|
Letters and
Dispatches of Horatio Nelson
October 1st through
4th, 1805
TO LADY HAMILTON.
[From Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton, vol. ii. p.
100.]
Victory, October 1st, 1805.
My dearest Emma,
It is a relief to me, to take up the pen, and write you a
line; for I have had, about four o'clock this morning, one of my dreadful
spasms, which has almost enervated me. It is very odd; I was hardly ever better
than yesterday. Fremantle stayed with me till eight o'clock, and I slept
uncommonly well; but was awoke with this disorder. My Opinion of its effect,
some one day, has never altered. However, it is entirely gone off, and I am
only quite weak. The good people of England will not believe that rest of body
and mind is necessary for me! But perhaps this spasm may not come again these
six months. I had been writing seven hours yesterday; perhaps that had some
hand in bringing it upon me.
I joined the Fleet date on the evening of the 28th of
September, but could not communicate with them until the next morning. I
believe my arrival was most welcome, not only to the Commander of the Fleet,
but also to every individual in it, and, when I came to explain to them the
'Nelson touch,' it was like an electric shock. Some shed tears, all approved
—' It was new—it was singular—it was simple !'; and, from
Admirals downwards, it was repeated—' It must succeed, if ever they will
allow us to get at them! You are, my Lord, surrounded by friends whom you
inspire with confidence.' Some may be Judas's; but the majority are certainly
much pleased with my commanding them..
TO VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH, SECRETARY FOR THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
['From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 429.]
October lst, 1805.
My Lord,
The far greater part of the Combined Fleets is in the
Harbour, and indeed none can be called in the Bay of Cadiz; they lie in such a
position abreast of the Town, and many entirely open, over the narrow strip of
land, that Congreve's rockets, if they will go one mile and a half, must do
execution. Even should no Ships be burnt, yet it would make Cadiz so very
disagreeable, that they would rather risk an Action than remain in Port. I do
assure your Lordship, that myself and many thousands in the Fleet will feel
under the greatest obligations to Colonel Congreve. But I think, with your
Lordship's assistance, we have a better chance of forcing them out by want of
provisions: it is said hunger will break through stone walls—ours is only
a wall of wood. The French are sending provisions of all kinds from Nantes,
Bordeaux, and other Ports in the Bay in Danish Vessels, called of course Danish
property, to Ayamonte, Conil, Algeziras, and other little Ports from Cape St.
Mary's to Algeziras; whence it would be conveyed in their Coasting Boats
without the smallest interruption to Cadiz, and thus the Fleets be supplied
with provisions for any expedition. Vice-Admiral Collingwood has most properly
directed their being detained and sent to Gibraltar, to be libelled in the
Vice-Court of Admiralty. I have followed so good an example. I am able enough
to see the propriety and necessity of the measure, without which the blockade
of Cadiz is nugatory, and we should only have the odium of the measure, without
any benefit to us, or real distress to our Enemies. There never was a place so
proper to be blockaded, at this moment, as Cadiz. I have, therefore, to request
that your Lordship will take the proper measures, that the Officers under my
orders may not get into any pecuniary scrape by their obedience; and, should it
be thought proper to allow the Enemy's Fleet to be victualled, that I may be
informed as soon as possible....I can have nothing as an Admiral, to say upon
the propriety of granting licences; but from what your Lordship told me of the
intentions of Ministers respecting the Neutral trade, it strikes me, some day
it may be urged that it was not for the sake of blockade, but for the purpose
of taking all the trade into her own hands, that Great Britain excluded the
Neutrals. Your Lordship's wisdom will readily conceive all that Neutral Courts
may urge at this apparent injustice, and of might overcoming right.
I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. .
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 2nd October, 1805.
