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Letters and
Dispatches of Horatio Nelson
October 10 to 14,
1805
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
As frequent and very serious mistakes happen on receiving
provisions, it is my particular directions, that when any of His Majesty's
Ships or Vessels under my command go into Port, to complete their provisions
and necessaries, on their coming on board, the Masters take a regular account
of each species, &c., which they are to compare with the Bills of Lading
sent with such provisions from the Agent Victualler, or Contractor, previous to
their entering them in the Log-Book (which is to be done immediately); and
afterwards such Bills of Lading, or final Receipts, are to be compared with the
Log-Book, before the Captain and signing Officers put their signatures to them,
in order that every particle of the provisions so signed for may be actually on
board, that Government may not, either from the neglect or mistake of
individuals, be defrauded, or the Ships, Companies in want of those species,
considered to be bonafide on board.
It is also my particular directions, that every pound of
fresh beef, whether received from Agent Victuallers or Contractors, is weighed
on its coming on board, in the presence of a Lieutenant, the Master (or one of
his Mates, in his absence on duty), that it is immediately after entered in the
Log-Book, and the above instructions duly attended to, before the final
Receipts are signed for it accordingly.
The same strict regard to be had to the receipt of fresh
beef, or any species of provisions which may be purchased for the use of the
Ships, Companies under my command; and on no account whatever to sign Vouchers
for such provisions till they are authenticated, and found correct, as the
Officers above mentioned will be held answerable for any neglect in the due
execution of these instructions.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Whereas several Supernumeraries may be sent on board His
Majesty's Ships and Vessels on the Mediterranean station under my command, You
are therefore hereby required and directed to bear all such Supernumeraries, as
may from time to time be sent on board His Majesty's Ship under your command,
from any other of His Majesty's Ships or Vessels, impressed Men, Marines,
Invalids, Men from Hospitals, &c., at whole allowance of all species of
provisions, the same as the Ship's Company; and Soldiers and Prisoners at
two-thirds allowance accordingly.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
The Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy having acquainted me
that many difficulties occurred during the late War, as well to individuals as
to their Office, for want of the Ships, Muster-Books being sent regularly home,
it is therefore my positive directions that the Captains and Commanders of His
Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my command, attend strictly to this important
circumstance; and that they do send home their Monthly Muster-Books, with all
other Accounts and Papers, to the Public Boards, as soon as possible after they
become due, that His Majesty's Service may not be subject to any inconvenience
from the Books and Papers above mentioned being kept back.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
It is my particular directions that the name and family of
every Officer, Seaman, and Marine, who may be killed or wounded in Action with
the Enemy, on board any of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my command, be
returned to me as soon after the circumstance happens, as the Service will
admit of, agreeable to the annexed Form, in order that I may transmit it to the
Chairman of the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's Coffee-house, that the case of the
relations of those who may fall in the cause of their Country may be taken into
consideration.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
It is expected in fine weather that the Ships in Order of
Sailing do not keep more than two cables, length from each other.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
As gales of wind increase so suddenly in this Country, the
Ships of the Fleet are directed, particularly in the night, to shorten sail,
and get top-gallant yards and masts down, and take such other precautions as
the Captains may judge necessary, without waiting for the Admiral's motions.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Sir,
By the Royal Sovereign, which joined the Fleet on the 8th
inst. from Portsmouth, I received their Lordships, secret orders, dated the
21st ult., together with the inclosure therein referred to from the Right
Honourable Lord Castlereagh, directing me, after providing effectually for the
blockade of Cadiz, to keep in view the object of covering such operations as
Sir James Craig may undertake from the Enemy's Naval Force in the
Mediterranean, and for this purpose to keep a constant communication with that
Officer, so as to be regularly apprized of any movements he may make.
In answer to which I request you will be pleased to
acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that due regard shall be paid
to their order above mentioned; and with respect to the Naval Force required to
watch the Enemy at Toulon and Genoa, I beg to refer you to my letter of the 6th
inst. I shall as frequently as possible communicate with General Sir James
Craig; but I must here beg leave to mention for their Lordships, information,
that to keep up a constant communication, as directed by their said order,
would require three Brigs or Sloops for this particular service, and I could
then only expect to hear from the General once a month. Their Lordships may
however be assured that every means I have at present in my power shall be used
to comply with their direction, until a reinforcement of Sloops are sent out.
