lected at Ostend and Blakenberg, may amount to sixty or seventy, that he is sure they could not carry more than fifty or sixty men each; he understood that the poor devils of fishermen are sent off for Brest. Where, my dear Lord, is our Invasion to come from? The time is gone; owing to the precautions of Government, it cannot happen at this moment, and I hope that we shall always be as much on the alert as our Enemies. We must constantly guard our Coasts and the Flats; for Malden River and the Flats of Whitstable should always be ready for service. I now come, my Lord, to consider of an attack-Flushing is my grand object; but so many obstacles are in the way, and the risk is so great of the loss of some Vessels, that, under all circumstances, I could hardly venture without a consultation with you, and an arranged plan, with the Board's orders. Might not a grand consultation be held for getting at the Dutch Ships at Helvoet, or to take possession of Flushing? But this must be a week's Expedition for 4000 or 5000 troops. To crush the Enemy at home was the favourite plan of Lord Chatham, and I am sure you think it the wisest measure to carry the war from our own doors. I purpose, if to be done, to take all the Gun-vessels outside the Pier of Boulogne-I should like your approbation. I own, my dear Lord, that this Boat warfare is not exactly congenial to my feelings, and I find I get laughed at for my puny mode of attack. I shall be happy to lead the way into Helvoet or Flushing, if Government will turn their thoughts to it: whilst I serve, I will do it actively, and to the very best of my abilities. I have all night had a fever, which is very little abated this morning; my mind carries me beyond my strength, and will do me up; but such is my nature. I have serious doubts whether I shall be able, from my present feelings, to go to the Mediterranean; but I will do what I can-I require nursing like a child. Pray God we may have peace, and with honour, and then let us start fair with the rest of Europe. Thanks, joy, and congratulation on our success in Egypt; it makes me better, but I am very sick. Your letter of yesterday is just read. I shall be gone, God willing, to-morrow; but no attack for probably two nights, to throw them off their guard. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Sir, Medusa, Downs, August 13th, 1801. As Captain Thesiger is arrived in England, I beg leave to state to you, for the information of their Lordships, the services of Captain Thesiger, also of the Desirée, and of Lieutenant Charlton of the Hasty Gun-brig, on the 2nd of April last. Captain Thesiger came on board the Elephant, and assisted me during the Action. When the Danish force was nearly subdued, under a very heavy fire from all the batteries, he carried on shore my first letter, and brought off the Adjutant-General, Lindholm, to me. Captain Thesiger was also ever forward to render me, and the Public service, all the assistance in his power, and on every occasion conducted himself to my entire satisfaction. It is my duty also, to state the peculiar merits of the Desirée beyond all other Frigates. She was fixed to a station of the greatest importance, and with such judgment by Captain Inman, that he lost not a man, but cut the Provestein, a Ship carrying 36 and 24-pounders, to pieces. The Desirée grounded, exposed to a battery of three or five guns, which would have tore her to pieces but for the gallantry and skill of Lieutenant Charlton® of the Hasty Gun-brig, who dismounted the guns in the battery. The Desirée was also got afloat, contrary to the opinion of many Officers, certainly by the meritorious exertions of the Officers and Men, who did not go to bed for two days and nights. I have thought it my duty to state these highly praiseworthy services, as deserving their Lordships' protection. I have the honour to be, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.] My dear Friend, *Medusa, Downs, August 13th, 1801. I send you a letter from the Treasury. When you touch this money you can make a first payment. Before Mr. Buona 6 Lieutenant William Charlton had then been a Lieutenant nineteen years; and, notwithstanding this high encomium, he was not promoted until 1806: in 1808 he was appointed to the Sappho, and died before 1814. parte arrives, I cannot, with our preparations, careless as the French Government is of its soldiers, believe them capable of ordering, or the soldiers passive enough to obey such a mad order, as to put to sea. I am very much fagged, and from my soul wish it was all over, and I quiet in my nest again. Have you sent to Rundell and Bridge about the last batch of plate-I mean the Danish batch? How are you? Let us hear of you. I am going to-morrow to the French Coast; but there is nothing to be done on the great Scale. I beg my compliments to Mrs. Davison, and to your children; and believe me ever, my dear Davison, your truly obliged friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Medusa, Sea, August 14th, 1801. Your letter to me at Sheerness came to me this morning after my leaving the Downs, and I shall pay due attention to the information of Cherbourg and of Flushing. Would their Lordships wish me to look at Cherbourg? but I suppose it is guarded by the Ships off Havre. