TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON. My dear Sir, [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.] St. George, Rostock, May 27th, 1801. I do not trouble you often with letters, as your time must be much more essentially employed than in reading any opinions of mine. As I send the facts themselves to the Admiralty, Ministers can draw much better conclusions from them than a mere Sea-officer; but as it was the wish of Lord St. Helens for me to give my opinion, from what I had seen in Russia, and my communication with them, I readily gave it-viz., The Emperor of Russia and his Ministers wish for peace with us, but at the same time it is wished to hold up his character, therefore it is wished that he should have the appearance of arranging the peace of the North, and I am confident more would be given up by paying the Emperor that compliment than if we attempted to lay down the law; and his Lordship was pleased to say that he should let the negotiation take that turn. Respecting Privateers, I own I am decidedly of opinion that with very few exceptions they are a disgrace to our Country; and it would be truly honourable never to permit one after this war. Such horrid robberies have been committed by them in all parts of the world, that it is really a disgrace to the Country which tolerates them; and the conduct of too many of our Vice-Admiralty Courts has no wonder made neutral Nations think of preventing such iniquitous proceedings; but as I shall, if alive, have the honour of seeing you in a very few days, I will only say that, I am, with the greatest respect, your most faithful and obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. Lord St. Helens would be at Petersburgh about yesterday. My complaint, I flatter myself, is better within these last two days; but we have lost so many of our finest young men by the disorder, and I know it is so deceitful, and no one will tell me anything of my disorder, that I only rely on Providence ; I own I have no inclination to die a natural death at present; I ought to have returned with my good and excellent friend Colonel Stewart. TO MR. RICHARD BOOTH, PURSER OF THE LONDON. Sir, [Letter-Book.] St. George, Rostock Bay, 28th May, 1801. I have received a letter from Captain Murray, enclosing a statement of the prices of the different articles that can be procured at Dantzic, for the use of the Fleet. With respect to the beef supplied in the Bay, and which may be sent to the Fleet alive, and the bread-provided the Captains think it good in quality-I approve of the prices, and authorize you to furnish what may be required by the Ships that may arrive in the Bay, and also to send to the Squadron off Bornholm such bread and live cattle, which the Ships, as they are ordered away, can conveniently carry; and I shall give directions for the hides and tallow to be taken care of, and returned, as you recommend. I also desire you will purchase 4000 pounds of cheese, at the price you mention, taking care that it answers to the sample you have sent. As to the wine and spirits, I disapprove of the price altogether; the flour I think not good in quality, and desire none may be bought, unless better can be got by adding a trifle to the price. In that case, I wish about 4000 lbs to be put on board each 74 Gun-ship, and smaller Vessels in proportion, for the purpose of being served in lieu of part of the allowance of bread; but no pease are wanted. The continuance of the Fleet in the Baltic being very uncertain, you must regulate your engagements accordingly, and not purchase more at a time than can be brought away in the Squadron of three or four Sail of the Line, and a few Small-craft, which it is my intention to keep in the Bay of Dantzic. In order to recompense you for the trouble you may have on this occasion, I shall recommend to the Admiralty to direct, that you be allowed two and a half per cent. on the money laid out, and your expenses paid for living on shore, trusting that you will use your best endeavours to procure everything you are authorized to buy, at the cheapest rate, and of the best quality. You are hereby authorized to draw bills on the Commissioners of the Victualling [Board] for the amount of what you purchase, taking care to get receipts from the different Pursers for what you may supply, and vouchers from the proper Officers, that it was good in the kind, as well as a certificate from some of the most respectable merchants, that all your purchases were made at the cheapest rate, and bills drawn at the proper Exchange. