Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, October 12th, 1801. I send a parcel of letters from Captain Owen, giving me an account of two French Privateers being at sea, and his opinion, which I perfectly coincide in, that they will go to the northward, and their Prizes to Neutral Ports, till the Peace takes place. I keep the Defender till to-morrow after post, as probably I shall receive some directions from their Lordships, relative to the duration of hostilities. I am, Sir, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO LADY HAMILTON. [Extract from "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. i. p. 69.] My dearest Friend, Amazon, Ten o'Clock, October 12, 1801. This being a very fine morning, and smooth beach, at eight o'clock, I went with Sutton and Bedford, and landed at Walmer, but found Billy fast asleep, so left my card; walked the same road that we came, when the carriage could not come with us that night; and all rushed into my mind, and brought tears into my eyes. Ah, how different to walking with such a friend as you, Sir William, and Mrs. Nelson! Called at the barracks, on Lord George;' but he is gone to London. From thence to the Admiral's, found him up; and, waiting half an hour to see Mrs. Lutwidge, who entreated me to stay dinner-came directly on board. I did not even call to see poor Langford, who has been worse these few days past, and God knows when he will be well. I am afraid it will be a long time; for several pieces of bone are lately come away, and more to come. But Troubridge has so completely prevented my ever mentioning any body's service, that I am become a cipher, and he has gained a victory over Nelson's spirit. I am kept here; for what, he may be able to tell-I cannot; but long it cannot-shall not be. 8 Mr. Pitt. Lord George Cavendish, Colonel of the Derbyshire Militia. Sutton and Bedford are gone a tour till dinner time; but nothing shall make me, but almost force, go out of the Ship again, till I have done, and the Admiralty in charity, will be pleased to release me. I am, in truth, not over well. I have a complaint in my stomach and bowels, but it will go off. I thank you for the King's letters. I shall write a kind line to Castelcicala, and answer the King's, very soon, and write to Acton, for he can make Bronté everything to me, if he pleases. I dare say I did wrong never to write him; but as he treated Sir William unkindly, I never could bring myself to do it. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO THE RIGHT HON. HENRY ADDINGTON. [Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.] My dear Sir, Amazon, Downs, October 13th, 1801. I send you a letter which I have just received from Germany. What the Order of Knighthood is, I am totally ignorant of; but I can accept of nothing without his Majesty's approbation. I have therefore to request that you will have the goodness to obtain the King's opinion relative to accepting or refusing an honour from such a respectable Society in the Germanic Body, that I may conduct myself accordingly. I can, my dear Sir, have no vain desires, but I wish on this occasion to do what is right to such a Body, who have wished in my person to do honour to one of his Majesty's most faithful subjects, and, my dear Sir, your most obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. I have just received a most affectionate letter from the King of Naples. The King of Naples. The Order of St. Joachim. If Lord Nelson had known the history of this apocryphal Order, he would scarcely have deigned to accept or wear it. TO ADMIRAL LUTWIDGE. [Autograph, in the possession of Major Lutwidge.] My dear Admiral, Amazon, October 14th, 1801. I shall never get from the Downs. If I wished to stay, I dare I should not have interest. I am quite angry; but say who cares for that. I am desired to keep all my Cruizers at Sea, to guard the trade. I send a letter for Mrs. Lutwidge, from our excellent friend Lady Hamilton. With every good wish, believe me ever, your most obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, Downs, October 14th, 1801. Their Lordships' appointment for my Particular Service being now done away by the Preliminary Articles of Peaceviz., to prevent the Invasion of this Country, which service I have not only, by their Lordships appointing so large a force to serve under my command, been enabled effectually to perform, but also to be able to acquaint you that not even a Boat has been captured by the Enemy during the term of my command; and as my state of health requires repose on shore, I have to request their Lordships will, when they think the Service will admit of it, allow me permission to go on shore. I have the honour to be, &c. Sir, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Amazon, Downs, October 15th, 1801. I am to acknowledge the receipt of their Lordships' order for the cessation of hostilities against the French Republic; likewise a copy of the Preliminary Articles of Peace between his Majesty and the said Republic. I beg leave to know whether their Lordships approve of my directing the Ships and Vessels under my command to rendezvous in the Downs after the 22nd instant? I have the honour to be, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. P.S.-Orders are sent from the Navy Board, for some of the Hired Cutters to be discharged, although the same has not been signified to me by their Lordships, or the Navy Board. I have not detained them. TO LADY HAMILTON. [Extract from "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," &c., vol. i. p. 84.] Amazon, October 17th, 1801. My dearest Friend, Although my complaint has no danger attending it, yet it resists the medicines which Dr. Baird has prescribed; and, I fancy, it has pulled me down very much. The cold has settled in my bowels. I wish the Admiralty had my complaint: but, they have no bowels-at least, for me. I had a very indifferent night; but your and Sir William's kind letters have made me feel better. 5 I send you a letter from Lord Pelham. I shall certainly attend; and let them see, that I may be useful in Council as I have been in the Field. We must submit; and, perhaps, these Admiralty do this by me to prevent another application. . I pray that I may not be annoyed on my arrival: it is retirement with my friends that I wish for. Thank Sir William, kindly, for his letter, and the inclosure, which I return. Sutton is much pleased with your letter; and, with Bedford, will certainly make you a visit. They are both truly good and kind to me. Our weather has been cold these two days, but not bad. I have got a fire in the cabin, and I hope my complaint will go off. NELSON AND Bronte. Amazon, 2 P.M.-Yawkins is in great distress: his Cutter 5 Thomas Lord Pelham, Secretary of State for the Home Department. is paid off, and he, like many others, very little to live upon. He begs his best respects to Sir William. He breakfasted here this morning. Many very long faces at Peace!" Notwithstanding your very improper conduct to your Captain, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have been pleased to show their lenity to you, by cancelling their order for the Court-Martial, which I trust will prove a sufficient warning to you to behave, in future, with becoming respect to your superiors, and be a lesson to you not to listen to bad advice, for in the event of your erring again, you will inevitably meet with punishment. I am, &c. NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ADMIRAL LUTWIDGE. [Autograph, in the possession of Major Lutwidge.] My dear Admiral, Amazon, 4 P.M. [Apparently 19th October, 1801.] The Admiralty will not let me go. You are going to Portsmouth. I suppose you have your orders. The Express shall carry Medusa's men, and bring back the others. I will order a Vessel to attend the Convoy. Lady Hamilton's letter I have enclosed. When you write to Kingsmill," remember me kindly to him. I am at dinner; but ever your obliged, NELSON AND Bronte. Best compliments to Mrs. Lutwidge. • Admiral Sir Robert Kingsmill, Bart. Vide vol. i. p. 40. VOL. IV. L L |