the direction (as to the manning and exercising them) of Captain Hamilton and the Captains under his directions; that six should instantly be sent to the mouth of Colchester and Malden river, under the direction of Captain Schomberg, and one in Woodbridge, and one in Orford river, under Captain Edge. Except from the necessity of placing large Ships in the Channels, the defence of our numerous landing-places is better adapted to our River-Barges, than any other which we could adopt, for they require few men to take care of them, and would always be manned in a few minutes from the Fencible Corps. I am led to hope that three hundred volunteers may be obtained from Essex and Suffolk; from Sussex and Kent, not a man has offered. The Fencibles of Ramsgate said to Captain Rudsdell, if two Gun-Brigs are assigned to us, we will man them on the spur of the moment;' but our first defence is close to the Enemy's Ports, and when that is broke, others will come forth on our own Coasts; but the Board have taken such precautions by having assigned such a respectable force under my orders, that I venture to express a well-grounded hope, that the Enemy would be annihilated before they get ten miles from their own shores; to accomplish which, nothing shall be wanting in the abilities of, Sir, your most obedient servant, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN BEDFORD, H. M. SHIP LEYDEN. [Letter-Book.] Dear Sir, [Medusa, at the Nore, August 10th, 1801. I have just received your letter, and return you many thanks for your information respecting Flushing; but I must request you will keep everything as secret as possible, relative to my intentions, and take good care of your new Pilot, until I see you, which I hope will be in twenty-four hours. I shall be glad to have some conversation with him, as from your account, I am in hopes he may be of infinite use. I have received directions from the Admiralty not to interfere with the Ships under Admiral Dickson's orders, and must therefore request you, when on the Coast of Flushing, to be particularly guarded on that point, and, as far as the service will admit, never to go beyond the limits; but I think, upon the whole, you had better remain in your present station until I see you, and keep the Brilliant with you, either under sail, or as you like; but, above all, be particularly careful not to let a word drop of what is now passing. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN HAMILTON, MARGATE. [Letter-Book.] Dear Sir, Medusa, Nore, August 11th, 1801. Four River-Barges I have directed to be sent to Whitstable Flats, and as they will only have the Master and two men, I fancy, on board them, it is necessary that they should be laid in a place of safety, in case of bad weather; and as they are intended to be under the direction of yourself and other Captains of the Sea-Fencibles under your command, it is to be expected that the Fencibles of Whitstable will frequently go on board, and exercise not only the cannon, but get the Barges under sail, and perform such exercises as may, in your judgment, be best suited for the defence of that part of the Coast. The Ardent and Serapis are to come into Margate Roads, when Fencibles from your part of the Coast come forward and carry them down, and to take care of them when anchored. Essex and Suffolk volunteer very near 500, who are going on board the Ships stationed on the Coast of Essex and Suffolk. Can no inducement get a few volunteers from all the Craft which have so long been protected? State this case, and say that if forty or fifty men can be placed in each of the three Ships stationed at Margate, they can be relieved by on the other side. Every Fishing Smack and Coaster gives one man. I shall sail for the Downs this day. I hope to hear from you. I am, dear Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ„ ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Medusa, Nore, August 11th, 1801. The Medusa came to the Nore last night, in order that I might expedite the business going on here, and will sail for the Downs at two o'clock this afternoon. I have left a letter with Admiral Græme, requesting him to forward the River Barges to the several stations assigned them, and also the other Ships, when Sea-Fencibles can be got in sufficient numbers to navigate them to their several destinations. I have the honour to be, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO LADY HAMILTON. [Extract from "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," &c., vol. i. p. 44.] Sheerness, August 11th, 1801. I came from Harwich yesterday noon; not having set my foot on shore, although the Volunteers, &c. were drawn up to receive me, and the people ready to draw the carriage. Parker had very near got all the honours...... I came on shore; for my business lays with the Admiral, who lives in a Ship hauled on shore, and the Commissioner. Slept at Coffin's; and, having done all that I can, am off for the Downs-to-day, if possible. As far as September 14th, I am at the Admiralty's disposal; but, if Mr. Buonaparte does not choose to send his miscreants before that time, my health will not bear me through equinoctial gales. I wish that Sir William was returned; I would try and persuade him to come to either Deal, Dover, or Margate; for, thus cut off from the society of my dearest friends, 'tis but a life of sorrow and sadness. But patienza per forza! The Mayor and Corporation of Sandwich, when they came on board to present me the Freedom of that ancient Town, requested me [to] dine with them. I put them off for the moment, but they would not be let off. Therefore, this business, dreadful to me, stands over, and I shall be attacked again when I get to the Downs. But I will not dine there, without you say, approve; nor, perhaps, then, if I can get off. Oh! how I hate to be stared at! I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 298.] My dear Lord, Sheerness, 11th August, 1801. I came here last night, and found not one of the River Barges... Our active force is perfect, and possesses so much zeal, that I only wish to catch that Buonaparte on the water, either with the Amazon or Medusa; but himself he will never trust. He would say, Allez vous en, and not Allons, mes amis! I hope these French, if they come this year, mean to do it before the 14th of September, beyond which I fear the season will be too much for me. I know not, my Lord, at this moment where I had best strike a blow, which I wish to be a very hard one: you have well guessed the place, Flushing, but I must be careful, and not cripple our GunBrigs. At Ostend we cannot get at them, therefore I ain anxious for our Howitzer Boats; but they will not keep pace with my wishes. No person knows of my ideas except Captain Owen, who has been long stationed there under Admiral Lutwidge, and Captains Bedford and Parker. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Medusa, Queen's Channel, August 12th, 1801. Having left all the necessary directions for the RiverBarges, and also the alterations in the stations of the Glatton, Alceste, and Alliance, I left the Nore, and am proceeding to the Downs to be ready to perform such service as the times may require. I am Sir, &c. NELSON AND Bronte TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON. My dear Sir, [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.] Medusa, off Margate, August 12th, 1801. Sir Thomas Troubridge has given me permission, in confidence, to send for your perusal the enclosed letter from Sir Alexander Ball: the contents are of sufficient importance to merit your attention, and will, therefore, plead my apology for troubling you with it. with it. When read, please to return it to Sir Thomas. In my command I can tell you with truth, that I find much zeal and good humour; and should Mr. Buonaparte put himself in our way, I believe he will wish himself even in Corsica. I only hope, if he means to come, that it will be before the 14th of September, for my stamina is but ill-suited for equinoctial gales and cold weather. I feel much obliged by your kindness about the extension of my Title, and rely on your good intention for my brother. I hope you will hear of me With every sentiment of respect, believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged, NELSON AND Bronte. soon. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 298.] My dear Lord, Downs, August 13th, 1801. I send you the reports of the Sea-Fencible Captains in Sussex and lower Kent, that you may give them, if you please, to Nepean, but I thought it as well not to lay them before the Board; for the Clerks in all the Public Office chatter so much, that nothing is a secret. I have reports from our Ships off Boulogne by a Neutral just arrived: the account of troops given by the French scoundrels in our pay, is as false as they are. I am certain that in the Towns of Boulogne and the surrounding hills, the total number could not exceed 2000 men. The Galgo arrived in the night from off Ostend; Captain Hawkins' assures me, that the Boats col Captain Richard Hawkins, of the Galgo: he was Posted in April 1802, and died about 1826. |