Sir,
You will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty that I arrived off here on the evening of the 28th ult., where I
found Vice-Admiral Collingwood with the Fleet, and on the morning following I
took the Command from the Vice-Admiral, and received from him the several
unexecuted Orders, &c. The Ships are getting short in their water and
provisions: I shall, therefore, send Rear-Admiral Louis with six Sail of the
Line [1] immediately to
Gibraltar and Tetuan to complete in everything; and the moment he returns, I
shall send others to those places, in order that the Fleet may be all prepared
for service before the winter sets in. The Zealous having come out from England
with a bad mainmast, which has been found, upon survey, to be sprung, and
decayed in several places, is just ordered to Gibraltar to get a new one, and
otherwise completed for immediate service. The Endymion must also go into
Gibraltar, having this day joined the Fleet with her mainmast badly sprung. As
I have had no Return from Rear-Admiral Knight, respecting the Disposition of
His Majesty's Ships within the Mediterranean, and that of the Fleet off here
being nearly the same as made in Vice-Admiral Collingwood's last Return, I
shall not send their Lordships a Disposition of the Fleet at this time, being
anxious to send the Nimble Cutter to England with the dispatches from
Vice-Admiral Collingwood and Sir Robert Calder, which I detained in the
Nautilus, off Cape St. Vincent, on her way home. The Fleet is in very fair
condition and good humour, and their Lordships may be assured that every
exertion of mine shall be used to keep it so, and in a state to meet the
Combined Fleet in Cadiz whenever they come out. Their force is about thirty-six
Sail of the Line, apparently ready for sea, with a number of Frigates and
Corvettes, &c. It is said that there is a great scarcity of provisions at
Cadiz, and if Government strictly enforce the prohibition of provisions from
the environs of that place, in any bottoms whatever, the Enemy must soon be in
distress, and consequently be forced to come out: otherwise, the blockade of
Cadiz is perfectly nugatory. The Pickle Schooner joined the Fleet from Plymouth
yesterday.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 2nd October, 1805.
Sir,
In consequence of the inclosed letter from Vice-Admiral Sir
Robert Calder, requesting for the reasons therein mentioned, that I will allow
the Captains of His Majesty's Ships named in the margin [Thunderer, Ajax,
Defiance, Sirius], to return to England, you will please to acquaint the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Captains of the Thunderer and Ajax
having signified to me their willingness to attend as evidences at the Court
Martial required by the Vice-Admiral, I shall permit them to return with him to
England, and appoint Acting Captains to their Ships till they rejoin them; and
should Captain Durham, on the Defiance joining the Fleet, wish to return to
England for the above purpose, I shall also permit him, and appoint an Acting
Captain during his absence; but I do not feel authorised to order him, or any
others, who may not wish to go home on this service, without their Lordships'
direction, although I am at the same time satisfied that they would not deprive
Sir Robert Calder of any evidence he might think necessary to have on the
occasion. I trust their Lordships will approve of this measure, and send me
such further direction as they may think necessary.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON
P.S.—The Sirius is daily expected from Gibraltar, when
I shall determine upon sending Captain Prowse home with the others.
TO RICHARD FORD, ESQ., AGENT VICTUALLER AFLOAT.
[From the " Gentleman's Magazine," New Series, vol. vii.
p. 158.]
Victory, October 2nd, 1805.
Dear Sir,
As I hear that Mr. Cutforth, the Agent Victualler at
Gibraltar, is very much indisposed, so as probably to render him unable to go
over to Tetuan, to settle several things with the Governor and English
Vice-Consul at that place, I have therefore to desire that you will go to
Gibraltar; and should Mr. Cutforth not be able to proceed to Tetuan, that you
will carry my instructions to Mr. Cutforth into execution, marking to the
Governor or Vice-Consul, that whatever I may allow for the guards, or any other
purpose, is from myself, and not to be considered as a general tax; and you
will consult with Mr. Cutforth upon the best mode of keeping these gentry in
good humour, and that the Fleet may get liberal supplies without any further
trouble. I have the firmest reliance upon your abilities and zeal that this
matter will be well terminated; and although no man wishes to be more
economical of the Public money than myself, yet in our present state, and with
the sort of people with whom we have to manage these matters, care must be
taken not to be penny wise and pounds foolish. I need not say more, but that I
am sure I shall be content with whatever you do; and I am, with great esteem,
dear Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
You must not be many hours at Gibraltar, but ask Admiral
Knight for a conveyance to Tetuan; for Admiral Louis, with a Squadron, will
leave the Fleet this day. N and B
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 3rd, 1805.
My dear Coll., If you have any particular attachment to
your Surgeon in the Dreadnought, he must of course go with you; but if you
found him in the Ship, perhaps his removal is a matter of indifference. Dr.
Felix, of the Royal Sovereign, I removed from the Belleisle to that Ship, and I
suppose he is coming out in her. I only mention the circumstance if the removal
is indifferent to you, for I cannot be very particularly interested about Dr;
Felix. He was the oldest Surgeon in the Fleet, and of good character. Pray is
the order for the sending home the senior Subaltern of the Marines given out;
If not, I shall give a General Memorandum. The Cutter, I suppose, is gone to
Gibraltar. Endymion's bowsprit was so bad that nothing could be done with it at
sea.
Most faithfully yours, NELSON AND BRONTE.
To ?
[From the Naval Chronicle, vol. xv. p. 37.]
Victory, off Cadiz, October 3rd, 1805.
