and at least two Sail of the Line, more than we did: but that is past. I agree with you, and all my friends, that this is not a service for me, beyond the moment of alarm; but I am used and abused; and so far from making money, I am spending the little I have. I am after buying a little Farm at Merton-the price £9000; I hope to be able to get through it. If I cannot, after all my labour for the Country, get such a place as this, I am resolved to give it all up, and retire for life. I am aware none of the Ministry care for me, beyond what suits themselves; but my belief is that we shall have Peace. Sir William and Lady Hamilton are with me, and Mrs. Nelson. They join with me in kindest respects to you and Mrs. Davison, and to the children, and ever believe me, my dear Davison, your most obliged and affectionate friend, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BERRY, H. M. SHIP RUBY, HOSELY BAY, SUFFOLK. [Autograph, in the possession of Lady Berry.] My dear Sir Edward, Amazon, Downs, September 2nd, 1801. Many thanks for your letter, and I am glad that Hosely Bay has been so pleasant to you; but as you are not under my command, I cannot insure your remaining there. You have done well to keep my scolding letter from the Commander of the Eagle, Revenue Cutter. Not one Sea-Fencible has come forth from either Kent or Sussex. The establishment of them was originally bad; for no man liable to be impressed should have been enrolled, unless they had large families. The threat of Invasion is still kept up, and the French are trying to make their grand collection of Boats at Boulogne; but I find it difficult to believe that they can ever get half-way over. Many thanks for your kind inquiries about Parker. He is easy, comfortable, and cheerful; but I shall never believe he will get well till I see him walking. Langford has some pieces of bone coming from his leg, but it is in a fair way. The Dart is off Dieppe. Sir William, Lady Hamilton, and Mr. Nelson, are staying a few days with me, which enlivens Deal. I trust we are on the eve of Peace. Ever believe me, my dear Sir Edward, your most affectionate, NELSON AND Bronte. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, Downs, 2nd September, 1801. I beg you will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Diligence, and the other Vessels stationed off Cape Grisnez, were obliged to put into the Downs this morning in consequence of the strong west wind; and, from Captain Jones's account I am apprehensive that every Ship and Vessel stationed to the westward, on the opposite Coast, will also be under the necessity of doing the same. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Sir, Amazon, Downs, 4th September, 1801. I enclose herewith two letters from the the Pilots of the Galgo and Gier Sloops, and one from Captain Russel, and I have made it my business to get information to form my opinion, and it is the Ships cruizing between West Capel and Dunkirk, if the wind sets in at N.W., the tides, both flood and ebb, for half the tides set on the shore-therefore, if it comes to blow to close reefed topsails, none of our Squarerigged Vessels can beat off the shore, and have only to trust to their anchors and cables, and I much fear we should lose our Gun-brigs and the Sloops of War made from the Whitby Ships therefore, I submit to their Lordships whether [as to] the Squadron under Captain Owen, [he] should not have latitude to bring his Squadron collectively into Margate Roads on the appearance of blowing weather, leaving a Cutter or two to look out to give him information. The watching of Calais effectually, is worse in the winter months than off Flushing; for I am told, with the wind at N. W. blowing, that hardly any Ship can beat out of the Bay. Boulogne and Dieppe likewise lay in bights; and if they are closely watched to prevent the passage alongshore, and are liable to the same objection, therefore I am of opinion, and submit to their Lordships' better judgment, that care should be taken to keep our Squadrons compact and in good order, under the same Commanders as at present, or changed as circumstances may require; under Dungeness to be the principal Station. Walmer Roads and Margate Roads, to keep Cutters on the look out off the stations on the French Coast. In fine weather our Squadrons to go out and show themselves, but never to risk either being crippled or drove into the North Seas: thus we shall always be sure of an effective force, ready to act whenever the occasion calls for it; and with the large force their Lordships have appointed for the protection of our Coast, if it is kept in order, I do not see how the Enemy can with impunity put into the Channel. But I submit my opinion with deference, never having been used to the service of the North Seas, and this part of our Channels. I have the honour to be, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. With this last little breeze all our Vessels are full of wants, and the old Gun-brigs, in bad weather, seriously feel their heavy guns. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 302.] My dear Lord, 6th September, 1801. Many thanks for your high opinion of me, expressed in your letter of this day. Worn out I shall soon be; and, if here, why, then I shall be totally unfit for the Mediterranean command. Parker suffers very much to-day, and I am very low. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the possession of the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker. ] Sir, Amazon, Downs, September 6th, 1801. I send you a paper, and a note at the bottom. I have answered Mr. Hill's note,' and it will be in London on Tuesday morning. If their Lordships think it proper to save me from such letters, they will be pleased to send proper people to take up whoever comes for Mr. Hill's letter. I have franked it with the following direction:: "Mr. Hill, "To be left at the Post-Office till called for." Very likely I am unfit for my present command, and whenever Government change me, I hope they will find no difficulty in selecting an Officer of greater abilities; but you will, I trust, be punished for threatening my character. But I have not been brought up in the school of fear, and, therefore, care not what you do. I defy you and your malice. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Sir, Amazon, Downs, 7th September, 1801. I have the honour to transmit you herewith, a letter which I have received from Captain Owen, of the Nemesis, * Lord Nelson had received a paper entitled, "Remarks by a Seaman on the At tack at Boulogne," containing severe strictures on Lord Nelson's Official Dispatch; to which was added, "Should Lord Nelson wish the enclosed not to be inserted in the Newspapers, he will please to enclose by return of Post a bank note of £100, to Mr. Hill, to be left at the Post Office till called for, London." giving an account of the sailing of a Dutch sixty-four from Flushing, and of her arrival at Gocrec. I am well convinced that Captain Owen has done everything in his power to prevent the Enemy from putting to sea; but from the late bad weather, he was not able to keep his station off West Capel. am, Sir, &c. I 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.] My dear Lord, September 7th, 1801. The Dutch sixty-four is got from Flushing to Goeree, but no blame attaches itself to Captain Owen; I suppose both Agamemnon and Asia were also blown off their stations. The wind now blows very hard at N.E. Dear Parker is very low to-day, but nothing will surprise me: I never had much hopes. Langford is suffering much pain. Ever, my dear Lord, your affectionate, NELSON AND BRONTE. I hope, for the sake of the world, that Mr. Hill will be caught. For myself I defy him, and all the rest of the envious crew. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph, in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] September 8th, 1801. My dear Lord, You know Captain Conn's worth: therefore, I will only say, that if he cannot get promotion by being made Sir Thomas Graves' Captain, which Graves would be very glad of, then that he may have either the Swallow, Scout, or Utile, which will be commissioned in a few days. Of course, he is desirous of getting a good Ship, and really he deserves whatever can be done for very able Officer. I am ever, my dear Lord, your most affectionate, NELSON AND BRONTE. |