TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.] My dear Davison, Amazon, September 20th, 1801. You will join with me in affliction for the fate of dear good little Parker. Yesterday, at two in the afternoon, I was with him, so was Lady Hamilton, Sir William, and Mrs. Nelson;' he was so well that I was for the first moment sanguine in my hopes of his recovery; at 10 o'clock the great artery burst, and he is now at death's door, if not departed this life. You will judge our feelings; and, to mend all, Lady Hamilton with her party went to London this morning. I am pressing for my removal, and I hope to accomplish it. With my best respects to all in your house, believe me, dear Davison, your affectionate and obliged, TO DR. BAIRD. NELSON AND BRONTE. [From "The Athenæum."] Amazon, September 21st, 1801. My dear Doctor, Many thanks for your truly comfortable letter, and I trust that nature, watched and encouraged by your abilities, will yet get him up again. I will send some Madeira in the course of the day; my Steward is on shore at this moment with the key of the store room. Make my best respects to Mr. Parker, and to our dear Parker, say everything which is kind (at proper times). You cannot, be assured, say too much of what my feelings are towards him, and also to Langford, and do you believe me your truly obliged, NELSON AND Bronte. Wife of his brother, the Reverend Dr. Nelson, afterwards Countess Nelson. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, Downs, 21st September, 1801. The 12th instant I acquainted you that the Merchant-brig Unity, belonging to Bideford, had ran on shore on the Coast of France, and was destroyed by the Enemy; and that I had sent for the Master and Crew to account for so extraordinary a circumstance. The Master landed at Dover, prior to the Cutter's arrival for him; but the Mate and Crew are now on board the Amazon, from whose examination there does not remain scarcely a doubt but that the Brig was run on shore intentionally, or by gross inattention. I therefore suggest to their Lordships whether the circumstance should not be made known to Lloyd's Coffee House. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO LADY HAMILTON. [Extract from "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. i. p. 58.] September 21st, [1801.] Quarter past Ten o'Clock. I send you Dr. Baird's comfortable note, this moment received. You will [see] Parker is treated like an infant. Poor fellow! I trust he will get well, and take possession of his room at the Farm. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.] My dear Davison, Amazon, September 21st, 1801. Dear Parker has rallied again: he has taken new milk and jellies: there is a gleam of hope, and I own I embrace it with avidity. I know you take an interest in his fate, therefore I send you this happy news; and ever believe me, your obliged and affectionate, NELSON AND Bronte. TO DR. BAIRD. [From "The Athenæum."] past 11, September 22nd, 1801. My dear Sir, Although dear Parker has had but a bad night, yet with your nursing I have great hopes; and, let what will happen, great consolation from your abilities and affectionate disposition; and believe me ever your obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. Make my respects to Mr. Parker; and to our Parker say everything which is kind from me when it is proper. I am miserably sea-sick. My dear Sir, TO DR. BAIRD. [From "The Athenæum."] September 23rd, 1801. I will not quite despair, but must not be too sanguine in my hopes. Your kindness is everything. I send a line from Lady Hamilton-best respects to Mr. Parker, and believe me your truly obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO MISS PARKER, WESTGATE, GLOUCESTER. [Autograph, in the possession of William Henry Ince, Esq.] Amazon, September 24th, 1801. Lord Nelson from his heart congratulates Miss Parker on the happy prospect of her dear brother's recovery. Captain Parker, will be, he hopes, for life, the dear son and friend of NELSON AND BRONTE.3 3 To the above Note, the following addition was made by some friend :-" The above was a flattering account given to Lord Nelson, yesterday, by Captain Bedford, who took it from hearsay, from your brother's asking if the Amazon was sailed. His Lordship sailed this morning at six o'clock, I find, (after staying in port to the last minute,) with his heart full of grief. The Doctor wrote to him, at five o'clock this morning. One o'clock. I have just seen him, and think him worse, and incoherent in his speech." My dear Sir, TO DR. BAIRD. [From "The Athenæum."] Amazon, September 24th, 1801. I am truly sorry to hear that you have been so unwell ; but, indeed, I am not surprised at it, for your kind fatigue for others has drawn health from you to them. I shall probably be here by Sunday, and then I hope you will allow me to see my son, dear Parker; to you I shall always think I owe his life, and I beg that you will ever consider me as your most obliged, NELSON AND Bronte. Remember me most kindly to Langford, and give my good wishes to Mr. Skelton,' and all the wounded at the Hospital. TO ADMIRAL LUTWIDGE. [Autograph, in the possession of Major Lutwidge.] My dear Admiral, Amazon, September 26th, 1801. I had intended coming on shore this morning to pay my respects to you and Mrs. Lutwidge, but the weather has put on such an unfavourable appearance that I must request your forgiveness of my coming out of the Ship to-day. Your Secretary was so good as to send me off Mr. Todman's letter. Really some steps must be taken to prevent the Signal 50 being made every time a Vessel is hauling out of Boulogne Mole. We shall not believe when the Wolf is coming with not less than twenty Sail of Ships of War, although he does not appear to see them, and, what he does, not correctly; for at 11 A.M. the Isis and York, with the Boulogne Squadron, was standing over towards Boulogne. The Anacreon Brig and Cygnet Cutter were three leagues off Dungeness; the whole of Captain Russel's Squadron were at anchor in Dover Roads; the Greyhound was half-way over; he is correct about the Cape Grisnez Squadron; I think as Lieutenant Jeremiah Skelton, of the Jamaica. Vide p. 468, ante, this signal will now create no alarm, that the signal 51 might be made to say, that the Enemy are (with numerary signal) standing from the French Coast towards England: in short some other signals must be adopted, or No. 50 left off, unless it is understood that the signal implies that the Enemy have actually sailed from Boulogne Roads, and are crossing the Channel, or steering as by compass signal shown at the Port. I wish you would mention it at the Admiralty, and propose some method that we should be neither inattentive to the signals made, nor improperly annoyed by them; yesterday it had no effect upon me, (which I was sorry for,) as I knew from experience that it meant nonsense. I am afraid for dear Parker; but still, whilst there is life we may hope. I beg my best respects to Mrs. Lutwidge, and believe me ever, my dear Admiral, your most obliged and affectionate, NELSON AND Bronte. I wish you would order some Caulkers from the Overyssel, to assist in caulking the Vixen. TO LADY HAMILTON. [Extract from "the Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton," vol. i. p. 60.] Amazon, September 26th, 1801. Eight o'clock. Our accounts of dear Parker, I fear, preclude all hopes of his recovery. It was my intention to have gone ashore this morning, to have called on Admiral Lutwidge; but, the wind's coming fresh from the S. W., I have declined it; for, I doubt, if I could get off again. At ten o'clock, with your letters, came off Dr. Baird's note, to say every hope was gone! I have desired, that his death should be sent, by telegraph, to the Admiralty. They will, surely, honour his memory, although they would not promote him. NELSON AND Bronte. I send you the last report. Who knows! |