This additional service will require three Sloops to be added to the number
deficient, as mentioned in my Return of the 7th instant." I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
October 10th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
All shall be done about changes that you wish, whether you
are in Royal Sovereign or Dreadnought, the one or the other take a station next
you, and then you will not be hurried. There are some vacancies for Lieutenants
in Sovereign at present: you will find Lieutenants who you may wish. Perhaps
Lieutenant [George] Hewson would waive his rank to be in a Flag Ship. He is a
very good Officer, I have always heard. [Lieutenant Nesbitt] Palmer lost the
Berwick when Littlejohn was killed. If it will suit your convenience, will you
dine here at half-past two ? Do as you like. The bread being taken out is
provoking. We want that more than anything. Yours faithfully, NELSON AND
BRONTE.
Give me Blackwood's letter when we meet, as I keep all the
reports of Cadiz. All the stores for Gibraltar had better go on board the
Malabar. [11]
TO VICE ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 10th, 1806.
My dear Coll.,
You will receive the Commission and Order as you desired. I
think we are near enough, for the weather if it is fine, [the wind] serves, and
we are in sight, they never will move; and should it turn bad, we may be forced
into the Mediterranean, and thus leave them at liberty to go to the Westward,
although at present I am sure Mediterranean is their destination. I shall make
the signal at half-past four or five for Boats to repair on board, and make
sail under topsails, and perhaps fore-sail; supposing the wind to remain, stand
into the latitude of Cadiz, and then wear to the Southward for the night.
Should the Enemy move, I have directed the Vessels coming
with the information, to fire a gun every three minutes, and burn a rocket from
the mast-head every half-hour. It is then probable that I shall make the
signal, bear up, and steer for the entrance of the Straits. I will settle the
account with the Purser of Eurydice. I am not a little troubled about Sir
Robert Calder. Durham has refused voluntarily to go home.—Ever yours
faithfully,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
Cadiz, N.71 E.15 leagues.
Malabar, I fear, will not be able to take heavy cables on
the wine. Why not put them in her between decks ? If you sent me the
Dispenser's letters I have mislaid them, but I don't want them. Ætna goes
direct to Gibraltar with the mails.[12]
TO CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY BLACKWOOD, H.M. SHIP,
EURYALUS.
[From " Blackwood's Magazine" , for July, 1833.]
Victory, October 10th, 1805. Cadiz, East, 13 Leagues.
My dear Blackwood, Keep your five Frigates, Weazle and
Pickle, and let me know every movement. I rely on you, that we can't miss
getting hold of them, and I will give them such a shaking as they never yet
experienced; at least I will lay down my life in the attempt. We are a very
powerful Fleet, and not to be held cheap. I have told Parker, and do you direct
Ships bringing information of their coming out, to fire guns every three
minutes by the watch, and in the night to fire off rockets, if they have them,
from the mast-head. I have nothing more to say, than I hope they will sail
to-night.
Ever yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, BART., MALTA.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. u. p. 439.]
11th October, 1805.
I have five Frigates, a Brig, and a Schooner watching them
closely, an Advanced Squadron of fast-sailing Ships between me and the
Frigates, and the body of the Fleet from fifteen to eighteen leagues West of
Cadiz. I am aware there will be moments when it might be wished we were closer;
but I have considered all possible circumstances, and believe there will often
be times, in strong gales of Westerly wind, when we may often wish ourselves
farther off, as we shall be in danger of being driven into the Mediterranean;
when, if they choose to go Westward, they will have no interruption. However,
whether I am right or wrong, I act from the best of my judgment. Admiral Murray
is in England, settling the affairs of his father-in-law, lately dead: he might
have had his Flag, if he pleased, in this Fleet. Hardy is much recovered. I
have pressed the necessity of two Sail of the Line, two Frigates, and two
Sloops, to scour the Mediterranean from Toulon, Genoa, &c., &c., and to
preserve Sardinia—round the Southern end of it to Toulon again, as a
fixture. For Malta, and the Convoys to the Adriatic, &c. one small Frigate,
four good Sloops of War, and the four Vessels commanded by Lieutenants. I am,
&c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE:.