The reception I met with on joining the Fleet caused the
sweetest sensation of my life. The Officers who came on board to welcome my
return, forgot my rank as Commander-in-Chief in the enthusiasm with which they
greeted me. As soon as these emotions were past, I laid before them the Plan
[2] I had previously
arranged for attacking the Enemy; and it was not only my pleasure to find it
generally approved, but clearly perceived and understood. The Enemy are still
in Port, but something must be immediately done to provoke or lure them to a
Battle. My duty to my Country demands it, and the hopes centered in me, I hope
in God, will be realised in less than a fortnight expect to hear from me, or of
me, for who can foresee the fate of Battle ? Put up your prayers for my
success, and may God protect all my friends!
I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VISCOUNT STRANGFORD, LISBON.
[From the Memoirs of Lord Collingwood, vol. i. p. 302.]
Victory, October 3rd, 1805
My Lord,
I have the honour to inform you that I have taken the
command of His Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean station; and I am very
sorry that I must begin my correspondence by a complaint against the conduct of
the Portuguese Government at Lagos. They say, at least by their conduct, that,
by their secret treaty with Spain, they are to throw every obstacle in the way
of our remaining in their Ports, or on their Coasts, by refusing us water and
refreshments; but in such a manner as is disgraceful to the Portuguese
Government which offers, or the British Government which allows. Great Britain
can have nothing to do with their infamous or degrading treaties: she looks to
her treaty being fulfilled in the most liberal manner.
I shall state my complaint of the circumstances which
generally happen at Lagos. A Ship of War goes there for water and refreshments,
which, by treaty, she has a right to: from her communications she seems placed
under the direction of the Consul of one of our Enemies, and very improper
language is held by our Enemies to the British Officers and Seamen, and
inducements held out to them to desert. The Enemy's Consul then directs that
only so many cabbages, or bullocks, or sheep, shall go on board—and, at
his will and pleasure, so much water: and it has been carried so far, that a
Captain, whose Ship was complete with water, giving his proper water to wash
the linen, on sending ashore for more, was threatened by the Portuguese sentry
to be fired upon, if they presumed to attempt to take a drop. To this
degradation no Nation can submit. Now, what I demand is, that our Officers and
Men, whilst in the Neutral Port, shall be under the protection of the Neutral
Flag, and not be permitted to be insulted by the interference, either secret or
open, of our Enemies; and that every Ship which goes into Lagos, or other
Ports, shall have such refreshments as are reasonable. And, as to water, I
never before heard that any limited quantity was allowed, much less that if a
dirty shirt was washed, any French or Spanish Consul should be allowed to say,
' You English shall either wear a dirty shirt, or go without water to drink ;'
and that a sentinel of a Neutral Power should presume to threaten to fire, if
an Ally presumed to take water! I shall send a Ship or Ships to take in water
at Lagos. They shall wash, or let it run overboard, if they please; and I rely
that the Portuguese Government will direct that our Enemies shall not insult
our people, much less dictate to the Portuguese Governor for his treatment of
us However degraded the Portuguese may allow themselves to become, it is hardly
fair that they should expect us to be insulted by our Enemies on their Neutral
ground; for if, by words, or any other mode of warfare, they do permit it, I
shall certainly retaliate. I should get warm was I to go any farther, therefore
I shall leave the business in much better hands—those of your Lordship;
only repeating, that all we want is, that when our Ships go to Lagos, we may
not be allowed to be insulted by our Enemies (unless we have permission to
retaliate); that we shall take either one ton, or one thousand tons of water,
as we please, and be allowed the free use of the markets, as by friendship we
had a most unquestionable right to expect; and that the Portuguese Governor may
be called to a most severe account for his conduct, in allowing a sentinel to
threaten to fire on an English boat going for water, or any other purpose, to
the shore of friendly Powers.
I have the honour to be, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 3rd, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
I have not the smallest wish about Dr. Felix, beyond what I
told you: it is very reasonable and proper that your Surgeon should go with
you. You will see what I have said about the Marine Officers; and I will
endeavour so to act respecting them that, not to offend the Admiralty, we may
not be left without proper Marine Officers. I shall expect you with much
pleasure to-morrow morning; being ever, my dear Coll.,
Your attached friend, NELSON AND BRONTE.
Eurydice is gone under Cape St.Mary's.
TO CAPTAIN DUFF, H.M. SHIP MARS. [3]
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 434.]
' 4th October, 1805.
As the Enemy's Fleets may be hourly expected to put to sea
from Cadiz, I have to desire that you will keep, with the Mars, Defence, and
Colossus, from three to four leagues between the Fleet and Cadiz, in order that
I may get the information from the Frigates stationed off that Port, as
expeditiously as possible. Distant Signals to be used, when Flags, from the
state of the weather, may not readily be distinguished in their colours. If the
Enemy be out, or coming out, fire guns by day or night, in order to draw my
attention. In thick weather, the Ships are to close within signal of the
Victory: one of the Ships to be placed to windward, or rather to the Eastward
of the other two, to extend the distance of seeing; and I have desired Captain
Blackwood to throw a Frigate to the Westward of Cadiz, for the purpose of an
easy and early communication. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 4th October, 1805.
