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Letters and
Dispatches of Horatio Nelson
April 30th through
June 9th, 1797
TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CLARENCE.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur
vol. ii, p. 10.]
Off Cape de Gatte, 30th April, 1797.
Sir,
The French Squadron, of four Sail of the Line, one
Frigate, and a Brig, were seen from Minorca only twenty-two hours before I
passed it on the 19th, in my way up. I observed a Man-of-War Brig evidently
looking at us; but my charge was too important to separate one Ship in chase of
her, especially as the Seahorse, Southampton, and Meleager had parted company ;
for until this Garrison is safe down, I do not think our business is well
finished. I spoke a Danish Frigate just now, six days from Malaga, who says the
Spanish Fleet is certainly ordered to come out of Cadiz; this redoubles my
anxiety to join my Admiral, for I should seriously lament being absent on such
an occasion, especially as I believe it will be the last on many accounts;
first, that I think we should finish their Marine, and next, that my health is
getting so indifferent from want of a few months' repose, and the pains I
suffer in my inside, that I cannot serve, unless it is absolutely necessary,
longer than this summer.
In October I intend to ask permission to return to England
until February, should the war still continue; and when it is considered that I
have been four years and nine months without one moment's repose for body or
mind, I trust credit will be given me that I do not sham. I have sent poor
Captain Oakes [of the HMS Seahorse] with the Meleager to look for some Spanish
frigates ; his health is most distressing, and I have strongly recommended to
him to go home, and, if he is fortunate in taking a Frigate I am in hopes he
will. As I know your Royal Highness's regard for this Officer, I must be
interested about him.
I am, &c.; HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.
[From Harrison's Life of
Lord Nelson, vol. i. p. 183. Another Copy with some variations is in Clarke and
M'Arthur.]
Captain, off Cape Pallas, 1st May, 1797.
Dear Sir,
As I shall send away the Rose Cutter the
moment I see the Rock, you will know from her arrival that we are in a fair way
for arriving safe at Gibraltar. I spoke a Danish Frigate on the 27th of April,
from Malaga four days. He says the Spanish Fleet has most positive orders to
come to sea and fight you. This makes me doubly anxious to join you. I have not
interfered with Captain Fremantle's charge and arrangement of the Convoy, it
could not be in better hands; therefore I only overshadow them with my wings. I
have the satisfaction to tell you, that all the Troops—except the Royals,
who were always intended to be embarked in the Ships of War—are embarked
in the Transports, with the exception of twenty, and General Horneck, who are
in two Vessels loaded with wine. I offered to take a hundred into each Ship of
my Squadron, but I found there was not the smallest necessity for it.
I hope. Sir, you will state this point at Home, as it would
have been a severe reflection on me, not to have left what was necessary for
the embarkation of the Army. I rejoice in this opportunity of vindicating my
conduct; and beg leave again to recommend Lieutenant Day, Agent for Transports,
to your notice. I placed my reliance on his judgment not to leave a Ship more
than was necessary, and I am not deceived. A more zealous, active Officer as
Agent for Transports I never met with. General de Burgh also speaks of him in
the highest terms, and I hope the Transport Board will keep their promise of
recommending those Officers in their service who eminently distinguish
themselves, which I take upon myself to say. Lieutenant Day has not only done
at Bastia, but at Porto Ferrajo. For his conduct at the former place you were
so good, on my stating his services, to recommend him to the Admiralty; I
should not do justice to his Majesty's service, were I not to urge it again. I
have the pleasure to add, that all the Captains under my orders have conducted
themselves like zealous good Officers.
I have the honour to be, &c., HORATIO
NELSON.
TO JAMES SIMPSON, ESQ., AMERICAN CONSUL AT
MALAGA.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii. p. 13, In reply to the American Consul's request that he would protect
twelve American Vessels at Malaga, which were unable to proceed, on account of
three French Privateers that were watching them.]
Gibraltar, 30th May, 1797.