TO SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, BART., MALTA,
[Autograph in the possession of Sir William Keith Ball,
Bart.]
Victory, October 11th, 1805.
My dear Ball,
From the tenor of the letter addressed to you, you will see
that I have had much communication with His Majesty's Ministers upon the
subject of preventing Sardinia from falling into the hands of the French, which
will be a severe blow upon us, for in that case, if the Enemy's Fleet get into
Toulon, all the British Force in the Mediterranean must be occupied in turning
them out of it, that our Fleet might have a place to resort to in order to
watch Toulon, but I much fear that at this moment it may be lost. I hope
something permanent may be soon, in concert with Russia, settled about that
most important of all stations. I want that we should have a great weight in
the Mediterranean; and although I believe I have made a very considerable
impression on the minds of Mr. Pitt, Lords Mulgrave and Castlereagh, of the
very great importance of fixing ourselves in the Mediterranean, yet perhaps
that may wear off by absence; however, I must say they received all my little
knowledge with much attention. The sum entrusted to my disposal is small, but
perhaps enough to show the Country that a British Admiral can assist them if
they are disposed to resist the French, but at this distance I may never have
occasion to use any of the money; but as I wrote to His Royal Highness the
Viceroy by the Thunder, telling him that I had mentioned his want of money to
His Majesty's Ministers, I shall hear what he says when that Vessel returns,
and communicate it to you. And believe me ever, with the highest respect and
esteem, my dear Ball, your most faithful and obliged friend,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 11th October, 1805.
Sir,
You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty that His Majesty's Ship Renommée joined the Fleet under my
command yesterday evening, and that the moment L'Aimable joins, I shall order
the money on board the Royal Sovereign and Defiance 6 to be put on board the
said two Frigates, and direct them to proceed to Gibraltar, where a proportion
of it will be put on board the Aurora, and the said three Frigates be directed
to proceed to Malta with the Convoy under their charge. I shall, the moment
they are ready, order an Admiral with a Squadron of the Line to see them safe
past Carthagena, when I shall consider them perfectly free from all danger of
capture by the Enemy; and the instant the money is landed at Malta, I shall
direct Sir Thomas Livingstone, with the Renommée and L'Aimable, to
return and join me immediately, bringing with him any Trade that may be ready,
within two or three days, under his protection to Gibraltar. I am, Sir,
&c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 12th October, 1805.
Sir,
You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty that in consequence of the Britannia and Prince having left
England a Lieutenant short of their complements, I have appointed Mr. John
Barclay to the former and Mr. John Bingham to the latter; and in consequence of
my having appointed Lieutenant Moubray (who was intended for the Colossus) to
the Polyphemus in the room of Lieutenant Alexander Gordon invalided, as
mentioned in my letter to you of the 5th inst., I have given an order to Mr.
William Forster , Midshipman of this Ship, to be Acting-Lieuten in the
Colossus; and as those three gentlemen are Admiralty recommendations, I hope
their Lordships will be pleased to approve of and confirm their appointments. I
have likewise, at Captain Fremantle's wish, and the request of Lieutenant Green
of the Eurydice, removed that Officer into the Neptune, she being also a
Lieutenant short of her complement, and given Mr. Henry Jones, Master's Mate of
the Victory, an order to act in the Eurydice in his room; and as this is a very
valuable Officer of great abilities and merit, I venture to solicit their
Lordships, attention to him, and to request that you will be pleased to move
them to confirm his appointment. I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE. .