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 16th ult., together with
the inclosure therein mentioned from Mr. Huskisson, Secretary to the Treasury,
relative to the specie on board the Ships named in the margin, being landed on
their arrival in. Port, and delivered to the Collector of Customs. In answer
thereto, I beg you will be pleased to submit to the Lords Commissioners, that
as those Ships are not likely soon to return to England, and having understood
at the Treasury that an order would shortly be sent out to land it in this
Country, where specie was particularly wanted for various services, whether it
would be proper that it should be landed at Gibraltar under the directions of
the Vice-Admiralty Court or otherwise, as may be judged fit, or sent to England
by the first opportunity. You will therefore be good enough to acquaint me with
their Lordships' further direction on this subject as early as possible.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 4th October, 1805.
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 16th ult. respecting my
having given orders to the Ant Cutter, I must request that you will be so good
as acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that her name was on the
list of Vessels to be under my command, which I received from Lord Barham's
Secretary, a copy of which my Secretary took in the Admiralty, and left the
original with Mr. Thomson's Clerk, to be delivered to me on my return to the
Admiralty, and I presume her name will be found on the said list, as I omitted
to call for it from Mr. Thomson. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY BLACKWOOD, H. M. SHIP
EURAYLUS.
[From " Blackwood's Magazine" for July, 1833.]
Victory, October 4th, 1805, Cadiz, East 17 leagues.
My dear Sir,
I have received from Rear-Admiral Louis, your information
respecting the intended movements of the Enemy, which strengthens my conviction
that you estimate, as I do, the importance of not letting these rogues escape
us without a fair fight, which I pant for by day, and dream of by night. I am
momentarily expecting the Phœbe, Sirius, Naiad, and Niger, from Gibraltar;
two of them shall be with you directly as I get hold of them; and if you meet
them, and there is any way of sending information and their dispatches from
Gibraltar, keep Naiad and Phœbe. Juno is a fixture between Cape Spartel
and Gibraltar; Mars, Colossus, and Defence, will be stationed four leagues East
from the Fleet, and one of them advanced to the East towards Cadiz, and as near
as possible in the latitude. The Fleet will be from sixteen to eighteen leagues
West of Cadiz; therefore, if you throw a Frigate West from you, most probably,
in fine weather, we shall communicate daily. In fresh breezes Easterly, I shall
work up for Cadiz, never getting to the Northward of it and in the event of
hearing they are standing out of Cadiz, I shall carry a press of sail to the
Southward towards Cape Spartel and Arrache, so that you will always know where
to find me. I am writing out regular instructions for the Frigates under your
orders, but I am confident you will not let these gentry slip through our
fingers, and then we shall give a good account of them, although they may be
very superior in numbers. The Royal Sovereign and Defiance were to sail after
the 24th. Belleisle, too, is ordered here. I send you two papers; I stole them
for you.—Ever, my dear Blackwood, most faithfully your friend,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 4th October, 1805.
Sir,
I have this day received your letter of the 18th ult.,
acquainting me that the money which was intended to be sent out in the
Renommée and Melpomené is ordered to be divided amongst the Ships
named in the margin, and signifying to me their Lordships' direction to cause
it to be forwarded to the place of its destination. In answer thereto you will
please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that due attention
shall be paid to their instructions on this subject, and that the money on
board the two Ships of the Line shall be sent to Malta as soon as a Frigate can
be spared for that service. At present there are only three, instead of eight
Frigates with the Fleet, the others not having joined.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
'Victory, off Cadiz, 4th October, 1805.
Sir,
By the Entreprenante Cutter, which joined the Fleet this day
from Portsmouth, I have received your letter of the 16th ult., acquainting me
that a detachment of Royal Marine Artillery was to be sent out to the
Mediterranean by the first opportunity, to serve on board the Thunder Bomb, in
room of the detachment of Royal Artillery; and you will be pleased to acquaint
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I shall give the necessary
directions for the Royal Marine Artillery being embarked on board the Thunder
Bomb on their arrival, and that her detachment of Royal Artillery is already
landed at Gibraltar; and I have to beg that a detachment of Royal Marine
Artillery may likewise be sent out to the Ætna Bomb as early as possible.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
P.S.—I have taken the Entreprenante under my command,
agreeably to their Lordships' order of the 16th ult. |