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO ADMIRAL LUTWIDGE. [Autograph, in the possession of Major Lutwidge.] My dear Admiral, Medusa, August 14th, 1801. I am still very unwell, and my head is swelled. I hope you will forgive my not waiting upon you yesterday, but my head was split with pain. If you do not particularly want the King George to-morrow, will you allow her to bring out letters, and also, if the weather is moderate, to tow over two Flat-boats, which I could not bring over? They are on board Captain Martin of the Experience—at least, he has the management of them. In doing this, you will truly oblige your most affectionate, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN RUSSEL, H. M. SLOOP GIER. [Autograph, in the possession of Thomas Russel, Esq.] Medusa, August 15th, 1801. Sir, I send you dispatches for Renard. I believe you have got the signals of sails necessary to point out the Vessel having dispatches to send, or appointed to receive. You will get the dispatches sent herewith on shore as soon as possible. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Return the Fox directly, and I wish you could ascertain whether the French Vessels remain in Dunkirk Roads all night, as I could send my Flotilla to attack them. Signals I believe are-Ship, Mizen-topsail furled; Brig, Fore-topsail furled; Lugger, Mizen furled; Cutter, Foresail down. PLAN OF ATTACK ON THE ENEMY'S FLOTILLA AT BOULOGNE. [From a Copy in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker.] On board the Medusa, off Boulogne, 15th August, 1801. Eight Flat Boats, with 8-inch howitzers, with a Lieutenant in each, and fourteen men, to be under the direction of Captain Conn. Artillerymen to be in them, as arranged by Captain Brome. Six flat Boats, with 24-pounder carronades, with a Lieutenant in each, besides Seamen, and eight Marines, with the number of Boats hereafter specified, to be under the command of Captains Somerville, Cotgrave,' Jones,' and Parker. This force, under the direction of the four Captains beforementioned, is to be divided into four Squadrons, consisting of Boats each; and two Boats of each of those Divisions to be particularly allotted and prepared for the purpose of cutting the Enemy's cable and sternfast, and to be furnished with stout hook-ropes, to be the more ready to take them in tow. The others are to attract the opponent Divisions, which is to be done at last quarter-flood, at the Pier-head. When any 8 Captain John Conn: he was Posted in 1802, commanded the Dreadnought at Trafalgar, and was drowned by falling overboard, while Captain of the Swiftsure, in May 1810. 9 Captain Isaac Cotgrave was Posted in April 1802, and was for many years Agent for French Prisoners at Plymouth. He died in 1814. Captain Richard Jones, of the Diligence: he was a Lieutenant of the Defence at the Nile, and was then made à Commander. Captain Jones was Posted in April 1802, and died about 1829. Boats have taken one Vessel, the business is not to be considered as finished; but a sufficient number being left to guard the Prize, the others are immediately to pursue the object, by proceeding on to the next, and so on, until the whole of the Flotilla be either taken, or totally annihilated; forthere must not be the smallest cessation until their destruction is completely finished. The Boats from the Ships are to be armed with pikes, cutlasses, and tomahawks, except the Marines, who, as usual, are to have their muskets, bayonets, and cartouch-boxes filled with ammunition. Every Boat is to have a broad-axe well sharpened, and likewise a carcase, or other combustible, with a match, ready to set the Enemy's Vessels on fire, should it be found impracticable to bring them off; but if it is possible they are to be brought off. The First Division is to be under the direction of Captain Somerville, who is to attack the Enemy's Vessels at the Eastern end, and to consist of the following Boats: Second Division, to be under Captain Parker, and to attack next to Captain Somerville: |