approach the Coast, unless you are pretty certain that the wind does blow into the harbour; and as this most honourable, and very important service is entrusted, from your character, to your conduct, I trust that I shall not be disappointed in the execution of it. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN HARVEY, H. M. SHIP UNITE. [Letter-Book.] Sir, Amazon, Downs, 1st October, 1801. The signal to recall the Haughty was flying yesterday morning a considerable time on board the Amazon, and her Commander did not think proper to pay any attention to it. You will order him to return to the Downs immediately; and if my Flag is not flying there, to proceed under Dungeness; and you are to reprimand him severely for his inattention. The moment the Gallant rejoins you, send her likewise to me, wherever I may happen to be. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, Dungeness, 3rd October, 1801. I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, signifying their Lordships' direction to me to prevent any Vessels or Boats of any description from proceeding to France, except such Vessels or Boats as Mr. Otto may have occasion to send from Dover with his dispatches for the French Government, and I have to request you will assure their Lordships that strict attention shall be paid to these instructions. I have the honour to be, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, Dungeness, October 3rd, 1801. Most Private, My dear Nepean, I have received your Public letter, dated the 1st, directing me to prevent all Vessels and Boats from going to France, except Mr. Otto's. I take for granted it means to prevent all neutral Vessels from any part of the world from going to France-am I right? for in our narrow seas, the only means of prevention is bringing them to England. Under the circumstances which have given rise to this order, am I right in attempting anything which may be feasible against any of the French Ports? I have a little plan against Boulogne. Except to Lord St. Vincent, pray do not mention it; for everything I almost think on is known. I am almost done up, but I hope there will be but little more occasion for war. Cannot you announce by telegraph to-morrow to Lutwidge, assent for Lord Nelson, (to the attempt,) or, for Lord Nelson, dissent. I shall understand the words; but Admiral Lutwidge knows nothing of my plan. Ever, my dear Nepean, your obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. Pray send my letter. TO ADMIRAL LUTWIDGE. [Autograph, in the possession of Major Lutwidge.] My dear Admiral, Amazon, Dungeness, October 3rd, 1801. What can this order from the Admiralty mean? Is it a sign of Peace? I think, yes; for we cannot, at this time of the war, go to war with all Europe, and America, which must be the case, if we allow no trade to France; therefore I think and hope from my heart it is, to prevent stock-jobbing, and that the Preliminary Articles are on the very eve of being signed, if not already done. Our weather is very fine, but I cannot get The French Minister in London, to negotiate a Peace. up my spirits. Captain Wodehouse does not like his change: he thinks it is from bad to worse. The Lively Cutter will stay for my letters to-morrow. Will you direct that the Gunbrigs and Cutters which come into the Downs, may be turned out as soon as possible? they like Deal. With my best respects to Dr. Lutwidge, believe me ever your obliged and affectionate, NELSON AND Bronte. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 304.] Dungeness, 3rd October, 1801. Nepean's public letter has a little staggered me, whether it would be right, under our present circumstance with France, to do a violent thing? I am prepared to run a Fire-Brig into Boulogne harbour the first fresh wind, at from W.N.W. to N. But I shall stop until the assent or dissent comes by telegraph to-morrow. I intended not to have mentioned this matter to any one, even to you, until the trial had been made. However, if we are on the eve of Peace, which is Dungeness news, it would be a bad reconciliation. If I fail in this plan, I purpose to make an Infernal of one of the Bombs, and to have FireBoats, &c. &c., to keep them for ever in hot water. My mind is always at work; but I assure you I am seriously indisposed and low spirited from private considerations. My public duty is nothing; I could get over five times as much, were I in good health; and I find every creature kind, good, and affectionate towards me, and you amongst the first. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. Apparently Captain the Honourable Philip Wodehouse, second son of John, first Lord Wodehouse: he commanded in succession the Brilliant, Iris, and Resistance Frigates, and died a Vice-Admiral of the White, in January 1838. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 305.] [October, 1801,] Most heartily do I congratulate you on being a Member of that Administration, which has been able to comply with the almost unanimous wishes of the Country. All hands must now try to keep French men and French principles out of our happy Country. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN OWEN, H.M. SHIP NEMESIS, AND THE COMMANDERS OF THE SEVERAL SQUADRONS UNDER LORD NELSON. [Letter Book.] Sir, Amazon, Dungeness, 4th October, 1801. Notwithstanding the Preliminaries of Peace are signed, you are to be very vigilant in watching the Enemy, and, on no account to suffer them to put into the Channel, as hostilities have not yet ceased. I am, &c. NELSON AND Bronte. TO DOCTOR BAIRD. [From "The Athenæum."] Amazon, October 6th, 1801. My dear Doctor, I am truly sorry that my little remembrance' of your goodness to a set of brave men, should have deprived me of the pleasure of your company; I beg I may see you at dinner tomorrow and I hope to see you, where your humane disposition will be of the greatest service, at the Sick and Hurt Board, to effect which, nothing shall be wanting on the part of your truly obliged, : NELSON AND Bronte. "The little remembrance' alluded to above, was a silver Vase, with the following inscription:- Presented to Andrew Baird, Esq., M.D., as a mark of esteem for his humane attention to the gallant Officers and Men who were wounded off Boulogne on the 16th of August, 1801. From their Commander-in-Chief, Lord Viscount Nelson, Duke of Broute. "—Athenæum. Enemy's could get into the Channel, I should stay with pleasure till hostilities cease; but we are so covered that they cannot, if we all do our duty. After hostilities cease, the thing for me is over; but if you cannot get a definitive Peace, I shall be getting health to again take up the cudgels; and in the good cause I hope to be able to be as fortunate as I have been the whole war, and am ever your most obliged, 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.] Amazon, October 10th, 1801. My dear Lord, Your letter of the 5th has only this moment reached me. Every attention is paid to cover our Channel, and I do not think that the French can with impunity send anything into the Channel. Sutton sails in the morning for the Ness. As Troubridge knows all my wishes, I shall only say in addition, that whenever I am released, that I shall always be ready to come forth again, when my health will allow, barring a winter in the North Seas. Hoping very soon to see you I shall only assure you that I am, with real regard and respect, your most affectionate, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO DOCTOR BAIRD. [From "The Athenæum."] My dear Doctor, Amazon, October 11th, 1801. I will send to the Gannet for Smart Tickets. Will you dine here? Can you can cure madness? for I am mad to read that our d- -d scoundrels dragged a Frenchman's carriage. I am ashamed for my Country. The Letter-boat can bring you off at half-past two. Ever your obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. Ship safe into Port, and may close with honour a career of unexampled success and glory. With true regard, I am ever, my dear Lord, your sincere friend and faithful servant, HENRY ADDINGTON. "P.S.-The letters from Dumourier are at Wimbledon, but shall be returned to-morrow. I beg your pardon for having kept them in my possession so long."— Autograph, in the Nelson Papers. Alluding to the mob having drawn the carriage of General Lauriston, who arrived in London on the 10th of October, with the Ratification of the Preliminaries of Peace. |