Sir,
I shall immediately grant the protection you have
requested, by sending the Andromache, Captain Mansfield, to-morrow off Malaga,
who will protect the Vessels close to the coast of Barbary, where you tell me
they will consider themselves safe. In thus freely granting the protection of
the British flag to the subjects of the United States, I am sure of fulfilling
the wishes of my Sovereign, and I hope of strengthening the harmony which at
present so happily subsists between the two Nations.
I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON.
TO CAPTAIN RALPH WILLETT MILLER.
[Autograph, iii the
possession of Miss Miller, Captain Miller was then Admiral Nelson's Flag
Captain in the Captain.]
Ville de Paris, May 24th, 1797.
Dear Sir,
We are to go into the Theseus; therefore the
Admiral desires the Captain to be anchored near her. She is next Ship to the
Vice-Admiral; therefore pray direct my things to be in readiness—I mean my
Store Room. Such Officers as wish to go with me are to get ready: Mids. Hoste
and Bolton, &c. and such men as came from Agamemnon, if they like it; but
this we can soon settle. Sir John desires you will dine here. It is believed
the Peace is signed. I send your letters, and be assured I am ever
Your obliged, HORATIO NELSON.
TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CLARENCE.
["From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii. p. 12.]
Off Cadiz, May 26th, 1797
Sir,
I beg leave to return you my most sincere
acknowledgments for the three letters I have received from your Royal Highness.
Whatever confidence you are pleased to repose in me, will not, I trust, be
misplaced; but my conduct and not my words must prove this. . . .. Our western
Ports in Ireland might surely be more used, and stores procured as easily as at
Gibraltar, Lisbon, &c. A plan with little expense might be formed, for
always having a large Squadron to the westward of England. We rejoice here at
the certainty of soon receiving large reinforcements, which, as the Combined
Fleet will very soon be forty Sail of the Line, must be acceptable; and we
found our belief on the abundance of spare Ships that are at the disposal of
the Admiralty; for, although we are so inferior, we find that a Squadron under
Lord Hugh Seymour is actually cruising on our station.
I am, &c„ HORATIO NELSON.
TO MRS. NELSON.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii. p. 12.]
27th May, 1797.
How Government can answer for this act, I cannot guess; but
I have done. We are to anchor off Cadiz, in sight of the whole Spanish Fleet. I
am barely out of shot of a Spanish Rear Admiral.
Yours, &c„ HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL DON JOSEF DE MAZAREDO, CADIZ.
[From Harrison's Life of
Nelson, vol. i. p. 180.]
Theseus, May 30th, 1797.
Sir,
I have the honour of sending your Excellency a
packet from Sir John Jervis; and I embrace the opportunity of assuring you of
my high esteem of your character. The 4th of June being the birthday of my
Royal Master, Sir John Jervis intends firing a feu de joie, at eight
o'clock in the evening; and has desired me to mention it to your Excellency,
that his Ladies at Cadiz may not be alarmed at the firing. Believe me your
Excellency's most faithful servant,
HORATIO NELSON."
TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii. p. 13.]
Theseus, 31st May, 1797.
My dear Sir,
I never have a letter from the Duke of
Clarence, but H. R. H. mentions you. I have mislaid that of April 5th, or I
should have thought it my duty to have sent it. His Royal Highness therein
said, ' My best wishes and compliments attend the illustrious Jervis; tell him
I admire him, I envy him, and I sincerely hope his Fleet will now fall in with
the Dollars.' A letter from a humbler pen came to me at
Gibraltar—Collingwood; and his sentiments are, I am confident, those of
the whole Fleet—'I have a great desire our Admiral should be a Marquis
this summer, his bright honours will reflect on all of us.'
I am, &c.; HORATIO NELSON.
CASE FOR THE OPINION OF COUNSEL.
[Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.]
[Apparently written in May or June, 1797.]
Admiral Sir John Jervis, with the British Fleet, blockades
Cadiz; and, the more effectually to perform that service, appoints an Inner
Squadron to lay at anchor, or keep under sail, as the case may require; and
four Ships are appointed for the Inner Squadron.
