince, Duke, Lord, or Peasant: and I hope, one day, to see you in peace, before I set out for Bronté, which I am resolved to do. Darby's is one of the Ships' sent out after the French Squadron; I shall, therefore, give the print to Hardy. I think, they might come by the mail-coach, as a parcel, wrapped up round a stick; any print shop will give you one: and direct it as my letters. The coach stops, for parcels, at the White Bear, I believe, Piccadilly. Pray, have you got any picture from Mrs. Head's? I hope Mr. Brydon has exe Captain Henry D'Esterre Darby, who commanded the Bellerophon at the Nile; he was then Captain of the Spencer. Vide vol. iii. p. 90. |