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 12th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
Sir John Thomas Duckworth comes out in the Acasta Frigate,
to hoist his Flag, of course in the Prince of Wales, which Ship was ordered for
Sir Richard Bickerton. I have wrote fully to Sir Robert on the subject, and
have begged Commissioner Otway to carry it, in case Sir Robert chooses to open:
he has an ordeal to pass through which I fear he little expects.
The Admiralty could not do less than call your conduct
judicious. Every body in England admired your adroitness in not being forced
unnecessarily into the Straits. I send you the last papers: return them, as I
mean to send them to Ball. Sutton is invalided: he is very unwell. Hoste has
Amphion, and Sir William Bolton, Eurydice. Amphion will take Royal Sovereign's
money to Gibraltar, and put it on board the Aurora, and then proceed to Algiers
with the letters and presents.
L'Aimable will take the money from Defiance, and with
Renommée go to Malta with the Aurora's Convoy; and whatever Admiral is
in the Mediterranean will be directed to see them safe clear of Carthagena.
Defence, if she has done with the Transports, will go and relieve Mars and
Colossus.
Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
Signal will be made when Royal Sovereign is to send the
money; probably not to-day. If I find Prince and Britannia cannot move faster,
I shall direct them to keep to windward, then the Lee Line can be kept up. I am
sure you felt for poor Dreadnought's movements yesterday [13].
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
My dear Coll., October 12th, 1805.
[Captain George] Hope tells me that he has all the
provisions except a few casks of oatmeal, which they do not want : therefore I
sent him to relieve Mars and Colossus. They have both things in the Belleisle.
If you will take the trouble of ordering the tar and blocks to be delivered to
the Ships, I shall be glad. The tar may soon be disposed of; and if you find
the blocks troublesome to deliver, send them into Gibraltar. There are some
ridiculous forms in the Sick and Hurt Department. The Survey may not be
necessary, but as the Dispenser has desired it, I think he will not comply with
the demand without knowing the remains. I have just received the Surgeon's very
improper letter, and I send you a public answer. Ever, my dear Coll., yours
faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VICE ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 13th, 1805;
My dear Coll.,
As Ships go into Gibraltar, their sails and rigging will be
made good: therefore, although a few stores may be sent for, sails in
particular, for those we cannot do without, yet it is impossible to comply with
Ships, demands out at sea. As the Ships arrive, more will be sent in. All
French Pilots to be sent to England. The Rochefort Squadron has been seen in
Latitude 41° 43' near Oporto, with several Prizes with them. If they cannot
get to Vigo I should not be [surprized] if they push for the Mediterranean, or
try to get into Cadiz, unless they go into Lisbon. Upon looking at the chart I
see they can get into Vigo. The Oporto Convoy is, I fear, taken, and Agamemnon
and L'Aimable had a narrow chance. Ever, my dear Coll., yours most faithfully,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
Sails, canvass, and twine is almost the only thing we can
desire at the approaching season to be sent out, or some other trifling things.
Swiftsure must soon go in to water.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 13th October, 1805.
Sir,
I have received by the Agamemnon your letter of the 1st
inst., acquainting me that the Transports appointed to convey the Forty-second
and Seventy-eighth Regiments to Gibraltar, are intended to bring back three
Regiments at present in that Garrison, and signifying to me their Lordships'
direction to furnish a proper Convoy for the said Transports on their return to
England. In answer to which you will be pleased to acquaint the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty that a proper Convoy shall be appointed for the
said Transports agreeably to their Lordships' direction. I am, Sir,
&c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
P.S.—I have received their Lordships, duplicate Secret
Order, dated the 21st ult., with its inclosure.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 13th October, 1805.
Sir, I herewith transmit you for the information of the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a Letter from Captain Hoste of the
Eurydice, dated the 7th inst., together with the list of Vessels captured as
therein mentioned. I am much pleased with Captains Hoste and Thomas for their
exertions in getting the Eurydice so expeditiously off the shoal, particularly
so as she is stated to have received no damage. I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 13th October, 1805.
Sir,
I herewith transmit you a letter from Captain Sir Edward
Berry [14] Of His
Majesty's Ship Agamemnon, dated the 10th inst., giving an account of his having
on the morning of that day fallen in with a French Squadron off Cape
Finisterre, which you will be pleased to lay before the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty for their information. I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.