On the afternoon of the 27th, [of April, 1797,] a Convoy,
under a Venetian Frigate and several other Neutral Vessels, came out of Cadiz;
and the more effectually to examine them closely, and to prevent any of them
from eluding a search, two of the Inner Squadron were ordered by the Commander
of the Inner Squadron to keep under sail. During the night, the boats of all
the Ships were employed in examining the Convoy, the whole British Fleet being
in sight in the offing. During the night, two Spanish Frigates passed through
the Fleet; and in the morning of the 28th, soon after daylight, the Commander
of the Inner Squadron made the signal for the two Ships, who had been under
sail during the night, to chase the Frigates, which they did, then in sight of
the whole Fleet." The two Frigates run close to the shore, anchored, and fired
their guns at the two Ships sent in chase, for about one hour and a half, when
one Frigate cut her cable and drove on shore. The other hauled down her
colours, and was immediately taken possession of and towed out to sea. The
other Frigate who had run on shore was also got afloat, but soon afterwards
sunk at her anchors.
Your Opinion is desired, who by Law are entitled to the
Head-money, the value of the Prize being acknowledged the property of the whole
Fleet,—whether the whole Fleet, the Ships who occupied the Inner Squadron,
or only the two Ships who fired and took possession of the two Frigates
?
TO JOHN M'ARTHUR, ESQ.
[The " Naval Chronicle," vol.
iii. f. 304. This Letter is reprinted with some additions, but very
imperfectly, in Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 13.]
Theseus, June 1st, 1707.
My dear Sir,
We are off Cadiz with a greater
inferiority than before. I am barely out of shot of a Spanish Rear-Admiral. We
have every day Flags of Truce ; the Dons hope for peace, but must soon fight
us, if the war goes on. I wish it was all over, for I cannot fag much longer;
and, to please our Fleet, I hear that a Squadron is looking out, in the limits
of this station, for the galleons daily expected : what a special mark of
favour to us, who are enabling them to cruise so much at their case ! Believe
me, dear Sir, your obliged and faithful servant,
HORATIO NELSON.
P.S. Sam Hood" is gone, I hope, to get riches; sure to get
honour.
TO SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ, CAPTAIN OF HIS
MAJESTY'S SHIP ORION.
[Autograph, in the possession
of the Dowager Lady de Saumarez.]
Theseus, June 1st, 1707.
My dear Sir,
Some of your people yesterday said that
they heard some Ship in the Fleet had served the whole allowance. Sir John
Jervis wishes to know the Ship they have heard has done it. I must therefore
request you will have the goodness to inquire if they know the Ship, or what
made them fancy it was so, or if any person, and who, told them. I forgot it
this day; therefore pray excuse this trouble, and believe me,
Ever your obliged, HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii. p. 14]
About 6th June, 1797.
My dear Sir,
Mr. Jackson has delivered me your
confidential letter: you may depend upon me. I want nothing but what we have,
except two five-inch howitzers, two four or six-pounders, field-pieces, 500
shells, some cases of fixed ammunition, and two or three artillerymen (no
Officer) to fix the fusees, and a devil-cart. With this, and what you propose,
I have no doubt of doing the job as it ought to be, the moment the Ships come
in sight. I also want twenty ladders; the size and dimensions I will get from
the Carpenter of the Blenheim, late of the Captain, who has made proper ones,
which one man could carry for escalade, for my use in former times.
I am, &c.; HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii. p. .14, who have so mangled this interesting letter that there is no
other way of giving its contents than in their own unsatisfactory
manner:—" In writing to his Admiral on the same day (7th June, 1797), he
informed him, that, according to the intelligence received from an American,
the Town's-people at Cadiz were fearful of an attack, and that not one half of
the guns were mounted on the walls, "I long to be at them!" exclaimed the
gallant 'seaman, he also at the same time, touched upon the Teneriffe
expedition,]
7th June, 1797.
You must think, my dear Sir, of giving me 200 Marines in
addition to what I can land; the whole business is arranged in my mind, and I
can point out to you the absolute necessity. Captain Oldfield of the Marines,
who was with Dacres in the Sceptre at the beginning of the war, is a very
worthy man; and under Captain Troubridge ashore, and myself afloat, I am
confident of success.
I am, &c.; HORATIO NELSON.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL MORENO, OF THE SPANISH NAVY.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii, p. I',, Vide p. 389,
ante, whence it would seem that this Letter was written early in May.]