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. My dear Sir, TO REAR-ADMIRAL TOTTY. [Letter-Book.] St. George, Bay of Rostock, May 29th, 1801. This morning, the Ganges, London, and Hyæna, sail for Dantzic; for I find that supplies of bread, flour, cheese, and beef, can be procured for very near half the price which they can be purchased for at Rostock, for a most wicked combination is entered into against us; but I shall match them by buying scarcely anything. The Ships, Russell and Veteran, will join you in four or five days, and then I would have you send to Dantzic two other Ships, to receive provisions from Mr. Booth, who, if he will accept it, I have appointed to purchase the articles before mentioned; and I desire you will direct any Ships you send, for the Surgeons and Pursers to complete their necessaries. Mr. Booth is very pressing for the hides and tallow to be returned as expeditiously as possible, as the loss on these articles will fall upon Government. The Gun-brigs have nothing else to do, and the best sailers of them must be employed on this service. When Captain Murray joins, if you are disposed to go to Dantzic yourself, leave the Squadron to his charge with a copy of your orders; for Rear-Admiral Graves is not in a condition to undertake business. Captain Inman, with part of his Squadron, will go from here in about three days, as complete for six weeks as I can make them; therefore, some of the other Bombs and Small-craft may go to Dantzic directly, and get supplies. I wrote to Mr. Booth yesterday by the Fox Cutter; therefore, (although I hope he has not,) if he has joined you, I wish him to return to TO REAR-ADMIRAL TOTTY. [Letter-Book.] St. George, June 2nd, 1801. Sir, I have just heard that the Governor of the Island of Bornholm has prevented vegetables and other articles from being sold to the crews of his Majesty's Ships, in direct defiance of the Armistice between the Commander-in-Chief of the British Fleet and the Court of Denmark. I therefore send you an authenticated copy of the fourth Article of the Treaty, which, if the report is true, I desire that you will send on shore to the Governor, and demand his compliance therewith. If he refuses, you are to consider it as a breach of the Treaty on his part, for which he must be answerable to his Government. And you will prevent, until he complies with the Treaty, all Vessels from leaving the Island; for his conduct cannot be justified by his Court, unless it means to break the Treaty. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, ESQ., COMMISSIONER OF HIS MAJESTY'S NAVY, GIBRALTAR. [Autograph, in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball, Bart.] St. George, Kioge Bay, June 4th, 1801. My dear invaluable Friend, Although I may not answer letters regularly, or perform many other little acts which the world deem as of the very utmost importance, and for the omission of which, it is necessary to cut each other's throats, although I own I fail most miserably (towards my real friends in particular) in those things, yet believe me, Ball, my heart entertains the very warmest affection for you, and it has been no fault of mine, and not a little mortification, that you have not the Red ribbon and other rewards that would have kept you afloat, and not to have made you a Commissioner; but as, I trust, the war is at a close, you must, like Lord Hood,' take your Flag when it comes Armistice. Vide p. 338, ante. * Admiral Viscount Hood was Commissioner of the Navy at Portsmouth in September 1780, when promoted to be a Rear-Admiral of the Blue. to you, for who is to command our Fleets in a future war? for whatever peace we may make under the present government of France cannot be lasting. I pity the poor Maltese; they have sustained an irreparable loss in your friendly counsel and an able director in their public concerns: you was truly their father, and, I agree with you, they may not like step-fathers; however, I hope that you will find as much pleasure in your new office as it is possible for it to afford, although I am sure it will not be equal to your merit. As I know you have always been kind to me, I know you will be sorry to hear that I have been even at Death's door, apparently in a consumption. I am now rallied a little, but the disorder is in itself so flattering that I know not whether I am really better, and no one will tell me, but all in the Fleet are so truly kind to me, that I should be a wretch not to cheer up. Foley has put me under a regimen of milk, at four in the morning; Murray has given me lozenges, and all have proved their desire to keep my mind easy, for I hear of no complaints, or other wishes than to have me with them. Hardy is as good as ever, and with Domett, join their kindest regards. I have also on board Colonel Stewart, who commands our little Army; he remembers you at St. Domingo. I am just returned from the Gulf of Finland, Revel; and met Lord St. Helens at the entrance; by this, I am sure Peace must be signed with Russia, and Denmark and Sweden have so completely lost their consequence by joining against us, that they must submit to what we settle with Russia. The Northern Fleets are only formidable in point of numbers; in every other respect they are insignificant; and, if our Fleet is active, in the spring of the year, may be got at separately; late in the summer they have their numerous Flotilla, who can join in spite of all our efforts to prevent thein, for there is a complete navigation inside, and amongst 10,000 Islands. I hope this will find you in England, as I know your American affairs claim your attention; it is, I trust, [needless] my dear Ball, to assure you, that if it ever should be in my power in any way to be useful, that nothing could give me greater happiness; for believe me at all times, and places, for ever your sincere, affectionate, and faithful friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. |