TO THE RIGHT HON. HENRY ADDINGTON.

[Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.]

My dear Sir,

Merton, December 2nd, 1801.

After the very friendly conversation I had the pleasure of holding with you the other day, on the subject of Medals for the Battle of Copenhagen, I own my vanity, but I trust a laudable one, in sending for your perusal a letter from General Waltersdorff; he at least must have formed a disinterested opinion of my whole conduct. If it is consistent with your station I wish you to see him, for with a true sense of honour, for his own Country, he is a real well-wisher to old England. For ever believe me, my dear Sir, your obliged,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H.M. SHIP AMAZON.

[Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.]

Merton, December 5th, 1801.

My dear Sutton, Thanks for your letter, which I should have answered before, but I have not been very well. For what good purpose they can keep you thumping in the Downs, I cannot guess, but they seem determined not to pay Ships off till the Definitive Treaty is signed. Lord St. Vincent's conduct about the Medals for Copenhagen, appears to me extraordinary. I have had a meeting with Mr. Addington on the subject; I don't expect we shall get much by it, except having had a full opportunity of speaking my mind. I will show you, and tell you all when we meet, which I hope will be soon. I seldom go to London, and seldomer to the Admiralty, no longer necessary to keep all quiet. Remember me to all our friends, and believe me ever, your most obliged and affectionate,

NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir William, Lady Hamilton, and Mrs. Nelson desire their regards.

TO SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART.

[From Sir John Sinclair's Correspondence, vol. i. p. 189, who says, "Having sent a Copy of my Thoughts on the Naval Strength of the British Empire' to Lord Nelson, I had the pleasure of receiving the following communication in return:"]

Dear Sir,

Merton, December 8, 1801.

I had the honour of receiving through the hands of Mr. Mollison, your very elegant present of a Book, to the subject of which too much attention cannot be paid: and without a compliment, no man in the Country is so able to place this important matter in its proper view before the public. I can hardly believe, however anxiously I have endeavoured to deserve it, the high compliment you are pleased to bestow upon But, dear Sir, I beg you to be assured that I am, with every sentiment of obligation, your most obedient servant, NELSON AND BRONTE.

me.

TO HERCULES ROSS, ESQ., ROSSIE CASTLE, N.B.5

[From a Copy in the Nelson Papers.]

My dear Friend,

Merton, Surrey, December 17th, 1801.

I shall certainly with much pleasure receive your friend Mr. McDonald, whenever he pleases to make me a visit, and I assure you, for your friendship's sake, be very glad to be useful to his son, but I have the least interest of any man in my station of life-indeed, I do not believe I have any; but it may come in a future war, when I may again be wanted. In everything towards your friend's son, I will do what I can, and shall tell him so. It will always give me pleasure to hear of your happiness, and where the parents are good, there is every fair prospect that the children may give comfort to

The following particulars of Mr. Ross, which ought to have been inserted in the first volume, have only lately been obligingly communicated by his son, Horatio Ross, Esq., late M.P. for Aberdeen and Montrose, and Lord Nelson's godson. Her cules Ross, Esq. of Rossie Castle, married Miss Parish, daughter of Mr. Parish, of Hamburgh, and died on the 24th of December 1816, leaving three daughters, all of whom are dead, and one son, Horatio Ross, Esq., above mentioned, who married, in 1833, Justina, daughter of Colin Macrae, Esq., and has five sons, "the eldest being, fo course, called Horatio."

them; and yours, with such examples, cannot fail to do well I beg my respects to Mrs. Ross, and say that my loss must apologize for my not answering her very friendly and flattering letter, for writing is a very serious inconvenience to me, and I beg you to believe me as ever your much obliged and faithful friend,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ., ST. JAMES'S SQUARE.

[Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.]

Merton, Friday Morning. [Post mark, December 18th, 1801.]

My dear Davison,

I am sorry to be disappointed at not coming to you this morning, but General Waltersdorff sent me word he should be here to breakfast to take leave; but I hope to be with you to-morrow, but do not wait for me. The valuation of the diamonds' is, as far as I have been told, shameful; therefore, although I am naturally very anxious not to obtrude more on your goodness than necessity obliges me, yet I wish to talk to you on the subject of being even a little longer in your debt, taking care, which I hope I shall be able, to secure the payment to you but more of this to-morrow; and I am, as ever, your most obliged and affectionate,

NELSON AND Bronte. I would sooner beg, than give those fellows my diamonds.

TO J. HILEY ADDINGTON, ESQ.

My dear Sir,

[Autograph.]

Merton, December 21st, 1801.

Many thanks for your kind letter, and I shall call to thank you in person when I come to Town; but I was ignorant that you was fixed in the Treasury. I am fearful my poor fellow will be disappointed; for I think if he had a vote or interest, he would not have applied to me. Ever, my dear Sir, believe me your obliged,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

It appears from this letter, that Lord Nelson was obliged to sell the diamonds with which he had been presented by Foreign Sovereigus.

TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H.M. SHIP AMAZON.

[Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.]

My dear Sir,

Merton, December 26th, 1801.

6

I send you a £20 note, which will leave a little to go on with, and, if you please, to give the lads one guinea each when there is a probability of your being paid off. If I can find out any good man commanding a Frigate, I should wish to place Connor with him: Banti must take his chance. I am not going abroad-that you may be assured of. Reports say, the Definitive Treaty will soon be finished, and then, I suppose, we shall all get our discharges; but I cannot obtain even mine. What a waste of Public money! But we hope soon to see you at Merton, where you shall have a hearty welcome; for believe me ever your much obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir William, Lady Hamilton, and Mr. Nelson, desire to wish you a merry Christmas.

Mr. Charles Connor and Mr. Banti, Midshipmen of the Amazon.