Theseus, 8th of June, 1797.
Sir,
A Spanish Officer having said, that you had
expressed a wish to obtain a Letter supposed to have been written from his
Majesty's Ship Egmont, and inserted in an English Newspaper, relating to the
Action of February 14th, every inquiry has been made to obtain the Newspaper,
and hitherto without effect. Captain Sutton of the Egmont has also done
everything in his power, but without being able to learn whether any Letter
from that Ship has been published. The inquiry has, however, produced from my
Commander-in-Chief, Sir John Jervis, the most handsome testimony of the gallant
conduct of a Three-decked Ship, bearing the Flag of a Vice- Admiral, who did
everything which a good Officer could do, to attempt to cut through the British
line, between the Victory and the Egmont.
I am, &c.; HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii. p. 16.]
9th June, 1797.
My dear Sir,
The Newspaper was at last found in the
night, on the quarter-deck, and is gone as you desired: it will, I fear,
militate against Cordova, if any weight be given to a Newspaper account. Your
testimony of Moreno's conduct will no doubt be of service to him; the Trials
are commenced, and every day an account is sent off to Madrid. The heavy charge
against Cordova is, not coming into Cadiz with his Convoy, which they say he
could have done the day after he had passed the Straits. Morales, it is
expected, will be shot, Cordova broke, Moreno acquitted. The long trial of the
Officers who gave up Figueras is just finished, and five are to be shot. All
the Officers who composed the Council of War are to be degraded in their public
and private rank. According to reports, the French have been refused a passage
through Spain to Portugal; and a Minister of ours is at Paris. The Venetians
are suffering every misery from the French. I was in great hopes the salute was
from an Admiral from England. The number of men you propose to give me, I have
no doubt are all-sufficient; but I well know that a few more red coats have
their use in dazzling the eyes of the Enemy.
I send you the State of the Swiftsure; even the sight of the
two poor men in irons on board her has affected me more than I can express: if
Mr. Weir would look at them, I should be glad. The youth may, I hope, be saved,
as he has intervals of sense, his countenance is most interesting. If any mode
can be devised for sending him home, I will with pleasure pay fifty pounds to
place him in some proper place for his recovery; the other, I fear, is too old.
Your managements are always good, and nothing shall be wanting in the
execution. Martin has got an idea that I am likely to move; and should it be
proper to enlarge the Squadron, I beg he may go, but not to displace one of the
others. I hope the reinforcement will soon arrive. I do not build much on the
acts of the Portuguese Squadron, even if they go off Spartel.
I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON.
TO CAPTAIN SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ, HIS MAJESTY'S
SHIP ORION.
[Autograph, in the
possession of the Dowager Lady de Saumarez.]
Theseus, June 9th, 1797.
My dear Sir James,
Send, I beg, whatever you think fit
towards San Lucar: all you do is right, and can hardly want my sanction. I hope
your Boats will be rewarded for their trouble: they take all the Prizes for our
Squadron. Believe me ever,
Your most faithful HORATIO NELSON.
TO ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K.B.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur,
vol. ii, p. 17.]
10th June, 1797.
My dear Sir,
I hope, for the poor men's sakes, that
they are imposing on me; but depend on it, that God Almighty has afflicted them
with the most dreadful of all diseases. They do not sham; indeed, you will find
I am not mistaken, and all the Commissioners in the World cannot convince me of
it. For what purpose can these poor wretches attempt to destroy themselves? for
what purpose can one of them have spoken to me as rationally as any person
could do ? Do let Mr. Weir look at them: I am sure he will think with me, from
the order to represent those who are objects unfit for the service, I could not
do otherwise than I did; but if you think I have said too much, pray curtail my
Report. But I will get to pleasanter subjects. I am forming a ladder for the
escalade, which when finished, I will send to the Ville de Paris, that we may
have twenty at least. Ten hours shall make me either a conqueror, or defeat me.
I long to be at work, for I begin to think these fellows will not soon come
out, at least not whilst negotiations are going on.
I am, &c.; HORATIO NELSON. |