[Autograph in the possession of Colonel Davison.] ,
Victory, October 13th, 1805.
My dear Davison,
Many, many thanks for your kind and affectionate note. I
should have much rejoiced to see you, but I was called away, and I obeyed. I am
vexed you should have had such a fag upon my account. Sir Edward Berry has had
a narrow chance from the Rochefort Squadron. I hope Sir Robert Calder will
escape them; and some happy day I hope to get at their Fleet, and nothing shall
be wanting on my part to give a good account of them. My dear Lady Hamilton has
told me of your kindness. You will do the needful about my accounts, and settle
with Mr. Chawner for what is going on at Merton. I have not a moment more, than
to say I am ever most faithfully yours,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 13th October, 1805.
Sir,
You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty that His Majesty's Ships Agamemnon and L'Aimable joined this
forenoon, and that the Prince of Wales [15], bearing the Flag of
Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Calder, leaves the Fleet this evening, with orders to
proceed direct to Spithead. The Vice-Admiral takes with him the Captains of His
Majesty's Ships Thunderer and Ajax, whom I have permitted to accompany him, for
the purpose of attending the Court requested by that Officer on his late
conduct between the 22nd and 25th of July last, which I hope, for the reasons I
have before stated, their Lordships will be pleased to approve of. I am, Sir,
&c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VICE ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 14th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
Perhaps, as the weather is fine, and the business of the
Transports nearly closed (except water, almost for the winter), you will come
on board this forenoon, that I may tell you all I know, and my intentions. I am
glad Sir Robert Calder is gone; and from my heart I hope he will get home safe,
and end his inquiry well. I endeavoured to give him all the caution in my power
respecting the cry against him; but he seemed too wise. Africa did not see the
Rochefort Squadron, but heard of them, and sent the Cheerly Gun-brig with
information. Ever yours most truly,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY BLACKWOOD, H.M.S. EURYALUS.
[From Blackwood's Magazine for July, 1833.]
Victory, October 14th, 1805.
My dear Sir,
I approve most highly of your care of the Store Ship; but
if it should so happen that you could not spare a Frigate for that service, the
Ship might be safely ordered up to the Fleet. The Guard boat has not joined
us—the swell has been probably too great—but I would not recommend
accounts of great consequence to be sent by them; a few words might be wrote by
telegraph. Sir Richard Strachan was certainly in sight of the French Squadron.
I wish he was stronger, but I am sure he will spoil their cruizing.
I hope we shall soon get our Cadiz friends out, and then we
may (I hope) flatter ourselves that some of them will cruize on our side; but
if they do not come forth soon, I shall then rather incline to think they will
detach Squadrons; but I trust, either in the whole, or in part, we shall get at
them.
I am confident in your look-out upon them. I expect three
stout Fire-Ships from England; then, with a good breeze, so that the Gun-Boats
cannot move, and yet not so much but that a Gig can with ease row out, I should
hope that at the least the gentry may be disturbed; and I should not be
surprised if Mr. Francis and his catamarans were sent, and Colonel Congreve and
his rockets—but all this keep to yourself, for Officers will talk, and
there is no occasion for putting the Enemy on their guard. When these arrive,
we will consult how to manage them, and I shall have the two Bombs ready by
that time. Ever, my dear Sir, I am yours most faithfully,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
Do you send your letters—they shall be taken care of.
Would you like them to go by Lisbon packet when I send mine?
PRIVATE DIARY.
[From Dr. Beatty's " Narrative of the Death of Lord
Nelson,,, p. 96.]
Monday, October 14th.
Fine weather: Westerly wind. Sent Amphion to Gibraltar and
Algiers. Enemy at the harbour's mouth. Placed Defence and Agamemnon from seven
to ten leagues West of Cadiz, and Mars and Colossus five leagues East of the
Fleet, whose station is from fifteen to twenty West of Cadiz; and by this chain
I hope to have a constant communication with the Frigates off Cadiz. |
